Here is the next chapter. Please read and review love Hermione x
Harry woke up in the morning and almost forgot to let Vernon out but he did. Using his wandless magic he made them all forget that Vernon had been in there. Vernon had huge blisters in between his legs he couldn't explain as well as the smell of vomit from his clothes. He assumed he'd been on a bender the night before and simply went upstairs to shower and change almost screaming in pain when he put on his new clean pants. He'd need to get something from the chemist for that later on. He begrudgingly dropped Harry off at the station on his way to work and Harry had gotten out with his trunk tucked away in his pocket shrunk down. He had let his snowy eagle owl Serena go on ahead to the school and was more then happy to send her on ahead of him. He ran at the barrier between platforms nine and ten now amused with how he was meant to access the platform. It hadn't been this way in his day the last time around.
He smirked when he saw the locomotive and thought that it looked as wonderful as it ever had. It hooted twice when it noticed one of the founders was near and scared everyone on the platform as he giggled. They should always be constantly vigilant. It did serve them right. He entered the compartment and put his now enlarged trunk on the shelf above his head however he had continued to keep the weightless charm on it. he laughed then a hearty laugh when with a mere five minutes to go he spotted Ronald and his family running wildly onto the platform. Old Godric looked furious but concealed it well. The two twins were grinning from ear to ear and their mother seemed to be fighting with them about something. He truly laughed then a belly aching laugh something he hadn't done in years. It did look priceless. He only stopped when he found he was short on breath. Quite easily Ronald found him and settled in with him to talk things over.
An hour or so into the trip there door was yanked open by a blonde boy with greasy hair who looked entirely too pompous for his own good. He was flanked at either side by two fat boys who seemed to act merely as protectors if anything else. "Hmm I have heard Harry Potter is on the train today. Would you happen to know where I might find him? I might wish to be his friend. No need to tell me your name then. Red hair and a stupid expression you have to be a Weasley. Why would you hang out with a mudblood like him when you could at least try and hang out with someone better?" he sneered as Harry looked at him in shock.
"Well with that attitude and the way you barge around as though you own the place and everyone in it you'll definitely be in Gryffindor. You should know whoever you are that first impressions do count. I would guess the animals who raised you did not think to tell you this. I am Harry Potter and you have awful manners. What makes you think I'd be your friend when you just insulted me and my friend here?" he snapped his voice going one octave lower on purpose which made Malfoy wince slightly.
"Well you idiot why did you not say so? I do feel silly now. I am Draco Malfoy heir to the most noble and ancient house of Malfoy!" he said extending his hand in his direction.
"I am sure that your parents told you that you were most important and that anywhere you go everyone will be amazed by you. I have met people like you before boy and I am most unimpressed. Quite frankly I don't care what silly titles you have I care only about the strength of your magical core. Rumour has it that Slytherin himself only cared about magical cores and not blood status like so many believe!" he said casually as Draco's face flushed.
"I will go into Slytherin as it's the only house there which actually matters. That's a lie by the way he hated all mudbloods!" he snapped as Harry made his voice go as dark as he could.
"DO NOT INSULT THE HOUSE OF SALAZAR SLYTHERIN YOU PATHETIC SWINE!" he boomed as Draco who almost shat himself with fear practically ran away as fast as he could bringing his shocked fat lackeys with him.
"Sal do try not to do that to everyone who acts stupid like him although in fairness he did deserve it!" Godric chided in amusement. Soon enough their door was yanked open by a bushy haired girl who had very large front teeth.
"Hello has anyone seen a large toad a boy named Neville Longbottom has lost one? Holy cricket you're Harry Potter!" she said gasping at him as he rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Yes I am he here in the flesh. Have you tried a summoning charm for the toad?" he asked as she blushed.
"Well why didn't I think of that? Oh I do feel silly now. Accio Trevor!" she said the toad flying into her arms as she handed it off to a grateful looking Neville.
"Mr Longbottom might I suggest conjuring a terrarium for your toad and preferably one with a handle so you do not misplace him in future?" Ron said as he too proclaimed that he hadn't thought of it himself.
