Hello again! Welcome back one and all to Celestin. I'm sorry it's been so long, but I've been on summer holiday, and therefore had less Internet access. However, I'm now able to get access at the local library, so hopefully, I'll get it up a little faster. Anyway, thank you for all the reviews. I never knew Celestin was getting so popular. You've probably all beaten my other fics with reviews, but please, continue with them. I love to hear what you think. For instance, I'm glad you like how Celestin is and that you like my idea of Daphne and Anthony. Just a few things to say before I start to those who I couldn't reply to, as they didn't sign in.
Petites sorcières: I don't speak French, unfortunately – only a few words. My first language is English, but I can speak a little German and a little Japanese. You could review in French, I guess, as my mom and sister know a little, but it would take me a while to translate. Guess I'm just awkward, ne? I do know of the manga of Samurai Deeper Kyo, though I've only read a few of them.
As a note: My nationality is actually British, but anyway, about those speech marks, I'm just following on from JK Rowling's style, seeing as she made up HP first. Normally, I would use "these" rather than 'these' in my speech, but I wanted to keep the original style of JK's. Sorry if it confused you at all. (It annoys me sometimes, but there you go…)
Well, with that sorted, I won't keep you any longer. Go forth and read!
Last time on Celestin:
Celestin has headed off for the train station, where he befriended Zabini and Daphne of Slytherin, and Terry and Anthony of Ravenclaw, as well as having some fun introducing himself as Harry Potter! However, there is still a long way to go before they get to Hogwarts itself by the train…
Chapter Seven
Return of Potter – Part Two!
Laughter finally under control, Celestin turned back to Daphne once more, who was still grinning at the memory of the look on the two Ravenclaw's faces. 'Anyway, Daphne. What were you saying before these two came in?'
'Oh, yes, about who to watch out for, right?' Daphne said. She shot a glare at Anthony, who gave her an innocent look. 'To start off, you better watch out for him, he's one of the most annoying people who can't seem to even say one sentence seriously!'
'I can too!' Anthony argued, pouting.
Terry shook his head with a sigh. 'You're just proving the point, 'Tony…' Anthony punched him in the arm to shut him up.
'Jokes aside, there are a few you need to be careful with,' Daphne continued, more seriously now. 'You don't really have to worry about the Hufflepuffs – they tend to stay out of everything – though that's because most are too much of pansies to do anything. Most of the Ravenclaws keep out of it all, too, though there are a few exceptions. Nothing drastic though. I'm sure these two would know more about their own house than us, though.'
'Most of us Slytherins are alright,' Zabini added. 'We all tend to look out for our own and our head of house, Professor Snape, tends to favour us. As long as you don't go over board, he's fair with us.'
'Unfortunately…not with the other houses,' Terry said with a sigh, having caught on to what the convocation was about. 'He especially has a vendetta against the Gryffindor house. Its not a bad house in itself, but if you wanna survive Snape, the other houses are a hell of a lot better.'
'There are a few in Slytherin you really need to watch out for, though,' Daphne added darkly. 'They're the ones that give us a bad reputation with the rest of the school, because they're always stirring up some sort of trouble. The ringleader of the group is a guy called Draco Malfoy.'
'Malfoy…?' Celestin asked, surprised. 'You mean Lucius Malfoy's son?'
'You've heard of him?' Zabini asked. 'Yeah, that's Malfoy. Because his father works for the ministry, Malfoy always acts as if he owns the place. He's also got a habit of casting curses on people who annoy him as well. Longbottom in Gryffindor tends to be at the end of it, because he doesn't fight back. He also hangs around with a group of lackeys as well, especially with Crabbe and Goyle. He's like a Lord with bodyguards. Acts like one too, come to think of it.' He added.
Sure, Celestin had heard of the names Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. How could he not? Their parents were full-fledged Death-eaters who had managed to escape Azkaban. And who Celestin, so far, had not come into contact with – or at least, if he did, they had fled before he got to them if he fought in a crowd – sort of like at the world cup when the Ministry arrived. He touched his chin in thought. He was going to have to keep an eye on them, just in case. With parents like theirs, it wouldn't be all that unlikely if they followed in their parent's footsteps.
'There are some in Gryffindor you need to watch out for as well,' Daphne continued. 'Usually they leave you alone unless you're in Slytherin. They seem to think Slytherin means instant evil, cause the dark lord came from our house, unfortunately. They tend to stereotype really quickly. The Weasley twins, though – that's Fred and George – they always go round pranking people from any house, so unless you want to end up with green hair or something watch out for them.'
