Beth is concerned, she's poked her head in the hall multiple times over the day, and that monstrosity is still there. She heard the whistle for the train not a couple of minutes ago, and nobody else seems to be bothered by it. Minerva even promised that it would be removed that day, but it's still there. With a sigh, she comes down the stairs in her official robes and pokes her head in again. It's still there and she knows that Vector is talking to both the hat, and Minerva, about her role in the up coming feast. Drawing her wand she casts a few diagnostics, and comes up blank. A basic finite does nothing. Grumpily she walks over to it and inspects it more closely, running through a few more standard diagnostics that should show if it's a prank. When all of the spells she can think of come up blank, she pushes the pillar it seems to be resting on. It has a bit of give and seems to be hollow. Heaving it away from the wall, so that she can see how this thing is attached she notices something roll out the end of it. Of course there would be something inside it. With a flick of her wand she rights it and settles it off to one side while she's examining the wall behind the contraption. A moment later, she feels one of the teachers, probably vector, run their fingers up her back.
"One moe, I think I've got it."
They continue up her back and tickle her face, turning her head, she sees a flash of white and then something is forcing itself down her throat. Spinning around with her wand ready to fire a stinging hex at whoever played this prank, she's surprised to see that nobody is there.
Suddenly there's a flash of fire and a young woman with red hair, claws, and a tail, appears and looks at her face then down at the thing that rolled out.
"Hi, I'm Arry. Sorry about the face hugger, I didn't realise I'd laid that egg. Could you move back a tad, I need to get this back to my laying room, and I don't want to accidentally squash you when I change."
Beth puts her hands on her hips and just looks at the young woman, before looking cross-eyed at the thing on her face.
"Oh, don't worry, it will come off on its own in an hour or so. Welcome to the family."
Beth stumbles back in surprise as the young woman turns into a 15 foot tall animal with no eyes, a vicious smile, and lethal looking claws on all four limbs. It then jumps up to the top of the thing and settles into it like some sort of saddle, and the whole thing comes to life. A flash of fire and she's left alone in the great hall with something wrapped around her face for the next hour or so. Just as she's about to leave to find Madam Pomphrey, to see if she can do anything to speed it up, the first carriage load of students arrives. Glumly she takes her seat at the table and keeps an eye on the students. Pomona is the next to arrive and she takes one look at her before placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry that you're going through this. At least you didn't panic. Let me guess you thought it was a prank?"
Beth nods.
"You may want to think of it as a gift, and remind yourself of that fact repeatedly over the next few weeks."
Beth's eyes widen as Pomona gouges a rune into her plate with her finger.
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Susan's eyes widen as Arry reappears in their boat while they're still on the water, "How did you do that?"
Arry looks confused, "Do what?"
"Appear on the boat?"
"Erm, I just found Hermione and appeared next to her. Oh, and the hall's now cleared, one of my eggs got stuck in the ovipositor and one of the professors found it."
Hannah rolls her eyes, "How do you lose track of an egg?"
Arry turns around and looks Hannah in the eyes, "Laying eggs is easy, I could do it all day and I would depopulate the school just as quickly. My body is designed to lay eggs for workers and warriors, as they live and die in droves. Laying eggs to change someone, and make them part of my hive is hard. I have to fight my instincts and only include the parts that make them part of the hive. 32 house elves came to me this morning and requested, note they asked me, to join the hive. It took me 2 hours to lay all the eggs needed, all I could do at the end of it is count non-hive members in the room and compare it to the number of eggs I'd laid. I probably started laying the last one before the last needed one hatched."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise it was like that."
"It's ok, I just refuse to sully my mothers memory by deliberately endangering children that haven't attacked me. It's why I removed the boy to a safer place despite wanting to kill him. I know he was only repeating something he was told, but he is still the one that said it to me."
"Wow, Arry look at that!"
Arry turns to look at the castle framed by the setting sun, the windows lit by candlelight create a magical looking spectacle. The scene doesn't last long, as the last of the daylight disappears below the horizon, at the same time a huge man in a boat on his own shouts "Mind ye 'eads."
"Who's that?" Arry asks.
Hannah looks at Arry for a moment, "I forgot you weren't here when we got off the train, that's Hagrid, he brought us to the boats."
"Huh, so that's his name. I've seen him coming and going from the forest a few times while I'm hunting for snacks."