Harry conjured one and handed it to the shocked Neville who secured Trevor inside smiling. "Thank you Harry. I must say you have a great aura about you" he said smiling once more and leaving taking Hermione with him. Harry and Ron were left to practice their non verbal and wandless casting for the remainder of the trip. They both bought some chocolate frogs shocked when they got themselves in their cards.
"Hardly an accurate depiction is it? I didn't look nearly as serious as that and I had more hair. I swear to god if this is what people are expecting they will be getting a rude awakening tonight! I will sort things out for us at the dorms because we will be going to room in my personal old rooms. I have a cunning way of getting to them as well" Harry said scoffing at his own card in his hands.
"Yes Sal that's fine. Well at least you don't look overly stout and ridiculous in yours. Oh honestly. I swear to god my house better live up to my damn expectations. I have a way as you well know of accessing my own rooms from anywhere in the castle including your rooms. Just because I never told you that doesn't mean it's not true. To be honest we could also access the rooms of Helga and Rowena if we wanted to but I don't know if I want to do it. I suggest we room there from time to time to spy on my house and see what they really do when they think no one is watching!" he sneered as Harry laughed at him.
We will be arriving at Hogsmeade station in a few moments. Please leave all of your luggage on the train and it will be brought to your rooms for you. Thank you. They listened to the announcer and smiled as they arrived and got out at the station.
"First years over here!" Hagrid called out. Most of the first years came to him but were terrified. Harry and Ron had cast a wandless spell so they could whisper to one another or even shout from time to time without being heard magically or otherwise.
What in the hell was this Dumbledore man thinking sending a bloody half giant to greet our first years? I mean look at him he's scaring most of them! Godric thundered as Sal agreed with him looking around at their horrified faces.
"Excuse me sir but what do you teach?" he asked Hagrid who looked so shocked he was even being addressed he almost fell down and made many of the first years scream and cry something he noticed feeling very bad about indeed. Someone had even called out no please don't hurt me. Someone else had called out don't eat me please. Hagrid looked so hurt by this. No one would now meet his eyes and were shaking in fear.
"Please everyone I'm Hagrid the keeper of the Keys and grounds at Hogwarts. I don't be teaching any classes. I'm not going to hurt ye I promise. Now come along this way please!" he said as he directed them to the boats telling them no more then four to a boat. Draco Malfoy got in with Harry Potter feeling very smug indeed. Oh he would laugh when he went to Hufflepuff with his Weasley friend for trying to reject his offer of friendship before even if it wasn't a real offer. Maybe he should try once more properly. He'd need to suss things out and see what he should do in the future. Goyle for the moment seemed lost as to what to do but eventually just got into a boat by himself. They arrived and met Professor McGonagall who introduced herself shocked to see their terrified faces and the fact that none of them would meet Hagrids eyes.
What had he done? New students were not usually afraid of him. "Welcome to Hogwarts School. I am Professor McGonagall the schools deputy headmistress. I teach Transfigurations here. There are four houses here called Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. I myself am the head of Gryffindor house. Our potions master Professor Snape heads Slytherin house. Professor Flitwick who teaches charms is the head of Ravenclaw and lastly Professor Sprout who teaches Herbology is the head of Hufflepuff house!" she said pausing to gauge their reactions to her speech.
Why does she have too many roles here? It is in our laws that you cannot be a head of house and a deputy head mistress Ron whispered acidly at Harry who shrugged not knowing why this woman was being asked to do so many jobs at one time. She must be under a fair amount of stress. He would judge her solely by how she taught her classes.
"Now in a moment I will take you to be sorted into your houses. Your houses are like your family whilst you live here. You will treat them with kindness and respect. Any rule breaking will loose you house points and any good behaviour will earn you house points. Those who have the highest number of house points will win the coveted house cup at the end of the school term. Now follow me!" she said leading them into the hall. When they entered the hall the entire school gave a great shudder in welcoming two of her founders which made Dumbledore very confused. What was going on? He put it out of his mind for the moment. Harry and Ron were both mentally assaulted with all of the names of their staff and the positions they held as well as everything of note which had happened in their absence. It was a dizzying experience for sure but once done they knew everything they needed to and could mentally see various parts of the school in their minds by just thinking of them. As the sorting went on it came time for the both of them to be sorted.
