Update time! I know it took me so long, and it is not as long as the last chap. I am sorry, I've been busy with school, a shoulder injury, and, more recently, NoNoWriMo. I was going to end this chap during Christmas break, but decided to update here instead. Hope you like it...
Dear Mom and Kelly,
You should see this place! It is amazing! The castle is on a cliff right next to a giant lake. The grounds are massive, and I've only see part of them. The inside is better, though. The entrance hall could probably hold at least three of our house. I mean, you can't even see the ceiling from the bottom floor!
The Great Hall is even better, because it looks like there is no ceiling. I'm serious. Apparently, there is a charm on it that makes it look like the sky above it. I have never seen as many stars as I did tonight, not even when Dad takes us camping. It was amazing.
The sorting method is odd. You have to put on this ancient hat, which can read your mind. The hat puts you in which ever house you belong in. Guess which house I'm in. GRYYFINDOR! Yup, Aunt Minnie looked proud, even though she couldn't say anything in front of the entire school.
I made a friend on the train ride up here. His name's Ron. He has red hair, just like you, only more orange. His entire family is magic! He even has an older brother who works with dragons! Real life dragons!
I should probably wrap this up, it's late, and I'm stuffed.
Love you,
Harry.
Oh, Mom, can you send the other letter to Dad? Thank you.
-oOo-
Dad,
I made it to Hogwarts safe, and made a friend on the train. I'm in Gryffindor, just like Aunt Minnie said I would be. It's late, so I'm not going to write much.
Stay safe, and I hope to see you soon.
Harry
Harry,
Hogwarts sounds wonderful; I'm glad you like it. Maybe we will get to see it one day. I'm glad you got into the house you wanted, but try to make friends outside of your house. From what I understand, the magic world in England still cares about which house you were in after you graduate, so it would be good to have friends from the other houses.
Kelly and I had a good time in London once you left. We went on the London Eye, mainly because Kelly kept reminding me that we never did it while we lived there. Hedwig found us a few hours before we had to leave, so it will take longer for us to get the letter in the future.
Get some sleep; you've had a long day. Kelly's writing letter as well; it'll be in the envelope as well. I'll send your dad his letter as soon as possible.
Love,
Mom
-oOo-
Harry!
I so wish I could see Hogwarts. Is the ceiling really see-through? Magic is so cool! How is Aunt Minnie? You have to tell me about what she's like as a teacher as soon as you have a class with her.
Mom took me on the London Eye after the train left. It was huge! The line took forever, but it was sooo worth it! The view from the top was amazing.
It's going to be really weird going to school without you, and having to explain where you went to everyone, but I guess I have no choice.
Write again soon!
Kelly.
Mom and Kelly,
My first week at Hogwarts was crazy. This place is constantly changing; once I figure everything out, it changes! I was late to my first Transfiguration class cause Ron and I got lost, then attacked by Peeves (he's the poltergi-poltergeist in the castle, and will do whatever it takes to make you late). Aunt Minnie wasn't very happy, but we didn't get into much trouble cause it was the first day.
My classes are cool. Transfiguration is interesting, and I can't wait to really try some spells. Charms is cool. The professor, Professor Flitwick, is really short, but really nice. Herbology is normally fun, but can get soooo boring. Defense Against the Dark Arts is, honestly, really stupid. I thought it was going to be the best class, but the teacher is horrible. So is the History of Magic teacher, but he's a ghost, which is kinda cool. I guess.
But the worst class is potions. I don't know why, but the teacher hates me! I know you'll just say I'm exaggerating, Mom, but I'm serious. He takes away points for any little thing I do, even if it wasn't wrong! I have no idea why he hates me either. We just walked in for the first class, and he started asking me really hard questions. When I couldn't answer them, he said I should have read the book, but when I asked some older students, they didn't know the answers either.
I done talking about classes now, I get enough of them during the day.
The food here is amazing. I mean, it's all British, of course, but it's still good. It's like having Christmas dinner every night! I do kinda wish there was more choices. I really want some Hawaiian pizza and a glass of Coke. Oh, and Lucky Charms! They don't even have cereal here! Can you believe that?
