I hope that by now, all of you have noticed that chapter 1 and chapter 2 have been updated, as I have been changing somethings from the descriptions, etc. If you haven't read the new version, then I invite you to read it. Also, I really hope I'll be able to finish posting all the chapters between this week and next, because I am really busy with college this year. This two weeks I have as a break, so I really, really hope I'll be able to finish up. However, I am thinking about having my eyes fixed, so maybe the plan will change. :C. Anyway, thanks for reading, and don't forget to review your thoughts!
4. First day.
The Platform bidding goodbye to the Hogwarts Express was showing the typical chaos; multitude of parents hugging their children goodbye, teenagers pushing their luggage through, boys and girls meeting their friends. The students that had pets were hurrying to leave them with the other owls, cats and frogs already on the side. Other, lonelier children, were already on the carriages, waiting for the train to part.
But among all the wonderful, colourful chaos, Charles Potter was also saying goodbye.
"I don't want to get another letter from Professor McGonagall informing me of the trouble you caused, young man," Lily Potter warned her son sternly, as she hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. "No dementors or basilisks this year, okay, sweetie?"
Charles rolled his eyes to his father, who shrugged sheepishly. While James also worried about his son, he couldn't help but feel a bit proud of Charles's accomplishments, and as long as he managed to be safe, James didn't complain.
Finally, Lily let go, and James moved to hug their son, messing Charles's already messy hair as he also let go.
"Dad!" Charles complained, his hands already moving to fix his messier brown hair.
"Take good care, kiddo!"
Charles groaned, knowing his parent's long list of tips was starting. He moved towards the train, wanting to escape his overwhelming parents.
"Don't start any duels," Lily said with a smile, weaving goodbye.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" James exclaimed before Charles burst into laughter, specially, when he heard his mother call out a loud 'James!'
After all, there weren't a lot of things James Potter wouldn't do.
The Hogwarts Express was, as always, a sight to behold. The model was painted crimson red, it's large corridor held to one side the suspiciously big compartments, with its large seats and coffee table. The glow from outside the train, dark of light, gave the compartments and the corridor something that could only be described as a different kind of magic. Charles passed by each compartment, peeking through the door windows, weaving when he recognized some of his classmates. It was until he got to the end the train that he found his friends, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones inside a compartment, talking and smiling. He became friends with Dean and Seamus because they shared a dorm with him. His friendship with Hannah and Susan, however, was the result of the Chamber of Secrets in his second year.
Charles opened the door and entered the compartment, causing the conversation to stop, but overall, his friends seemed pleased to see him.
"Hi, Dean, Seamus, did you have fun in your holiday?" he asked, grinning, looking at Dean and Seamus.
"Hi, Charles," answered Dean, finishing the touches to his latest drawing, this one, of Hogwarts, "Yeah, we had lots of fun. How was France?"
Charles and his family had gone to France – mainly because a Ministry Party they had been pretty much obliged to go to.
"Nah, it was okay," Charles sighed, rolling his eyes, "I hate those things."
Dean and Seamus looked sympathetic, and to turn their faces out, Charles turned to the remaining friends on the compartment; the girls.
"Hi, Hannah, Susan," he greeted them, a wide smile on his face, "Good break?"
"Hi Charles, and yes, it was great; Hannah staid in my house half the summer and we had a lot of fun," Susan told him cheerfully.
"I am glad you had fun," Charles said, sincerely, while he closed his eyes.
Dean frowned, and Hannah across from him played with a lock of her hair. Charles seemed unusually tired and talkative to them.
"Anyone has an idea as for who will be the Defense against Dark Arts professor this year?" asked Charles, without opening his eyes.
Seamus shook his head, "No, we don´t know who it could be."
"I'm certain of one thing, though. I'm going to miss Professor Lupin," Dean said rummaging through his bag for his Exploding Snap cards, "Anyone wants to play?" he asked, holding the cards up.
Everyone but Charles agreed to play so the rest of the ride was spent in a playful mood, with Hannah kicking their butts on the game. Finally, when the train was nearing Hogsmeade, Charles woke up, and he and the boys left the compartment, letting the girls change into their school robes. Fifteen minutes later, the girls came out, and it was their turn. They arrived at Hogsmeade, following the path they had walked in for the last two years, and when the carriage arrived, they shared.
Once they arrived at the Great Hall, the five friends immediately walked to their usual spots at their respective tables; Gryffindor, for Dean, Seamus and Charles, and Hufflepuff for both Susan and Hannah.
Dean, Seamus and Charles were just initiating a conversation when the doors opened admitting Professor McGonagall, the first years trailing behind him. She went to the front, and got out a piece of parchment, with what they knew was the names of the new students.
But first, she placed the Sorting Hat, ugly and brown, on the top of a stool. It came to life, to the amazement of the first years, and then started to sing:
A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
formed their own house, for each
did value different virtues
in the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
The Hall erupted in applause and cheers at the hat's song. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to quiet them before talking to the first years.
"When I say your name, I want you to come here and I will place the hat in your head, to be sorted," she sternly, and so, the sorting began.