"Firs' Years! Firs' years! C'mon follow me- any more firs' years? Follow me!" Hagrid called as he patrolled the platform looking for young witches and wizards to guide. Zuko followed the giant around as the small mass of eleven year olds grew. Soon he had a whole class of young students staring at him and murmuring why a sixteen year old is with the first year students.

Slipping and stumbling they followed Hagrid down a steep narrow path, the rain showed no mercy for the small group as they headed to the lake.

"You'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "Jus' round this bend here."

gasps of excitement left the younger students faces. Zuko was looking at a big black lake with a mountain behind it. perched ontop of the mountain was a vast castle with turrents and towers, its windows sparkling in the rainy night.

"No more n' four to a boat!" The giant called as he climbed aboard one, taking up all the room in the boat. Zuko climbed aboard a boat that had three first years who were just shivering in the cold. The rain poured down harder once they pushed off of the shore. No one talked, they only shivered and gazed heavenly at the castle ahead. the boats carried them through a long dark tunnle underneath the mountain. They seemed to reach somekind of underground harbour where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

"Everyone ready? Follow me!" they all clambered up a flight of stairs to a big wooden door. Hagrid knocked three times with his gigantic fist on the castle door.

The door swung open. A tall black haired witch wearing emrald robes stood there. Zuko saw she had a very stern face and was probably not someone to cross.

"Some new studen's Profeddor McGonagall," said hagrid.

"Thank you Hagrid," She turned to the students, "Right this way please,"

the group followed her through the entrance hall. Zuko just stared at the architechture and thought that the fire nation palace could use a remodleing from whom ever made this. The stone walls were alined with torches and the ceiling was too high to make out. everyone just looked around trying to soak in everything.

They followed the professor across the tiled floor. Zuko could here the drone of voices coming from the room to their right and assumed everyone else must have already been seated. He wanted to go and start th feast, his stomach was growling but McGonagall showed the first years into a small empty chamber off the hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," She started her small speach, "he start of the term banquet will procede shortly but before you take your seats you will be sorted into your houses. Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you ar here at Hogwarts your house will be like your family. You will sleep and learn with your house and try to earn points to win the house cup. Your triumphs will gain you points, while any rule breaking and you will lose points. The four houses are Gryffindor Hufflepuff Ravenclaw and Slytherin each having a very noble history with the school. The sorting ceremony will happen in a few moments infront of the entire school, i suggest you smarten yourselves up while you are waiting." Her eyes lingered a bit on various students with untidy cloaks or dirt on their faces. Zuko saw her eyes flicker constantly back to him with his messy hair and his ugly looking scar, but he took no effort to try to fix it.

"I will come for you when they are ready," She turned and left.

Gasps came from the crowd behind him, Zuko turned to see almost twenty Ghosts flying around the room. Pearly white and slightly transparent they glided around and greeted the new coming witches and wizards.

"Move along now" a sharp voice came, Professor McGonagall had returned to the small chamber. "The sorting ceremony is about to start"

The ghosts slowly flew away and dissolved into the wall.

"Now form a line," McGonagall told the group. After some pushing and shoving they managed to make a single filed line. Zuko was near the end of it. "Now follow me,"

The group walked in line out of the chamber and back across the hall and through the double doors to the great hall. Zuko's eyes popped when he saw the splendid veiw, thousands upon thousands of candles floated in the air, shedding light across everything he could see. Four large tables each with a different colour were set equal distant from each other across the room. Thousands of students sat in the hall at their colour coded table, Zuko glanced over at the green table to see Malfoy glaring at him. To avoid the staring eyes he glanced upward and noticed a cloudy sky, small rain drops fell from the roof but then dissappeared before hitting the students. Zuko wondered what the bewitched sky would look like on a clear night, probably amazing.

Zuko quickly focused on the front of the room where McGonagall had silently put a four legged stool then placed an old tattered hat ontop. the had was worn and old and Zuko knew it was probably very very dirty. after some seconds of complete silence the hat twitched and opened up a seame near the brim. surprisingly the hat began to sing.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

The song finally ended and a roaring cheer came from the crowd of students. After taking a bow to each of the four tables the tattery hat bacame still again.

McGonagall stepped forward holding a long scroll. "When i call your name please take aseat on the stool and put the hat on your head, you will be sorted into your houses."

Name after name was called in alphabetical order by last name. the A's went then the B's. Zuko's last alias name was Malfoy, he just leaned back and waited for his name to be called. the tables each clapped when they received a new student. Every Hufflepuffs voice will be mute by the end of the night for they recieved way more students then any other table did.

Zuko noticed that sometimes the hat would shout out the house name at once, then for others it would take some time. the crowd of first years thinned and soon Zuko knew would be his turn.

