AN: Hey all! Ignis here! And this is the latest chapter for this story! I don't know when the next one will come out (this is also true for HND...sorry) but honestly? I think from now on I won't try and keep to a posting schedule, it takes the fun out of writing and makes it seem as another assignment for school. Anyway, this story was betaed by tyrannicpuppy, so many thanks to him!
I'll stop keeping you from the important bit with my ramblings...ON WITH THE STORY!
The two kids waved at their older friends when they parted ways after getting off the train, the twins promising to save them a seat.
"Harry!" They heard two voices call from from behind them, and turning they came face to face with a relatively pudgy boy a bit shorter than Harry himself, and a redheaded girl around Hermione's height.
"Neville, Susan! Where have you been?" Asked Harry with a grin.
"We could ask you the same!" Came the redhead's sassy reply, "and who's your friend?"
"Oh, right! Hermione, these are Neville Longbottom and Susan Bones, two friends of mine. Neville, Susan, this is Hermione Granger, we met on the train."
Their introduction was cut short by a deep voice coming from their right.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" Came the call. Looking towards the source of the voice, Hermione got her first glimpse at the biggest man she had ever seen.
Calling him tall would be an understatement. He was at least twice the height of an average man, at five times as wide. He had wild, long black hair and beard that covered most of his face.
She heard Harry chuckle beside her. "We better get a move on," he said, "we don't want to make everyone late now, do we?"
"Harry," the bushy haired girl whispered in his ear, prompting a light pink dusting on his cheeks, as they neared the huge man, "do you know who he is?"
"Y-yeah," the boy stammered, flustered at the girl's proximity, "that's Hagrid, the Keeper of the Keys, Groundskeeper and Assistant Care of Magical Creatures Professor." He told her.
"Hey Hagrid!" Said the group, coming to stand before the half-giant.
"'Arry, Susan and Neville! It's good to see ye," Hagrid said, grinning, "and who's yer new friend?"
"Hagrid, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione, Hagrid." Harry managed the introductions.
"It's nice to meet ye, Hermione," He said to the bushy haired girl, before calling in a louder voice, "is everyone here? Then let's get movin'! And watch yer steps!" He called, starting to walk forward.
"That's Hagrid for you," chuckled Susan, "a kinder man you wouldn't find, but he can be a bit absent minded sometimes."
"Come on, everyone is already walking." Said Neville, starting to follow Hagrid.
"Neville! Wait up!" Said the redhead, catching up to him.
Hermione watched, dumbfounded, as the redhead caught up to the blonde boy. "Are they dating or something?" She asked Harry, turning towards and looking slightly up at her new friend.
"Not that I know of," he shrugged, "but they sure do act the part sometimes. Now c'mon, we don't want to be left behind." He said.
They caught up to the other two, walking side by side with them.
Suddenly, Hermione slipped on some of the moss-covered rocks, falling forwards. Her fall was stopped by a pair of arms coming around her waist. Turning, she became lost on a pair of bright green eyes, subconsciously wondering why her face felt so hot all of a sudden.
"C-careful." Stammered Harry, feeling his own face blush, 'why does she have to be so cute? And why am I blushing so much today?!' He questioned in his mind.
"Thanks." Said the bushy haired girl absently, still looking into Harry's eyes, before shaking herself and taking a hold of his right arm, "s-so I don't fall again." She said, her blush deepening.
"R-right." Harry agreed, his face becoming redder than his Mum's hair.
Susan watched this, smirking like the cat that ate the canary. 'So much teasing material!' She thought to herself, rubbing her hands in her glee.
Neville took it upon himself to bring her back to Earth. "Susan, I know what you're thinking," he said, looking at the girl, "are you sure it would be a good idea to tease Harry? You remember what happened last time, don't you?" He asked, an eyebrow raised in doubt.
The redhead shivered, yes, she did remember. It was hard to forget it, considering it had taken her hair a week to turn back to its normal color.
They kept on walking for several minutes, until they came to a stop in front of a fleet of small boats. "No more than four to a boat!" They were told by Hagrid before they boarded.
