Harry stared out the window, the dark English clouds covering the moon's silver light. He stroked his new pet owl, Hedwig. He found it funny. That of all the pets he could've had as a child, if his horrible aunt and uncle ever cared, he never would've pictured an owl. He looked back into the room, and looked at his empty bed. Ron was snoring away, everyone else sleeping in awkward positions. Neville had turned a full ninety degree angle, and now his whole upper body and lower legs were exposed, hanging from the bed, and Seamus's arm and leg were sticking out of the bed. Hedwig gave a soft chirp, as Harry had stopped stroking her. "Sorry Hedwig." Harry apologised and began to stroke her again. "Harry…?" Ron shuffled up from the bed and squinted at Harry on the window sill. "What are you doing up? We have a bloody big day tomorrow. You gotta get your sleep." Harry smiled and leapt off the sill. "Yeah you're right." Hedwig began to squawk and flap her wings, as she wanted to be stroked longer. "Hedwig shhh! You're going to wake everyone up! I'll give you some treats tomorrow to make up for it, alright?" Harry whispered and gave her a scratch on the head. Harry leapt into the bed, and pulled the thick covers over him.
"What do you think we'll be doing tomorrow in class?" Ron asked curiously, flopping onto his back. Harry shrugged not knowing the answer. "I can't say. I can't predict the future." "But we'll learn to!" Ron countered excited. Harry chuckled at the joke. "Hey, you know what would be funny?" Ron whispered smiling, turning to his side to face Harry. "What?" Harry asked, turning his head to face Ron. "If students missed the train and missed a whole day. But then again, it may not be that bad. We'd get to do the whole feast again." Harry shook his head a bit, finding Ron's imagination amusing. "I'd feel quite awkward in that situation." Harry admitted. "Hey, I'm trynna sleep here. Can you two go to bed?" Neville slurred, rolling onto his belly. "Sorry Neville." Ron and Harry whispered simultaneously. Ron flipped to his other side and whispered goodnight to Harry. Harry whispered goodnight back to him, and stared at the ceiling. What adventures would await him tomorrow?
"Good morning boys." A bushy red-brown haired girl dropped herself on the wooden bench in next to Harry and across from Ron. "Morning Hermione." Harry replied happily. Ron glared a bit at Hermione, his face stuffed with sausages, bacon, croissants and scones. "Charming." Hermione commented on Ron sarcastically. Ron automatically slowed down his and focused his gaze to the plate next to Hermione, trying to avert her gaze. "So, what classes do we have this week?" Hermione asked Harry as Ron tidied himself up. "Hmm...Let me check." Harry pulled out his schedule and studied it thoroughly. "So after breakfast, we have a break….then potions. After that, we have another break, then History of Magic…..lunch….and the-" Harry cut off from his reading of the schedule, and turned to Hermione. "Hermione, on your schedule, does it say Summonings after Transfiguration on Tuesday?" Hermione gave Harry a confused look. "What do you mean? As in Charms class? Because that's the only way to summon an inanimate object. Also I studied the whole schedule and there was no mention of Summonings anywhere." Hermione explained, ruffling through her satchel to get to her time table. "Ron, check yours too." Hermione ordered, still searching through her bag. Ron wiped his greasy hands on his jumper and began searching through his pockets. "Here we are." Hermione sighed as she opened her little leather notebook, displaying her schedule along with her real timetable. "In the schedule I wrote, there is no mention of a Summonings class. However on the true time table, there has been a replacement of the break with Summonings." "It's not just summonings." Ron said, staring at his timetable. "What do you mean?" Hermione asked, greatly concerned. "We also have a new Healing class." He explained, in great shock. Hermione and Harry looked at the time table again in great haste. And there it was, Healing right after Charms on Wednesday. "Should we talk to Dumbledore about it?" Hermione asked, a bit frantic of the situation. "Leave it for now. We have a big day, and I'm sure Dumbledore will explain it in time." Harry shrugged off, as he started to dig into his eggs and bacon. "Well, I'll see you guys in potions. I'll ask the other students what their schedules say." Hermione stood up sharply and grabbed a piece of buttered toast. She stepped over the bench and strutted down the hallway to her first class. "I wonder what this Summonings class is about. Not to mention Healing and Transforming." Harry wondered. "Can't say. Dad never talked about such magics. Maybe it's a brand new type of magic or something…" Ron said, food spitting everywhere from his mouth. "Yeah. Maybe…." Harry sighed, and took a bite.
