A little less than a month later and Harry, John, Ollivander and Mark portkeyed straight onto platform nine and three quarters. Ollivander had explained that large groups would normally go through the muggle side, but smaller parties would often just portkey straight into the platform. He made sure to tell Harry how to get through the muggle side in case it was ever needed though.

The goodbye was an emotional one for both boys. John was leaving home for the first time and was trying not to cry as he hugged his dad and grandad. Harry was also emotional. For the first time ever he felt as if he had a home, and after a month he was having to leave it. Though he wasn't near tears, he was still rather sad at having to leave.

Eventually they climbed onto the train and settled down for the long ride to Hogwarts, with bounds of nervous energy running through them. About half an hour later the door was opened by a red haired boy asking if he could join them. The excuse that everywhere else was full was weak, as the train would expand to allow more people on, but John could hardly blame him for making it. He would be just as nervous if he wasn't with Harry. The boy introduced himself as Ron Weasley and seemed quite nice, if a little unconfident in himself.

Both Harry and John brought some sweets from the trolley, and seeing that Ron had no money (and John knew how poor the Weasley's were) they even brought Ron a chocolate frog and a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans.

The next time the door opened was by a blonde haired boy flanked by two extraordinarily large boys. John immediately recognised the blonde as a Malfoy and knew it must be Draco. He kept quiet in the exchange until he insinuated that Ron and himself weren't good enough to be around Harry.

"Last time I checked, Heir Malfoy, your family is only an elder house."

As soon as John referred to Malfoy as an 'heir' Harry's demeanour changed. He knew that it was time to put his etiquette lessons into practice.

"Yes and John here is a member of a venerable house, and the Weasleys are an ancient house. It seems I'm in better company here then I would be with you. "

John and Ron just roared with laughter as Harry verbally destroyed Malfoy who stormed out of the carriage while muttering about how Harry would regret it.

The final time they were disturbed was when the door was opened by a bushy haired girl complaining that a boy named Neville had lost a toad. John suggested she ask an elder student to summon the toad. The girl rushed off in order to do just that barely having time to shout a thank you before she ran off.

Soon an announcement ran through the train that they should all get into their robes. After the train pulled into Hogsmeade they were greeted by Hagrid, who greeted Harry and John with some enthusiasm before leading them to a flotilla of boats with which they'd cross the lake to reach the school. John and Harry shared a boat with Ron and a girl with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. John recognised her from a few functions and greeted her as Daphne Greengrass. She was polite, but nothing more and came across as cold. John whispered to Harry that the Greengrass's had historically been a Slytherin family and very reserved until you earned their trust.

No matter how reserved anyone was, they could not contain a gasp as they saw the beauty of Hogwarts lit up in all its splendour. John may have been used to magic, but nothing had prepared him for the spectacle of Hogwarts for the first time. As they got out the boat Neville found his toad again and they were led up the steps to an ante-chamber where a strict looking woman was waiting for them. She gave them what was clearly a well-rehearsed speech about how the houses they will be sorted into will be their family before she led them into a hall filled with students with teachers sat at a head table. They stopped in between two tables which John recognised as Hufflepuff and Gryffindor from the colours on their robes. They lined up in front of a stool which contained the sorting hat.

John and Harry knew what the sorting hat was, as Mark had told them before they left for Hogwarts. Apparently it was somewhat traditional for the method of sorting to be kept a secret amongst those who had already been sorted, but Mark had decided such an attitude was just silly and had told the boys before they left how they would be sorted. John was brought out his thoughts by Hannah Abbot being sorted into Huffepuff. That was expected. After all, Hufflepuff is a Hogwarts house. What was not expected however was what happened when Susan Bones put the sorting hat on.

John expected her to be sorted into Hufflepuff or possibly Gryffindor. Every Bones for the last two hundred years had been a Hufflepuff, though before then there had been a fair few Gryffindors so that house wouldn't be a surprise either. So John was as surprised as everyone else, including staff members the hat hadn't even settled on her head before it shouted 'Apprentice'.

There was dead silence at that. Nobody knew what to do. Apart from apparently Professor Dumbledore who stood up and waved his wand and another, smaller table table appeared, perpendicular to the house tables with one seat. He motioned for Susan to sit at this table before motioning for Professor McGonagall to continue the sorting, with a rather nervous looking Susan Bones sitting at the new table. The sorting continued as normal until Daphne Greengrass, who everyone expected to be sorted into Sytherin, joined Susan at the apprentice table. Harry also ended up joining them at the apprentice table. Eventually there was only two people left to be sorted. John, and Blaise Zabini. John walked up to the stool and sat on it as the hat was placed over his head.

