I do not own Danny Phantom or Harry Potter!
Several years had passed since the Potter twins had come to stay with the Weasley family. Since they were no longer fed the bare minimum in scraps, the two had both hit a growth spurt and filled out a little more around the middle.
Much to Percy's delight, Danny had also often come to him to learn what he could before school started so that he would be a little ahead of the game. Percy would lend Danny his books so that the halfa could read them.
Over the last few years, Danny found that more and more of his memories were becoming available to him. Though most of it was still cloudy. Now he could remember his first encounters with his best friends, his old family, some of his parent's inventions, and a few more of his abilities. Most of the things he'd done past age eleven were still unavailable to him.
Currently they were all sitting at the dining room table eating. Harry was chattering with Ron while Danny fiddled with a cylindrical object.
"What are you doing, Danny?" George asked.
Danny looked up at him. "I'm trying to recreate something called the Fenton Thermos."
"What does it do?" Fred asked.
"Well. Normally a thermos would be used to keep food warm until you eat it for lunch or dinner for a day away from home. But what the Fenton Thermos does is trap ghosts and holds them until I press the release button." Danny explained.
"How is it not blowing up? Most electric devices blow up when in contact with magic." Arthur asked, curious as well.
"See, I remembered you telling me about that, so I reconfigured the power source to be supplied by the magic in the atmosphere. By doing this, it allows the device to become stable, as it's usual power source isn't conflicting with your magic." Danny said.
Harry looked over at him with a confused expression. "When did you get so good with technology?"
"I've always been good with technology. I just had no available opportunities while we were dealing with the Dursleys. Every television or computer our cousin destroyed wouldn't have been hard for me to repair." Danny said with a shrug.
Arthur looked thoughtful. "You know, if you could do that with other Muggle technology, you could easily become the richest wizard alive by age 15. To be able to use the same advancements available to the Muggles would be revolutionary."
Danny's eyes widened. "Why didn't I think of that?!"
Arthur chuckled.
"Why would you want to catch a ghost?" Percy asked.
"To make sure they know to leave me alone. If they give me any trouble I'll pull them into this and leave them in there for a few weeks, while making sure to give it a good shake every night." Danny grinned darkly.
"Did I tell you how scary you can be sometimes?" Harry asked.
"Several times, Harry. Several times." Danny laughed.
They were interrupted as an owl flew in carrying several letters. Percy took them and handed them out.
Danny beamed as he stared down at the letter from Hogwarts and tore it open.
'Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva Mcgonagall'
The Potter twins had matching grins as they read the letters.
"I guess we'd best head to Diagon Alley and get the supplies we'll be needing." Molly said with a smile. She cleared away the remaining food on the table and led them all over to the fireplace. They all took a bit of floo powder and left to get everything they would need.
The twins smiled as they arrived.
"Danny." Arthur called.
"Yea?" Danny asked.
"Here. It seems you're both old enough now. I'll now leave these in your care." Arthur said and handed Danny their Gringott's keys.
"Awesome. Thank you, Arthur." Danny beamed and pocketed the keys. He'd find a safer place for them later.
"We'll split up from here and meet up at the Leaky Cauldron in three hours." Molly said and they all split up.
The twins made a quick trip to the bank to get some money before going shopping. They got their robes, books, cauldron, scales, and phials first before going to get their wands, having heard that it'd be the longest trip. They'd get their pets last.
They stepped into a shop owned by a man named Ollivander. The shop was small and dusty on the inside. The walls were lined with shelves containing wands of all kinds. Everything was deathly silent, and the twins were a little afraid to disturb it.
"Hello," greeted an elderly voice, causing the boys to jump.
The man looked them over. "I was wondering when I would be seeing the two of you." he said. "Yes. It seems as though it were only yesterday I sold your mother her wand."
The man started looking through shelves before pulling out a wand and handing it to Harry.
"Well. Go on. Give it a wave." he said in anticipation.
Harry flicked the wand and jumped as several wands shot from their shelves.
"Nope. Nope. Definitely not." Mr. Ollivander said and snatched the wand away before replacing it with another.
Harry tried again, this time shattering a vase.
This continued on for a long time as Harry rejected wand after wand.
Mr. Ollivander was about to pull out what was the thirtieth wand when he suddenly seemed to get an idea. "I wonder..." He suddenly pulled a wand from the shelf and brought it over to Harry. "Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple,"
Harry took the wand and his eyes widened as the wand started to glow and orange sparks shot from the tip. Everything in the room shook slightly.