The whole day went in a blink for Harry. Whether he enjoyed it was a completely different matter. He was sure Professor Snape hated him as he was constantly asking him questions and got points deducted for not answering them. He found History of Magic quite boring, as the teacher droned on and on and on. At least Hermione was there to help. Charms would have been interesting if they actually did anything. Draco was constantly having a go at the teacher and other students, and the classroom filled up with arguing and shouting between Slytherin and Gryffindor. In the end, everyone had to write a one thousand word essay to explain why students should get along with the other houses for the whole lesson, plus a deduction of ten points from each house. In Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry could not understand what Professor Quirrell was saying due to his constant stuttering, not to mention his scar was burning through the entire lesson. Harry tried to ignore it, but in the end, he had to go to the infirmary. But once he left the classroom, the pain subsided, which got Harry puzzled. Still, he visited the infirmary, with a result of nothing wrong which made him even more curious as to why. All in all, the day could have gone better.
"My hand still hurts…" Ron complained, shaking his wrist as he sat down at the table. "Mine too…." Harry cringed, moving his hand. "Honestly. I can't believe Ron called Draco a….oh, I can't even say it!" Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "What, you mean a-" "Don't say it!" Hermione snapped at Ron, pointing at him. "But he started it!" Ron whined. "I don't care who started it! You shouldn't have called him that!" Hermione snapped. "Where did you even hear that word?" Harry asked, a bit disgusted. "My brothers." Ron said innocently. "Ron!" Two ginger haired twins roughly wrapped their arms around Ron's neck and gave him a noogie. "Fred, George." Ron greeted, gasping for air. "We 'eard what happened in Charms." Fred explained. "We didn't know our lil' brother had the guts to say such a word." George complimented, as the twins let go and ruffled his hair. They plonked down next to him, one twin on Ron's left, the other on his right. Ron grumbled in annoyance, regretting he said the word. Now Fred and George were never going to get off his back.
"Also, I asked the other students about the new summoning class." Hermione remembered. "And?" Harry asked, curious about the result. "Everyone I asked has the classes on their timetables. I think it's safe to say that they're all new classes." Hermione confirmed. "I wonder who'll be taking the classes and what they'll teach us…" She wondered.
"Fred."
"Yeah George?"
"Something's not righ'"
"What do you mean?"
"The food should be here by now. So why are we all waiting here starving?"
Everyone sat up straight and looked at the other tables. They were all barren. "You're right. Why isn't there any food?" Hermione questioned. "Attention students!" A bold voice turned everyone's attention to Dumbledore standing at the golden stand. "Before we begin tonight's dinner, I would just like to say that I hope you all had a fantastic first day! And if I may say now, I would like to see Ron Weasly tomorrow morning before school…." Dumbledore eyed Ron, who was sitting very sheepishly at his table.
"Now with that said. We have four new teachers, a new caretaker and four new students joining us. They had arrived last night, but missed the Acceptance Ceremony, due to personal reasons." Ron almost spit out the water he was drinking. "I was only joking!" He whispered harshly to Harry in between coughs. "May I introduce the new caretaker, Makarov Dreyar." Dumbledore waved his hand to a side door. The students saw it open and close, but no one came through. Then, a tiny old man walked from behind the table, dressed in cleaning attire. "Ahem! I am Makarov Dreyar. I look forward to getting to know you all." Makarov did a little bow, and walked to the side of the room near the Slytherin table. "A tiny frail man, working here? Don't make me laugh!" A blond boy snickered, eyeing the old man. "I maybe old and frail young man, but please know that I am still staff here. So I suggest that you watch your tongue." Makarov gave the boy a sharp and deadly glare, which made Draco stop laughing. "Now focus on the ceremony." Makarov ordered him. "How dare someone with the likes of you order me around! Do that again, and my father will hear about this." Draco sneered. Makarov stared at him, very sternly. Draco stared back. Draco felt very uncomfortable that this man was staring at him. He gave a final snarl at the old man before turning back to the ceremony.
