Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.
Some of the concepts that will be in this fic are from other Fan fictions about Harry Potter with my own twist on them. So I would like to acknowledge all the Harry Potter fan writers on this site for great work and hundreds of hours of reading. This is an AU story.
Chapter 16:
And let the Adventures Begin
"FORWARD!" Harry heard Hagrid call out after all the first year students had settled into the boats. It was a very clear night, full of stars and a waning moon. The boats didn't get more then a few feet from the shore when Harry felt someone or something enter his mind.
At the edge of the mist that protects Harry's mind he found a distinguished looking older lady. She had a very distinguished face surrounded by long flowing silver hair. Her eyes captured Harry's attention; they were the color of granite and held the same strength. Harry watched her from inside the safety of his Library. He watched her for a long moment; his mist had not confused her as she was looking directly at the walls of his library.
"Who are you?" Harry called out. He didn't get a reply in a way that he expected. An image of a castle appeared around the woman. She looked at the image and smiled.
"Can you talk?" was the next question Harry had. He was still confused by the Lady and the image. In reply the image changed and showed a beat up old wizard's hat and then a large book. Harry recognized the book, it was Godric's Hogwarts: A History.
"I don't understand." replied Harry. The image then changed again, this time it flashed five images. The first was the family crest of the Ancient and Noble house of Potter followed by the crests of the four founders. The lady then bowed deeply in Harry's direction before turning around and exiting Harry's mind. Harry felt a welcoming excitement and happiness coming from all around him.
Harry focused his attention again to a sight that he would never want to forget. Sitting atop the cliff overlooking the lake was the castle that his ancestors had built, Hogwarts with what looked like all of its windows lit up. All the towers had beautiful flags flying from their tops and Harry was getting the feeling this was just as much his home as Potter Manor was.
Harry then caught a comment from the boat behind him, it was Hagrid. "Never see' the castle so lit up befor'." Harry smiled again. It was as if the castle itself was putting on a show just for him.
After entering the cave below Hogwarts, getting out of the boats, and being directed up several flights of stairs by Hagrid all the students came to a stop just before the top of the last flight. "The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall." Hagrid called out as everyone was staring at the intimidating looking witch at the top of the stairs.
She had a stern looking face with square glasses perched on her nose. Her robes and witches hat were all in tartan plaids.
("Thank-you, Hagrid. I will take them from here.'
'Welcome to Hogwarts,' said Professor McGonagall. 'The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.
'The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
'The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarted yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.' Her eyes lingered for a moment on Harry as he stared back at her with only a hint of nervousness.
'I will return when we are ready for you,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Please wait quietly". (JK Rowling)
Harry stood silently with Neville and Susan. Harry noticed that Ron was all the way to the back of the group and Hermione was standing right behind him. He listened to the other students as they tossed one crazy idea after another out about what the sorting was. 'Fight a troll? What will they come up with next' Harry thought to himself and then he heard someone say something about a dragon. Harry just quietly chuckled.
"Are you Harry Potter? I was told you would be here this year, I'm Draco Malfoy. You would do well to choose your friends well, I can help you there." Harry watched as he boy held out his hand to him while sizing up the three people that Harry was standing with.
"You will learn that some families are better then others." Draco finished while looking at Neville and Hermione.
"Ah yes, Draco No-Name isn't it. Sirius Black told me all about you; he terminated the marriage between your mother and father leaving you without a name. Better hope you don't get sorted into Slytherin." replied Harry with a casual tone.
Draco paled as he pulled his hand back without Harry shaking it. Then Harry did something Draco didn't expect by learning forward toward him and whispering.
"I honestly hope you don't go to Slytherin, Sirius is hoping that he can welcome his cousin and you back into the Black family. Oh and until you loss the attitude it's Lord Potter." Harry backed away from the now very pale looking Draco but Harry could see that the boy had gotten the message.