"Yikes..." Mr. Ollivander said and took the wand. "Curious. Very curious."
"Um... what's curious?" Harry asked.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather... just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother... gave you that scar."
Harry swallowed.
"Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember... I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things... terrible, yes, but great."
Harry shivered. He quickly paid for his wand and sat down at the front of the shop while Mr. Ollivander tended to his twin.
Danny's wand experience was even more time exhausting than Harry's was as he rejected nearly every wand Mr. Ollivander had.
"Another difficult customer. I think I have an idea." Mr. Ollivander said and disappeared to the back of his shop. He came back several moments later with a tattered old box that looked as though it hadn't been touched in centuries.
He took the wand out and handed it over to Danny. Danny's eyes widened as ecto-green sparks shot from the tip and a calming energy washed over him.
"Very curious indeed. Just like your twin." Mr. Ollivander commented. "This wand is the only one of its kind. It is the also the only wand left that was created by my grandfather. Unlike any of my wands, this wand has three different types of wood melded together. Blackthorn, Holly, and Yew. It's core is the tail feather of the legendary black phoenix. This wand would only choose a person who's very existence defies the laws of life and death. Someone who has both the harshness of the cold winter, but also the playful nature of the snow. It's wielder would be a protector who holds many secrets to do what he needs to do."
Danny's eyes were wide as he listened to Mr. Ollivander. The wand seemed to be made for him. He silently paid for the wand and left the shop with his brother.
"You alright?" Harry asked.
"Yea... it was just... a little too accurate." Danny muttered as they made their way to the pet shop. They split up to choose a pet that would be perfect for each of them. Danny looked around at all the animals were showing signs of terror from the moment they set eyes on him. His gaze caught on a tiny black kitten with white fur on it's paws, ears, tail, and chest. It has one icy blue eye and one luminescent green eye. The little kitten was staring at him intensely.
"Ma'am," he called the store owner. "I want that one. The little kitten with blue and green eyes."
"Are you sure? This kitten has reject all the previous people who wanted to buy it." she asked.
"I'm sure." Danny nodded.
The woman got the kitten out. She had trouble holding it as it immediately leapt from her arms and onto Danny's shoulder. It curled it's tail around his head as it sat down on its new perch.
"I think you were right. That kitten is perfect for you." the woman smiled.
Danny laughed and paid her for the kitten and for the snowy owl Harry had picked.
They left the shop and took all their things to the Leaky Cauldron where the Weasleys were waiting.
"Took you long enough." Ron commented with a grin.
"Sorry. Harry and I blew through every wand Mr. Ollivander owned. Every single wand he ever made rejected me. He ended up giving me a wand that his grandfather made." Danny explained.
Molly's eyes widened. "That's unheard of."
"We're not your average customers I guess." Harry shrugged.
"What a cute kitten!" Fred said and went to scratch her's chin.
The kitten hissed and bit his finger.
"Ow!" Fred yelped and immediately pulled his hand away. Ron snickered at him.
"Sorry, Fred. Guess I should've mentioned that the shop lady told me this kitten had rejected everyone else who attempted to buy her. She seems to like me though." Danny said apologetically.
"It's alright. She didn't bite me too hard." Fred smiled a little after nursing the wound a little. "What will you name her?"
"Raven." Danny said. The kitten purred and nuzzled the side of his face.
"I named my owl Hedwig." Harry smiled.
"If we're all finished here, lets head back to the Burrow." Arthur said as he walked in.
They all nodded and headed home.
Once they were back, Danny walked outside with Harry following. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to show you something. Another power." Danny said
Harry jumped up and down excitedly.
Danny just rolled his eyes and held a hand out. The air seemed to warp as a hole was torn in the air. He let Harry to go through first before following.
The entrance to the portal closed behind them as they stepped into a large room that had white wall paper and an ecto-green carpet. There was a large couch in the room that was completely black and a set of stairs at the back end of the room. In front of the couch was a television. There was a door on the other side that was locked.
"Where are we?" Harry asked with wide eyes.
"This is my ghost lair. I only just recently figured out how to access it. You see, some ghosts have the ability to create portals back and forth between our world and the ghost zone to any location they want, but ALL ghosts can create portals between their lair and the last place they were at in the real world.