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Susan and Hannah follow the rest of the first years, even as Arry, Hermione, Ne'stbei, and Ce'jaun seem to know exactly where they're going, and are chatting amongst themselves in that strange language they occasionally used on the train. They watch as Hagrid goes through some sort of ritual at the door, though he stumbles a bit when the person standing on the other side isn't who he expected.
"Good evening children, I am Professor Vector, acting Deputy Headmis… Head Master. My apologies, there is a reason for the change in terminology, and the Head Master will be announcing it at the feast later. If you'll all follow me to the antechamber, I will prepare the hall for your arrival. I understand that we have someone joining the 4th year?"
Surprised, Susan and Hannah look over when Ce'jaun replies, "I am."
"You'll be sorted first, as there is a place set for you closer to the other members of your house. I will show you which one once you're sorted."
The time they spend waiting is amusing, as the red headed boy from the beginning of the train ride, is going around asking each of the other boys if they're Harry Potter. The scene is so amusing that they completely miss the Ghosts come through the wall until someone screams. They can also see the different groups that are already forming. Of particular interest to Susan is how the absence of Malfoy is changing the way some of the other children are mingling.
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Arry yawns as Professor Vector leads them into the Great Hall, the shine of the room having being taken off by her frequent visits to the school over the last few weeks. She smiles as Hermione mutters, "Apparently Rowana Ravenclaw did the enchantments on the ceiling." As all of the children line up, she watches Vector walk out of a side door, and then come back in carrying a wooden stall and a battered leather hat. When she puts the hat down, the shape of the hat changes to form an impression of eyes and a mouth.
"La la, la la la la. Hmm, this year I think I'll forgo singing and tell you a story instead.
"For the first time in 200 years, Hogwarts has appointed a new Head Master. One who is embracing the ideals that my creators envisaged for the school. For this was the first school of its kind that they knew of. Here was supposed to be a refuge for all magical peoples to learn from the masters of their art without fear of the politics of the world around them. The Head Master was to be the most experienced and knowledgeable of the Masters that made their homes here. They, and the other Masters would then pass their knowledge on to their apprentices and their apprentices and journeymen would then pass the knowledge on to you, the students.
"Originally, each Master was to have their own house, and I would only be called in to sort those who were ready to begin their apprenticeships. In respect for the founders, the following Head Master declared that their houses would last in perpetuity, something that was agreed to unanimously by the other Masters at the time. Over time, other schools began to form around the world, and the need for a centralised place of learning diminished. However, Hogwarts kept to its roots, and Masters provided instruction to all. Over time the reason for this structure faded from the minds of witches and wizards until one, Wren Tadpol, bowed to pressure from the government to standardise the exams across the country. This introduced the OWL exams. The last recognised Head Master was Jose Kelpis, who not only introduced the NEWTs and did away with the apprenticeship system, he also introduced the board of governors in response to political pressure. Since then Hogwarts has closed its doors to more and more students.
"I am happy to announce that the new Head Master has opened the school to Yautja. May the school continue to return to its aim of educating everyone that seeks an education in magic and has the ability to learn it."
There's a long pause before the hat says, "Well, get on with it, I'm done here."
While the Professor is unrolling her scroll, Arry nudges Susan, "See the teacher with the white face mask? That's a face hugger. Can you see how she's under no distress whatsoever, though she seems a little miffed at being unable to stop the professor next to her talking."
Susan nods, "I don't get why she's wearing one though."
"Remember I said one of my eggs got stuck in the Ovipositor? She's the professor that found it. Good thing it wasn't a male professor though."
"Why's that?"
"I don't have the necessary information to make male hive members, so everyone is female once they join the hive. One of the Yautja is having difficulty with that change, and they are far more egalitarian than Witches and Wizards are."
"Egalitarian?"
Professor Vector's cough brings an end to the conversations, "Slightly unusually, we have a 4th year starting today. Ce'jaun, please come forward and take a seat on the stool."
Once Ce'jaun has taken a seat, she places the hat on her head.
"Hmm, what do we have here. Non-human, it's been a very long time since I've sat on a non-human head. Right, I think I understand you now, let's have a look see.
