A Twinkle Of Emotions

Chapter 3: Welcome To Hogwarts

Diagon Alley was an extraordinarily popular location for Wizards and Witches alike, somewhere hundreds of Hogwarts students frequented in order to purchase supplies for the upcoming school year. Many First Years choked up the bustling streets purchasing every listed item on the letter sent out by Professor McGonagall. For Naruto, he did not need the letter for the Deputy Headmistress herself was his mother and guide.

"Stay close now, Naruto Diagon Alley is especially busy this week with new students attending Hogwarts." Minerva said placing a comforting hand on Naruto's back making sure she held on tight to her child. Waving to some other parents, she kept her attention on Naruto making sure they reached Flourish and Blotts without getting lost like he usually did, "Once we finish getting your books we can head over to Ollivanders and get you your wand."

"Alright, but why do I have to take the train to Hogwarts?" Naruto murmured an obvious frown drawn across his visage.

"I need to head over to Hogwarts before First Years arrive and I'm afraid you will get lost." Minerva replied gently smiling down at Naruto. During his stays at Hogwarts, she had found out her beloved child seemed to get lost at every turn. Perhaps it was a result of his undying curiosity or his desire to explore every inch of an unknown location. She did not know an exact answer but the first time losing him made her extremely protective of Naruto.

Their conversation lulled until they entered Flourish and Blotts, Naruto immediately went off to browse the collection of books offered by the store. Minerva quickly picked every book the First Years needed for the semester and waited patiently for her beloved child to finish. Watching Naruto scurry from end to end marveling at the books made her smile. He acted almost entirely like herself, yet, the cold aloof nature she wielded did not seem to rub off on Naruto. He smiled at every little challenge and held a warmness she never contained.

"Mum can I get this?" Naruto pleaded handing over a large book with intricate designs on the cover.

Eyeing it for a moment, Minerva turned to Naruto, "Advanced Potions? That book is for Fifth Years, why would you want it?"

"Snape said that gramps isn't amazing with Potions, so I'll beat him by being the best Potions Master!" Naruto declared whole heartedly grinning ear to ear after shouting his statement. It had been true enough, while Dumbledore excelled in almost all subjects he did not fully master the concept of Potions like Snape had in a sense making it his weakest subject.

"Oh very well then, darling. Come bring it over here." Minerva sighed consenting to Naruto's desire. While she did have some objections to him practicing Advanced Potions without her care, she knew he would bug Snape to help him. Though Snape held an usually cold uncaring demeanor to everyone, Minerva knew the former Death Eater had grown fond of the blonde bundle of sunshine. She caught a ghost of a smile enter his countenance once upon a time, "But promise me you won't practice without supervision from me or Professor Snape?"

"I swear!"

Pulling Naruto closer, Minerva placed the cauldron of books before the counter reaching for her Galleons awaiting to pay. The total amounted to a mere 25 Galleons, it was paltry in comparison to their usual spending spree in Tomes and Scrolls back in Hogsmeade. Like herself, Naruto enjoyed reading another hobby she managed to turn her son to. His love for books worked out great for both her and Snape, they did not need to put too much thought in their present to Naruto, Dumbledore on the other hand usually gifted him odd trinkets and other abnormal presents.

"Ah, Professor McGonagall how are you today? This must be the famous Naruto I have been hearing about." Ollivader mused his gaze shifting towards Naruto and an unmatched grin formed on his wrinkly visage. Leaning down at the young blonde he studied him for another moment and motioned for him to wait. Heading toward his various shelves choked with boxes of variously sized wands made for an assortment of materials. Drumming his fingers over some boxes, the elderly man nodded absentmindedly at one box and proceeded to empty the wand resting within, "Try this one, now."

Nodding his head and waving it around, Naruto winced audibly at the loud crack of Ollivander's windows. Quickly putting it back in its box, Naruto gave Ollivander an apologetic shrug and watched the older wizard rush back to his stock interest flooding his gaze. Ollivander appeared not another minute longer, two separate wands awaiting his hand.

"How about this?" Ollivander murmured handing over to his latest customer.

Once more, it seemed the wand was not right for Naruto after his simple flick of his wrist an untamed whirlwind of air struck the store tearing through shelves and misplacing wands. Ollivander did not display any outer emotion other than a simple purse of his lips. Opening the second box, Ollivander beckoned Naruto closer, "This wand is one of my pickiest you two might be a match."

Ignoring the exasperated tone courtesy of Ollivander, Naruto took hold of the wand. Though he felt nothing, a small yet noticeable spark formed between him and the wand. Eyeing it, Naruto slowly waved it around the simple motion itself felt right unlike the other wands he previously tested. Ollivander nodded his head and turned to Minerva, "11 inches, Blackthorn, Horned Serpent Horn an odd little creation of mine. I made it in my early years, that Horned Serpent Horn is extremely difficult to work with mind you."

Nodding her head at the unusual combination, Minerva reached for her purse, "How much Mr. Ollivander?"