The other boys in my dorm are cool. One of them, Dean, is a muggleborn from London. He brought his soccer ball, and we are trying to teach the others how to play. Seamus (he's Irish) doesn't understand it at all, and Ron said any sport without brooms is dumb. They changed their minds after Dean did a perfect bicycle kick. This kid is amazing! The other boy, Neville, can barely walk without tripping, so he decided that running with a ball at his feet isn't for him.
The girls in my house are okay. Most of them are really girly. They're the type to have sparkly, unicorn binders. One, however, is a lot different. Her name's Hermione and she's a huge bookworm. They picked on her at first, but she's not too bad. She helps me with my homework.
Speaking of homework, Hermione is glaring at me as I write this. We have a foot long essay due Monday (it's only Saturday!) and she wants to get it done now.
One last thing. Can you send me some food? I know I already said the food here is amazing, but there are only three meals a day, and sometimes I want a break from their food. Thanks.
Love you,
Harry
Harry,
It's great hearing from you again. It seems like you are having a lot of fun at Hogwarts.
I hope you are actually trying to learn your way around the school. I will not be happy if Minerva sends me a letter saying that you are late often.
It's good that you like you classes. Please try and do well in Defense Against the Dark Arts and History, no matter how bad the teachers are. In potions, try to ignore the teacher, just focus on the lesson. Please don't pull any pranks in his class.
I'm glad you are eating well, and the package is full of food. Try not to eat it all at once
It sounds like you and the other boys are going to be good friends, as well as Hermione. Don't start to depend on her for your homework, make sure you can actually do it on your own.
Kelly just started school. I would tell you more, but she want to tell you in her own letter.
Make sure you are taking care of yourself, winters up there are harsh, and I don't want you sick over Christmas break.
Love,
Mom
-oOo-
Harry!
You are soooo lucky! I wish the food at school was good. But no, we get cold pizza and chewy tator-tots (yech!). I threw some candy in the food box Mom put together for you. She didn't want to put any in, but I made sure there was some.
Is your teacher really a ghost? That's so cool! How is that class boring? I have some bad teachers this year. Mr. Seggel, my PE teacher is a fat lug. He can't even run a mile, but makes us run one every class! Wait! I got Ms. Strom for science! She is as cool in class as she is as a coach! I think she was upset that you changed schools.
I bet even I could beat Ron and Seamus at soccer! And I still don't understand what you like about it. And, you know I got a unicorn binder in fifth grade, so I don't see why you say it like it's a bad thing.
I can't believe that you need help in homework! I need your help right now! Seventh grade is a lot harder than sixth. Whats going to happen once you leave Hogwarts? You are going to be so behind on normal subjects.
We haven't heard anything from Daddy yet. Mom is kinda worried. She doesn't think I notice, but I do.
Tell Aunt Minnie I say hi!
Kelly
"What is that, Harry?" Ron asked as Harry dumped out the box full of food.
Harry grinned up at the other boy.
"Muggle food," he replied.
The other boys crowded around his bed. Ron instantly grabbed a bag of Doritos; he ripped open the package, and shoved a few in his mouth. The next second, he was shoveling them down.
"Oi!" Harry cried, pulling the chips from his friend.
Ron gave him a pitiful look, but Harry just threw a pillow at him.
Dean was looking over a case of Oreos.
"I don't recognize these," he said.
"They're American. I never had them until I met my family, but they are really good," Harry explained.
"What about this?" Seamus questioned, looking at the bottom of a jar of peanut butter.
Harry laughed, and looked at Neville. The round boy was inspecting a pack of Pop-Rocks.
Harry ran a hand through his hair, and set to his task of explaining American junk food to them.
The last thing Minerva McGonagall wanted to do on a Thursday night was check on her first-year boys because someone had complained about noise. She opened the dorm door, and the sight that met here made her groan.
All of the boys were bouncing around the room. Dean and Harry were the calmest, and obviously most experienced in dealing with sugar rushes. However, they were still kicking a football back and forth over the beds. Ron and Seamus were bouncing on the beds, occasionally jumping to the next one. Out of all of them, Neville was making the least amount of noise, but she could see him shaking as he sat on his trunk.
