Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or its characters.
Chapter 3.- Platform 9 ¾ and lessons.
The days passed with little interaction from Dumbledore and the Lightnings, who had been told the passwords to their respective common rooms, were sleeping two to a dormitory.
Most of them were sleeping in the same room, but in the case of Flame and Rock, who were sorted to the same house, also separated in the boy´s or girl´s dormitory. The Lightnings ate in the kitchen, which Flame and Rock had discovered on one of their ventures through the castle, as the Hufflepuff common room was really close to it.
The start of term arrived finally, much to the professor´s relief, the tension between the new students and the Headmaster palpable.
.
On Platform 9 ¾, a couple bid farewell to their only son, only to be interrupted when the flashes of cameras went off, drawing the attention of the crowd.
Everybody turned their heads the way of the commotion, and having recognized the family, gasped. The Potters had arrived. Charles Potter in particular was standing proudly and arrogantly at the cameras, mimicking his parents.
James Potter turned to look at his son, and talked to him quietly, "You´ll be alright, Charles?" he said, his voice the quiet but powerful tone of one who was used to talk in a commanding manner.
Charles looked at his father with a smile and nodded.
"Dad, there isn't any need to worry, haven't I taken care of myself pretty well for the last three years?" he answered cheekily. Behind him, a glare was aimed at his back by his mother. Lily put her hand in his arm, a little more forcefully than she needed to.
"Now, Charles Sirius Potter, if your fourth year is like the others, I will take away your broom until you are of age," she scolded sternly. Lily took a deep breath before continuing, this time only talking in a soft murmur. "I don't know what it is about kids these times, thinking basilisks, dementors and You-Know-Who are just playground games."
James and Charles gasped when they heard the threat about Charles's broom being taken away, pointedly ignoring her latter statement.
"But, mum," Charles started. "I was only joking, you know I´m not that w-"
"Don't worry, son, I won't let her take it away."James grinned at his son, fully meaning his words. "Oh, and before I forget, there is going to be a surprise for all you this year."
Charles looked at his dad in suspicion. "What is it?"
James Potter laughed, winking at his son. "Can't tell you,"
Charles seemed to want to ask more, but was interrupted by the train's horn blaring.
Lily hugged her son fiercely, ignoring his attempts to get out of it. When she finally let him, James clapped him in the back.
"Take care, Charles," Lily whispered, and then breathed even more quietly, "Take care, Harry". Charles got in the train, only turning back to give a small wave to his parents.
Charles passed by each compartment, peeking in each one to try and find his friends. When he got to the end the train, he found his friends talking and smiling. Inside the compartment, were Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones. He was friends with Dean and Seamus, obviously, as they shared a dorm with him. His friendship with Hannah and Susan, however, was the result of the Chamber of Secrets in his second year.
Charles opened the door and entered the compartment causing the conversation to stop. His friends looked pleased to see him.
"Hey blokes, how was your holiday?" he asked, grinning, asking Dean and Seamus.
"Hi, Charles," answered Dean, while trying to finish a painting of Hogwarts. And then he gave up, unable to concentrate while making conversation. "It was good. Seamus and I visited each other a lot, while you were in France."
Charles nodded. He and his family had gone to France, because of a very elegant party they were asked to go.
"Hi, Hannah, Susan," he then said to the girls, a wide grin on his face. "Good break?"
"Hi Charles, and yes, they were great; Hannah went to my house and we had so much fun," Susan told him cheerfully. "How was yours?"
"Pretty good, thank you. Oh, and Dad told me about a surprise this year, but he wouldn't tell me what it was."
Dean frowned, and Hannah across from him played with a lock of her hair. Both had been through previous dangerous experiences and hoped the surprise wasn´t anything like that.
"Well," said Susan, "It better not be something risky. I don't think I can cope with another thing like the Chamber."
The other three teens nodded their heads seriously. Charles sat down between Dean and Seamus and crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"Anyone has an idea as for who will be the Defense against Dark Arts professor this year?"asked Charles, changing the tense topic to a lighter one.
