Author's Notes: Once again, thank you to all my readers out there from the USA, Canada, India, the UK, Singapore, Brazil, Sweden, France, Germany, Malaysia, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Australia, Puerto Rico, Estonia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Kuwait, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Guatemala, Israel, Argentina, Italy, Mexico, Japan, Finland and South Africa for reading my story in the past week. And a special thanks to all my reviewers.
ProfessorChris: Oh, Megan will definitely figure into this. I may have made her a bit... strange in later chapters, but I needed to stretch the bounds of what can realistically be expected of people her age at certain points. Of course, blood status does not matter and I do have more humiliation in store for Crabbe and Goyle. But that won't come for a while. Thanks for the support.
Okay, last week's Monty Python reference was the exchange Megan told Henry about that occurred on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, where the girl screams that she doesn't like mudbloods and the older boy agrees with her. This is a reference to episode 20 of Monty Python's Flying Circus, from a sketch called "Take Your Pick." In the sketch, a "pepperpot," played by Terry Jones, is on a game show hosted by John Cleese. At one point, Jones shouts, "I don't like darkies!" (My apologies if that offends anyone) Cleese's character laughs it off and replies, "Who doesn't?" Obscure, yes, I know it is.
This week's reference, however, is not obscure. It will stick out like a sore thumb to those who have seen the sketch it comes from.
Also, I've noticed that my first story on Fan Fiction, The Legend of Zelda: Land of My Dreams, has seen a boost in hits recently. I don't know why, but I would encourage you all to read it if you have the time. Its sequel will begin (hopefully) sometime next summer.
Oh, and before we continue, two things. Congrats to everyone for boosting us to over 3,500 hits in the past week. You guys are fantastic. And I turned 21 years old in the past week, so I'm fantastic. And now that everyone is fantastic, lets get on with the show.
Chapter 9: Separation
"You want me to do it?" Geoffrey Gryffindor asked Headmistress McGonagall.
"It's not too hard, really," Minerva assured, handing Geoff a list of names and the old black Sorting Hat, "You just read through the names and hang on to the hat."
"No, I'm sure I can do it well enough," Geoff corrected, "It's just that I don't feel I am worthy of this kind of an honor. This is only my first year teaching here. Bloody hell, Hagrid has more right to do this than I do."
"If I had Hagrid do this, half of the students wouldn't know that their name had been called," Minerva pointed out, "Plus, it is your hat."
Geoff thought about that for a moment, then decided to place the Sorting Hat on his head for the first time in 23 years.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted out of the tear near the brim, "Geoffrey Godric Gryffindor, it has been 23 years since you last wore me!"
Geoff laughed at that. "You wouldn't put me in another house now?" he asked.
A moment passed before the hat replied, "Well, you have changed much, it seems, but your heart would still be with Gryffindor."
Geoff smiled. He then looked at McGonagall. "Alright, I'll do it," he declared as he looked over the list for any names that might give him pause for pronunciation. He found one about a quarter of the way down the list, just past that of his own son. "Mohammad Hazan?" he said uncertainly, "Is that right?"
Minerva looked at the name in question on the list and nodded after a moment of contemplation. "Oh yes, I remember that name," she recalled, "Mohammad Hazan is a Muggle-born whose parents immigrated to Britain from Pakistan before his birth."
That comment made Geoff worried already about Mohammad. "Pakistan?" he asked, "How receptive of the news were his parents?"
That question struck McGonagall as odd. "I don't know, I've never seen either Mohammad or his parents myself," she admitted, "But I do know he boarded the Hogwarts Express, so his parents at least accept the fact that he's a wizard."
Geoffrey was still worried. If his parents came from India, I wouldn't be worrying so much, he thought, Maybe I'm just worrying about nothing, but Muggles from that part of the world still look upon us as agents of hell. But Geoff put that thought out of mind as an unfair generalization.
