Hogwarts here we come! I'm excited to see where this idea takes me and excited for you all to read it. If it wasn't obvious, I own Leo and my plot, Rowling owns Harry and the rest.
We arrived twenty minutes before the train was scheduled to leave, and oh my, I was nervous. Remus laughed off most of my questions, telling me to wait and see. He helped me into a compartment in the middle of the train, heaving my trunk into the overhead rack. With a brief kiss on the forehead, he had to leave for work. I was sad to see him go but settled down in my seat to wait. The train had just pulled away from the platform when the door opened and a boy a few years older than me came in.
"Oh hello, you don't mind, do you? Great." He plopped down on the seat opposite to me and reached into his bag. "I've got a tarantula." He whispered. "You aren't scared are you?" I merely shrugged. Before I could really answer the question the door opened again and two heads of orange spilled in.
"Come on Lee! Let's have it!" The first one said.
"Yeah, hurry up!" The other cheered.
"Well?!" I added, jumping in on their excitement. Both heads spun around to look at me, as if they hadn't noticed me before.
"Who are you?" One demanded.
"Fred, you're being rude!" The other nudged him in the ribs, starting a wrestling match. I merely giggled. The one named Fred seemed like an instigator. I glanced back and forth between them and found that Fred's eyes were slightly rounder, with a mischievous twinkle, while the other looked a bit more serious.
"I'm George, he's Fred. Oh and that's Lee. May I ask your name?"
I smiled brightly. I liked them, they seemed fun. "I'm Leo. And it's lovely to meet the three of you. May I ask, what year are you?"
"Oh, we're third years. I'm guessing you're a firstie? So's Ron, our younger brother." Fred answered.
"But he's far less interesting than us," George added.
And so began my first friendship at Hogwarts.
We spoke of many things that first ride to school. The houses and where I hoped to be placed, (although I thought all of them sounded fine), some of the students to watch out for, and Lee pulled out his tarantula. When the trolley came by I bought some chocolate frogs for me and insisted on buying the boys something. Soon we were arriving. The boys told me to leave my trunk and pointed me in the direction of a massive man. Who was hollering to catch the attention of the first years. He led us down a steep path, everyone muttering in the dark to each other, making the trek even spookier. It was so dark I decided the trail must be lined with trees.
Then the path opened up onto the edge of a great lake, black in the darkness. Perched on the mountain just across the water was a castle. Its windows glittering with light, and several massive towers darkening the stars behind it. Everyone let out impressed noises, before the large man hollered, "No more'n four to a boat!" And suddenly I was aware of a small fleet of boats at the edge of the lake. I climbed into a boat and was joined by two rather large children, and one small boy with pale blond hair. He seemed familiar, but in the dim light, I couldn't be sure.
"Head's down!" I heard shouted as we headed for the cliff face coated in thick ivy before us. We went down a dark tunnel that opened up into an underground harbor, where we all piled out onto some steps. The door before us was knocked upon, and we waited.
The door swung open, to reveal a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes. Her face was stern as she skimmed over the faces, pausing when her eyes found mine.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She replied, and I filed away the giant man's name for future reference. The professor pulled the door open further to reveal an entrance hall. So large I thought my house would fit inside. We could hear many voices from a doorway to our right. All blending with one another so no real words could be understood. The walls were lit with torches, and the ceiling so high it couldn't be seen in the dim lighting.
We were led into a small chamber just off the hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. "
After warning us to wait quietly, she left.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" I heard one of the boys nearby ask.
"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."
"Oh, you must be Ron." I turned to the boys, one of whom had the same orange hair as the twins. "I'm Leo, I met the twins on the train. And you are?" I turned to the black-haired boy who had asked about the sorting.
"I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
There was a rustle of whispers at the revelation, but I kept my face clear of emotion.
"Nice to meet you Harry, I'm Leo Black." I figure since he shared his surname I would too. There was another round of whispers, but the children were quickly distracted by a swarm of about twenty ghosts streaming through the wall. They seemed to be arguing when they noticed us.
"New students! About to be sorted I suppose?" A rather fat monk smiled at us.
"Yes, sir," I answered as the rest of the hall remained silent.
"Well, I hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house you know."
"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. She directed us to line up and follow her. We trailed behind her into the Great Hall. Many of the first years tripped on their own feet, distracted as they were by the ceiling. It was black as the night outside, but filled with stars. Just below that, thousands of candles floated on their own, lighting the large space. Four massive tables filed most of the floor space, each table with its own colors. The tables were filled with the older students, and I saw Fred and George wave from the red table. I waved back as Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool on the floor in front of the fifth table in the room, filled with staff.
On top of the stool, she placed an ancient-looking pointed hat, patched in several places. It was dirty and fraying, but all the students seemed focused on it.
I soon realized why as a rip near the brim opened wide, and the hat began to sing.
"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 folk 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!"
The hat bowed to each table as the room burst into applause, before dropping back to the stool, deadly still.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line. She put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moments pause -
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. I saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her.
"Black, Leo!"
Again there was a murmur as my name was shouted through the hall. I stepped up and put the hat on, sitting down on the little stool.
"Hmm," I heard a small voice in my ear. "Difficult. I see plenty of courage here, and a thirst for knowledge. But also a strong loyalty to friends, and a desire to rise above. Where to put you..."
I honestly didn't know where to place me either.
"Interesting. When they told me this day would come... I never thought a Black would be the one though... Alright then, there's no better place. BLACK!"
I heard the last word shouted through the hall. There was a silence so dead you could hear a pin drop. I turned to Professor McGonagall, but she looked as shocked as I felt. There was a long awkward pause before a man stood up at the head table. His silver hair shone in the candlelight, and his beard disappeared behind the table. Albus Dumbledore.
