Note:
Sorry guys, this 10k chapter took me longer than 2 weeks. I have exams coming up real soon, though I rlly wanted to finish this one, so here you go !
'Warning': I didn't re-read the chapter cuz I didn't have time... I'll try to correct the grammatical errors later.
Enjoy !
Chapter 5 -The Sorting Hat
Harry's time on Diagon Alley was one of the best in his life. He had visited almost every single store. Most of the time he had spent in Flourish and Blotts and Potage's Caudron Shop. Garett, the owner of the bookstore was more than happy to help and advice his daily visitor. Every evening Harry would perform some of the new spells he had learned in his room, without any difficulties. The ministry didn't monitor underage magic in magical areas and he didn't have the Trace yet. Therefore he could use all the magic he wanted.
Four times a week, Harry was tutored by Nick at the Cauldron Shop. The brewing master was amazed by the progress the young wizard had made. On the first visits they made easy potions, like the Manegro Potion, which causes the hair on drinker's head to grow out rapidly and the simpler Vitamix potions. Nick quickly noticed the talent of the boy-who-lived and pushed him to try the more advanced potions. He taught him some of the more useful potions like regeneration potions, star grass potions, the dreamless sleep potion and many more.
Not only did the enthusiastic storekeeper learn Harry the fine art of brewing, he also told him of his time on Hogwarts. He showed off with his grades in potions, every year he was one of the top students. He warned about the little skirmishes in the corridors between students and the ordinary accidents in class. He also told Harry's parents were in Gryffindor and his father was a first-class Chaser. Nick didn't knew them personally because he was a Ravenclaw and Harry's parents were two years ahead of him.
On September 1st Harry awoke early, as usual, and got up for his morning routine. One hour later he left the shower, dressed in jeans and t-shirt, and went downstairs for breakfast.
"Ready for your first day, Harry?" Tom asked as he served Harry's full English breakfast.
"Thank you, Tom." Harry nodded politely. "And yes I'm excited."
"I'm sure you'll like Hogwarts." Tom gave a friendly smile and walked back to the counter.
After Harry was done eating, he went back to his room and made sure he had packed everything. He shrunk his trunk and broom and put it in his inside jacket pocket. Then he left for King's Cross Station.
Harry Potter walked confidently through the crowd at King's Cross. He had only one destination in his mind, Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
When he neared platform eight he saw people pushing trolley's with heavy trunks, he knew they were wizards. There were people who carried owls in cages and he saw a boy, a few years older than him with a broom over his shoulder. He wondered why they didn't shrunk their belongings.
Harry passed another group of wizards and caught a few words of what they were saying.
"Who knows the platform number?"
The speaker was a plump woman who was talking to four boys, all with flaming red hair.
"Nine and three-quarters!" piped a small girl, also red-headed, who was holding her hand, "Mom, can't I go …"
Harry continued his pace and a moment later he walked leisurely through the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Nick had said he should run through it if he was nervous. Harry didn't know why people would be nervous to enter through the barrier, it was easier than passing through a door.
A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, eleven o'clock. Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks.
The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the windows to talk to their families.
Harry started pacing from the wrought-iron archway to the magnificent red train. A few curious eyes followed the sole but handsome jet-black haired boy, without any luggage. Several people recognized the-boy-who-lived and they started whispering, others were pointing shamelessly in his direction.
"Mr. Potter," Someone whispered from behind.
Harry quickly turned around, and immediately recognized the pale blond haired boy from Madame Malkin's.
"Just Harry," Harry said simply, and held out his hand. "It's good to see you again."
"You too, and forgive me, Harry — for not introducing myself at Madame Malkin's. I'm Draco, Draco Malfoy," the blond boy said apologeticallywhile they shook hands.
"No worries. How was the rest of your summer, Draco?" Harry asked, glad he found someone he had met before.
"Ah you know, played a lot of Quidditch with friends, and had to read some books for school." Draco replied friendly. He frowned as he saw more and more people pointing at them. "What's up with all these idiots, don't they have anything useful to do."
"Hmm, just try to ignore them." Harry said calmly, already used to the staring.
Draco had an angry look on his face, obviously annoyed - and said quickly. "Follow me, you have to meet my parents."
Harry nodded and followed the four inches shorter blond boy to a couple that stood further in the back, distant from the rest of the crowd. He recalled the political articles he had read about the Malfoys, they were a very influential old pureblood family.
"Father, Mother!" Draco said with spirit. "I want you to meet Harry Potter!"
A beautiful tall and slim brunette was smiling gently, her hair was held together by a golden hairpin and she was dressed in very elegant black dress robes. The man beside her had the same pale skin and pointed face as Draco, even the same piercing, grey eyes. His robes were dark, expensive and superbly made. There was an imposing air of authority and raw power around him. Harry knew right away that you shouldn't mess or joke around with this man, if you valued your life.
Harry noticed that the people who were staring at him before, now seemed busy with their own families as if they didn't dare to look in their direction. Must be the Malfoys, Harry smirked unnoticeably. His emotionless, blank face returned when the Malfoy family patriarch stepped forward.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Lord Potter." Mr. Malfoy said in his most pleasant but firm voice, following the pureblood customs. "This is my lovely wife, Narcissa," he wrapped his arm around his wife.
"Thank you, it's nice to meet you too, Lord Malfoy, Lady Malfoy." Harry shook hands with both of them.
"You look just as handsome as your father and you have your mother's eyes," Narcissa commented friendly.
"Did you know my parents?" Harry asked softly.