Seamus shook his head "No, we don´t know who it could be."
"I'm certain of one thing, though. I'm going to miss Professor Lupin." Dean said rummaging through his bag for his Exploding Snap cards. "Anyone wants to play?" he asked, holding the cards up.
Everyone agreed to and so the rest of the ride was spent in a playful mood. The train was nearing Hogsmeade when the boys left the compartment, letting the girls change into their robes. Fifteen minutes later, the girls came out, and it was their turn. They arrived at Hogsmeade excitedly, following the path they had walked in for the last two years, and when arriving, they shared the carriage as usual.
After they arrived at the Great Hall, the five friends immediately walked to their usual spots at their respective tables; Gryffindor, for Dean, Seamus and Charles, and Hufflepuff for both Susan and Hannah. None of them noticed the new students that already were there, two at each table, looking incredibly bored.
Dean, Seamus and Charles were just initiating a conversation when the doors opened admitting Professor McGonagall, the first years trailing behind him. She went to the front, and got out a piece of parchment. The hat then started to sing:
A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
formed their own house, for each
did value different virtues
in the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
The Hall erupted in applause and cheers at the hats song. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to quiet them before talking to the first years.
"When I say your name, I want you to come here and I will place the hat in your head, to be sorted," she said to the first years.
.
Meanwhile, at the Gryffindor table, three boys were talking between themselves, their gazes on the new person in the staff that was sitting between Hagrid and Professor McGonagall.
"Who do you think she is?" Seamus asked curiously, craning his neck to get a better view.
"Don't know, but I really hope she is better than Lockhart," Dean answered. And Charles had to agreed, Gilderoy Lockhart had been more of a buffoon than a Professor. The boys' attention shifted as just then, 'Coleman, Layla' was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Did you see?" a third year whispered to them, looking confused. "There are other new students than the first years."
And there where, Charles noticed. There were two in each house.
Charles turned to look at his friends, looks of confusion present on each face.
"Maybe Dumbledore will explain?" Dean said uncertainly. Charles turned to look at the sorting, lost in thought. However, he was snapped out of it when the hat finished, sending 'Wendell, Mark' into Gryffindor, causing the house to erupt in applause that was suited only to Gryffindors.
Albus Dumbledore went to his feet, and everybody quieted, anticipation in their faces. They all had noticed by then the new students, and hoped the Headmaster would explain.
"Welcome," he said, "to a new year in Hogwarts." he smiled at everyone, arms lifted in welcome.
"Now, tuck in!"
Charles exchanged a funny look with his friends, but it disappeared soon when the food appeared.
It was fried sausages, pork chops, steak and kidney pudding and a delicious piece of pumpkin pie later; when Charles said he was satisfied and was looking forward to climbing into bed. However, Dumbledore got to his feet again.
"Now that we are full, I will like to make an announcement." he said, twinkling eyes looking at all the houses. "First, I will like to welcome our new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, Professor Guinevere Dilard."
The new professor stood up, and inclined her head slightly to the students. A smile graced her features.
Guinevere Dilard had pale ivory skin, and slightly wavy, long brunette hair rested in her shoulders. She didn´t look older than twenty. Charles could see some boys drooling while looking at her, and tried to stop gagging, though, to be honest, he knew the new Professor was gorgeous.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, and everyone turned their gazes from the new teacher to him.
"Also, the Quidditch season this year has been canceled," he stopped as some people protested, the more verbal being Oliver Wood, and the twins, Fred and George, who were shamelessly verbalizing their outraged opinions.
"What! No Quidditch? Are you MAD?" They chanted 'mad' a couple of times before they continued their yelling, which went on until their house started throwing what was left of the food on their plates at them. "Only asking," Both twins grinned.
Professor Dumbledore chuckled. "No, I´m not mad. Though, I do have a close friend who everyone calls Mad-" McGonagall cleared her throat, looking at him sternly. "Ah, yes, but now is not the time- where was I? Oh, yes. This year, we will celebrate the Triwizard Tournament, instead."
