Chapter 5 Start of Term
Harry was filled with a mixture of anticipation, happiness, nervousness, and fear. Today he would meet his teenage parents. Would they like him? He had obsessed over their initial reactions for the past couple days. Harry caught himself multiple times drifting off into daydreams about it while trying to research.
Harry walked into the Great Hall just as the other students arrived and started filing in. He sat down at the Gryffindor table and looked towards the door, looking for a sign of bright red or messy black hair.
A pretty girl with a round face walked up to him and sat down. "Hi! I'm Alice. Are you a new student here?" she asked.
"Yes. I was home-schooled until this year. I'm a 6th year. My name's Evan," he replied smiling. "What year are you in?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm in 6th year too," she answered. "Oh look! There's Frank," she said excitedly as she waved him over. Harry smiled sadly as he realized that these were Neville's future parents.
"Hey Alice," he said as he made his way over. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Evan. He's in our year. He was home-schooled."
Harry and Frank exchanged greetings, when all of a sudden there was a loud explosive voice shouting above the regular cacophony.
"NO! FOR THE LAST TIME I WILL NOT GO OUT WITH YOU! AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE I WOULD RATHER DATE THE GIANT SQUID THAN YOU!" shouted a girl who they couldn't see due to the crowd.
"Ah, I see James struck out with our Lily again," Frank said knowingly. The girl came stomping over and sat down across from Alice.
"Urgh! He never gives up. What a prat!" the redhead fumed.
"Nice to see you too," Alice said sarcastically.
"Oh," Lily said calming down. "Hi! Sorry we couldn't sit together much on the train. Prefect duty took forever. Who are you?" she asked Harry, only just noticing him.
Harry just sat there in shock, gazing at his mother. She was beautiful. He really did have her eyes. So many emotions were running through him. He finally shook himself out of his stupor. "I'm Evan Jameson," he said shaking hands with her.
She was staring at him curiously. "You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" she asked.
"No," he answered quickly. "I mean, I was home-schooled until now. This is my first year at Hogwarts. I'm a 6th year too."
"Oh," she said. "Well, here's a bit of advice. Stick with Alice, Frank, and me. Stay away from the other 6th year boys. They're all prats. Well, except for Lupin maybe," she added thoughtfully. Before Harry could reply, she burst out, "Oh look! The sorting is starting."
Professor McGonagall had just set the hat down as Harry turned around. It burst out into song and the group of 1st years looked extremely frightened.
Centuries ago this school began
By the diverse four founders it was ran
Though they did disagree on who would be taught
Their hard work was almost for not
Ravenclaw prized those with an intelligent mindThose select few whose wit and brains shined
Slytherin liked those who had ambition like his own
Who were cunning and sneaky and sly to the bone
Gryffindor loved those with a sense of bravery
Who's courage and chivalry were always unwavering
Hufflepuff was open to any
The loyal and hardworking qualities, she found in many
Creating their separate houses they were happy to find
Was a way to run the school and keep peace of mind
A rift was made between two of the friends
As the original war of blood started to begin
Separating the students created hostility
Rather than group together those with similar abilities
But alas I'm but a hat made to do a task
Though sorting isn't helpful if it's me you ask
Put me on and I'll decide
Where you should go and I'll see what you hide
So wear me and I'll place you according
The results I assure you will be rewarding!
Everyone clapped and McGonagall called the first name. "Alling, Henry" she called out. After a few moments he was sorted into Hufflepuff. The table erupted in cheers as he rushed off to his new table.
Harry's mind drifted away for quite a while until he heard a familiar name being called. "Tonks, Nymphadora" McGonagall said.
The girl winced at the mention of her first name and hurried up to the stool. After quite a few minutes, the hat cried out "Ravenclaw." The girl placed the hat down, but unfortunately tripped over the stool leg as she walked away, falling flat on her face. She picked herself off embarrassedly and ran off.
"Just like her mother!" Harry could hear someone saying fondly over the applause, which he assumed was Sirius.
And with the last 1st year sorted (Zeferly, Aiden who went into Slytherin) Dumbledore rose to say his start of term speech. "As I am sure you are all rather hungry, I will save the announcements until after we eat. For now I leave you with these words. Oddment, blubber, tweak." Dumbledore sat down and waved his hand. Food popped up everywhere. Harry's mouth watered at the sight of all of it. He watched in amusement as Frank wolfed it all down.
After dessert was done, the food disappeared. The headmaster began his speech. "Hello everyone. Welcome back to Hogwarts. I have just a few start of term announcements. First off, I would like to inform the new students and remind some of the old ones (He glanced at the marauders.) that the Forbidden Forest is not to be entered. Also be sure to check the list of forbidden items that Mr. Filch has so kindly posted. Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is Professor Jones." A kind looking and rather young woman smiled and waved her hand in recognition. "I would also like to inform you that we have a new student joining us. Mr. Evan Jameson has been home-schooled until now and has been sorted as a 6th year Gryffindor." Everyone turned and stared at Harry. Luckily he was used to people looking at him and so he did not blush. "Quidditch try-outs will be held by the captains at a time chosen by them and coordinated with Madame Hooch. Follow the prefects back to your common rooms and they'll tell you the password."
Everyone got up and Harry, Lily, Alice, and Frank started walking towards Gryffindor tower. "Oh wait! I have to go find the 1st years! See you later," Lily called as she ran off towards the younger kids.
"Hey Jameson!" someone called out.
Harry turned and was pleased to see it was James. "Hello."
"Hi, I'm James Potter, but I bet you already knew that." He said. 'Actually I did,' Harry mused. "Anyways I want to talk with you about Evans. You see we kind of have something and I just want to make sure that your not interested in her."
"Oh no of course not," Harry assured him.
"Good! Here come with me. I'll introduce you to my friends," James said, dragging Harry along with him. "This is Remus Lupin," he said pointing to the tall and pale boy. Harry was amused, seeing him this young. He looked so different without all of the gray hair and worry lines in his face. "This is Peter Pettigrew," he continued on, pointing at a round boy with blonde hair. Harry had to restrain himself from strangling him as he looked at those shifty watery blue eyes. If he hadn't known any better, he would've thought he'd be the last person capable of murder, torture, and betrayal. But then again, he had the scars to prove it. "And this," James finished dramatically, "is Sirius Black." Harry smiled sadly as he saw him, thinking of how he'd one day be responsible for his death. He had definitely changed the most. Sirius looked exactly as he had in the picture from his parents' wedding. Azkaban had ruined him.
"Hello? Earth to Evan," Sirius said. "I know I'm good looking but there's no reason to stare."
"Actually the look on his face seems rather unhappy. Maybe he's saddened by your overwhelming ugliness?" James suggested.
Harry snapped out of it. "Oh sorry. You just look a lot like someone I used to know."
"Used to know?" Remus questioned.
"He died," Harry answered with his eyes downcast.
"Oh," Remus said. There was an awkward pause, which Sirius broke.
"Come on! We'll show you to Gryffindor tower." The group walked up to the portrait of the Fat Lady and said the password (Hippogriff).
"Remus Lupin! Where were you? I had to show the 1st years to their rooms by myself!" Lily shrieked. Remus walked up to her and attempted to apologize for his actions and get her to shut up.
Harry and the others went up to their dormitory and hung out until it was time to go to sleep. Frank came in rather late. It seemed he had been a bit busy "talking" with Alice.
Harry went to sleep and his last thought was, 'This is bloody brilliant.'
