Chapter Seven

The train slowly ground to a halt, as the boys' stepped into the corridor to join the crowded throng.

People started making their way out of the doors onto a small dark platform. Anastase shivered as he left the cosy interior of the carriage. The chill night air was freezing. A lamp bobbed its way towards the students and a loud voice rang out over their heads: 'Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!'

Anastase and Tregereth waved to Decebal and Locryn as they hurried over to the owner of the voice. The speaker was an extremely tall and hairy man who, Anastase suspected, might be part giant.

'All right there, Harry?' the man beamed at a small dark-haired boy wearing glasses.

So that was the famous Harry Potter, Anastase observed the Boy-Who-Lives carefully. The way he had his head down, as if he wanted to vanish, heavily implied that he was uncomfortable with his fame. That was probably a good thing, he mused, at the very least Potter wouldn't be a total brat that wanted them all to worship him!

He was shaken out of his speculations by further bellows, 'C'mon, follow me – any more firs'-years? Mind yer step, now! Firs'-years follow me!'

Honestly, had the man never heard of vocal control? Anastase grumbled to himself as he slipped and fumbled his way down a steep, narrow pathway. Tregereth clung to his arm like a particularly pernicious snail. If either of them fell, Anastase thought, the other would go tumbling down as well. The group moved in silence apart from the occasional sniffling, they were all too busy concentrating on not falling and breaking their necks before they even got to Hogwarts to chat!

'Yeh'll get yer first sight o' Hogwarts in a sec, jus' round this bend here', now Anastase could see where the man's loud tones came into use.

He gasped as he saw his first view of Hogwarts. The narrow path the first years had been walking along opened up to a stunning vista of the castle across a vast lake. Perched on a mountain on the other side, windows sparkling in the dark, many towers and turrets piercing the sky, Hogwarts looked like the home of his Greek ancestors' gods. Terrible and beautiful, not a place that mere mortals should venture to, but not quite. Hogwarts had an aura of light around it, that radiated warmth and welcoming. Anastase was breathless, it was a far cry from the cold detachment that was all the Atarescu home projected.

A fleet of small boats sat in the water at the edge of the black lake. The large man waved the students towards them, 'No more'n four to a boat!' he called, pointing to them sternly.

Anastase and Tregereth got into their boat together and were followed by a haughty looking dark-skinned boy and a pretty Asian girl.

The part giant had a boat to himself Anastase noted. Even then he barely fit.

'Everyone in?' the man shouted looking around to check, 'Right then – FORWARD!'

At the command, the little boats took off across the mirror sheen surface of the lake. There was a hush over them as all the first years stared up at the castle looming above them with awe. As they moved towards the cliff on which it stood it became more imposing, towering over them all.

'We're heading right for the cliffs!' Tregereth sounded alarmed as the boats rushed across the water.

'I'm sure we'll be-'

'Heads down!' Anastase cut himself off at the man's yell and ducked.

He stared up at the underside of the cliff as they passed through a curtain of ivy that hid a gap in the cliff face. They were carried into a dark tunnel that led under the castle to an underground harbour. Anastase scrambled out of the boat onto a small rocky beach.

'See, I told you', he murmured to Tregereth, 'They're not going to try and kill the first years.'

Tregereth grinned sheepishly, 'Oh, is that a toad?' He pointed to the amphibian where it sat in one of the boats.

'Err, sir', Anastase turned to look at the large man, who was now inspecting the boats, 'There's a toad here. One of the boys lost theirs.'

The man peered at it before raising his head, 'Oy, you there! Is this your toad?'

'Trevor!' the plump boy shouted, eagerly holding out his hands.

Anastase carefully hid his smile, he'd never seen anybody get so excited at the sight of a toad before.

The first years trooped up a passageway in the rock, coming out on a lawn in the shadow of the castle. Anastase heard Tregereth take a deep, gasping breath of the cool night air, and glanced back at him. The other boy was had thumped down on wet grass and was trembling.