-oo00oo-
Minerva watched the first years from under a disillusionment that made her invisible. She was unaware that Harry could still see her thanks to his special glasses. As she watched and listened she was always amused by the ideas that the first years came up with for the sorting. She did take notice of the messy black haired boy standing next to the Longbottom and Bones scions.
When Draco Malfoy introduced himself she was ready to intervene, the Malfoy's were known for trouble in her opinion. When Harry didn't returned Draco's offer of friendship and announced to all the first years that Draco was now nameless she was shocked. That he was in contact with Sirius Black was just confirmation of what Albus suspected. She couldn't hear what Harry whispered to Draco but whatever it was made the boy pale.
'Move along now,' Minerva said in a sharp voice. 'The Sorting Ceremony's about to start.' After dropping the Disillusionment where none of the children could see her. She then turned toward the double doors of the Great Hall throwing them open.
-oo00oo-
Harry and the other students followed the professor into the Great Hall. When he past the doors he got a good look around. The four house tables were full of students all looking at the first years as they walked and stumbled into the Hall. Harry looked up at the ceiling seeing the powerful charm that Rowena Ravenclaw had developed that was currently showing the night sky above the Great Hall, full of stars.
Harry was very impressed with the work and had been waiting to see it since reading about it in both Hogwarts: A History the Gryffindor copy and from Rowena's personal journals. The charm could do much more then show the night sky, it could be directed to see any area outside the walls of the castle even different external views of the castle itself by order of the headmaster or one of the founders. Harry was sure that the knowledge of that ability had been forgotten over the centuries.
After marveling at the work of art that was the ceiling of the Great Hall he turned his attention to what Professor McGonagall was doing. He watched as she brought out a stool and an old beat up wizards hat. He recognized it immediately as the same hat the Lady had shown him in his mind while on the boats.
Harry knew about the sorting hat, Godric had created it to sort the students into the four houses. It was suppose to be random and equal but as the years passed each of the founders wanted to teach certain types of children and the hat was adjusted. Harry waited his turn to be called; it was going to be so very interesting.
Harry watched the hat after the professor placed it on the stool. A tear appeared along the edge of the hat and the wrinkles of the cone formed into dark eyes. It then started singing, the melody was bad and the words sung off key but it was good enough to explain the four houses and what its purpose was. When it finished all the students clapped, a few cheering.
"When I call your name, you will sit on the stool and place the hat on your head so you can be sorted." called the professor out over the first years.
"Abbott, Hannah" McGonagall called the first student. Harry watch as the girl that had been and still was Susan's friend walk up to the front, sit on the stool and place the hat on her head. Maybe five seconds later the hat called out "Hufflepuff"
"Bones, Susan" The hat took considerable more time with Susan and finally called out "Hufflepuff".
"Granger, Hermione" The hat was on her head all of three seconds "Ravenclaw".
There were a couple more names before the next interesting name for Harry came up. "Longbottom, Neville" Again the hat took its time, in fact it took over a minute before it called out "Gryffindor".
As Neville walked over to his house table he gave Harry a happy smile. Harry returned the smile and then looked over to the Hufflepuffs giving Susan a bright smile.
"Ummm…" Professor McGonagall looked in deep thought for a moment before calling out "Draco, formally of the Malfoy family."
To say that Draco looked upset being publicly humiliated was an understatement. The hat barely touched his head "Slytherin" Harry watched Draco walk over to his table with his head held high. He would let Sirius know about Draco later.
A few names later it was time for the main event. Harry, Sirius, Remus, and a few others had talked about this for a long time. Harry didn't want to hide who he was; he had been hidden long enough, first by Dumbledore then by his own choice because of the old man that was currently sitting in the middle of the head table. So in true Marauder fashion Harry, Sirius, and Remus had planned this out.
McGonagall looked down at the list of names on the parchment; Harry knew what was written there for him.
