Two Sides of Me
Chapter Three: Arrival to Hogwarts
The next morning, Maurice, Sarah, and Dumbledore arrived at the King's Cross train station before eleven A.M., walking onto the platform. Today was the day that Maurice would board the train to Hogwarts and begin his first year, as the scarlet train came into view.
"Well, today is the big day, Maurice." Sarah declared, looking down at her nephew. "How do you feel?"
"A little nervous, to be honest," Maurice admitted, holding him belonging close and struggling to hold his owl's cage. "What if the other wizards don't accept me?"
"I assure you, my child, that you have nothing to fear," Dumbledore assured. "Everyone will be eager to welcome you with open arms."
"As long as you watch over him, Albus." Sarah reminded. "I better not hear about any harm befalling my child."
"I promise I will look after him, Sarah as if he is my own blood," Dumbledore swore. "You have my word."
Though she still had some doubt, she nodded and looked down at Maurice once again.
"Don't forget to write to me, okay?" She said. "I would like at least weekly updates on your activities."
"I will, Auntie." Maurice nodded, with newfound confidence, then turned towards the platform. "Well, here I go!"
And with that, he marched through the barrier and boarded the train, then ran into a familiar girl and boy.
"Hey, Maurice!" Lily smiled. "I'm so glad you could make it!"
"Glad I could be here." Maurice nodded, before looking out the window to see his aunt and Dumbledore waving at him.
As Maurice waved back at them, Severus noticed and looked to where he was waving, but saw no one.
"Who were you waving at?" He asked.
"My aunt." Maurice answered casually. "She and I traveled here together."
"Aw, your aunt brought you?" Lily chirped. "I would've loved to meet her!"
"Maybe next time, I'll introduce you." Maurice offered.
"That sounds great!" Lily cheered, before tugging Severus' arm. "Come on, Sev! Let's go back to our compartment!"
"Alright, Lil." Severus chuckled, before turning to Maurice. "Would you like to join us? We have plenty of room."
"No thanks, I need some time to gather my thoughts." Maurice declined politely. "But I'll be in the compartment a bit down."
After bidding farewell for now and Lily and Severus settled into their own compartment, Maurice went down to and opened the compartment door, settling his belongings inside, carefully setting up the bird cage, as the owl inside hooted impatiently.
"Relax, Snow." Maurice said, calling the owl by the name he gave it. "We're almost there."
After setting his stuff down, he sat in the cushion seat, looking out the window, then heard a knock at the door. Sliding it open, he was greeted with two familiar faces.
"Aye, Maelstrom!" James greeted with the biggest smile, as he held his hand out. "Glad to see you could make it!"
"Wouldn't miss it, James." Maurice smiled, high fiving him.
"And here I thought you wouldn't show up." Sirius remarked.
"Which reminds me," James looked towards the owl. "How're you likin' the bird?"
"He's perfect." Maurice remarked. "Thank you so much for getting him for me. I promise to pay you back."
"Ah, don't worry about it." James waved it off. "Just being a good Samaritan. Think of it as a gift."
"By the way, here ya go, mate." Sirius spoke up, pulling something out of his pocket. "I snatched something from the trolley for ya."
Accepting it, Maurice could see that they were…
"Chocolate frogs?" Maurice looked at it quizzically.
"Not real frogs, no, just candies that look like frogs." Sirius chuckled. "Try 'em when you get the chance, they're really crunchy."
"Oh, thank you." Maurice bowed thankfully.
"Today's finally the day we go to Hogwarts." James said, excited. "Hey, Maelstrom, what're you looking forward to?"
"I'm not sure." Maurice shrugged. "I don't even know what to expect."
"I can't wait for the sorting ceremony." James declared, before turning to Maurice, who wasn't quite sure what he meant. "Basically, it means we get sorted into one of four houses; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff."
"Oh, I see." Maurice nodded, understanding now. "Which House do you hope to get sorted into?"
"Gryffindor, obviously, where the brave reside." James declared proudly. "I wanna be a great Gryffindor like my pa."
"My family has always been Slytherin." Sirius remarked with distain. "Maybe I'll break tradition and be sorted into Gryffindor as well, who knows."
"What about you, Maelstrom?" James asked, turning to Maurice. "Which House are you hoping to get sorted into?"