"Ah another one of the Ollivander family. A simple choice, though not for the reason you think. Apprentice."

The hat was removed from Johns head and moved over to the table as Zabini was sorted into Slytherin. Dumbledore stood up in his brightly coloured robes to address the hall.

"As many of you have no doubt noted, something unusual has happened in this years sorting. This will all be explained to you later. But for now I am sure you are all hungry, so tuck in."

With that mounds of food appeared. Roast chicken, pork and beef were the main center-pieces and were surrounded by vegetables, roast and mashed potatoes, gravy yorkshire puddings and stuffing. John nervously loaded his plate, wondering why he and the others were separate to others, Looking round table, he could see the others were worried as well, none of them sure what this meant for them or anyone else. As soon as plates were clear desserts replaced the main courses in front of them and they all helped themselves.

The quiet, both through the main course and dessert, at the 'apprentice' table was in contrast to the chatter through the rest of the hall as they all ate in dignified silence, not even needing to be introduced. Eventually everybody had finished their meal and Dumbledore rose to address the student body.

After giving what John presumed was the usual notices concerning banned property and forbidden parts of the school, even if he couldn't think why a corridor in the school would be banned, Dumbledore moved onto the reason why most students were listening more attention than usual, the four apprentices.

"Appentices are a rare feature that the founders introduced a few years after the school opened. These are normally students who exemplify the characteristics of all four houses perfectly. There has not been an apprentice in over two hundred years. Apprentices are considered to be of a separate house and the headmaster acts as their head of house. The class schedule will have to be worked out by Professor McGonagall but for tomorrow they will follow the Hufflepuff timetable.

Now I'm sure you are all tired. If the four apprentices will follow me I will guide them to where they are staying. Now off you pop."

The four of them stood up and followed Professor Dumbledore out of the great hall. All four walked in silence up to the fourth floor before going down a corridor until they came to a painting of Hogwarts. In front of it was a Lion, an Eagle, a Badger and a Snake. Dumbledore held out his wand and touched the painting while speaking "Unity". The painting then opened to reveal a common room. A common room covered with dust.

The room was quite large and round with a huge fireplace across one side around which sofas and chairs were situated. The walls were panelled with wood on which sat portraits. Tables were sat at the opposite end of the room to the fire and a large oak bookcase sat next to the door. Immediately opposite the door was a further door which led up a staircase that split into two, presumably to a girls and boys bedroom. Professor Dumbledore motioned for them to sit on the sofa as he sat on one of the armchairs.

"I understand this is a bit of a shock. I assure you it is for us staff as well. As I said tomorrow you will follow the Hufflepuff timetable tomorrow before having your own timetable constructed. This means in the morning you will have History of Magic followed by Potions. After lunch you will have Potions, Transfiguration and Herbology. All lessons are an hour and twenty minutes with ten minutes to get to you next class.

Breakfast is seven until half past eight, lunch from twelve until one and dinner from six until eight. Your curfew is nine until half six. You should have no more than two hours homework a week from each of your subjects. One will likely be reviewing the weeks work, the other will likely be preparing for next weeks work. I would suggest you do the review one the night you get it and the research one on Saturday. That way Sunday is free for your own day. You will not receive homework for your first two weeks.

One final thing before you all go to bed. In accordance to the Hogwarts Charter an inheritance test will take place in my office tomorrow evening after dinner. This is to determine if any of you are related to the founders as all their descendants are named as Apprentices. The odds on this are slim, but it must be carried out. So at seven o'clock tomorrow evening Professor McGonagall will take you to my office. Do you have any questions?"

Once the teens shook their head Dumbledore smiled at them.

"Now that's all sorted I suggest you all go to bed. Mr Potter and Mr Williams to the left, Miss Bones and Miss Greengrass to the right. Have a good night."

And with that he swept out the room, his robes flowing behind him. Not having much choice the four of them bid each other goodnight and went up to their respective rooms.

"I wonder what dad and grandad will say about this?" wondered John aloud to Harry.

"I dunno. I was not expecting this. Why did it have to happen to me?"

"I don't know mate, I don't know. Still, could be worse right?"

"How? I'm already famous and now add this to it. It'll be unbearable."

"Better this then still being at your relatives right?"

Harry laughed a little at this, the tension he felt lifting somewhat.

"True. Too true."

