Harry Potter and Sirius Black had just called into Gringotts Bank in Diagon Alley, when all hell broke loose; some maniac with a turban on his head was running straight for them. The man grabbed Harry by the throat, but let out a blood-curdling scream, when his hand literally started to burn; smoke curling up like some evil genie, from the rapidly blackening things, that were once his hands.
Goblins were charging forward with swords and axes drawn. The man, Professor Quirinus Quirrell, spun and started throwing curses at the oncoming guards, killing four in as many seconds, then in a blind panic, ran back the way he had come.
Sirius reached out and made a grab for him, but only managed to get hold of a piece of cloth, hanging from his turban, pulling it from his head; revealing a terrible sight, for out of the back of his head, was an almost snake like face, with red eyes glaring at all those around him. Professor Quirrell was hosting Lord Voldemort, the most evil and feared wizard of all time. Quirrell ran back down the tunnel he had emerged from, not twenty seconds before, with a host of goblins after him. They had gone quite away into the tunnels, turning this way and that, getting deeper all the time, the goblins in hot pursuit; he was firing curses over his shoulders, as he was running and never noticed the dragon rearing up in front of him. CHOMP! All that was left of Quirrell/Voldemort were his feet.
Griphook called Harry and Sirius into a private office, after exchanging greetings he told them what had happened to Professor Quirrell/Voldemort. He thanked them for their help in thwarting the escape and then went on to business. Goblins do not waste much time in idle chatter, especially when dealing with important customers.
"What can I do for you today," Griphook asked.
Sirius then took charge, "We would like you to draw up a partnership agreement between Myself, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. We want the partnership to form a company; we thought we would call it Magical Pets Inc."
"That's not a problem, we can draw them up now and all you will need to do is get the individuals to prick their thumbs and press it to the patch next to their name to activate it."
Sirius nodded in understanding, "We also want the company to purchase The Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley, can you organise that for us."
Griphook had documents drawn up for the Partnership, company and purchase. "As soon as everyone signs the forms and presses their thumbs to them, they will disappear and will be magically registered. We can then enter into negotiations with the owner of The Magical Menagerie, on your behalf."
Finished with their business at the bank, they made their way to The Leaky Cauldron, where they met Hermione, Luna and Neville for lunch. They took turns signing all the documents and pricking their thumbs, pressing the blood into the patch next to their signatures, when the last one had finished a golden glow surrounded the documents, and they vanished.
Harry told them all about what had happened in the bank, and how the dragon ate Quirrell/Voldemort.
Sirius had a huge grin on his face, "You know when a dragon eats, their throat closes so nothing can come back up," Sirius paused and the children were wondering what he was going on about when he started again, "there is only one way Voldemort can get out and that's when the dragon has a dump."
The four children were nearly wetting themselves, they were laughing so hard. They were just starting to calm down when Neville piped up, "Maybe we should call him Old Dragon Dung,"
"Or instead of The Dark Lord we could call him The Fart Lord," added Luna, causing them all to burst out laughing again.
No one noticed the woman sitting at the next table, pull out a quill, and jot down some notes and leave.
Finishing their lunch, they made their way over to Madam Malkin's for school robes;
"I won't be a moment dears, just finishing up this young man then it will be your turn," said Madame Malkin.
A young blond boy with a haughty appearance was standing on a pedestal being measured for his Robes.
"Now don't forget" said the pompous prat, "to put my family crest on them all"
Madam Malkin just harrumphed at him and continued to take measurements.
"I'm Lord Draco Malfoy, I'm a Baron and my father is a Viscount. Who are you?" asked the blond, with his nose in the air as if there were a bad smell under it.
"What a tosser." Harry said via his link with Hermione.
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Hermione replied with a little chuckle.
"I'm Harry, this is Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and last but definitely not least is Luna Lovegood."
"You are supposed to add my title when you address me," said the pompous boy. "Granger, I don't know that name, are your parents Muggles?"
"They are both non-magical if that's what you mean Baron Malfoy?" answered Hermione, she then smirked and winked to the others.
"Oh you're a mudblood then, I thought there was a foul stench in here," Draco replied "as far as I'm concerned your lot shouldn't be allowed in Hogwarts."
Before any of them could reply to that insult, Madame Malkin finished with the young Lord and bowed him out of the shop.