"Now, some of you may have noticed that there is a new subject in your schedules. Yes, this is true. May I present to you, your new Summonings teacher, Erza Scarlet." BOOM! Everyone jumped at the sudden opening of doors, slamming on the walls. Everyone turned their heads to the main entrance as the source of the sound. There stood a strict looking woman holding out her right hand as if she just pushed open the doors. She wore a red jacket with the school emblem on the breast pocket, a tie and white button up shirt underneath. Her blue skirt complemented her black stockings and leather shoes. She adjusted her red glasses and strode on in. But what caught everyone's eye, was her scarlet red hair flicking through the wind. "Did she have to go all out? She's a teacher, not a student…" Makarov thought as he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "She looks really strict and scary." Ron observed scared. "And did you hear that boom? It takes strength to open those heavy doors, and I didn't see a wand in her hand. She must be really strong!" Hermione whispered to her comrades. "I don't want to get her mad…" Neville whimpered. "Hold on, she looks like she's a student herself! How is she going to teach us?!" Draco stated surprised, watching her walk to the front. The scarlet teacher swiftly turned around when she reached the front and adjusted her glasses. "Greetings everyone. I am Erza Scarlet. I will be your new Summonings teacher. I look forward to teaching you all." Erza stood at the front, arms supporting her elbows, waiting for the others to join her. "Our new Runes teacher, Miss Levy McGarden." Everyone turned to the main entrance, as they heard a sweet hum emerse from there. A bubbly blue haired girl walked down the center with a bit of stride. She wore a blue vest over an orange singlet and a yellow skirt with sneakers. "Hello everyone!" She smiled as she turned around. " I'm Levy McGarden. I will be your new Runes teacher." She smiled. Levy turned to Erza and held out her hand. "Levy McGarden. Pleasure to be working with you." "Likewise." Erza smiled, shaking her hand.
"Another teacher I have found is excellent at this craft. My students, I have found you a teacher who will teach you the ways of disguise and transformation. May I introduce to you, Miss Mirajane Strauss, teacher for Human Transfiguration." As soon as Dumbledore had finished his sentence, a loud caw filled the hall. A beautiful eagle flew above the students, dodging the floating candles, before circling around room, then gliding down the main hall, and landing gracefully to the left of the teacher's table. A beautiful woman then emerged as soon as the eagle landed. She had long silver hair, a black dress with white frills. She greeted everyone with a wave and a smile. "Hello everyone. My name is Mirajane Strauss. I will be your Human Transfiguration teacher."
"Woah, she's so beautiful!" Ron gasped. "'Old on Ron. She's way too old for you." Fred teased. "Leave me alone!" Ron commanded, but sounded whiny. "Oi George! Think of all the mischief we can do with this magic!" Fred squealed. "Oh yeah George! I sense a thousand new pranks coming our way!"
"Like getting access to the teachers' lounge."
"Or tricking students into doing something for us!"
The twins snickered as they kept on talking about all the pranks that they could pull with Transformation magic. Everyone sighed and chuckled awkwardly at the plans of the twins.
"And the final new teacher. She is a wonderful teacher who will teach you extraordinary magic. Magic that will definitely benefit your knowledge and future. Please welcome Wendy Marvel." A dark blue haired girl moved swiftly through the hallways. She wore a cute yellow dress with white and blue patterns, her sandals displaying angel wings. Everyone gasped at this little girl. "H-hello everyone. My name is Wendy Marvel. I will be teaching Healing and Support magic. I-it's nice to meet you." The girl introduced timidly and bowed.