The students started whispering, some asking what the Tournament was, others explaining. That is, except the Lightnings, who were looking quite calm, as Dumbledore noticed. The Headmaster then looked in a grandfatherly way at Charles, and started talking again.
"However, a restriction is being placed. No underage witch or wizard can compete." Dumbledore´s voice rose slightly as some made noises of protest in response to his last words, especially the Weasley twins, who ironically now seemed really mad. "This is a restriction placed by the Ministry of Magic to decrease the changes of fatalities. Do not try to enter anyway, because you will not be able to fool our impartial judge." he told the students, eyes twinkling, especially as he looked at Fred and George, who only looked at each other mischievously.
"Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive in October, and I expect you all to behave kindly when they are with us. Support your champion when he or she is elected, as the champion will be representing the school. Now, to bed! Remember there is a curfew, and not to go into the Forbidden Forest. Tomorrow, morning classes start, so it would be wise for you to be rested," the Headmaster spoke cheerfully, and all the students started making their way towards their respective Common Room. Charles followed his friends all the way out the Great Hall and once out, he spoke softly to Dean and Seamus.
"That's strange, Professor Dumbledore didn´t even mention the new students. I wonder who they are." Dean shrugged tiredly and Seamus looked at the various smiling paintings that were waving at and smiling when they three boys walked nearby them.
"Don't worry, Charles" he said, followed by a yawn. They walked up the stairs, completely used at seeing them change places. "I wonder sometimes why the common room is on the seven floor, you know. It's annoying to have to walk through all those staircases when it's late."
Charles and Seamus agreed completely, as they finally arrived to the Fat Lady´s portrait.
"Password?" she asked.
"Mobilis Teraqious," the new Prefect told her. The Fat Lady smiled and opened her portrait, revealing a comfy red and gold room. The trio immediately made their way to the fourth year boy's dormitory, and fell asleep when their heads touched their pillows, five minutes after they changed sleepily into their pajamas.
.
Charles awoke with a gasp, clasping a hand to his scar which had erupted into pain. He looked in alarm around him, not really recognizing his surroundings. It took a minute to do so and when he realized he was in his dormitory, he took a deep breath. He relaxed considerably, and closed his eyes. He had been having the same nightmare since the summer. The thing was, he couldn´t remember much of it. Only an old Muggle, a snake, the face of Peter Pettigrew, and a green light were in his memories.
Charles sighed. Now that he was awake, it would be impossible going back to sleep. Resigned to spending the rest of his night awake, he took a book out of his trunk, and walked out of the room, nearly tripping over a pair of socks that, in the dim light, he guessed were Dean's. He tiptoed down the stairs so he wouldn't wake up anybody else and walked over to a comfy looking armchair in front of the fireplace and sat, opening his book. Charles was so immersed in his book, Curses and Counter curses (Bewitch your friends and befuddle your enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jolly-Legs, Tongue-Tying, and Much, Much More) by Professor Viridian, that he didn´t even notice someone walking down the stairs until he spoke.
"You do know it is two in the morning, don't you?" It was a voice he didn´t recognize, so Charles looked up. Sitting there, looking quite calm was a carbon copy of his dad, but with the emerald eyes of his mother. Charles looked at him in shock.
"Who are you?" he asked: his voice weak. The boy smiled.
"So Lily and James Potter didn´t told their 'only son', the Boy-Who-Lived, about me?" he muttered quietly. "I am Nightmare of Midnight, and leader of the Lightnings."
Charles stayed quiet, confused, and shook his head.
"Well, since they didn´t told you about me, I will. You can call me 'Big brother Harry' as my name was once Harry James Potter. I'm your twin." he finished, a grimace on his tone. Harry turned to look at the fire.
Charles nearly fell from his armchair in shock, and, although he didn´t, but the numbness in his hand did made him drop his book. He didn´t bother to pick it up.