Maurice wasn't quite sure how to answer. These Houses sound important, but he wasn't sure which one he would prefer to get sorted into, whatever that meant.
"I'm…not quite sure."
"I hope all three of us get sorted into Gryffindor." James declared with a smile. "That way, we can all be brave hearts!"
"Like the Three bloody Musketeers!" Sirius added with a laugh.
"I'm sorry; I still don't know what these Houses represent." Maurice spoke up.
"They all stand for different things." James explained. "Gryffindor obviously represents courage, bravery, daring, nerve, and chivalry. Hufflepuff stands for loyalty, patience, hard work, fair-play, honesty, and tolerance. Ravenclaw is full of eggheads, who value intelligence, wit, cleverness, creativity, and wisdom. Then there's Slytherin, who care about ambition, leadership, cunning, determination, and resourcefulness."
"We'd best head back to our compartment." Sirius said. "I don't suppose you'll be joining us, Maelstrom?"
"No thank you." Maurice declined. "I still need to get my thoughts together."
After saying farewell to his friends, Maurice closed the compartment door, then sat back at his seat, looking out the window, as the train departed from the station.
After what felt like hours, the train arrived at Hogsmeade station, where the students were lead to docked boats at the end of the platform by Rubeus Hagrid, a half-giant who served as Groundskeeper at Hogwarts. He led the first years to. After three of each student got into the boats, Maurice got in with Severus and Lily, Hagrid lead them across the Black Lake under an opening in the rocks upon which Hogwarts is built, through a curtain of ivy, and finally into an underground harbour. The students got off the boats, though Maurice was struggling with his cage a bit. Before anyone of his friends could offer assistance, the cage slipped from Maurice's grasp, falling apart upon falling on the ground and letting the snow owl take flight.
"No!" Maurice screamed, reaching up. "Snow, come back!"
Suddenly, there was a melody sound of a flute, luring the owl back and onto the arm of the taller students that was playing the flute, who had light blue eyes and light brown hair.
"A bit early to go flyin', doncha think, little guy?" He said to the owl in an Irish accent, before approaching Maurice with a friendly smile. "I believe this owl belongs to you?"
"Oh, thank you!" Maurice bow respectfully. "If Snow had gotten away, I don't think I'd ever replace him."
"Looks like you could use a new cage." Severus remarked, pulling out his wand.
"Reparo!"
With a flick of his wand, the cage magically repaired itself, the brown haired boy putting the owl back inside.
"Thanks, Severus." Maurice thanked, before turning to the other boy. "And thank you for getting my owl…"
"Call me Kevin." The Irish boy declared with a smile. "I'm from Ireland and I've always been good with animals." He held up his flute. "I'm also good with instruments."
"Thank you for your help, Kevin." Maurice thanked him once again.
"Don't mention it, friend." Kevin smiled.
The first years were then lead to the castle, Maurice couldn't help but gaze at the massive structure, amazed that such a structure could exist. They were then lead inside and to the Great Hall by one of the professors, McGonagall, where many other older students waited at four long tables assorted with one of four colors; red, yellow, blue, and green. The children were lead to the front of the professors table, where Dumbledore and other professors are seated, and in front of the table was a stool with…what Maurice thought was a big wizards hat with what he swore was a face on the front.
After several words from Dumbledore himself, McGonagall began calling up several first years up one by one, starting with an intimidating young girl with rich mocha skin and hazel eyes named Bethany Barbarous, who proudly walked to the Slytherin table after being sorted to that table, even though the Sorting Hat barely touched her head. Next was Sirius Black, who was more than ecstatic when the Hat sorted him into Gryffindor. Next was Lily Evans, who was sorted into Gryffindor, much to Severus' sadness, as he watched her happily walk to the Gryffindor table.
"Maybe you'll be sorted into Gryffindor as well." Maurice whispered, hoping this would cheer him up.
"Doubtful." Severus silently sighed.
Next up was a boy named Remus Lupin, who was sorted into Gryffindor, much to his relief, as he sat next to Sirius, who gave him a pat on the back.
"Maelstrom, Maurice."
Nervous, Maurice walked up and sat on the stool, and the Sorting Hat was placed upon his head.
"Hmmm…very interesting." The Hat mused. "Quite unique, you are. Almost…difficult to decide which House you belong."