'Are you alright?' Anastase hissed lowly, 'Do I need to call the half-giant back?'

'Don't be so rude!' Tregereth scolded, 'And I'm fine. I get claustrophobic sometimes, and that passage wasn't nice.'

He pushed himself upright and took Anastase's hand, 'Come on or we'll be left behind.'

'It's not rude if it's true!', Anastase protested, 'He is part giant, couldn't you tell?'

'Oh', Tregereth sounded embarrassed, 'No, I couldn't.'

They made their way a flight of stairs and joined the crowd waiting in front of an enormous door.

'Everyone here?' the man asked, 'You there, still got yer toad?'

He turned back to the door, raised a fist and pounded on it.

The door opened immediately. A tall, black-haired witch with a stern face and green robes was waiting for them inside.

'The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall', the man introduced them with a wave of his hand.

Anastase looked at the woman curiously, McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress who had sent the acceptance letters out and Decebal's Head of House.

'Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here', Professor McGonagall replied briskly, pulling the door open. The Entrance Hall behind her was enormous. Flaming torches lined the walls and a great, marble staircase led up to the higher floors.

The huddled group of first years made their way across the room, after the Professor. Anastase could hear a low buzzing from one of the rooms off the Entrance Hall, obviously the rest of the school had already arrived and was waiting for them. Professor McGonagall led the first years into a small chamber to the left of the hall and they crowed together. Anastase stepped back slightly, not wanting to be squashed. He could feel the tension and nervousness hanging in the air.

'Welcome to Hogwarts', Professor McGonagall began, '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.'

Anastase felt his eyes start to glaze over as Professor McGonagall explained all about the different houses, and how wonderful they were. Tregereth noticed and gave him a subtle kick. Anastase gasped in pain at the blow and tried to refocus, eyes watering slightly.

'-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 honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.'

No problem, Anastase thought wryly, so long as his actual family house didn't decide to break any more laws. In which case he'd have far bigger problems than detention or house points.

'The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school.'

Was she still droning on?

'I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting', Professor McGonagall's flickered over the toad boy's cloak, which he seemed to have fastened under his ear, and on a redhaired boy's nose, which was smeared with dirt. Beside the redhead, stood Harry Potter, who smoothed down his hair looking nervous. Not someone who thought he always looked perfect then, Anastase mentally smirked, in fact for such a celebrity he seemed to lack a huge amount of confidence.

I shall return when we are ready for you', Professor McGonagall informed them, 'Please wait quietly.'

She proceeded to sweep out of the chamber back into the hall.

Tregereth turned to Anastase, 'Do you know how we're sorted into our houses? I asked Locryn, but he refused to tell me. He said it was a secret and that it was a tradition for first years not to know!'

'No, sorry', Anastase laughed, 'I think my twin brothers managed to wheedle it out of Decebal, but they stayed Mum about it too! It can't be anything dangerous though because they would have told me that.'

Around them, Anastase could here other students making wild theories, the redhead next to Potter was saying something about it being painful while a stumpy looking girl a few feet in front was bragging about her pure blood. Anastase scoffed at that, Hogwarts was well known for being liberal about blood status, not to mention Albus Dumbledore, the Director – no, Headmaster! He had to remember to use the English for that – was a champion for Muggle-born rights, he would never let the test that sorted students be affected by such things in the slightest. Well, at least he could count out one potential Ravenclaw right there.

The bushy haired girl, who had accompanied Neville on his toad finding mission, was babbling to herself about all the spells she had learned, Anastase felt like telling her that reading her course books wasn't some grand achievement.

A loud scream behind him, broke off this train of thought, especially when Tregereth leapt in shock and landed on his foot.

Anastase whirled around and gasped, 'Oh! Ghosts!'

A group of nearly two dozen spectres had floated through the back wall. They were talking to each other as they made their way across the room, taking no notice of the gawping first years. Their pearly grey forms utterly serene amidst the panic.

