– CHAPTER FIVE –
AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE
After the Sorting Ceremony Headmaster Slughorn rose from his seat, welcoming the students back "Welcom all, to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we dig in the start of term feats I would like to make quick announcements! First I would like to welcome and congratulate all the first year into making in their House! That will be your home here at Hogwarts, secondly, I'd like to welcome back the older students to another year!
"On another note, I would also like to remind students that the Forbbiden Forest is...well..er...Forbbiden... and in your common room you'll find the list of banned objects...it's quite extense so I won't take your time listing them all. And now, without further ado: Enjoy your meal!" he raised his arms and food appeard in front of them.
Albus mouth watered, it was just like the meals they would have whenever Nana Weasly decided to assemble the family. "Look at all this food! Is it real?" Gigi, who was sitting directly in front of Albus, had an eufoic look to her as she took in every meal in front of her with her eyes.
"Of course it's real! I'd try the pork, Roxy tells me it's the best!" Rose said already filling her plate with potato, beans and gravy.
"I've never seen this much food!" Gigi, quickly took Rose's advice and served a large piece of pork and a mountain of smashed potato in her plate. Albus looked around him and saw that everyone was digging in their meal.
Taking advantage that everyone was preocupied with their plate Albus turned to look at the Hufflepuff table. There he found Camden, eating like a true lady. He couldn't tell what was on her plate but at least she hadn't served herself to half of the potatoes like Gigi had. He wanted to be there. He looked back at Gigi. He wanted to be with Camden. Camden didn't have gravy splatter on her cheek, and she most deffinetly wasn't using her sleave as napkin. Why couldn't he be be there with the pretty girl? Instead he was stuck looking the the flat chested, short haired, boy looking girl pour and insane amout of mustard on her pork chopps. He never put much thought about being a Hufflepuff, never cared much about the badger house, but in that moment – as he watched Gigi's disguting behavior and Rose's nagging – he wanted to be a Hufflepuf as bad as he had wanted to be a GryffindoruffHUffjdhd.
The meal went without any great occurances. Gigi managed to get gravy on anyone sitting in a 2 meter radius of her. Rose yelled at her. Emill laughed histerrically, since he was sitting the farthest he got away gravy free. Scorpius stole her pudding in revenge, she got gravy on his hair, but she just laughed and grabbed more pudding. Rusticuss only noticed he had gravy on his robes because Rose pointed it out to him, he laughed too and licked it off, receiving a disgusting look from Rose. Albus, who had gotten some on his eye, just glared at her, but it didn't seem to reach her.
In the end, Rusticuss and Gigi had a burping contest, Scorpius tried to join in but couldn't stop laughing, Emill seemed ready to pass out from so much food, and Rose kept sending Gigi and Rusticuss occasional "Gross", "Disgusting", and "Eww"s. Professor Slughorn stood once again, calling to an end the Star of Term Feast. He said some more words of welcom and warning but nobody seemed to be listening, and soon everybody was realeased to go to their dormitories.
"First years here with me!" Called the Gryffindor Head Girl, a black girl with cornrows and full bushy hair."I'm Bristol Jordan, and I'm the Gryffindor Head Girl. If you have any trouble at all you can come to me or to the Head Boy, Alfonso Peni."she pointed to the boy staning next to her. He had delicate features, black hair and dark blue eyes. "Now if you follow us we'll show you to the comon room." Someone, sounding suspiciously like James, yelled behind them "PARTY!". She ignored him and ushered the first years across the castle.
They went up various flight of stairs, some of them moved, other stood still, and some had vanishing steps. The portraits were everywhere, they moved and talked cheerfully, welcoming the first years. They even met the Gryffindor house ghost: Nearly Headless Nick. Ina Fleetwood and Eulalia Xelusidas screamed when he walked through the wall in front of them. Albus heard Scorpius ask Gigi if she wasn't scared, she shook her head "I'm from Edinburgh. Born, bread and buttered there. Can't call yourself an Edinburgher if you're scared of ghosts."she answered.