"Ronald Weasley!"
Hmm Mr Weasley or should I say Godric? Welcome back old chap! It will be so good to have you here again. Where would you like to go?
Yes Horatio thank you indeed for that warm welcome. I wish to go to Slytherin and make sure my rooms are made accessible for me from there as I shall be staying in them.
Right you are sir and welcome back again. SLYTHERIN!
Everyone at the Gryffindor table from his family looked highly shocked and some even looked ill. Draco Malfoy was sitting at the Slytherin table like someone who'd swallowed something incredibly sour. Suddenly the twins started to clap like mad. "YES RONALD FINALLY SOMEONE BROKE THE BLOODY MOLD YOU LEGEND!" they shouted out as the whole hall joined them in clapping. He knew Ron's parents wouldn't truly care what house he got into as soon as his grades surpassed that of any of his siblings. Oh yes he'd be a prodigy for sure.
"Harry Potter!"
He glanced around as everyone looked in his direction whispering like mad.
Oh my good gracious another one. Sal my man welcome back sir. It is an honour to have you here once again. I should have told Lord Gryffindor but in my awe I forgot that you will have sole control of the wards from now on. You can remotely change and ward parts of the castle. The reason I am telling you this will be made apparent soon. Now where would you like to go?
Well Horatio thank you for that information. Do not be alarmed as we will be accessing our portraits even as we stand before you and may even say some things which are not nice but it will be for his own good. You know of whom I speak. I will of course be joining my good friend Godric in Slytherin.
Very well and I will of course act surprised. You are right actually he does deserve it. Better be SLYTHERIN!
Everyone gasped and absolutely no one anywhere clapped. Professor Snape looked like he'd swallowed a lemon and Professor McGonagall looked like she wanted to kill someone. This was most interesting. He sat down as the Slytherins who seemed to realise just who they now had all clapped and cheered in a way which was most unlike them. They seemed to realise having him in their house could bring such benefits that they were only scarcely aware of now. The whole hall did eventually join in. A quick glance at the headmaster showed that he had this look of extreme betrayal on his face. It was like he had expected him to go to Gryffindor most shocked when he did not. He was so damn easy to read. Not cunning at all although judging by his now memories of the man and his ridiculous robes he clearly thought he was extremely cunning. Even Godric seemed to notice laughing heartily at how bad he was at acting cunning. Oh Gryffindor's main trait was bravery of course but he could be as cunning as Salazar when the time called for that sort of thing of course. Just because he didn't proclaim it to everyone didn't mean it wasn't there. You couldn't truly achieve anything without some level of cunning somewhere along the line anyway and the sooner people realised that the easier things in their world would be.
Why is he sitting on a damn throne like a king? I mean it's all gold and so on! He said to Ron in a whisper as Ron looked at the head table and started clucking in clear disapproval.
I have no idea old friend. We always said the headmaster should have a larger chair so people will know who he is but that chair was supposed to be made of solid mahogany wood not gold like the throne of a king. I am most disgusted with his conduct. We will have to see what he does next if my memories of the man are anything to go by.
Horatio told me we will have control over the wards as well and that this is something the headmaster can no longer control. I gather he doesn't much trust him. He said the reason for this is something we will understand soon enough.
Dumbledore stood then and brought attention to himself. He tapped on his glass so everyone was looking at him.
"Good evening everyone and welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to our new first years. As you can see Harry Potter is here this year and while we are most proud to have him here I ask you not to bombard him with too much information and questions as he may find that stressful. If he needs help offer it otherwise as far as we are all concerned he's simply another student here. Our caretaker Mr Filch has asked me to remind you that the forbidden forest is strictly forbidden to all those who are not accompanied there by a teacher!" he said pausing a little bit longer on the Weasley twins his eyes sparkling in humour before continuing.
"I will ask you all to note that this year the third floor corridor on the right hand side is forbidden to all who do not wish to die a most painful death!" he said seriously as Ronald pinched the bridge of his nose in barely concealed rage. He would have to act sooner then expected through his portrait in the hall. They had four portraits in the school. One in their personal rooms, their common rooms, the great hall and the headmasters office.