Or…not quite totally serene, Anastase noted, they appeared to be arguing.

A fat man, dressed like one of those Muggle religious men, what were they called? Ah, a monk, that was it!, was saying, 'Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-'

'My dear Friar', a ghost dressed in an Elizabethan style neck ruff and tights, seemed to object, 'Haven't we all given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost – I say, what are you all doing here?'

Anastase snorted, at the Elizabethan ghost's overly dramatic show of suddenly seeing the first years. They probably did this every year, trying to scare people.

Either way, nobody seemed to be inclined to answer his question, maybe the show had worked too well this year?

New students!' the Fat Friar answered his fellow ghost's query, and smiled down at them benevolently, 'About to be sorted, I suppose?'

A few people did nod in response this time, apparently more at ease now.

'Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!' the Friar said cheerfully, 'My old house, you know!'

Hufflepuff was the one house Anastase didn't think he'd get into, not because he didn't want to, being hardworking was never a bad thing, but rather because of the loyalty bit. Anastase had a feeling that he was far too self-centred for any amount of loyalty to his brothers to win out.

A sharp voice cut through his hearing, 'Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony's about to start.'

Professor McGonagall had re-entered the chamber, under her firm gaze the ghosts retreated back through the wall.

'Now, form a line and follow me', she directed them.

Anastase took a place at the front of the queue, with a name like Atarescu he'd be one of the first called provided they went alphabetical. Tregereth stuck to him like a particularly tenacious limpet, clinging to his robes.

'You get very nervous don't you?' he whispered.

'Yes', Tregereth whimpered, 'I don't like tests! You're the only person I know!'

Anastase rolled his eyes, they didn't even know they'd be in the same house for Moşul's sake! Tregereth would have to grow a backbone and learn to have confidence in himself.

Professor McGonagall led them out of the side chamber, back through the Entrance Hall, and then pushed open a pair of double doors to pass into the Great Hall.

Even Anastase could stop himself from staring, just a little. The huge room was lit by thousands of floating candles that drifted over the tables, where the older students were sitting. Golden plates and goblets lined the tables, but Anastase saw, they were all empty, they must have to wait until the first years were sorted before eating.

Professor McGonagall lined them up at the top of the hall, in front of the table where the teachers were sitting. Anastase looked out at the sea of faces that filled the hall. He could see the ghosts interspersed with the students, and Decebal sitting at the Gryffindor table. He was alone, shunning the company of his housemates, yet another reason to hate his family, Anastase thought grimly.

The Muggle-born suddenly hissed in his ear, 'It's bewitched to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.'

Anastase went wide-eyed as he tried to work out what she was on about, before following her gaze upwards. As she, and Hogwarts: A History, had said, the ceiling of the Great Hall was a pure black night sky, complete with stars dotting it in constellations. It was almost hard to believe that the Great Hall wasn't simply open to the actual sky, but the lack of a cold breeze and a slight haze around the edge of the enchantment belied the reality of a ceiling.

Anastase looked down again just in time to see Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of them. She then placed a pointed hat atop it. It was extremely tattered looking in Anastase's opinion but if she'd put it out, then there must be more to it than caught the eye.

He tilted his head in consideration, what was it going to do? If the intense looks of all of the older students were any indication then something was about to happen.

Dead silence filled the hall, Then the hat moved. A rip in the brim opened like a mouth and then it started singing:

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!

The Hall burst into applause as the Hat finished its song. It proceeded to bow to each of the tables before going still once more.

'A Hat!' Tregereth moaned, 'I was terrified for a Hat! I'll kill Locryn!'

Anastase could hear similar sentiments being voiced by other first years, as they grumbled about their older siblings' secrecy.

Trying on a hat was a lot easier than he'd thought it would be, but in hindsight it made sense. It wasn't really a test because that implied that there would be a mark or grade. What the houses were wasn't a reflection of how good you were, but rather of your personality.