With that both boys rolled over in their huge four poster beds and went to sleep.

o-0-o

The next morning Harry and John awoke and after showing and getting changed into their robes and headed down to breakfast to find the two girls already sat at the same table as last night eating their breakfast. Both Harry and John got their food and pumpkin juice. They all sat eating in awkward silence until eventually Susan decided to break it.

"What do you think the lessons will be like?"

"I dunno." John replied between mouthfuls, before Daphne had an input.

"My mother said we'll probably stick to theory work for a few weeks before moving onto practical stuff."

Harry couldn't help but think that was a good idea having seen John in the holidays after touching a wand in Ollivanders shop.

"Well they're not easing us in. Potions and Transfiguration are supposed to be two of the most difficult subjects in the curriculum."

Harry turned to John, with an inquisitive look.

"Your granddad said your wand would be strong in Transfiguration. Does that mean you'll have an advantage?"

John thought for a minute, trying to work his way through his knowledge of wandlore to come up with an answer.

"Not with the learning. My wand won't help me learn a spell quicker than you. But it does mean that once I've got a spell down, my spell will be stronger than those whose wands aren't suited to Transfiguration, unless they are particular talented in the subject."

"Well reasoned." a soft voice behind them spoke. Turning around they saw Professor Dumbledore beaming down at John.

"I see Ollivanders knowledge has been passed onto you and well retained. I would award points if there was an apprentice jar."

"Thank you sir." John beamed.

"I came to wish you all luck in your first lessons today, not that I think you'll need it, and to tell you Professor McGonagall will bring up to my office at seven o'clock this evening for the inheritance test."

"Who will be there sir?" Daphne asked.

"Myself and the four heads of houses, Lucius Malfoy will represent the Board of Governors and the Minister for Magic will represent the Ministry. A Goblin from Gingotts who will carry out the test. Finally your guardians will be there. My office will be rather crowded indeed."

"What does the test involve sir." John asked.

"That will be explained at the time. Now it is nearly nine o'clock so you should all head off to your first lesson. Cheerio."

o-0-o

History of Magic had just been a waste of time. Professor Binns, the only ghost on the staff had just droned on and on early Goblin rebellions. Not the most interesting of subjects at the best of times, but the monotone which Professor Binns spoke with made it positively sleep worthy.

Potions had been little better for Harry, with Professor Snape seeming to have it out for him. Luckily thanks to the books he'd read in the summer he knew the answers to the questions he was asked, but was annoyed that he was the only one asked any questions at all.

However all four of them had enjoyed Transfiguration. Contrary to Daphne's assumption that the lesson would be all theory, they had the chance to practice some magic. After Professor McGonagall's lecture on the dangers of Transiguration she had gone over the theory of how to turn one inanimate object to another, starting with a match into a needle.

While his classmates immediately tried to turn the match into a needle, John paused for a minute. He spent some time going over the incantation in his head as well as the wand movement. Then he tried to imagine the match turning into a needle. He made the wand movement, spoke the incantation and with a flash, absolutely nothing happened. He concentrated again, made the wand movement again, spoke the incantation, and again nothing happened. Four more times he tried and four more times he failed. On seventh time however he was desperate. He willed the match to change into the needle and made the wand movement and spoke the incantation. This time there was no flash. There was however a needle sat in front of him.

"Oh well done Mr Williamson, well done. How many tries did you make?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Seven Professor."

"Seven? I believe the last person to do it under ten was myself. Well done Mr Williamson. Give it a few more tries and if you manage it, help your fellow apprentices."

A few minutes later and John had managed it ten more times and turned to help the others. He explained to them how he did it. How he'd imagined the match turning into a needle, and then willing it to turn. Sure enough, three incantations, three wand movements and three needles appeared before them.

"Bravo. I can see you are all going to be excellent students." Professor McGonagall spoke as the bell rang to let them know it was time to change lesson. Unlike the rest of the class who had homework to practice the spell, the four of them escaped it.

Herbology was a bit of an anti-climax after Transfiguration. They spent the whole time on safety around the plants. While they all understood it was necessary, it was still a boring lesson, though Professor Sprout tried her best to make it interesting.

It was four very tired students who walked into a great hall for dinner. John and Harry had discovered that they both had very similar tastes in food, and this continued at Hogwarts as they loaded up on chicken pie, roast potatoes and vegetables.

"How did you find the lessons then?" asked Susan.

"I hated potions." Harry immediately jumped in, unsurprisingly.

"I loved Transfiguration, but History of Magic was awful." John responded, with Daphne's agreement.

