Chapter Five: The Amulet of Giant-Ass Snakes
Harry didn't forget the Jones' in the following weeks of his stay at The Leaky Cauldron. Because, honestly? Who could forget thirteen teenagers who dump hot tea on you and accidentally knock your glasses off of your face? Harry even told Hermione and Ron, his two best friends, about it when the three of them met up. The weeks of Harry's stay ended more quickly than he would of liked, but the thought of returning to Hogwarts brightened his spirits considerably. Sadly, the ride to Hogwarts ended up worse than he would have liked, with the Dementor attack and all. So, when he and Hermione arrived in the Great Hall just in time for Dumbledore's speech they quietly made their way towards their house table.
"Welcome!" Said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmered on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it is best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…"
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the demented of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
He paused, and Harry remembered what Mr Weasley had said about Dumbledore not being happy with the Dementors guarding the school.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, and Harry and Ron glanced at each other. "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the perfects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors," he said.
Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from Harry, puffed out his chest again impressively. Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound.
"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers and a few special guests to our ranks this year.
"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. Only those who had been in the compartment with Professor Lupin clapped hard, Harry among them. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.
Ron was about to say something to Harry, but before he could, the Great Hall's doors banged opened, the large, heavy oak doors slamming into the stone walls. A hush fell over the crowed of magic users.
"... I still don't get why we couldn't have taken up Iggy's offer to stay at home for a few more days!" An American accent floated into the silent hall. "C'mon, Mis, don't you agree?"
"Cali," a new voice joined the other, this time a girl's. "It'll be better if we got here before the other students, not after them."
The British wizards and witches tried to get a good look at the doors to see who the voice belonged to. Harry turned his head over to whisper to his friends. "Ron, Hermione, I think those are the Americans I told you about!"
Hermione's eyes widened and Ron stood up to get a better look at the Americans.
"Hey, hey, guys," a newer voice with a thick Southern American accent filled the Great Hall. "I think we forgot about the time difference."
"What do you mean by that, Tex?" The first person who had spoken asked.
"Well, I think she said that because the whole school is looking at us." A voice with a thick Northern accent joined the conversation.
"Ooooh, so that's what Iggy meant by hurry up or you'll be late!" Harry could see a small mop of brown hair rush by all the house tables. A young boy, about Harry's age, with a face full of freckles and bright blue eyes stopped in front of Professor Dumbledore. "Sean Jones reporting for duty, Mr Doubledoors, sir!"
Dumbledore chuckled at the boy's - Sean's - missay of his name, instead of getting mad. "Hello, Mr Jones." The old Professor replied, eyes twinkling. Dumbledore turned towards the other twelve Americans who were still standing in the Great Hall doorway. "The rest of you, no need to worry, please join us!" He spread his hands out at the student body. "We were about to introduce you."
"Uh, we're sorry, I guess…?" A boy with dirty blonde hair and grey eyes walked over to the Headmaster. "I guess we just forgot about the time zones…"
The elder just laughed. "No worries, Mr Carson." The rest of the Americans followed Carson's lead into the Great Hall. "Now then," Dumbledore announced to the rest of the Student Body, "These thirteen Americans have come to join us for a year at Hogwarts! I hope you can treat them with all the respect they deserve, and I am sure they will do the same to you." With a small smile, the ancient man turned towards the thirteen siblings. "Now it is time for a Sorting - the American way!"
"Wait, what?" A girl with sun-bleached hair yelped. "Iggy told us that we just had to put a hat on!"
Even from where the Golden Trio was sitting, they could see Dumbledore's eye twinkling merrily. "Yes, but I figured this way would be a bit more fun."
Whispers spread around the Great Hall, students already coming up with theories behind the foreign students.
"Instead of the Sorting Hat, we will be using a piece of work I think you will all appreciate. It was, in fact, donated by one of your father's colleagues." Dumbledore said with a small smile. He waved his hand, ignoring the horrified faces of his newest charges. "I present to you, the Amulet of China." He pulled out a golden amulet attached to an equally golden chain. In the center of the amulet there was a swirling grey mass, mesmerizing the mass of students. Dumbledore smiled at them before calling out one of the boys's name.
"Jones, Alek!" A stocky boy with unevenly cut white hair walked over to Dumbledore. The man whispered something in the boy's - Alek's - ear before putting the amulet around his neck. There was a small pause before Alek let out a gasp, his eyes turning pure white before a giant silver snake appeared behind him with a flourish of green sparks.
"Slytherin!" Dumbledore called out, clapping his hands together and taking the amulet from the shaken American. Harry looked at his friends, who were looking at him with wide eyes and gaping mouths.
"This is going to be one hell of a year." Ron muttered.