The song had further impressed to Anastase that he would be going to Ravenclaw or Slytherin, a ready mind and learning was definitely him, and he already knew he had cunning and ruthlessness, being just or chivalrous on the other hand… not so much.

Professor McGonagall 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.'

'Abbot, Hannah', a pink-faced girl with pigtails scuttled forward and pulled the hat on.

'HUFFLEPUFF!' the hat shouted.

The rightmost table clapped as Hannah went to join them. The Fat Friar waved.

'Atarescu, Anastase', only the second name called, it must be a small year.

Anastase walked forward and sat on the stool. The hat dropped over his eyes.

A small voice sounded in his head, 'Clever, intelligent, oh so sly. Very ruthless, loyal to a cause, and brave. On the surface hard to sort but I see that you would not do well in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor.'

Anastase felt a pang of surprise, Decebal was in Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff was the only one he'd thought himself unsuited for.

'Right you are', the hat muttered, 'You'd eat the badgers alive, but Gryffindor is far too righteous for you. Slytherin…hmm, perhaps but I feel RAVENCLAW is your best bet!'

Anastase winced at the deafening shout. Jumping off the stool he made his way towards the first table on his left.

He settled down to watch the rest of the sorting's: Bones, Susan – HUFFLEPUFF, Boot, Terry and Brocklehurst, Mandy both joined him in Ravenclaw and Anastase clapped enthusiastically.

'Brown, Lavender' – 'GRYFFINDOR!', 'Bulstrode, Millicent' – 'SLYTHERIN!'

Michael Corner, Stephen Cornfoot, Vincent Crabbe, Tracey Davis, Fay Dunbar, Kevin Entwhistle, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Seamus Finnigan, Anthony Goldstein, Gregory Goyle. Hermione Granger(the bushy-haired Muggle-born), Daphne Greengrass, Wayne Hopkins, Megan Jones, Sue Li(the Asian girl Anastase had shared a boat with) Neville Longbottom(the toad boy), Morag MacDougal, Ernest Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Roger Malone, Lily Moon, Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, Padma and Parvati Patil(twins, Anastase was shocked that they ended up in different houses, they didn't seem too surprised but he couldn't imagine Kronid or Liniște's response to that happening with them!), Sally-Anne Perks , Harry Potter(the Boy-Who-Lived unsurprisingly went straight to Gryffindor), Oliver Rivers, Sophie Roper, Dean Thomas.

The list of fellow first years blended together in his head and he shook himself. Tregereth was about to be sorted.

'Trelawney, Tregereth'

The pale boy stumbled forward and sat down. He waited for a minute before the hat shouted – 'RAVENCLAW!'

He leapt up immediately and rushed over to sit next to Anastase, 'I was so terrified', he confided lowly.

Lisa Turpin, Ronald Weasley, and finally Blaise Zabini(the haughty black boy, who had been the final member of Anastase's boat) were sorted after him.

'Oh, thank Moşel! It's over', Anastase murmured, 'I was seriously considering falling asleep sitting here.'

'It wasn't that bad surely?' Anthony Goldstein had leaned over to talk to them.

'Longbottom running off with the hat was rather funny, but I feel as if I lost a few brain cells sitting here', Anastase responded flatly, 'Tregereth, do you know when the food's served?'

Anastase knew full well that Tregereth didn't have a clue, he just wanted to shut Goldstein up. The other boy had clearly realised this, as he jerked back, looking offended.

Tregereth raised his eyebrows in surprise, 'That was very unfriendly of you.'

'Yes, I am aware', Anastase's tone was acerbic.

Tregereth was cut off from replying as Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet at the head table. He was smiling broadly at the room, arms open as if he wished to give all the students a hug.

'Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words.'

'It's not like anyone's going to say to him, no you can't', Anastase snarked in Tregereth's ear. The blond frowned at the other boy's sudden hostility.

'And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!' Professor Dumbledore sat back down with these final words.

Tregereth continued to stare at Anastase as he sneered, 'I can think of someone the words "nitwit" and "oddment" work for!' ignoring the applause of the rest of the hall.