Geoff decided to postpone further thought on this matter and looked at the list again. There were no other names that gave him trouble. "Alright then," he said, "I think I'm ready for this."
"Good," Minerva replied as she began walking out of the office of the Headmistress of Hogwarts, "We have a Sorting Ceremony to attend to."
Geoff nodded as he followed Headmistress McGonagall, still wearing the Sorting Hat on his head.
"Oh, Geoffrey," McGonagall remembered after they left the room, "There is something else we need to talk about after the feast is over. Come to this office again once all the students are settled in for the night."
"Yes Minerva," Geoff replied as they walked down toward the Great Hall, with McGonagall continuing toward the hall while Geoffrey broke away and walked down a series of hallways until he reached a set of wooden double-doors that opened to the outside air on the castle's south. He passed through the doors and shut them behind him before he looked out on what he could see. What he saw was a clouded sky that hinted at rain, but Geoff knew that these clouds wouldn't bring rain right now. He also had a perfect view of the lake and saw numerous boats crossing it. Most of the boats he saw were well past halfway across, but Geoff was too far away to make out any of the people in them except for Hagrid's massive form in the leading boat.
Geoff waited patiently while the last of the stragglers finally completed the task. He took the time to close his eyes and remember the time he had crossed this lake like these new students just had. A smile crossed his face as he opened his eyes again, hearing Hagrid's heavy footfalls approaching him.
"Professor, the first-years," Hagrid announced in his unmistakable deep voice and thick accent.
Geoff nodded. "Thank you, Hagrid," he thanked, "I'll take it from here."
Hagrid nodded as he walked away from the group. As he did so, Geoff took a quick look at the new Hogwarts students. He soon found his own son embedded in the middle of the pack, standing next to the same blonde-haired girl that he sat next to on the train. But after that, the one student that caught his attention was, by first-year student standards, a large boy, who stood five-and-a-half feet tall. His posture also struck Geoffrey as a bit odd. He was standing up straight and only looked forward. It was the stance of one who was not afraid of what lay ahead at all . . . or one who was trying to appear that way. Geoff guessed the latter was true.
Geoff then saw this student's face, sitting atop a rather broad chest for an eleven-year-old. His skin was very tan, but not dark enough to be called Black. If he didn't know better, Geoff would have thought that he was of Indian descent. So this is Mohammad Hazan, Geoff thought, He is quite a unique looking boy, having that build at only 11. He'll be very popular among the girls in a few years.
"First-year students, it is my honor to welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Geoff declared with an authoritative voice, "Follow me." He then turned around and opened the double doors as wide as they would open and walked back inside the school, the first-years following him.
--
"I bet she does," Seamus Finnigan remarked to Ron Weasley at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, "I bet she does. I bet she does. Know what I mean? Nudge nudge."
"I'm sorry, I don't quite follow you," Ron replied with confusion, although he had a vague impression that this conversation was about his and Hermione's relationship.
Before this line of questioning could continue, however, Professor Gryffindor shot a glare toward the two boys, silencing them immediately. The first-year students stood in a single file in front of Geoff, with the boy he thought was Mohammad standing at the front of the line. He pulled his wand out from under his red and gold colored robes and used it to conjure a wooden stool with four legs next to him. He then took the hat off of his head and placed it upon the stool. Soon, it sang its new song about the Hogwarts founders and also gave a warning of grave danger and reminded the students to work together instead of fighting each other.
As if anyone in Slytherin is really listening to those words, Ron thought gloomily as the Sorting Hat fell silent. The students on most of the tables gave great applause, but the Slytherin table was not as enthusiastic. Also, there was much whispering on all the tables which died down shortly. After silence had engulfed the Great Hall, Gryffindor retrieved the list out of his robes.
"First-year students," he began to instruct, "When I call your name, please come up to this stool and sit on it. I will then place the Sorting Hat on your head. Once the Sorting Hat decides which house to place you into, you will sit with the rest of your house at their table. I won't bother showing you which table belongs to which house, as you'll figure that out pretty quickly after your house is declared. Just follow your ears."
