Harry Potter: Faerie Blessed

Chapter 5

I'm going to say right now that I'm going to try and keep bashing of characters to a minimum here. For this fic, I want to attempt to capture them as Rowling originally created, though there would be some twists and turns as things change from canon.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

Ronald Weasley, the youngest son of the Weasley Family, let out a sigh as he stepped onto the Hogwarts Express. It was going to be his first year attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And as the current youngest member of the family attending, he had some large expectations to live up to.

His oldest brothers had led successful lives, one of them working as a Curse Breaker at Gringotts, and the other working in Romania at the Dragon Reserves. His next oldest brother, Percy, had been made Prefect and, while they tended to goof off and make trouble most of the time, Fred and George were actually quite talented in their own right.

Now everyone was looking to see how the newest Weasley would fare at Hogwarts.

As Ron struggled to put his trunk onto the overhead rack, he received unexpected help when another boy walked up and lifted his trunk the rest of the way with ease. As the young Weasley turned to thank the other boy, he was surprised to see a rather toned boy wearing an all-black outfit that seemed to be made of some sort of silk. The strangest part was that he wore a black veil tied around his nose and mouth, obscuring the majority of his face, but leaving his piercing emerald eyes and messy black hair exposed.

"Are you ok?" asked the boy as he secured the trunk. "You looked like you could use some help."

"Thanks," said Ron. "Do you want to share a compartment? I've got lots of room it seems."

"Sure," said the boy as he tossed a bag up into the overhead next to Ron's trunk and took a seat. "My name's Harry. What's yours?"

"Ron," said Ron, "Ron Weasley."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you, Ron Ron Weasley," said Harry, his joking tone indicating that he was trying to break the tension.

"Likewise." Ron chuckled as the two of them got comfortable. "So, what Quidditch team do you support?"

At that question, Harry gave the redhead a curious look…well as much as he could with the veil covering his nose and mouth. "I apologize, but I am unfamiliar with the term. What is this, Quidditch? Is it a sport?"

"You don't know what Quidditch is?" said Ron in surprise. "Blimey you're really missing out. It's the greatest sport ever!"

"Unfortunately, I haven't had much exposure to sports," said Harry. "Could you tell me more about it?"

Ron eagerly nodded and began going over the details of Quidditch while Harry listened curiously, though it was slowly becoming obvious that Harry was growing rather confused about the description that Ron was giving him about this strange sport.

"I see," said Harry. "So people fly around on brooms and dodge iron balls that fly around trying to knock players off their brooms while trying to throw a red ball called a Quaffle through hoops for points and the game only ends when a specific player catches an elusive golden ball that is enchanted to fly around the arena?"

"That's right," said Ron with a nod.

"It sounds confusing," said Harry, "but I guess each to their own."

"I guess it can be if you've never seen it before," allowed Ron, "but once you do, you'll see how great it is. I'm a huge fan of the Chudley Cannons."

"I assume that that is one of the teams?" asked Harry.

"Yup," said Ron, "they're the greatest!"

"I'll take your word for it." Harry chuckled.

"So, if you never heard of Quidditch, then what do you do for fun?" asked Ron

"I enjoy practicing archery," said Harry.

"Archery," said Ron, "that's just shooting targets with a bow and arrow, right?"

"That's the basic description," said Harry, "though more advanced levels involve targets that move positions while you're aiming at them. It takes a good deal of aim and concentration."

"Sounds difficult," said Ron.

"It is," said Harry, "but when things are easy, where's the fun?"

The boys continued to talk about various subjects, with Ron answering questions Harry had about the Wizarding world, until a snack trolley rolled up, being pushed by a kind-faced Witch.

"Anything from the trolley dears?" asked the Witch.

"I actually brought my own," said Ron as he began to go through his bag.

"The same for me," said Harry, causing the lady to nod and continue on her way.

"What did you bring?" asked Ron as he pulled a small bag out of his luggage, "Mum made sandwiches for me and my brothers."

Opening the bag though, he made a face and frowned, "Corned beef. She always forgets that I hate corned beef."

"I don't blame you," said Harry, "I dislike it as well. You can have some of mine, if you want."

"What did you bring?" asked Ron as Harry pulled out a woven bag and retrieved several squares of baked pastry wrapped in leaves that smelled a bit like fresh mint.

"Honey Cakes," said Harry as he unwrapped the pastries to reveal a sweet-smelling loaf that, while appearing plain, gave off an air that made Ron's mouth water, "freshly baked this morning. There's more than enough for both of us."

"Thanks mate," said Ron as he took one of the offered pastries and bit into it. "This tastes great! Definitely beats corned beef."

"I agree," said Harry as he took a bite out of his portion. "It's much healthier as well."

The boys enjoyed the snack and continued to talk, but they were interrupted when there was a knock at the compartment door, prompting Harry to get up and see who was there. Upon opening the door, they were greeted by a girl with bushy brown hair and somewhat large front teeth.

"Excuse me," she said, "but have either of you seen a toad? Neville's lost his and we've been looking for it."

"I'm afraid we haven't," said Harry politely, "but have you considered asking one of the older students for help? I was reading about some of the spells we'd learn and I think the Summoning Charm should be able to help you track down the wayward amphibian."

"That's a good idea," said the girl. "I'll be sure to pass it along."