The four exchanged a look, shrugged and boarded the boat closest to Hagrid's.
"Everyone ready?" Asked Hagrid, "okay then, Forwar'!" He called, tapping his boat with his wand, and making the whole fleet start to move.
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-
"Ye should be having yer first view of the castle right about now." They heard Hagrid say, just in time for them to turn around and see the brightly lit school.
Hermione stared in awe at the beautiful sight, until she heard Harry softly chuckle. She turned a questioning look towards him at that.
"Sorry, it's just, they make the castle look like this only for this night every year." He answered her unasked question, still chuckling.
"Really?" Asked Hermione, "how do you know?"
"My family lives in Hogsmeade, and every year, my sisters and I stood outside the house and watched as the castle light up as the night fell." He told her, a wistful smile on his face.
"You miss them?" The bushy haired girl asked him.
"A lot. It's the first time we'll be apart from each other for so long," Harry said, closing his eyes and turning away from the castle, "anyway, how much longer do you think it's gonna take to get there?" He asked.
Just as he said this, they heard Hagrid speak. "Watch yer heads!" He said as the boats arrived at the entrance of a tunnel, vines that troubled no-one but the large man hanging low from its top. Soon after that, the small fleet arrived at a dock.
Harry and Neville helped the girls out of the boat, and, once Hagrid had gotten out of his own, the new first years followed the half-giant up a set of stone stairs that led to a big wooden door.
Hagrid knocked three times, and the door was opened by a small, white haired man.
"The firs' years, Prof'ssor Flitwick." The half giant told the small man, now identified as one of the Charms Professors, and dueling champion, Filius Flitwick.
"Thank you Hagrid!" Said the jovial professor, "I'll see you inside in a bit! Now, come in, come in!"
The first years did as told, entering a relatively small room with just two doors, the one behind them, and one in front of them.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" He said, now addressing the students, "the Welcoming Feast will begin in a bit, but first, you will have to be sorted into your House! Be it either Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Your House here at Hogwarts will be something akin to your family, though that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to make friends from the other three, each House compliments the others, after all! Now, wait here, I'll go see if they are ready for you and come pick you up, I won't be long!" He told them, before leaving through the door in front of them.
"I can't believe they allow those two half-breeds to teach here." Drawled a voice from somewhere in the multitude.
"Ugh, I had forgotten he was our age." Groaned Neville.
"You know who that was?" Asked Hermione, "and what did he mean by half-breeds?"
"To answer your first question, yes, we know who he is, Theodore Nott, son of a pureblood bigot and Death Eater. And he meant that both Hagrid and Uncl- Professor Flitwick aren't fully human. Hagrid is a half-giant while Professor Flitwick is half-goblin. I wouldn't be surprised if he next says-" Harry's explanation was cut off by the same voice.
"Or those two mudbloods and the blood-traitors."
Harry's whole countenance changed drastically at that. His expression became stony, and Hermione was sure she saw his eyes glow an eerie green for a moment.
"You like to act all high and mighty, Nott," came Harry's ice-cold voice, "but do you forget that the common House of Nott is nothing compared to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Potter and Black? It would do you well to remember that those two muggle borns you insulted are either a member of one of the Houses, or the future Lady of the other, while the 'blood-traitors,' as you so eloquently put it, are the same, either a member of one, or the future Lord of the other. You wouldn't want the House of Potter to declare blood-feud on your House for such an insult to its future Lady now, would you?" He hissed, slowly walking towards the now-shaking boy, until they were face-to-face.
"Now he's done it," whispered Susan while her cousin walked towards the boy, shaking her head, "Harry only starts talking House politics when someone really pisses him off."
"I'm pretty sure Harry has just found his first prank victim now too," added Neville, "Nott just insulted practically his whole family after all."
"I would tend to agree with mister Potter on that, mister Nott," came Professor Flitwick's voice from the door, his wand in his hand and a frown on his face, "once you are sorted, that will be 75 points from your House, and detention with mister Filch," said the half-goblin, "now, if you would all follow me?"
