Author's Note: I thought about it long and hard, and after Dumbledore died in book 6, they needed a good ol' protective Headmaster. And Hermione always did seem like a good teacher. Where's Ron? Working at the Ministry, of course! He may make an appearance or two. My probably most favorite static character popped in, Rae Luxford! Jess's best friend! Yay. Now read!
Soon after Jake and I adjusted ourselves into the… um, room I suppose you'd call it, hundreds of kids swam onto the train. Some of which I knew from my neighborhood. Hopefully they'd be in my house, I'd be sad if they weren't. We'd be competing against each other in Quidditch, House points, even Potions. That wouldn't be fun, that'd be quite depressing!
Jake had Fluffy in a cage at his feet, Eve was sleeping in my pocket, seeing as she was that small. My hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail due to humidity. Jakes hair was just… there. And still somewhat purple, which I didn't notice until the sun shone into our… Oh it's called a compartment! I remember now… Anyway, into our compartment, his usually blue black hair was now purple black. I commented on this and he told me to 'shove it'. Shove what?
"Excuse me?" A male's voice broke through our silence, and I instantly looked up to find the source. He had shaggy hair, and I quickly remembered the green eyes. Dark, fierce, but gentle at the same time. "Oh! I remember you… Blotts' place, right?" He seemed nice enough.
"Ah… Y-Yes." I stammered. Why does my voice always fail me at the wrong times?! I mentally screamed. I smiled awkwardly and realized I was blushing, and looked down.
"Blimey, can't even talk." Jake snorted, and under his breath I could have sworn he said 'Pathetic'. But I didn't call him on it, seeing as I was afraid to even look up. "Have a compartment to sit at?" He asked.
"Not really, that's why I just popped in here." I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw him push himself inside a bit to get out of the cramped walkway, grinning about it. I wonder what year he is? I thought to myself. He looked about sixteen, so a sixth year? I took a deep breath and heard Eve whining, so I pulled her out and set her on my lap, as he continued, "May I join you lot?"
"Sure." I blurted out. Jake had his mouth open to reply, I saw this, but I got to it before him. Quite proud of myself about that one too. I petted my precious Pygmy Puff as he put his trunk above me -- wait that meant he was going to sit next to me! I bit my lip nervously as he sat down next to me, as Jake struck up a conversation with him. I ignored it and leaned against the window, sleepy from the previous night, and shut my eyes.
When I woke up, Eve was tickling my ear from my shoulder, and the boy was out, probably changing robes. I yawned and rubbed my eyes, and suddenly realized Jakob was staring at me. I popped my neck and looked at him curiously, wondering why he was staring. He rolled his eyes. "His name is Aiden Worrts."
"Huh? Who?" I fought back another yawn, as Eve continued to tickle my left ear.
"That boy. He's a sixth year, passed all his O.W.L.s!" Jake said admiringly. Which creeped me out.
I undid my ponytail and yawned once more, fully waking up. Jakob continued on explaining he was a Gryffindor, and hopes they were both in Gryffindor. It'd be nice, I thought. Especially with a cute boy like Aiden in my house. We could spend free nights in the common room by the fire… Or him helping me study for certain classes, which I think I won't do too well in Charms.
"We have to change into uniform, right?" I asked, putting Eve in her cage, which was on top of her trunk. Quite high for a short thing like me.
"Yeah, Aiden went ahead, he wanted to talk to a few Prefects or something."
"Weird, didn't strike me as someone who had friends like that," I commented, as we walked out of the compartment towards the bathrooms.
"Did you not hear, fool? Passed all of his O.! Of course he'd know the Prefects!"
"Prefects aren't smart. They kiss up." I snapped. "Which you're obviously good at. Your head is so far up his--" Perfect timing, I ran right into the Hufflepuff Prefect. Didn't catch a name, just got scolded for telling someone off. Least of her worries, I saw someone perform the Bedazzling charm to a few girls a few compartments back. I wasn't going to tell her either, let her deal with that as punishment for yelling at me for yelling at my brother.
I got the uniform on, as did Jake, and got ready to get off of the train. As I got my trunk down, Aiden walked back in, wearing his red and black Gryffindor robes with pride. Jake and him really did hit it off, I could tell by how laid back Jake was. Usually he didn't talk to strangers.
We followed Hagrid, this huge bloke who looked like he was related to a giant, to Hogwarts. We had to take boats across the lake, which wasn't fair. Everyone else was taking these enchanted carriages. And how on earth did Hagrid stay afloat? He was huge, I think I'm the size of his pinky. But we managed to get to Hogwarts, our luggage was set outside of the Great Hall, where McGonagall had all of us first years stand. Jake and I stood close together, I was being shoved into his backside though. Not fun, or very comfortable.
"Oi!" A girl's voice rang through the crowd. A few seconds later, a girl a bit taller than me popped out of the crowd. "Rude boogies! Don't ever grab my bum again!" Her dark brown hair stood out, and it was shoulder length. She had somewhat if a tan, and that's when I realized who it was.