YOU ABSOLUTE FOOL! Why not just tell them all to go to that floor right now while you're at it. I have no idea what kind of games you are playing Albus but this nonsense stops right now! You will and I repeat will insure that this corridor is most protected from any of the idiots within my own house! You will no doubt know that Gryffindors as cool as we all are cannot resist a challenge of any kind. Next time you will think of how you phrase things! And I do not believe that sitting like a king on a throne is warranted either but the third floor corridor is most important now! The portrait of Godric Gryffindor had screamed from behind him making him jump really high in fright. He turned to address the portrait shocked.
"Godric I assure you that this corridor is well protected I was just warning people so they don't go there unnecessarily" he said in what was supposed to be a soothing tone.
Godric do calm down. I am most certain no one is that stupid that they would likely go somewhere the headmaster here says could kill them. I must ask however why a school full of children which is meant to be the safest school in Britain has anything in it which can kill anyone? I can tell you now you better hope these kids are as smart as I think they are! And yes while he did mention it what is with the throne? Salazar condescended from his portrait everyone in his house looking to it in awe. At this point Dumbledore was well and truly floundering. He had not expected these kinds of questions.
"Well it is just for this year after all. It will not happen any other year I assure you. You'd want to be a master of magic to get through the protections on that corridor anyway. I did after all place the charms there myself. As for my throne as you so nicely put it I just felt it added a touch of class to my position don't you think? Let the feast begin" he lied easily as the portraits seemed to relax at that. Harry and Ron were still very wary of this. Holding hands underneath the table and closing their eyes they accessed the third floor corridor and looked at it mentally. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary upon first glance. Oh my a Cerberus. Now that wasn't good at all was it? They strongly warded the door in front of the Cerberus to very powerfully stun anyone who tries to open it via the unlocking charm, touching the door or merely trying to blast it open. It was actually a controlled version of the reducto curse so anyone who tried to get in would be sufficiently hurt enough to warrant time in the hospital. This would insure that the Cerberus remained there where it could no longer harm anyone and no one could get in.
Their food appeared on the table and Ron realised how hungry he was however he was a Lord and would eat with such manners! Ronald shocked his brothers who looked over to see him eating delicately and not stuffing his face. Already Slytherin had, had a good impact on him. Either that or he wanted to make a good first impression and had been good at doing so. "How ever did this likes of you convince the sorting hat to get sorted here Weasley? Doesn't your poor family all sleep in eh one room and all that lark?" Malfoy sneered as some people around him laughed.
"I wouldn't laugh at him if I were you. I spent most of my life at the home of my muggle magical hating relatives and lived underneath their staircase in a cupboard. Essentially for the Dursleys I was their house elf!" Harry sneered loudly enough that Severus Snape heard it as he was closest to the table but no one else would. Draco floundered at that not knowing how to respond to someone who he clearly thought was better then Ronald.
"Yes well either way you're better then him because you are richer then he ever could be!" he sneered again feeling most insecure although only Harry and Ron actually noticed this.
"What's the matter Mr Malfoy are you that sure you know of how I live that you can freely comment on it? I do not live in a manor like you with cold and austere parents who no doubt told you everyone here would hang on your every word because of who you were. I can assure you that you are just as annoying and boring as I am. None of us are any better then anyone else here at this table! We are all here to learn and let's hope you do some serious learning in the years which follow us here" Ron said normally as Draco scoffed at him.
"Yes I'd expect that from the likes of you. As important as I am and believe me I am definitely more important then you no one here at the table is better then Harry Potter even me!" he said leveling his gaze at Harry.
"Mr Malfoy what is it you expect from me? Brownie points because you have insulted my best friend? I am famous because an overly zealous half blood decided to kill my parents and was not able to kill me. I am sure you will understand why I will not want special attention for such an act that I don't even remember. A word of advice though would be that Ronald Weasley here looks this way as it is his choice. Were he to decide to duel you he would win and you would be most mortified. I would not wish you to make such a fool of yourself so soon into school starting!" Harry said wisely as Draco's mouth hung open in shock.
