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How is it still Arya's first day? Oh right she keeps getting into trouble and doing stuff …


Chapter 3: The Weirwood Tree


"How are you so good at this?" Arya asked.

That was the fifth time her broom had smacked her in the face as she tried to will it into her outstretched hand. Myrcella had already mastered her command of the broom and was hovering a foot off the ground watching Shireen and Arya struggle.

"Well, Uncle Jamie has been teaching me since I was old enough to walk so that might have something to do with it," Myrcella said as Shireen's broom zoomed off away from her.

The dark-haired girl sighed dramatically not used to failing where magic was concerned.

"Another Uncle and this one teaches flying lessons; do you have anymore Uncles? Maybe one that teaches Transfiguration?" Arya said grumpily more at her lack of progress with her broom than at Myrcella.

"No, Uncle Jaime is the last one that teaches at Hogwarts. Uncle Stannis and my father work at the Ministry."

"And I am very grateful they do. I can only handle one brother-in-law at my place of work," Jaime beamed at his niece before turning to Shireen and handing back her wayward broom.

"Thank you, Professor Lannister," Shireen squeaked as she took it back.

"Oh no, Professor Lannister is my father and my brother come to think about it. I am no professor just call me Sir Lannister," Jaime said with a twinkle in his green eyes.

Before he could turn around a fluttering paper owl smacked into his chest. He retrieved it from the floor and unfurled the note. After a quick glance at its contents he let out a soft sigh of resignation.

"Hodor requires my help to recapture a baby hippogriff before it flies out of school boundaries. I will be right back. No one is to leave the ground, just keep practicing commanding the broom to your hand and nothing else. Do I make myself clear?" Jaime demanded as he mounted his broom.

A chorus of "Yes, Professor" rang through the air.

Jaime looked like he was about to correct the use of Professor but then thought better of it, instead kicking off the ground and disappearing around the corner of the castle.


"Arrgg," Arya growled, "I am never going to get this."

"We aren't supposed to try to fly when Lannister isn't here," Shireen pointed out with her own broom firmly planted on the ground.

"Just concentrate," Myrcella said as she floated at head height watching Arya try and mount the broom, "It's about connecting with the broom and telling it where you want to go."

"I want to go up," Arya half yelled in frustration and in the next second she was up, higher than Myrcella was and she was still ascending.

"Okay! I don't want to go up anymore!" she screamed as the broom halted in the air a good twenty metres above the ground.

Arya gulped as she looked down. The fall wouldn't kill her but there would be a few broken bones. Her grip tightened on the wood and she prayed that the broom would just stay still now.

"Arya just stay there, I am coming to get you," she heard Myrcella's voice drift up to her.

A few seconds later Myrcella was beside her, "Hey, you're flying! How does it feel?"

"I miss the ground," Arya said through clenched teeth.

"Just remain calm and you'll be back on the ground before you know it."

Three things happened next, but Arya's feet touching the ground wasn't one of them.

First, a stick hit Myrcella on the head forcing her to regain balance. This caused Arya to jerk on her broom, and she held on for dear life. Second, Arya saw Shireen below them throwing multiple disarming charms at a group of Slytherin's who were levitating branches in the air. One of them must have thrown the stick. And to top off the event Jaime had returned, and he was not pleased with what he saw. He pulled out his wand and disarmed Shireen, stopping her rampage through the Slytherin pack. Then, without wasting a second glance at his niece he was in the air next to Arya and Myrcella. Jamie hauled Arya onto his broom while Myrcella trailed behind.

"I don't want to hear excuses Myrcella," he said with a disappointed look on his face, "I said no flying and what do I find when I come back? You and Stark flying and Shireen attacking her classmates. All three of you have earned detention … till Christmas."

Jaime silenced the oncoming arguments from the girls with a raised hand and addressed all the first years.

"Class is over, you may all go."


An hour later …


Shireen sat on the edge of the Courtyard statue reading a thick book, while Arya perched on the statue's knee. Myrcella lay on the bench below looking up into the sky.

"How is it possible to be sent to detention twice in a day by two different Uncles?! All I need now is Renly to pop up and give me detention for the perfect trifecta of suckiness," Myrcella moaned to no one in particular.