"Malfoy, Zuko!" A roar came from the slytherin table as if to already greet their new arrival. Zuko begged and pleaded with himself not to be put in with the emerald cloaks. We slowly inched his way forward, he heard murmurs from the other tables as they noticed he was not an eleven year old child. he sat up on the stood and looked forward. The rows and rows of kids stared at him as his heart beat out of his chest. the last thing he thought he saw before the hat dropped over his eyes was a hufflepuff girl glaring at him with bright blue eyes and a water tribe necklace on.

Under the cover of the hat he questioned if what he saw was real, it had to be a trick of the light or some sort of optical illusion right? He was in a foreign country under a different name no way would anyone find him here.

"hmm," a small voice hummed in his year, "Interesting, brave heart, determination, hard working," the hat sorted through both his shining and his darker qualities, trying to find which house would suit him the most. "I know exactly where to put a boy with your abilities," the hat mumured. With a loud yell the hat screamed his house out to the crowd, "Gryffindore!" astonished gasps came from the crowd soon followed by roaring cheers from the red cloaked table. He saw McGonagall give alook of disgust mixed with pride. Zuko hopped off of the chair and noticed he was shaking a bit of nervousness. He looked over at the Hufflepuff table again to try and find the girl but nobody from the water tribe could be seen.

"Zuko if you would please sit down," McGonagall said strictly. He gave her a small bow, making her blush a bit, the proceded to find a seat near Ron who was complaining about the food taking so long.

The rest of the witches and wizards were sorted by the hat. After Kevin Whitby joined Hufflepuff, McGonagall picked up the hat and chair and carried them away.

"About time," said Ron seizing his knife and Fork and looking expectantly at his golden plate.

"Ron," Zuko said, "Food isn't just going to appear. Calm down and wait for the chiefs,"

"You're kidding right?" Ron laughed but received a smack from Hermione.

An old man who McGonagall introduced as Dumbledore stood up. He held his arms wide in welcome and smiled at all the students.

"I only have two words to say to you," He said, his deep echoing voice boomed across the halls, "Dig in!"

Zuko stared at the platters that suddenly were exploding with food. His look must have been noticed by Ron who almost choked on a mouthful of chicken.

"Blimey mate! remember this is a magic school!" Harry said slapping Zuko on the back who just started to dive into the noodles himself.

Ghosts everywhere were talking to the students and having a great time, but this one ghost just stared at Zuko,Ron, Hermione, and Harry mournfully as they ate their feast.

"Would you like something? there is definatley enough food," Zuko offered as the plates started to refill. Hermione gave him a wack on the back of the head.

"No," The ghost said sadly, he looked longingly at Ron who had mashed potatoes seeping from his mouth, "I can't eat, im dead you see. I just wish sometimes i could taste something one more time." He paused then looked back to Zuko, "Oh! my boy! i don't think we have met before! i am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. You might hear me called Nearly Headless Nick, but i dont care for that name to much," He said winking at the fire bender.

"I am Zuko Malfoy, Nice to meet you Sir Nicholas," Zuko gave a small bow to Nick wo beamed back at him.

"OH! such a gentle man! treating me as if i was some sort of king!"

"Well you are a Sir." Zuko said

"Oh " The ghost flew off all giddy at the compliment. if he were alive he might have been beet red blushing.

"Why is he nearly headless?" Zuko asked Ron.

Ron made a face as if remembering a horror film, "Please dont ask"

Hermione turned to the bender, "Why do you bow to everyone when you meet or leave? its a bit odd,"

"Sorry," Zuko blushed a bit, "It shows respect in our country or gratitude. i was wondering why everyone seemed overly flattered when i did it." He paused, "Should i stop?"

"Yeah mate, it's a bit weird," Ron said but received another slap from his friend/

"I think it is cute," Hermione smiled then returned to eating her steak.

Zuko continued to eat his assortment of noodles and chicken. His stomach was ever extending from his abs as he made his fill. Finally looking back up from the delicious food he glanced around at the other tables. Glancing through the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and slytherin tables did his eyes finally stop on one girl. She was short, black haired girl who looked very natural in the colour green, she wore no shoes and her eyes were greyed and hazed out. Zuko noticed she was blind, "Toph?" he whispered to himself.

"Who? what? hermione said as she glanced up from a copy of the book Curses and Countercures for Every Witch.

Zuko looked back at where the girl was but she had gone. "Uh... nothing." he grumbled. was it just another trick of the light? a ghost?

Harry turned back from talking to someone from another table. "DId you here what happened in the kitchens? Peeves got in and threw pots and pans everywhere, causing mayhem. He completely terrified the house elves."

CLANG!

Hermione had knocked over a glass of pumpkin juice. everyone seemed to notice but her, she stared furiously at Harry, "THere are house elves here?" she said horror struck, "Here in the castle?"

