CH 03 New Beginnings
September 1, 1910
Hogwarts Express, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
"Now Arcturus, I want you to take care of Lycoris, you hear?" Lady Black sternly reminded the oldest Black child for the umpteenth time.
"I can take care of myself, Mother." Lycoris rolled his eyes but when Lady Black pursed her lips he immediately pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Mollified, Lady Black finally dropped the subject. "I expect letters regularly and do enjoy your time at school, sweetheart."
"Of course. And I will, Mother. Don't worry." Lycoris dutifully promised.
"I expect you to do us proud, Lycoris." Lord Black clasped his son's shoulder firmly.
"Of course, Father." Lycoris knew what that meant but for once he didn't rebel against the expectations placed on him. He was looking forward to duelling and swordplay with the older Slytherins and that would require being sorted into Slytherin after all.
Even as the five Blacks stood together at the crowded train station making their last farewells before the two eldest Black children boarded the Hogwarts Express, not much different than what other families were currently doing, there was a conspicuous aura about them that had others instinctively giving them space, not daring to jostle.
Indeed, with their expensive robes, aristocratic bearing, and polished mannerisms, the handsome family attracted quite a lot of covert stares even while the masses avoided them out of intimidation. There were exceptions of course.
"Ah, Lord Black, sending your sons off to Hogwarts I see." A pompous voice called out to them accompanied by the clacking of a highly polished cane, interrupting Lord Black's last reminders towards his sons on their grades and deportment while at Hogwarts.
Turning around, Lycoris spotted three graceful figures making their way towards the area the Blacks had claimed for themselves, parting the crowds with little effort. He grimaced when he noticed the distinctive pale blonde hair.
"Lord Malfoy. I was wondering when I would be seeing you. I recall that Aurelius will be starting this year too." Lord Black courteously returned the greeting.
While the Malfoys were an allied Family to the Blacks, Lycoris was never much fond of them. They reminded him an awful lot like the white peacocks that roam the grounds of the Malfoy estate. Too pompous and in love with themselves with a habit of throwing their wealth around. A prime example would be Aurelius Malfoy, the little snot that he had been forced to socialize with from a young age. He had almost forgotten that they would be starting Hogwarts together.
And as the adults made pleasantries, the children headed off to find a suitable compartment. Arcturus soon left the two first year boys in an empty compartment near the front to report for prefect duties.
Aurelius glanced nervously at Zephyra perched on top of Lycoris' trunk. "Couldn't you have put your owl in a cage?" He whinged.
"Why are you scared of her? She's a darling." Lycoris rolled his eyes before he lovingly stroked Zephyra's feathers.
"Yes, to you. The Black owls always give me the creeps. Demon birds, the lot of them." Aurelius shuddered when he caught sight of said owl giving him a malicious glare with her fierce orange eyes.
Lycoris snickered in amusement before changing the subject to Hogwarts and sorting. The young Malfoy could be a prat at times but he was a tolerable conversationalist when he wasn't boasting about his wealth or putting on airs.
As the boys chatted, other children from their families' social circle soon began entering their compartment and Lycoris soon found himself surrounded with his minions - Aurelius Malfoy, Raphael and Regina Greengrass, Timoteous Nott, Cyprian Rosier, Alistair Fawley, and Phoebe Selwyn.
He hadn't noticed at first but Lycoris had become their leader sometime when they were much younger. He hadn't bothered putting a stop to the hero worship though it annoyed him at times when they followed him around like ducklings.
"So, we are all agreed that we must be in Slytherin or else?" Aurelius' pompous voice pulled Lycoris back from his thoughts but he ignored it in favor of the recent issue of Magical Policy, a much more reliable source on the current news than the Daily Prophet. He settled in for some light and amusing reading, his minions knowing better than to disturb him.
In what seemed like no time at all, the Hogwarts Express was slowing to a stop. Lycoris impassively changed into his Hogwarts uniform which was finely made and tailored using the black imported silk he favored. He didn't show it but he was rather excited.
Once the train had completely stopped they all exited the compartment, leaving bags and trunks behind. Lycoris carried Zephyra outside so she could fly up to the school herself, as the Silas Owl was not the sort to take any manhandling gracefully and refused to be caged. The station was dark, cold and swimming in students, most of them taller than Lycoris' five foot two. The eight first-years huddled together to prevent themselves from being carried off by the crush.
"First years this way!" Lycoris followed the sound to a figure nearly disappearing into the sea of students except for the lantern held high up above his head.
As a unit, Lycoris' group made their way towards the man, with a lot of shoving from Timoteous and Alistair, the larger and stronger in their group, equal in height to Lycoris himself but bulkier. A lot of complaints and pained cries followed in their wake. Lycoris would have normally said something, but as of now he was simply too distracted by his own excitement and anticipation.
As they followed who must have been the groundskeeper of Hogwarts down a narrow twisty path, Lycoris was treated to Aurelius' stream of complaints as he nearly lost his footing once again.
