Disclaimer: This work is in no way associated with J K Rowling. All recognisable characters and places belong to J K Rowling. This was written purely for my enjoyment, I am making no money from this story. No infringement is intended.
A/N: I am so proud of myself, two chapter finished this week.
Chapter Three
Back of the Express - Markus
"Ya, like a sister," Harry respond and my small smile, for a moment, becomes a huge grin.
Just as he closes the door, I whispered, "Good, because I don't need the competition."
I turn around and close the compartment door behind me and sit down beside Hermione, and whisper, "Weasley won't be bothering you again for a while."
"Who are you, I've never seen you before," Hermione questions and I smile.
"My name is Markus Deivus and I transfered from my old school in Canada so that I could come to the extremely exciting school that is Hogwarts," I answer and then ask her a question, "could you tell me how much of what I heard about what happens in Hogwarts is true?"
"I could try," Hermione said, but frowns before finishing, "but Harry hasn't told me everything- so what do you want to know," the question catches me off guard for a second.
"Well I heard that Hogwarts has a very good arithmancy class and that they focus on the elder futhark in runes, is that true," I said in my best, this is the most exciting subject we could be talking about voice.
"You don't want to know about Harry's adventures," Hermione questions looking shocked.
"Well, yes," I amend quickly, "but I am interested in the quality of teaching. I dont want to fall behind in my classes." I want to know how many hours of catch up work I will have to do this summer.
She gives me a brief overview of the events. First year they deal with a troll, dragon, Voldemort possession and the philosopher's stone. Second year they have to deal with a Obliviater a basilisk and another Voldemort possession. Finally in third year they have to avoid Black, something's fishy about that story, a werewolf and the two of them are nearly killed by a swarm of dementors, something seems to be missing from this too.
We start talking about runes and I tell her about my ear stud, which allows my quill, to both hear and write what I think. After she finishes forcing me to swear an oath that I will show her how to make another quill/stud pair, ask her if she wants to help me work on new enchantments. She seems to know what she's doing…
"You want to work with, me," Hermione asks, suddenly looking extremely insecure, "there are other girls who-"
"Yes, yes," I interrupt her, "but I asked you, so Hermione, do you want to work with me making runic and enchanted items?" Its going to take a lot of work to build up her self confidence.
"Alright," She whispers and nearly splits her head in half with her smile.
Hogsmeade station - Hermione
As the train pulls into Hogsmeade, Markus gets up, shrinks my trunk and offers it to me. With a smile he said, "My I have the honor of escorting you to the school."
I take my trunk and his arm and respond with a look of aristocratic arrogance that I just manage to hold together, "Yes, you may accompany me."
His smile gets even larger and then it twists into a smirk that would give Lucius Malfoy a run for his money. He reaches out and kisses my hand and then take my arm and we walk off, looking the part of two powerful and wealthy purebloods.
As we walk through the train people jump out of our way and several purebloods nod in our direction. Do they not realise who I am, I wonder.
Suddenly a familiar but strangely aristocratic voice calls out, "Lady Granger what are you doing consorting with, Markus Deivus." we spin around and I see him, in as much elitist swagger as he could muster..
"Harry-" I try to ask him what he is talking about, but Markus cuts me off.
"The Lady is walking with me willingly," Markus responds stiffly but a strange light comes into his eyes, "although I see that you, Harry Potter, are sullying the reputations of these fine Lord and Ladies," he salutes Neville and said in a even more snobbish voice, "at least one person in this forsaken country still manages to keep his dignity, well met Lord Longbottom."
For a second Neville just looks confused, but suddenly he turns up his nose and said, "I do not know about you to lowborns, by M'lady an I wish to get a move on." and he walks off with a extremely confused but impressed Tracy and followed by two extremely arrogant acting boys and two absolutely confused girls.
Carriage to Hogwarts - Hermione
The moment the compartment door closes, I turn to Harry and said, "I'm sure there's a story about why you and Neville were parading Daphne and Tracy around like that."
Harry eyes Markus for a second and then said, "There is, but I would like to know where you know Daphne and Tracy from." Is it just me or did he just gaze longingly at Daphne?
"They take runes and arithmancy with me Harry," I respond, with exasperation, "why, are you going to hound me for consorting with the enemy?"
He gives me a, do I look like Ron Weasley, look and then leans over and kisses Daphnes cheek, which almost causes me to fall over from shock. "I could," Harry said, "but it would be rather hypocritical of me, wouldn't it."
