Chapter Three.
The beginning of school.
Hailey packed her trunk, took the perch with her phoenix, which was quite big for only a month and went to King's Cross station by the Knight bus.
She found the platform using her dad's guide. When she read that she had to run through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 she was skeptical, but when she opened her eyes she was staring at the Hogwarts Express. It was absolutely marvelous. All red and shiny. There was a lot of people there already, so Hailey went a bit quicker, until she saw the Weasleys. There were all of them, a whole family, something Hailey would never have, but somehow she didn't envy, she almost felt like a part of that family, so she hurried to them. Molly smiled at her: "Ah, Hailey, there you are. Had no problems getting here?" Hailey smiled in return: "No, none. Dad left me a whole book of tips, maps… well, useful stuff. I'm so excited." Someone cleared his throat. Molly blushed: "Right. Hailey, meet my husband Arthur Weasley and the rest of our children – Percy, Fred, George, Ron & Ginny. Weasleys, this is Hailey Potter, daughter of Adam and Rose." The young witch shook hands with everyone and even hugged Molly before boarding the train with Bill & Charlie, who was as excited as she was.
They joined Nimphadora Tonks in her compartment. Tonks turned out to be a very cute 16 year old with light blue hair, only one couldn't tell whether she really looked that way, or it was a make up. Hailey concentrated hard and her hair became red. The other girl smiled: "Bill, Charlie, didn't know you had another sister…" The boys frowned and laughed seeing Hailey: "No, this is our new friend. Hailey Potter, she's a metamorph mage." Tonks smile became brighter: "Really? Wow, I so hoped there would be another one. So, what house do you think you'll be in? I'm a 6th year Griffindor." Hailey smiled: "Well, I hope to be one as well. What are you going to do after NEWTs?" Tonks blushed a bit: "Well, I'm going to be an Auror." Bill chuckled: "Nice, I have three years to go, but I'll study curse-breaking at Gringotts, Charlie will work with dragons." Hailey nodded her understanding. It was good to know what you wanted, not decide at the last moment. She hoped she would be able to do that as well.
***
The Hogwarts Express reached Hogwarts at sunset. The school could be seen in the light of the setting sun. It stood on the top of a hill and the sunlight surrounded it like a circle of pure light. Hailey smiled. It was the most beautiful thing she has ever seen, she couldn't wait to get closer. Her phoenix sat on her shoulder and sang cheerfully. The gamekeeper, who according to Adam's notes was a half giant, showed the first years to the boats. They would be coming to Hogwarts by the lake, while the other students took a shorter road. Hailey sat in a boat and was soon joined by three of her future classmates, all girls.
Hailey paid little attention to them, she was entranced by the magnificent castle in front of them. Hailey could see the lion, eagle, snake and badger, the representations of Hogwarts' wards. They bowed to her and Hailey felt the tingling of magic around her, as the wards adjusted to the magical signature of the heiress.
All the way at the headmaster's office Albus Dumbledore frowned, he felt the wards withdrawing and it was a very bad sign. It meant that an heir, or all of them were in the school and were aware of their status. Fawkes, his familiar, chirped comfortingly. The phoenix was glad inside that it finally happened, because Albus Dumbledore, the leader of light, became a power-hungry manipulator. He no longer held the phoenix' respect, or loyalty.
Hailey smiled, it was a remarkable feeling, like she had a connection to Hogwarts' consciousness. The castle had a soul, it was incredible. The thud told her that they reached land and Hailey followed the others to the school up a grand staircase. At the top a woman waited for them. It was the deputy headmistress and the head of Griffindor – professor Minerva McGonagall. She gave them an encouraging smile: "In a few moments you will step through these doors and you will be sorted into one of four houses. They are Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw & Slitherin. Your house will be like your second family while you're here. Your achievements will earn house points, any rule breaking and you'll loose points. The house with the biggest amount of points shall receive the house cup at the end of the year. Now, follow me."
Hailey entered the Great Hall with the rest of the first years. There, at the center, was a high stool with the Sorting Hat on it. Hailey was perfectly calm. Albus Dumbledore watched the first years with interest and caution. The sorting began.
McGonagall finally called out: "Potter, Hailey!" The girl made her way to the stool and sat down carefully. The ancient hat was lowered on her head. She felt light tingling, as if someone was blowing on her head, it felt weird. And then there was a voice: "So… interesting… yes, very interesting… An heir, or rather heiress, has come to Hogwarts. I'm honored…but where to put you? Yes, real talent, and courage, and a good mind, difficult, very difficult." Hailey prayed silently: 'Not Slitherin, not Slitherin…' "Not Slitherin, hey? You could be great, you have Slitherin's blood in you… but if not, that maybe… yes… that seems fine… GRIFFINDOR!!!" The last word was yelled out loud to the whole school to hear. Hailey smiled and slipped to her house table. She sat next to Bill and Charlie.
Strangely, that year there were only six new Griffindors and four new Slitherins, the rest joined Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. There were two girls in Griffindor – Hailey and Caisi Evans, the boys were –Nick Lupin, James Black, Cain Evans and Orion Black. Tonks whispered: "You two will have the whole dorm to yourself." Hailey's eyes widened: "A whole dorm? Cool. Always wanted a big room."