She nodded sadly, "yes, we had the privilege of knowing the Potters. I was friends with Lily."
"Harry, may I call you Harry?" Lucius asked politely and continued after Harry's small nod, "I know this is a personal question, but I have to ask - you don't have to answer if you don't want to. You lived with who, or which family, for all these years?"
"I lived with my uncle, aunt and cousin, they're muggles. I doubt I'll ever go back there though, they hate magic." Harry replied coldly.
Lucius' grey eyes flashed dangerously, he muttered some unknown curse words and his fists clenched. Narcissa gasped, with her manicured fingers on her lips.
Draco was the first to say something, sympathy in his eyes. "That must have been awful!" he said brazenly.
"Oh Harry… how could Dumbledore do this to you... . We and quite a few other families, friends of your parents offered and would have loved to take you in." Narcissa said as she gave Harry a brief hug, which caused Harry's body to stiffen at the unexpected contact. She had sensed Harry's embarrassment, but she didn't comment on it.
"That's very kind, Lady Malfoy. I've no idea why Professor Dumbledore wanted me to live with those people." Harry replied, a little excitement in his voice. Harry liked the Malfoys, they acted friendly and familiar, nothing like the other people he had met. Furthermore they treated him like a normal boy and not like some famous superstar.
"I will have a word with our good old friend Dumbledore about this." Lucius added under his breath, still having troubles keeping his emotions in check.
"Your trunk is already in a compartment?" Draco asked suddenly.
"No, I shrunk it, it's in my jacket pocket." Harry replied as it was the most normal thing in the world.
The three Malfoys were taken by surprise and their eyes widened simultaneously. They all knew it was not easy to shrink and unshrink objects, specifically for underage wizards without education. But this boy didn't just shrink a normal object, he shrunk a magically altered trunk, and that was quite a feat.
Before they could say something, a nervous light brown haired girl ran up to where they were standing.
"Draco, Draco…"
The now annoyed Malfoy patriarch looked up to see which unmannered person dared interrupt his family. Narcissa had a look of disgust in her eyes and glared at the girl.
Draco saw the displeased looks on his parents faces and replied quickly, "What do you want Parkinson?"
"Sorry Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy," The girl said carefully before turning to Draco, "The others were asking where you went after you brought your trunk to our compartment, the train leaves in ten minutes."
"I know, I'll join you guys shortly." Draco responded, he couldn't believe this girl, of course he wouldn't miss the train.
"Harry, do you want to join us?" Draco asked. "I could kick someone out as it's probably full or we could find another compartment together."
The girl turned to Harry, she froze after watching him for two seconds.
"Merlin's bloody beard… Are you for real? - … - Are you the real Harry Potter?" She gasped.
Harry nodded, slightly agitated by the girl.
Her mouth fell open and her eyeballs almost left their sockets. She stared at him intently and seconds later her eyes lingered on the scar on his forehead.
"Draco, why don't you escort Miss Parkinson back to your compartment. I'm sure Harry can find his own and both of you will have enough time to catch up at Hogwarts. Besides you don't have to stay seated for the whole ride." Narcissa said sharply, wanting to end the silly scene.
Draco didn't hesitate, he hugged his mom and greeted his father.
"See you on the train, Harry." Draco said before he took the brown haired girl with him back to the train.
"Harry, I hope you don't have to meet the other students like that." Lucius sighed.
"I guess I'll find that out soon enough." Harry replied calmly, already used to the dull reactions of the general mass.
"Well Harry, we'd love to hear more about you but it is time to find a compartment on the train. I'm sure we can arrange something for the holidays if you'd like." Narcissa briefly hugged him again and gave him a comforting smile.
Harry wasn't used to such kindness. He numbly nodded.
Then Harry looked up to see Lucius watching him closely. "You're going to be a great wizard, Harry." He extended his hand.
Harry shook the man's offered hand. "It was nice meeting you, Lord Malfoy, Lady Malfoy," — he gave a polite nod.
"Have a good first year and if you need or want anything all you have to do is write. Okay Harry?" Narcissa gave him a comforting smile before Harry turned to walk away.
"Interesting boy… calm, talented and well mannered, I like him. Did you feel his aura?" Lucius asked simply.
"Yes dear, I could feel it clearly even when I'm not very skilled at picking up auras." His wife answered.
"And it seems he's in control and already knows some magic, very interesting… " Lucius added gradually. And this without proper instruction, he thought to himself.
Harry walked through the corridor, looking for an empty compartment. He passed numerous groups of chatting students and then a round-faced boy, his head out the window, saying, "Gran, I've lost my toad again."
"Oh, Neville," he heard an old woman sigh from the platform.
Harry received a few curious looks the further along the train he went but to Harry's relief everyone was busy catching up with their friends. There was a boy with dreadlocks with a box in his arms, the two red headed twins he had seen before at King's Cross stood beside him. They both tried to look in the box.
The train had already departed when Harry reached the last compartment in the back of the train. All of a sudden he looked on the floor as he noticed movement. He saw a olive-brown toad sitting dead still in a corner, it had jumped over Harry's feet to cross the corridor.
Harry thought he should help the round-faced boy find it. With an enthralled look, he took his wand out of his jacket. He pointed the pitch black wand at the animal and with one swing, the toad transformed in a deer. "Too bad I can't turn you into a lion yet." Harry whispered disappointedly.
After the deer jumped a few times in the air, it ran down the corridor. Harry moved to the door of the last compartment. There was only one boy inside, reading a book — he was already wearing the Hogwarts uniform.