"Potter, Harry" Everyone in the Great Hall started looking at all the remaining first years to see who would step forward. Dumbledore was watching him but Harry didn't make eye contact with him. Instead of walking to the stool, Harry waited.
McGonagall called out again. "Potter, Harry" Harry just stood there waiting as if disinterested. "Harry Potter" she called the third time before looking down at her list again. This time when she looked down at the name a word was being circled in red ink. She looked up and then turned slightly to catch Dumbledore's eye. He just nodded to her not knowing what she was seeing.
With a deep resigned breath she called out one last time. "Lord Harry Potter" Harry smiled and started walking to the front. As he walked up he allowed the Potter Family ring to become visible on his finger. Dumbledore had stood up from his seat when McGonagall had used Harry's title. He wasn't happy that Harry had forced the issue but he sat back down as Harry started walking to the front.
Harry was laughing in his head all the way to the stool knowing the true fun hadn't even started. He sat on the stool and placed the hat on his head. Oh Harry was in for his own surprise.
-oo00oo-
Harry immediately felt the intrusion but this time he was prepared and knew what it was. Out of the mist in his mind, Harry watch the older man walk, what he wasn't expecting was the Lady to be with him. The old man had long gray hair and short beard with deep brown eyes. Harry stepped out of his Library to great his guests. "Hello Gideon, I have read a lot about you from Godric's book." Harry started.
"My lord, we have waited a long time, we did not expect that one person would hold the title to all four founder. That was a bit of a surprise." replied the old man. Harry began to laugh out load.
"Call me Lord one more time Gideon and I'll find a younger hat to do the sorting." It was Gideon's turn to laugh.
"Don't make promises that I hope you will keep. When Godric asked me to imprint my personality and memories into this hat instead of a portrait I didn't know what I was in for. I would welcome a decade's vacation from looking into eleven year old minds.' Gideon gave a chuckle.
'But where are my manners. Let me introduce you to Lady Hogwarts."
Harry looked to the Lady and finally realized who she was. "How… how is that possible, the founders didn't imprint anyone into the castle?" While one Harry was outside the library talking to the two people another appeared inside the library and started going over everything he read about the founders and Hogwarts.
"It is simple Harry.' Gideon started. 'When the founders built this castle it was nothing more then stone, wood, metal, and magic. Then three things came together to give our Lady here intelligence and conscience, Godric's book gives her voice and memory, myself and my hat gave her a foundation, and almost a millennium of excess magic performed by student and teachers have given her a life-force all of her own."
"… magic" Harry simple stated to himself.
"Yes, magic.' replied Gideon. 'Now are you going to let me get a look at you, we must be sure that you hold all the qualities of the four founders besides you wearing the four rings of our creators." It took Harry a moment to understand what Gideon wanted, then another to get the courage to let Gideon enter his library.
Harry watched as Gideon walked into the library and not a moment later walk back out with a concerned smile.
"I am truly sorry for what Albus has put you through. It is all there in your mind and I agree with your plan. You have a bravery to rival that of GRYFFINDOR," Harry heard the hat call out into the hall and people start clapping. He even heard someone singing 'We got Potter, we got Potter.' As he felt the magic that hid the Gryffindor ring fall away making the ring visible.
"A thirst for knowledge that RAVENCLAW would be proud of," This time the noise in the hall stopped and there was silence as the Ravenclaw ring became visible on his finger.
"A loyalty to your family and friends that only HUFFLEPUFF could feel," Now Harry could here the whispers starting. The ring of Hufflepuff became visible.
"And a cunning to which only SLYTHERIN could match." Again Harry could hear the Great Hall fall into silence as the last founders ring appeared on his fingers.
-oo00oo-
Albus didn't like that Harry had exposed his title to the school as he watched the young man walk up to the stool and place the sorting hat on his head. He was sending his thoughts to the hat with legilimency telling it to place Harry in Gryffindor. Albus felt Harry would need certain kinds of friends to keep him on the light side but the hat was not responding to him as it had in the past when he would make a suggestion.