"I assure you Mr Potter that he would not win. In fact I challenge you to a ..." he was about to say duel when a bread roll found it's way into his mouth. It would not leave his mouth for many minutes.
"duel!" he finished almost feeling triumphant as he managed to spit the bread roll out. With a quick wandless charm Draco had been divested of his wand by Ronald Weasley who wasn't even looking in his direction and handed the wand back casually.
"He warned you that you would loose and you would do well to listen to him. As he says I elect to look this way as it is my choice to do so. You would do well to remember i told you this. Oh Harry look at that our companion Neville Longbottom got into Gryffindor!" he said excitedly.
"Yes well Longbottom is practically a mudblood with the amount of magic he has or rather does not have so father says anyway. He'd never have made it into Slytherin obviously. Slytherin is the best house and would not have wanted such filthy blood in his prestigious house! I mean there's no point in being pureblood if you can't even do magic all that well. What a waste!" he snapped as Harry shocked him by chuckling.
"Who informed you of this? Your father? I daresay he knows nothing of what it takes to be a true Slytherin if he did. I know for a fact that Slytherin cared only about the power of someone's core not their blood status!" he snapped as Marcus Flint up the table cast a curse at him which merely fizzled out as it got closer to him shocking the boy so much he did not try to curse him again. As dinner wore on Harry and Ron tucked into their deserts smiling brightly. Dumbledore looked at the happy boy in confusion. He was supposed to be disliked by his relatives so much so that he would be a malleable weapon when he came to school no matter which house he ended up in. It would seem for now he was too independent and he would need to be changing that soon. He'd meet with him tomorrow evening for sure. As the meal ended they all went to their house as Harry whispered leave it to me to a smirking Ronald.
"Ok so I'm Marcus Flint your fifth year prefect. Here is the entrance to Slytherin house. Do not forget it's location. The password is pureblood for obvious reasons and you will use this to enter the house. Come in now" he said making sure they were following behind him. They all stopped around the fireplace above which Salazar's portrait was watching them all.
"Now then Slytherin is the best house because well long and short of it being that he wanted no mudbloods in it so we are well and truly safe!" he started to laugh but then stopped as the portrait thundered at him making him jump. The portrait often talked to his students but never really said much unless he felt like it or was asked something.
LIES IT IS ALL LIES. HOW DARE YOU MR FLINT! I thought you had more sense then this but clearly not. Sometimes when I see your actions it's a wonder you're a Slytherin at all. You sir are about as subtle as a damn brick. I never cared about blood status just how strong someone's magical core was. If you didn't have a strong magical core you couldn't be in my house as a rule. As I am the portrait and also owner of this house I will award twenty points to the first student who can create the sentence from the name Tom Marvolo Riddle. I will give you all a hint which is that the first two words are I am. Once you figure that out and moreover that the idiot who owned the name was half blood I can assure you that your views of my illustrious house will change. Rearrange the letters and what do you get!?
"Yes well either way we are better and you don't see um everything I do. Those twenty points will be mine everyone!" he said grabbing a piece of parchment and quill which happened to be on the table and writing the name out. For the life of him he couldn't figure it out. Five minutes later he gave up with a huge huff.
"I give up portrait what does it say? Either I am too tired tonight or this is a trick!" he snapped as Salazar sneered at him.
It translates to I am Lord Voldemort. You should tell your father he was a half blood fool I imagine he'd have liked to know that little nugget of information. Mr Malfoy if you intend to tell your father this please be sure he is sitting when you do so. He is quite frankly a disgrace to my house and magic as whole. Tom Riddle obviously not your father Flint. You need to learn to hide what you are feeling so freely as I can read you like an open novella before me!
Severus Snape chose to enter the house then and was about to speak when the portrait spoke to him before he could.