"Well, I have a family meeting now so wish me luck trying to conceal the fact I will have spent almost as much time in detention today as I will have in class," Arya whined as she slipped off the statue and took her leave through the courtyard gates.

Both Myrcella and Shireen sent her supportive glances.

"You know I think my dad would celebrate me getting two detentions in one day," Myrcella thought out loud, "and when did you learn how to disarm, Shireen? You destroyed Greenhands and his friends. That was amazing!"

"Mine would definitely not. And I taught myself the charm last summer in case people wanted to pick on me," Shireen said hiding her face behind the book.

"Well no one is going to pick on you now," Myrcella said grinning ear to ear.

She had no idea her cousin was this cool. They had never spent a lot of time together growing up, but Myrcella was thankful this state of affairs would change now that they were both at Hogwarts.


Arya approached the tree, which had a mischievous expression engraved on the bark, and saw that she was the last to arrive, as usual. Eddard Stark, Professor of Ancient Runes, was studying the Weirwood tree in front of him with an intrigued expression on his face as his children and nephew huddled together behind him. Sansa called out to her sister and Robb and Jon both turned with to greet her with huge smiles on their faces.

"Arya," Robb greeted, "I heard you are enjoying your first day."

"Detention isn't exactly a good start," Sansa muttered loudly.

"Don't worry," Jon added, "I got detention on my first day too."

"Yeah, but did you get two detentions?" Robb couldn't resist saying.

"How did you know about that? Lannister only gave it to me like an hour ago," Arya whined.

"News here travels fast and I am a prefect. We hear everything," Robb said rubbing his hands together.

"Can we get a move on?" Sansa said impatiently, "I have people to see and things to do."

"What people and what things?" Robb fired at his sister, taking his role as overprotective big brother seriously.

Before Sansa could answer Ned appeared at her shoulder giving her a hug before opening his arms to Arya who embraced him without hesitation.

"Hi Dad," Arya said warmly as she disengaged from her father's hug.

"Another Stark at Hogwarts is always a great day, and I am sure you will enjoy the next seven years immensely." Ned gave everyone a loving smile in turn before turning to Arya, "And I don't want you to be worried about being in Slytherin. It's just like every other house where you will meet friends and grow up."

"She already has friends and they aren't in Slytherin," Sansa butted in.

"Fantastic," Ned said and then added hopefully, "are they in Gryffindor?"

"One is, and the other is in Ravenclaw," Arya replied gingerly not understanding why her sister knew about or cared who her friends were.

"Myrcella and Shireen Baratheon I believe," Sansa said, further flaunting her knowledge.

"The Baratheons are good people," Ned said approvingly, "however, I wanted this meeting to remind you all that family always comes first."

He gave his youngest daughter a piercing stare.

"Arya, remember that you will always be a Stark first and a Slytherin second."

"I know Dad," Arya said slowly, "but I can handle Slytherin, I am there for a reason."

"Of course you are," Ned said clearly not knowing what that reason was before ruffling Arya's hair.

"Enjoy your second detention of the day. I expect this just to be first day nerves or your mother will be having words with you … and me."

Arya pulled a face at the mention of her mother that mirrored her father's and then ran off back towards the castle.

Ned's smile faltered slightly as he turned back to the remaining three Starks, "Look out for her, okay?"

"We will," Robb assured his father.

"House Stark has never had a Slytherin before and I want us all to be vigilant," Ned said anxiously.

Sansa rolled her eyes, "Dad will you relax, so she's in Slytherin, so what? She was always sneaking around when we were younger, getting into places that she shouldn't and causing mayhem. That's just Arya. I think she will be fine; she always is."

"That is exactly why I am worried. Hogwarts isn't Winterfell, if you sneak around here and get into places you shouldn't it's a little bit more dangerous," Ned stressed to his eldest daughter, "and she has a habit of getting into trouble if her actions today are anything to go by."

"We will look after her," Jon said earnestly.

Jon knew Arya better than any of them, but his uncle and cousin were right.

Ned nodded in reply before turning back to the Weirwood tree, noting with interest that it had changed to mirror the contemplative frown he wore. He didn't blame his children for their nonchalant attitude; they weren't old enough to understand the politics quite yet, but he was going to have a hard enough time as it was trying to keep tabs on his wayward children, even without the added duties as the Assistant Head of Hufflepuff. Ned's expression darkened even further as his thoughts turned back to the Head of Slytherin.