And with that, Geoff began reading names off the list.
--
It didn't take very long for Geoff to reach Megan's name.
"Blaire, Megan," he called loudly and clearly.
Megan hesitated, as she was really nervous and slightly scared at this point.
"Don't worry Megan, the hat won't bite," she heard Henry, who was standing right behind her in line, whispered, "It'll know what house to put you into."
Megan gathered all the courage she could muster, left her place in line and walked up to the stool. She quickly sat down as she felt hundreds of eyes upon her. Lets just get this over with, she thought desperately as Geoff set the Sorting Hat upon her head.
"Hmm, how interesting," the hat commented to Megan alone after a moment, "The choice is so clear to me, but something is holding me back from declaring it. Already you have great amounts of cunning."
I do not! Megan thought in reply to this charge.
"Oh, it is nothing to be worried or ashamed about," the hat assured, "Cunning is not a bad thing, you know. And you seek power and control over situations, which is why you are so unsure of yourself now."
Just put me where you think I belong, Megan wished, starting to worry about how an inanimate object could read her like an open book, Everyone is staring at me.
"If that is what you want, then you leave me no choice," the Sorting Hat remarked.
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted aloud.
The Slytherin table shouted out a cheer and gave applause as Gryffindor removed the hat from her head. She stood up and looked at where the applause was coming from. Walking toward the Slytherin table, her blood suddenly ran cold. She saw Crabbe and Goyle at that table.
Oh bloody hell, this can't be right, she thought, I can't be in the same house as those two, can I? However, at this point, she realized that she didn't have a choice.
I guess this means Megan and I won't be in Gryffindor together, Henry thought, disappointed by this turn of events, But if the Sorting Hat says she belongs in Slytherin, then she belongs in Slytherin. And we can still be friends.
The names continued to be read off the list.
--
"Gryffindor, Henry," Professor Gryffindor read from the list.
Without hesitation, Henry walked to the stool and sat down. His father placed the Sorting Hat on his head, expecting the selection to be quick.
"Well, I should say Gryffindor," the Sorting Hat said to Henry, "But something holds me back."
What is that? Henry asked the hat, though he already knew the answer.
"Your feelings for that Slytherin girl, of course," the hat replied, "You are worried about her?"
A little, yeah, Henry admitted, But if she was supposed to become a Slytherin, then that's the way it has to be.
"And you know what house you belong to," the hat said.
Well, my uncle . . . , Henry began to think.
"Honestly, I think that may have been a mistake on my part," the hat admitted, "But there's no mistake here."
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shouted after a wait of about ten seconds. It was a wait that caught his father by surprise. He lifted the hat off his son's head and watched as he walked toward the table of cheering students.
I'm proud of you, son, Geoff thought to himself as a tear welled in his left eye. Blinking a few times to clear his view, Geoff turned back to his list and looked at the next name.
"Hazan, Mohammad," he announced.
The large boy at the front of the line of first-years walked forward and sat on the stool, which creaked slightly under his weight.
Oh great, now Crabbe and Goyle will have a new oaf to train, Ron thought.
And so it was to Ron's great surprise that, almost immediately after the hat was placed on Mohammad's head, the Sorting Hat declared, "GRYFFINDOR!"
The entire table broke out in cheering and applause again as Gryffindor took the hat off Hazan's head and Mohammad walked over to the Gryffindor table with a huge smile on his face as he took his place.
Then again, he can be our oaf, I suppose, Ron thought, rather embarrassed at his prior thoughts of Mohammad, Hermione would slap me if she knew what I had thought before.
As Mohammad took his seat, Professor Gryffindor went through the rest of the list. Once all the students were sorted, Geoffrey took out his wand and made the stool disappear. Taking the hat and putting it on his head again, he walked down the center of the Great Hall and exited the hall.