"AARRGHH! It's going to eat me, it's going to eat me, get me off here… Oh wait false alarm, it was only a memory. What do we have here, AAAARRRGHH! Warn a hat next time. Oh, hey this isn't your head, what's this? I've already sorted you, and you. You as well. It's going to eat me, it's going to… Damn that was close, lets have a look again. That's a lot of memories, there's no way I'm going through this again so let me see, well Slytherin is right out. I do not want to encourage those tendencies. Let's see, you have a fine mind, and so do you, and you, and you, and you, and you, you, you, you and all of you too. Why exactly are you attending this school again? Oh that's why. You're about as likely to jump at the chance for excitement and adventure as a niffler is to jump on a gold coin. But the over riding trait I see here is loyalty, because of that it better be. Hufflepuff!"
Arry smirks at the hat while Ce'jaun is led over to a space amongst the 4th years. Poke around uninvited indeed.
"Abbott, Hannah."
"Oh good, a normal child, what do we have here? Hmm, Friendship, Loyalty, willing to get your hands dirty. Better be. Hufflepuff!"
"Bones Susan."
"Oh, another normal child, I've never been so relieved to…" Arry tunes out the hat's mumbling as it goes through it's process again, and again, only paying attention when Hermione's name is called.
"Hermione Granger."
"Hufflepuff! Do not let that head anywhere near me."
There's shocked silence throughout the hall as the hat says that, and Hermione looks up at the professor in confusion, "Erm, well off you go then."
When it comes to Malfoy there is silence as no student steps forward. After repeating the name Vector moves onto Ne'stbei.
"Ne'stbei"
"Hufflepuff!"
"What about sorting her?"
"I just did, are you arguing with me?"
"No, but."
"Then she's in Hufflepuff."
"If you could take your seat please? Lady Arry Potter."
"Erm, why does that name seem familiar?"
Arry walks forward and sits on the stall, her tail waving lazily behind her, as the hat lands on her head it lets out an agonising scream.
"Get me off! Get me off! Hufflepuff! Hufflepuff! I need brain bleach!"
Daintily she stands up again, hands the hat to a shocked professor and takes a seat at the Hufflepuff table.
Susan leans over, "What did you do?"
"I shoved all my ancestral memories at the hat."
"I can't imagine what that would be like."
"Painful, I don't like delving into them, and they're my memories."
The only other surprise was when the red headed boy was put into Slytherin, after he muttered that he wanted to go into Hufflepuff. As the last student is sorted Minerva stands.
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Minerva looks out at all the new and existing students, "Good evening everyone. Normally, Mr Dumbledore would make a quip and then we'd start the feast. However, I'm going to take advantage of the fact you're all awake now to give the customary notices. Firstly, you'll notice that there are now two additional tables in the hall behind me. The first is the Journeyman's table, this is where the Professors and staff that don't hold a mastery will be sitting. Around that table are Valodja Bagley, Journeyman in Potions. He will be teaching first and second year potions, as well as learning from Potions Master Snape who is sitting to my right. Then we have Priya Dunns, my assistant, she will be dealing with much of the administrative side of Hogwarts, so you are likely to see her around. Also at that table are Madam Poppy Pomphrey, the schools Mediwitch, Mr Rubius Hagrid, groundskeeper and keeper of the keys. You may be interested to note that he is an apprentice to our Care of Magical Creatures Master, Silvanus Kettleburn, seated to my left. Professor Quirinus Quirrell, who will be teaching Defence against the dark arts this year. Professor Bronze Spindlewheel is the Muggle studies Professor. Rounding the table off is Mr Argus Filch, the school caretaker. The other table is for guests and residents that are not staff members."
Minerva takes a sip of water as the students take in this information, "Moving to the Masters table, at the end we have Master Sybil Trelawney, who has a Mastery in Divination.
"Next we have Master Bathsheba Babbling, who has a Mastery in ancient runes, and is also the new Head of House Gryffindor. No she hasn't fallen foul of a prank already, there was a misplaced creature, which you can currently see seated on her face.
"Next we have Potions Master Severus Snape, head of house Slytherin.
"Master Septima Vector, has a Mastery in Arithmancy, and is also the Deputy Head Master.
"For those who don't know, I am Master Minerva McGonagall, and I hold a Mastery in Transfiguration. I am also proud to be the acting Head Master.
"To my left we have Charms Master Filius Flitwick, who was also the Duelling champion 3 years in a row before he started teaching here. He is also the head of house Ravenclaw.