Suddenly, the ball was flying towards her face. She grabbed it out of the air with the ease of an experience chaser.
"What is the meaning of this?" she asked.
The boys froze where they were. Harry was staring at her, with his eyes wide. The other four were also looking at her, but kept glancing at Harry.
She looked at the boy's bed, to see candy wrappers all over it.
She mentally groaned. Part of her wanted to write Shannon about this, but she held back.
"Get into bed," she ordered. "If this happens again, I will send a letter to your families."
Harry's eyes grew wide at the threat. He nodded slightly, and turned to clean up the mess on his bed.
Minerva walked out and closed the door behind her. She could already tell that those boys could be trouble.
Harry occasionally glanced up from his food as Draco Malfoy sat down at the Slytherin table. Ron and Dean next to him were both keeping a close eye on the boy and barely looked at what they were eating, while Neville and Seamus kept turning around in their seats to see him.
"Stop looking," Harry hissed. "It'll make it too obvious."
Neville looked bashful, while the others glared at him.
"Why couldn't we have all sittin on that side?" he asked.
"Cause that would have been obvious as well," Harry shrugged.
A sudden commotion from across the hall interrupted them. They, as well as the rest of the hall, turned to see what was happening.
Malfoy was jumping up and down, spitting out whatever was in his mouth. He grabbed his drink to try and wash it out, only to start jumping again. They could all hear faint popping sounds coming from his mouth.
"My mouth is exploding," the boy cried.
The entire hall started laughing.
"And that, boys," Harry grinned. "Is what Pop-Rocks do."
Gibbs unfolded the paper quickly. He didn't have much time to read the letters.
A few minutes later, he pulled out paper and a pen to reply. He quickly wrote out Harry and Kelly's, but took more time writing Shannon's.
He went to bed that night with a smile on his face.
Mom,
Thanks for the food; my roommates were amazed at all of it. Especially Ron and Neville, because they grew up in the magic world.
I pretty much know my way around now; at least around the classroom.
I'm doing well in my classes, except potions. Professor Snape gives me a zero if there is only one thing wrong with my potion.
Don't worry. Hermione only reads through my essays to make sure it's okay. I write them on my own.
I can't wait to see you!
Harry
-oOo-
Kelly,
Thank you so much for the candy! I had so much fun showing them what Pop-Rocks do! We put some into the food of a Slytherin during breakfast. He thought his mouth was exploding!
We ate almost the entire box the night after I got it. Remember that time we ate half a pack of sugar? They were kinda like that.
I can't believe you got Ms. Strom! Man, that means I would have had her, and she is a much better teacher than Snape. Tell her I said hi, okay? And that she was the best coach ever.
… No, I don't think you could beat them at soccer. I don't think you can beat anyone at soccer. And I do remember that binder. You drew blood on the tip of the unicorn's horn, then told Mom that it was a Marine Unicorn.
I don't need help for the homework! She reads over it after I'm done to make sure it's good. That's all.
I have no idea what will happen after Hogwarts, but that's seven years away, so I'll worry about it later.
Guess what just happened! We had our first flying lesson! It was fine, until Neville fell off of his broom, and broke his wrist. He dropped something, and a Slytherin started to fly off with it. I flew after him. Flying is amazing! I feel so free when I'm flying, like nothing can hold me back! Anyway, Malfoy, that's the Slytherin, threw it, and I caught it about three feet from the ground! Aunt Minnie saw me. I thought she was going to pass out when she came out. She asked if I want to be on the Qudditch team next year! She said I have to wait, but that's okay with me.
I'm sure Dad's fine; he said that we won't have contact with him often. No news is good news.
Aunt Minnie says hi.
Harry
Harry
I'm glad your roommates like the food. I flooed a larger box to Minerva, to lighten the load for Hedwig. You probably already have it, and it is probably already half eaten.
Just keep trying your best in potions. If it gets too bad, talk to Minerva about it. She should be able to do something about it as the Deputy Headmistress.
