Chapter 2
They appeared within another burst of violet light as they arrived in what seemed to be a rather dilapidated chamber, at their feet another runic circle was carved into the stone. The crumbling masonry seemed mostly held together by a large mass of mossy vines, vines which had even claimed the scroll-work sconce's that lay on either side of the only exit from the room. As Callian stared about the room they found themselves in he thought he saw them start to writhe and wriggle in the wake of his grandfathers portal light. Once more a reminder of another thing he would miss now that he was away from his home, his grandfather had refused every request of the various ministries and the ICW that had tried to get their hands on such magic's from him. He had always claimed that if they have not figured it out by now then they were not ready for such Magic.
He watched as the vines slowly began to creep towards them as the portal's light faded away, as he backed away from what he could now clearly see was a shoot of Devil's Snare. He was about to shout a warning to his family when his mother casually waved her hand and fired off a pea-sized ball of bright, white flame, no sooner had it touched the vines than it rapidly expanded. Callian had to turn his eyes away from the bright flash of light; once his vision had cleared he only saw a greasy smear where the vines had been.
Denevan eyed the wall with a critical eye before he turned back to Amerytha with a small approving smile, "Very good, tightly weaved and very little wasted Magic. I approve, my dear."
Callian laughed as his mother gave a mocking curtsey in return to his grandfather's words before she began to guide Callian from the chamber. "I believe it may be time for you to send your apprentices to the buildings you keep your portal's in, I am sure this is not the only one that could do with some maintenance."
Denevan merely ignored her as he waved his hand and Callian watched in awe as what had once been crumbling stone returned to a pristine condition, and two flickering balls of flame popped into existence in the twin sconces.
His mother only shook her head as they finally left the chamber and Callian was immediately hit by a wall of sound as they stepped out into pandemonium, Faenir hissed in distaste as the noise washed over them.
All about them the press of bodies jostled and pushed against them as families and passengers vied for space on the crowded station platform.
All that all changed as soon as Denevan stepped out of the chamber; it was like watching cockroaches fleeing from the light. They scrambled over themselves, pulling their children out of their path as Denevan walked through the crowd. His face was unreadable to Callian as if a mask had fallen over his familiar features something that the boy found odd as his grandfather had always been open with him.
They soon found themselves at the edge of the platform and still, people fell back only to turn and stare at them with a mixed look of reverential awe and overwhelming fear, allowing them a small bubble of space on the crowded platform.
His mother was content to ignore the crowds and as such smiled lovingly down at him as Callian found his eyes drawn to the onlookers, gentle fingers upon his face pulled his attention back to his mother who pulled him into one last embrace where she whispered into his ear.
"Ignore them, they will gawk and whisper behind their hands but they mean nothing. The legend of our House began with your grandfather, I have played my part but it is in you that the history of the Blackwood name will be continued."
She gently pushed him back until she was looking upon his face. "Remember everything your grandfather has taught you, but I want you to promise me that you will make the most of the time you have at Hogwarts. There is more to life than books and Magic, sweetheart."
Callian just smiled up at her, she knew that he followed after Denevan when it came to his pursuit of understanding Magic. He had pilfered a few copies of the more common books from the Blackwood Library, he was sure his grandfather was aware of his actions but the man had never had a problem with him learning all that he could. As long as he only took copies of the books from the Library and was careful in his studies, Denevan was usually content to let him learn at his own pace.
His mother just let out a sigh as she took in Callian's smile before she placed a kiss on his brow and stepped back to allow Denevan his chance to say his goodbyes.
Denevan stared down at Callian with a look of sorrowful pride, "I remember my own forays into Magic when I was your age, and going to Hogwarts was like my greatest dream come true. Now I see you beginning to walk the same path that I have travelled and already you are so far ahead of where I was in the beginning..."
Callian watched as his grandfather crouched down until he was squatting before him. "I don't say it to you nearly enough, but I am so very proud of you."
Callian had no words as he stared at his Grandfather in shock before he launched himself at the man. Denevan was rocked by the embrace but managed to hold both of them steady while he returned the hug, his mother joined them in the embrace and after another kiss from Amerytha, he was pushed towards the train. He found an empty compartment where he could see his family through the window; it didn't take long before he had levitated his trunk into the rack above his seat. Now that the commotion of the crowd was somewhat muted, Faenir jumped down from his spot around Callian's shoulders and began exploring the compartment. The little dragon's triangular snout was poking into every crack and crevice that it could find.
There was a gentle knock on the door of the compartment and Callian found himself looking at a boy around his age with a mop of unruly black hair and bright emerald eyes, he seemed somewhat nervous as he held the door open.
"Is it all right if I have a seat in here? The train's getting full quick."
Callian gladly welcomed the boy in, his family momentarily forgotten. With a good deal of effort, the two of them managed to get the newcomers trunk into the rack next to Callian's own, once they were both seated Callian held out his hand to the boy.