'You've gotta admit, they are funny though!' Anthony chortled. 'They never do it just to be spiteful or anything – just a load of fun! They're even making order forms for prank things that they invent. They must be genius' to make all that stuff. And they're brilliant beaters in Quidditch. Shame they aren't in Ravenclaw.'
'There's the poltergeist named Peeves, though. Now he is the one to really look out for.' Terry said with a shiver. 'He's the devil incarnate, I tell you. It's a surprise he hasn't killed one of us yet with all those pranks he plays. And unlike Fred and George's, they're always dangerous. Only the Blood Baron – Slytherin's resident ghost – that can control him.'
'Then there's Gryffindors "Golden Trio",' Zabini said with a sneer, causing Celestin to blink at the obvious dislike in his voice. 'That's Ron Weasley – The Weasley twin's younger brother – Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas. They're the ones who mostly cause the hatred of the Slytherins. Weasley especially. He acts almost as bad as Malfoy, but without the money.
'The two of them, Malfoy and Weasley,' added Daphne, 'hated each other since they first met on the train in first year. The whole train heard about it. It's best to stay out of their way, really. If you show interest in being friends with Slytherins, Weasley'll never leave you alone. Most likely say you're dark. But Malfoy'll do exactly the same if you show any sympathy to Muggleborns. Its best to just stay away from them.' She advised.
Celestin nodded. He needed to keep his options open. If he got in the middle of this "House war", he would never be able to find the information that might prove critical against the dark forces. 'I'll bare that in mind,' he said with a smile.
'Hermione Granger's not all that bad, though, 'Terry added. 'She's a girl in Gryffindor, but she should have been in Ravenclaw. I mean it, she even beats the most intelligent of Ravenclaws most of the time, but she does tend to be a bit of a know-it-all is sometimes. She's usually the one to get Weasley and his friends out of trouble they were stupid enough to get into in the first place. If it weren't for her, they probably would have got thrown out of the school years ago.'
Celestin blinked. Two of those names rung a bell. 'I think I might have seen two of them before,' he said thoughtfully. 'That Ron character and this Hermione. Ron has red hair, right, with a big-ish family, same hair colour? Then Hermione…has bushy hair, slightly over large front teeth by any chance?'
The others looked a bit surprised. 'You've met them?' asked Zabini. 'When?'
'During the world cup,' Celestin said. 'They were in the woods after all those death-eaters attacked. We stumbled into each other.'
'What, together?' asked Terry.
'Ooooh, Weasley and Granger, sitting in a tree,' sang Anthony. 'K-I-S-S-I-N-G –'
'Shut up, Goldstein!' growled Daphne, whacking him over the head with Celestin's book that had lain forgotten on the seat until now. Celestin laughed. Daphne glanced out of the window as the sky outside darkened, making the thick-looking storm clouds ahead a strange mix of angry crimson and turbulent grey, the mountains darkened into shadowy forms along the horizon, but were made a pitch black as lightning flashed. Celestin counted slowly until thunder rolled. It was only a few miles away. 'Oh, it looks like we'll be there soon,' she said, thoughtfully. 'We need to get changed into our uniforms.'
'You do that then,' Anthony beamed. 'We're all set!'
Daphne just rolled her eyes as she rummaged through her things and pulled out her jet-black robes that bore the Slytherin serpent in sliver and green. 'Just behave yourselves while I'm gone.'
'Why, where are you going?' Anthony asked innocently, though his eyes sparkled.
Daphne's eyes flashed and she snatched a handful of Anthony's hair and pulled, causing him to cry out in pain. 'To get changed, you perverted asshole!'
'Owwww! All right! All right! I'm sorry, Oh great and wonderful Daphne! Just please let go!' Wailed Anthony as he squirmed.
The Slytherin girl huffed and marched from the room, leaving Anthony massaging at his scalp. 'That girl's gonna give me a bald patch one of these days,' he wined, while Terry, Celestin and Zabini attempted to smother their laughter.
'Well, um, you'd better…you know…get changed,' Terry managed to say at last.
Zabini and Celestin pulled out their own robes – Zabini's also bearing the Slytherin snake. Celestin's however, were still a plain black, as he had yet to be sorted into a house. However, just as Celestin pulled off his T-shirt, he heard a loud gasp from behind. Surprised, Celestin glanced over his shoulder, arms still tangled in his top, to see the other three boys staring at him, their eyes wide. Celestin frowned. 'What?' he asked, irritably.