"B-b-bro- brother?" he asked, reminding himself of Professor Quirrell, back in his first year. With a deep breath, he regained his composure "I have a twin? That's impossible! I can´t have a brother, and definitely not a twin!" Harry nodded his head, looking slightly uncomfortable. Charles ignored this, and started laughing.
"You have to be wrong, I can't have a twin." He shook his head, still laughing, but stopped when Harry, no, Nightmare turned his head, his face not looking pleased in the slightest degree. Charles felt his smile fade.
"What's wrong?" he said, frowning in concern.
Nightmare shook his head. "What's wrong? The fact that I am the twin of The-Boy-Who-Lived, who was neglected by Lily and James Potter, in favor of you! Anyway, I am your twin, unfortunately, don't you see I am a copy of James, and have Lily's eyes?"
Charles titled his head to the side, and thought about it. His parents, the ones who spoiled him, and loved him neglected his older brother, his twin, or so this 'Nightmare' said. That didn´t seem right. And Charles knew they would have told him about his twin, or why he wasn´t with them.
Charles looked at Nightmare, completely sure that he was lying, that his loving parents were the best, but as he saw the emerald eyes, so alike to his mothers, filled with truth, he began to doubt it.
"If you are my supposed twin, then where you were?" he asked, curiosity in his voice.
Nightmare looked at the fire, captivated by the flames that danced on the wood. "I don´t see why that´s any of your business." He turned to look at Charles, face illuminated by the flames in the fireplace.
"I understand, I think. I'm just going to bed again. Thanks for telling me the truth," he said truthfully, and climbed up the stairs. He looked back to see that the other boy hadn´t moved in the slightest and was still watching him in puzzlement.
With a sigh, Charles got into his bed, hoping to get at least some sleep.
.
The morning came and Charles got out of bed, his efforts at getting ready for breakfast speeding up after he noticed that he had overslept. He tried to wake up Dean and Seamus, and after some failed attempts, resorted to a simple "Aguamenti," a spell he knew because of his Dad. After a meeting with Peeves, who tried to throw at them globes filled with water, Dean, Seamus and Charles arrived to the Great Hall panting. They pushed the grand doors open to the sight of many students turning to see who had arrived so late. One of those who were looking was Nightmare, who was taking the job of watching Charles Potter closely after their early morning talk.
It had surprised him, the way his twin had talked to him. 'Maybe we were wrong. Maybe Charles is less arrogant and attention-seeking than we thought at first,' he thought while loading his plate with some toast, bacon and eggs and losing himself between those lines of thinking.
"Nightmare," someone said, interrupting his thoughts. He turned his head towards the voice. It was Echo, who was looking in a concerned manner at his plate, his own already empty, Nightmare noticed with amusement. "Why are you putting orange juice on your toast?"
Nightmare turned to his hands and noticed that Echo was right. He shook his head before replying in his usual strong voice, "Don´t worry, Echo, I was in the moon. Something happened last night that made me have to think."
Echo nodded, and Nightmare noticed his concern was still there, but he knew that Echo could tell that he wasn't going to get any more information.
"I wrote Eagle yesterday," Nightmare told him, changing the topic. "He said he´s going to send then today, so that we know what to expect. Tell the others."
Echo mock-saluted his leader, who smiled in return, and said in a serious voice, "Sir, yes, sir!" and then, smiling, stood up from his table and made his way towards his fellow-Lightnings, who looked at him questioningly.
Nightmare turned his gaze from Echo talking to various members of the Lightnings to his brother again, ignoring the fact that he had noticed that Dumbledore was looking at him. It wouldn't do good to show the Headmaster that he knew that - Nightmare had the strong suspicion that Dumbledore knew who he was since the start.
All the Lightnings were ready, though the others of the hall were shocked, for when a beautiful Snowy Owl flew through an opened window carrying a cage, with the rest of the owl post. It was common knowledge than a Snowy Owl did not originate from the region, and because of that, extremely difficult to have one. The students wondered whose owl it was.