The Professor led them inside the Great Hall. Looking up, they could see the night sky overhead. "It's even prettier than Hogwarts: a History made it out to be." Whispered Hermione, still looking up.
Their attention was brought back down by Professor Flitwick placing down a stool in front of them, a tattered old hat on top of it. Behind the stool, they could see the head table and four pedestals, situated behind some of the professors, and aligned to each of the house tables.
The pedestal behind a plump, kind faced witch and aligned to the Hufflepuff table had a golden goblet on top of it. The Cup of Helga Hufflepuff. It had been donated to the school by Hepzibah Smith after she had bought another founder's relic. "They are better off being displayed at their original owners' school." She had claimed
Then, aligned to the Ravenclaw table and behind an empty chair, they assumed it would be Professor Flitwick's, the pedestal held a silver diadem with an eagle design, the eagle's wings holding a blue gem. Ravenclaw's Diadem. It had been found by an explorer by the name of Xenophilius Lovegood during one of his expeditions to Albania, and decided to bring it back to its true home in the castle. That day was the first time in living memory that anyone had seen the Grey Lady smile.
After that, behind a young, strict looking witch and aligned to the Slytherin table, the pedestal held a small necklace. Slytherin's Locket. It had been donated by Hepzibah Smith after she bought it, along with the Cup of Hufflepuff, so it could be displayed to the younger generations.
It was the one between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff that intrigued the four the most. Behind James Potter, the Gryffindor pedestal was empty, waiting for its relic to be found and placed atop it, but the Sword of Gryffindor was yet to be found.
"Abbott, Hannah!" Their attention was brought back once again by Flitwick's voice. The Sorting, had begun.
"Hufflepuff!" The Hat called after a couple of seconds, to cheers from the House of the badgers.
"No matter if we end up in different Houses, we will always be friends, okay?" Said Harry, looking at the other three around here.
"Of course we will!" Agreed Neville, Hermione and Susan nodding along.
"Bones, Susan!" They heard the call.
"Well, here goes nothing." Sighed the redhead before walking forwards.
The Hat was placed on her head, and it lowered until the brim was covering her eyes.
"Well, well," she heard his voice in her mind, "young miss Bones! I still remember your parents well. But we're not here to talk about the past, are we? No, we're here to talk about the future, your future to be more precise. Now, where to put you?" The Hat said thoughtfully, "I see bravery, wit and loyalty."
"Please," she said in her mind, "we both know where Harry will end up on, could you sort me with him? I would prefer to be with my cousin."
"Just the fact you asked tells me you have what is needed for that, my dear," said the Hat, "GRYFFINDOR!" He called aloud, prompting cheering from the red and gold table.
The Sorting went on for a bit, until they came to the Gs.
"Granger, Hermione!" The half-goblin called, grinning to himself when he saw the bushy haired girl hug young Harry before walking forwards. 'I'll have to place my bet on the pool soon.'
Hermione sat on the stool and flattened her hair a bit so the Hat could come down easier.
"Hmm, another hard one," hummed the Hat, "you remind me a lot of Lily and Petunia, young lady! You could fit in any of the houses!"
"Please," the girl whispered, "place me with my friend. I don't want to be alone anymore." She said.
"Very well, miss Granger," the Hat agreed, "GRYFFINDOR!" He shouted before being taken off the girl's head.
Hermione walked towards her table, a smile breaking out on her face when she saw Angelina and Alicia patting a seat in between them, Susan sitting on Angelina's other side.
"Told you we would save you a seat!" Said the twins, sitting across from her, an empty space in between them.
The sorting went on, and soon they came to the Ls
"Longbottom, Neville!" Called the Professor.
"Wish me luck Harry." He said, before walking towards the stool.
"Oh, this one will be fast!" He heard the Hat say once he was on his head, "you are both loyal and brave, but I can see you want to be with your friends, so…GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat said, the last part shouted aloud.
Neville quickly went to his table and sat beside Susan, Hermione introducing them to the older group. They quickly refocused on the Sorting though, waiting for their missing friend.