I'd rather trust an actual snake with one of my children than Tywin Lannister, he thought grimly.


That following evening …


Arya found her two friends after dinner in the great hall.

"Hey, you survived," Myrcella called out playfully.

"Yes, with a warning that if I continue my reckless streak my mother may need to get involved," Arya said with a grim expression on her face, "Which is never a good thing."

"Amen," Myrcella agreed thinking of her own mother as she brushed some crumbs off her cloak.

"I hate to say it but I think we need to go to detention," Shireen reminded with a dower expression on her face as they stood in-between the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor table.

"Right," Myrcella said shifting to face the exit, "Let's get this over with."

Shireen, Arya and Myrcella walked out of the great hall together accepting their fate. They reached the cold room in the dungeon that would serve as their evening detention space, but there was already another occupant of the room.

"Who are you?" Arya asked boldly.

The young tanned boy looked up at the trio of girls and smirked.

"I am Trystane Martell, second year Hufflepuff at your service," he said charmingly from the back seat of the deserted classroom.

"And let me guess you're here for your good behaviour," Arya teased as Myrcella and Shireen took desks in the front row.

"Of course," Trystane replied watching Arya nimbly sit down at the desk just to his right.

"I wonder who will be overseeing detention," Shireen mused out loud.

"Probably another one of your Uncles," Arya said flippantly.

"Oh no," Myrcella said quietly as she looked at the doorway to see her Grandfather staring harshly at the quartet before him.

"Professor Lannister," Trystane greeted the Head of Slytherin as if he was an expected guest.

"Mister Martell," Professor Tywin Lannister said as he swept into the room, "I do hope we can avoid seeing each other as much as we did last year."

"Me too, Professor," Trystane said cheekily which put him on the receiving end of a cold stare from the Head of Slytherin.

The look made the hair on Arya's arm stand on edge. Trystane kept his cocky demeanour but the bright smile on his face dimmed under the strain of his Professor's cutting glare. Arya kept her attention on the wizard and couldn't help but feel like he was the walking definition of her house. He looked every inch the type of wizard that would inhabit the qualities of Slytherin: cunning, sly, manipulative and ambitious.

"I don't like taking detention or babysitting trouble makers so you are all going to do exactly as I say and be quiet as you are doing it," Tywin said in a commanding voice as he took his place behind the desk, "You are to read Hogwarts: A History … in silence."

Arya was about to enquire where these books were when a copy appeared on her desk and flipped open to the first page. She saw an image of a bold looking white-haired wizard with purple eyes who was surrounded by what looked like his sisters on either shoulder. This was Aegon the Conqueror; the man that had beaten back the forces of darkness three hundred years ago and founded Hogwarts based on his principles of loyalty, ingenuity, courage and curiosity.

Arya heard Tywin sigh, "Yes, Miss Baratheon?"

"Um," Shireen stumbled as she put her hand down, "If we read this textbook now what are we going to do in your History lesson tomorrow?"

"I highly doubt you are going to finish that book in one hour," Tywin surmised.

"But if I do?" Shireen surprised herself by repeating her question.

"Then you can explain to the class tomorrow which events are the most important and why," Tywin said curtly. The girl's enthusiasm was getting on his nerves.

It had the opposite effect as Shireen beamed at him from across the classroom, clearly excited by the challenge. Sometimes Tywin regretted his decision to become a teacher (well, it hadn't exactly been his decision had it?). He caught the Martell boy and the Stark girl stifling a laugh at Shireen's enthusiastic response for what was undoubtably the most boring subject taught at Hogwarts. Only his granddaughter had the common sense to stick her head in the offered book.

A stare that held as much force as a jinx immediately silenced Arya and Trystane's giggles. A sullen silence befell the classroom as the misfit group focused on their given task. However, Arya's concentration and budding interest in the history of Hogwarts was broken a few minutes later as Trystane caught her eye.

He was mouthing the words, "So bored," at her while mimicking a yawn.

Arya gave him a cheeky grin. It wasn't hard to fathom why the boy sitting at the next desk over had been in so many detentions last year. In the next instant both of their desks where pushed apart without warning so that their backs were to each other and they were facing the walls of the classroom. Arya turned her head to see Professor Lannister giving her a look as cold as ice.

She gulped.