When Harry touched the silver handle to slide the door open, he felt the small amount of magic. An Anti-Alohomora charm, Harry recognized it immediately. "Very clever, bet he doesn't want to be disturbed." Harry looked with respect and interest to the boy inside.
Harry still had his wand in his hand, he flicked it and thought Alohomora fortis. He had learned the advanced Alohomora Charm in one of the books about The Dark Arts he had bought at Borgin and Burkes. Harry had read a lot about The Dark Arts in the past month. He had discovered a lot of difficult and dangerous magic but also many useful spells.
The boy inside the compartment looked up from his book as he felt his charm break by a rather powerful counter spell.
Harry slid the door open and stepped inside, his face blank.
"Impressive locking charm you used there…," Harry said coolly as he walked up to the boy, who seemed surprised. Harry turned for two seconds and replaced the locking charm on the door and he put his wand back in his pocket.
The boy stood up, he was almost as tall as Harry but slightly more muscular, his eyes roamed over Harry from head to toe, judging the imposter.
After a brief moment of silence, the boy held out his hand. "Hello Harry Potter, thanks but not as impressive as your unlocking charm. My name is Alex Derwent."
"Nice to meet you Alex." They shook hands and they both sat down on the opposing window seats. Harry knew the Derwent Family from his history books, they were one of the last accepted traditional Pureblood families.
"My dad taught me that spell, even my mom couldn't break it," Alex grinned mischievously. "There were some students here earlier, they tried to enter the compartment, but they left once they found out they couldn't get in. I ignored them."
"I would have given galleons to see their angry faces," Harry laughed. He felt like he could trust his fellow student and had dropped his emotionless mask.
"You have no idea… most of them tried opening the door with brute muggle force. Then there was this one or two year older guy who tried to blow up the door, but he only hurt himself. There were a few brighter students though, they tried the Alohomora charm." Alex said with an expression of joy and satisfaction on his face.
"Expect to feel the wrath of those people when you exit the train." Harry warned with a grin on his face.
"There is enough space for everyone in the other compartments. I just refuse to sit with a group of babbling idiots when I'm busy reading. I really wanted to finish this last chapter, you see." Alex explained and held his book up in the air. Harry could read; Hexing like a pro, by Deni Meknes.
"Looks like a good book indeed." Harry approved. "You read a lot?"
"Not that much… I prefer playing Quidditch, though reading a book every now and then doesn't hurt. If someone advises me a particular book, I'll gladly read it. My sister got me this one, as a present for my first year at Hogwarts," Alex pointed out. "What about you?"
"I've been reading loads of magical books the last two years. I love it and besides I didn't have anything else to do. Everyone knows knowledge is power and I like to push my limits. Magic is truly fascinating and mastering cool and complicated spells is incredibly satisfying. I also have to live up to the Potter name."
"I know what you mean, everyone expects me to do as well as the others in my family. My dad has a lot of connections and works in the Department of Magical Games and Sports in the Ministry of Magic. My mom was always one of the best students of her year and now she works as a Healer at St. Mungo's."
"And I suppose your sister is a star student too." Harry guessed.
"Yeah, she's was fifth best of her year, I had to listen to her self-praise and boasting all summer." Alex sighed while he slapped his forehead.
"That's why you're not with her in a compartment?"
"Do you honestly think I'd sit with five chatting girls in one compartment… that would be bloody overkill." Alex rolled his eyes and looked like he was going to be tortured for the rest of the ride. "And my cousin is with my sister, they draw enough attention."
Harry raised an eyebrow and looked a bit confused.
Alex tried to give his new friend a better explanation. "My sister is in her third year and she's a popular Slytherin. My cousin is also kind of pretty and a first year like us. Most boys seem to fall for them … that's why I call them boy-magnets."
"Boy-magnets," Harry repeated with amusement in his voice. "Nice and distinct term …"
"And believe me, that's an understatement. If you want to see it yourself ... finding their compartment is as easy as closing your zipper. Step out in the corridor and look for the door with a dozen of drooling boys in front of it." Alex added, with a challenging look in his dark brown eyes.
"I'll pass on that," Harry replied swiftly.
"Good decision mate," Alex smiled broadly.
They both stared out the window, watching the fields and lanes flick past.
After a few silent minutes, Alex turned back to Harry and asked slowly, "If you don't mind me asking, where did you live, after your parents… passed away."
"I lived with my uncle, aunt and cousin, they are muggles." Harry replied with a neutral tone. He didn't plan on going back to the Dursleys and he already put this pitiful part of his life behind him.
"What are they like?" Alex asked curiously.
"They were horrible till my cousin turned six. At his birthday there was this fire incident and they ignored me ever since. They hate magic." Harry explained calmly. "After Professor Dumbledore came with my Hogwarts letter, I spend the last two months in the Leaky Cauldron."
Alex was taken aback and looked upset, then his eyes found Harry's untroubled emerald green, causing him to quickly brighten up. "Fire incident?" He asked interestedly.
A playful smile appeared on Harry's face as he moved his arms in front of him. A moment later he had one orb of fire in each of his hands.
"Unreal…," Alex gasped loudly, he was gazing open-mouthed at Harry.
Harry, amused by his friend's look, chose to go a bit further. The two orbs became connected by a wavering branch of fire, resulting in a whole eight inch thick flickering stick, which now hovered above his outstretched hands. For the finale he slowly pushed the fire to expand to the roof, forming a staggering two arm length wide flaming curtain.
Alex was looking pale and shocked, his mouth moved to shout something but no sound came out. He tried to blink a few times with his eyes to counter the blurring heat radiating from the curtain of fire.