That soon cut off, however, luckily for the blonde boy, before Lycoris sent a stinging hex at him, as they got their first sight of Hogwarts after rounding a bend. Lycoris, along with the other first years, couldn't help but to gasp at the sight.
The narrow path had opened out onto the side of the Black Lake, which glimmered mysteriously under the starry sky. Straight ahead and perched on the top of a rocky crag on the opposite side of the lake was Hogwarts itself, a massive castle with numerous turrets and towers poking above its walls, windows shining golden in the dark. It was a beautiful sight, and not so much for the structure and landscape itself as Lycoris had seen his fair share of manors and castles, but for the Magic that seemed to permeate the surroundings, adding an otherworldly charm to the old castle and Scottish wilds.
Glancing around, Lycoris caught sight of boats moored up against the shore they were standing on and to the left of the castle he could just make out what must be the Forbidden Forest. Further off on the other side of the castle crag, spotted little lights twinkled in a way that suggested a settlement, probably Hogsmeade village.
It was both a strange and familiar sight and Lycoris could feel the accompanying nostalgia.
"No more than four to a boat!" The groundskeeper called, pointing at the small fleet of boats. There was a bit of a scramble as everyone tried to get into a vessel with their friends; Lycoris wound up sitting with Aurelius, Cyprian and Alistair; the next boat over held the Greengrass twins, Phoebe and Timoteous.
Soon the little fleet moved off, gliding easily across the smooth lake. "What a dinky little boat. Thank Merlin it isn't raining." Aurelius turned up his nose in distaste. Privately, Lycoris found that he could agree with the snobbish observation on this case. He was just glad that his year did not have the misfortune of having to cross the lake while it was raining.
They had to duck their heads as the boats sailed under a curtain of ivy into a tunnel carved into the rock, then deeper into the bowels of the mountain until they reached a harbour carved out of the rock where the boats stopped. Everybody then clambered out of the boats——Lycoris estimated their year numbered nearly fifty——before they ascended another steep rock-cut passageway that led out unto the grass right in front of the castle's main doors.
Lycoris was grateful for his expensive and charmed robes with the fancy velvet lining as it was surprisingly chilly. Aurelius sidled closer as the groundskeeper knocked on the doors, which opened immediately to reveal a tall, blond-haired middle aged witch with a stern face and conservative navy blue robes.
"The first years, Professor Merrythought," the groundskeeper said.
"Thank you Bran, I will take them from here." The authoritative certainty of her voice had them all moving through the door and down the Entrance Hall in an orderly manner, instinctively knowing she would not tolerate any pushing or shoving.
Lycoris followed leisurely, flanked by his minions. Being about one of the tallest in the group of first years, appearing to resemble a second or third year, Lycoris stood out without even trying. In fact, his small group of eight drew quite a bit of attention for they were the fanciest dressed of the lot, their standard Hogwarts robes customized in subtle ways and held themselves with a confidence that only came from growing up in wealthy old pureblood Families.
Professor Merrythought led them into a side-chamber off the Great Hall, from which the low murmurings of the older students were clearly audible through the wall, then turned to address them:
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, "the start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses." Lycoris let the rest of the speech wash over him, being already aware of most of the information he was being given.
Her speech given, the Professor informed them she'd be returning to collect them presently and left them to their own devices. Quite a lot of the first years appeared nervous, whether of the unknown or of failing family expectations to be in a certain Hogwarts House.
Lycoris was not worried in the slightest and instead habitually flipped his aspen wand in boredom as he idly listened to Aurelius praise Slytherin House and make dismissive remarks about Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, reserving the insults for the Gryffindor House.
It was slightly amusing in its ignorance and Lycoris suspected the blonde boy must be parroting the words of the elder Malfoy. It was sad how everyone seemed to put so much stock in House affiliations. Even the most boring person had various sides to them than just the one-dimensional traits associated with each House, Lycoris mused as he thought of the cowardly Gryffindor Peter Pettigrew and Draco Malfoy who had not a cunning bone in his body. Thoughts of Draco caused Lycoris to shoot Aurelius an amused smirk, the two Malfoys were strangely alike.
Not long after, Professor Merrythought returned and the first years formed a line in accordance with her directions and followed her into the Great Hall.
It was a large and rather austere space, not much better than the Entrance Hall had been and brightened only by the tapestries on the walls and the myriad lit candles floating in the air above the four long tables that were doubtless intended for each of the Hogwarts houses to sit at. The students at the table on the far left had green ties - Lycoris spotted Arcturus sat about halfway along holding court with his fellow fifth year Sytherins - and those on the far right had red ties. Lycoris thought he spotted Weasley red hair. On the near left were Ravenclaws in blue ties and in yellow ties near right were the Hufflepuffs.
Most stared at the new batch of students though some were looking at the ragged old hat Professor Merrythought had just set on a stool in the middle of the near end of the hall, right in front of the first years.
It was with no surprise that Lycoris watched the hat twitch, a rip near the brim opened wide before the hat started to sing.
The sorting began immediately afterwards and Lycoris was one of the first to be called.
