The Winged Wolf Chapter 6, a Harry Potter + Avengers Crossover fanfic

AN: Hello my dear readers, what you're seeing here is chapter 14 of my original fanfiction.

Chapter Six: First Meetings and the Sorting

After sitting alone in the quiet compartment for the last hour reading the potions book from the Potter library, I decided to move on to an introduction to runes to help pass the time. So, for the next two hours, I went through the beginner book that went over the three main fields of runes that are most used and how they are used, a very interesting read.

One of the most common rune languages used is elder futhark runes which are used most in enchantments and strong wards. While Japanese ofuda can make quick wards or traps, they can only take a few strong hits before being overpowered, and the traps while strong, are meant to stall for a certain amount of time, rather than being lethal. Elder futhark runes can rake on much more power, usually tied into a ward stone and there are a plethora of lethal options that can be added in, just look at the wards on Black manor.

Wards and enchantments like this are by no means easy to overpower, though they can be overcome with enough time and knowledge, hence you have ward and curse breakers, but it would take someone like Voldemort and Dumbledore to brute force them open.

Egyptian hieroglyphs seem to be fantastic for traps and curses, often mixing the two, hence why curse breakers do a lot of work on the tombs in Egypt. They are much harder to detect unless very well trained in the fields, and even then, there is no perfect method, making the curse-breaking job so difficult. And even when detected, they can be easy to trigger when trying to take them down, potentially killing you.

The fact that there are so many lethal options involving traps is what makes them unique in their use for protection since they lack anything purely defensive. While elder futhark runes can create strong shields and powerful attacks, using Egyptian runes with them creates subtler layers to a ward scheme, making it all the more deadly.

Rather than send bolts of magic or elemental attacks, they can change the direction of gravity, sending you to unseen ceiling spikes, creating a suffocating and heavy pressure that causes you to asphyxiate, while in the same breath intertwine hard to detect curses. Suddenly becoming blind while breaking a ward causing catastrophic failure, a curse to stop your heart or transfigure your blood into acid. Their use is similar to how you would use poison, a subtle art of layers and deception so that you are never aware of the thing that kills you.

Lastly, higher levels of Egyptian rune knowledge can be combined into rituals dealing with the soul, with the Egyptian mummies being a very real thing and often a punishment. Tying runic knowledge to certain gods such as Anubis, Isis, and Thoth being able to further enhance magical and soul rituals due to the conceptual weight behind those entities. As for their actual existence, I have to admit to being unsure the Marvel equivalent, The Ennead, exists in this reality. Though regardless of the truth, I still have more to study before I can start dealing with lower-level runes regarding the soul.

More so, it seems that the wizarding world has a mixture of Druidic and Norse beliefs, with many of the older wizarding families celebrating druid holidays and praying to Norse gods. I admit to not being altogether surprised being Merlin was said to have strong Druid ties himself and nature magic being a very old form of magic here. Being that Asgard has also had a fairly strong influence on earth, with them fighting here and Midgard being part of the nine realms, it's not shocking they would have a strong influence on the wizarding community as well.

As for their claim to divinity, either their own claim or being manufactured by early humans is another thing I'm unsure about, being that the MCU has them being aliens, and in the comics, some are actual gods. Only the future can reveal any real answers in this case, and it's not worth dwelling upon at the moment. Though thinking about the wizarding world more druid-centric belief system does bring up the other main system of runes in use, Druidic runes.

Druidic runes, also known as Ogham runes, are used in rituals by in large, with a strong connection to nature and transformation. These are usually neutral-oriented runes, so they can encompass rituals of a light or dark nature easily, though adding in Black magic, something that can be seen as truly evil or perverting nature will cause mutations in the ritual.

While older runes do exist, and runic writing from other countries also exists, such as kanji when using ofuda, these are the three used by in large in the UK, and many other parts of the world. Even so, while they have their strengths in their own areas, they can be mixed together if one knows what they're doing.

Putting the book down for now after two hours of reading, I shadow summon my bento box from my trunk for a nice lunch that Dobby prepared for me, a sushi Rainbow roll with some fresh wasabi and high-grade soy sauce, sticky rice with an Umeboshi in the center, vegetable tempura, and pickled ginger with some green tea on the side. When he became my House Elf, he was more than happy to learn new styles of cooking and excited to learn new skills, while his own elf magic took those skills to a higher level than most humans.