After Harry saw his friend getting uncomfortable, he decided to cut his act, and in a split second the fire disappeared.
Harry waited a moment for his friend to recover, then he started explaining, "When I was little, I couldn't control this power and I accidently conjured a small flame near my muggle relatives. After that incident they stopped abusing me and started ignoring me, thus no regrets."
"That…. That's amazing, Harry… I've never seen someone control fire to this level, and this all wandless … - Un'be'lievable." Alex breathed, his body still shaking.
"What can I say? … I really love fire, it feels like it understands me." Harry responded smoothly.
"You better keep this a secret, this gives you a considerable advantage in duels." Alex commented wisely.
"Right you are, only my closest friends can know about it." Harry smiled honestly.
Alex returned the valuable smile, and both black haired boys knew the base of a strong friendship was formed.
"It's too bad you can only sign up for the dueling club in your third year. I'd love to see you in action." Alex grinned.
"Woot, there is a dueling club?" Harry exhaled excitedly. If this was to be true, he'd do anything, anything at all to enter it.
"Yeah, the dueling club was founded by some teachers and adults, four years ago. My dad and other experienced duelists give numerous demonstrations each year." Alex explained proudly.
There was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman knocked on the glass of the door, "You're the last ones, anything off the cart, dears?"
She failed to open the door and looked agitated.
Both boys felt disturbed by the interruption. However, they couldn't ignore the hunger and stood up. Harry took his wand and swiftly removed the locking charm before sliding the door open.
The little heat left of Harry's fire magic exited the compartment, the cart woman obviously felt it. "Oh someone casted a heating spell," She looked anxiously at both boys, "you are cold? Here, take some flagration toffees, they'll fire you up instantly… ."
"No, thank you m'am," Both of them chorused. Alex was waving with both of his hands, he had seen and felt enough fire for the rest of the week.
"Well, if you're sure… . Anything else?" The woman gave them a strange look.
Harry looked at the cart, he saw only candy and sweets, to his great discontent. Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, … . Who in their right minds would eat this crap, it's lunch time, not the Dursley's feeding hour. His eyes rested on a small plate, hidden between large sugar canes, that said: Sandwich bar.
"M'am, do you sell sandwiches?" Harry asked to be sure.
"Of course, dear," She tapped on the small plate with her wand. After a small flash the candy and sweets had disappeared and replaced by different kind of sandwiches.
Harry's displeasure vanished instantly, the boy beside him blinked, dumbfounded.
"For me the Meat Parm Hero, please," Harry said, and paid the woman. He saw his friend looking ignorantly at the various sandwiches. The Derwent's house-elf obviously never made these kinds of sandwiches.
"Try the Meat Parm Hero, they're delicious," Harry advised. He had tried the Italian-American classic for the first time at Diagon Alley. It was truly a thing of beauty: a browned patty of veal, beef, and Italian sausage that has been braised in tomato sauce, topped with fresh mozzarella, and lured into a hero from Parisi Bakery. The meat is tender and pink, and with every bite, there's the perfume of basil and the savory sweetness of the tomatoes.
"Okay, the same for me, please," Alex said quickly when he saw and smelled Harry's order.
Alex paid the woman and after she switched her chart again, she took off.
Before they walked back to their compartment, Harry heard a familiar voice.
"Harry, I was just looking for you," Draco said as he marched closer.
"What's up, Draco?" Harry asked lightly.
Draco stopped in front of Harry, his eyes turned on Alex, who already started eating his sandwich.
"Draco, this is my new friend Alex Derwent." Harry gave the soft black haired boy a playful pat on the shoulder. "Alex, meet Draco Malfoy, also a good friend of me."
"Any friend of Harry, is a friend of mine." Draco said sincerely as both boys stepped forward to shake hands.
"I second that, great to meet you Draco. Your family's reputation precedes you." Alex replied in a formal voice.
"The honorable Derwent family is well-known as well, please send your parents my regards." Draco responded and he gave a short nod, which Alex politely returned.
"Harry, you brought your broom, right?" Draco whispered mysteriously.
Harry nodded and grinned at the thought of their plan and his very first flight. He took his shrunken Nimbus Two Thousand out of his pants left side pocket. Alex raised his eye brows, looking back and forth between Harry and Draco.
"Brilliant! I'll hand it to a fourth year without one." Draco whispered eagerly, a wide smirk appeared all over his face. "You will get your broom back tomorrow, then we can have some real fun," sparkled the happiest man on the train.
Draco hid Harry's broom safely in one of his pockets and he looked carefully around the corridor to check if anyone had seen them.
"By the way guys, someone pulled a good prank, there was a deer running loose on the train - scared the shit out of some people. Too bad a prefect had to petrify it." Draco said, clearly entertained, and he left laughing to his own compartment.
Harry - smiling suspiciously and Alex - giving him a questionable look, both stepped back inside and sat down again. Harry told his curious friend about the round-faced boy and the frog-deer transformation he performed. After Alex imagined the scene, he burst out laughing. Moments later, he regained his 'cool' and praised Harry with his flawless O.W.L. transfiguration. The boy was impressed and aghast by Harry's vast knowledge of magic. Yet, Harry never boasted about his skills or fame.
Next, Harry explained his and Draco's secret plan to smuggle their brooms into Hogwarts. Alex was ecstatic and intended to bring his own broom the next holiday.
After they finished their sandwich, Harry took Anti-Venoms by Bruno Elista out of his trunk. Alex saw his friend enlarge and shrink the trunk, though he didn't look surprised, already accustomed to Harry's abilities. Harry proposed to read for some time, Alex agreed as he opened his book to read the last chapter.