"That's so cool." Harry grinned.
Danny laughed and walked up the stairs. Harry followed.
The room the entered next was a large bedroom with a four poster bed that had green sheets. On one wall there was a very large door as the entryway to a vault. Danny walked over to it and put in a combination.
"Can't you just phase through it?" Harry asked.
Danny shook his head. "No. This vault was designed so that neither ghosts nor people can phase through it. It's from the real world and is made from a ghost resistant metal." he smiled as the door was unlocked and swung open. He then walked inside.
Harry looked inside and was surprised to see that the vault was large enough to fit ten Dursley houses.
Danny walked over to the far wall and placed the two Gringott's keys on a key hook. He also took a portion of the money he had left and placed it inside a money container which sat on his desk.
Harry looked around and saw several electronic devices that he'd never seen before. "What is this?"
"Ghost weaponry I've been working on. This vault doubles as a laboratory." Danny answered. "I'll teach you how to use some of it later. For now we need to head back before the others get worried."
Harry nodded and they walked out of the vault. Danny shut the door and locked it. Danny created another tear and they walked out.
Come the first of September, Danny had already read the first chapter of all the books they had bought that hadn't already been shown to him by Percy, deciding to get a little more ahead while he still had the opportunity. He'd also bought a bright green collar for his kitten with a black pendant that had the DP symbol on it.
The two woke that morning at five in the morning, to give them both time to get their things ready. Danny checked their lists over a few more times to make sure they had everything before packing both his and Harry's trunks. He'd managed to fit all of their things aside their wands into each case respectively. He then took everything downstairs to be loaded into the car.
Since Danny was significantly stronger than his brother, thanks to his ghost powers, he was the one carrying both trunks, while Harry carried their pets in their cages. Hedwig didn't seem to mind being in the cage for the time being. Raven on the other hand was throwing a fit. Danny ended up having to take the fussy kitten out of her cage and let her get up on his head, which was one of her usual perches.
The rest of the Weasleys took a little longer to get everything packed before they all loaded up in the car. They then road all the way to King's Cross Station to catch the train to Hogwarts.
Molly was complaining a little about the huge number of non-magical people as they made their way to the platform.
"Mom, can't I go..." Ginny asked.
"You're not old enough, Ginny, now be quiet. All right, Percy, you go first."
Percy made his way towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten. He ran towards the wall and disappeared to the other side.
"Fred,you next," the Molly said.
"I'm not Fred, I'm George," said the boy. "Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother? Can't you tell I'm George?"
"Sorry,George, dear."
"Only joking, I am Fred," said Fred, and off he went. It didn't take long for George to follow.
"You next Harry." Molly instructed.
Harry nodded. He took a deep breath and ran through the barrier, as he'd done many times in the past when seeing Ron's older siblings off.
Danny hurried after him.
They stared at the Hogwarts express in awe. Even though they'd seen it before, it was still a sight to behold.
Danny grabbed the trunks again and walked up into the train with them. Ron followed them. They found an empty compartment and sat down inside.
Hedwig had to be taken to a separate compartment with the other owls.
Raven and Ron's rat, Scabbers, stayed with them.
For whatever reason Raven hated Scabbers. Danny chalked it up to Raven not liking anyone aside him, his brother, and Hedwig. Though after Danny commanded her to leave the rat alone, she had decided to try glaring it away from atop his head.
They looked up as something came clattering down the corridor. The door slid back revealing a smiling, dimpled woman. "Anything off the cart, dears?"
Ron pulled out his plastic wrapped sandwich "I'm good."
Harry,however, pulled out some of the money he still had left. "We'll take the lot."
Ron stared at the handful of gold and silver with wide eyes. "Woah." Even though they'd been living together, Harry hadn't told him anything about how much money they had, as he believed it would be rude to flaunt it to Ron's poor family.
The seats were now piled to the brim with a different assortment of candy. The three boys forgot their previous awkwardness and dug in.
Harry held up a pack of Chocolate Frogs. He pulled the card out and looked down at it. "I've got Dumbledore."
Danny looked over his shoulder as he flipped it over and read it.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard of Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.
Harry turned the card back over and saw that Dumbledore's face had disappeared.
" No, I've got Morgana again and I've got about six of her ...do you want it?" Ron asked, as he'd also been opening one.
Ron's eyes strayed to the pile of Chocolate Frogs waiting to be unwrapped.