Though thinking about the heavy and greasy food that will be abundant during the feast, I frown at the thought, even if my body can handle it just fine, it's not really to my taste.

"Dobby" I call out, seeing him appear in front of me in his butler suit. Something I had him make since I didn't want him to think I was giving him clothes to fire him.

The clothes themselves are made out of acromantula silk, something I am a bit curious about how one gets considering the sapient nature of the species, and has protective and cleaning rune enchantments sewn in. Being that I was also fond of Sebastian's style from Black Butler, I described that style to him as well, something he also seemed to like.

Now he is wearing a very durable and enchanted outfit, a black six-button double-breasted tuxedo, a white shirt with the Potter crest on the front chest, a grey vest, pants, a tie, and gloves. All around he looks like an incredibly dapper elf, while also being very dangerous since he has standing orders to protect himself with lethal force from anyone and anything if attacked.

And while house-elves may not be able to compare to higher echelon witches and wizards, their wandless capabilities certainly put them above the average magical masses. Even Lucius Malfoy was tossed back easily by Dobby in the second movie and despite it being a surprise attack, it still shows how dangerous a motivated house-elf can be.

"Yes, Mistress Elizabeth?" he asked with a formal bow, and I couldn't stop a little squee at how cute he looked.

"You just look adorable Dobby!" I said, giving him a smile and quick, getting a proud smile in return.

"Well Dobby, I was wondering if I could have some sashimi tonight for dinner? Maguro (tuna), Ika (squid), and fugu (pufferfish) would be great, any sides would be up to you" I ask, telling him what I have in mind.

"It be… It would be my pleasure Mistress Elizabeth" Dobby said, having been working on his speech. Not that I minded either way, but he was really taking to the butler role.

"If you need to re-stock anything you can take what you need from my vault," I tell him, seeing him nod, though I pause to think at that as well.

"Dobby, if you don't mind sharing, did the Malfoys have you do their shopping as well? Give you access to their vault?" I asked, thinking that could be very useful as well.

Dobby gave me a smile, "yes Mistress Potter, I can be… I had access to their vault for shopping. Since they think I must have died since I disappeared, they would not have taken my access away" he shared with me, smiling the whole time.

"Now isn't that perfect, I think we might be able to get a little justice for how you were treated. We'll give that vault a stop during Christmas break, and hurt Malfoy senior where it hurts, his gold. How does that sound Dobby?" I ask with a smirk.

Giving me a bit of a smirk himself, "that sounds wonderful Mistress Elizabeth, thank you" he says, giving me a bow and disappearing with an almost silent pop.

With a smile a start to dig into my lunch, enjoying the delicious sushi and sides, sipping on my green tea here and there as a nice palette cleanser paired with the pickled ginger. While I was halfway through my lunch, I heard a knock on the door before it opened a few seconds later, revealing a tallish redhead, one Ron Weasley.

"Hey, I heard Elizabeth Potter is here! Do you know where she is?" he with a voice filled with excitement before he saw my lunch, "what the bloody hell are you eating?!" he blurted out, seeming to forget his previous questions.

Taking a quick peek into his mind, I find that his mind is filled with thoughts of befriending The Girl Who Lived, getting rich and famous doing so, and finally doing something to be recognized over his brothers. Not exactly the nicest thoughts, but then again, he's young and immature, and while his thoughts are selfish, they aren't malicious in any way. Though his disgust at my lunch is a bit funny and at the forefront of his mind and will be a great way to run him off for now.

Giving him a smile "raw fish flesh, vegetables, and rice" I tell him, seeing him balk even more from the undoubtedly untraditional and foreign food shown in an unflattering manner.

"Ewww!" he blurts out before running away in disgust, the sounds of my chuckles ringing out in my cabin as I continue my delicious lunch, dabbing a piece of the rainbow roll in some soy sauce with some wasabi on top.

I can't say I'm all that surprised he didn't recognize me, firstly being dressed in a yukata, something that he wouldn't connect his idea of The-Girl-Who-Lived wearing. I also don't wear glasses like the stories have painted me out to wear, of which Sirius is making sure those authors are sued for making money off me now that he's Lord Black, having already brought Andromeda back into the family along with her own family.