I got an interesting letter from Minerva about you, a broom, and a dangerous dive. If I hear about anything like this again, you will be in much more trouble when you get home. As it is, she told me about how you were standing up for a friend, and I can't get too mad at you for that. Next time, however, just find a teacher for help.
Minerva also said you are a shoo in for the Quidditch team next year. I'm proud of you.
I'm glad you are doing your own homework. If I hear anything different, you will be in trouble.
We will see you soon.
Love,
Mom
-oOo-
Harry,
Did he really think his mouth was exploding? That's great. Were they really that bad after eating the food? Do they never eat sugar?
Ms. Strom says hi. She also said she wishes you were in her class this year, and that you were a great soccer player. Her class is a lot of fun, we watch a lot of Bill Nye and do a ton of experiments.
I resent that! Just because I don't care for soccer does not make me horrible at it! And, I don't remember making my unicorn a marine. I remember you doing that.
I wish I could fly! Remember when we used to jump off of the roof of the playhouse? Is it like that?
I can't believe you are going to be on the Quidditch team next year! That's so cool.
I wish I could say more, but I'm really tired, and Mom wants to send Hedwig out now while it's dark.
See you soon,
Kelly
"Shh," Harry whispered to his squabbling friends.
He glanced around the corner to make sure the hallway was clear, before running into the trophy room halfway down the hallway.
"I still can't believe you guys dragged me into this," Hermione said with a stand-offish voice.
"We didn't invite you," Ron grunted.
Harry shot him a look that clearly said to be nice.
"Malfoy should be here any minute," he breathed.
"Please don't go through with this, Harry," Neville said.
"He can't back down, he's no coward," Seamus told him. Dean was nodding next to him.
"I'm sorry Neville, but I have to. If he thinks he can just push any of us around, he's wrong," Harry replied. "Now, please be quiet, we don't want to get caught."
They took his words to heart, and silence filled the room. Harry listened intently. His head suddenly snapped towards the door when he heard slow, heavy set footsteps.
"That's not Malfoy," he breathed.
"What?" Neville squeaked.
"Quick, out the other door," Harry whispered.
Dean and Seamus, as the closest to the door, got out first.
"They have to be around here somewhere," Mr. Filches voice oozed through the air. "Come, my pet."
Light started to flood the room as Rom and Hermione left.
"C'mon, Neville," Harry said to the petrified boy.
He started to nudge Neville towards the door. The other boy took the hint, and raced away. However, he ran into a suit of armor.
Harry instantly pulled the boy to his feet, and dragged him towards the door.
"Run for it," he instructed. "Split into the groups and run in different directions."
Neville, Seamus, and Dean raced in one direction, while the other three sprinted down another hall.
"How did you guys get away?" Dean asked Harry and Ron when they fell through the door.
"Sheer luck," Ron grinned.
"What happened?" Seamus pushed.
"We ran into Peeves," Harry started. "And this dunderhead decided to make him mad. He didn't tell Filch where we went, though."
"Yeah, we owe him one," Ron said sarcastically. "The best part is what we found when we hid."
"What?" the three boys pressed.
"We discovered why the third floor corridor is out of bounds," the red head proclaimed proudly.
"What?" Neville gasped.
"There's a huge, three-headed dog in there," Harry explained. "It's guarding something."
"How do you know it's guarding something?" Dean asked.
"This guy decided to look at the floor while it was trying to eat us," Ron grumbled, backhanding Harry's shoulder.
The three other boys stared at him. Harry just shrugged, and started to get ready for bed.
Mom,
Thanks again for the food; it's a huge break from the school food. As good as their food is, I do just want snacks sometimes. Ron asks that you send more Oreos… and Doritos… and, well, he just wants more food. He is always hungry.
Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything like that again. Well, at least not until I'm on the team next year.
Love,
Harry
-oOo-
Kelly,
He really thought his mouth was exploding, and over half of the school thought it was as well! It took the professors a good five minutes calming him down.
I think they were even worse. There are a lot of wizard sweets, but I guess they don't eat them as often. And, they don't have stores like we have that they can just walk to, so they can't go buy any themselves.