Headmistress McGonagall then stood up from her place with the other professors. "To all those who have arrived here at Hogwarts for the first time, welcome. And to all those who have been here before, welcome back," she greeted, "And now, eat, drink, and be merry."
With that, she waved her wand, signaling the start of the start-of-term feast. A multitude of foods were magically whisked into the Great Hall as all students and faculty present began eating voraciously.
During the feast, Henry was doing what seemed to be coming naturally for him, and that was making new friends. Currently, he was talking to Mohammad while both were dividing a turkey between themselves and two first-year girls in Gryffindor.
"So, it's Muhammad, right?" Henry inquired as he started to eat one of the turkey's drumsticks.
"Mohammad," the larger boy corrected in a mixture of a normal British accent and an Arabian one as he was taking the lion's share of the turkey, "And your name is Henry, I believe?"
"Yes, that would be right," Henry replied, "Has anyone ever mentioned you're really big for your age?"
Mohammad had a very hearty laugh. "All the time," he answered, "All the bloody time. My father once said that he should have given me Ali for a middle name, since I'm built so much like a boxer."
"Mohammad Ali Hazan," Henry remarked, regarding the name for a moment, "I like it. I think that should be your nickname."
"Alright, you can call me that," Mohammad said.
"Where are you from?" Henry asked as he drank some pumpkin juice.
"I live in London," Mohammad replied as he dug into some vegetables, "In Wimbledon, to be more precise."
"Um, no, I meant what country you come from," Henry corrected, "I would say your country of origin is India."
"Close, Pakistan," Mohammad informed, "My parents came to Britain with their families shortly before they were married. Mother said there were more opportunities for a new family in this part of the world, and I'm tempted to say they're right for both Muggles and wizards."
"You're a Muggle-born?" Henry inquired.
"Yes," Mohammad replied and was about to say something else when he hesitated for a moment before continuing, "My father is a doctor, and a very good one at that. My mother doesn't need to work, so she stays at home and takes care of my younger sisters."
"Will either of them be coming to Hogwarts in the future?" Henry inquired.
Mohammad shook his head as he ate some more turkey. "I don't think so," he denied, "At least the older of the two won't be. Not sure about the younger one, though."
It was at this time that McGonagall stood up again and addressed the students for the usual start-of-term announcements. All talking and feasting ceased when the students saw Professor McGonagall stand up.
"I suppose now is the time for announcements," she began, "I hope you are all paying attention. As usual, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for all students. The caretaker, Mr. Filch, has reminded me to tell you that the use of magic in the corridors between classes is not permitted. Also, check the list attached to his office door for items he has forbidden to be in the school at any time. This includes a blanket-ban on all items purchased at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes." At this, some scattered whispering went on.
McGonagall continued with her announcements, "We have a few new changes in faculty positions. Because of the death of Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, I am now acting Headmistress of Hogwarts. I will also continue to serve as the Transfiguration teacher. To fill yet another vacancy at the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position, we have hired Professor Geoffrey Godric Gryffindor, who I have assigned to be the acting Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts. And for a final announcement about teaching positions, Professor Grubbly-Plank has agreed to become co-teacher for Care of Magical Creatures, with Professor Hagrid being the other co-professor of that subject. It is our hope that this will increase the number of students taking that subject, which has dipped alarmingly low in recent years.
"Quidditch trials will take place over the course of the next month-and-a-half. Those interested in trying out for their House's team will wish to speak with their Head of Houses about trying out. As a reminder," she continued as she began gesturing toward the professors she was listing, "The Heads of Houses are Professor Slughorn for Slytherin, Professor Sprout for Hufflepuff, Professor Flitwick for Ravenclaw, and Professor Gryffindor for Gryffindor." McGonagall paused to make sure she had said that right. Indeed, many of the students were whispering and giggling at that last comment.
The comments continued for a little while longer, then McGonagall looked around her and asked, "Do any of the professors have anything they wish to say?"