Terry was the first to recover his voice, his face a little pale. 'How…those scars…'
Celestin glanced down as much as he could and winced slightly. He should have known. His back was littered in scars from his training and his assassinations where he was less experienced and got hurt. The cut from the Secare curse was still a sore-looking red across his arm. He found a tiny blush making his way to his face at the stares. Annoyed, he pushed the embarrassment away and began to pull on his robes. 'Its nothing to be concerned about,' he said calmly, his face emotionless. 'Its just what you get for living in the rough-areas of the muggle world. It's nothing to get all excited over.'
'Those look…like they hurt…' Terry whispered, nodding towards the larger of his scars.
Celestin paused a moment. Quietly, he said. 'It happened a long time ago,' He pulled his robes down over him self, covering up the scars completely before he turned towards them, his eyes dark. 'I was…careless. I don't like talking about it.' He pushed away the swirling dark emotions and grinned at them. 'It's way too embarrassing!'
The tension lifted and Anthony returned the grin. 'What, did you fall off your broomstick into a rose bush?'
The boys snickered and Celestin relaxed. No, he didn't want to get them mixed up in the crap he went through. Besides, He was a wanted man after all…at least; "the death-eater assassin" was, anyway. It wasn't long before the door slid open, announcing Daphne's return. Celestin grinned, throwing himself down on one of the seats. 'So, how long until we reach the school, anyway? I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick to death of this train.'
Celestin had barely even got the words out of his mouth when the train began to slow down and a voice echoed down the train - 'We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately.'
The raven-haired boy let out a long low whistle. 'Well, that was good timing,' he said to no one in particular.
It wasn't long before the train came to a complete stop and the students began to make their way through the corridors and out onto the cool platform of Hogsmeade station. Some of the students jumped as thunder rolled loudly, rain slatted down hard in the strong winds. Celestin sighed as he pulled up the hood of his cloak and resided himself to getting wet.
'Hey, are you coming with us, or do you have to go with Hagrid and the first years?' asked Daphne as she pulled up her cloak around her.
'Er…' Celestin paused. Now he thought about it, he didn't actually know. In all the convocations he had with Albus, the way he was to be transported from the train to Hogwarts had never come up. Next time he saw the guy, he was going to have to give Albus a serious talking to, he vowed silently. 'Now that you mention it, I have no idea.'
'Maybe you should ask Hagrid,' Terry suggested. 'Come on,' and grabbed his arm and began dragging Celestin down the platform towards a deep voice crying, 'Firs' years, Firs' years, over here!' Moments later, he found himself pushed in front of the large man that Celestin remembered from his last visit to Hogwarts – the man who had been quite protective about Headmaster Dumbledore, if he recalled.
'Yo, Hagrid!' Anthony yelled over the wind and the bearded giant of a man paused in his yelling and raised his lantern to look down at them in surprise.
'Oh, If it isn' Mr Goldstein,' the man said after a moment of squinting through the rain at Anthony's face. 'Yer gonna be late fer the carriages if yer don' hurry up.'
'Yeah, well be there in a minute, but We wanted to know where Harry's got to go. Does he need to come with the first years, or with us?'
'Harry?' Hagrid asked, confused, as if trying to think of something. Suddenly, his eyes landed on Celestin and they widened. Celestin hesitated. How much had Albus told the man about him? That question was answered when Celestin found himself scooped up into a bear-like Hug. 'Harry! It's been so long! Yer were only a little tyke last time I saw yer! Why din' yer tell me yer were Harry when I saw yer here?'
'Habit…but Hagrid…can't breath!' Celestin wheezed as he attempted to breathe around crushing ribs.
'Oops,' Hagrid lowered Celestin to the ground again as Celestin rubbed his bruised chest. He glanced around to see the first years looking scared stiff, while Anthony, Terry, Zabini and Daphne looked shocked at the reaction. Hagrid sniffed loudly and opened his mouth to say something. However, Celestin beat him too it.
'Listen, Hagrid, I'm sorry I told you that other name, but I've been using that name more over the years than Harry, so… Anyway I promise, I'll tell you all about it later. But it is very wet out here and, I don't know about you, but I'm sure the first years are freezing.' He nodded at them where the tiny eleven-year-olds shivered violently under their cloaks. 'You don't mind, do you?'