"Black, Lycoris!" Lycoris stepped forward and strolled leisurely over to the stool, sat down and dropped the hat over his head at a rakish angle so that he could continue observing the inhabitants of the Great Hall. His intense green eyes ringed in mercury swept the tables and settled on his older brother who smirked back at him.
Hmm, interesting, said a soft voice in his mind which set off a feeling of deja-vu. You have quite a brilliant mind and deep loyalty to those who earned it, not to mention a certain element of noblesse oblige that would fit in with the brave and noble lions…..oh, I also see a trace of wiliness that Salazar would have been proud of as well, Master of Death.….now, where to put you…..
Lycoris frowned at the hat. I do hope you are spelled with confidentiality in mind, hat. And I would prefer Slytherin, thank you.
Hah, of course. Well then, better be -
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat shouted as Lycoris removed it from his head, set it on the stool he'd just stood up from and went to sit at the green tied table, his own green tie and Slytherin crest materializing on his robes as the Slytherins broke out into applause. Once sat down he smirked up the table at Arcturus who raised his goblet in his direction in a toast.
It was with no surprise that his minions all sorted into Slytherin. Four others were also sorted into Slytherin all girls, though Lycoris was unfamiliar with their surnames; they did not appear to be muggleborns or muggle-raised, half-bloods most likely. He did not go out of his way to introduce himself, he had more than enough minions already. And girls tend to be rather troublesome minions anyway.
After a boring speech by the Headmaster Dippet which Lycoris suitably ignored, the feast finally began.
"You're Arcturus Black's younger brother, aren't you." A second-year boy on his right, who introduced himself as Avery, stated rather than ask in curiosity.
When Lycoris nodded politely, the other boy exclaimed, "I knew it! Heard you would be starting this year. Anyway, my older brother mentioned that Prefect Black has a younger brother who is talented in Quidditch. Apparently, he heard it all from him. They share a dorm you see, both in the same year and all."
Lycoris raised an inky brow in amusement and drawled, "Dear ol' Arcty actually praised me?"
This caused those in the vicinity to let out choked or muffled laughter.
Grinning, Avery answered, "Said you're quite good as a Seeker. If that's true. Then you have to try out for the team. Merlin knows how long it's been since we had a competent enough Seeker on the team."
Raphael piped up in curiosity, "Thought only second years and up can try out for the teams?"
Another third year Slytherin, sitting a few seats away, answered, "Our Head of House finally got Dippet to let first years try out for reserve spots. Train them young, Professor Prewett says."
At this, Lycoris and all the boys in his group shared a delighted exchange of glances and all expressed their intentions to try out for the House reserve spots.
His first year at Hogwarts was already off to a great start. Lycoris was quite pleased indeed.
.
.
.
Lycoris and his fellow Slytherin first years followed Arcturus and the other prefects out of the Great Hall and down a stone staircase into the dungeons, then further down still. It was colder and slightly damper than the Great Hall and the stairs went down a long way. The corridors and rooms they were walking through were darker and the portraits frequently featured snakes and serpent motifs. Arcturus finally came to a stop in front of a blank stretch of wall.
"This is the entrance to the Slytherin Common room," he said briskly. "Currently the password is 'mellifluous', but it will change every fortnight. The current password will always be displayed on the common room notice board, so be sure to pay attention or you'll get locked out."
The wall had melted open as Arcturus said the password and he led them all inside. Lycoris glanced around at the floating chandeliers, expensive leather bound sofas and armchairs, elegantly carved mahogany tables and marble fireplaces. It was done up in black and Slytherin green with the occasional tasteful silver and practically radiated wealth, pureblood, and masculinity. Lycoris noted that it was not all that different from Harry's time.
As Lycoris' thoughts wandered, Arcturus continued his speech. "The boy's dormitories are through the door on the left and the girl's dormitories are through the right. Those two double doors on either side of the common room lead to the study/reading rooms and the duelling halls respectively."
At this, Arcturus paused before adding in a not so nice way, " You are not permitted to enter before your second year without an older student accompanying you. You won't like what happens if you try, so don't bother." Arcturus accompanied the end of that warning with a meaningful look shot at Lycoris who only smirked in response. "Now everyone to bed; your trunks are waiting in your dormitories."
Lycoris strolled at his usual lazy pace towards the dorms, his minions dutifully following half a step behind him. The dormitory was tastefully done up with tall ceilings and floating chandeliers, the six poster beds with their heavy green curtains evenly arrayed around the oval-shaped stone room.
Lycoris' trunk was at the foot of the bed two beds down the left side. Cyprian and Raphael on either side of him and Aurelius, Alistair, and Timoteous directly across from them. The room was large enough for everyone to have their own personal space which Lycoris approved of. His minions knew better than to crowd him.
Lycoris made quick work of changing into his sleeping clothes which consisted only of simple black silk trousers and pulled the curtains closed before putting up a privacy and locking ward on his curtains, shutting out the low whisperings among the other boys, still too excited to sleep. Settling deep into the silk sheets, Lycoris immediately fell into a deep sleep, having no trouble on that account.
Tomorrow would be his first day of school and new beginnings await him.