Albus was also keeping an eye on the faculty. Severus was paying attention to the sorting with his customary indifference. The other subject of Dumbledore's careful scrutiny was Professor Quirrell. He wasn't sure that the professor had fallen pray to Voldemort's spirit over the holidays as Albus had planned but he wasn't taking any chances.
Albus was starting to get concerned when almost five minutes had gone by without the hat deciding on what house to sort Harry into when he felt something in the magic surrounding Hogwarts, an excitement.
"GRYFFINDOR" the hat finally called out. As the Gryffindor table started to celebrate he felt it again, excitement and something else.
"RAVENCLAW" the hat called a second house. Albus stood up leaning forward slightly. The entire Hall fell quiet both because of him and the hat.
"HUFFLEPUFF" the hat called out the third house. 'The Heir of the FOUR comes' remembering the prophecy given by Trelawney a little over twelve months ago, Albus paled.
"SLYTHERIN" Albus was shaken back into his seat. The entire castle felt like it was shaking with sounds of large stones grinding against each other.
Albus heard a gasp from Professor Flitwick, knowing it took something of great importance to unsettle the half dwarf professor, Albus turned and looked at him. He was staring up at the ceiling of the Great Hall with a great deal of surprise. Albus looked up to the ceiling and again didn't know what to think. The view of the ceiling, a view that had never changed always giving the Great Hall a view of the sky above was now showing the castle.
That the view had changes was not the most fascinating thing happening. Atop the center of Hogwarts a tower was being built stone by stone. The stones were fitting together as if they had always been together, other objects, roof tiles, already cut and fitted wood, and metal could be seen putting themselves together.
Then the hat spoke again. "The heir of the four founders has arrived. The Founders Tower, hidden since the last day of Helga Hufflepuff is reclaimed."
"HOGWARTS" the hat lastly called out as a smaller fifth table appeared between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables complete with a single place setting.
Albus watched in complete and utter dismay as Harry calmly took the Sorting Hat off his head and walked quietly to the new table and sat down with both his hands above the table where Albus could now see the five Lords rings on his fingers.
-oo00oo-
Harry calmly sat down at the new table making sure that all the rings could be seen by Dumbledore. The pandemonium that was breaking out all around him was music to his Marauder's ears. Students were yelling at each other some in support some calling it a hoax. There were kids standing not just on the seats but up on the tables as well trying to get a look at him.
Personally, Harry was starting to think that this had been a bad idea. Even as he was getting ready to dispute his fame from the books about him, here he was taking on a whole new fame and one that would draw a lot more attention. The very argument that Harry had used on his godfather and Remus was starting to look like it may not have been worth it. That announcing his status as the heir and lord would keep Dumbledore away because of the attention that would be paid to him was starting to look like too high a price.
Harry took a quick look around. Neville was looking at him with a grin on his face. Neville knew about Harry being the heir before today. Harry hadn't wanted to drop that on Neville by surprise and strain their friendship. He wanted Neville to join him at his table but knew he couldn't yet
Susan had been told at the same time as Neville and was currently trying to hold in the laughter. Susan had told Harry she would stand by him no matter what. That he was the Heir to Hogwarts didn't seem to matter to her, having "Harry" as a friend mattered more.
Harry then noticed Hermione sitting at the Ravenclaw table. She was wide eyed and looked to be going into shook with her mouth opening and closing. He winked at her, causing the girl to take on a look that said, 'I have a thousand questions and you will answer them'. Harry just nodded his head.
BOOM! Harry jumped, being dragged out of his thoughts. Dumbledore was standing with his wand in the air. "QUIET! Yes, yes, this is a most exciting time for Hogwarts. We can properly celebrate at a later time." All the students quieted down and took their seats.
'Is that what Dumbledore thinks this is?' Harry thought.