What are you learning in Ms. Strom's class? Does she still not have a boyfriend? Can you ask her if I can attend any practices while I am home?
You are right, not liking soccer doesn't make you suck at it. Suck at soccer makes you suck at it. I may have accidently dropped red paint on the unicorn, but you decided it was a Marine.
Flying is even better than jumping off the playhouse. I can't really describe it. I think the closest I can is when you jump off of a swing that's really high. That moment when you feel like you're just hanging there, it's kinda like that.
So, right after I sent you the letter, Malfoy came over and challenged me to a wizards duel. Ron accepted for me, but mainly because he agreed before I could. That night, me, Ron, Dean, and Seamus left for the duel. We ended up with Hermione and Neville as well. Hermione cause she tried to stop us, and Neville cause he couldn't get back into the tower. It turned out to be a trap. Malfoy sent Filch (the janitor basically) after us. We got away, but it was so exciting! Ron, Hermione, and I ended up in a room with a three-headed dog!
I gotta go, I have potions next, and don't need any more reasons for Snape to hate me.
See ya,
Harry
Harry,
Does Ron do anything other than eat? You make it sound like he eats all of the food I send you.
Your got a letter from your father, I slipped it into the envelope.
How are your grades?
Love,
Mom
-oOo-
Harry,
You have so much fun at Hogwarts! The most exciting thing that has happened here so far was a fire alarm that kept us out of fourth block for the last thirty minutes of class.
But, a three headed dog? I didn't even know those existed! There's a snake that has two heads, so I guess it can't be too uncommon, especially in the magic world. You have to get back at Malfoy for tricking you. Please tell me how you did.
Right now, we are learning about plate tectonics. You know, earthquakes and such. I don't think she has a boyfriend. Why? You want the role? Isn't she kinda old for you? Anyways, creep, she said you can join them for practice whenever you want.
I do not suck at soccer! And you painted my unicorn's horn red on purpose! You can't deny it!
If flying is anything like jumping off a swing, I can understand why you like it so much.
Daddy finally replied to our letters! Mom put yours in the envelope with her letter.
Can you send me some magic candy?
Thanks,
Kelly
-oOo-
Harry,
I'm glad to hear you are safe at Hogwarts, just don't get into too much trouble while you are there. Stick by your friends, and keep your grades up.
Congrats on getting into Gryffindor. I know it means a lot to you.
I'm staying as safe as possible here, but that's about all I can tell you.
Dad
"Wha's he reading?" Seamus whispered to Dean.
Dean glanced over at Harry. The black haired boy was sitting in the window niche, with a piece of paper in his hand.
"I think it's a letter from his dad," Dean quietly replied.
"Then why's he so quiet? Shou'n't he be happy?"
"His dad's in the American military. He's fighting overseas right now."
Seamus just nodded and turned back to his essay.
"So, muggles dress up, and get sweets from strangers for Halloween?" Ron asked through a mouthful of food.
"Yup, it's called Trick-or-Treat," Harry replied. His ability to understand the other boy during meals had increased since the beginning of the year.
"That's amazing, why don't we do that?" the red head groaned.
"I dunno," Harry shrugged. "Pass the treacle tart."
Dean grabbed the dessert, and was about to hand it to Harry when the doors were thrown open.
The entire student body turned to watch their Defense teacher run up to the headmaster.
"Troll, in the dungeon," the man faintly said. "Thought you ought to know."
He passed out before anything else could be said.
The hall instantly fell into a state of panic. The younger students were screaming, while the older ones were trying to hide their fear. They didn't settle down until Dumbledore used his wand to shoot loud bangs into the air.
"Prefects, take your students to the dormitories. Slytherins, gather in the library," he ordered.
"First years, follow me," Percy, Ron's brother, instantly took the job.
The first-year Gryffindor's stayed close to Percy. Harry looked around, to make sure that everyone was there.
"Where's Hermione?" he hissed to Ron.
Ron shrugged, and glanced around as well.
"She's been hiding in the bathroom since Charms," Neville spoke up. "Pavarti said some of the Ravenclaw girls were teasing her."