They finally reached the large portrait of The Fat Lady, the door to the Gryffindor common room. "So, this is the entrance to the common room."said Alfonso Peni, "There is a password that opens the door, they change every once in a while, so you have to pay attention. There will be a list of them posted on the wall inside. We strongly advice that you don't write them down on parchment, anyone can enter if they have the password. The password for now is Alihotsy" the portray swung side reveling a round openning. Inside most of the Gryffindor had already arrived and was packed with people.
Albus stepped in taking in the room, it was decoratd with red and gold, banners showing the lion glimmer the walls , there were tapestries on the wall decorated with lions, forrest and unicorns. It wa beatiful. The fireplace was already lit and gave the room a warm, cozy feeling. James was fast to spot: he was standing on one of the sofas arms, locked with Lucy, dancing can-can. Sweets, James' best friend, hoocked his arms in Lucy free arm and join the dance all the while singing the old Hogwarts song. Students nearby cheered them on, joining in the song.
As they walked in further the room, everybody congratulated them on the sorting, Scorpius got most of the attention. "I still don't get it." Said Emill, who had now taked seat in a near by couch, "You wizards take this house thing really seriously, don't you?"
"Everbody to bed! Classes start tomorrow!" Bristol Jordan started batting everyone away to their dormitories. Albus saw that some of the prefect were helping her but other seemed to be enjoing the party.
Alfonso Peni turned to Albus and other first year that were near. "Boys dormitories are on the left, and girl are on the right. You'll find that your thing are already there. I suggest you get some sleep. Tomorrow morning breakfest starts at 8, and that's when the Head of the house give us our scheduel."
Albus didn't wait for the others, he waved Rose bye and headed to the dormitories. Last he saw of her she had sat down beside Roxy by the fire. Albus' bed was the first on to the left. His tawny owl, Nimbus, was already there, sleeping in his cage, set on top of his trunk. Emill followed Albus inside and found his stuff oposite Albus. "I have to get out of this clothes."he said gesturing to his wet robes.
"Were you in one of the broken boats?" Albus asked.
"Yeah, right at front. Ina's boat helped us. It was pretty scary." Emill pulled his robes ove his head. He was wearing muggle clothes underneath.
Albus changed to his pijamas. He felt tired suddenly and wanted nothing more than to sleep on his cozy four poster bed. This was going to be his home for seven years. The thought used to scare him, but now it didn't. He fell asleep before his head hit the pillow. He felt at home.
The next morning Albus woke up with someone pushing his shoulder.
"Potter?" said a voice Albus assumed belonged to the person who was nudging him.
"Wha? 'm awake. Go away." Albus mumbled. Five more minutes, Albus thought.
"You're gonna miss breakfast if you don't get up. They're giving the scheadules today."
Scheadules? Albus woke with a jolt, jumping to a standing position. He could hear adrenaline ringing in his ear. "I'm at Hogwarts." He mumbled, remembering where he was and what he was supposed to be doing. "I have to ge dressed!"
Scorpius didn't even get a chance to understande what Albus was saying. The black haired boy started rummuging through his trunk looking for his robes, not even looking up at Scorpius. "You ok mate?" asked Scorpius.
Albus looked at him, noticing the boy for the first time. His eyes were wide and still a but dazed with sleep. "Yeah, yeah" he run his hand through his hair, Where's Florian? "What time is it?"
"Quarter passed eight." Aswered Scorpius.
Oh, right Florian got sorted in Hufflepuff... Albus was starting to get his focus back. "Ok, I need to get dressed." He said again, still not leaving his spot by the trunk.
"Get your robe, Potter, your tunic, and put them on." Scorpius said, slowly, making sure to pronounce each word clearly. "I'll be waiting downstairs."
He was now alone, Albus noticed. Everyone was probably in the Great Hall eating breakfast and getting their scheadules. Except for Scorpius, who was waiting for him in the common room...or had he meant downstairs in the Great Hall? Didn't matter, Albus needed to get dress. Fast After the inicial slow thought process, his mind started to work better. It was always like this for him in the morning, acting like a zombie in the first hour. When he washed his face his mind was clear and alert. Albus looked at himself in mirror. A smiled formed his lips. He looked at the red tunic with pride. Gryffindor. Just like his father. He made a mental note to write a letter to his parents.