"Oh, it's beautiful!" exclaimed one second year girl, pointing at the owl and 'oohing' with her friend.
The hall soon returned to normality after the owl stopped in front of Nightmare, who gave her some food before untying a letter from her leg. The owl hooted in delight at Nightmare, and started nibbling the food that he had given her. Nightmare started reading the note. It said:
Respectable Supreme Leader (I am only joking, I know how much you hate being called like that),
I am writing only to tell you I have your familiars ready. The Snowy Owl in front of you is, well, yours. Her name is Hedwig (A name I think I read somewhere, she just loved it). I sent Echo a surprise... Alright, don't tell him, but I sent him this cool mini horse. It's as small as a chess piece, a thing that I find amusing, since Echo loves playing chess. Well, it's named Equoanimo.
For Flame, I sent her a Phoenix-owl crossbreed. I know it's a bit strange, but it fits, you know? Anyway, her Owl-Phoenix doesn´t neither have healing powers nor can him flame-travel, but he still can breathe fire, if you are wondering, but I find it fascinating. His name is Torrens.
Next is Wind. I sent her a beautiful Barn Owl. She is quite intelligent too, and I called her Ability (Though she seems to like 'Abby' more than the full name)
I can't imagine Frosty ever settling for just one familiar, so tell her there are Thestrals in the Forbidden Forest and that my friend Hagrid can take her there. Just tell her not to say anything important to him, he´s one of Dumbledore´s pawns.
I got Blade a cat. Well, he´s part Kneazle, and you know how they are. I was, actually, in Diagon Alley when I got him. Poor thing, nobody wanted to adopt him. Anyway, his name is Crookshanks.
I must admit, getting Rock and Shock an animal was way more difficult. But nothing´s better for Rocky than another cat, his name is Lignuarcus. (Lign: Leeh-gee-n for short).
Getting an animal for Shock was more difficult than Rock´s. I finally decided in a common muggle one. My favorite, the Eagle. This one is gorgeous, and don´t worry, I´ve trained her. (She could deliver letters, in desperate times, but I wouldn´t recommend him to use her that way always.) Anyway, her name is Archer.
Everything is well here, so don´t worry.
Eagle.
PS. Shade, Light, Moon, and Ivy send their 'hello'.
Nightmare nearly burst out laughing when he finished reading Eagle´s letter. He, as Eagle´s leader, knew she would never change. Nightmare placed the letter in his schoolbag, and then lifted his gaze just in time to see Professor McGonagall walking besides the table delivering the timetables to their respective owners, and Echo making rapidly his way to his place next to Nightmare.
"So, Echo, what lessons do we have today?" Nightmare asked while checking his timetable and absently noticing Echo reading his own.
"I have Defense against Dark Arts, History of Magic, Transfiguration and Potions." Echo said, setting his piece of parchment down in the table and not surprising, taking some toast.
"I hope Rock´s in the same Herbology lesson." Nightmare said, looking at his wrist where an old-looking clock was. "I think it's better if we get going, Defense against the Dark Arts lessons starts soon."
After Echo agreed, the two made their way to the hallway and took the path to Professor Dilard´s classroom. They arrived soon after, and sat down in a pair of seats close to the back. A few moments passed before their professor, Guinevere Dilard, entered the classroom and walked towards her desk.
"Good morning, class. I'm Professor Dilard, and I would like to welcome you to your fourth year of Defense against the Dark Arts." She stopped to take a deep breath before continuing, her eyes passing over each of the students. "Now, I´ve heard that your first two Professors did not teach you very well, and while the third was good, I still have a lot of work to do: Hexes, Counter Curses..."
While the Professor explained what she would to teach them throughout the year, the two Lightnings that were in the classroom talked quietly.
"So, Nightmare, what happened last night?" Echo asked. Nightmare had a lot of friends, though he was leader of most of them, but he had always been closer to Echo, Wind, and Flame.