"My names Callian, I take it you're a first-year as well?"
The boy stared at Callian for several long seconds as several emotions flickered across his face and Callian was about to withdraw his hand when the boy gave him a beaming smile and shook the offered hand.
Nodding an affirmative the young boy took a seat."I'm Harry, thanks for the help with the trunk by the way."
Callian just waved his hand at the thanks; Faenir took that moment to jump up onto the seat next to Harry causing him to jump in fright as he scooted away from the small dragon.
Callian let out a laugh as Faenir chirped and cocked his head as he studied the boy. "Don't mind him, he's perfectly safe. He's just curious about you; he's only really interacted with my Grandfathers Apprentices and the Dwarves."
Harry looked at him in awe. "Dwarves are real?" he blurted.
Callian laughed again at the look on his fellow first-years face, "Definitely, my Grandfather allowed the Stormanvil Clan to make a home for themselves on our lands years ago. They're pretty much family." He indicated his family out the window and he could see that they still had that small bubble of space around them as they looked on with smiles; he could see the tears in his mother's eyes and smiled widely at her.
Harry watched them with a sad look upon his face and Callian couldn't help but ask about his own family.
He found himself falling back in his seat as he watched Harry talk of his family in a monotone, his good mood momentarily forgotten as Harry seemed to shrink into himself before Faenir plopped himself across the boy's lap. Harry let out a small laugh as he reached out to tentatively pet the small dragon, his melancholy instantly forgotten in the face of something new and wonderful.
The sharp blare of the whistle caused chaos on the platform as parent rushed to bid goodbye to their children, and students frantically crammed onto the Express.
The train began to move and Callian quickly turned back to the window where he offered his family a smile and wave, he could see Harry smiling faintly as the platform slowly slipped away.
When Callian turned back to him he found Harry smiling brightly, when he gave him a questioning look Harry grinned at him as he reached out to run his hand along Faenir's spine.
"I don't know what I'm going to, but it's already better than what I'm leaving behind."
Callian just offered him a smile and was about to ask him something when the door to the compartment slid open to reveal a red-haired gangly boy standing there.
"Sorry to interrupt. Do you mind if I join you, everywhere else is full?"
They gladly invited the redhead to join them who introduced himself as Ron Weasley, but soon found a slight issue when the three of them kept getting in each other's way as they tried to get the boys worn trunk into the rack.
Finally, Callian had enough of having his feet squashed by their attempts and telling the other to stand back; silently he wove another spell of levitation and to the awe of his companions lifted the chest into the overhead rack.
Harry just stared at him in open-mouthed wonder; he had fallen back into his seat where he managed a weak "...how?!"
Ron just stared at him with a look of understanding dawning, as he blurted. "You're a Blackwood. Mum has been going nuts about it since the Prophet wrote that you were going to be joining the first years. She couldn't believe that my year would have both Harry Potter and the Blackwood Heir, she's been gossiping with her friend over the floo like nothing else. Dad was going spare when she made him late for work."
Callian noticed Harry jump when Ron mentioned Potter and it didn't take a genius to put two and two together. The young Blackwood found himself studying the boy sitting across from him as two more redheads burst into the compartment; he barely paid attention as they introduced themselves as Fred and George Weasley.
So this is the boy that did the impossible.
Callian mused thoughtfully as he reached out with his Magic to see if he could identify anything strange about him. Faenir chirped at him questioningly as his familiar sensed his use of power, even Harry looked at him in surprise. "What was that?!"
This time it was Callian who was stared in surprise, "You can feel that?"
Callian reached out once more as Harry nodded as the boy leaned back slightly, "Yeah, it's like having cobwebs brushing against my skin."
Callian offered him a brilliant smile, "I've never met anyone else apart from my grandfather that could feel my Magic." He cocked his head at Harry's description. "Although he never said it felt like cobwebs.
Harry gave him a strange look before he leaned forward in his seat, "I guess you must know a lot of Magic then? Especially if you can do it without a wand."
Callian was glad that he hadn't scared Harry off with his Magical probing, "I was only taught a little, what my Grandfather called the 'Basics'."
This time Callian reached into a side pocket of his pack and pulled out his wand. Ebony wood with a core of Phoenix feather, at fourteen and a half inches his wand was quite long. "But the one thing he insisted upon was that a Wizards wand is purely a Foci. He calls it a training aid, to get a Wizard use to drawing on his Magic and that with a little bit of effort anyone can learn to use their magic without a wand."
Harry seemed to be hanging off his every word as he pulled his own wand from his baggy jeans; Callian stared at him as he held his wand flat across his palms.
"Want to try some Magic?" he asked with a grin.
Harry smiled widely in return as he edged forward eagerly, "I've only read a few chapters of The Standard Book of Spells but there's one spell I want to try."
Callian reached into his pack, and Harry's eyes widened as Callian's arms disappeared up to his shoulder before he pulled out his copy of the book.