Madame Malkin apologised for the unpleasantness of Lord Draco Malfoy, and assured them that she did not hold with the ways of the pureblood bigots. She proceeded to measure them, and asked if they would like any modifications made to their robes. Harry said that they would need Leather patches on the shoulders and forearms as well as multiple pockets, like Hagrid had in his coat.
They didn't need to buy school trunks, as Sirius had purchased special trunks, that had multiple compartments and had blood wards to lock them. Only those who were keyed in, could open them, they also had a shrinking charm so if they tapped the top with their wands the trunks would shrink to the size of a matchbox, tap it again and it would return to full size. He also got them feather light never full book bags, every book they put in, would appear in an index, if they tapped the title with their wand, the book would come to the top so they could take it out.
They spent a good two hours in Flourish and Blots, the bookshop, and must have bought at least forty books each. They bought parchment, quills and ink from the stationary shop, although they were mainly going to use muggle notebooks and fountain pens.
Harry particularly liked Quality Quidditch Supplies, where they had the new Nimbus 2000 on display; he went inside and purchased one for each of them.
After purchasing their potion supplies from the apothecary, they decided to go straight home, as it had been a tiring day.
The next morning Harry and Sirius were having breakfast, when The Daily Prophet arrived by owl post.
The Headline ran,
Harry Potter Foils Robbery at Gringotts.
By Rita Skeeter
Yesterday The-Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter, foiled an attempt by Hogwarts Professor, Quirinus Quirrell, to rob Gringotts Bank. Professor Quirrell who had the Dark Lord inhabiting him, tried to attack young Harry by grabbing him by the throat. Normally this would be no problem to He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named, this time however, when he grabbed hold of young Mr Potter, his hand burst into flames.
Mr Potter said that The Dark Lord squealed like a stuck pig and ran back down the tunnels to escape from him, killing forty goblins as he went.
Professor Quirrell/The Dark Lord was stopped, when one of Gringotts dragons ate him.
Potter was later heard speculating with his friends, about whether they should now call him, The Fart Lord.
Sirius spat food all over the table when he read that, "bloody hell, Rita Skeeter overheard us yesterday, read this," he said while handing over the paper to Harry.
Harry read the article, shrugged his shoulders and said, "a few exaggerations, but that pretty much sums up what happened. If we don't want anyone to overhear us, then we shouldn't talk in public." He then went back to eating his breakfast while reading one of his new books.
oo00oo
September 1st came very quickly and Sirius was taking Harry to Kings Cross station, where they met Hermione, Neville and Luna.
Sirius explained to the Grangers, how to get onto the platform, after hugs all round the children were on the train, with their luggage shrunk and in their pockets, Harry hung Hedwig's cage from a hook and Hermione let Crookshanks out of his cage. They finally made themselves comfortable, when twelve miniature dragons popped into the compartment and arranged themselves on any free space they could find.
Neville was scratching the eye-ridges of Snap, his bronze dragon, "You know Harry I'm really happy that Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall managed to get a dragon each, I don't mind how it interrupted our birthday party, now that we are allowed to bring them to school with us."
*** Flashback ***
Harry, Hermione and Neville's party was just starting, when all the adult dragons swooped into the room warbling, the elves who had been alerted apparated everyone to the hatching ground. Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore were the first ones into the room and seated next to a bowl of chicken each. Everyone that wanted a dragon had a male egg in front of them, the rest of the male and all of the female eggs were behind a barrier, so that no one could bond with them by mistake.
The first person to bond with a dragon funnily enough, was Ron Weasley. He had picked up a piece of chicken, intent on eating it himself, when his egg cracked open and the little blue dragon latched on. It was touch and go for a minute there but the dragon won out in the end. Ron ended up calling his dragon Thief, which suited the little creature, as he was always stealing food from him. Next was Professor McGonagall who got a bronze, followed by Professor Dumbledore who also got a bronze. Madame Bones and her Niece Susan, each got a black one. There were seven others there and everyone managed to bond with a dragon, including the two staff members from The Magical Menagerie. There would not be any more free eggs; anyone who wanted one now, would have to purchase them from the shop in Diagon Alley or in Maroochydore, Australia which Harry and Sirius had transferred to Magical Pets Inc. They were also intending to buy pet shops in America, Asia and Europe.
*** End Flashback ***
"I know what you mean," Harry replied, "I wonder how Ron is getting on with Thief?" he asked chuckling.