Considering how much they've made off me by making up stories about me over the years, the Potter vault will get a rather nice increase, while they also print retractions that their stories were made without my knowledge or permission. Any sensible witch or wizard that isn't a crazy fan will know they were made up, of course, I hope at least, but now it will be out there that I wasn't the one pushing those stories out there and making money from it.

I also figure that my lunch also threw him for a loop, considering his reaction to it, and that helped distract him from making any connections about my identity. He is more than a bit infamous for his own appetite in the movies and many fanfictions, while also having a focus on a more British fair in food. Though honestly, I think that only comes from him seeming to disdain the French bouillabaisse, a seafood stew. So it's not as if there is a plethora of knowledge on his eating habits, maybe he's just not a seafood fan?

Finishing up my lunch and sending my bento box back into my trunk I shadow summon my desert, some coffee jelly with thick sweetened cream on top made by Dobby. Yet just when I was about to enjoy it my door suddenly opened without even a knock revealing a bushy-haired girl by the name of Hermione Granger, that looked more like her movie counterpart than her book version.

"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one" she said in a bossy tone and taking a quick glimpse in her mind shows that she's being honest, she just has horrible social skills. That's not too surprising from a bookworm who wasn't all that popular when growing up from what I recall, though she'll have to work on that bossy-ness.

Honestly, I should probably be looking through the minds of others less, kids my own age more so, because I really don't want to be like Dumbledore or Snape in that regard, but what can I say, I have trust issues. After everything that happened with the Dursleys, I have my own demons, no matter how much I try to keep those demons locked away within my mind. And being raised by a 500-year-old assassin didn't exactly help with my paranoia, regardless of how much I love my grandfather.

Though even still, I'm self-aware enough to accept my own hypocrisy here, because while I don't want anyone within my mind, I'll still gloss over the surface thoughts of others that I'm sure won't detect me. Unless I have a very good reason, I won't ever delve further into their mind other than their surface thoughts, I have to have some personal line I won't cross in the end.

Yet if I do become close friends with anyone, I should suggest they start learning occlumency as well so avoid those like me scanning their surface thoughts or delving even deeper. I have no doubt Snape and Dumbledore would have the skillset to do that to a child without their notice, I'm just not sure where they are in regards to the moral spectrum yet.

Quickly coming back to myself I turn my attention back to the situation at hand.

"Again?" I ask, amused, having met Neville a few times after healing his parents, though he wasn't aware of that fact, and he really was very nice, even if incredibly shy and nervous.

With the return of his parents though, a more positive influence in his life more than his overbearing grandmother who meant well but was far too harsh due to her own lingering grief. Not really a good excuse for heaping heavy expectations on her grandson, wanting to turn him into his father, and crippling his self-confidence, but it's a reason nonetheless.

"Has this happened a lot? Honestly! You would think he would get better looking after it then" she said in an exasperated manner.

"Ha, he's been getting better, but he can be a bit absent-minded at times," I tell her, with Neville himself walking up behind her just a few moments later, still searching for his toad.

"Hey Neville," I said, greeting him with a kind smile, happy that he's already doing a bit better when he greeted me with a smile of his own, in his own shy way.

"Hi Elizabeth," he says in a happy but still quiet tone.

Turning to Hermione "and sorry for not introducing myself earlier, but as you've heard, I'm Elizabeth, nice to meet you" I tell her, making her blush a bit at realizing how rude she had been.

"I'm Hermione Granger, a pleasure to meet you," she says, acting a bit formal but trying to be friendly in her own way.

"A pleasure Hermione," I said, lightly chuckling before turning to Neville, "and if you want to find Trevor you should look for the Head Boy or Girl, they should be able to use a summoning charm Neville" I let him know.

"Thanks!" he says happily before running off to find one of them,

After seeing Nevil run off, I invited Hermione into my compartment with a small smile still spread across my face, comfortable with the company. She seemed happy with the invite herself, sitting down with a slightly nervous smile, but also with excited energy as well.

"So, what House do you want to be in?" I ask, starting to eat my coffee jelly as we begin to talk, loving the contrast between bitter and sweet.

"Oh, I've heard that Dumbledore was in Gryffindor, and I want to be as great as him, so I think that's the house I want to get into! Magic is so new and amazing, and I've been reading all the books and even started memorizing all that I could. I never even knew that magic was real, mom and dad thought I might have been psychic when I started to make things float and then I got my letter, and I was ever so excited. I just can't wai…" she said, starting to ramble on and on before I covered her mouth.