Tywin opened his mouth to unleash a withering remark when Myrcella yelped and jumped from her chair clutching her arm in pain. Tywin immediately rushed to his granddaughter's side and gently pried her hand away from her arm. The skin glowed as a golden white light etched out a moving image on her arm.

"It doesn't hurt now," Myrcella reassured her grandfather, "it just tingles."

Tywin nodded in understanding as he watched the light fade and leave behind an inky black outline of a lion that proceeded to prowl up and down her arm.

"Cool," Myrcella said excitedly up at her grandfather, but Tywin wasn't watching her anymore.

Instead his eyes were on the other three students. They were all looking at their arms with the same wonder Myrcella had been only a few seconds ago, and the same wonder he had felt almost fifty years ago. Tywin moved from Myrcella to Shireen. An eagle had formed on her arm and was flapping its wings. Next, he grabbed Arya's hand as a snake coiled itself around her arm. She didn't look afraid or scared, just confused and in awe.

At least no one is crying, Tywin thought gratefully; he hated dealing with crying children.

Tywin turned to deal with the Martell boy next, but the curly black haired youth had already bounded to Arya's side and presented his arm with an image of a honey badger rolling onto its back and rubbing its eyes.

"Why are yours cool animals and mine is a honey badger?"

"Because you are a Hufflepuff," Tywin said as if the answer was obvious.

The Head of Slytherin backed away from the four students with a thoughtful expression on his face, "You four are the new heirs of Aegon."

"The heirs of Aegon?" Arya vocalised the confusion in the room.

Tywin ignored her and barked, "Follow me."

His tone held no room for disobedience and even Trystane complied instantly, trailing the stern Professor's billowing cape down the corridors.

Tywin didn't hear the pitter patter of the students trying to keep up with his long strides, lost in his own thoughts; too lost in Aery's twisted sneer and the tattered remains of what was once such a strong friendship. No, he didn't want to relive such painful memories. It was now time for the new heirs to take on Aegon's puzzle. Hopefully they would succeed where he had failed.


Author's Notes:

First rule of being a teacher is never leave the kids on their own, oh Jaime :P Looks like Arya needs more practice if she is going to be able to fly on a broom but it was her first attempt :D I also really hope Ned's caution wasn't overboard, he just doesn't know what to expect with a kid in Slytherin as there has never been a Stark in Slytherin.

Trystane joins the gang and the mystery of the four heirs and Aegon's Tomb begins :P

Tywin will become more involved in this story now after his introduction here at the end, which is why I am here XD


Reviews:

Supremus85 – Haha cheers! I PMed you but for others, basically Renly is referring to his own father, Steffon Baratheon, who is also a Professor at Hogwarts. No not retired or dead in this universe … yet :P

Cecilia695 – I like the girl trio of Arya, Shireen & Myrcella too. Trystane has been added to their little gang now. Don't you worry there will be plenty of Arya & Tywin moments now as the Mystery of Aegon's Tomb begins :) Lol I don't think Ned was necessary worried about her being in detention, he more worried about her being in Slytherin. Yes, I do have one or two Sandor & Arya interactions planned for future chapters but that pairing isn't a focus in this story so don't keep reading for those interactions alone.

Debby Corey – Hey! Thank you very much.

Ksyushangel – Thanks, I wanted a title that gave a bit more description as well as a good grounding in the Harry Potter Universe. Always :D She got two detentions LOL.

Sansa is in Ravenclaw here for a reason, she knows shit! And she feels for Arya here as she is the only other sibling not in Gryffindor, for now at least :D I thought Littlefinger was a natural choice for potions. Nope, Tywin isn't Transfiguration but the History of Magic teacher but that doesn't mean he isn't a capable wizard just he doesn't want to teach the more popular subjects. He is quite content in his more natural role as the Head of Slytherin but I warn you that teachers will do some moving around in this story ;D

Glad you are enjoying as I do intend to make this quite a fleshed-out story :) No characters from the Harry Potter world will appear, sorry.


Next Up: Headmaster Aemon gives a history lesson; Arya tries her hand at transfiguration while Trystane finds himself in the library with Shireen.

*Holds up a bucket full of sweets, shakes it around* … I give you one virtual bag of haribo or a lolly if you leave a favorite, follow or if you review you can get the whole bucket ….. XD