He offered it, Harry, a laugh bubbling up at his gobsmacked expression, after a quick explanation of his pack Harry flipped through the book to the spell he wanted to try.
Callian read the chapter title upside down and watched as Harry went through the wand motions and muttered the incantation for a spell of mending; it was several minutes before he looked up with a determined expression. Taking his glasses off Harry gently tapped them before he flicked his wand through the motions; he let out a happy laugh as the bent frames snapped back to their original position. He looked up with a giddy expression and let out a hoot of delight, causing Callian to laugh once more. The two of them quickly fell into a routine of Harry practising spells and Callian would offer words of advice when he struggled.
A knock at the door their attention and they looked up with a start to realise they were alone in the compartment. It seemed that Ron had left at some point; a bushy-haired girl already in her Hogwarts robes was standing there a chubby looking boy behind her.
"Have either of you seen a toad? Neville's lost one." She stared at both of them before she smiled when she saw the wand in Harry's hand, "Are you doing Magic? Let's see it, then."
She seemed to forget all about the boy she had been helping and Callian looked over at the boy, ignoring the girl as she sat down beside Harry.
"If you need to find your toad why don't you ask one of the Prefects to help, they should be able to summon him with ease."
Neville brightened instantly and with a quick offer of thanks, he fled the compartment in search of a Prefect.
The bushy-haired girl offered him a grateful smile, "I'm Hermione Granger. I can't believe I've found someone else practising spells. I've been up and down the train with Neville but everyone keeps talking about Harry Potter and someone called Blackwood."
She caught the looks that passed across their faces and her eyes widened in shock. "They're talking about you aren't they?"
At their nods, she continued. "So who's who?"
Somewhat reluctantly Callian offered his hand as he introduced himself, Harry, not far behind him.
"I know all about you, of course. I've read about you in 'Modern Magical History.', 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts.' and 'Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century." She said while looking at Harry, who seemed somewhat dazed that he was even in books. Hermione turned to Callian with a curious look, "But why are they so worked up over you?"
Callian frowned at her somewhat rude question, "Excuse me?" He asked, his words seeming to register as she threw her hands over her mouth.
"I'm sorry!" she blurted, "That was rude, what I meant was why are they talking about you? I haven't read about any Blackwoods in the few books that I brought in Diagon Alley, but they're gossiping like my aunt does about George Michael."
Callian looked at Harry and mouthed the unfamiliar name causing him to grin, frowning further when he mouthed back 'A singer.'
Shrugging at the reference to who he assumed was a Muggle musician, he began to explain to both of them the history of his House and the legend his grandfather and mother had created.
"My House was formed when we split away from the main branch of the infamous House Black nearly six hundred years ago. The founder of our House, Savin Black was given the lands of the Blackwood Forest by his older brother, who had become Lord of House Black and felt threatened by Savin's growing reputation and skill. It was meant as an insult to Savin, for those who tended to roam amongst the dark trunks never returned. A place of old Magic and many mysteries, the forest had been hidden from the non-magical since the Roman Empire invaded millennia ago. But Savin Black was smart and had devoted himself to studying Magic and using his knowledge managed to tame the forest to his Will, he then returned to his brother and stated his intention to form a Cadet branch of the family. He took the name Blackwood, and swore his new House would serve as vassals to House Black."
The rattle and clank of wheels pulled them back to the present and they found themselves watching as an ancient witch stopped outside their compartment, she was pushing a trolley laden with sweets and drinks of all kinds and Callian found himself parched and in desperate need of a break from his history lesson. Harry seemed to be in a similar state as he too stood up and together they brought several drinks and snacks, although he tended to stick to the more savoury foods than Harry. Offering to share with Hermione, who eagerly dug in he took a long draught of his bottle of water before he continued.
"Several Generations of Blackwoods came and went and each of us seemed possessed of Savin's desire to learn the mysteries of Magic, over time the Blackwoods gained an ever-larger collection of knowledge something that very few can match.
Then came my Grandfather, Denevan Blackwood. It was said that he was possessed of a desire to learn that surpassed even Savin's own and he had a keen intellect that allowed him insights that others often missed, as he grew he developed Spells and Enchantments that rivalled those of the ancients. Many sought him out, to learn all the knowledge he had acquired and that's where his legend truly begins."
Callian found both of them watching him with rapt attention as he revealed titbits into the history of the world they now found themselves, something they were unlikely to find in their textbooks. He had discovered a lot of it from his grandfather's earliest journals.
Hermione waved her hands at him, encouraging him to continue. Offering her a small smile he continued his recounting of his grandfather's words.