"Master Pomona Sprout is next, she holds a Mastery in Herbology and is the head of house Hufflepuff.
"Master Silvanus Kettleburn is seated next to her, though I can see he's itching to talk to Master Babbling.
"Master Aurora Sinestra is our resident Astronomer, and holds a Mastery in Astronomy, as well as a muggle Masters degree in Astrophysics.
"Master Rolanda Hooch is not only an ex-professional quidditch player, she also has a Mastery in Enchanting, with a speciality in brooms.
"Finally, but most certainly not least, we have Master Irma Pince, our school librarian. She holds two Masteries, the first in Librarianship, and the second in History."
Minerva can see the whispers going around the tables, as the revelation of just how many people with actual Masteries are in the school, sinks in. She lets them whisper for a few minutes before she continues again.
"As the hat said, we have some non-humans studying with us now. They come from two species, Yautja and Xenomorph. Both of these species have cultures that are very different to your own. Because of this I must stress that wands should not be used outside of your class or common rooms unless you are taking part in a club that requires them. Yautja culture especially is a very martial culture, and replies to violence with violence. Xenomorphs, are different yet again, and the Lady Potter is an example of one. What you can see now is her animagus form. If you want to know more about her history, ask her politely. However, if you attack her you are likely to die before she is aware of the fact you have attacked. This is what happened to Mr Dumbledore when he first met her in her natural form. Fortunately for us, she was able to get him to medical care before he passed away, however he was missing his heart and a large amount of his lungs and spine. At the guest table, you can see two xenomorphs in their natural form, please wave for the students Murph."
Once Murph has waved her clawed hand at the students Minerva continues again, "The forest beyond the Quidditch pitch is off bounds to students. We have recently discovered that there is a record-breakingly large colony of acromantula in there, so unless you want to end up as an appetiser for them you will stay clear. Yautja and Xenomorph students are exempted from this, as they are helping to bring the colony under control. Newt students may seek permission from Master Kettleburn to accompany a Yautja or Xenomorph on a hunt if you wish. All others must steer clear for their own safety. Newt Herbology students will continue to take lessons in the forest with Master Sprout.
"Lastly, the Lady Potter has a number of Vassals staying at the castle with us. They all take her safety and reputation very seriously. This is why Mr Malfoy will not be joining this institution for the foreseeable future. On the train he delivered grave insult to the Lady's face, and has been removed to a safe location. Let this serve as a lesson to all of you about politeness and manners.
"Lastly, all students are required to attend breakfast tomorrow morning, as you will be receiving your timetables at that time. First years will note that they have Flying lessons on Thursdays. These start later in the month as the school Quidditch teams need to hold their trials to replace members that graduated last year. Instead, Master Pince has agreed to hold a class on common knowledge in the Library for the next 3 weeks."
Minerva looks around the students, "Does anyone have any questions, that are not about the students or Master Babblings facial attachment?"
One of the students puts their hand up, "Yes Miss Geldings?"
"Why are you placing so much importance on Masters and Masteries now?"
Minerva looks over at Irma, "Master Pince, as you helped me with the school charter, would you like to give a lecture on this in the hall one day next week?"
Irma looks even more pinched than normal, "I suppose I should really."
"We will answer that question at another time. Anyone else?"
"When are we going to eat?"
Minerva laughs good naturedly, "If there's no other questions?... Tabpenny please present yourself."
A house elf appears on the floor in front of the Masters Table, "This is Tabpenny, the head house elf of Hogwarts. Everyone give the house elves a round of applause, and Tabpenny, we are ready to eat now."
There's a round of applause as the food appears on the tables.
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Beth looks mournfully at the food on the table. She then melts as Septima steps up behind her, and begins massaging her shoulders, "Don't worry, I've asked the elves to save you some for later. Are you doing ok?"
Beth nods. No sooner has she returned to her own seat, than Silvanus comes over to examine the face hugger.
"Absolutely fascinating, it seems to be implanting something inside you. Whatever it is, it's not a parasite or an egg, so you don't need to worry about that. It would also be extraordinarily dangerous to try to remove it, as it has the most potent acid in it's blood I've seen outside some oozes that live off of rocks."
Just as the desserts disappear from the table, the face hugger loosens it's grip and falls away, it's job finally done.