'Nah, s'my fault. Yer come over ter my house some time an' ave a cup o' tea.' Hagrid said apologetically.
'So…er…does he go with you?' asked Daphne breathlessly, still eyeing Hagrid nervously, as if he was going to grab hold of Celestin again.
'Yeah. Professor Dumbledore tol' me ter take yer up with the firs' years.' Hagrid said happily, before he realised a group of first years wandering off the train looked completely confused. 'Oh, yeah – Firs' years, this way!'
Celestin, however, was not so enthusiastic about the prospect of travelling via water in such a storm. He grimaced. 'Oh joy…going up by boat. Don't you laugh!' he growled at Anthony, who was choking back a chuckle. As soon as he said that, Anthony collapsed into a loud, violent laugh. 'If this,' he jabbed a thumb up at the still stormy sky, which flashed with loud thunder as if to emphasise the point as the rain lashed down even harder, 'carries on, we'll all drown.'
'Well,' snickered Anthony, 'at least you'll get lots of swimming practice. Have you brought a float?'
Celestin smiled sweetly at him as he pulled out his wand. A few red-gold sparks shooting from the tip. 'Run…now…before I curse you.'
'Eep! Point taken!' Anthony yelped, backing off at the gleam in Celestin's eye.
Celestin patted him on the head. 'Good boy.'
Daphne gave Celestin a respectful look. 'One of these days, you are going to show me how you did that so easily.'
'Fruits of a misspent youth in downtown London, New York, you name it – oh, and a few very good teachers,' he added thoughtfully, as his thoughts drifted over to Marius and his associates. 'Anyway, See you at the great hall,' he grimaced as thunder boomed deafeningly overhead. '…If we don't drown first!'
'Hey, were gonna get left behind if you don't hurry,' Terry yelled over the rain, pointing towards the back of a line of carriages that looked just about ready to pull off.
'See you!' the four yelled as they dashed off towards the hazy form of the carriages to take the last empty one at the back of the line. Moments latter, the lurched as they started to move, before the curtain of rain blocked them from sight. Celestin sighed and pulled his cloak more tightly around him.
It wasn't long until Hagrid had finally rounded up the last few first years, including a very hyperactive boy who Celestin suspected was on a sugar high from too much sweets. 'Alright, everyone, follow me!' bellowed Hagrid over the gale-force winds. 'Stay together!'
Stumbling and sliding, the first years slowly made their way, heads down against the wind, down the path towards the lake. They barely took the effort to glance up when Hagrid shouted that they would get their first glance at the castle. Celestin, however, who was close to the back, lifted his eyes up to glance over at the castle in the distance. It was as if it was hidden behind a thin waterfall. The windows shimmered, reflected by the rain, fragmenting the light. The shape of the castle looked formidable as a flash of lightning burst overhead, silhouetting the building. To Celestin, it reminded him of old films about Dracular. I wonder what Marius would say to that, he mused.
The narrow path they had been following opened up to reveal the edges of the great lake, which was lapping hard against the shore. Several small boats bobbed dangerously in the shallows. Celestin gave them a very doubting look. He seriously hoped the boats had been well charmed, otherwise the amount of new students would likely drop very dramatically.
'No more than four in a boat!' Hagrid yelled.
Celestin took one boat, soon followed by two very green-faced girls and that hyperactive boy he had seen back at the train-station. It wasn't long before the boats began to scoot over the water, rocking dangerously. Some sort of bucket had been charmed to throw water over the edge of the boat to prevent it from sinking under the weight of the rain trying desperately to fill it. The rough water rocked the boat so much that the two girls looked just about ready to throw up. Celestin, who had placed himself as far across the other side of the boat so the girls wouldn't throw up on him, was feeling a little queasy himself. Not that he usually got seasick. But when you had one hyperactive boy rushing from one side of the boat to the other in excitement, almost capsizing it because it was rocking so much, anyone would get a little alarmed.
After a while, Celestin had had enough. 'Your going to make us all fall overboard if you keep that up,' he growled. 'Or yourself.'
The boy turned quickly, 'I wont fall overboard-!' but he didn't finish, as the quick turn made him slip on the wooden floor and he yelled in horror as he fell backwards into the rough water. The two girls screamed.