"Denevan took a dozen apprentices; he taught them everything they wanted and more. For a time all was well, his apprentices soaked up everything he taught them but in time several among them came to think that my Grandfather was still holding back. They believed that he was keeping the vast majority of his knowledge from them and they grew envious, in time they banded together and in secret started delving into the darker aspects of Magic seeking a way to gain enough power to take what Denevan had rightfully earned. Several years passed and these apprentices finally felt secure in their power, so they attacked their fellow apprentices in the belief that with them out of the way they would easily be able to overpower one man. My grandfather doesn't really talk about what happened, but I know he keeps portraits of those apprentices that fell to his former students in his private chambers.
My Grandfather has always been open about his past with me but when I have asked about what truly happened to them all he will tell me is that it was Magic of the foulest kind. He said I was too young to know of such things, maybe one day he will tell me what really happened. All I know for sure is that in the dungeons of Blackwood Castle there is a corridor sealed by enchanted iron, rune carved stone and powerful wards. It's the one place I am forbidden to go and the sense of dread that lingers near the barrier is more than enough to warn me to stay away."
Faenir jumped from Harry's lap into Callian's own, where his familiar stretched up to nudge his head into Callian's chin as he sensed the half-remembered fear that flashed across their bond.
Harry spoke up in the silence that followed, "So what happened to these...dark...apprentices?" He pulled a funny face as he tried to find the right word to describe them.
Hermione nodded her head at Harry's question; she too was dying to know what had happened next. Everything she was hearing was like a grim fairy tale.
Callian took a moment to gather his thoughts before he continued, the mid-afternoon sun streaming through the window telling him just how long he had been talking.
"Having dealt with a good portion of their fellow apprentices, they set their sights on my grandfather. They attacked him without warning and with their dark powers nearly got the better of him; it was only thanks to Denevans experience that he managed to hold them at bay. Soon though those who rose up against my grandfather began to lose ground, they were too inexperienced and forgot one major thing. They had learned their new Magic's from the Library of Blackwood Castle, a library that Denevan had studied from with a passion. While he had never delved into the darker aspects of Magic like his former apprentices had, he in his words 'has walked up to the edge and peered into the Dark.'
He began to turn their own spells back on them and after a few of their numbers fell to their own Magic those who remained tried to retreat. Out of four attackers, only one managed to flee Castle Blackwood, the others didn't make it after falling prey to their own spells."
Callian trailed off as he saw the two share a pensive look. He knew exactly what they were thinking, without a shadow of a doubt. Picking up his water bottle he drained the last of it in a single gulp.
They have just been introduced to the joy of Magic and here I am telling them that it's not all happiness and Unicorns. That there are some truly horrific things that can be done with Magic.
Harry finally looked over at him, "I take it that he defeated the last one as well?"
Callian nodded as he continued his story, "He did but it was not an easy thing, nor was it straight away. For three years my grandfather heard nothing, even the Ministry was searching for the dark wizard but could find no trace of him. It was only when rumours began to spread of dark creatures gathering in France that things began to change, over several months more and more rumours began to emerge of a dark wizard gathering a following. Calling all manner of creatures and beings to his banner, eventually, the burgeoning Dark Lord made his move and led his forces to the shores of England. When word reached my Grandfather he immediately set out to confront his former student, joining the Ministry's forces that had been rallied to stand against these creatures."
Hermione looked up with alarm as she put everything together from what he had said. "Your Grandfather fought against Loxias and his Vampire army?" she asked him. Harry looked between them confusedly.
"Wait...who is Loxias?" he asked with a frown.
Hermione turned to him excitedly, "He was a Dark Wizard who is said to have gathered several large Covens of Vampires from Europe and a small following of like-minded Magicals and led them against the British Ministry of Magic in the seventeenth century. According to The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Loxias' reign of terror was short-lived, one of the shortest in recorded history apparently. I read that he landed in Dover and immediately began to attack the local populace, where they quickly attracted the attention of the Ministry and were just as quickly stopped."
Harry just raised his eyebrows at Hermione's explanation, but Callian's snort of derision pulled both of their attention.
"There was nothing 'quick' about it. The Vampires easily overpowered the small scouting party that the Ministry had sent ahead of their main forces and as such were unprepared for what was waiting for them. When they arrived they found hundreds of Vampires and dozens of other dark creatures and Wizards arrayed against them and were hard-pressed not to retreat immediately, my grandfather had been assigned to the members of the Dark Force Defence League but in those days they were not as experienced as the League is now. It took holding out till dawn the next day when they managed to contain the Vampires in the houses of their victims and subsequently blew the roofs off."
Hermione gasped at that and even Harry paled as Callian recounted what had happened from the view of someone who had been there in person.
"With the light of the sun taking care of the Vampires, the Ministry forces could turn their attention to Loxias and his followers. My grandfather was never sure who cast the final spell against his former student as he never got to face Loxias himself; he was leading the surviving League members against the last of the dark creatures that had not fled with the rising sun. My grandfather didn't stop there, Loxias's surviving minions spoke of more of their number on the continent delving deeper and deeper into the Dark Arts at their Master's command and so set out once more with the last of the League to hunt them down. From there his legend continued to grow. Some of it is recorded in books, some known only to those who were there and the truth only to my grandfather."