Geoffrey stood up immediately. "If I may, Headmistress?" he inquired.
"Of course, Professor Gryffindor," McGonagall affirmed as she stepped to her left and Geoff came to the center of the faculty table. He looked across the room for a long moment, making sure he had everyone's attention.
"You heard the Sorting Hat talk to you all about the need to stand together, despite our differences," Geoff began, "I hope you all take that advice to heart. By dividing you into four houses, we want to build a friendly competition between you, driving all to be better than they ever thought they could. This end can only be achieved through a system of competitions, be it on the Quidditch pitch, the classroom, or once you enter the workforce. Our lives are driven by the need to compete and better ourselves and others.
"However, in recent years, the system seems to have gone awry. The competition has become too serious and now many students have the terrible 'us against them' mentality. There is also talk of who is even worthy to attend Hogwarts in the first place. To this, I answer that everyone here in this Great Hall now deserves to be here. You all have earned a place here at Hogwarts because you are all bright wizards and witches who will one day become the leaders of this country and world.
"As for the 'us against them' mentality, it must be done away with. Yes, you are all in competition with each other, but this competition is one of bettering yourselves, not of showing your dominance. That is the one thing I feel that so many of us have forgotten. It seems to me that everything that goes wrong in this school now is blamed on the actions of one of the houses. This is not a productive way to solve a problem. We must work together and see that we aren't really so different. And if and when outside forces threaten our peace and security, we must resist them with one united front, rather than four divided ones. For as has been said many times before, united we stand, divided we fall. Thank you."
Much whispering went on in the Great Hall as Geoff sat down in his seat again. McGonagall took her place again where Geoff had just been standing.
"Well, this Sorting Feast is finished. Prefects, show the first years the way to their dormitories. I would like to speak with the Head Boy and Head Girl in my office," she finished.
"What!?" Mohammad exclaimed as the remaining food was whisked away, "But I'm still hungry!"
"You'll be able to eat at breakfast tomorrow morning," Henry assured as the first years were led out of the Great Hall. During this commotion, Megan found her way to Henry again.
"Henry, I'm afraid of this," she admitted, "I heard a lot of bad talk during the feast among them. They talked about Death Eaters and You-Know-Who and all sorts of things that just didn't sound good to me. What's wrong with the people in Slytherin?"
Henry put his hand on Megan's shoulder as they walked forward. "Megan, now is not a good time to explain. Perhaps we can talk in the library soon about things," he suggested, "Right now we have to go to our rooms."
"I'm just not sure what I should do right now," Megan claimed, "Oh, why couldn't I have gotten into Gryffindor with you?"
"Megan, whatever you do, don't let anyone in Slytherin know that you're a Muggle-born," Henry recommended, "I told you that doesn't matter, but to some Slytherins, it means everything. Try to avoid attention as much as possible."
Megan nodded. "You know a lot more about these things than I do, Henry," she said, "I'll try to lay low as much as I can."
"Tomorrow we'll see what classes we have together," Henry stated, "So I'll see you at breakfast."
The two young students then parted ways. Henry's father smiled as he watched his son comfort his friend. It reminded Geoff of himself when he was still at Hogwarts. I hope that Henry never has to confront all the things that I did, he thought as Henry went away from his sight.
--
Meanwhile, Ginny Weasley was having a much tougher time dealing with her separation from Harry Potter. She was so distracted that she found herself standing outside the Gryffindor common room with the first year students and forgot the password to get past the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Are you sure you're okay, Ms. Weasley?" the Fat Lady asked, stunning half of those first years standing behind Ginny, "Maybe you ought to ask your brother for some help."
"No, no, I'll get this," Ginny replied, "Just let me think for a moment."
"Paintings can talk here?" Mohammad asked Henry.
"And they move around from portrait to portrait," Henry added, "They socialize with each other, too. Don't worry. You'll get used to it."
"If you say so," Mohammad replied in a way that said he didn't believe Henry on that one, "Hey, what was that 'Quidditch' Headmistress McGonagall was talking about?"
