Disclaimer – The original Harry Potter characters and the world of Harry Potter are not of my own invention and I do not claim ownership of them. KC
Aubrey couldn't believe it was exactly a year ago today that she had entered the Gryffindor common room for the first time. Now here she was, about to start her Second Year at Hogwarts, and she already felt immediately at home.
"Aubrey!" she heard a shrill voice squeal. She looked up to see her best friend racing down the staircase from the dormitories.
Nell jumped at Aubrey, pulling her into a tight hug and Aubrey laughed. They hadn't sat near each other during the Start of Year Feast and weren't able to locate one another on the train - so to others this scene was highly unusual for such a time but, for the two girls, it was the perfect reunion.
She and Nell had become fast friends during their first year at Hogwarts. Nell, Aubrey discovered, was a lover of mischief and the most boisterous girl she had ever met. But Nell had the sweetest heart and Aubrey always looked to her for a laugh. However Henry was the friend she always looked to for advice and who she shared all her thoughts and feelings with. He could be fun as well as serious and they always found comfort in the others company. While Nell could be overwhelming at times, Henry cemented Aubrey. All in all, she couldn't have wished for more wonderful friends.
"It's been ages since we've talked! You will have to tell me all about your summer," bubbled Nell as she slipped her arm around Aubrey's.
"We sent letters to each other every week, Nell," said Aubrey, already exasperated. "I swear Mum and Dad were going to go completely crazy if Austen swooped into our family room with another one of your letters!"
"But it's not the same as talking in person!" cried Nell as they reached the top of stairs and entered their dormitory. "So what did you do?" she asked, flopping on Aubrey's bed.
"Nothing much more than what I've already told you in our letters," Aubrey said whilst starting to unpack her trunk. "Otherwise just helping Mum and Dad around the house and sending letters to you and Henry."
Nell screwed up her nose. "How is the Slytherin then?"
"I wish you wouldn't call him that," sighed Aubrey. "He is my friend after all."
"I have no idea why," said Nell, starting to unpack her own trunk.
While Nell and Henry were both her best friends, they were not friends with each other. Aubrey had tried to introduce them but they just hadn't clicked like she had done with them. She didn't want to think it so, but Aubrey suspected that Nell didn't like Henry because he was in Slytherin house. So then Henry didn't like Nell because she didn't like him for being a Slytherin. Aubrey had become tired of trying to get them all to spend time together so she had decided to let things be.
The first weeks started off smoothly for Aubrey with her favourite subjects (Transfiguration, Charms and Potions) in the afternoons which balanced out her other subjects in morning.
In most of her classes she shared a desk with Nell but in Potions (which Gryffindor had a joint class with Slytherin) she shared one with Henry. However she began to notice that her friend was not his usual self and often lost his concentration during class, making his potions boil over and flow onto the floor. Finding him in the library after a disastrous potions class in which his potion exploded along with his cauldron, she decided to confront him about it.
As she made her way over to where he was sitting, she watched as he screwed up the parchment which he had been working on and threw it towards the bin, not bothering to levitate it over to the bin like they usually did for fun.
She sat down opposite him at the table and identified the frustration and unhappiness on his face. Giving him a questioning look, she didn't have to say anything before he expressed his concerns.
"I'm sick of school!" he grumbled. "I hate being here."
"But it's Hogwarts!" she exclaimed. "You said so yourself when we first met that you have been dreaming of coming here since you were born."
"Yes, I know!" he snapped. "But not to a Hogwarts where I am placed in Slytherin."
She softened at once. He had struggled with the Sorting Hat's decision for most of their first year and often questioned himself because of it.
"I thought you were feeling better about it though. On the train here this year you seemed happy to be coming back."
"That's because I thought it would be different this year," he sighed, slumping miserably in his seat. "I was sure that I would be accepted now that we weren't all gangly first years. But everyone in Slytherin is still just as cold towards me and everyone else in the school won't interact with me because I am a Slytherin."
He sighed sadly. "I don't fit in anywhere. No one likes me."
"I like you," she pointed out to him.
"Well you're the only one. Perhaps I should just accept the fact that I was put in Slytherin because I am a dark wizard from a dark family of Death Eaters."
"No you should not!" she said, slamming her fist on the table. "You're better than that Henry, better than them, and I tell you that as you're best friend. We are always truthful with each other and I am not about to lie to you now."
"So come on," she said standing up from the table. "We are going to see Professor McGonagall and have you moved to Gryffindor house!"
"They won't allow it," said Henry, running to catch up with her as she headed towards the Headmistresses office. "No one changes houses once they have been sorted."
"Well it doesn't hurt to ask," she rebutted, marching down the corridor.
They had just reached the long corridor leading to the Headmistresses office when they saw the large gargoyle statue at the end of the hall allowing their Charms teacher, Professor Flitwick, to enter the corridor after coming down the staircase it was guarding. Professor Flitwick spotted the students at once.
"What are you two doing up here?" he squeaked, trying to appear as large and dominant as he possibly could. However this was difficult for him as he barely reached their shoulders.