The Sorting kept going. Nott was sorted into Slytherin, putting the green and silver house in negative numbers thanks to his stunt before the Sorting, and a pair of twins were separated into Ravenclaw and Gryffindor just before it was Harry's turn.
"Ah, mister Potter! It's good to finally see yo!" Said the Hat inside the boy's head.
"Don't exaggerate Hat, you saw me last Christmas." The green-eyed boy retorted
"There's a difference, kid, between seeing you like that, and seeing you like this," the Hat told him, "now, I can see potential to all four houses…" The Hat trailed off, "but we both know where you belong," he added after letting Harry sweat a bit, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry was standing up from the stool, but right before he took the Hat off, something fell on his head from inside it.
"Ouch, what the…?" He said, now taking off the Hat and placing his hand inside it, he pulled out whatever had hit his head.
The hall grew quiet. In Harry's hands was a beautifully made long sword. Red gems decorated its hilt, and there was a name engraved on the blade, Godric Gryffindor.
"I thought it was about time for this to be found, don't you?" Asked the Hat cheekily.
Harry simply nodded, dumbstruck, took the sword in both his hands and walked towards his father, presenting the last missing founder's relic to him.
James took the ancient blade from his son's hands and placed it on the pedestal behind him, the sword taking a point-down position and floating some centimeters in the air.
"I guess this merits a celebration, don't you think so, headmistress?" Asked James, turning a smirk towards his godmother.
"I agree with you on that, Professor Potter. Now, why don't you go sit at your table, mister Potter?" She said.
Harry nodded and went to sit between the twins, who both pounded him on the back.
"Don't think anyone will top that sorting!" Said Fred laughingly.
That was all that was needed to break the tension and for the Sorting to continue. Not many students were left, though there was one that didn't want to accept the Hat's decision.
"I'm no slimy snake!" Shouted Ron Weasley, "I told you to put me in Gryffindor!"
"There's a big difference between asking and demanding young man!" Said the Hat, "had you asked, I would have considered it, but your ambition overtook everything else!"
"Uh oh, someone's gonna get a Howler when mum finds out," whispered George.
"Why? He has no real control over where he's sorted?" Asked Hermione.
"That's our Mum for you. Dad wouldn't mind, mind you, our Gran through his side was a Slytherin, but Mum is quite bigoted against them." Said Fred, shaking his head.
"Slytherin got a bad reputation about twenty years ago," explained Harry at Hermione's confused look, "most of Voldemort's followers came from their House, and now a lot of narrow-minded people, no offence guys, say that Slytherin only spouts out Dark wizards and witches."
"I don't belong in Slytherin! I'm not a Dark wizard!" Shouted Ron, demonstrating Harry's point.
"Mister Weasley!" Came headmistress McGonagall's cry, "that will be 50 points from Slytherin for your last comment! Now go sit at your table so we can continue!"
After Ron sulked towards the Slytherin table, the last student was sorted, and Blaise Zabini made his way towards the same table.
"If I could have your attention." Said the headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, standing up.
"To our First Years, welcome to Hogwarts, and to all our returning students, welcome back. As you can see behind a couple of your professors, we will have some company here at the castle." She said, indicating the pair.
"They are heir Lykos Noctus Ignis Dracul..." she said, indicating the young man standing behind Bellatrix. He was tall, around 6'7'', with long, chestnut hair, forest green eyes and creamy skin. He was wearing a black robe with red details on his sleeves and the borders of the hood. On his back, two japanese swords could be seen, and from what they could see of his body under the robe, he had training with them.
"...And heiress Mary Rose Jezzebel Ignis Dracul…" she indicated the young woman behind Lily. She was tall, not taller than her companion, but still pretty tall, at around 6'2'', with the same hair color as the man, just much longer, past her knees and kept up in a ponytail, forest green eyes and creamy skin, her face was beautiful and unmarred. Just like her companion, she was dressed in black robes with red details on the sleeves and borders of the hood. On her hips were a pair of daggers, and from what could be seen from her, admittedly voluptuous, body, she, too, knew how to use them.