"Cover for us," Harry told Neville.
Harry gave Ron a meaningful look. Ron sighed, and nodded. They quickly made sure no teachers were around, and ducked into the next hallway they passed.
"Where's the girls bathroom?" Harry asked Ron after they jogged through a few halls.
"How could I know? You're the one who decided to find her," Ron gasped.
Harry rolled his eyes, and thought. Whenever the girls arrived to Defense class after them, they came from the opposite direction as the Great Hall.
"This way," he said, racing past the Defense class.
A shill scream filled the air, and their legs started to move faster. Harry could hear Ron wheezing next to him, but his own legs were rejoicing at the use.
He skidded around a corner, and saw a huge hole where a door used to be. He could see the back of the troll.
"Hermione," he yelled. "Go find a teacher," he told Ron.
The red head quickly turned, and went on his task.
Harry sprinted into the bathroom, and zeroed in on the girl. She was backed into the far corner. Her eyes were wide as they stared at the creature.
He quickly looked around the room, trying to find something to use to distract the troll. His eyes landed on a pile of rubble. He grabbed the largest piece he could pick up, a piece of pipe, and threw it.
It hit the troll's shoulder, and the creature looked around. It locked onto Harry, and growled. It lifted its club, and Harry dived to the side just before it started to bring it down.
He covered his head, expecting more debris to fill the area. However, nothing happened. He looked up to see the troll frozen.
He turned to the door, and his heart sank.
Multiple professors were standing with their wands raised. Aunt Minnie was in the front.
Her face was pale, and her eyes wide.
As Harry watched, they started to deal with the troll. After making sure they were busy, Harry made his way over to Hermione. She had slid down the wall, her head in her hands.
"Are you okay?" he quietly asked her.
She turned to him, her eyes still wide. He sat down next to her, and put an arm around her. A few moments later, Ron had sat on her other side.
"Will you please explain what happened?" Aunt Minnie's voice broke the silence the room had fallen into.
Harry looked up at her, and quickly stood up.
"When we heard about the troll, Ron and I noticed that Hermione wasn't with us. We heard that she was here. We came to find her. When we saw the troll, Ron ran back to get help. We just wanted to make sure she didn't get hurt from the troll. I swear, that was all we wanted to do," he rambled.
Minerva looked at her charge. A part of her desperately wanted to be mad at the boy. She wanted to punish him for scaring her so much.
Her heart had skipped a beat when she had seen the troll about to crush him.
However, watching him, with the way he had silently comforted Ms. Granger, and his pale face, she couldn't bring herself to be too harsh on him.
"Why were you not at the feast, Ms. Granger?" her mouth worked on it's own.
Ms. Granger opened her mouth a few times, but nothing came out.
"She was teased by some of the other first years. They've been teasing her all year," Harry spoke up.
Minerva nodded.
"Alright, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, you may go. Mr. Potter, I want to talk to you in my office for a few minutes."
She saw the two first years give their friend sad looks before walking out.
"We'll deal with this, Minerva," Filius said as she led Harry out.
"Thank you, Filius," she nodded.
Harry was silent during the walk to her office. She knew he thought he was going to be in trouble, but Albus didn't want anyone to know of their relationship.
Once they entered her office, she pulled him into a tight hug. When she pulled back, she could see the questions in his eyes.
"Never scare me like that again," she told him.
She could almost feel the relief leave him.
"I'm sorry," he quietly said.
She ran a hand through his hair.
"Your heart is in the right place, but you need to think before you rush into things."
"It was going to kill her!" he argued. "If I had waited, she would be dead."
She stared at him.
"Ms. Granger is lucky to have a friend like you," she told him. "Go back to the common room. Food has been taken up."
He gave her a quick hug before racing off.
She sat down at her desk, exhausted. The next seven years were going to be tough.
How was it? Some fun (I love the idea of Malfoy and Pop Rocks), and some changes from the book. More interaction with Dean and Seamus, less Ron bagging on Hermione. I don't know when the next chap will be up, but I will get to it. I really want to get to Christmas in the story.