Callian finally trailed off with a weary grin as his companions seem surprised he was ending his story there, they quickly went on to lighter topics as Hermione brought up the subject of Hogwarts Houses.
They soon found themselves lost in easy conversation as the trio got to know each other better, Ron returned a short while later and soon joined in now that they were no longer focused solely on practising Magic.
The door to the compartment was thrown open once more and Callian found three boys standing in there staring into the compartment with interest.
"Is it true?" the only blonde boy of the trio asked. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?" He asked towards Harry, who seemed to recognise the boy.
"Yes." The less than warm tone of Harry's voice should have alerted the blonde that he was not welcome; Callian found himself raising an eyebrow at the raven-haired boy.
The blonde pointed over his shoulder once it was clear that he was going to get nothing more than icy silence.
"This is Crabbe and Goyle." Callian watched as each boy nodded as the Blonde named them. The long hours he had spent with his mother learning the names and her less than favourable comments of the prominent and powerful families gave Callian an indication of just who they were being introduced to.
"And my name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." Callian winced when he heard Ron's poorly concealed snort, he knew from the dark look that crept into Malfoy's visage that a confrontation was brewing.
Beware yer words boy, bad blood has been born by the simplest of things.
Belor's own words of wisdom flashed through Callian's mind and as he watched the young Malfoy heir turn on the redhead.
"I am sure that Mr Weasley meant no offence to the House of Malfoy, my Lord."
The compartment froze as his words spoken so calmly yet with a definitive undercurrent of authority cut short the blonde's angry retort.
The noble-born boy turned to look at him with a curious stare, "And who are you to make such a claim?"
There was a formal quality to the boy's words that seemed so out of place on one so young; something he knew was echoed in his own words.
Standing, Callian offered his hand to his fellow first year. "I am Callian, Son of Amerytha of the Ancient and Noble House of Blackwood."
All three of the newcomers stood taller at the mention of his House, Draco eyed his hand for several long seconds as if he was afraid that it would bite him before he finally reached out and took it. Callian didn't offer his hand to the two boys in the doorway as they were the sons of minor houses in the nobility, he did however turn to the rest of the compartment and indicate Harry.
"May I introduce you to Lord Harald of House Potter." With a sharp look at the black-haired boy, who stared at them with a confused look before he slowly stood with an uncertain look at Callian and held out his hand to Malfoy.
Callian frowned slightly when he saw the look of confusion that spread across both boys faces. Callian indicated the seat beside his own, "Will you join us, my Lord?"
To him, it seemed as if neither of the boys had been prepared to deal with the nobility, he could understand Harry not knowing of his heritage and title as he had been raised by Muggles but Draco was the heir of a powerful Noble family and such should have undergone the same training that he had.
Draco looked between those in the compartment and he seemed to realise that he was out of his depth here, with a look of poorly hidden confusion the Malfoy Heir spoke up.
"I must excuse myself, Lord Blackwood. I had only meant to introduce myself to Lord Potter and return to my compartment as we are nearing Hogsmead and will need to change into our school robes."
Callian gave a genial nod of his head and with that, all three of them scampered from the compartment quicker than a rabbit that had seen a wolf.
It would seem that the old families have been lax in the education of their heirs. Callian mused with a grin; he could definitely work with that.
Turning back to face his companions he found all three of them staring at him with open mouths, Harry was the first to speak into the silence. "Lord Potter, what the hell do you mean Lord Potter?!"
Before Callian could give him an answer, Ron was the one that spoke up.
"He means the nobility of Magical Britain. The old families that rule our world, I think they were even the ones that created the Ministry."
Callian nodded along with the redhead, "The original families had ties with the nobility of Britain as a whole, but when the statute of secrecy was enacted and we were forced to separate ourselves from the Muggle world they still held onto their nobility like a lifeline. In turn, they took it upon themselves to govern our 'kingdom' as in their eyes we were no longer beholden to the monarchy."
Callian once more turned to harry, "The Noble House of Potter is a moderately young house compared to some of the older families, I believe it was founded in the twelfth century when Linfred of Stinchcombe married his son to a daughter of House Peverell and in so doing joined the ranks of the nobility." Callian fell silent as Harry looked on in shock.
"Why did no one tell me any of this?! Surely if I'm some Lord then Hagrid or even the Ministry would have told me about it?"
Callian could only shrug at the boy's questions, "If you want I could ask my mother or Grandfather to find out what they can about the current state of House Potter, but I think your best bet would be to talk to either the Headmaster or the Goblins."
Callian tried to keep the sneer out of his voice but he had been raised around Dwarves and their hatred for the vile creatures had found roots in him. Harry just fell into his seat with an explosive sigh, "Why does everyone know more about me than I do..."
Hermione bumped the now morose boy with her shoulder, "Come on, let's get out School robes on. We should be arriving soon."