Maurice could feel his heart beat at a fast rate.
"Perhaps a simple question will decide where you belong."The Hat decided. "Tell me, young wizard; what are your aspirations for the future?"
'For the future'? What kind of question is this to ask a child?
Maurice was internally panicking now.
"Maurice…"
He heard the voice inside loud and clear, feeling his heart slow a bit.
"You seem to be in a bind, my friend." The voice said sinisterly. "Allow me to take over, just for a little while…"
Maurice closed his eyes, breathed in and out, but when he opened his eyes, instead of blue, they were red.
"To answer your question, Sorting Hat, I have many plans for the future." He declared, his voice a much different tone. "I have a dream, you see."
Every student at every table looked towards him, eager to hear what he has to say.
"I have a dream," Maurice continued. "Where every being on Earth lives in a world where we stand side by side, against every opposition. A world where we live by each other's happiness and love, not by each other's hate and misery. A world where my children will grow up, not judged by the color of their skin, nor the status of their blood, but by the context of their character."
Some of the students mused in agreement; even some of those at the Slytherin table were intrigued by his words.
"I imagine a world where there are no superiority competitions," Maurice went on. "No discrimination, no judgment based on one's appearance, but by ones actions! A world where all is heard." He looked from one table to another. "Everyone suffers from different problems; poverty, homelessness, mental or physical disorders, and constant discrimination, whether one is black, white, tanned, Muggleborn, Half-Blood, Pureblood, or they're from outer space! Everyone suffers! But in the world I envision," He looked up at the night sky illusion on the ceiling. "Everyone is equal! Everyone matters! No matter if they're white, black, or any blood status! We ALL matter!" He looked back down, his eyes on the students who were all paying close attention to what he was saying.
"A world where all are treated as equals, not like a god on a pedestal or a pest underneath ones shoe," He went on. "A world of peace and acceptance. THAT is my dream. That…" He stopped for a moment, before finishing. "Is my Ambition."
The Great Hall was soon filled with murmurs and whispers of every student and first years, and eventually everyone started clapping loudly, even the Slytherin table joined in with applause of their own, along with the professors and Dumbledore.
"Very, VERY interesting indeed!" The Hat declared. "Nobunaga himself would be proud of such ambitions." It thought for a moment, then continued. "Surely, someone as ambitious as you belongs in…SLYTHERIN!"
Everyone at the Slytherin table clapped loudly, Severus watched as the Sorting Hat was removed, Maurice stood and slowly made his way to the Slytherin table, he noticed something odd about Maurice's eyes; one minute, his eyes were red, but when he blinked, they were blue.
'Now that I think about it,' Severus thought. 'When we first met, his eyes were blue and he was soft spoken and kind. When his eyes changed to red, however,' He then frowned. 'It's like he's a completely different person. His tone dark and stern.'
He snapped back to the next kid, Kevin Manson, who was called up next, who was apparently so excited that as soon as the hat was on his head, he yelled 'Hufflepuff' several times before the Hat finally decided to sort him into Hufflepuff. Next up was a short, overweight boy named Peter Pettigrew, who was sorted into Gryffindor, sitting down next to Lupin and Black. Next was James Potter, who was sorted into Gryffindor before the Hat was even placed on his head.
Next up was Severus, who nervously sat at the stool and the Hat was placed on his head.
"Another interesting one, I see." The Hat spoke. "I can already tell this one has some ambitions of his own, a genius indeed. Yes, this one belongs in… SLYTHERIN!"
Severus sighed in a mix of relief and disappointment. On the plus side, Maurice is in the same House as he is. On the downside, Lily wasn't.
Regardless, he sat beside Maurice, who smiled at him, which he returned.
The last first year to be sorted was a boy called Even Rosier, who was sorted into Slytherin, even though the Hat was barely close to his head.
After the Sorting Ceremony was concluded, the feast began, tables suddenly covered with a variety of food and drinks, and the students immediately dug in.
While Maurice was stacking his plate high with food, he looked over at Severus, who was looking across the table, towards the Gryffindor table, where Lily sat talking with another girl.
"Miss her already?" Maurice remarked.
"I was hoping we would both be sorted into the same House." Severus sighed sadly.