"Eleven Galleons if you would." Ollivander replied happily accepting the offered Galleons. Setting them aside, the wandmaker turned to Naruto trying his best to decipher the young blonde. That wand was in his shop for roughly thirty or so years, he had created it in an attempt to experiment with new materials outside of his Supreme Cores. Horned Serpent Tail was an excellent core in its own right, capable of producing powerful spells it even warned its users of danger. It was an original wand he created in his younger years one he thought he would never be rid of.

Making his way inside an unoccupied train compartment, Naruto quickly changed into his robes and seated himself reading the book he brought along to entertain himself. He did not have any time to go through it before the door in his compartment swung open and a fellow First Year strolled in. The girl did not look any older than Naruto albeit she stood shorter than him, rolling off of her head choppy brown hair cascaded downward reaching a little under her shoulders.

"Can I sit here? There isn't any other compartment open." The girl explained.

"Sure." Naruto replied before grinning kindly at his companion, "I'm Naruto by the way."

"Susan Bones." The newly named Susan greeted returning his smile and seated herself in front of Naruto. They fell into a comfortable silence until Susan decided to start up another conversation, "So, what house do you want to be sorted in?"

Blinking at her question, Naruto thought about it for a moment and shrugged, "I don't know, my mum was sorted into Gryffindor I'm sure she would want me in the same house. What about you?"

"I guess I'll let the Sorting Hat decide for me." Susan answered.

Once again their shared compartment had its door opened and another student strolled in. Standing taller than Susan was another boy their age, with short brown hair combed to the right the boy waved politely and spoke, "Is it alright if I sat here?"

"Of course, I'm Susan and that's Naruto what's your name?" Susan questioned happy to meet another person.

"Justin." The boy said taking a seat by Naruto.

The trio continued talking about all sorts of fleeting topics, as they discussed the train sped past the country side heading to Hogwarts. An hour or so it began slowing and slowing until stopping fully. Standing outside Hagrid beckoning urgently for First Years off of their train, gathering outside in an unorganized mess of students Hagrid urged them onwards caring little for organization. Using his lamp to guide him towards the lake, Hagrid quickly boarded every student packing many to small rigidly rafts.

Ushering First Years in their castle, Hagrid left not before directing them up the stairs and to the Great Hall where Minerva McGonagall awaited them. Smiling at the sight of his mother, Naruto waved to which Minerva did not return though the corners of her lips twitched slightly. Their silent exchange remained unnoticed by Naruto's future classmates.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, now in a few moments you will pass these doors and join your classmates. Until that may happen you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclas and Slytherin while you are here your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will gain you points and any rule breaking shall lose your house points. At the end of the school year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup." Minerva declared eyeing her students landing on her beloved child, "Now, the Sorting Ceremony shall begin shortly."

Watching his mother leave, Naruto turned to his new friends though their attention was quickly drawn to the celebrity. Susan muttered aloud and shook Naruto's shoulder in excitement, "That's Harry Potter!"

"Who's Harry Potter?" Justin asked confusion obvious in his tone and face.

"Apparently he killed Voldemort a Dark Wizard who was supposedly the most powerful wizard ever." Naruto answered though his own voice sounded disbelieving to the tales heralded by thousands, "Not sure how he could have done it, but he did."

Before Susan could add anything to their bubbling conversation, Minerva reentered the scene, "Come along now, we are ready for you."

Guiding them past tables choked up with students, Minerva stood beside the Sorting Hat. Unfurling a scroll with every students name etched on it, she turned to Dumbledore and nodded, "Before we begin, Professor Dumbeldore would like to speak."

"I have a few start of term notices that I wish to announce, the First Years please note that the Dark Forest is forbidden for all students. Also, the third floor corridor on the right hand side is off limits. Thank you." Dumbledore announced then seating himself but he did shoot a proud smile towards Naruto and beckoned for Minerva to continue.

"Now, when I call your name please step forward and sit on the stool." Minerva declared holding up the Sorting Hat and read from the long list of students. She went through numerous students until she paused and smiled turning directly to Naruto, "Naruto McGonagall!"

Ignoring the curious glances sent his way Naruto took a seat on the stool and Minerva placed the Sorting Hat on his head. It did not take long until the magically enchanted hat began speaking musing to himself, "Ah, another McGonagall? Most curious, you are a very difficult choice here. Plenty of courage an amazing mind to boot, hmm. There is plenty of talent and an extreme thirst to prove yourself, but which house shall I put you in?"

The Sorting Hat continued for some time debating possibilities for a little over ten minutes until it had finally decided, "Hufflepuff!"

Minerva schooled her surprise but she had allowed shock to slip on her normally composed visage. Snape nearly choked on his drink, his own surprise on display, it was common knowledge Naruto held a great deal of ambition, thus some part of him expected the young McGonagall to be considered for Slytherin. Nevertheless, Snape quickly formed another well time scowl and allowed his cold indifference to retake its place on his countenance. Dumbledore merely smiled and kept his composure with tamed silence.

Chapter End

A/N: Quick update until the next chapter which will be over 10k, anyways I wanted Naruto in a house that embodies who he is. And from the Hufflepuff traits itself Naruto is a perfect candidate. Hard work, patience (Sort of), loyalty, and fair play is everything Naruto displays as key pillars in his personality.

Anyways, thoughts on it?