Once the girl had left, Ron turned to Harry and looked at him with a confused expression, "You read ahead? Why?"

"I was curious about what we'd learn at the school," said Harry with a shrug, "and my instructors from home always taught me to work hard and come to every lesson prepared. I found our textbooks on Potions to be quite interesting, as it was a subject only touched upon back home."

"Geez mate," commented Ron as he took another bite of the pastry Harry had given him, "with a mindset like that, you're certain to be sorted into Ravenclaw."

"Sorted? Ravenclaw?" asked Harry, "I'm not sure I understand."

"Really?" said Ron in surprise. "Well according to my brothers, students are sorted into four Houses: Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and of course the best one, Gryffindor."

"You seem to be quite fond of that last one," noted Harry, "Gryffindor was it?"

"Yeah," said Ron, "my whole family was sorted into Gryffindor. Actually, I'm kind of expected to follow in their example and be sorted there too. I mean, it's not a bad thing. Gryffindor is amazing! It's the house of the brave."

"Don't worry," said Harry with a chuckle, "I'm sure you'll do your family proud."

"Thanks mate," said Ron with a light laugh as he glanced out the window of the compartment. ":ooks like we're getting close. We'd better change into our robes."

"Sounds like a plan," said Harry and the two boys began to get ready.

xXsceneXx

Upon disembarking at the school's station, Harry and Ron joined the rest of the First Years as they were led down a dimly lit path by a rather large man that towered over even the older students, until they reached a small harbor where boats awaited them at the edge of a large lake.

"No more'n four to a boat!" called out the man as he directed the new students into the awaiting boats, "Everyone in? Right then, FORWARD!"

As the command was called out, Harry, due to his senses being finely attuned through his training in Faerie Magic, felt a wave of magic wash over them in the form of a light tingling sensation, before the boats began to move themselves across the lake under their own power.

Harry had just begun to wonder about what kind of spellwork would have been required to perform a spell like that, the boats came round the bend and the students got their first look at the Hogwarts Castle.

In his time in the Faerie Forests, learning from the Fae, Elves, and Dwarves, Harry had seen many amazing sights, from the magical gardens tended to by the Fae, to the underground city of the Dwarves, and even the Elven kingdom of Alfheim, but he couldn't help but gasp in wonder as he first laid eyes upon the manmade majesty of the Hogwarts Castle set against the moonlit night's sky.

"Blimey," breathed Ron from Harry's side.

"You can say that again," agreed Harry.

As they got closer, Harry realized, thanks once again to his senses, that the castle had a grandeur beyond what he had initially gathered from its appearance. The castle was permeated with ancient and powerful magical energy, woven together into a majestic and intricate lattice that flowed through and around the castle itself. It was honestly quite surprising that humans had been able to craft spellwork such as this, considering the lack of connection to the world's magic that the average human had.

Harry was soon drawn out of his revelry as the boats pulled into a small pier, allowing the students to disembark as the large man led them along a gravel path towards the castle doors. Once there, the man raised a massive fist and knocked three times upon the large doors, prompting them to swing open to reveal an older woman with black hair and emerald green robes.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," announced the man proudly.

"Thank you, Hagrid," said the now named Professor, "I will take them from here."

McGonagall led the students through the halls until they reached an empty room where she turned to face them, "Welcome to Hogwarts," she said to them. "Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup."

"Sounds kinda ominous," muttered Ron to Harry, causing McGonagall to raise her eyebrow at them and clear her throat. "Sorry."

"If you would follow me," continued the Professor, "we can begin."

McGonagall led them into the Great Hall, and Harry couldn't help but be amazed once again at the level of magic involved.

The Great Hall was aptly named. It was a large room that was lit by many candles floating under a ceiling that had been enchanted to show the night sky above the castle, with four long tables lining the floor and a fifth table standing elevated above the rest. Just like when approaching the castle, Harry could feel the ambient magic permeating the air, making him excited to learn more about this man made magical marvel.

As the First Years stood waiting, Professor McGonagall placed a wooden stool down in front of them and sat an old pointy hat atop it.

"When I call your name, you will come forth and place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses," announced McGonagall as she unfurled a scroll and began to read from it. "Abbot, Hannah."

A blonde girl with hair styled in pigtails walked forward and nervously placed the hat upon her head and, to the surprise of the new students, the hat suddenly came to life, with its creases and folds acting as a face as it scrunched its features in thoughts, a rip in the fabric even acting as a mouth that pursed in concentration.

"Hufflepuff!" declared the Hat after a moment, causing the gathered students to cheer, though the students with yellow highlights to their robes cheered loudest of all.

Continuing to read from her scroll, McGonagall called several more students forward to be sorted, until a familiar face was called forward.

"Granger, Hermione."

The bushy haired girl that had come to their compartment on the train looking for help with a toad rushed forward and eagerly placed the hat upon her head, causing it to once again pause as it mentally considered the girl in question

After a few moments, that hat nodded to itself and declared, "GRYFFINDOR!"

The gathered students applauded once again as the now named Hermione rushed to join her new housemates. The Sorting continued as normal with a nervous Neville Longbottom being sorted into Gryffindor after a moment and a smug Draco Malfoy being sorted, rather quickly, into Slytherin, until, finally, came the name that everybody was waiting for.

"Potter, Harry!"

To be continued…