The train ride continued on as both boys read in silence. Neither of them had noticed the bushy brown haired girl trying to open their locked door. She had left in silence though she was clearly upset.
Two hours had passed when Alex closed his book with a 'clap'. He looked up and asked promptly, "So, what House do you think you'll be in?"
Harry not disturbed by the sudden question, laid his book aside and answered. "I'd prefer Gryffindor, my parents were both Gryffindors and I've read they have the best decorated and most comfortable common room. Nevertheless I don't mind being sorted in Ravenclaw or Slytherin, we all follow the same classes anyway."
"Then I hope we both get sorted in Gryffindor. Bravery, daring, nerve, and chivalry." Alex recited proudly. His chest swelled considerably at these last words. He saw Harry's lopsided grin and went on, "My sister is a Slytherin, like my mom. My dad was a true Gryffindor and he was one of the best Gryffindor Quidditch keepers in history."
"So you'll try out for the house Quidditch team?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, as a Chaser…, though getting in is tough. And they rarely pick first-years for the team." Alex looked a bit worried.
"If I was the captain, I'd give everyone the same chance. I imagine there are some first years with more experience than a lot of older years. Not to mention, compared to some second and third years, you look like a professional sportsman." Harry spoke his mind.
"I guess you're right." Alex agreed, still looking thoughtful. "Well why don't you try out for the team? You seem to have done a little work-out yourself and you also have the right built for a Chaser."
"I don't know, maybe next year… I've never flown before." Harry admitted. "On top of that I've never seen a real Quidditch match."
Alex remembered his friend had lived with daft muggles till the last summer. He gave Harry a comforting look. "Mate, I wish I had met you before, we could have went to watch pro Quidditch matches together with my dad and play the game by ourselves at home."
"There's still more than enough time for that. And I'd love to accompany you." Harry replied, smiling in excitement.
Alex looked in Harry's yearning eyes and added warmly, "I always wanted a brother and I'm sure you'd love staying with my family. You want to come over for the Christmas holidays?"
"I'd be honored." Was all Harry could say. The desirous expression on his face showed more than words could ever do.
"I will owl my parents first thing tomorrow morning, they'll be most delighted to meet you." Alex said, already looking forward to see his family's dazed faces.
A voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."
"Uh, Harry, You'd better get your robes on," Alex spoke up.
"Really?" Harry joked, he changed and pulled on his long black Hogwarts robes. He didn't leave his luggage in the compartment, seeing that everything fit in his pockets.
Both of them joined the crowd thronging the corridor.
The train slowed right down and finally stopped. People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Harry stood still, Alex next to him, shivered in the cold night air.
A lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and they heard a booming voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!
Harry recognized the black bearded Hogwarts' gamekeeper towering over the sea of heads. He had read about the kind-hearted half-giant in Hogwarts: A History. His name was Hagrid.
"C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
The first years followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. Some students whispered a few words, others gave curious looks at a particular black haired wizard.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud "Oooooh!"
The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little but comfortable boats sitting in the water by the shore. Harry and Alex were followed into their boat by two nervous boys. All four of them saw a boy with long hair framing his face, push another first year, who tried to enter his boat, in the water. The bewildered boy with now soaking wet clothes quickly joined three other students. The two girls in the red head's boat were laughing maliciously.
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then — FORWARD!"
The fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.
"You saw that jerk, Harry?" Alex whispered angrily.
"Yeah…," Harry hissed, with a dark look in his eyes.
The other two boys looked frightened and their jaws dropped as their suspicions of the jet-black haired boy became reality.
"What about we sink his boat?" Alex said quickly. He watched the two gaping boys in front of him and a playful smirk appeared on his face.
"Excellent idea, mate," Harry replied. "I know a nasty blasting curse… ." They could feel a faint breeze of Harry's magical aura. Harry knew his friend was joking and he played along. Besides the red head's boat was too far away and there were too many boats around them to start throwing curses. Moreover they didn't want to get expelled.
"Whhhat are …yyyou … doiiing?" The scruffy brown haired boy stammered as Harry stood up and pulled his wand.
Alex looked intensely at both boys, while Harry pointed his wand.
"Merlin's belly, don't blow them up… !" The bigger one said, after he found enough courage.
A short moment of utter silence followed, all four boys were eying each other up like gladiators before a fight. A certain duo was shivering noticeably.
"Of course not." Harry said lightly, breaking the tension. He sat down again, with a friendly smile on his face.
Both of the brown haired boys let out a heavy sigh and brightened up faster than snow melts in the burning sun.
"We just wanted you to … find your balls, before they were gone." Alex grinned, his eyes were twinkling. "And seriously, your jaws were close to falling off completely … ."
"Not to mention, the eyes…," Harry added, with a well faked sigh.
"Admit it, don't you feel better now ?" Alex asked, already knowing the answer.
"Well yeah…"
"Uum… I feel relieved yes, but .."
"Brilliant !" Alex cheered. "Now where were we … oh yes, you guys were right … may I present the one and only Harry …. Potteeer." He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and pushed him forward.
Harry rolled his eyes and shook the boys' hands. Now both of them seemed surprisingly calm. They didn't gape or stare. It was almost as if they were meeting an ordinary boy instead of the-boy-who-lived. Though Harry noticed the sheer excitement in their voices when they introduced themselves.
Shortly after Harry and Alex became acquainted with the two other boys. They heard Hagrid yell, "Heads down!" They all bent their heads and the boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles. Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the huge castle door.