Harry just bobbed his head in agreement, yet continued to stay in his seat. Callian was at a loss for words and after a quick look at both Ron and Hermione could only offer a slight shake of his head.
The rest of the train ride passed quickly and after Hermione left to get her own robes the boys threw theirs over themselves, Faenir wrapped himself about Callian's shoulders once more as the train finally pulled into Hogsmead station.
An announcement blared through the train informing them to leave their belongings on the train as they would be taken to the castle separately, and they soon found themselves swept up in the mad rush of excited students. Faenir let out a loud hiss at the press of bodies and with a gentle nudge to Callian's brow took to the air; his scaly body sweeping over the students caused many to duck in fright before the dragon disappeared into the night.
The loud bellowing of the tallest being Callian had ever seen had he and his fellow first-years lining up before him, easily three times their size he dwarfed everyone around them. The gargantuan man greeted Harry warmly who then introduced them in turn to what Callian could only surmise as a Half-Giant.
Once all the first years had gathered the Half-Giant led them off into the night, they had to jog to keep up with Hagrid as they followed after him as he led the way toward a small stretch of sandy bank where several wooden boats bobbed gently in the water.
Following the Half-Giant's call of four to a boat, Callian, Harry and Ron and Hermione all clambered into one together and soon they were on their way across the vast lake.
As they cleared the small bay where the boats had been moored, they got the first view of Hogwarts and Callian couldn't help but gasp in awe.
The school easily dwarfed his own home; its many towers reaching for the heavens as it sat perched atop a mountain ridge above the great lake.
Unsurprisingly everyone was silent as the boats carried them forward; all found their gazes locked upon the magnificent castle that loomed above them before they found themselves swallowed by darkness as the boats carried them into a natural cave in the cliff face. They found themselves in a long tunnel lit only by the glow of the Half-Giant's lantern as he led the small procession of boats to a dock carved from the very stone of the cave. Callian was the first to clamber from their boat and offering a hand to Hermione helped the bushy-haired girl out while Ron did the same for Harry, once everyone was free of the boats Hagrid led them up small narrow stairs until they arrived at a large oak door banded by thick iron.
Raising one meaty hand the Half-giant hammered on the door three times, each hit echoing like the crack of thunder such that he could feel it reverberate in his chest.
It was several moments before the doors opened with a groan to reveal the silhouette of a lone woman standing in the open entryway, golden light bathed over them as he and his fellow first-years found themselves blinking owlishly at the sudden light.
When his vision had returned to normal Callian found himself staring up at the severe features of a witch clad in robes of dark green, her eyes seemed to rake over them as Hagrid passed them over into her care.
He found himself only paying her the slightest sliver of attention as she led them across the entrance hall while his gaze swept the room, he couldn't help himself as he let his Magic reach out from him and get a sense of the castle. He smiled as Harry gave him an exasperated look, nor did he miss the sharp look the Professor gave him when his magic swept across her own. He ignored them all as his magic touched that of the castle and in his mind's eyes saw the bright luminescence that was the well of power that made up the school. He felt something reach out in return as his magic brushed against its borders, comforting warmth spread over him and he felt a smile tug at his lips as the castle seemed to welcome him like a loving mother.
Slowly the student filed into an antechamber to the side of what he could only assume was the great hall from the multitude of voices he could hear within.
He slowly pulled his magic back to him in time to catch the professor explaining the four houses of the school before she left them alone, Callian found himself staring into the nervous faces of his fellow first years as they nervously chatted about what the Sorting Ceremony entailed. He gave Hermione a gentle nudge with his shoulder as he leaned in to whisper. "Did you read Hogwarts: A History?"
She nodded her head with a sly grin spreading across her face, as the book had gone into detail on the legend behind the famous Sorting Hat and how it had been enchanted by the Founders. "Do you want to tell them?" she whispered back as she looked over at the clearly worried first years.
Callian was silent before shaking his head and leaning in once more said, "Let us not ruin the suspense for them. As my Dagün once said to me, 'experience builds character.'"
Hermione frowned at the unfamiliar word before she smiled up at him once more, the two of them fell into easy conversation as they began to discuss the numerous books they have read in common and their hopes for what they plan to learn over the year.
They had a minor scare while waiting for the professor who Hermione informed him was named McGonagall, as several ghosts floated through the back wall of the chamber before they soon found themselves being led into the Great Hall.
He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as he saw the enchanted ceiling showing the night sky and its spectacular vista of tiny, twinkling stars. Thousand of candles hovered above their heads as they filed into the Great Hall, hundreds of students sat along four long tables each bearing robes outlined with the colour of their houses. To his eyes, it seemed as if they were searching the first years for someone as they craned their necks trying to look around the mass of scared eleven years old.