Maurice could tell that Severus cared deeply for Lily, the way he looks at her, the way he smiles whenever the two were together. Maurice felt that envy rising in his chest, something he scolded himself for, though he couldn't help that. Every time he would look, he would see other kids having a great time with their friends, wishing he had something so special.
"You'll see her again, you know," Maurice said, putting his thoughts to the side. "Even though you're in different Houses, you can always see her in classes, or in after class activities."
"Yes, I suppose that's true," Severus admitted.
Over at the Gryffindor table, James was staring over the table at Maurice. Though he was impressed by his speech, he was curious about what changed with Maurice's behavior.
"Oi Padfoot." He whispered to Sirius. "Have you noticed anything strange about Maelstrom?"
"Whaddya mean?"
"Think real hard." James pushed. "When we first met Maelstrom, he was nice and soft-spoken, but when he spoke before he was sorted, it was like he was a completely different person!"
Sirius took a moment to think before giving his answer.
"Now that you mention it, he did seem different when he spoke."
"And then there were the eyes," James added. "They were blue one minute, then the next they were red!"
"Maybe he's got heterochromia," Peter spoke up. "That condition where someone has multicolored eyes."
"Heterochromia doesn't make eyes change colors like that." James pointed out harshly, looking over at Maurice and Severus. "No doubt Snivellus noticed it too."
Lily was chatting away with another first year, Mary Macdonald, as they were chatting away.
"Hey, Lily, what do you think of Maurice's speech?" Mary asked.
"I thought it sounded interesting," Lily admitted. "Although I never saw this side of him before."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Lily nodded. "When we first met, he was so nice and soft-spoken. But during his speech, it was like he was a totally different person."
She looked over to the Slytherin table, seeing Maurice and Severus having what she assumed to be a friendly chat.
'I just hope he looks after Severus.' She thought to herself.
After the feast, the students are led to their house common room by their respective prefects. The Slytherin students were led to the dungeons, where the entrance to the Slytherin common room is, beyond a stone wall and entered its grand yet cold atmosphere.
"Now it's recommended that you all get a good night's sleep." The white blond prefect announced. "There is a big day ahead of every one of you, so be sure to get up bright and early."
As the students scrambled to their rooms, as Maurice and Severus stood in the middle of the room.
"I can't believe we're finally here." Severus let out a breath of relief.
"The castle is certainly a marvel." Maurice nodded.
The two were then approached by the prefect, who seemed to be a fourth-year student.
"Tomorrow is a big day, you two." He reminded them. "It's prudent that you get to bed."
Severus made to head to his designated room, but Maurice was halted by the prefect.
"I wish to have a few words with you, young man."
Severus looked to Maurice, who nodded, then he grabbed his things and went to his room, leaving the two alone.
"So, I take it that you're one of the newer students, yes?" He asked politely.
Maurice nodded nervously.
"I know who you are, Maurice Maelstrom." He went on, walking over to one of the tables. "I am Lucius Malfoy; fourth year Slytherin and your prefect." He then turned to Maurice. "I'm quite impressed with your speech during the sorting ceremony."
"Th-thank you." Maurice bowed.
"Though it is flawed."
Maurice looked up at him, confused. What could he mean by 'flawed'?
"You see, everyone has a different outlook on things." Lucius continued, running a hand over one of the skulls. "You see, my boy, things are changing outside of Hogwarts, and sooner or later, people like you and me must choose a side."
"That doesn't explain why you think what I said was flawed." Maurice pointed out.
"True." Lucius admitted. "Perhaps one day, when you're older, you will understand."
"Or you could just explain it to me." Maurice deadpanned.
"I could, but we'd be here all night and we simply have no time for that." The older Slytherin rolled his eyes. "Now, off to bed with you! We have much to do in the morning."
Letting the matter be, Maurice gathered his belongings and entered his room. After getting his stuff in place and feeding Snow, he changed into his pajama clothes and tucked himself into bed. Though his mind wondered to what Lucius said, about things changing. Sooner or later, he may find out.
And there's another chapter! I apologize if parts of this chapter seem rushed, but I do hope I did some of the characters justice to some extent. Next chapter, Maurice will be taking his first classes and hang out with some new friends! Hope you guys enjoyed and stay tuned for the next chapter! And as always, be sure to review!