Yes and you Severus Snape will stop acting like you need to use the lavatory or at least looking that way. You will cheer up least you cause an accident with magic. You need to seriously think about how you wish others to see you. You are not a bad Slytherin but unless you remember why it is you even do what you do here in my illustrious school you will fail. Oh yes and I was just informing Mr Flint here that Tom Marvolo Riddle that half blood scumbag from fifty years ago was Lord Voldemort. For those of us not in the know it means I flee from death. Trust me when I say the true heart of a Slytherin is never afraid of death. It merely avoids it in a cunning manner befitting the situation and does not resort to such ridiculous names as I flee from death or Voldemort! From now on everyone here is to call that scumbag Tom or even Tommy boy! He does not deserve any other title as he disgraced my own house so much I can barely stand that he was a part of it.
Severus jumped at the reprimand he'd not been expecting. "Well Lord Slytherin thank you for your kind words. I will endeavour to do better in future. Can you tell me if the headmaster knows this about Tom Riddle?" he asked as Harry seemed interested now more so then ever about what Salazar would say next.
Yes he knows this but you should not tell him about it or even ask him about it because he keeps the best of his secrets close to his chest and would never admit to knowing it. In fact he would find it rather dangerous for anyone to be in the slightest bit aware he knows it. He might even obliviate someone were he under the impression they knew he was aware of this nugget of information. He believes he can be cunning but not cunning enough to fool me or anyone with a tack of sense really. Also for all of you not in the know even if we are Slytherin's I do feel it imperative for all of you to know good occlumency. Just do it! I will not have people's minds raided unnecessarily when they should be protected. You do not want Professor Dumbledore as your enemy much less Professor Snape here. He is after all one of the best Slytherin students we've ever had here. It is after all why he knows almost at once if someone is being honest or not. Think of that what you like. By the way Severus the boy is not like his father and indeed far from it I just thought you should know that as we all know how dangerous preconceived notions are don't we?
"Yes indeed. Thank you for that high praise. Now off to bed all of you!" he said leaving and feeling disturbed. He then returned once more telling them to wait.
"I forgot to tell you the rules of this illustrious house but I shall do so now. I do not care who you fight with inside this house outside of the house we show a united front to all. You are to keep internal disputes here. If you are going to do something nefarious to someone else please at least look it up first and be sure you are not caught. I will not help someone who is caught no matter who they are. You will all take and read books on potions I will give you in the morning and it will help you in your lessons with me. Most other students will not have this book and that is not my concern!" he snapped leaving again. Harry and Ron went to their room casting various spells on their door so they would not be noticed. They entered their two different Hogwarts rooms and settled down for the night.
Godric went to his portrait and told everyone to ask their defence teacher about Tom Riddle tomorrow as he might know who it was. He also told them about the book that the Slytherin students might be using and where to get a copy. It was a relatively thin book so would take merely one hour to read.
McGonagall came in to wish all her students well when he spoke to her.
Salazar has had words with Severus and now I am having words with you. You will teach your classes fairly and you will be in your house every single week for house meetings. I swear to you woman you will do your job properly or so help me Albus Dumbledore will get it in the neck from me for giving you too many jobs to do. You are an honour to my house indeed. All of you be sure to heed that fools words and stay away from the third floor corridor. I will not have a dunderhead bringing shame on my house by trying to be recklessly brave. There is no honour or courage in that I assure you. If he s going to be that reckless then I am entitled to call him a fool. You may not do so yourselves obviously.
"But he's the headmaster he's done so many wonderful things. I've read all about them in various books. No one who has done so much can truly be a fool" Hermione Granger seriously.
This is why people like you always fail. If you spend your lives relying entirely on books you will be disappointed. The factual ones are often written by people with a bias. You will need to learn to think for yourselves instead of always assuming every adult is right. Even adults get it wrong from time to time and they do feel awful when they must admit their failings. They do not do so as often as children do of course but they do still fail from time to time. The hat selected you for my house and I am proud of that but there is no bravery to be had in hiding in literature. Be sure to remain open minded and make plenty of friends you wonderful girl. I truly admire your spirit and fire. I daresay anyone here would be lucky to have such a wonderful and intelligent friend. I expect great things from you Miss Granger and Welcome to Gryffindor all of you!
She was shocked as he insulted her and then complimented her. It was almost like she was talking with a Slytherin but obviously not. It would be a most interest night.