'Good Merlin…' He muttered under his breath before he threw his cloak to the floor and dived in after the boy. The boy was squealing in alarm as Celestin battled the waves. He treaded water as he grabbed the boy, yanking him up from the waves by his collar, almost getting punched in the face as he struggled. 'You really are a pain, aren't you?' He sighed, as he realised the boy was fine. 'Hang on…' He started to tow the boy back to the boat and gripped hold of the side before it bobbed passed them. With a little difficulty, he started to push the boy back in the boat, though that was difficult, seeing as there was no ground to push up from. However, he managed it and tossed the boy in, before pulling himself in. For a moment, he just sat trying to regulate his breathing.
'That…was so…cool!' Squealed the boy in excitement. Celestin glowed at him darkly, before snatching up his discarded cloak and throwing it in the boy's face.
'Yeah yeah,' Celestin grumbled, 'just put that on, or you'll catch cold. Who are you, anyway?'
'Denis Creevey!' piped the boy.
'Okay Denis, do me a favour and keep the hell still!'
Denis flinched and Celestin sat back, trying to squeeze the excess water from his hair, muttering a few choice cusses under his breath. It wasn't long before the boats finally reached shore and the children all but bolted onto dry land. Celestin was honestly surprised they weren't falling to their knees and kissing the ground, like in cartoons. Hagrid spotted Denis huddled up in Celestin's cloak and said assassin looking particle bedraggled as they stepped off and hurried over.
'What happened, Harry?' he said, sounding concerned.
'Denis fell overboard,' Celestin said calmly. 'He's fine. Make sure you give the cloak back later, 'Kay?' he added to Denis, who brightened at the fact Celestin didn't seem angry with him anymore. Celestin rolled his eyes, not feeling up to saying anything.
'Well, if yer sure…' Hagrid said, doubtfully, before he took charge once more and began to lead them up the path. Shivering slightly, Celestin rubbed his arms as he followed the large man up towards the castle. The door, thankfully, was open and they bolted inside, dripping and shivering.
'Remind me to bring an umbrella next time,' Celestin mumbled miserably as he squeezed the excess water from his ponytail, before whipping out his wand and muttering a few words. Instantly, if felt as though the water was sucked away, leaving him feel dry and a hell of a lot more happy. Other bedraggled students followed behind, complaining about how wet they were. Celestin smiled slightly, glad Marius had managed to teach him that household charm at least.
A movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he glanced round to the stairs to see a woman walking towards them. She had jet-black hair tied back into a tight bun at the back of her head and wore square glasses on her stern face. He could immediately tell that this woman was one who could hold her own and was definitely not someone to cross.
'Alright then, First-years, If you would follow me,' she said sharply. Everyone jumped to attention and followed the teacher passed the large doors that lead to the great hall – Celestin could hear voices and movement from the other side – into a small room at the side. The first-years crowded in, keeping huddled together nervously. The teacher turned towards them, looking them over through her square glasses.
'Welcome to Hogwarts,' she said. '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 an important ceremony because, while you are here, your houses will be your family. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.' She went on to explain what the four houses were and a point system which would go towards getting the house cup at the end of the year.
'The sorting will take place in front of the rest of the school in a few minutes time, so I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can until then.' The first years immediately jumped to it, murmuring nervously among themselves.
The professor turned to Celestin for a moment, her eyes resting on his, before moving to his forehead, where his scar was plain to see now the bandanna was off and his hair was parted slightly from the use of his drying charm. 'You must be our new fourth year,' she said 'Well, If you would stay here for a moment, as you will need to be sorted. You'll be called through separately.'
Celestin nodded in acknowledgement. 'Yes, Professor.'
Turning to the first years, the professor nodded and said 'The sorting is about to begin. Form a line and wait for me outside the great hall.'
Once the first years skittishly followed the professor's instructions, she turned back towards Celestin. 'Well, Mr Potter,' she said at last. 'The Headmaster has informed me that you would be coming. He also said something about lessons in becoming an animagus. Is that correct?'
He blinked, surprised, before his eyes widened in dawning comprehension. 'You must be the Professor McGonagall that the Headmaster told me about. In that case, yes, that's true.' He glanced at her. 'How much did the Headmaster tell you?'
'Most of what you asked for,' she said, calmly. 'You see, I am a member of the order. I will also be giving you lessons in becoming an animagus. However, you cannot tell anyone else. God only knows what people would say if they found out. If anyone asks, you will be having independent learning sessions to catch up on the work in the previous three years. Is that clear?'