After the feast Albus stood up: "To our new students, welcome, to our old ones – welcome back. Now, I wish to remind you of two things. One, the Forbidden Forest remains forbidden. And two, the Giant Squid, the resident of the black lake hasn't developed a sense of humor over the summer and continues to be uneatable. The curfew hasn't been canceled, so remember not to wonder the school after 10 pm. The list of the banned production can be found at the office of our caretaker, mr Filch. Now, off to bed."
Hailey and Caisi stared at the dorm. It was huge, originally intended for 6 girls, so now there were 4 empty beds, one that was hers and one for Caisi. The perch was by the window and her familiar was already asleep. Caisi turned out to own a raven. There was a wardrobe a bathroom, a few armchairs by the fireplace and a writing table. Hailey smiled and went to bed, for whole new day waited for her.
When the girls woke up they felt wonderful. Hailey glanced at the clock and heaved a sigh of relief. She wouldn't be late on her first day. She put on her uniform and went downstairs. Professor McGonagall was writing down info about them, their wands and familiars. Hailey ran up to them just in time. Minerva smiled: "Ah, here you are, miss Potter, miss Evans. So, your wands and familiars." Caisi was the first to react: "13,5 inches, yew, raven's feather. My familiar's a raven, Aragorn." Hailey nodded: "Sure. My wand is 11,5 inches, holy with a phoenix's feather. My familiar is called Arvin. She's a shadow phoenix." The professor stared at her: "A shadow phoenix? That's rare, if you ever happen to come, well, when you come to the headmaster's office bring her with you, you know, professor Dumbledore's familiar is a phoenix as well, he might enjoy the company. Now, kids, here are your timetables. I'm sorry about it, but all of your classes are with Slitherin. But then again, there's only 10 of you. Now, off you go, you don't want to be late on the first day, do you?" Hailey and the three boys took a few moments to study their time tables. They were not perfect, but it could be worse.
Each class lasts an hour, the brakes are half an hour, lunch break is 2 hours.
Monday: Potions, DADA, Transfiguration.
Tuesday: Herbology, Charms.
Wednesday: Flying, Astronomy.
Thursday: Potions, Potions, Transfiguration.
Friday: DADA, History of Magic.
Hailey sighed, picking up her bag: "Well, classes, not so bad…" Orion Black asked incredulously: "Not so bad? We have Potions first thing, how is that 'not so bad'?" Cain rolled his eyes: "Come on, or we'll be late…"
The Griffindors were not late, they came in before the Slitherins did, five minutes before the bell. Hailey paired up with Orion, Nick was with James, the Evans siblings stayed together. They took the three front desks on the Griffindor part of the classroom and got ready for the lesson. Hailey & Orion were skimming through Adam & Sirius' textbook when the four Slitherins and their professor came in. Severus was surprised to see that the Griffindors, especially those were not late. He took out the class book and read out, checking who was late: "Black, James. Black, Orion. Evans, Caisi. Evans, Cain. Lupin, Nick. Potter, Hailey. Malfoy, Selena. Parker, Solveig. Riddle, Mike. Zabini, Peter." Hailey, Orion, James and Nick gulped. Severus noticed their reaction: "What is it? Where is the Griffindor courage? Afraid of four children?" Hailey shook her head: "No, just one, though maybe we've overreacted, professor. You should understand, that after Tom Riddle murdered my parents, my aunt and uncle and a lot of other people we have every right to be wary of those who carry his name." Professor Snape was confused – it was common knowledge that the Potters were killed by lord Voldemort, while Tom Riddle died soon after graduation. Mike obviously knew that as well: "That's a lie! Uncle Tom died before your parents were born, whoever they may be." Hailey remained calm: "You mean he's not your father?" Mike shook his head in confusion: "No… I never knew him." The Griffindors relaxed: "In that case we apologize." Snape was surprised that they actually apologized to Slitherins: "Now, let's begin with a quiz. Potter, what is a Draught of Living death?" Hailey smiled: "The strongest sleeping potion. It slows the heart and breathing, creating death effect, hence the name, sir." The potions master grumbled: "5 points to Griffindor. Lupin, where can we find a bezoar?" Nick answered, trying hard to remain calm: "In a stomach of a goat, sir." Severus was impressed, those were questions none of his first years could ever answer, even he couldn't on his first lesson: "The instructions are on the board. Copy them down. It'll be your homework. You'll have to find the name of the potion and it's effect due next Monday." With that the lesson finished and the kids went on to DADA.
The man that they met there was the most unexpected one. Hailey thought him dead for 5 years. He didn't recognize her: "Come in, come in, kids. You're early. I'm James Potter, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. And your names?" Cain & Caisi smiled: "Hey uncle James." The rest remained silent as they stared at him. James raised an eyebrow: "You look like you've seen a ghost…" Hailey hissed: "We have. He's standing right in front of us. You should know us, you know. I'll refresh your memory. James & Orion Black, Nick Lupin and I'm Hailey Potter." Professor Potter lowered his gaze: "Oh, then I understand…" Hailey let out a harsh laugh: "No, you don't. You're not the one living with the Dursleys, thinking that their parents were drunks and died in a car crash. How do you plan on explaining this to Harry and Chris?" She was venting her anger on him, but she didn't care, this was the man that left his kids with people who hated them.