The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there, who Harry remembered was called Professor McGonagall. She was the transfiguration teacher, head of Gryffindor and deputy Headmistress. She had a very stern face and Harry saw that this was not someone to cross.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
She pulled the door wide. The entrance hall was so big you could easily have fit the whole of the Dursleys' house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble stair case facing them led to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right — the rest of the school must already be here — but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a big, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.
"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 Hog warts, 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."
Suddenly she stopped talking, her eyes lingering on two boys, who stood near Harry. They appeared to be in a heated argument about their House preferences. She gave a slight cough, both boys caught her flashing eyes. They flushed and immediately lost their tongue. "First Impressions: way to go,"Alex whispered with a crooked smile, Harry answered him with his lopsided grin.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor Mc Gonagall. "Please wait quietly."
Professor McGonagall had barely closed the door behind her when the first years began whispering and muttering amongst themselves. Several students left the big mass and went to sit in a corner or further to the back of the room, together with their friends.
Harry and Alex stayed at the entrance of the room. They picked up some of the conversations their fellow first years were having. Most of them were nervous and wondered how and where they were going to be sorted.
"It's nothing special, you only have to put a hat on your head…," commented a brown-haired first year.
"Nothing special ?!" Alex yelled with a soft voice, and the students around him looked at him questionably. "You have any idea what the hat does?"
"Uhh, no… ," she mumbled. Six more students turned towards Alex, hoping he'd tell more.
A small dirty smile played on Alex' lips, and Harry knew this was going to be good.
"We will be called one by one to stand in front of the whole school. The sorting hat will be placed on your head, and it will eat a part of your brain. They say you won't feel much of it, because the hat is experienced, you see… "
The dozen of students that had heard him, turned as pale as ghosts. Harry was struggling tremendously to not burst out laughing.
"The hat will analyze this small part of your brain and tell the school if you are worthy or not to be in one of the houses."
"In front of the whole school?" a small boy whined, he looked too young to even be here.
Alex nodded, zero compassion.
"And what if you are unworthy?" a girl screeched from a small distance. The disturbing news about the sorting was spreading rapidly.
"I'm not exactly sure, seeing as those who are unworthy, are never seen again in the magical world. The hat will probably consume the rest of your brain, which will leave you without your memory. They don't want people talking about this of course."
About fifteen first years were now having difficulties to breathe. Few were steadying themselves against the walls, one of them was hyperventilating.
Then several people behind him screamed.
"What the — ?"
"Stop pushing — !"
About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was saying: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance —"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he de serves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost — I say, what are you all doing here?"
A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.
Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"
A few people nodded mutely.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old House, you know." And he floated after the other ghosts through the closed doors.
"Who wants to be a lame Hufflepuff — ?" Harry heard a black haired girl talk to what seemed to be her friends. "The Pureblood elites belong in Slytherin."
"Slytherins are all followers of You-Know-Who," someone commented.
"Future Death Eaters… !" The jerk who had pushed the other first year in the water tried to blow the locks of hair out of his face as he spoke his mind.
"Suuure, and all Hufflepuffs are fat monks and everyone in Ravenclaw is a stinky bookworm?!" Alex said ironically. Several of the narrow minded and bigoted first years looked whipped.
Harry silently agreed with his friend. You can't judge people by their name or house. You should look at their own actions and intentions.
Just like many other first years, the red haired boy had heard the loud discussion. Despite the argument was over, he still needed to give them his own valued opinion. The red haired boy started marching towards the black haired girl, while violently pushing the other students aside. A brown haired boy with an upturned nose and girl with curly dirty blonde hair tailed him.
The gangly redhead bumped shoulders with Harry. When the boy's eyes fell on Harry's scar he immediately gasped, and pointed his arm to the two inch smaller, but much more muscular, jet-black haired wizard. "Bloody Hell ! You're Harry Potter!"
The boy's blurted declaration sent every pair of eyes around them on Harry, who was feeling increasingly uncomfortable at the sudden amount of attention. More students came closer as the whispered conversing grew louder and louder.
The red haired boy oblivious to the entire situation, smiled confidently, "I'm Ron Weasley and this is Belinda Broom and Zacharias Smith." He gestured at both of his nervous friends.
"Do you mind if we see it, the scar?" Ron asked, following up his short introduction.
Harry looked at the boy, immediately turned off by his bluntness and his rather rude demand and before he could reply, Alex already asked, "Do you mind if we see it Weasley — your weener?"
Ron Weasley instantly flushed, his ears became red like traffic lights. The crowd around them erupted in laughter and, gradually, a babble of talk broke out again. This was however, short-lived.
"Move along now, quietly," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall had returned.
All the first years gathered quickly and followed the Professor. They back walked across the hall, and through a pair of huge double doors into the Great Hall.
Harry had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the stu dents were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets.
At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candle light. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver.
Harry looked up ward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars, just like the sky outside. It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all. He admired the nifty spellwork and silently praised the wizard who had bewitched it.
Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put the Sorting Hat.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth — and 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 folk 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 whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled to the stool, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause —
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left clapped this time; several Raven claws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too.
"Brown, Lavender!"
Harry recognized the girl with curly dirty blonde hair.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The girl waved at Ron Weasley as she ran quickly to the Hufflepuff table.
"Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin.
Four more students were sorted before Gary Cervano became the first new Gryffindor. He was a tall, peaceful black boy with dark hair.
A few moments later McGonagall called, "Derwent, Alex!"