All refreshed and looking smart, Albus set his owl, Numbus, out to hunt and darted to the comon room. Scorpius was there as he promised, waiting for him, and lying on the couch next to him was Gigi, trying to get a little extra sleep before heading to breakfast. "Everyone else is already at breakfast?" Albus asked.
"Some have already gotten back. I think we are the last ones to go down. Gigi, wake up." He pushed the couch with his foot, not bothering with waking her gently.
"Wha?" she rose from the couch trying to smooth out her crumpled clothes, ignoring her hair that had one side raised, "I've got the worst roommates. They didn't even bother to wake me up on time. If it wasn't for Elliot, I'd probably still be sleeping."
Scorpius was already with the portrait open when Albus felt the need to ask, "Who's Elliot?" he certenly doesn't remember anyone in the cerimony called Elliot.
"He's my pet rabbit." She said. Scorpius turned from the door, raising and eyebrow.
"You brought a pet rabbit?" Albus asked, "I thought we're only allowed to bring either a cat, an owl or a toad."
"Well I didn't have a cat, and owl or a toad. I have a rabbit, so Professor Longbottom allowed me to bring him." She bent ove, looking for something under the couch. "Come on Elliot, we're gonna have breakfast!"
"I wanted a rat." Said Scorpius, now standing by Albus's side, looking curiously at Gigi trying to persuade her rabbit to get out from underneath the couch. "You can bring rats too. Guess you can bring anything if you can carry it. But Dad convinced me in getting a cat. But i don't think my cat likes me very much. Haven't seen him since i got here."
Gigi was on her knees pulling on something with great strenght, and out came a huge black furry thing. "AAHHHHH" Albus and Scorpius jumped back screaming. "That is NOT a rabbit!" yelled Albus.
"He's a Giant French lop Rabitt. Though when we bought him he was a really tiny thing." Gigi struggled to get up holding him in her arms. The rabbit would easy reach her chest if he were to stand on his hind legs. She manage to swing him over her shoulder while supporting his hind legs with both her arms, she obviously had practice with the huge animal. "Let's go to breakfast, I'm starvig!" with that she walked past them.
"I'm gonna have nightmares with that thing." Scorpius said, grimmacing.
As they walked down the hallways both Albus and Scorpius kept a safe distance from Gigi and her monster. Neither could get their eyes away from the rabbit. His long ear swayed to the side as Gigi kept walking, every now and them she made him jump a little as to accomodate him in her arms. From where the boys stood it always seemd like Elliot was ready to attack them, starring at them with his beady little black shiny eyes. "I suppose that brings down the theory that 'if you can carry it, you can bring it'." Scorpius whispered to Albus.
She only placed him down when they reached the bottom of the stairs. And to the boy's surprise Elliot was very well trained and followed Gigi like a dog. He's deffinatly got the size for it, thought Albus.
At the table, Albus noticed, Rose was already there and was almost finished with her food. "What is that thing?" she asked as Albus sat across from her, Gigi on his right and Scorpius on his left.
"Elliot." Answered Albus, "A giant something something frech rabbit."
"Giant French lop Rabbit. It's not that hard to remmember, you know." Gigi nagged as she tried to have Elliot to sit at the table, receiving many complaits from her fellow Gryffindor. "He's very clean, I'll have you know!" she said to an older girl who shrieked. Rose didn't waste any time and was aleady sending her disgusted glares.
"The table is no place for animal." she said to Gigi. Gigi didn't reply – which, Albus knew, would only make Rose dislike her even more – she was now trying to get him to stay put under the table, giving him a plate of food that magically appeared with all things, Albus guessed, rabbits ate.
Rose chose to ignor her and turned to look back at her cousin, "You're late. Professor Longbottom already handed out the schedules. Here we have Herbology first thing with him."she handed the paper for him to take a look. Before he could se what else he had for the rest of the week as shadow came over him.