"...as I hope you can clearly see, they are twins, and they will be with us for the next seven years, helping and learning from the different professors while studying for their masteries," she told the students, "also, I would like to remind of returning students, and inform our first years, that mister Filch has a list of banned items in his office, and that the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden," she told them seriously, before smiling once again, "now, without further ado, let the feast begin!"
They were eating and getting to know their new classmates, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Fay Dunbar and Sally-Anne Perks, when a silver head popped up from under one of the plates, startling the surrounding group.
"Why, hello there! How are you?" The head said, turning around to look at the first years, "welcome to Gryffindor!"
"Hello, Sir Nicholas! How have you been?" Said Harry, recognizing the ghost.
"Kind of down, to be honest with you, young Harry. Once again, my request to join the Headless Hunt has been denied." Sir Nicholas said, taking a seat beside Neville.
"Wait, how do you two know each other?" Asked Hermione, looking between her friend and the ghost.
"Most of my family works here at the castle," explained the raven-haired boy, "Mum, Dad, auntie Bella, auntie Tuni, auntie Cissy and uncle Remus work here as professors, and auntie Minnie is the headmistress, so we have been spending Christmas up here for a while now." He shrugged, a small smile on his face, before turning back towards the ghost, "have Lady Helena and the Baron solved their differences yet."
Sir Nicholas chuckled before answering the question. "Not yet, no," he answered mirthfully, "personally, I think the Baron is quite scared of trying again. Last time he received a good kick to his family jewels for his trouble." He said with a small wince.
"Wait, what trouble? And who's Lady Helena? And how did she kick him, aren't you incorporeal?" Asked Susan, confused.
"Lady Helena is the Grey Lady, she and the Baron have had differences for centuries now, not surprising when you consider that it was he who killed her," explained Sir Nicholas, pausing to let his words sink in, "and for you we may be incorporeal, yes, but for others on the same plane of existence as us, not quite." He finished his explanation, to winces from all the males around.
"Excuse me, may we sit with you?" Suddenly came a female voice from behind Alicia.
Turning, they saw one of the two twin siblings standing there, a small smile on her face.
"Sure, but, you said we, where's your brother?" Asked Alicia, looking at the young woman.
The green-eyed brunette just chuckled. "Look behind Harry." She told them.
Sure enough, towering over the raven-haired boy was the girl's twin brother, a small smirk on his face.
"Hi Lykos," said Harry without even turning around, he knew better than to doubt that Lykos could appear behind him without being seen until pointed out, "you two could have told me you would be here."
Rose smirked a bit at that. "True, but where would the fun in that be, little brother?" She asked him.
"Ok, and how do you know each other? And what do you mean 'little brother'?" Asked Hermione, looking between the Ignis twins and Harry.
"The year my parents started Hogwarts, their parents started something similar to what they are doing now, add to that that their Dad has known mine for a long time and, well, they are quite close family to me and my sisters." Explained Harry.
"We actually were there the day Harry was born, and it was our Dad who introduced the Marauders to the noble art of pranking," said Rose, looking at the bushy haired girl.
They continued chatting until the headmistress called for the end of the feast, and sent the different Houses to their common rooms.
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-
"I'm not sure having moving stairs is safe, that's all!" Said Hermione after the prefects had left the common room.
The first and third years were sitting around the fireplace. None of them felt tired, having slept during the train ride.
"I have always thought that Lady Ravenclaw knew she could do it, but never stopped to think if she should." Agreed Harry, his hair changing color slightly to a more reddish shade.
"Ok, I think sleep is getting to me, I'm pretty sure I saw Harry's hair change color." Said Sally-Anne.
Neville and Susan chuckled at that while Harry blushed a bit, his hair returning to its normal, raven black coloration.
"It wasn't sleep, Harry simply lost a bit of control over himself." Said Susan between giggles.
"What do you mean? And why did his hair change color?" Asked Hermione, unconsciously getting closer to the boy, making his blush intensify.