Harry clapped his excited friend on the back, who then started to walk to the stool.
A wide smile curled the corners of Alex's mouth before the hat shouted 'GRYFFINDOR' loudly through the hall. Alex walked towards the Gryffindor table and was welcomed by the rest of the House.
The sorting continued, and more and more students were sorted inone of the four Houses. Sometimes, Harry noticed, the hat shouted out the House at once, but at others it took almost a whole minute to decide.
"Glewyn, Laurel!"
A pretty girl with beachy espresso brown hair walked to the stool. She looked terrified when the hat was placed on her head, almost as if something nasty was going to happen.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The girl frowned slightly when she walked to the cheering Gryffindor table. She sat down opposite Alex and glared intensely at him. Obviously she had heard Alex's prank about the sorting. Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.
"RAVENCLAW!" shouted the hat.
"Greengrass, Daphne!"
A very beautiful girl with wavy golden blonde hair confidently walked over to the Sorting Hat and Professor McGonagall. She was tall and slim, and by far the most stunning first year. All of the students followed every single step the girl made. Many boys were lost in identical spicy thoughts or drooling like little puppies. A third-year Ravenclaw wolf-whistled after her. Daphne turned, for a split second, and glared the boy into frigid oblivion. The poor boy would never whistle again.
Daphne sat down on the stool, and the hat was placed on her head. Three seconds later the hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Professor McGonagall removed the hat and Daphne went off to the Slytherin table.
Harry had noticed the cold and reserved expression on Daphne's face. She looked very different from the time he'd first met her. The sweet and charming girl, who could change Harry's heartbeat with her enchanting, bright blue eyes and playful smile.
More than half of the first years were already sorted when Neville Longbottom, a shy and chubby-faced boy, was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR," Neville ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to "MacDougal, Morag."
Harry didn't laugh and wondered if the boy had his toad back.
"Malfoy, Draco!"
Draco walked past him and whispered with a smirk, "Watch this!" And Harry watched as his friend made his way to the Sorting Hat. The hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!"
It was the fastest sorting Harry had seen so far. Draco looked pleased and went to join his friends and fellow Slytherins.
There weren't many people left now. Harry heard only a few of their names, and no one specifically caught his attention.
"Melnirk"… , "Moon" … , "Nott" … , "Parkinson" … , then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil" … , then "Perks, Sally-Anne" … , and then, at last —
"Potter, Harry!"
As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like lit tle hissing fires all over the hall. His poker face was firmly in place, as always.
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?"
The last thing Harry saw before the hat dropped over his eyes was the hall full of people craning to get a good look at him. Next second he was looking at the black inside of the hat. He waited.
"Hmm… most impressive …. I've never seen anything like this," said a small voice in his ear. "Mr. Potter, could you please lower your superb mental defenses so I can get the information I need."
"Very well, but you can't tell anyone about what you find out." Harry said, and he gave the hat permission to enter his mind, without lowering his defenses. He had found a safe and ingenious way to give a familiar access to his mind. With some sort of 'guest pass', people could freely enter certain sections of his mind.
"I can't reveal any of information I acquire, and I respect the privacy of the students. Now, let's see… hmm… difficult. Very difficult. Extraordinary mind… Plenty of courage, I see. And talent oh my goodness, yes — very interesting. Whew, is that fire?! My, my… hmm. You analyze situations before acting… that's good, your endless hunger and thirst for knowledge is remarkable. So maybe… Ravenclaw…. No, no… definitely not, you don't care about grades and academic success.. oh knowledge for power, now I see. Then we better go with Slytherin… or Gryffindor… . Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that. Although Gryffindor is in your blood."
"I don't recall anyone taking this long," Harry thought to himself.
"Then let's cut it short, and go classic. Bravery, check. Nerve, check. Chivalry, check. Daring, check. You okay with Gryffindor?"
"Yes," Harry thought. "And Mr. Hat can I ask a favor of you?"
"Sure, sure, what is it?"
They talked for two more minutes. Then the hat shouted loudly, "GRYFFINDORRR!"
Harry heard the last word boom through the whole hall. All hell broke loose at the Gryffindor table as every member of the house jumped to their feet clapping excitedly, stamping their feet and cheering like they had won the House Cup. Harry took off the hat and walked casually toward the Gryffindor table, where he received a warm welcome. He had to shake more than fifteen hands and was hugged by several pretty girls. Both of the red-headed twins yelled, "We got Potter! We got Potter!" Then they started provoking the other tables with obscene gestures.
After ten minutes, Professor McGonagall managed to finally get them all to calm down. Everyone at the Gryffindor table went back to their seats. Hence, the sorting could continue. Harry sat down next to Alex and the students seated near him introduced themselves briefly.
From his place, Harry had a good view of the High Table. And there, in the center of the High Table, in a large gold chair, sat Albus Dumbledore, who caught his eye and nodded subtly, a faint smile was playingabout the corners of Dumbledore's mouth. On Dumbledore's right was a short man who Harry thought was a part-goblin, part-wizard. Harry spotted Professor Quirrell, the nervous young man he had met while staying at the Leaky Cauldron. Pro fessor Quirrell, in his absurd purple turban, was talking to a man with greasy black hair, hooked nose, and sallow skin.
"This year's going to be awesome, mate," Alex breathed.
"Right you are, my friend," Harry said. "Oh, and be sure to watch the rest of the sorting."
"What did you do?" Alex gave him an intriguing look.
"I had a nice chat with the Sorting Hat," Harry smiled. "I'll tell you all about it, very soon."