"Hello, Albus. Nice of you to join us on this lovely morning."
"Hi Neville!" Albus smiled at his Godfather.
"Professor Longbottom, please. We're in school now." He's tone was serious but he had a kind smile on his face. "Here is your schedules." He handed a parchment to Albus, Scopius and Gigi. "And how are you doing, Miss St. Claire?" he turned to Gigi.
"My roommates didn't wake me up! I was all alone in the dormitories, and none of them waited for me." She complained. Nevilles was taken aback, not realy expecting her to have anything bad to say about Hogwarts in the first day. Rose, however, was very fast to answere to the acusations.
"We tried waking her, Professor, but she just kept snorring and sending us away!" the other girls that shared the dormitories sent "yeah's" of agreement to Roses'defence
"I do not snore!" Gigi talked back, and before the girl could start their bickering, Neville intervined
"Woa, calm down. You are gonna share your rooms for 7 years, and on the first day you're ready to start bickering? That's not a good way to start the term. Hopefully you'll figure out a way to settle this diferences. I don't want to hear anymore about this. You're house mates, start acting like it." He gave a stern glare to the girls and left.
Gigi looked lost and Rose looked tryimph, the other looked ashamed. Albus looked over at Scopius, the boy just shrugged and shook his head, he didn't know what had happened either. Albus took the advantage of the silence in the first years end of the table to write a letter to his parents. If he was fast enough, he would have time to go to the owlry and get his letter sent.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I got sorted into Gryffindor! It's really cool here, except for the part where we got attacked by the Giant Squid when we were crossing the lake...did that happened to you? Anyway, my roommates are nice. It kind of feels like home here, especially with all my cousins appearing from behind every corner. And right now I'm heading to Neville's class. Ops, I mean, Professor Longbottom. I have to go now. Send my love to Lilly!
Your's truelly Gryffindor son,
Albus S. Potter
When he finished he folde and placed it in his pockets. "Is that a letter to you parents?" asked Rose, "I've already wrote to mine. I told them all about what happened at the lake yesterday."
"Yeah, me too. I got to go. Nimbus is probably at the owlry, I'll run over there to send them before class." He took a last gulp of his pumpkin juice and a last bite from his waffles and left the table, "See you at class,! Bye Scorpius!" he tapped the boy on the back causing him to choke on his juice, and waved to his cousin.
"I'll save you a seat!" Rose yelled as Scorpius coughed uncontrollably.
He felt sory for Scorpius but couldn't stop now, if he wanted to be on time for class he had to run fast. He walked out the door and stopped. Where was the owlry? Comming out of the Great Hall behind him was the Ravenclaw prefect. "Hey! Excuse me! Where's the owlry?"
A/N: wow, ok I took a long time to write this chapter! and i'm not even happy with it...but anyway hope you guys liked it either way.
I'm here for some pretty big announcements to all of you who are keeping up with this.
As you may, or may have not, noticed I changed the title. I've been meaning to do it for a while but always had second thoughts. I fought a lot with the idea of putting "Albus Potter and the'' in front of the title...but , alas, i think it fits with what I want to do ( which is write all 7 years of Albus's school days).
Also, I've been trying to get this story going regularly but I won't be posting for another 2 months. the reason for this is because I'm planning on entering the Nanowrimo contest (all those who like writting should check it out .org). I have an idea of a book I want to write so I'm gonna take this time to get that project going. The contest challeges you to write a novel in a month, it's not at all about the quality, it's just about getting the 50,000 words count. it's just to get people writting. So the contest doesn't open until November (that means that whatever i write now won't count for the contest) but i want to take this time to really plot out my novel ( i did the same thing for this fanfic, i plotted everything out before writting, even the second and third books are already half wat plotted) that's why i won't be posting this month, or the next.
well that's it for this lengthy Author's note, thank you everyone that's following this, hope you keep following, because there is more to come. and as always place your thoughts on the Reviews, I would love to know your thoughts on this story or whatever you feel like sharing!
stay safe! bye!