"Miss Black, why don't you take a seat here, and after the rest of the students are sorted we will see what happened?"
I merely nodded, heartbroken. Was I that bad of a person, that none of the houses were good for me? I vaguely heard the rest of the Sorting, only really paying attention when Harry and Ron were both sorted into Gryffindor.
Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome," he said. "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 then turned to me and directed me through a small door to the left of the table.
We headed up a few flights of stairs with Professor McGonagall following. We paused briefly to tell a statue, "Licorice wands" before it jumped aside and revealed one last staircase. Leading to what I could only assume was the Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore reached to take the Sorting Hat from McGonagall, placing it down on his desk.
"Alright now, what's the meaning of this?" He asked the hat quietly.
The brim opened up again. "I was warned the day would come, by my creators, the Founders of Hogwarts itself-" The hat began.
"Yes, we know who made you, get on with it." McGonagall sounded impatient.
"When I was made, to sort all the little wizardlings, they warned me there would come a day when I would find a child. One who was suited to all houses. One who would fit everywhere, and nowhere. And when that day came, I was to create a fifth magical house. A house based on that child, who has turned out to be Black."
And with that the hat retreated into itself, refusing to answer any more questions.
"Well then," Dumbledore began. "I do believe this means we have a fifth house, which Miss Black here must design, and head. However, since she is still a first-year, I think, Professor McGonagall, that if she has questions or concerns, she ought to address them to you for the time being. I will see about setting up a new dormitory, my dear, do you have any preference as to where?"
He conjured a glowing mist map of the grounds. His eyes sparkle with amusement, but he refused to explain why, when I chose a corridor on the seventh floor. The entrance to be placed behind a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls the ballet. Then I was asked to choose two house colours, and an animal to represent my house. I chose royal purple and copper, with the bobcat as my animal. I thought it fitting later when I learned that the bobcat symbolizes independence. But it was all very confusing. I was asked many questions, but hurriedly. I was then told we were returning to the feast. Where the Headmaster would explain the situation to the rest of the students and staff.
When we returned to the Great Hall, McGonagall had gone ahead of us and arranged a fifth table to be brought in. All the students watched in interest as she and another Professor, Flitwick I would later learn, magically enhanced the inside of the room to accommodate. Dumbledore instructed me to sit there and enjoy the food, which had magically appeared as soon as the table was in place, while he returned to the head table. I could feel the whole school's eyes on me as I sat, taking some chicken and potatoes and eating quietly. I had made sure to sit facing the rest of the room, I'd rather see them staring than feel their eyes on my back. Fred caught my eye and raised his eyebrows questioningly. I shrugged and gestured to Dumbledore. He nodded and went back to eating as the dessert appeared.
At last, the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.
"Ahem - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.
"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well. "
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.
"I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death.
And finally, there is the matter of Miss Black's Sorting. It appears the founders of Hogwarts left a contingency plan, in the event a student was suited to all or none of the houses. In this case all, Miss Black is now the founder of a fifth House."
There was an instant outbreak of chatter as questions were asked and comments spoken over each other. I was beginning to get tired of the gossip each time my name was spoken. The professor's all watched Dumbledore closely as he raised his hands for quiet.
"I am aware that this is new, and strange, and exciting news. However, please know that Miss Black is to be treated just as any other student. She cannot grant you leave from detentions or any special favors. After her graduation changes will be made, but until then, she is an ordinary student, just like you.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. I noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed:
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot. "
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest. I snorted with laughter. It would be them.
"Ah, music," Dumbledore said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot! Miss Black, come here if you please."
I was given many searching looks as the rest of the school headed in a swarm out the door to their dormitories. Dumbledore led me, as I had glanced at the map before, but had no real idea how to get to the seventh floor. We ended up following the Gryffindors for a while and ran into a poltergeist named Peeves. But eventually they turned off one way, and Dumbledore and I the other.
We arrived at the tapestry that marked my new dorm, and Dumbledore turned to me.
"Now my dear, you must choose a password, so no one can get in unless you give them the password. Try to choose something you'll remember, but not to easy to guess."
I thought for a moment, before stating, "Thestral."
"Interesting. Can you see Thestrals my dear?"
"Yes, sir. Remus thinks it has to do with my mother."
"Fascinating. Well then, there are a few things we must discuss." He gestured to the tapestry, which had pulled aside to reveal a short hallway. I stepped inside to find a large room, with a sofa in front of a fireplace, and several chairs around a table that was clearly meant for homework. Everything was decorated in purple and copper. I forced my eyes away when Dumbledore sat in one of the chairs.
"I understand this is confusing for you, but some things must be discussed. Firstly there is the matter of your dormitory and dining table. You are welcome to sit with the other houses, as I understand it might be lonely eating alone, but as you are a fifth house, we must be prepared for future students to be sorted into the House of Black. Next year there may be others. The Sorting Hat saw something unique in you, but there must have been specific traits. There may be other children in later years with those traits. As such you have been built a full-sized dormitory, and the size of your table matches the others.
"The next item of discussion is your lessons. Since your house consists of you this term, you will take your lessons mingled with the other houses. You will receive a time table in the morning at breakfast.
"Then there is the business side of things. The known direct descendants of the original founders receive a portion of the money made by the school in tuition. As a founder yourself, this now applies to you and your descendants. This money will be deposited monthly into your vault at Gringott's.
"You are a head of house, and that gives you certain privileges. A full list of the rules regarding these will be given with your time table. I would encourage you not to flaunt these privileges in front of the other students.
"Now, do you have any questions?"
I stared at a knot in the wooden table for a moment, thinking on all I had been told, before shaking my head.
"Very well. If you do think of any questions or concerns, please come to either Professor McGonagall or myself. We would be happy to help you in any way. I'll leave you to get some rest now, you have a big day ahead."