"I think Herbology will be interesting once we get going." Susan stated.

John wasn't so sure but wasn't willing to argue. Indeed after all the lessons all John really wanted to do was eat, and from the way Harry was tucking it away, he felt the same. It was bad timing that they were half way through a second helping of apple pie and custard when Professor McGonagall came to collect them.

Walking up to the headmasters office all the children were nervous. Not only did they have an inheritance test to do, they would be doing it in front of the Minister for Magic.

They all walked up the stairs after the Professor gave the password and looked over at the people in the room.

Ollivander was there, acting as Harry's guardian while Mark was there as John's.

Susan rushed over and gave her aunty a huge hug as she told her of her first day. Being familiar with Madam Bones, John turned to Daphnes parents who he'd never met.

Daphne's mother, Elizabeth Greengrass was quite tall and was where Daphne had got her dirty blonde hair from as Elizabeth's reached her mid back. Her brown eyes were welcoming but had a hint of steel behind them. Daphne's father, Marcus, on the other had was quite short and dumpy, but moved with a regal air. His brown hair was greying, as was his thin moustache. His blue eyes lacked the steel of Elizabeth's but there was a fierce intelligence behind them.

"Good evening all. I hope you enjoyed your first day of lessons." Professor Dumbledore started, before he introduced the people in the room to them all. Minister Fudge looked friendly but greeted Harry a bit too enthusiastically, clearly caught up in the fame of the Boy-Who-Lived. Still, it was better than the way Lucius Malfoy greeted them. That way was almost predatory.

When the fire flared green a goblin stepped out, carrying a case made of dragon hide.

"I am Grukgruff of the inheritance department. Can we please start?"

John had to smile at the goblins bluntness. The less time for speeches the better.

After the goblin had set his equipment up he turned towards them.

"The test is simple. You must cut the palm of your left hand and then place your hand flat on the parchment for no less than five seconds. Who is going first?"

Harry was about to offer before Dumbledore spoke.

"I will cast a numbing charm on your hand and then heal the cut. You will not feel a thing. Now ladies first?" he asked, looking towards Daphne and Susan.

"How about we all do it together and then look at the results one by one?" suggested John. All his new friends agreed with him. Dumbledore gave his agreement to the idea and waved his wand over each of their hands, numbing them.

John winced as he cut open his hand. There was no pain, but his brain told him there should be so he winced anyway. Nodding to Harry he put his hand on the paper and waited for a few seconds. Lifting his hand, it was almost immediately healed by Dumbledore.

By common consent they all looked over to Susan's paper first. The blood was moving around on the enchanted parchment. They waited with bated breath as the bloods formed words. Then they all gasped as the words were formed.

Susan Amelia Bones

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Bones (Claimed)

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Hufflepuff (Unclaimed)

There was an outcry about Merlins beard at this point, as none of them could believe what they were reading. An actual heir to the founders had been found, something the magical world had been looking for for centuries.

"Are you alright Susan?" her aunt asked, her voice a little higher than normal.

Susan just nodded and squeaked "I think so."

Next they looked over at Daphne's parchment.

Daphne Katherine Greengrass

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Greengrass (Claimed)

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Slytherin (Unclaimed)

Another round of Merlins beards went round the room at this. First one founders heir, now two. They then turned to Harry's.

Harry James Potter

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Potter (Claimed)

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Peverll (unclaimed)

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Gryffindor (Unclaimed)

More crys of shock here, not just at the now somewhat expected founders heir, but also at the gaining of another Ancient and Most Noble House. Peverll had been believed to have been wiped out in the Civil War but apparently it was very much alive.

While Harry was being congratulated Ollivander looked concerned at his suddenly very pale grandson who was staring at his parchment and just muttered two words.

"Fucking hell."

"John!" his dad and Grandad shouted at the same time, as his dad gave him a clip round the ear and Minister Fudge squeaked an 'Oh my'.

His grandad looked down at the parchment as he was speaking.

"Now why did you use this language…. Fucking hell!"

Now Dumbledore was intrigued. He had never heard his old friend swear. He looked at the parchment.

"Merlins Balls!" he exclaimed when he read it.

"Albus!" shouted Professor McGonogall.

John looked at his Professor.

"I don't know Professor, that seemed quite an appropriate response." He said as they all looked at his piece of parchment.

John Garrick Williamson

Member of Venerable and Noble House Ollivander

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Ravenclaw (Unclaimed)

Heir of Ancient and Most Noble House Emrys (Unclaimed)

John couldn't believe it. He was the heir of Merlin.