"Let us finish the sorting of our new first year students and have a wonderful feast." Dumbledore sat back down and looked to McGonagall. She was still standing there with a shocked look on her face. "Minerva, continue please."
Professor McGonagall looked at Harry for a moment longer before returning to the list of first years.
The final students were called to be sorted. Ron Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor and the last student, Blaise Zabini, going to Slytherin.
"Thank you all' Dumbledore called out as he stood again. 'This has been the most interesting sorting I have ever been privileged to witness, but before I get to announcements I'm sure we all require some food, all I have to say for now is Nitwit, blubber, oddment, and tweak." Dumbledore sat back down as the food appeared on all the tables.
Harry looked at his table finding a large assortment of foods to enjoy but he was alone. Looking around he made eye contact with Neville and then Susan. Having been around Harry for so long Neville could see the invitation in Harry's eyes, gathering his Gryffindor courage he got up from his place and walked to Harry's table. All of the students and professors watched Neville Longbottom as he approached Harry, then sat down with him getting a big smile from Harry.
It was then that Susan Bones stood up from the Hufflepuff table and walked over to Harry's table, getting another big smile from him as she sat down with the two boys.
Whispering to Neville and Susan, Harry asked if they should invite Hermione to join them, he could see from where he was sitting that she was unhappy sitting at the Ravenclaw table by herself with the other first years that were ignoring her. Neville and Susan both agreed with him. Harry caught Hermione's eye and nodded to her. Again everyone in the Great Hall watched as a new first year Ravenclaw got up and walked over to the new table and sat down with a big smile on her face.
Place settings appeared for the three new students sitting with Harry and the four started eating and talking quietly. Hermione wanted to know what was going and how Harry was the heir to all four founders. "I'll tell you later Hermione." Harry responded, getting a stern look from her.
Halfway through the meal Harry could see out of the corner of his eye that Dumbledore kept looking in his direction trying to catch Harry's attention as he continued to talk to the other professors. Harry was getting tired of it so decided to give the old man what he wanted.
Harry turned his head and looked up at the staff table catching Dumbledore's eyes. As soon as their eyes meet Harry felt the intrusion he had expected. Sirius and Remus had warned Harry that Dumbledore was a Legilimens of some power. Harry maintained eye contact with the old man allowing him to make a better connection.
Harry looked into his mind and found Dumbledore looking confused wandering around in the mist. Harry allowed Dumbledore to find his way to the edge of the mist were he could see Harry's library. Inside the library on the third floor a door that had remained locked for the last year clicked open and hundreds of books that contained Harry's life at the Dursleys flew out of the room and toward the window. The window opened, the books flying outside and toward Dumbledore.
Dumbledore was confused at first finding himself in the thick mist. It then parted and he could see the building within Harry Potter's mindscape. That Harry had a mindscape was troubling in the first place. Harry's mind should be an open book, unprotected. He walked toward the building, when he reached the edge of the mist it surprised him to see a window toward the top of the building open and hundreds of books start flying out at him.
Dumbledore tried to pull back to get away from the books that were fly straight at him, but he couldn't find the link back to his mind. The books then collided with him, passing through him. Each book that passed through him delivered memories, each one rocking him with the abuse that Harry endured during his time with the Dursleys. After the last book past through him he heard Harry call out to him.
"Now get out of my mind old man, and think about what you have put me through." Dumbledore then felt himself forcefully ejected from Harry's mind.
Back in the real world of the Great Hall no more than a few moments had passed, Harry watch as Dumbledore was rocked back in his chair then slumped forward putting his face in his hands as he had to deal with the memories that Harry had just forced on him. Harry could see the twinkle in the old man's eyes die. Professor McGonagall was sitting next to him and looked at Dumbledore with some concern. Harry caught Dumbledore's eyes again and could see the tears building up there. Harry just nodded to him, not getting a response back.