Everyone stared and blinked at her for a while, then erupted into yells and shouts, surprised of this appearance. "Forget the red head, SHE looks like a first year!" Draco exclaimed, not believing what he saw. "How can she be a teacher?! She looks like she's our age!" Hermione violently whispered, leaning over her friends. "Students, please silence!" Everyone kept talking about this new teacher, and would not stop. "SILENCE!" Dumbledore roared. Everyone immediately shushed, staring at Dumbledore. "She may look young, but she is a master of her craft. She is an expert on healing magic, and I believe that it is a great feat to learn such wonderful magic." Dumbledore explained calmly. Everyone looked at each other with uncertainty, but Dumbledore was a wise man. Maybe Dumbledore hadn't lost his mind yet thought everyone, at least everyone but Draco.
"Now, please welcome your new teachers." Everyone slowly clapped at the new teachers. "I swear Dumbledore is going mental. An old man as a janitor, and a twelve year old as a teacher." Draco snarled, his friends snickering at his comment. "And now for your four new classmates." Everyone hushed once more, wondering who these four students were. Dumbledore's eyes scanned the room, making sure he had everyone's up most attention, then began the list.
"Lucy Heartfilia." A blond girl dressed in the Hogwarts Uniform walked through the doors, her posture straight, and head held high. Her upper arms were mostly still, but her lower arms were swinging like mad, as if she were a happy-go-lucky kind of girl. She made her way to the front in no time, and turned around to smile. "Hi everyone!" She greeted cheerfully. "My name is Lucy Heartfilia. I am so honored to work here with all of you!" She smiled as she bowed. Draco and Ron scanned her body up and down. Draco gave a 'she's-a-hottie' kind of smirk, while Ron was whacked over the head by Hermione, who swiftly leaned over the table and back again. Harry looked at the girl, as something was not right. She was wearing white gloves.
"Gajeel Redfox." The next student was a boy who had blood red eyes, had piercings all over his face, and looked quite demining. Draco looked interested in this character, who was stomping through the main hall, hands in pockets. He growled a bit, before standing next to Lucy. "Gajeel Redfox." He simply stated, before going silent again. "What is he thinking? We're trying to protect the students, not scare them." Lucy sweat dropped. "H-Hi. Lucy Heartfilia. Nice to meet you." Lucy smiled, extending her hand. Hermione looked at Lucy's smile, which seemed a bit forced, and - dare she think it - fake. Gajeel looked at Lucy's hand, then turned away , hands still in his pockets giving a grunt. "Ok then…" Lucy muttered, putting her hand down.
"Gray Fullbuster." Everyone turned to the main door, and all the girls swooned at the boy who came in.
"He's adorable!"
"He looks so cool and suave!"
"I wonder if he has a girlfriend!"
Gray made his way to the front, and turned around hand on a hip. "Gray Fullbuster. I look forward to working with you." He introduced, not changing his face expression. All the girls blushed at this boy. All the blushing, then turned to shock and screams. Some girls averted their eyes, others stared not knowing whether to look or avert. "What's everyone screaming about?" Gray wondered out loud. Erza slid behind him, eyes closed, and looking rather ticked off. "Mister Fullbuster. Your...Clothes…!" She gritted. Gray looked down, and noticed he was only wearing his boxers. He gave a panicked yell, before scuttling his clothes back on. "Oh...My….Word…" Hermione gasped. "He did not just do that…" She gasped, her mouth open like a goldfish. George and Fred laughed their heads off, Ron trying not to burst out laughing, Neville cringed, and Harry wasn't sure to react. The Slytherin kids had a look, that resembled a new victim to pick on. The teachers did not look amused. At all. "So much for a first impression…" Lucy facepalmed, ashamed. After Gray adjusted his uniform, Erza swooped in and began to scold Gray.