'Crystal, Professor. Thank you for taking me on.'
McGonagall smiled slightly, her face becoming a little less stern. 'As long as it is understood, I think we will get on well. Now, Mr Potter, if you come with me, then we can get you sorted into your house.'
Celestin followed McGonagall out of the tiny room and round to the large oak doors of the great hall that rose high up to the ceiling that you couldn't quite make out. There, the first-years stood petrified, shaking from cold and nerves. Some looked positively sick. The only one who didn't seem effected was the boy who fell into the lake and was still draped in Celestin's lest-than-dry cloak – Denis Creevey.
'Mr Potter, if you will wait here until your name is called, then go to the front, where you will be sorted. First-years follow me.'
The doors opened and McGonagall lead the first-years inside. Celestin sighted and stuffed his hands into his robe pockets as he leant back against the doorframe and closed his eyes to listen to the sorting as the chatting from inside fell silent. For a moment, Celestin couldn't hear anything. However, the silence was broken when a slightly inhuman voice broke into song:
'A thousand years or more,
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 favourites 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 from 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 you where you belong!'
Celestin opened his eyes with a slight sigh as applauding could be heard from within the hall. So, this must be the sorting hat he had heard so much about from Marius: The hat that would decide the fate of so many of those young children, and would now help to decide his own. However, the whole thing made him feel slightly uneasy. This hat would need to look into his mind to find out which would be the "best house" for him. Who knew what it would find if it saw all the things that he had done…if it knew what he really was. For all he knew, it could proclaim him a murderer right in the hall. So much for any type of cover then. However, there was nothing he could do about that now except perhaps concealing some of that information. It would all be up to fate now.
To bad fate has never liked me…shit… He ran his fingers through his hair with an ironic smile. So far this mission isn't holing me in way of confidence.Inside the hall, Celestin could now hear as the voice of McGonagall called out the names of different first-years, then, after a varying moment of silence, the hats voice calling out one of the four houses and there would be a round of applauds. Finally, after 'Whitby, Kevin!' ('Hufflepuff!') The hall fell silent once more. There was a movement, which sounded like a chair being drawn back, before the voice of Albus could be heard through the door.
'Congratulations to all first years and welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before we start with our wonderful banquet, we also have a new student who will be joining our fourth years this year.'
Celestin found himself chuckling at the eruption of hissing whispers that could be heard through the door. A few things could be caught:
'A new fourth year? No way!'
'Do you think it's an exchange student?'
'Nothing like this has happened before! It never mentioned anything like it in "Hogwarts: a History"!'
'Who do you think it is?'
He couldn't wait to see their faces when they found out who the new student was.
Finally, the hissing whispers died down and Albus started speaking once more. 'Instead of making you wait – as I'm sure you are all impatient to meet him – We will now need to sort him into his house as well.'
Celestin smiled and pushed himself off the wall. 'Guess that's my cue!' and with that he pushed the door open, just as McGonagall announced his name in front of the school.
'Potter, Harry!'
'No Way!' Someone exploded.
'Its true! He really IS alive!'
'Oh My God!'
The moment Celestin opened the door, he was bombarded with exclamations that made his eardrums feel just about ready to burst and instantly he found thousands of eyes fixing him with gaping stares. Hissed whispers that were louder than necessary broke across the hall like bursts of flame as he walked passed, but he ignored them as he crossed the hall towards the front where the teachers were all sat around a long table. Well, all until a boy jumped up from the red and gold table and pointed at him in shock.
'I-its you!' He blurted out.
Celestin glanced across at the boy, took in his red hair, freckles and rough clothing, remembering how he had haphazardly stumbled into the clearing.
'Ron, you're making a scene! Sit down!' growled another red head – this time a girl who pulled Ron down into his seat. Celestin smiled at that. The girl blushed a little. Celestin scanned the crowds of heads until he spotted Anthony and Terry, the former giving him the thumbs up, while the latter nodded and smiled in greeting. Over the opposite side of the hall, Daphne waved and Zabini sniggered at what had happened over at the Gryffindor table, where Ron looked like he was sizzling under a dark storm-cloud. Celestin rolled his eyes back playfully at the two Slytherins before continuing up the hall.
McGonagall stood by a small, three-legged stool, holding a very scruffy hat. Celestin's eyes met Albus' and watched as the headmaster gave him a small smile and the smallest of nods, which Celestin returned before he sat down on the stool and the hat was placed on his head. He was quite surprised when it fell down over his eyes, blocking out all sight and sound. Immediately, Celestin was on guard.