Only five unsorted first-years remained as Professor McGonagall reached the W's. "Weasley, Ron!"
The gangly redhead swaggered forward and took place on the stool. However this boy's sorting was not quite like the others. After the hat was on the boy's head for five seconds, he took it and placed it over his feet. Most of the students and teachers looked confused by the unusual turn of events. Yet a certain group of Gryffindors broke out in uncontrollable laughter.
A moment later, the Sorting hat, still on Ron's feet shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Ron Weasley paraded to his House table in style, winking cheekily at some of the girls. He hardly noticed that a lot of people were giving him questionable looks. Once he arrived at the Hufflepuff table, he propped himself next to his older brother, who was a prefect.
"Well done, Ron, excellent," Percy Weasley said pompously.
"Weasley, what happened ?" Cedric Diggory asked, intrigued. "This is the first time I see a sorting like that."
"I'm even more special than the-boy-who-lived," Ron bragged. He noticed a few staring older years, and gave them his widest smile. He was quite proud of his accomplishment and was enjoying the attention. "Yes, yes people, I AM the man." He thought out loud.
"Ehh … ?!" Cedric gave him a concerned look. "So why did you have to place the hat on your feet?"
"He thought my brains were in my feet." Ron said, long before he realized what he had said. Cedric was lost for words and looked at the other students who had followed the conversation. All of them were flabbergasted.
The Sorting ceremony ended when "Zabini, Blaise," was made a Slytherin. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away. Harry looked down at his empty gold plate. He had only just realized how hungry he was. The Meat Parm Hero seemed ages ago.
Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Be fore we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! and Deertoad!"
"Thank you!"
He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Harry and Alex laughed at his speech.
"Is he — a bit mad?" Laurel asked uncertainly.
"Mad?" said a boy airily. The boy was a sixth year and a Gryffindor prefect. "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes."
"He's the most powerful wizard since Merlin," Alex commented.
When Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands, heaps of food appeared on all the dishes in the Great Hall. Harry's eyes roamed the table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup and more. He piled his plate with a bit of everything. It all looked delicious.
"That does look good," said a ghost in the ruff sadly, watching the sandy-haired boy next to Laurel cut his steak.
"Can't you — ?" asked Seamus Finnigan in surprise.
"I haven't eaten for nearly five hundred years," said the ghost. "I don't need to, of course, but one does miss it. I don't think I've introduced myself? Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your ser vice. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"I've heard about you, you're Nearly Headless Nick!" said Alex flatly.
"I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy —" the ghost began stiffly, but Seamus interrupted.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?"
Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed, as if their little chat wasn't going at all the way he wanted.
"Like this," he said irritably. He seized his left ear and pulled. His whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge. Someone had obviously tried to behead him, but not done it properly.
"Bloody wicked," Alex exclaimed, his face shining with excitement.
"Looking good, sir," Harry complemented.
Nearly Headless Nick was taken aback by the two unusual reactions. But when he saw the uncomfortable looks on the other first year's faces, he looked pleased and flipped his head back onto his neck. Then he coughed, and said, "So — new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the House Championship this year? Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbear able — he's the Slytherin ghost."
All of them nodded and looked determined to bring the cup home.
"We have to win the cup, I can't lose to my sister." Alex said firmly, glancing at the Slytherin table.
When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates, leaving them sparkling clean as before. A moment later the desserts appeared. Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs and jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pud ding …
Laurel told them about herself and her family. Laurel's parents were both magical, and she was not from an old family. She wants to follow in her mother's footsteps and become one of the top students of the year. The Advisory Council of the Ministry only took the best.
"I'm half-and-half," Seamus said as he helped himself to a treacle tart. "Me dad's a muggle. Mom didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."
The others laughed.
"What about you, Neville?" Elena asked. She was a childhood friend of Laurel, had honey-blonde hair and was quite attractive, too.
"Well, my gran brought me up and she's a witch," Neville said, "but the family thought I was all-Muggle for ages. My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me — he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once, I nearly drowned — but nothing happened until I was eight. Great Uncle Algie came round for dinner, and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my Great Auntie Enid of fered him a meringue and he accidentally let go. But I bounced — all the way down the garden and into the road. They were all really pleased, Gran was crying, she was so happy. And you should have seen their faces when I got in here — they thought I might not be magic enough to come, you see.
On Harry's other side, the Weasley twins were talk ing to the other first years about the lessons.
"I'm particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know, turning something into something else —"
"You are a first-year, and —," George began.
"first-years will be starting small … " Fred continued.
"just ants into lions and that sort of thing," George said.
"dragons are for later." Fred finished in style.
Harry tried his best not to laugh as he saw the frightened faces of the three other first-years.
At last, the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. He gave a short speech and warned them about something deadly on the third floor. This caused several students to start whispering. But not for long, as everyone started singing the famous Hogwarts school song.
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.
When the hall fell silent again, Dumbledore wished them all goodnight and the feast ended. Two Gryffindor prefects led their first-years through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase.
Informative Note:
Originally, Dean was called "Gary" - In Pottermore, the early name for Dean Thomas was given with: Gary.
That's how I got his name. His family name, Cervano I made up myself.
Dilys Derwent was a witch, who worked as a Healer at St. Mungo's in the original books. And the Derwent family name fit perfect for Alex.
If you want my opinion on the looks of my characters, check my profile. To those who can picture the characters well, in their minds, don't look at my profile cuz using ur own imagination is always better ;)
One last thingy, there are people reading this story, who haven't read the original books. That's why I sometimes include extra information about simple topics (not only in this chapter :P )