"Help yourself," said Harry.
While Harry was looking through the cards, Danny opened a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
"George gave me a spell the other day. It's supposed to turn Scabbers . I'll show you." Ron rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a very battered-looking wand. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.
"Unicorn hair's nearly poking out. Anyway -"
They were interrupted when the compartment door slid open. There was a girl with her school uniform already on and a boy with a round face standing there.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," she said. She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth.
"Haven't seen it." The Potter twins muttered at the same time.
The girl looked down at Ron. "Oh, are you doing magic? Lets see it then." She sat down in front of him, and beside Danny. Harry had moved over to Ron's side some time ago.
Ron looked taken aback. "Er - all right."
He cleared his throat.
"Sunshine,daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."
He waved his wand, but nothing happened. Scabbers stayed gray and fast asleep.
"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said the girl. "Well, it'snot very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course. I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is. I've heard- I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough - I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"
She said all this very fast.
"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron muttered
"Harry Potter," said Harry.
"Daniel Potter. Call me Danny." Danny sighed.
"Are you really?" said Hermione. "I know all about you, of course - I got a few extra books for background reading, and you'rein Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."
"Stalker much?" Danny deadpanned, feeling a little creeped out that this girl knew so much about them already.
Hermione got up. "I suppose I'd better start helping Neville some more. You three should change. I expect we'll be arriving soon."
The boys got into a conversation concerning Quidditch when three other boys entered the compartment. The boy in the middle had slick blonde hair and pale skin. The boy was looking at the twins in interest.
"Is it true?" he asked. "They're saying all down the train that the Potter twins are in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"Yes,"answered Harry. He was looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean. Standing on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.
"Oh,this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly,noticing where Harry was looking. "And my name's Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco Malfoy looked at him.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."
He turned back to the twins. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potters. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
He held out his hand to shake Harry's but Harry didn't take it.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coldly, slapping his hand away.
Draco Malfoy didn't go red, but a pink tinge appeared on his pale cheeks.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, eith-" he didn't have time to say any more as Danny flashed forward in the blink of an eye and decked Malfoy in the face hard enough to send him into the far wall with a loud CRACK!
Crabbe and Goyle went to hit him, but weren't fast enough to lay a hand on him as he moved back and smacked their skulls together.
The three boys all collapsed on the ground as he stood there, cracking his knuckles. The whole corridor had turned icy cold, and frost was running down the walls. Harry and Ron were watching him with wide eyes.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Malfoy." Danny repeated mockingly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your ex-leader Voldemort. He didn't know what was good for him either. Couldn't even handle a baby. You really think I'm scared of a man who got bested by a one year old? Don't make me laugh you pathetic brat. Think you're cool by praising a deceased serial killer? I'll be sure to make Dumbledore aware of a possible traitor. That is unless you want to just forget this ever happened and run along like a good boy?" Danny smirked at the look of horror on Malfoy's face. His gaze was cold as steel, which unnerved Malfoy greatly.
Malfoy quickly got up and fled down the corridor followed by his lackey all the while holding his now bloody nose.
"Harry. I'm terrified of your brother." Ron managed to squeak out.
"Don't worry. I think by the end of this term, everyone will be." Harry muttered.
"Lets get dressed." Danny ordered, slamming the door shut again. Harry and Ron nodded so fast it looked like their heads might fall off their shoulders.
The rest of the train ride was completely silent. Ron and Harry were too shaken up to say anything as they got into their robes, and Danny was still fuming.
Finally, though, Ron seemed to find his voice, though it was shaky. "Hey,Danny... how... how did you make ice appear on the walls earlier?"
Harry wondered if Danny would explain.
Danny sighed. There was no point in hiding it now. He knew that he could trust Ron, though. In a way, Ron kinda reminded him of Tucker. Though without the technology craze and perverted tendencies. "I have... abilities... that humans don't normally have. See... I'm half ghost. As a ghost, I have an ice core, which has influence over me no matter what form I'm in, and can be triggered by my emotions much like our magic." he explained.
Ron's jaw dropped. "No way."
Harry nodded. "It's true. He can turn back and forth between his human form and his ghost form. First time I ever saw was when we were attacked by the ghost coyote."
"What ghost coyote?" Ron asked.