'What is wrong with you?! You were being perfectly pleasant until I sat down, have I done something wrong?' he demanded. Anastase's behaviour had done a complete flip from thirty minutes previously.

'Nothing is wrong with me!' Anastase shot back, eye blazing, 'And you haven't done anything!'

He grabbed his fork and started slamming bits of meat and vegetables onto his plate as if they had committed a grievous crime against him.

Tregereth shook his head feeling slightly dazed, he hadn't even noticed the food appearing, he'd been so wrapped up by Anastase's sudden grumpiness.

'Anastase, you're not at home anymore. No one's going to judge you if you want to say something', Tregereth began, 'Your mother was awful to you but I'm not her! Please just talk to me!'

Anastase glared at him for a moment, 'I just didn't want to talk to Goldstein that's all.'

'Why did you get angry at me then?' Tregereth asked, 'I'm not trying to have a go at you, I'm genuinely confused!'

'You didn't have to make condescending comments about how socially inept I am', Anastase snapped, 'And if you're on about my disparaging of Dumbledore, well, for somebody who's supposedly wise, he seems to have missed my cousin, who is a third year, being emotionally abused and stunted!'

'Oh, Anastase', Tregereth sighed, 'I didn't mean it like that! I was just saying that you were a bit, err, harsh on him. I think, he thought that you were angry at him. As for Dumbledore not seeing the signs with your cousin…he didn't exactly go to anyone wondering did he? Decebal, I mean. He thought everything was normal, and I guess he seemed happy as he was. Headmaster Dumbledore isn't perfect, remember, and being wise is different to being all knowing.'

Anastase cocked his head to one side, 'You're a lot smarter than you act, aren't you?'

'I am a Ravenclaw', Tregereth pointed out.

Anastase shoved his arm, 'If you're that clever than you should know to eat as well!'

Tregereth laughed at him, as Anastase pilled a heap of potatoes, beef, carrots, and lamb onto his plate.

Tregereth turned to the dark-haired boy on his left side, 'Hello, I'm Tregereth. Who's the ghost down at the end of the table?'

He was looking at the silvery form of a young woman who was standing at the end to the table.

The boy broke off his conversation with Goldstein and another boy, Boot, Tregereth thought, and looked around at him, 'Finally decided to talk then? I'm Michael, and this is Terry, you already know Anthony.'

Tregereth nodded, 'I am sorry about Anastase, he can be a bit temperamental. I only met him on the train and I can already tell!'

Terry Boot smiled, 'Maybe we can start over eh?' he gave Goldstein a surreptitious kick.

'Ow, yeah, sure', Goldstein spluttered.

Anastase looked at them coolly, 'If you want', he shrugged, 'I'm not bothered to be honest, but Tregereth asked you a question. Who's the ghost?'

Boot's smile faded swiftly, 'I don't know who the ghost is. I'd ask an older student, but I'd be more polite than you! Merlin, Anthony, he is rude!'

Tregereth swung back to Anastase exasperated, 'What was that?! It's like your deliberately trying to make them hate you!'

Anastase grabbed his arm, 'Keep your voice down, I am trying to keep them away from us. I might be annoyed at Dumbledore and the rest of the professors for not noticing Decebal, but now it's come in handy. Or have you forgotten everything we told you? We, Decebal, myself and our siblings, are all in danger because of our crazy family! Keeping other people out of it is for their own good!'

Tregereth fell silent, utterly mortified. He couldn't believe that such a thing had slipped his mind. He busied himself with his food, avoiding Anastase's sharp eyes until the main course of the banquet faded away and was replaced by dessert.

'Want an apple pie?' Anastase's sugary sweet voice yanked Tregereth out of his embarrassment.

'What's with the voice?' he asked suspiciously.

'Oh, nothing', Anastase said normally, 'I was trying to apologise for being insensitive. I just recalled Decebal telling me that the twins and I sometimes forgot that other people aren't as thick skinned.'