"Breathe Hermione," I said with a giggle, "I know how happy you are, I felt the same way. And you should chart your own path if you want to be great, rather than just follow what Dumbledore did, play to your strengths. Gryffindor is a great House, but a lot of its members can be a bit brash and rambunctious from what I've heard. I think you would do better in Ravenclaw with your love of knowledge and passion for reading" I let her know, hoping she could find a House she would better fit in with.

"But Gryffindor is the house of the brave! I want to, well, I want to be brave too" she said, starting out at a whine before ending with a bit of a mumble.

"It's just a House that tries to embody various traits at the forefront of our personality right now Hermione, it doesn't mean we can't foster or have other traits," I tell her.

"What do you mean?" she asks, not having thought about the other houses over much it seems, probably getting a bit of tunnel vision for Gryffindor, due to Professor McGonagall a bit, and how famous Dumbledore is. This is pretty understandable honestly because I lot of young kids can easily get lost in the hype surrounding Dumbledore. More so people new to the magical world and doing their best to read up on some of it, all the while finding how just how influential the man is on a cultural and political level.

"Well, two examples would be Professor Flitwick, the Head of House for Ravenclaw, and Dumbledore himself. Professor Flitwick may have been a Ravenclaw and values knowledge, but he was also a champion duelist, something that takes skill and bravery" I explain to her.

"I think Hogwarts: A History mentioned something like that" she mumbled out, seeming to get deeper into thought.

"And then we have Dumbledore," I say, regaining her attention once again, "he was sorted into Gryffindor as you know, the House of the brave, but also known as the House of the brash and foolish at times. But even those that don't like him will admit he is incredibly knowledgeable and cunning, making him a fit for both Ravenclaw or Slytherin" I explain further to her, and I can't help but giggle again at her surprised expression.

She may be very smart but even the best can miss something obvious when you start to have tunnel vision. She also seems a bit shocked that people wouldn't like Dumbledore, already seeming to buy into the thought process of him being the second coming of Merlin and all that.

"Who wouldn't like Dumbledore?! He's, well, Dumbledore! He's done so many amazing things, and he even beat Grindelwald! And even You-Know-Who feared him" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch due to her indignation.

"Well, the simple answer is politics since he's often against those that supported Voldemort, and the complex answer is politics once again. You have three groups right now in Wizengamot, the wizarding government, the Dark which are staunch traditionalists and have many blood bigots who are led by Lucius Malfoy, you have the Neutrals who believe in keeping many of the wizarding traditional values and customs, with Cyrus Greengrass. Finally, we have the Light, the ultra-progressives who want to do away with all the old traditions and customs and embrace many of the muggle or non-magical traditions, led by Dumbledore himself" I explained, though I could see she was getting a bit overwhelmed, which was understandable.

"That's, that's a lot to take in," she said, a bit shocked at how complicated it all seemed, and for a girl coming from the non-magical world, it would be.

Even I only had a basic grasp on it all due to a little help from Sirius and a lot more from Andromeda. That woman was a great help, and even if she was kicked out of the Black family before being brought back in by Sirius, she was still raised a Black and knew how to keep up to date with things at a minimum.

For the next hour, Hermione and I talked about the various classes that were going to be held at Hogwarts and how we both have already gone over the books and basically memorized them. We both have already tried some basic spells, me more than her, but neither of us found the spells overly difficult as of yet.

Though I have a more diverse base of knowledge due to the family libraries I have access to and feeling out her power with my own magic, she is definitely above average concerning her magical power for her age group but nowhere near me power-wise.

Talking about both our experiences learning and practicing various spells as well, she leans more toward hard work and dedication with her magic, where I can feel the spells and get them in one or two tries. By no means am I ready for high-level magic yet, but I can also tell I will advance much faster than regular students and will have to eventually self-study if I can't get advanced lessons or work. That may make the first year a little difficult since Voldemort should be out and about, but second year on, well, the Room of Requirement should be very helpful then.

I also don't feel like hiding my magical progress overmuch regardless of Voldemort's presence because I'm going to Hogwarts to do my best to learn and improve. Voldemort has decades of magical learning on me and was considered a prodigy himself as well, no matter his sanity now, so I doubt he will feel altogether threatened by me.