"Mister Fullbuster! How dare you abuse the dress code! And in the first ten seconds! Fifty points off your house!"
"B-But Er-Miss Scarlet..!"
"One hundred!"
"Miss Scar-"
"Two hundred!"
"Erza, what are you doing?! We're not sorted yet!" Gray harshly whispered, trying to calm her down. "I know, just getting into the role." Erza smirked, a glint next to her closed eye, fingers and thumb supporting her chin. "What?" Gray questioned, sweat dropping. "Don't question me young man! Now apologize to the teachers! Now!" Erza forced Gray to turn to the teachers, and made him bow. "S-Sorry! It won't happen again!" Gray apologised, a bit embarrassed. "Ok, now it's official. Miss Scarlet is scary. I don't want to make her mad." Ron whimpered, Neville hastily nodding in agreement.
After everything died down, Dumbledore sighed and introduced the last student. "And our final student, Natsu Dragneel." The last student made his way down the hall, his goofy grin on his face. "What on earth has he done to his hair? Did his hairdresser mix up the colours or something?" Draco whispered to his friends snickering. Natsu suddenly stopped and faced Draco. "Hey! This is my natural colour! So lay off!" Natsu told him quite ticked off, before moving again, leaving Draco speechless. First, Draco was whispering, and second, Draco was on the far side of the room. How could Natsu hear him? Natsu reached the front and turned around to smile, his white muffler flicking around. "Yo! I'm Natsu! Pleasure to meet you!" Everyone was a bit unsure about these students. They looked at the new students as if something was off.
"We will now arrange you in your houses. First, Erza Scarlet." Dumbledore gestured to the chair, with a witch's hat resting on a table next to the chair.
Erza took her place on the sorting chair, legs crossed and fingers intertwined. Makarov looked on, flashbacking on what he told his brats before the ceremony. "Now remember Erza, Levy, Mira, Wendy. It doesn't matter which house you are sorted in. Just as long you can access places only teachers can access. Remember the mission is always first." Erza looked on down the hall, all the students watching her. She felt a soft fabric land lightly on her head, and felt the brim move around, as if alive.
"Well well well. A new teacher I see. Hmm….I see you are very bold, and very daring. You are not afraid to speak your mind, and you have a very strict demeanor about you. I also see that you have had a very dark childhood, and you had to fight against your closest friends to the death on multiple occasions. You will try to help your enemies, even if they are beyond the plain of hope. Nonetheless, you are brave, bold, and will try to do what's best for your comrades, even at the own expense of your life. I believe, that you will be most suited in….GRYFFINDOR!" Erza smiled as she stood up and joined her new colleges at the teacher's table. Gryffindor cheered and stood for their new house member, excited and scared about their new member and teacher.
"Levy McGarden." Levy made her way to the chair and sat down. Her hands rested on the arms and her legs straight and together. The hat was placed on her small head, and the decision process began. "Hmm, well...I see you are very loyal to your friends, and that you would do anything for them. You lack darkness in your heart, and always try to find the best in people. You are brave to speak your mind, but timid in battle. Though I must say you are extremely smart. Did you really read one hundred books within two weeks?" The hat asked amazed. Levy just smiled and nodded. "Well then. I say that you would be most welcomed in….RAVENCLAW!" Levy leapt from the chair, and smiled a triumphant smile. As she waved to her new house members, they stood and cheered for her.
"Mirajane Strauss." Draco watched Mira take her seat, her smile still on her face. "She looks so weak. I bet she can't even fight. I tell you. She looks like she wouldn't last one second on the ba-"
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat declared. Draco stopped his sentence, mouth hanging. "...What?! She's in our house?! How is that happy-go-lucky silver haired bimbo in our house?! The hat didn't give a reason why!" While Draco sat there complicating, the rest of his house stood up and applauded, even though they were as shocked as Draco was. Draco noticed everyone applauding, and hastily stood up to applaud. Even though she looked weak and feeble, it was still customary to welcome a new member of the house.