"Quidditch is the most popular action sport in our world," Henry answered, "It's seven-on-seven, with all participants on flying brooms. There are four positions: you have three Chasers, two Beaters, one Keeper, and one Seeker. You also have four balls in play: two Bludgers, one Quaffle, and one Golden Snitch. The Chasers score points by throwing the Quaffle through one of three of their opponent's hoops, which are guarded by the Keeper. The Beaters use their bats to knock the Bludgers at the members of the other team, as a Bludger will seek out the nearest human and try to hit them. And then the Seekers try to find and catch the Golden Snitch, which is worth 15 goals and ends the game immediately."
Mohammad pondered all this information for a moment, then said, "I'd probably make a really good Beater."
Henry looked at Mohammad's arms and nodded. "Yeah, but first years generally don't get starting spots on the House teams. Also, the Gryffindor team already has two Beaters, I think. Hang on a tic." Henry then walked over to Ginny Weasley. "Ginerva, you're on the House Quidditch team, right?" he asked the struggling prefect.
Ginny looked down at Henry. "Yes, I am," she answered, then suddenly hit herself in the forehead with her right palm, "Oh, now I remember, the password is Golden Snitch!"
"Correct!" the Fat Lady cried as her portrait swung open, allowing the Gryffindor students access to their dormitory at last.
"Well, I have a friend here who is interested in trying out for the team," Henry explained as he, Ginny, and Mohammad walked into the common room.
Ginny took a quick look at Mohammad and frowned. "I'm sorry, but we already have a Keeper for the team," she sadly informed the large first year boy, "But that position will be open next year." If there is a next year, she added to herself.
"Well, what positions are open this year?" Henry inquired, "I think I'll try to be on the reserves myself."
"Well, I'm the Seeker, my brother Ron is the Keeper, we got Ritchie Coote and Jimmy Peakes as Beaters, and two of our Chasers are Dean Thomas and Demelza Robins. And Euan Abercrombie is probably going to be our third Chaser, but that's not set in stone yet," Ginny explained, "So you could try out for that open Chaser position."
Of course, we shouldn't have any vacancies on the roster, Ginny thought, Harry should be the Seeker. Harry should be here with me.
"Henry, how big is that Quaffle you told me about?" Mohammad asked his friend.
"It's a leather ball about 12 inches in diameter," Henry explained, "It would be about the same size as a football, if you're familiar with that."
"I'm more familiar with rugby, but I can hold one of those with one hand, I think," Mohammad replied as Ginny began walking toward her room. Her head was filled with thoughts of Harry, mostly worrying about his well-being. These thoughts would become more pronounced as the year continued.
--
It had been a couple of hours since the feast had ended when Professor Gryffindor walked through the seventh floor corridor toward the Headmistress's Office again. He ran into Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley on his way there, as they were returning from her office with some more instructions. Geoff walked up to the stone gargoyle and gave the password (still Cosmic Creepers), making the gargoyle jump aside. He then walked up the steps of the spiral staircase, even though they were taking him up to the office themselves. He knocked at the door when he got to it.
"Come in Geoffrey," McGonagall called from inside her office.
Geoff opened the door and walked into the room, closing the door behind him. "You wanted to talk to me about something?" he inquired.
Minerva nodded and sighed before she began. "I should have gotten a replacement for Transfiguration," she explained, "I didn't realize how much work these two jobs together would require."
"Well, I can't teach Transfiguration," Geoff pointed out, "It's not my strong spot at all, as you may or may not remember. And even if I could teach it, teaching two different sets of classes is right out for me."
"I'm not asking you to teach Transfiguration," Minerva interrupted, "But I would appreciate it greatly if you would help me with my Headmistress duties. Effectively, we would be co-Headmasters of Hogwarts, but my authority would supercede yours."
Geoffrey Gryffindor thought about this proposal for a minute. "I don't even understand why you made me Deputy Headmaster, Minerva," Geoff said abruptly.