After the both of us settle down a bit from going over what our classes should be like and what we both have gone over, each of us settled back to wait for our arrival at Hogwarts as we read and talked on and off. She started reading Hogwarts: A History once again, and I decided to go over the second-year potions books, having memorized the first already.

Eventually, it was time for both of us to change into our Hogwarts robes, she, having the standard version while I had the acromantula silk version with space expanded pockets and temperature control charms. I didn't really need them, but they were more to show my status as heir to a noble house, well two, but Sirius is holding off announcing me being heir to the black family as well until I'm a bit older.

When Hermione asked about my robes it was a pretty easy explanation even if she only vaguely understood why, it was a status symbol. Something she can't be blamed for due to the fact that social intricacies like that aren't really the norm for your average kid, let alone for someone like Hermione who isn't the best with social interactions anyway.

Making our way out of the train when it finally pulled into its destination at Hogsmeade, Hermione and I saw a giant of a man, or in this case, a half-giant of a man I can safely assume is Hagrid, in the distance with a lantern. He certainly makes an imposing and striking figure but is also incredibly easy to see and I'm sure to follow as he leads first years to the boats.

"Firs years, this way, please! Come on, now, firs years, don be shy. Come on now, urry up!" he yelled out, taking the time to gather us all up to lead us to the boats.

Seeing the trouble the other kids were having walking on the uneven ground as we made our way, I flicked my wrist, grabbing onto my wand, and muttered a quick Lumos spell, lighting up the tip of my wand with a bright white light.

Being one of the spells I had practiced before coming to Hogwarts, it was easy to feel the structure of the spell and adjust it a bit as I sent it flying from the tip of my wand to float above me, following me along, and lighting the way for the others, earning a few wows from the kids around me as I put my wand away. I admit that I rather liked when Dumbledore did something similar to that in the movies due to the sheer convenience of that, even if it wasn't some grand or subtle show of magic.

"However did you do that?" Hermione asked, wonder evident in her voice.

"It's just a small adjustment to a beginner spell, for now, I'm sure it will be covered in charms," I told her with a smile, feeling a bit happy none of the other kids are stumbling around anymore.

Really, sometimes it's the small acts of kindness that can make you feel the best and seeing the relief in the eyes of the various kid's eyes around me gave truth to that.

"No more than four to a boat then" Hagrid bellowed out, not all too hard to do when your half-giant I imagine. Though he didn't make much mention of the sudden illumination, and I'm glad he didn't make a big deal about it, whatever his reasons.

Making my way into the nearest boat, we're joined by Padma and Parvati Patil, looking very similar to their movie counterparts, simply much younger, since I don't remember them in the first movie.

"Hello, I'm Elizabeth" I said, a small smile painting my face as I gave them both a nod during my greeting, Hermione doing much the same as me.

"Padma," said one of the twins.

"Parvati," said the other, both giving a smile of their own as the boat made its way across the lake, the giant squid just barely seen beneath the waters with my sharp eyes, swimming along in the cold depths.

As we made our way further across the water, I could feel the magic in the air thickening, and I got my first sight of the ancient magical castle in the distance. Its lights illuminating the lake in a golden pallor, time-worn towers built high and strong, and old magic built into the wood, stone, and the very foundation of the school radiating from it, grand in its splendor.

With Hagrid dropping us off at the hall, I got my first look at Professor McGonagall and was shocked at the young woman that was in front of me. I mean, I know that she was supposed to be 45 or 46 at this time, which is rather young for a witch considering how long we can live, but I expected Maggie Smith. But here was a pretty woman that I saw in the Fantastic Beasts movie, though it took me a minute to draw up the name, Fiona Glascott.

Hearing her well-practiced speech about the Houses, what they represent and how they are our family for the next seven years, and I have to wonder about that. Considering how often the school and Gryffindor turned against Harry even after he had saved their lives multiple times, I'm wry trusting any loyalty coming from that concept. Soon after her well-rehearsed speech was finished, she made her way back into the great hall once again, leaving us alone for a time.

"So, the elusive Elizabeth Potter makes her way to Hogwarts. I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, and this is Crabbe and Goyle" said a poncy blond, his air of superiority practically dripping from his words, his father taught him well.

"I am Heir Potter, and this is Hermione Granger," I said, being a bit more formal, not really liking him, but not wanting to escalate things first either.

"Nice to meet you," Hermione said, trying to be polite, not knowing she was barking up the wrong tree with this one.