"Rae!" I gasped happily.
"Oh!" She grinned and bounced over to us. When I say bounce, I really do mean she bounced. "Hallo, Jakester." She sniggered. "What you bunch doin' here?"
"What do you think?" Jake snapped. They never did get along.
"Oh shush, Jake." I scolded. Before I could continue, the Head of Gryffindor, McGonagall told us to silence, and explained about the Sorting Hat. Ancient, wise, a guidance to students, to where their new families were. We walked in, where the Great Hall become dead quiet. McGonagall went up to the Hat, which started singing. I think it was rehearsed, or said for quite a long time, it was flawless.
Oh you may not think me pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
After that song, everyone got eager, or even more scared (was that even possible?). McGonagall had a scroll, but she didn't look at it, she instantly pointed to my best friend, Rae. "You first." She chided.
"What?" Rae hissed. "Why me? My name sure as hell don' start with no 'A'!"
"Just. Go." The professor snapped. "Don't oblige, whatever house you get will loose 100 points for your rude conduct!" I noticed how frail McGonagall really looked, and how old she really was. About sixty or so, I guessed.
Rae rolled her eyes and strolled through the Hall with ease, enjoying the giggles and snickers from the upper years. She sat down, where the new Headmaster placed the hat onto her head. He looked very familiar… Messy brown hair, green eyes… Is that the legendary Harry Potter?! I saw him lean over Rae and whisper something, before the Hat rang out.
"Ah… Curious, curious… Daring, witty, loyal, and sly. A bit of each. You seem to have a knack for the dark arts…" The hat's 'murmurs' echoed the silent Great Hall, as I listened intently. My the bottom of my shirt wrung in my hands nervously. What if we were in different houses? Oh God, I didn't want that! What-- "SLYTHERIN!"
"WHAT THE HELL?" Rae boomed.
"Sit down." The Headmaster said.
"MY MATES'LL BE IN GRYFFINDOR, AND I'M STUCK THERE?"
"Rae! Just sit down…!" I shouted. Professor Potter guided Rae to the table, seeing as she was causing a bit of a ruckus. Jake and I stood there frozen though, as we waited for our names to be called. He'd be called before me. But I didn't care, I was still shocked about Rae being Slytherin. I wasn't too surprised about the choosing of house, but it was the fact she 'knew' what house her mates would be in. I heard Jakob's name be called, but I stared out at the crowd. Many of the faces looked recognizable, but I didn't care, I was searching for him. I heard faintly (the kids behind me were getting louder and louder) Gryffindor be called, and then before I knew it, I was called up.
I nervously stumbled onto the wooden seat, sitting before the legendary Harry Potter, my back to the other professors, and I looked up at the hat in fear. "Professor… Potter, is it?" I asked softly.
"A bright one. Your brother didn't notice." He smiled down at me as he placed the hat on my head. Before any thoughts could swirl around my head, a loud 'GRYFFINDOR!' roared through the room. Cheers from Gryffindor table (oddly enough, the table was farthest from where I was) , as I floated over to my table. I thankfully had Jakob in my house. And that cute boy! Aiden, wasn't that his name?
I sat down, shook a few hands, upper years were telling me their names, but I was just ready for sleep now. Fear and anxiety wore me out, that was for sure.
Half an hour passed, and finally food appeared before us, and I looked hungrily at the sweets that were next to Jake. Oh how I envied him! As a few of the upper years snagged a few chicken legs (the first years were far too nervous to attempt to steal a bite or two), the Headmaster stood up and told us to be quiet. I finally got a good look at the teachers. Most of them were old, two were quite young though, one of which was Harry Potter.
"Welcome back old students, and welcome new students!" Potter started out his speech with a simple welcoming. "The older students already know this, but a few of the first years caught on rather quickly. Yes, I am Harry Potter, the so-called 'Chosen One' of my time.
"But that changes nothing!" He roared at a few eager-looking first years. I think they wanted his autograph. "Let me briefly introduce the staff. Ah… Professor Binns isn't here…"
"Sorry!" Whispered the other young-looking professor. She had long curly hair. I bet Mum looked like that when she was that teacher's age. "He wasn't in his room…"
"It's fine… Following where Professor Binns -- who is the History of Magic teacher -- would have been is Professor Weasley. She teaches Potions -- will you stop snarling, Slytherins!" Harry snapped. The Slytherin table hushed up. I wonder why they were so disrespectful? The rest of the teacher introductions were bland, boring, until the last. "Finally, I will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. We were one staff member short, but that's fine with me! I love the subject…"
He then proceeded to warn us about the Forbidden Forest, which he doesn't have to worry about me. Sounds horribly scary. Now Jake on the other hand, he looked somewhat happy to get into the Forest. I'll keep an eye on him… I made a mental note, as the Headmaster continued on his long, dreary speech. Nothing interesting. He mentioned the recent Death Eater attacks outside of London, but he told us not to fear. Protection was at Hogwarts. I think I'll enjoy my ten classes, keep my mind preoccupied from that useless fear.