"Why don't we ask him? If I'm not mistaken, that would be him now." Luna, who hadn't looked up from the book she was reading said with a glint in her eye.
Just then the door opened and Ron stuck his head in, "hi everyone, did you have a nice Holiday? I had a great time we went over to Romania to visit Charlie; you should have seen his face when he saw our Dragons. They get on really well, with the normal sized dragons too." Ron rambled on.
"RON," Hermione said looking up at him, "don't you ever draw breath."
Ron turned bright crimson, "Sorry guys I guess I'm just excited. I must say though I am glad that Dumbledore and McGonagall allowed us to bring them to school."
"Yeah, Neville was saying the same thing just before you entered," Harry commented. "Why don't you take a seat Ron, your making the place look untidy?"
Ron shut the door and sat down, when it was opened again, by none other than Lord Draco Malfoy and his two bookends. "I heard that Harry Potter is on the train," he said looking directly at Harry, is that you? And what on earth is going on with your and the mudblood's hair?" He asked.
"To answer you first question, yes I am. As for your second, that, is none of your business, Baron Malfoy." Harry answered, "Now please leave."
With that, the pompous prat found himself pushed out of the compartment and the door slamming shut in his face and no matter how much he tried, it would not open for him.
"So Ron," Hermione asked, "how are you getting on with thief?"
"He's great, except he won't let me take more than one plate of food and if I try and pile it up, he nicks it. I tried covering it with my arms once and he just flamed me, the little bugger."
Luna looked up at this, "Ronald, language!"
"Sorry Luna. Thanks for letting me have one Harry, he's fantastic, it's like he knows what I'm thinking and how I'm feeling."
"You're welcome Ron, I am really pleased you're getting on well with him; it's also a great way of generating interest in them and who better to give them too, than our friends."
The trolley lady came by just then and Hermione bought a whole stack of snacks for them all, while Harry pulled some chicken out of one of the pockets of his robe, to feed the dragons. Luna had a flask of orange juice, where as Neville produced a flask of pumpkin juice for Ron and himself, they all had a great time feeding their faces and talking about the holidays.
oo00oo
The Headmaster was sitting in his office, sucking on a Sherbet Lemon, when all the school governors flooed in, Lucius Malfoy scowled at the Headmaster, "Why were we summoned."
"I...I don't know Lucius, I didn't summon you."
"Well someone did," he shouted, while brandishing a parchment with the Hogwarts' logo on the top, "I received this, this morning, demanding I be here for the sorting."
The other members of the board all agreed with Viscount Malfoy, they were all waving identical parchments at the confused headmaster.
Just then, the fire flared green yet again, the minister of magic and Madame Bones the head of the DMLE and Rita Skeeter stepped out. Minster Fudge smiled ingratiatingly at the gathered wizards, "We are here as requested Headmaster," he spent some time pumping flesh with everyone, "what seems to be the problem headmaster? You know I am always ready to help Hogwarts if I can."
"As I was just telling the others," the Headmaster replied, "I have no idea, I didn't send any letters out requesting you to attend the sorting."
The Minister of magic, always looking for good publicity, insisted that everyone stay and show their support for the new students at Hogwarts, especially since he knew that Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, was starting this year.
The Headmaster called for an elf and had the staff table extended, to make room for the honoured guests.
oo00oo
The train finally pulled to a stop in Hogsmead and everyone disembarked.
In the darkness, a lamp could be seen bobbing over the heads of all the children, then Harry heard a familiar voice, "Firs yers, firs yers ova ere, you righ ther Arry," Said Rubeus Hagrid.
"Yes thanks Hagrid," he answered with a wave, Hermione, Neville and Luna all waved to him as well.
Hagrid led the group to some little boats and they made their way to Hogwarts, where he handed them over to Professor McGonagall.
"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 houses 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 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 will be awarded the house cup, a great honour. 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 that you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can, while you are waiting, I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly," she then left the chamber.
As soon as she had gone, Draco came up to Harry and started berating him for making fun of The Dark Lord. "Don't you know that the Dark Lord is the most powerful wizard that ever lived and you dare to make fun of him."
"He's the most powerful wizard ever is he? I defeated him when I was only fifteen months old, and then just a few weeks ago he ran away squealing like a stuck pig when he touched me. Yeah,The Fart Lord is one powerful dude alright."
All the other students burst out laughing at that and Draco snuck away his face blazing with anger.