Malfoy just sneered at her, his contempt painted across his face as clear as day, like he smelled something truly foul, earning a bit of my own ire in the process.

"I don't need to hear from your sort" he said, his sneer becoming more prominent from having to talk to her, looking over to me "you should know that some families are better than her sort Potter, I can help with that" he said with a smirk holding out his hand, maybe trying to sound mature, or just more like his father.

Looking down at his hand with a bit of an upturned nose myself I harden my own eyes at him cold steely emeralds glaring at him "being that your sort, or more precise, someone like you, thinks it's fine to insult one of the first friends I made here, I think I'm better off without you Heir Malfoy since your stupidity is easy to see" I said, my true anger hidden, but my displeasure was easily seen.

Scarlet rising and covering his face, Malfoy didn't hide his anger nearly as well, "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter" he hissed out. "Unless you know what's good for you and get a bit politer, you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know better either, but they learned in the end. You hang around with riffraff like Granger here, you'll prove yourself a blood traitor like them" he spat out, smirking at me by the end, a slimy sense of superiority wrapped about him like toxic sludge.

The surrounding boys and girls had a shocked look, many sucking in an audible hiss at what he said, knowing he just stepped over the line, even those from Dark families. All of them were still young, and no matter what their parents might have done, none had built up to that level quite yet, and bringing up dead family and death threats in public is just too much even for many of them.

Looking at him my eyes grew even colder, ice-cold anger rushing through my body like acid at his words, the shadows surrounding us growing slightly darker at my rage, earning scared looks from the few that noticed. But no, not now, 'I control my anger, my anger does not control me', I said as a mantra inside my head, taking a deep calming breath and giving a cold vicious smile in return, making Malfoy step back, growing paler still. Pushing aside that inner voice growling at me to rip his throat out, I turn to the large doors, hearing McGonagall making her way back.

Just then Professor McGonagall opened the heavy doors, making sure to lead all of us into the great hall, the sorting hat sitting on the short stool. Suddenly it came alive, not surprising me so much but startling the other kids around me as it broke into song:

"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

While not a masterpiece of musical composition it was still fun to listen to and helped give a general outline for what each House should represent, though not always put into practice. Watching as each student was called up, most went into the same House they did in the books and movies, such as Malfoy and his followers into Slytherin and Neville into Gryffindor.

Hermione managed to give me a pleasant surprise by being sorted into Ravenclaw, maybe thinking over what I told her to help guide her in a better direction. Not that Hermione can't be brave, but I do think she will shine more in Ravenclaw and under Professor Flitwick's guidance. Though soon enough it was my turn.

"Potter, Elizabeth" Professor McGonagall read aloud from her list, causing the noisy hall to quiet down, a sudden tension heavy in the air.

Making my way up to the stool I sat down and my sight darkened as the professor placed the hat atop my head, though I was amused by what I heard next.

"Now it's rather dark in here, isn't it?" a voice said inside my head, making a logical assumption that said the voice was from the hat.

"I wouldn't say dark, I just know how to keep my thoughts private" I told the hat, my amusement slightly coloring my words within my mind.

"Well, I need to take a peek so I can sort you, great mental protections by the way, and don't worry, I'm enchanted to be unable to reveal any of your secrets or even look too deep into your mind," the hat told me, asking for access, and making sure to placate any worries I might have had.

"I can let you in, but you might still have some trouble" I let him know, curious if he'll be able to navigate how I've organized my mind by scent and how I can see the world with my radar vision.

"Gah! How is this your mind! I'm getting a damn migraine and I don't even have a brain!" he immediately started complaining after I let him in, making me giggle a bit aloud, much to my embarrassment.

"Here, just let me know what you're looking for and I can help guide you through" I let the hat know with a bit of an internal chuckle, causing him to grumble but letting me guide him through my mind nonetheless.

Showing some of my martial knowledge made the hat feel I could fit well in Gryffindor, showing how much I valued family put me in a good light for Hufflepuff, and showing how much I valued knowledge and pushing what can be done with magic put me pretty strongly in with the Ravenclaws.

As for Slytherin's qualities, I avoided showing him any of my more cunning moments, desire to obliterate my enemies, or my desire to become powerful. Ironically that backfired a bit since he said that by not highlighting any of those qualities, I seemed more Slytherin than most in said House because he could feel I was hiding things, going through the mind was a big part of his purpose, even if he didn't know what. Though ultimately, he came to a decision from what he saw and asked what I wanted as well.

