Disclaimer: Err, I guess I don't own the adorable little munchkin but then again J.K brought him to us at 11…he's four now…#rubs chin thinking before grabbing him# MINE! MINE! MINE! Muahahahahahha!

Rejected Runespoor

Chapter 15

Harry pulled a simple heavy, black robe from the closet and pulled it over the jeans and T-shirt he had taken from the ranger's hut. He'd had dinner last night, brought in by a small, wrinkly creature that spoke funny and asked for a mouse for his snake while he ate. It had 'popped' out, popped back in to drop off the mouse and popped out again. After he'd been finished and Potty, full, was curled up on a pillow in front of the fire on the floor, he'd explored his rooms. They really were basic but to him a luxury. Though the colour scheme could use some help. The big, soft-fabric bed with posts was red with gold hangings on the posts all around it that made him need to squint. The closet too was red but at least darker. But thankfully in the dark you couldn't see those garish colours. The bathroom too had a partly golden colour scheme, though only the taps and handles, stuff like that while the rest was white. The front room he'd been in was neither red or gold but dark blue, for which Harry was grateful. If it'd been one of those colours again…

But now it was morning and that creature obviously wasn't coming back again. He had to go out. He collected Potty from her resting place in front of the fire, where she was still half-asleep and crooned to her softly as he slipped her around his neck, tail dangling down his back, into the robe. She was used to being on his arm but as she used up most of it, being a little under two feet long, coils wrapping around his arm, he couldn't have her there with these robes on. So heads flopping sleepily over his shoulder, he reluctantly started to make his way downstairs to the Hall. He got lost a couple of times a few levels down but realized if when you talked to the portraits you just kept firm and didn't let them go off on their story-telling tangents, you'd get what you wanted. So when he reached the ground floor with the two, huge golden doors ahead of him, he knew he only had to go in but was sorely tempted to just explore more. To keep Dumbledore waiting. Just to defy him. He was already sick of this place. He felt used. What with what he'd been told about 'Harry Potter' and his past, he was like some sort of icon, a symbol of hope, for these people. And Dumbledore was trying to make him like he thought this world's hero should be. Something he wasn't.

Harry sighed internally though and pulled down the handles on both doors, pushing them open. He froze in the open doorway.

He hadn't actually been shown inside before, the doors had just been gestured to by Dumbledore on their way out to Hagrid. From the name though Harry had assumed it would be big though. However, there was a difference between inferring something and seeing. His quiet gasp seemed to echo in the almost empty room. It didn't seem to have a ceiling! The only thing in the room right now besides a few pictures on the wall was a long table smack in the middle with aboutfifteen or so people sitting about it. All now turned to him.

Harry took a small cautious step back.

:I thought you came down here for food.: The left head hissed sleepily from under the collar of his robes.

:I did but…hell, look at this place.: Harry replied strangled.

"Harry?" Dumbledore stood from the table and smiled benignly at him. "Come in."

Harry lifted his head and took a determined step inside. And another. And then kept walking until he stopped a few steps from the table. Then opened his mouth to speak.

"Gu…ah," Harry flushed in mortification. :Crap. Spell wore off.:

Everyone at the table cringed and a few looked at him fearfully while a couple looked at Dumbledore accusingly.

:Not much of a public speaker are you: The right head laughed softly at him.

:Shut up:

Professor Dumbledore was frowning at him. "Harry, I don't think you're really trying with your English. Come now my boy, it's not that hard. And please, if you falter, ask for help before you resort to…that." He finished disapprovingly.

Harry glared, affronted. "Uh…AGH!" He then waved at the Headmaster and pointed back to himself.

"Can't you say anything at all in English?" Dumbledore looked at him over his spectacles sadly.

Harry glared. "Haur-ry, Potty."

Several people looked from him to Dumbledore.

"Is that him saying his name Albus?" Professor McGonagall finally voiced.

Dumbledore sighed. "I believe so." He pulled out his wand and waved it at Harry.

Harry took a deep breath.

"How dare you say I'm not trying hard enough! I've only had one fricking day you stupid old man! Have you ever learnt a new language in one day? All I spoke all my life is parseltongue so if you don't like how hard I'm trying," Harry stomped a few steps forward and hissed. :Lump it.:

"Harry," Dumbledore said in a warning tone of voice.

Hagrid spoke from a few seats down. "The Headmaster doesn't mean yeh aren't tryin' 'arry. It's just yeh mus' try harder. The school year starts in less than two weeks." Hagrid looked at him sadly.

"I don't need your pity." Harry spat. "I didn't need it when I was living off berry bushes with one snake as my family and I don't need it now because you want me speaking your stupid language! Snake language is MY language. YOU CAN'T CHANGE WHO I AM! Who you made me!" He whispered angrily, verdant eyes flashing.

"Now is not the time Harry." Dumbledore sat back down quietly. "If you wish to eat find a seat and eat." The scruffy looking old man who'd been sitting next to Hagrid stood and started hobbling out, a cat at his heels.

"…needs hanging in the dungeons…ungrateful little…Mrs. Norris…" Harry glared after him and flounced down into the seat he'd left before glaring around the table at anyone staring at him. The last person staring at him was Dumbledore who would not look away so Harry stuck his nose in the air and sniffed lightly.

"You can't make me be something you want me to be." He said quietly.

"Later Harry." He looked disapproving again. "I must introduce you to the staff. You've met Professor McGonagall? She's the Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House and the Transfiguration Professor. Professor Flitwick? Head of Ravenclaw and the Charms Professor. Professor Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff and Herboloogy Professor. Rubeus Hagrid, the groundskeeper. Markal Kettleburn, Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Natali Sinastra, Astronomy Professor. Rufus Micheals, Muggle Studies Professor. Sybil Trelawney, Divination Professor. Professor Binns the History of Magic Professor isn't here right now." Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I believe he's somewhere in the dungeons with the other…ghosts."

Harry blinked.

"Ah, have I missed anyone? Oh! Larz Vector, the Arithmancy Professor and Shoju Kakraza, Ancient Runes. Madam Pomfrey is upstairs in the Infirmary, Hospital Wing. Mr. Filch the caretaker, just left and…Professor Quirrell the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has not arrived at the castle yet."

"Where's Professor Snape?" Harry asked with an arched eyebrow.

"In the dungeons I'd assume. He doesn't come up a lot." Professor Dumbledore said dismissive. "Anyway, eat up. Just copy how you see everyone using their knife and fork. It's the best way to learn, imitation…And when you're done Hagrid will take you to one of the most important places in the wizarding world." The Headmaster smiled happily.

"Oh wait, just one more thing. I need a mouse."

Several people gasped. "What do you need a mouse for?" Sinastra asked.

"My snake." Three heads pushed out from under Harry's robes. "She's hungry." The head hissed in agreement and Harry hissed something back to it making the Headmaster shake his head.

He had his work cut out for him. But Harry would come to see as he did.

AN: Good? Hai?

J:...Ne...Hn.#does his Heero imitation#