'Thanks, but no need for weird accents, it makes you sound wrong', Tregereth shivered, 'I don't like that, people being wrong.'

'Well, that's what putting on an accent's for but fine. If you don't like it, it's not necessary, though if that's the case you don't seem bothered by my normal accent. I mean it's not British, it's Romanian mostly.'

'It's your accent though', Tregereth explained, 'It's how you sound. When people put "funny" voices and accents on, then it sounds off. You don't sound like you.'

'Okay', Anastase blinked, 'I didn't realise that it was a…sensitive topic for you?'

Tregereth didn't reply.

As the pair picked through their desserts the other Ravenclaw boys tried to draw them into conversation again.

'I'm a half-blood', Goldstein said, 'Dad's a half-blood too, and Mum's muggle-born. What about you lot?'

'Pureblood', Terry Boot sounded glum at that, 'Not according to the Directory because we don't disown everyone who marries anyone with a drop of Muggle blood, but technically I, and my parents are still Pureblood.'

'I'm a half-blood too, 'Michael Corner chimed in, 'Other way round from you though Anthony. Mum's a pureblood, while Dad's a Muggle.'

'What about you?' Boot enquired to Anastase and Tregereth.

'Half-blood', Tregereth chirped, 'Mum's a witch, she's up there on the teacher's table actually. Professor Trelawney, she teaches Divination. Dad was a Muggle, but he doesn't live with us anymore. They got divorced after a bit of an incident, shall we say.'

He nudged Anastase, 'What about you? I presume you're a Pureblood from what you and Decebal said?'

Anastase nodded, apparently condescending to answer, 'Yes, the Atarescu and Grecueanu families are very old Pureblood lines. They're not on your directory of course because our grandparents only came to Britain in the 1940s during the War.'

'What war? Can't have been You-Know-Who that far back', Corner asked.

'No, not that war', Anastase stated firmly, 'Grindelwald's War. My family's Romanian, and we got badly affected by his rampage across Europe.'

The conversation died a natural death after this proclamation, and the other boys turned back to the girls.

Tregereth followed what they were saying and realised they were debating how much they'd prepared for classes over the summer.

He glanced at Anastase and thought of the huge old book he'd been reading on the train, 'So, have you memorised everything in the course books yet?'

Anastase tossed his head and grinned, 'The one area where being kept locked up by your Mamă is good, is that we either read or went mad. I already knew most of the content ages ago. I spent the summer learning new stuff and-' he dropped his voice, 'Worrying about family matters.'

'Right…', Tregereth felt his mouth dry up at the further reminder of his new friend's circumstances.

As they sat in awkward silence the puddings vanished and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. They both looked up as the Hall fell quite.

'Ahem – just a few words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.'

The Headmaster sent a significant look in the direction of the Gryffindor table.

'I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, 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.'

'So', Virage turned to look at Tregereth, 'All I got from that is that if you do want a painful death, you should go there. Think Decebal and I could lure Camil here?'

Tregereth snorted, 'If only it was that easy! I feel like you're in for a long slog with him.'

'Me too', Anastase sighed.

'And now', Dumbledore suddenly cried, 'Before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!'

Anastase couldn't help but notice that the rest of the teachers' expressions had become rather strained, oh dear, how corny was it?

The Headmaster drew his wand and gave it a brisk flick. A long golden ribbon flew out, levitated itself over the tables, and turned into lyrics.

'Everyone pick their favourite tune and off we go!' Dumbledore sounded delighted.

Anastase cringed in horror, had Decebal had to do this?

'Go on', Tregereth giggled, 'It's not that bad.'

Anastase tried not to die in embarrassment as he joined in the bellow of:

'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.'

Due to everyone picking a different tune, they all finished at different times. Anastase winced at the discordance. Dumbledore conducted the last two people singing, a pair of Gryffindors, with his wand, and clapped loudly when they were done.

'Ah, music', he wiped his eyes gaily, 'A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!'