"Ravenclaw!" the hat yelled out, ushering in mad applause from the chosen table, while the others outside of Slytherin seemed more disappointed. Sitting next to Hermione we smiled at each other, happy to be able to stay in the same house together, making being friends a bit easier since we had more time. As the rest of the students were sorted and seated Dumbledore got up to make his speech.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are, Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" he said with a kind and genial smile.

Dobby must have managed to work with the Hogwarts house-elves since my own meal I asked from him appeared in front of me as the rest of the table was filled with the feast a bit heavy on the greasy side. The Maguro (tuna), Ika (squid), and fugu (pufferfish) sashimi appeared on a plate in front of me with some tempura, miso soup, white rice topped with natto, and some Oolong Tea. On the side were some wasabi and soy sauce, with some pickled ginger as a palate cleanser.

Very pleased with the meal Dobby prepared I dug in with some chopsticks that Dobby sent with the meal as well, though many of the students around me, including Hermione, were very surprised at seeing it. Though I did let Hermione try some of the sashimi, which she liked, though avoided the fugu when I explained some of the poisonous properties of the fish. All in all, I was very happy with the meal, especially with that matcha ice cream Dobby made for dessert that had a chocolate drizzle on top.

By the time the feast came to an end, I was quite content and only listened to Dumbledor's warnings about the third floor and "a most painful death" when going there with half my attention. Though Hermione listened with avid attention herself and seemed a bit shocked at the end of it, whether that has to do with the painful death part or someone not listening to what Dumbledor said, only she knows.

Soon after he finished was when something truly horrible happened, something that was such an affront to my sensibilities that I seemed to feel a visceral pain within my soul, Dumbledore had everyone sing the school song with their own melody.

This was so bad that I felt even my healing ability wouldn't be enough to heal the damage to my ears due to the sheer dissonance of what everyone produced with their singing. With so many people you could have done so much, used counterpoint to create a beautiful polyphonic harmony for the school song, but no! Truly, the real monster in this world must be Dumbledore to think this was music!

"Ah, music, a magic beyond all we do here!" Dumbledore said, seeming to wipe away a tear from his eye, and with that he caused me to physically balk.

"That was not music! That's a cacophony at best!" I snap out, causing multiple eyes to be drawn my way, and McGonagall to look my way, her lips pressed into a tight line. Whether that was due to disapproval at my outburst or having to stop herself from agreeing with me, I really couldn't tell.

"Oh? Would you like to demonstrate what music is then Ms. Potter" Dumbledore asked with a slight smile and a twinkle in his eye. I swear that twinkle has to me some dame charm, wandless magic of some kind, or some small expression of his power because there is no way in all the hells that may exist could that be natural.

"Ahem" I voice, embarrassed at my outburst, but honestly, music is incredibly important to me, an expression of the soul and the language of emotions, so what if I am a bit sensitive about it. "Very well Headmaster Dumbledore, could you or Professor McGonagall conjure or transfigure a grand piano?" I ask him, still embarrassed but more than willing to prove my point.

"Certainly Ms. Potter," Dumbledore says, his enjoyment of the situation almost palpable in the air, and with a wave of his wand, a beautiful and ornate grand piano appears in front of the teacher's table. Being a full concert grand piano at roughly nine feet in length and formed from what seems to be carved mahogany, it really is a work of art, the bloody show-off. With another wave of his wand, a piano bench soon appeared, and he beckons me forwarded to the piano, either to prove my point or embarrass myself.

Quickly making my way to the instrument I take a seat and adjust to the bench to that I can reach both the pedals and keys in relative comfort and take a deep breath.

The first notes of Bach's Organ Sonata No. 4, BWV 528: II. Andante [Adagio] (Transcr. Stradal) rings out into the air, the rich base notes brought forth from the piano. Slowly the song takes shape from the beginning simple melody, the piano rising to a mesto piano, and a soft crescendo as the piece moves forward in complexity. I feel my magic blending with the rising notes, filling the music with my feelings as I shape the piece and bring it to life, a slightly energetic and melancholy piece singing out through the great hall, a sirens song to the hearts of students and teachers alike.