"Well. See... when Danny and I told you how his shoulder got all torn up we didn't tell you the whole truth. It wasn't a normal coyote. It was a ghost that had shape shifted to look like one. Danny had to turn into his ghost form to get rid of it." Harry explained
"Bloody hell. Can you show me your ghost form?" Ron asked eagerly, fear completely forgotten.
"I'd best not. I would appreciate it if you kept this a secret between us. I only told you because I feel you'd just find out anyways either from Harry telling you or from us getting into some sort of trouble where I have no choice but to use my powers. It's simpler for us all that I just tell you." Danny told him. "Imagine what would happen if the rest of the wizarding world found out what I am. I've heard magical creatures in this world are treated terribly. The second they find out, they'll try to use me as some sort of pet."
Ron nodded slowly. "I understand. Sorry Danny. You can trust me. I won't tell a soul."
"Thank you." Danny smiled gratefully.
They looked up as the train came to a stop and they were told to leave their things on the train. Danny frowned, hoping they wouldn't mind Raven, who was out cold on top of his head. The incident with Malfoy hadn't roused her in the slightest.
Danny and the others stepped out onto a tiny, dark platform. He could tell the others were shivering from the cold air, though he relished init. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and Danny heard a familiar voice:
"Firs'years! Firs' years over here!"
Danny's eyes widened as he recognized the man named Hagrid from that night all those years ago.
Hagrid's big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads.
"C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
Slipping and stumbling, they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep,narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much. Neville, the boy who kept losing his toad, sniffed once or twice.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud "Oooooh!"
The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
"No more'n four a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by he shore. Danny slipped into one of the boats followed by Ron, Harry, and Hermione.
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then- FORWARD!"
The fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake,which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; and they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto the rocks and pebbles.
"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.
"Trevor!"cried Neville blissfully, holding out his hands. Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?"
Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle doors.
The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid, I will take them from here."
She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of the Dursleys' house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. They were led into a small empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in,standing rather closer together than they would usually have done,peering about nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Danny looked at the others, who seemed very nervous.
He rolled his eyes as everyone began freaking out at the idea of it being some sort of difficult test. He turned to them. "Calm yourselves. You heard her. She said it was a ceremony. Not a test. So don't assume the worst. I very highly doubt they expect us to cast spells right now. We weren't instructed to learn anything of our own over the summer. They wouldn't want an accidental explosion from a miscast spell on the first day I'm sure."
After hearing this, most of them began to calm.
Suddenly, something happened that made Harry jump about a foot in the air -several people behind them screamed.
"What the-?"
Everyone aside the Potter twins and Ron gasped in surprise. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was saying: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost -I say, what are you all doing here?"
A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.
Only Danny spoke up. "Waiting for the Sorting Ceremony."
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Fat Friar. "My old house, you know."
"Move along now," a sharp voice cut in. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."
Danny's eyes were wide as he stared around the great hall in amazement. They were led towards a tattered pointy hat that sat upon a four legged stool. He noticed everyone had turned to stare at the hat, and for a few seconds there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth - and the hat began to sing:
"Oh,you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge me on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You'rein safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
"So we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron whispered to Harry. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."
One by one, Mcgonagall called the students forward, until finally, it was Danny's turn.
As expected, Danny's last name caught the attention of everyone in the hall. It didn't take a genius for them to realize who came after him either.
Danny stepped forward and sat on the stool. Mcgonagall slowly placed the hat on his head.
"Hmm,"said a small voice in his ear. "I've never seen one quite like you before. Endless courage, the likes of which this world has never seen. Very intelligent. So loyal you would gladly sacrifice your own life to save your loved ones. And there's cunning too. You hid your powers away from everyone using whatever means you deemed necessary for a long time. All so you could protect them, and in fear of what people might have done to you had they found out. Your methods may sometimes be against the norms of society, some may even consider you a bit of a villain, but you do what you have to do to prevent as much innocent blood from being shed as you can. I think I know just what to do with you.- SLYTHERIN!"
Mcgonagall pulled the hat off him, and he strode over to the Slytherin other students quickly made a space for him, obviously having been told by Malfoy that he was a dangerous kid. He caught Ron's shocked gaze and Harry's worried one at the idea of Danny being in the 'evil' house.
Harry strode forward as his name was called and the hat seemed to take just as long to decide with him. Finally it came to a decision."GRYFFINDOR!"