Tracy cuts off my retort with a screech, "You never told me he kissed you." Neville clutches his hands to his ears and Markus takes out his wand and casts Episkey first his and then Nevilles ears.
He smiles and said, "What, that screech could have broken glass, I am not going to endure the headache it would have brought me."
Tracy sputters for a moment before turning back to Daphne and saying in a low, calm voice, "What will Malfoy-"
Daphne, cuts her off and said, "Harry already smacked him around on my behalf, so I'm sure he can do it again," and then leans in to rest on Harry's shoulder.
"Ya," Neville said quickly, "Harry stuck Malfoy to the ceiling."
"WHAT," Tracy shrieks.
"What did I say about shrieking," Markus mumbles as he heals everyones ears, "they give me headaches I said, but did they listen, no, no they didn't listen."
The Great Hall - Hermione
The six of us glid into the great hall with our newly created, arrogant pureblood faces on at full power. Harry and Neville escort Daphne and Tracy over to the Slytherin table before joining me at Gryffindor, where I had been escorted by Markus. He in turn had gone to stand by the hat, waiting his turn to be sorted.
Finally the firsties are sorted and Professor Dumbledore stand up to make an announcement, "Before I get to the announcements we have one more sorting. I would like everyone to welcome our transfer student from Canada, Markus Deivus. Now Markus if you would place the hat on your head so that you may be sorted.
Markus give a graceful nod and sits down on the stool, just before he pulls the hat over his eyes, he looks at me, smiles and gestures down at my plate.
I look down quickly and almost do a double take when I see the words, I will probably be in...
The Great Hall - Markus
So transfer student, all the way from Canada.
It was slightly disconcerting having a second voice in my head but I shook that off and thought, Yes there were… problems with my old school.
Yes there definitely were problems, with your school and your headmistress. Anyway lets get on with your sorting. Hmm. Very noble and very brave but… no you just wouldn't do well in Gryffindor, enough thought. Now Hufflepuff, maybe, you are hardworking and extremely loyal, but… no Hufflepuff does loyalty completely differently than you and why work hard when you can make something to work hard for you.
Now Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Hmm. You would do well in either house you know, you are equally intelligent and cunning and your ambition matches your will to learn but… no your love of learning was created and is sustained by your goals and ambitions. I could still put your in Ravenclaw. No, no favoritism? You want to go were you truly belong? Alright, your ambitions will weaken in Ravenclaw and with them your desire to learn… Very well. It had better be, "SLYTHERIN."
The Great Hall - Hermione
"SLYTHERIN." the announces to the hall. I turn and see a smug look on Rons face. What does he think this changes anything? At the same time half of Slytherin table begins to chant, "Deivus, Deivus, Deivus." while the other half flinch every time the name Deivus, rings through the hall.
Markus looks like a king coming home as he strolls up to Slytherin table and seats himself across from Daphne and Tracy and between… Zabini and Nott and starts a conversation with them, Death Eater wannabes.
Markus suddenly looks up and makes a tugging motion at his collar, what is he… Realising what he wants, I pull my trophy necklace and he smiles and gives me a thumbs up. Both Zabini and Nott turn and see me with the, now visible necklace. Zabini almost falls over laughing and the sound from Nott's jaw hitting the table sounds through the great hall.
I smile start talking with Harry and Neville as the professors try to get the students under control, this year is getting off to a good start.
The Great Hall - Harry
Dumbledore finally manages to get everyone under control and said quickly, "Thank you for your attention, now I have two final announcements. Our new Defence teacher will be none other than-"
The doors to the great hall crash open and a hideously disfigured man flies in.
A figure yelled from outside the hall, "Maybe that will get you off your constant vigilance crap for once Moody, and Dumbledore, it seems that you have hired more garbage this year too, when will you find a half decent instructor." a package flies in and Markus catches it with ease, "Well carry on, I didnt mean to disturb your speech Dumbledore," the voice sounds out again.
"Well as I was saying," Dumbledore starts again, "Alabaster Moody, will be taking a position as defence instructor. Also there will be no quidditch cup this year-"
In a moment the whole school starts to yell about how unfair it was. This time Dumbledore has to use a cannon blast charm to get the school under control.
"As I was saying," Dumbledore said, slowly, with obvious annoyance, "this is because Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard tournament this year."
The sinking feeling that I get when something awful is going to happen only gets worse as he explains about the tournament and the arrival of the two other schools. Somehow I am going to end up competing aren't I?
Finally the food appears, but my appetite is gone.
And I thought this year was getting off to a good start.