Dumbledore's senile voice permeated the thick silence in the air once again. "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. All first years should note that the forbidden forest is just that, forbidden. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that." He said, staring pointedly at the Weasley twins who pretended not to notice.
"I've also been asked by our caretaker, Mr. Filch, to remind you that no magic is to be cast in the corridors and between classes."
"Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week of term. Contact Madam Hooch if you're interested in playing for your house teams." At this point, Dumbledore took on a solemn expression that Harry knew was fake. How? You ask. Well…um…super powerful telepath-Hello!
"Finally," Dumbledore said calmly. "I must tell you. The third-floor corridor is forbidden to those who do not wish to die a most painful death."
The Gryffindors laughed. The Slytherins and Ravenclaws schemed. The Hufflepuffs looked scared. But Harry was angry. 'We are going to be having talks, old man' Harry thought.
"He must be having a laugh." Hermione declared.
"No, he's not," Harry replied. "There is something on the third floor. Something powerful. I believe he's got dangerous parties to guard it."
"How do you know that?" another student who was listening in asked.
"I sensed it" Harry replied.
"Sensed it?" the boy asked. He looked like he just had an epiphany. "Sweet Merlin. You're a mage!" He exclaims.
"I will neither acknowledge or deny the fact" Harry answered, smirking knowingly.
Soon after the feast was over, it was time to head to the dorms for the night…well, for Harry, it was time to head to Dumbledore's office for a confrontation.
Standing up once more from his gold 'throne' at the head table, Dumbledore said, "Now the sorting feast is finally over, House prefects are to herd…sorry, show the first years to their accommodations. Time tables will be handed out at breakfast by your heads of year. Now, let's sing the Hogwarts song. Pick a tune and..."
The sorting hat opened its mouth? And began belting the lyrics in a very deep bass that could possibly shake the foundations of a non-magical castle. Soon everyone joined in…well, besides most of the Slytherins and Ravenclaws.
"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."
The song finally ended with the Weasley twins finishing in a marching funeral tune.
Clapping, as loudly as he could, Dumbledore smiled, saying, "Ah, Music. A Magic above all we do here." Well, he's definitely insane." Harry thought.
Soon, The prefects of each house began gathering the first years together to lead them to their Common rooms.
"We'll wait for you at the entrance. Would you be able to find your way to the Ravens Nest?" A perfect in Ravenclaw asked. "I'm Penelope, by the way. Penelope Clearwater." She said.
"I should be able to find my way," Harry replied curtly. "Thank you…Penelope."
"You're welcome." She replied.
As they turned to leave, Harry called out.
"Hey, Penelope." She turned back to look at him.
"If I'm not there in ten minutes, send Professor Flitwick after me." He said.
"I will." She replied with a nod.
Harry turned back and saw Dumbledore signaling to follow him. Soon, they were in the headmaster's Office. The room looked like a cathedral with its high ceilings and walls lined with shelves filled with books. There was an old carved oak desk in the center of the room and another golden throne-like chair stood proudly behind it. Various trinkets of gold and silver were scattered haphazardly around the room radiating magic. Some of which seemed connected to his magic and life energy. Harry felt his anger rise as he noticed some of these trinkets were also connected to some of the other students. With a huge wave of eldritch magic, Harry broke the trinkets and their magic, of course, Dumbledore being none the wiser.
"Care to have a seat, my boy? We have much to discuss." Dumbledore began.
"No, Thank you, headmaster. I'd assume this wouldn't take much time" Harry replied.
"Oh, it won't, my boy. After all, you'd want to have some rest before classes begin tomorrow." The headmaster said, smiling as he took a seat at his desk.
"Now, Harry, Could you, perhaps, tell me where you've been for the past year?" Dumbledore asked, his caring grandfather mask on full force.
"I couldn't. And I wouldn't. It doesn't affect my learning here, does it?" Harry asked, eyebrows raised in inquisition.
A sliver of a frown appeared of the headmaster's face and for a second he lost his façade, though Harry could see through it all this time, being a powerful telepath and all.
Regaining his composure, Dumbledore replied "No. No, it doesn't."
"Now, on to school business. There is the matter of your unusual sorting. I must say, in all the years of this school's existence, there has never been a student sorted in two houses before," Dumbledore continued.
"And thus, I must ask you to choose the house you must reside in for the rest of your stay at this school" he finished.
"First off," Harry began. "I was sorted in both houses, and I'll be damned if I don't experience both. And secondly," He continued, "It seems you've forgotten everything that happened in the Great Hall earlier this evening."
Here Dumbledore looked confused. "What are you talking about, my boy?" He asked.
"I. AM. NOT. YOUR. BOY!" Harry snapped. "And in case you forgot, I own this school and everything around and in it. And that includes you, Headmaster." He finished, snidely.
"You insolent child!" Dumbledore said outraged. "How dare you talk to me like…"
"I will talk to you any way I want, Headmaster." Harry returned. "Now if that is all, I'd like to join my housemates in the Raven's Nest." With that, Harry turned to leave. "by the way, I'll be spending time in BOTH the Raven's Nest and the Snake's hole…the Ravenclaw and Slytherin Common rooms if you please. Good day, Headmaster." Harry added as he walked out the door.
Finding his way around the maze that was Hogwarts was a pretty easy task for Harry considering who and what he is. Plus, the magic of Hogwarts recognizes its master.
"Hey guys," Harry started as he got to the Ravenclaw tower to meet the rest of the first years and Penelope waiting.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The headmaster was being difficult." Harry explained vaguely.
"Its no problem, Harry. What was the final decision, if you don't mind me asking." Penelope asked.
"It's fine," Harry replied. "I'll be spending time both here and down there. Would do good to make some friends, Wouldn't it?" He asked.
"Yes. I suppose it would." Penelope answered, smiling. "Now let's get you in. I believe Professor Flitwick has a few words he wants to say."
Penelope turned and rapped the raven shaped knocker twice and everyone watched in awe as it morphed into a bronze Raven.
"Every year I ask a riddle to the first years. And every year the remnants of dear Rowena have not been bested, yet." The raven said, its voice sounding like the grinding of metal against metal, high and sharp.
"I turn polar bears white
and I will make you cry.
I make guys have to pee
and girls comb their hair.
I make celebrities look stupid
and normal people look like celebrities.
I turn pancakes brown
and make your champagne bubble.
If you squeeze me, I'll pop.
If you look at me, you'll pop.
Can you guess the riddle?"
"No." Harry blurted before anyone could say anything. Everyone stared at him wide-eyed.
"What do u mean?" Penelope asked.
"The answer to the riddle, it's 'no'," Harry replied excitedly. Everyone else looked confused.
Suddenly there was a rumble as the doors swung open into the Ravenclaw common room. It was truly magnificent.
It was a dome-like room with shelf-lined walls piled high with books on almost all topics. Two staircases went up in opposite directions, possibly leading to the different dorms. Blue light from the ever-burning torches that lined the room bathed the entire room, giving it an enchanted feel. And it truly was enchanted. All in all, Harry decided the Ravenclaw tower was the best place in the entirety of Hogwarts.
"First years, gather around" Penelope called. " Professeur Flitwick has a few words to say."