Sorry its been so long. I got hung up over the summer and then delayed by marching band. Then I spend the last month acclimating to high school and planning some more plot. Without further ado,

STORYTIME!

A soft glow poked its way over the horizon. As the first rays of sunlight played across Hogwarts castle, its occupants began to stir. With a slow yawn and a stretch, Garion pulled himself out of his four-poster bed in the Gryffindor Dormitory. He gazed around the room, searching for more wakeful faces. He didn't see any. Yet.

"OI!" Garion's powerful bellow (for an adolescent sorcerer at least) woke the room. "Come, on! Get up! We've got to get to breakfast!" With a chorus of moans, the rest of the dorm slipped into alertness.

"Garion, did you have to be so loud?" Ron groaned. Garion grinned.

"Yep! I was really hungry! Let's get something to eat!" Harry and Ron nodded and began to slip into their robes. Several of the other occupants, whom Garion hadn't had the chance to introduce himself to, did so also. "Lets go!"

The trio made their way down the stairs into the common room. A familiar figure graced one of the many overstuffed chairs.

"Ah!" Hermione exclaimed. "Finally, you decide to grace me with your presence. Shall we go?" Garion nodded, and the three boys followed Hermione out through the portrait hole and into the hallway. The corridor was a blizzard of activity. Teachers made their way to their classes; students hustled to and from the great hall. The four Gryffindors claimed a spot at the long table and set about filling their plates.

"So who knows which class we have first today?" Ron questioned. Hermione quickly pulled out her schedule.

"History of Magic." She replied. Ron groaned.

"Bloody hell! Thats supposed to be the most boring class in the whole castle!" Harry looked puzzled.

"Why? Is there something wrong with the professor?"

"Yeah," Ron replied dryly, "He's dead." Garion shuddered, remembering the ghosts from the feast the previous night. "Fred said he constantly lectures, and just about everybody sleeps in his class."

"Well," said Hermione, swallowing a bite of egg, "we'd better go find out how bad it is." The four stood up as the scraps of their meal vanished, collected their books, and exited the hall.

"Well," said Harry, "It looks normal enough." Garion noddded. The room was rather plain. A large chalkboard adorned the wall at the front of the classroom, and nondescript desks filled the rest.

"Quick, lets find some desks," Hermione urged as students began to trickle in. The boys nodded and slipped into some desks, dropping their books on top. Minutes later, the room was filled, but the professor was nowhere to be found. Without warning, a translucent figure burst through the chalkboard. Several of the students jumped in surprise.

"Good morning," The ghost said in a dry voice, " I am Professor Binns, your History of Magic Teacher." He drifted towards the students. "Today, we will begin with ancient magical history. Would everybody please turn to page five of Ainciente Magickal Historie of Moste Astounding Import by Leoros Sethen." As he turned the page, Garion found himself looking at an extremely familiar map.

"No..." He whispered.

"We shall begin," Binns continued, "With what ancient Wizards called England." He waved his hand, and the map appeared, hovering in front of the chalkboard. "Here, we have what was formerly known as Riva."

"I can't believe how terribly drawn those maps were!" Hermione laughed. "Did you see how far west they placed Australia?" Ron nodded.

"Those names were pretty ridiculous, too. Perivor? Sounds like some medieval name or something." Garion stared ahead blankly, processing the new information.

"Yeah," continued Harry, "Isn't it cool that Hogwarts was build on top of some old castle?" Hermione nodded.

"You mean that Citadel? It is pretty intriguing. I wonder if we've seen any of the original architecture yet."

"We haven't." Garion replied curtly. The others looked at him.

"And...how do you know that?" Hermione said slowly. Garion froze.

"W-well," he started, "none of the architecture looked old or out of place. You'd think that the newer stuff would be on top, right? Any original work would clash." Ron scratched his head.

"Makes sense. Nothing looked that ancient." Garion let out the breath he had been holding.

"Hurry up, you three!" Hermione chided. "Transfiguration's next, we're going to be late!"

Out of breath, the four Gryffindors rushed into the Transfiguration room. The classroom was already almost filled.

"Did we make it?" Ron puffed. Harry looked up.

"I think we did, but does it matter? McGonagall isn't here." As they moved to the front of the room, a grey tabby cat approached them. It didn't stay a tabby cat for long, however. Slowly growing and shifting, before they knew it the stern visage of Minerva McGonagall stared at them.

"You four are very nearly late." Almost the whole room burst into stunned applause.

"Mr. Ryva, did you not find my display as impressive as the rest of the class?" Garion grew pale.

"No, no," he spluttered, raising his hands in front of him, "Its just-"

"Just what?" McGonagall asked, "Commonplace? Do you see Animagi a lot? A family member perhaps?"

Should I tell her? Garion thought.

Yes. It is necessary. The dry voice of the prophecy replied. It may be necessary for you to change. Do so if asked.

"Actually," Garion replied, "pretty much my entire family can change into animals." McGonagall looked at him sharply.

"Really now?"She asked, "Care to...demonstrate...for the class?"

"Garion!" Hermione hissed, "Stop this! Quit messing around with everybody so we can get to class." Garion raised up a finger, shushing her. He closed his eyes, and imagined a wolf. Large, almost a meter tall, with gray fur. Sharp claws protruded from the paws, and an eager tongue lolled out of its gaping jaws. Then, with an airy rush, the wolf was there, and Garion wasn't. The room was silent. A shaky finger rose up, and the student it belonged to rose with it.

"Oi! That thing was chasing the bloody train!"

I know, it's short, but I'm sick and it's hard to write. I finally did it though! Be proud. Review, and tell me what you guys want to see. I've got most of the main plot planned out, but suggestions are always welcome!

Adieu!

FC