"well of course!" Ron said "Hogwarts has the most anywhere! over a hundred i beleive,"

"What! tell me they get paid atleast! or holidays! tell me they get holidays!" she said panicking.

"Well they are quite content at their job." Ron replied. but hermione just pushed away her plate.

"thats slave Labour!"

Zuko patted her shoulder, "You wont get them a holiday by starving,"

"This is a slave labour dinner, i dont think a prince would understand" she said brushing his hand off her shoulder.

"Hey they mine are servants, i treat them with respect and they get paid very well" he grumbled irritativley.

The meal continued along with the rain but hermione refused to eat anything. Ron, Harry adn Zuko all tried to tempt her with the gormet food but she wouldnt budge, only gave them looks that McGonagall would be proud of.

Only after all the trickle tarts, pumpkin pastries, chocolate gateaus, puddings and cakes had been swept clean of the plates and either eaten or shoved into a pocket for later did Albus Dumbledore get to his feet again. The noise of laughter and chatter that once filled the hall stopped almost at once, everyone gave their full attention to the old wizard. The hall was so quiet Zuko could hear the wind howling outside and the small rain pitter pattering on the roof.

I must ask once again for your attention while i give out a few notices. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind the students that the list of banned objects inside the castle has been extended to screaming yoyo's, fanged frisbees and ever-bashing boomerangs. If you want the full list consisting of four hundred and thirty seven items you can view it on the door of Mr. Filch's office." The crowd was totally silent, the only one to be heard was Filch the caretaker grumbling about mismatched boomerangs and broken windows. "For the first years and new comers i wish to inform you and to remind the returning students that the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden"

"Gee i couldn't figure that one out," Zuko grumbled.

"This year i am pleased to inform you that starting in October and lasting through out the school year, Hogwarts will be hosting the-"

A big crack of thunder boomed throughout the hall as the doors flew open. A man stood in the doorway, leaning upon a long staff, and shrouded in a black traveling cloak. Every head in the Great Hall turned to look at the figure, murmurs and questions were being thrown everywhere. he took a step into the light and removed his hood, shaking out his long grizzly hair and began to walk towards the front of the hall. Gasps were heard throughout the hall as people began to focus on the man's face. It was like none that Zuko had ever seen before it looked as though it had been carved out of withered old wood by someone who had only one arm and a vague imagiation of what human facs were to look like. Scars covered the man's face but it was the eye that drove Zuko mad. one was dark small and beady while the other was big round and blue. The blue one was moving ceaslessly in its socket up down and even back into the mans head asif he could see everything in the room at once. A loud thunk echoed through the hall on his every other step. He reached the front of the room and limped heavily towards Dumbledore.

He shook dumbledores hand and grumbled words to him that only they two could have heard. He sat down and speared a sausage with a pocket knife and started eating as if he didn't interupt anything.

Dumbledore looked a bit dazed but then he pulled himself together and introduced the new comer as Mad Eye Moody. "He will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for this year."

"What happened to his face?" Hermione murmured horrified by te mans complexion, "Why is it so scarred and distorted?"

"Hey" Zuko grumbled to her, he tried covering his own scar up but knew it wouldn't work.

"Well it looks good on you" she tried to redeem herself but her efforts went weakly.

"As i was saing," Dumbledore cleared his throat. "We are to have the honor of hosting the Triwizard Tournament this year at Hogwarts,"

The tension that filled the hall from Moody's arrival broke with cheers and hollars from the students.

"For those of you who dont know i will give a breaf explanation, for those who do, please bare with me. The Triwizard Tournament is a magical contest held between the three largest wizarding schools of Europe: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Durmstrang Institute, and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, each school being represented by one Champion. Selected Champions compete in three tasks - traditionally judged by the Headmasters or Headmistresses of the competing schools - designed to test magical ability, intelligence and courage. Champions compete for the honour and glory of winning the Tournament and for the Triwizard Cup " A roar of the crowd made Dumbledore smile at his breaf explanation.

Dumbledore hushed everyone with a swift motion of his hand. "Eager though i know most of you are, sadly due to the dangers of participation, myself and the other headmasters have agreed to only let witches and wizards of age seventeen or older partake in this tournament."

Angered noises could be heard from the hall expecially from where Fred and George Weasley sat at the end of the table. Dumbledore quickly dismissed the students from the hall with a few goodbye words.

Hermione, Harry and the three Weasley boys were debating whether or not they should enter. Hermione who was the only one making sence to Zuko was completely against the dangerous tournament.

Each of the four houses were splitting off into different directions towards their dorms when Zuko was blasted against the wall. Soaking wet and starting to freeze solid against the stone corridor Zuko looked down to see four familiar figures staring back at him.

"Aang?"