"I-I'm a metamorphmagus," said Harry, stammering thanks to his pretty friend's closeness, "my grandma, Dorea, is a Black and has diminished metamorph abilities, she said that it wasn't uncommon for new blood to fully reawaken the gifts." He explained.
"Woah, any other secret abilities, Harrykins?" Asked Fred, looking at the boy.
"Well, there's one other, Neville and Susan already know about it, too, but knowing how it's seen here in Britain, it has to stay between us, ok?" He said, looking at the others
"You have our word, Harry." Said Hermione, looking deeply into her friends eyes, getting lost in them and feeling her face heat up once again.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, son?" Asked a voice from the portrait frame.
Turning, they saw James and Lily standing there, small smiles on their faces.
"Dad, if we want to change people's perception so the ability doesn't have to be hidden anymore, shouldn't we start somewhere?" Asked Harry, looking at him.
§In that you're right son, everything starts with a single step after all.§ Came James' hissed response. Beside him, Lily giggled at the students gobsmacked faces.
"Dad! I wanted to reveal it!" Mock-whined Harry.
"You're parselmouths?" Asked George, "you Potters are really filled with surprises, aren't you?"
"What do you mean, 'how it is seen'?" Asked Hermione, shaking herself from her friend's eyes. 'They sure are pretty.' She thought to herself distractedly.
"Parseltongue is seen as a Dark ability by most in Britain, because of people like Herpo the Foul and Voldemort, so most of us with the gift have to hide it from the rest of the world," said James, "now, it's getting late, so I would suggest for you all to go to bed now. Good night!" He told them with a smile, before the two Professors left the common room.
"I guess they are right," said Angelina with a yawn.
"Yeah, good night guys! We will see you tomorrow!" Said the twins in their signature stereo, standing up from their seats and going towards their dorm.
"I better go after them, I don't want to wake up with pink hair." Said Lee, following the twins.
"We will see you in the morning." Said Angelina, her and Alicia standing up and walking towards their rooms.
"Guess we all better go too, huh?" Asked Fay, rising from her seat, followed by the rest of the first years.
Harry noticed that he was the tallest of his year, or at least the year of his House, with Dean, the next tallest after him, reaching around his eyes.
"We will see each other tomorrow, right?" Asked Lavender, looking around at the rest.
"Sure!" Agreed Neville, the others nodding in agreement.
"Great!" Chirped the blonde, bouncing on the balls of her feet before walking towards the stairs, Fay, Sally-Anne and Parvati hot on her heels.
"I guess we will go up now." Said Dean, Seamus nodding at his side before they, too, left towards their dorm.
"Neville and I will give you two some privacy." Said Susan, pushing Neville towards the stairs before going towards her dorm.
"Well," Harry started awkwardly, "good night then?" He asked, a small grin on his face.
Hermione giggled at her new friend's hesitancy, "good night Harry." She said, hugging him and making him, and herself, blush brightly.
'This feels nice.' They both thought, before letting go and going towards their dorms.
Once up, Harry opened the window beside his bed and in came his snowy owl.
"I hope none of you have a problem if Hedwig spends the nights here?" He asked the others.
"No problem with me, mate." Said Seamus, Dean and Neville agreeing with him.
"Thanks guys." Said Harry before changing into his PJs and getting into bed, "good night!"
"Good night!" Came the answer before they all pulled the curtains around their beds and quickly fell asleep.
And just like that, their first day at Hogwarts had ended, and they couldn't wait to see what the rest of the year had prepared for them.
AN: So, how was it? Good? Bad? Let me know in the reviews! Also, if you spot any overlooked erros, don't hesitate to let me know! It's the only way I'll get better after all.
So, a lot more of mushy, fluffy stuff in this chapter, and a lot of blushing from our main pair too! Also, as you could probably tell from where I placed Ron, I don't like him much ^^'. And if you're reading HND, yes, those are the same Ignis twins as in that story, martial arts training and everything!
I've got nothing more to add, so I'll see you on my next chapter or story! Or the reviews for other stories, who knows?