Danny was sad that he wasn't in the same house as his twin, and he could tell Harry was just as upset. But that didn't mean they couldn't still be just as close as before. Contrary to popular belief, Danny didn't mind a little rivalry between them either. A little separation will be good for him. He needs to learn how to cope without me hovering over his shoulder all the time. I can still protect him no matter what.
Danny smiled however when he saw that Ron had also been sorted into Gryffindor. At least he won't be alone when he's with his house.
Once the ceremony was over, Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students,his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome!"he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit!Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. The dishes in front of them almost instantly filled up with an endless amount of food.
Danny turned to his plate and started eating silently. A few of the other Slytherins were staring at him apprehensively. Good. That's just how I want it. If they're afraid of me they'll leave me so long as that Malfoy kid is terrified of me, he won't touch Harry.
-Harry's POV-
Harry was eating his food quietly while sitting beside Ron. His heart stung a little from being separated from Danny. They'd never been separated before. Though, in a way, he knew Slytherin did seem to suit his brother rather well. Maybe even too well. He just hoped his twin didn't end up killing someone. Namely Malfoy. While he was never strong enough to protect Danny in terms of physical strength, he was always the one keeping Danny from going too far.
The Weasley twins were both looking at Harry with sympathy.
"We're sorry, Harry."
"We don't know how we'd handle,"
"being separated like that."
"So,if you want,"
"We'll let your brother visit us in our common room."
Harry looked at them in surprise. "Really?"
The twins nodded. Percy seemed to agree. "Yea. Your brother is fine. You've both become members of the family since you moved in."
Harry beamed at them.
"Can't believe Danny got put in that house. Even if he is terrifying." Ron muttered.
Harry shrugged. "Danny was placed in Slytherin because of how secretive he is. That much I'm sure of. He kept his true self hidden away from everyone for years. And he'll do whatever he needs to do to protect the people he cares about. Even if that task requires him to use rather unconventional means. But think of it this way. We now basically have a spy in Slytherin house."
The other Gryffindors looked at each other before they all started to grin.
-Danny'sPOV-
Danny found himself rather interested in the Hogwarts ghosts. They weren't like the ones he was used to. Some of the Slytherins had started trying to converse with him, but he just ignored them, uninterested.
At last, the feast was over, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.
"Ahem- just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.
"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that too."
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors."
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."
"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
There was muttering all about the hall.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
Danny clamped his hands down on his ears to block out what he deemed to be chaos, NOT music. Raven was obviously not happy either as she dug her claws into his head.
Once it was over, Danny followed the other Slytherins to their common room, which was down in the dungeons.
The room was completely decorated with green. There were black couches about the room and a fireplace at the center of it. There were also several snakes decorating it.
Danny waited until everyone fell asleep before doing anything, which didn't take very long. He pried Raven off his head and set her in bed before leaving the room. Looking around to ensure he wouldn't be seen, he transformed into his ghost form before flying out of the room.
Using his ghost abilities, he started exploring all around the castle,memorizing where classes were and where all the staircases as to why the third-floor corridor was off limits to the students, he flew directly to it and started examining every nook and cranny before coming to a locked door.
Danny turned himself intangible and then peeked into the room. What he saw had his eyes widening considerably. An enormous three headed dog was standing guard over a small trap door. Hoooolllly shiiiit. Danny thought to himself. He quickly left the room and went to find the Gryffindor common room. He glided through the door before looking around for his brother. He finally found his twin already asleep. He shook Harry's shoulder roughly.
Harry shot up out of the covers in alarm and was about to shout before Danny placed a hand on his mouth to keep him quiet. Realizing Danny needed to tell him something important, he nodded and followed the halfa into the main room.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"I've been exploring. I know why the third-floor corridor is off limits a massive three headed dog in there that's guarding a trapdoor." Danny explained quickly.
"What?! You could've gotten hurt!" Harry exclaimed.
Danny rolled his eyes. "It's you I'm worried about. Harry I can turn intangible in a heartbeat. A dog can't touch me. But it can touch you."
Harry crossed his arms.
"Just please be careful." Danny pleaded.
Harry rolled his eyes at his brother's worrying. "I'll be fine, . But... thank you for telling me. You be careful too."He then hugged Danny, who hugged back immediately.
"I'll see you in the morning." Danny smiled and glided out of the room again.
Having taken care of that Danny started exploring again.
Deciding he'd explored enough for the night, he went back to his common room and went to bed.