Harry finally looked at the rest of the people at the head table to see who was there. He knew who Professor McGonagall was, sitting next to Dumbledore asking him if he felt okay. To the other side of Dumbledore was a very short Professor, Harry concluded that it was Professor Flitwick from the descriptions given by Sirius of all the professors. He recognized who he thought was Professor Sprout; she was a plump witch with a dirt stained robe sitting next to Flitwick. To the other side of Professor McGonagall was a black greasy haired Professor that had a hooked nose.
As he looked at the Professor, the professor turned and looked right at him, making eye contact. The intrusion was more forceful than what Dumbledore had done. Harry was getting tired of this already and wasn't going to let it go this time. Then he felt a second intrusion.
Harry knew who the greasy haired man was. Sirius and Remus had warned him about Severus Snape many times. They had both told Harry about the history between Snape, The Marauders, and Lily, Harry's mum. Harry again looked into his mind seeing that Snape was lost in the mist.
The second intrusion was not what Harry had though at first. He found a shadow that wasn't even able to get into the mist that surrounded Harry's mind, so was still only on the surface of his mind, but Harry was getting a headache from it. He then heard a noise from the upper floor of his library. A part of Harry rushed up to the third floor; the wall that blocked the soul fragment in its room was shaking and showing small cracks. Harry could see small wisps of black starting to slip out through the cracks. Harry was now getting scared and pissed off. He ejected the shadow from his mind causing the wall to seal back up and cutting off the small wisps of black that had gotten out. He watches as the wisps withered and died on the floor of his library.
At the same time that Harry was watching the shadow and dark room in his mind it caused the mist in his mind to thin enough for Snape to find his way to the front doors of Harry's Library. Snape pulled on the handle of the door opening it enough to slip in. He found another small room with two wooden doors in it. He approached the door on the right opening it slightly and looking in. Within the room he found a lounge with chairs, desks, and many bookshelves. He slipped in making his way to the book shelves. Snape picked a book off the shelf absorbing it into his memory; it was a muggle fiction novel.
"I am tired of people intruding into my mind, first Dumbledore, then you, and then some kind of shadow." Snape spun around looking for who had spoken. He had been surprised to find a mindscape within the Potter brat. Now the brat was talking to him in his mind. The door to the room then slammed shut and disappeared leaving a blank wall, and severing the link back to his mind. Severus being a Master Legilimens lashed out at the wall where the door had been, but nothing happened.
He continued to lash out at the wall, all the while the bookshelves and furniture in the room disappeared. Snape was in a towering rage, he had just been trapped within the mind of an eleven year old. Without the link back to his body he didn't have access to his magical core, and so was completely powerless.
"You attacked the Head of an Ancient and Noble house, Mr. Snape, and lost the duel. I will let you think about what that means for a while."
"POTTER"
Harry watched as the mindless but still alive body of the greasy hair Professor slumped forward in his chair, falling face first into the plate of food in front of him. Once again pandemonium broke out in the Great Hall. McGonagall being the closest to Snape jumped to check on him pulling him back up to a sitting position, Snape had a blank look on his face. Dumbledore finally got moving and reached Snape's side at the same time that another witch reached him that was wearing what looked like a nurse's uniform.
Harry watched as the Medi-Witch ran her wand over Snape for a moment then spoke to Dumbledore and McGonagall. She then waved he wand again conjuring a stretcher, levitating Snape onto it and rushing out of the hall with him. Dumbledore looked out at the students catching Harry watching them with a neutral expression. Harry was quietly hoping that Dumbledore would try again; he had another trap room waiting if he did. Dumbledore didn't try anything.
BOOM! Dumbledore let off another noise maker to get everyone's attention. "QUIET!' The students all stopped talking and yelling.
"Professor Snape is fine; he has been under the weather for a few days and should be back in time for his first class."
'Not likely' thought Harry.
"I see that we are ready for dessert then I will have a few announcements." Dumbledore sat back in his chair.