Professor McGonagall came back and looked at them, wondering what was going on. Usually the first years were nervous, but these looked like they had just been laughing. "All right, before we go in, we have some very important people visiting today, the Minister of Magic and the head of the DMLE are here, as is the full school board, so be on your best behaviour, follow me now and we will sort you into your houses." She led them back across the front hall and through a set of double doors into the great hall; it was lit with thousands and thousands of candles, which were floating in mid air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. The tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table, where the teachers and the visitors were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up there, so that they came to a halt in a line, facing the other students with the teachers behind them.
The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candle light. Professor McGonagall silently placed a stool in front of the first years, on top of the stool she placed a pointed wizards hat, it was patched, frayed and extremely dirty. Everyone was watching the hat and the room was completely silent. Then the hat twitched, a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth and the hat began to speak.
"Hogwarts' staff and students beware, the Prophesy of "the twins who are not", is about to be fulfilled. They will fight for the light, crushing their enemies before them. They will sweep away the evil and the corrupt, to usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Be careful on which side you stand, support them and you will find peace and happiness. Oppose them and you will face doom and destruction." The hat paused, "Let the sorting begin."
The hall was shocked and silent at the words that the Sorting Hat had uttered, this was not the usual frivolous song, but a dire warning, spoken in a sombre tone that still echoed in their minds and sent a chill up the spine.
Professor Dumbledore, contemplated what the Sorting Hat had said, the prophesy of the twins who are not, he thought, I will have to look that up and see what it says.
Professor McGonagall looked down at the parchment before her and read the message at the top.
Read the names in the exact order as shown on this list.
Professor McGonagall was surprised at this, as there had never been instructions before.
"Abbott, Hannah" Hannah stepped forward picked up the hat, sat down and rather nervously placed the hat on her head, "Hufflepuff" the hat called out, after removing the hat she ran to the Hufflepuff table amid cheers and applause. The sorting went quickly after that, but when they reached the G's McGonagall noticed that Hermione Granger wasn't listed and she went straight to Greengrass, Daphne who was sorted into Slytherin. Neville Longbottom was called and sorted into Gryffindor as was Luna Lovegood. There was no surprise that Draco Malfoy was sorted into Slytherin, and when Professor McGonagall finally reached the P's the hall went deathly silent, what house would Harry Potter be sorted into? Professor McGonagall paused and then skipped over Harry, to proceed on through the list. Everyone was whispering wondering why Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, hadn't been called.
Harry and Hermione were speculating via their link, as to why their names hadn't been called but couldn't come up with any valid reasons.
Professor McGonagall kept reading the list, the hat sorted Ron Weasley into Gryffindor with the rest of his family; finally, she reached the Z's and the last student, Zabini, Blaise was sorted into Slytherin.
There were two people still to be sorted; silence filled the hall as everyone waited with bated breath, to see what would happen to Harry Potter and the witch standing beside him. Her hair was intertwining with his and everyone who did not know them, were stunned by the display. Then Professor McGonagall called out "Granger, Hermione"
Hermione stepped forward, back straight, she picked up the Hat sat down and placed it on her head, "Lady Ravenclaw, The Marchioness of Keswick, Joint owner of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The hat declared loudly, and then quietly told her to just stand beside the stool and wait for Harry.
"What the Hell, how can a FILTHY MOODBLOOD out rank me?" Screamed Draco Malfoy.
"Baron Malfoy, fifty points from Slytherin for interrupting the ceremony and using that disgusting term," Professor McGonagall shouted, "now sit down and mind your manners or you will have a detention as well."
The Headmaster was not impressed with young Baron Malfoy, he would have to look at ways to rid the school of those attitudes.
Professor McGonagall read the last name on the list, "Potter, Harry."
The magic rippled and crackled, causing his robes to billow and swirl around him, as he strode the half dozen or so paces, to where Hermione was standing. He took the hat from her and placed it on his head, not bothering to sit down. The deep baritone voice of the Sorting Hat reverberated around the hall. "His Grace, The Duke of Ynys Môn and Iona; Marquis of Ynys Môn and Hogsmead; Earl of Diagon, Inchcolm and Ynys Enlli; Viscount Potter of Diagon; Baron Potter of Hogsmead, Iona and Ynys Enlli," It paused as if catching its breath, "joint owner of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
oo00oo
A/N. Please review it's what keeps us going.
Raven Spotter