'My, my, you are certainly a jumpy one.' A voice whispered in his ear, causing Celestin to stiffen and throw up his Occlumency shields. 'Hey, you're making my job a little difficult. I can't sort you if you don't let me take a look!'
Celestin cursed his jumpiness and lowered his shields slightly. 'Sorry.'
'Quite all right. Harry Potter, hmm? I've been expecting you for a few years now.'
'Yeah, sorry about that. I've been…a little busy.' He admitted.
'Yes, yes. Well, shall we get started then? Let's see…quite the difficult one, aren't you? You already seem to know a lot of spells. Not all of them in the curriculum, either. Lots of talent here that's for sure. Not a bad mind, either– I say, what do we have here?'
Celestin immediately threw up his shields again, pushing the hat from his mind. 'Stay out of there!' he snapped. 'Those things are personal and have nothing to do with this.'
'I see…forgive me. However, I still need to finish the sorting.'
'Yes,' he thought, lowering his shield again. 'Just stay out of there. It doesn't concern you.'
'I understand. Well, back to sorting - You're resourceful, brave, loyal, but you're not the type for Hufflepuff. The house that seems to fit you best would be Slytherin, but from what I did get to see, your mission wouldn't be too good in there. Oh, don't be so shocked.' It added as Celestin stiffened. 'Dumbledore informed me that you would be coming this year because of events concerning the tournament. People are bias against the Slytherins, unfortunately, and you need a more neutral party, so that rules out Gryffindor too, though I'd say you're too cunning for that house anyway. So the best choice for you in all of that would have to be RAVENCLAW!'
The last part was called out to the entire school and Celestin could hear cheering coming from the Ravenclaw table. He also caught Anthony's voice yelling 'We got Potter! Ha h-ha!'
Which was soon accompanied by Terry's voice as he sighed. 'Tony, you're making a scene.'
Celestin smiled. 'Thank you.' He told the hat, before taking the hat off and passing it to McGonagall again, heading towards the Ravenclaw table, where Anthony was now making rude signs over to Zabini and Daphne. 'Ha! You owe me three Galleons, Zabini!'
Terry put his head in his hands. 'I'm pretending I don't know you…'
TBC
Chosha's notes
Good lord, that was a long chapter! So, how was it? As promised, the sorting! Now, I'm going to justify myself now, before you lot who voted Slytherin try to kill me. Here is the list of why I did what I did:
Ravenclaw has, I don't think, ever been used as a house for an AU Harry. I'll admit I saw one that goes into Hufflepuff (yeah, I mean it! I'm not joking!), but that was in one where Harry was some sort of Samurai, I believe. Anyway, there is a lot to offer, including new descriptions of the Ravenclaw tower and so one and so forth
Slytherin was the obvious place and I like to be unpredictable. (I know…that's not an excuse…)
Harry needs to be able to get info from all sides. If I put him into Slytherin, no bugger in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw (minus Terry and Anthony, of course) would tell him anything. So, as Ravenclaw, who tend to stay out of the Gryffindor-Slytherin wars, was a good choice for that.
Harry'll be spending loads of time with Zabini and Daphne anyway, so it amounts to the same thing.
This way I can have both Malfoy and Ron trying stupid things and the whole plot should be a little more interesting, ne? Not telling you what they do yet though.
Anyway, I hope this justifies it all. Anyway, if the song looks familiar, then you'd be right. This is the song from book four (which was a pain to type out, I tell you.) I'm not a songwriter. Never have been, never claimed to have been. Never will be. The closest thing to a song I've done is my Rurouni Kenshin poetry fiction, Behind Those Violet Eyes. Which means that, since there was one ready made for year four, and because I'm lazy, you got that one. You don't like it? Tough luck – unless, of course, you have one you would have liked me to use. If you do, please review it to me, or Email it to me. Actually, Do that anyway, cause I want to know what you wonderful people think.
(No, I'm not just saying that because I think that by flattering you I won't get killed… really… I mean it… honest!)
Next time on Celestin
Celestin settles into his new house, making new friends, new enemies, and a few guesses on what Voldemort's plans might be for the tournament. Just who is this new teacher? Next episode: House of the Eagle.
Until then, Ja ne!
Chosha Kurenai xXx