Finally, they came to a halt before the head table and Callian found himself staring at his teachers in the Magical arts for the next seven years, as his gaze travelled along the seated faculty he found his eyes locking onto those of Albus Dumbledore. The headmasters sat in his throne-like chair and the older wizards gaze bored into his own as he felt a feather-light touch of the mind arts brush across his fledgling mental defences, as he held man's gaze as he heard the Headmaster's voice speak echo within his mind.
"Your grandfather speaks highly of your abilities young Master Blackwood, I look forward to seeing just what you can achieve within these walls."
The mental presence faded away and he continued to hold the man's gaze as the Headmaster gave a minute nod his head in his direction.
He realised with a start he had missed the beginning of the sorting ceremony, as Professor McGonagall stood next to a ratty looking hat that had started to sing aloud regaling them with the virtues of the four Houses. He couldn't help but marvel at the enchantments that must have gone into the Sorting Hat, especially as they had lasted for nearly a millennia.
"Abbot, Hannah!"
The call from the professor startled him from his musings and he watched as a small blonde girl ran up to the stool, her rosy cheeks disappeared from view as the large hat was placed upon her head and very nearly fell over her face completely. It only took a minute or two before the Sorting Hat stirred and let out a cry of "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The girl practically leapt to her feet as she ran towards the table of students that had stood clapped and cheered as another student joined their ranks, even the other tables had politely clapped as they to welcomed a new student to the school.
"Blackwood, Callian!"
The general hum of conversation in the hall fell silent as the four tables turned to look at the first years in wide-eyed awe, He slowly made his way to the awaiting Hat and immediately whispers started flying in his wake.
"I can't believe there's a Blackwood at the school."
"Did you know his mother fought in the War.? My Dad said that she saved his life."
"I heard the Headmaster apprenticed under his grandfather. Do you reckon that he's here looking for more potential students?"
The whispers followed him until he sat upon the stool and the Hat fell over his eyes and he heard nothing more from the Great Hall.
It began with a mild warmth at the edges of his mind. Slowly at first, it seemed to press against his fledgeling defences before it passed through them as if they were an open door, Callian couldn't help the small gasp that escaped as he heard a sly chuckle at his ear.
"Oh very good! Very good indeed Master Blackwood. You are quite the find it would seem." Callian could feel the sense of interest from the Magical construct as it probed through every facet of his life. "Indeed the founders themselves would have fought over you, courage and loyalty aplenty. A cunning ruthlessness that you learned from your Grandfather..." The Hat trailed off as Callian gave in to the temptation to study the magical construct. As such while the Hat peered into him, he to peered into the Hat. He reached out tentatively with his Magic and was amazed at what he could sense.
To his mind's eye, the roiling mass of enchantments that made up the Sorting Hat was a Gordian knot of multiple weaves of Magic that were layered and woven together so tightly they appeared almost a solid mass of multicoloured light. He tried to make sense of what he was seeing but the longer he tried to identify the enchantments, the more complex the overall weave seemed to become.
He was pulled from his study of the Hat by a mental prod and a sense of amusement drifted through him.
The Hats mental voice drifted through his mind once more. "Now we come to the heart of it! That spark at your core that drives your pursuit of knowledge, your desire for it rivals even that of Rowena. Oh, I can see the greatness in you, young Lord. So you should join your housemates in...RAVENCLAW!"
As he stood from his place at the front of the hall, the table of students outlined in blue jumped to their feet as they cheered at having the scion of the legendary House of Blackwood join their number.
Several of his fellow housemates offered their hands towards him as he sat down next to an older blonde girl who introduced herself as Penelope Clearwater, one of the house Prefects for Ravenclaw.
They continued to watch several more students get sorted into their respective houses before Callian saw Penelope sit up straighter in her seat as she offered a small wave towards the first year that had been called upon.
Penny as she had told him to call her informed him that the first year was her cousin and a fellow muggle-born, Adria Clearwater. The round face of the blonde nearly disappeared under the hat before a cry of 'HUFFLEPUFF!' echoed through the Hall.
Callian clapped politely as Penny stood up to offer her cousin a quick hug before she joined her new housemates sitting behind them.
Callian caught Harry's eye as the boy waited nervously in line and offered him a small grin and a thumbs up, Harry just shook his head wryly before they all turned back to the sorting.
Callian couldn't help the grin that bloomed on his face when he watched Hermione seemingly argue with the hat before it gave a less than enthusiastic cry of 'Gryffindor!', he remembered her claiming she would go into the house of the Lions because the Headmaster and many other great witches and wizards had belonged to it. Giving a shake of his head at the girl's stubbornness he watched as several more first-years joined their houses before Harry was finally called to be sorted, almost at once the whispers that started flying were an order of magnitude greater than what had flown about when he had made his way to be sorted.
The Hat was silent for nearly a minute and the whispers had slowly died down before a great cry of 'RAVENCLAW!' echoed outwards from the enchanted construct.
Callian was the first to his feet as Harry whipped the Hat from his head and ran to join him at the House table, their fellow housemates let out shouts of joy as the boy-who-lived joined their ranks.