Harry listened to all the students around him talking; it was all about Snape now, he being the heir to the founders seemed to have fallen to the back of people's minds. Looking to the friends sitting with him, Neville gave him an inquiring look, Susan just shrugged her shoulders, and Hermione was looking at him again with a questioning expression. When he didn't indicate that he knew anything she gave him an 'I know you did something' look. Harry started to think he wouldn't be able get much past her.
A little later the dessert plates disappeared and Dumbledore stood back up. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. This has been a very interesting opening feast." He looked around the hall the twinkle back to full force.
"First, to the first years, the forbidden forest is just that forbidden, a few of our old students would be wise to remember that." He looked to the Gryffindor table. Harry followed his eyes to the Weasley twins.
"Mr. Filch, our caretaker would like me to remind you that there is no magic allowed in the halls and that the list of banned items has increased to three hundred and ninety seven. The full list is in his office." He looked around again.
"I would like to welcome back Professor Quirrell for his second year as Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. Now I know you all have questions for Mr. Potter. I ask that you please give him time to settle in. Professor Snape will be back for his first class I'm sure." Dumbledore smiled.
"I must warn all of you, the third floor corridor on the right hand side is strictly out of bounds to all that don't wish a painful death." Dumbledore gave everyone a stern look.
"Now it is getting late. Prefects please escort the first years to their common rooms, Mr. Potter you will be staying in the Gryffindor tower until we find out where the entrance to Founders Tower is." He looked at Harry. Dumbledore really wanted to call Harry to his office, but needed to check on Professor Snape first thing. He had an idea of what may have happened, but until it was confirmed there was no use confronting Harry about it not to mention all the other topics he had to discuss with the boy.
Harry stood up. "Thank you Headmaster, but I am already aware of where the entrance is and am looking forward to seeing it." Harry sat back down. Dumbledore didn't look happy to hear that but recovered quickly and nodded.
Students began to get up to leave. The Prefects started calling for the first years. Harry stood up looking around waiting for the other students to leave, when what sounded like a crystal wind chime could be heard. Harry looked around then toward the ceiling above the head table. "Hoot"
In a burst of silvery light Hedwig appeared and glided down to settle on Harry's shoulder. He reached up to scratch Hedwig under her chin, before noticing that Great Hall had gone quiet again. He looked around to find himself the center of attention once again.
"Just had to make an entrance didn't you girl." Hedwig hooted what sounded like laughter. Harry made his way to the doors of the Great Hall with Hedwig on his shoulder. Neville, Susan, and Hermione had joined their houses to be lead to their common rooms. Harry waved to each of them and left.
-oo00oo-
Peter woke and found himself in a large white walled room. Immediately he looked around to find any hole he could slip through. He didn't know where he was, and he didn't like it. He was sitting at an empty white table in a straight backed white chair. All the walls of the room were blank, nothing on them. He was facing the only door into the room. He decided to change and try to slip out when someone came in.
He concentrated on his animagus form expecting to change right away, but nothing happened. His hands were free so he reached for where he normally kept his wand, it was gone. He reached into another pocket, he had kept his masters wand on him since that night almost ten years ago, and it was also missing. That was when he noticed the small bracelet on his wrist. It was solid and too small to fit over his hand. He finally reached to his chest feeling for the emergency portkey that his master had given him so long ago that hung from a chain around his neck, and realized with a start that it was gone too.
Peter tried to get up to go to the door but found he couldn't move from the seat, he was stuck to it. He was panicking now, where was he? He remembered getting on the train with that sniveling Weasley kid. He remembered waking up once when the kid started making a fool of himself and something about why he couldn't call one of the other kids in the compartment Harry too. He had slept the entire time, the Weasley kid had kept him awake all night fussing about going to Hogwarts.
The door across from him opened, he could hear two people whispering to each other before the last person he wanted to see walk into the room.
"Hello Peter, longtime no see."
"SS…SSirius, you're supposed to… to… be in Az…kaban."