"Oh Geoffrey, drop the humble act now, please," Minerva half-begged, "You know that to become Headmaster of Hogwarts is your dream and has been since you were a student here."
"So you're trying to groom the next Headmaster, to slowly slide him into his future post," Geoff commented, "When every other professor here has more right to be the next Headmaster of the school."
"Yes, but none of them have the desire to become Headmaster," Minerva assured, "Trust me, I talked to all of them about this, and they would gladly allow this."
Geoff waited another moment before speaking again. "If that is the case, then I gladly accept your proposal," Geoffrey stated as he extended his right hand toward Minerva, who shook it in agreement. "Is that all?" he then asked.
"One last thing," McGonagall replied, "Tell the Gryffindors interested that tryouts for the House Quidditch team will be on September 28 at 10:00 in the morning. I'm expecting to be able to hand the cup to you at the end of the year."
Geoff smiled at that comment. "Minerva, the Gryffindor team is easily the most talented team the school has to offer, even without Potter at Seeker," he assured, "On parchment, Gryffindor will run away with the cup. And I think Mohammad could be a star Keeper here if he's any good on a broom."
"What about your son?" McGonagall inquired.
"An average Chaser, maybe even Seeker, but nothing more," he replied truthfully, "I don't think you should get your hopes up about him. Flying lessons are on September 13, correct?"
"The afternoon session with the Slytherins, yes," McGonagall confirmed, "And that is all, unless you have lost your schedule of classes or have anything else you wish to speak with me about."
"Neither," Geoff replied as he turned and left the office. He had to get the seventh years ready for an encounter with death itself.
--
Meanwhile, at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, Harry Potter was also suffering from his separation from Ginny, but he was taking it in better stride. He and Gary had worked together in getting the house fit for habitation again, although Gary at one point remarked that he would need to get help from a couple of friends.
"Whatever you need," Harry replied, "As long as they're trustworthy."
"Don't worry, Geoffrey was expecting help here soon anyway," Gary stated.
Gary was still up and about, but Harry was too tired to keep working on the house at this point. He decided to call it a night and went upstairs to the cleanest bedroom in the house, which he had claimed as his. After pondering for a few moments, Harry decided against using the Daydream Charm now and simply let his mind wander wherever it wanted to go. For some reason, Voldemort again left him alone for another night.
Downstairs, Gary was setting up his bedroom when he heard a knock at the front door. "That must be them," he remarked as he walked to the front door and looked out through the peephole in the door. "Password?" he inquired.
Gary heard a sigh before the man outside replied, "Nudge nudge," in a rather annoyed way. Satisfied, Gary opened the door.
Two people entered the building of Number 12, Grimmauld Place. The first was a middle-aged wizard with greasy black hair that went down to his shoulders. He had cold, black eyes that gazed out of his very pale and sallow face. His nose was also rather long and hooked slightly.
The second person was also a wizard, obviously much younger than the first one. His face was pale, though not as pale as the other wizard's face. His eyes were cold as well, but were grayish-blue. And his hair was almost a white shade of blonde. His face was also pointed and had the sharp features that were indicative of extensive interbreeding of most of the remaining pure-blood families.
"Ah, Geoff said you'd be arriving with help, Severus," Gary commented as he shut the door behind the two, "You sure Mr. Malfoy here can be trusted?"
"He can't exactly go back to the Dark Lord, now can he?" Severus Snape asked hypothetically about the young wizard standing next to him, "I only hope that Draco and Potter don't rip each other to shreds on sight."
--
Author's Notes: How's that for a shock ending?
The whole thing about Mohammad's country of origin was part of a storyline element that I decided to remove after writing this chapter, involving a negative view of witchcraft by Muslims. The overtones of it are still there, but I really couldn't make it fit in and so only these veiled hints remain.
Well, that's it for now, Until next time, read, review, and enjoy!