The hall returned to a semblance of normality soon enough as the rest of the sorting continued, although Callian could see many around the hall craning their necks to get at look at Harry. With Ron going to Gryffindor to the cheers of his brothers and a final Slytherin by the name of Blaise Zabini the ceremony came to a close, soon Harry and Callian's attention was focused solely upon the huge feast that appeared about them and they both dug in with gusto. Throughout the feast, the duo was constantly bombarded with questions by their fellow housemates. Harry soon became overwhelmed by the number of strangers prying into his life, while Callian fended them off with more grace fitting someone of his station. He was careful to drop hints of his Grandfather being willing to take on more apprentices, something that immediately set the table a buzz. Harry stared at him with a raised eyebrow as he noted Callian's small grin at how quickly the whispers of potential apprenticeships under the Blackwoods spread about the Hall before he leaned in to whisper. "So is your Grandfather actually taking apprentices or did you just make that up?"
Callian grinned wider at his new housemate before he answered just as quietly. "I spoke truthfully, although my grandfather will only take the most gifted and driven. He asked that I keep an eye out for anyone with talent but in the end, he will be the final judge of potential."
He left unsaid that he had everything to gain from eager students looking to get away into his grandfather's sights through him.
The rest of the meal passed quickly as the two fell into an easy conversation before they finished the feast with a few notices given out by the Headmaster and a rendition of the school song that would scare even a tone-deaf troll into hiding.
Soon they found themselves being escorted through the many maze-like corridors of the school as they followed the prefects, he tried to memorise the route they took but soon lost his way. He was sure that they had doubled back at least two or three times before they climbed a spiralling staircase that led them to a studded oak door with a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle.
He stared in bafflement as the knocker animated at the approach of the students and turned to the lead Prefect and issued a convoluted riddle as a greeting.
Penny looked at him with a small grin when she noted his raised eyebrow, "The only way into the Ravenclaw common room is by answering a riddle given by the knocker, normally it gives easier riddles for the lower years but sometimes it can be a bit cantankerous."
Several of the older Ravenclaws had gathered together to try and puzzle out the answer. Callian turned to Harry an eyebrow still raised at the strange practises of their new House, Harry turned to Penny with a thoughtful frown. "So can anyone get into the common room by answering the knockers riddles?"
Penny let out a sigh as she turned to regard the two, "Unfortunately yes, something that many of us have brought up to Professor Flitwick. Unfortunately, both he and the Headmaster are unable to change it without fighting the Board of Governors on 'changing the traditions of the school that have lasted a thousand years." Harry just shook his head in return and Callian vowed to research spells to protect his things before the older students finally managed to open the door after several minutes of heated debate.
Once everyone had filed into the Common room they first years were shown their new dormitories. It seemed that Ravenclaws shared a room between two students for their first three years before they got rooms of their own, according to Penny this was to ensure that if any spells, enchantments or Magic, in general, went awry as they began to develop their gifts there would be the someone present who could get help from a Prefect or teacher.
Callian looked to Harry once more and the boy grinned back at his questioning look, together they waited while the other first-years decide on their roommates.
It didn't take long before they were shown to their new rooms, much to their surprise their trunks were already waiting for them in the centre of the room. Faenir was curled up atop them his long barbed ail lazily hanging over Harry's trunk.
Callian greeted his familiar with a smile as he fished out several sausages he had pocketed from the welcoming feast, a rough tongue scraped against his fingers as the small dragon eagerly gobbled the treat.
Harry took the left most bed and began to drag his trunk towards it when he caught Callian's look of amusement.
"What's so funny?!" he demanded of his new roommate.
Callian just shook his head at Harry as he held his hand out and weaved another spell of levitation about his own trunk, much to Harry's embarrassment as the heavy item moved with apparent ease. "I do believe we went over the levitation charm on the train. And I think your trunk will be a better test of your Magic than my textbook."
Harry eagerly pulled his wand from his pocket as he intoned the spell, a wide smile split his face as his own heavy trunk lifted off the ground with an unsteady wobble before it slowly began to move under the direction of his wand movements.
When Harry had settled the trunk at foot of his bed he turned to Callian, "Can you teach me to do that without a wand?"
Callian smiled at his new friend as he settled back onto his new bed, "First of all you need to get used to using your magic, then I can begin to teach you how to use it without your Foci."
Harry looked a little disappointed before he turned back to Callian with a look of curiosity. "You said you would ask your mum about my...family. Is there a way to find out more about them...My parents, I mean?"
Callian frowned at Harry as the other boys gaze dropped to stare at the wooden floor of their room. "I can ask her if she knew of any of their other friends, but you could always just send a letter to my mother. I know your mother was once an Apprentice to my Grandfather, it was how they met I believe. And according to my Dagün, it was through Lily Potter that my own family got involved in the War..."
The two of them spent the rest of the night talking of anything and everything before sleep finally found them.