Hitting a lower base note I enter a more complex section of the piece near the middle, a rising and slight accelerando as I aim for the crescendo, the power of the piece rising and rising, louder and louder to a fortissimo, reaching the peak of the piece! The sixteenth notes ringing out and enthralling the hall before the piece starts its decrescendo, becoming quieter once more, the slower passion having been built up finding a release and the complexity once more falling away to a serene simplicity, the ritardando, the slowing of the piece brings it to a solemn conclusion, and musical spell finally releases its audience.

While hardly a real spell, I did manage to convey my feelings as I played and shaped the piece, the music doing its work to entrap the listeners. Taking a deep breath once more and letting out a slow-release, quiet happiness fills my heart at the performance and I stand up, giving a short bow, hoping I could convey just a little bit, of the true art of music.

"Splendid Ms. Potter, truly splendid," Dumbledore said, a wide smile spread across his face as he clapped, the other teachers and students soon joining him. "I must once more say after your remarkable performance, music, a magic beyond all we do here, thank you, Ms. Potter. Though I think it is time for us all to convene to bed!" he says, motioning for the other teacher to make their way to their houses, and for the students to head to bed.

ΩΩΩ

Following the Prefects to the Ravenclaw common room, I made sure to pay attention to the journey there, hoping that Hogwarts won't suddenly change things around if it can even do that. When we made our way to the common room entrance, it was explained that rather than a password we had to answer a riddle, which I knew, but still found a bit odd anyway.

Suddenly the eagle knocker seemed to come alive and looked at the assembled students before sharing its riddle for entrance into the common room, "a girl fell off a 20-foot ladder. She wasn't hurt. How?" the eagle asked.

Seeing a few looks of confusion from the surrounding students I raised my hand for the eagle to see, earning a nod from it so that I could share my answer, "she fell off the bottom step" told the eagle, earning a smile and a quick "correct" before the door opened.

Once inside we were met with Professor Filius Flitwick, our Head of House, who seemed very happy to see us, as the wide smile spread across his face could attest to.

"Well come, well come, one and all first-year students to the illustrious House of Ravenclaw! Here we value the pursuit of knowledge and the strength of your mind. Now while I don't expect perfect grades in every class, I do want to see high marks at the very least" he said happily, though you could still tell he was serious.

"Now, if you have any troubles, feel free to talk to me, and if you need help in any classes, you can ask some of the older students or the Prefects as well, and I will also be here when I can to help any who need it. We also have a private library that you can use to help you study in conjunction with the main library. I hope all of you will feel like you're part of the Ravenclaw family!" he said, continuing his excited tone before heading back into his office.

I was happy to note that outside of the boys and girls having separated rooms, and magical protections on both sides to prevent the other gender from heading up the stairs, we also had our own private rooms as well. The Dark blue and bronze color scheme was carried through in my new room that could be found throughout the common room, but I honestly liked it. I set up a basic ward with some ofuda, nothing super strong, but it would let me know when someone is trying to get in and will take more than a few hits to bring it down.

Setting my trunk in front of my bed I set it to the apartment setting for a bit later tonight before shadow traveling back to Potter manor to say hi and goodnight to Padfoot, which he really enjoyed. Though I did also have him conjure a basic dagger using my father's wand for later, he did so without issue but understandably asked why. When I told him what Malfoy said he was rather pissed himself and more than happy to help me get a bit of revenge.

Shadow traveling back to my room I killed some time sorting out my occlumency, setting out my futon and blankets in my apartment, and writing out a letter to my grandfather. After about an hour went by, I looked through the shadows into the Slytherin common room before making my way there. Seeing that no one was around, I shadow traveled up the stairs, the wards not registering me due to my method of travel, and after going through a few rooms, came across Malfoy.

Seeing that he was rooming with his cronies I hit them all with a wandless stupefy and brought Malfoy down to the Slytherin common room, stripped him to his underwear, and used a prank spell Padfoot taught me to stick him onto the wall. He should stay there well into the morning and be very hard to remove from the wall, a basic Finite Incantatem won't do the trick.

Seeing that he was still out I stuck the dagger deep into the wall right next to his head, hopefully, when he wakes up in the morning, he'll learn to better watch what he says and who he threatens.

Finally heading back to my apartment and futon, I went to sleep with a smile on my face, excited about what I'll be able to learn here, and how I can use it to end my enemies. Fun times ahead indeed.