"Wendy Marvel." Wendy slowly and timidly sat on the chair, the hat flopping on her head. "Hmmm, unlike Mirajane, you do not hide anything evil behind that smile." Everyone was shocked at that information. "What does he mean by 'evil behind that smile'?!" One of Draco's chubby friend, Doyle, questioned quite scared of Miss Strauss now. "You are very brave, although you still lack in experience and training in the battlefield. You are very skilled in defence and medical magic, and will do anything to protect your friends. In other words, you are very pure and loyal. I believe you will be most suited to…..HUFFLEPUFF!" Wendy smiled in relief, and leapt off the chair joining the teachers. The Hufflepuff members, like the other houses, stood and cheered for the new house member.
"Please welcome our new teachers!" Dumbledore began to clap, the students following his actions quite enthusiastic about the new teachers. "Now for our new students. Lucy Heartfilia." Lucy stepped up after Dumbledore called her up. She sat down, the hat placed on her head. "Hmm, I see. You were brought up in a very rich household. However you decided to give it all up to find true happiness. I see you are a necessary asset when it comes to strategies and information. Like Miss McGarden, you are extremely smart, leaping onto any opportunity to learn new information. Therefore, I believe you are most suited to….RAVENCLAW!" Lucy skipped over to the Ravenclaw table, who stood up and applauded, welcoming her with open arms. They gave her a pat on the back and shook her hand before they all sat down.
"Gajeel Redfox." Gajeel flopped on the chair, legs straight and apart, his arms folded and posture sloppy, that mean look on his face. "What is he, a delinquent?!" Lucy yelled mentally. "I see...you have made many mistakes in the past. You committed criminal actions towards your enemies. But I see that you are willing to change for the better. However I sense there is still darkness in your heart. Therefore you are most suited for...SLYTHERIN!"Gajeel got up and headed to his house table, not giving a damn. "Called it." Ron said cheeky like. "Welcome fellow pureblood." Draco welcomed, patting him on the back and shaking his hand. Gajeel stared at Draco, wondering what he meant by pureblood. But he didn't question him. "Thanks." He simply said, then turned away.
"Gray Fullbuster." Everyone watched as the boy got comfortable in the chair. All the first year girls were hoping that he would be in their house. The hat was set on his head, and the decision process began to start again. "Difficult...very difficult. You had an excruciating past I see. Fighting your old childhood friend to stop his plans, watching the ones you loved die before your eyes. One death in particular you blame yourself for." Gray looked at the ground, silent. "I see smarts isn't your strength. You do not let the darkness of the past corrupt your heart. And you are brave to stand for what is right. However, there is a quality that triumphs. Your loyalty to your comrades. Therefore I pronounce you...HUFFLEPUFF!" The girls in Hufflepuff stood up immediately and cheered the loudest. Gray joined his new comrades and smiled at Wendy, who smiled back. She was happy to have Gray in her house. He was like her big brother next to Natsu and Gajeel.
"Natsu Dragneel." Natsu enthusiastically leapt up and took his seat. "Alright hat, give me the house that has the most action!" Natsu commanded joyfully. "He seems enthusiastic." Seamus said smiling. "Hmm, you are not smart I see." Gray snorted after the hat said that line. "He said the same thing about you Gray." Lucy thought to herself. Natsu was ready to start a fight with him, but refrained after Makarov gave him a strict gaze. "I see that you have a tendency to always act first and think later, always jumping into the fight. You are extraordinarily brave and bold. Therefore, you shall be arranged into….GRYFFINDOR!" Natsu jumped up, punching the air, and ran over to the Gryffindor table. "Welcome to Gryffindor Natsu!" A boy with glasses welcomed him, shaking his hand.
The students were now quite amused. A bimbo, a delinquent, a stripper, and a pink haired freak. But they knew that there was probably more than that to them. So the students applauded the new comers, knowing this was going to be an interesting school life from now on.
"Welcome to our new staff and students. Let the feast begin!"