Nightmare shook his head and looked at the professor, pretending to listen to her. "I talked with my brother, that's all."
Echo studied his friend closely. Nightmare looked at his friend in return, slightly confused.
"So if it was just another little family reunion, why do you seem so lost?"
Nightmare opened his mouth to answer, but another voice interrupted. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, please pay attention," the Professor said, staring at them sternly. "That's five points from Gryffindor. Now, as I was saying, today we are viewing hexes..."
The day the Lightnings had arrived at Hogwarts, they had agreed with the Professors to be called by their true name, as it would be strange to be called 'Mr. Nightmare' or 'Miss Frosty'.
Echo and Nightmare focused their attention again to the Professor, but not before Nightmare passed Echo a piece of parchment.
Echo took the paper and opened it while the Professor talked. "A hex is a type of spell that is typically meant to cause a certain degree of pain and discomfort," she said. "Hexes are considered by some as a minor kind of Dark Magic, darker than a jinx but not as dark as a curse. A hex can be used for defense." Echo read the note and then placed it down in his table. He nodded at his friend to show his agreement and focused back to the lesson. The piece of parchment had written in a messy script: 'I'll tell you later, with the others. Things are more complicated than before.'
"Does anybody have any questions about that? No? Well, who can tell me one hex?" the Professor asked while she pointed her wand at the board behind her, a murmured spell causing lines to appear, the lines forming into the shape of a word: Hexes.
A boy whose name they didn´t know lifted his hand. Nightmare recognized him as one of his brother's friends.
"Mr. Thomas?" Professor Dilard asked him.
Dean Thomas looked at the Professor briefly before answering. "There's the Bat-Bogey Hex, I think, ma'am."
Professor Dilard nodded her head, and with a flick of her wand the hex name appeared in the board. She had begun to explain the Bat-Bogey Hex when the bell chime sounded, signaling the end of the class. The students instantly began gathering their things.
"Now, I am not teaching you how to do a hex. I am very sure that most of you know how to make a lot of them, because of duels, or maybe your parents taught you." the Professor said to the students as they left the classroom, and outside, Echo and Nightmare parted towards the grounds. Once Nightmare and Echo were in the correct place – Greenhouse number four – he met with Rock, who indeed had the class at the same time. Sitting one next to the other, near to the door, they waited for Professor Sprout to arrive. And she arrived, a few minutes later, announcing they were going to view Healing plants.
The rest of the class passed, and soon, all the Lightnings made their way towards the lake, where they had agreed to meet.
Nightmare told them about Eagle's letter, and then passed it to them, so that they could read it.
Everyone was happy with Eagle's selection, and Frosty was excited to meet the Thestrals.
"Now, in other matters, I met my twin last night and-" Nightmare paused for a moment, and everyone waited. Flame took his hand, and he smiled at her. "I don't think he's as bad as we thought."
Most of the Lightnings were reluctant to believe him, while Blade and Shock protested loudly.
"You don't expect us to be friends with him, do you?" Tornado asked him, crossing his arms, and Blade agreed with him.
Nightmare shook his head at them, "No, I don't," he said and decided to change the topic. "I want us to not be seen together, Dumbledore could get suspicious and we need a reunion point, somewhere we can meet without the Headmaster discovering. Try to find a place – but first let's just get to lunch, okay?"
Everyone agreed and they walked to the Great Hall to eat lunch and continue their day, unaware of the pair of eyes that was watching them.
AN.
Hey, guys!
I realize this was up a little late. I am sorry, I couldn´t get in before, but, as in my time its 9:47, I am still on today's limit. I promise I will never get this late from now. Also, I have one surprise for all of you. Its a surprise, so I wont tell you, but lets say, I wwrote a special, extra chapter. I will post it soon! I hope you enjoy the changes so far!
And, If you could tell me if you think is better, or worse, I would be really grateful. So, readers, please, REVIEW!
Thank you, you are the best.
Lily