"We would like to speak with Professor McGonagall," Aubrey said, looking down at her teacher.
"The Headmistress is very busy at the moment so should not be disturbed. Only matters of urgency will bring her away from her desk today. Now I must ask you to leave this corridor at once," and with a wave of his hands, he ushered them back to the Entrance Hall.
"Now what?" Henry asked her, his face looking bleak.
"We will speak to her, Henry. I promise you," she said determinedly. "But I'll need some help," she added, deep in thought, as she watched Nell skip by them. A plan was forming in her mind…
"Meet me back in the corridor tonight at the end of dinner," she told Henry. "If all goes well we will speak to her tonight."
"All goes well? What are you talking about? Aubrey?" Henry called after her. But she had already left the hall and was running towards the Gryffindor common room.
Aubrey found Nell in their dormitory, who had just finished changing out of her uniform for dinner, and she approached her quickly.
"I need your help," she told Nell and her friend nodded eagerly for her to continue. "Can you cause a distraction at the end of dinner tonight, something that will call for the Headmistress to be summoned?"
"Oh, mischief! Nell said, clapping her hands in delight. "Can I ask why you need one?"
"Do you mind if I don't answer?" she asked, suspecting a bad reaction from her friend.
"It's to help that Slytherin isn't it?" Nell said, frowning.
"Just think of it that you're helping me," Aubrey appealed.
Nell thought for a second before nodding and Aubrey hugged her in thanks.
"Oh and don't get caught!" Aubrey quickly added before her friend left the dormitory.
"That will never happen!" Nell grinned cheekily before disappearing down the stairs.
Just as Aubrey suspected, Professor McGonagall was absent from dinner, which, for some strange reason, caused a more relaxed atmosphere in the Great Hall.
Aubrey wolfed down her dinner and before she left the hall she looked over to where Nell was sitting near the end of the table. Her friend gave her a thumbs up, signalling that she was prepared and Aubrey hoped that her friend would not be receiving a detention for doing her this favour. Then she hurriedly left the hall, trying not to be noticed too much.
Once she was out of sight of the Great Hall she jogged down the hallways to reach the corridor leading to the Headmistresses office. Henry was already there waiting for her and looking very nervous.
"What's the plan Aubrey?" he asked, looking relieved to not be alone anymore.
Just then screams echoed up the hallways leading away from the Great Hall and they could hear plates and cutlery crashing on the floor. Aubrey desperately wanted to find out what Nell's scheme was but they had limited amount of time.
"Come on!" she hushed, grabbing Henry's wrist and pulled him into the shadows.
A second later, a very ruffled looking Professor Flitwick came racing down the corridor and mumbled a word to the gargoyle statue. The statue sprung into life, revealing the staircase and Professor Flitwick jumped up the stairs.
Henry began to move out of the shadows but Aubrey yanked him back by the hem of his shirt as a few seconds later both the Headmistress and Professor Flitwick were racing down the stairs and along the hallway towards the Great Hall.
"Now!" Aubrey whispered to Henry and they raced towards the gargoyle statue which was retracting back the stairs. They both jumped onto the last step just in time and scrambled up the stairs.
Entering the study, Aubrey was awestruck by the sheer size of it. The room was circular with the walls completely covered in bookshelves. A large desk sat up on a raised platform with two curved staircases leading up to a mezzanine level above that. It was truly beautiful.
"This was the plan?" demanded Henry, wanting an explanation. "You got us into her study, I'll give you that, but she's not even here to see us."
"I guess we will just wait until she returns then," said Aubrey, shrugging her shoulders.
Henry snorted. "Great plan!" he said sarcastically before starting to scan to rows of books on the bookshelves.
Aubrey too started to explore the study and her eyes rested on the hundreds of paintings of elderly men and women above the bookshelves. Most of them were fast asleep in their chairs and she only recognised a few of them from her History of Magic classes. But she was able to identify them all a previous Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore's portrait caught her eye especially and she smiled at the grey bearded wizard with crescent moon glasses, wondering what it would have been like to have him as a teacher. However it was the man in the portrait next to him that intrigued her the most. He had greasy black hair and a long hooked nose. He was considerably younger than all the other Headmasters and Headmistresses but his face was just as weathered.
Henry saw Aubrey staring at the sleeping wizard and made his way over to stand next to her.
"That's Professor Snape," he told her. "He was Dumbledore's spy amongst the Death Eaters. He was a headmaster for less than a year after Dumbledore died as he too was killed. It was greatly debated by the Ministry as to whether he should have a portrait as not many knew that he was only one of Voldemort's followers due to his working for Dumbledore as spy. But Harry Potter made his story known after the Battle of Hogwarts and insisted that a portrait be made of him and placed next to Dumbledore's."
Suddenly Henry grabbed her arm, making her jump, and he pointed towards one of the bookshelves near the desk.
"Look," he said, "the Sorting Hat."
The hat was watching them from his perch on the bookshelf and Aubrey thought if hats could smirk, it would be smirking at them right now.
"Well, well," it said, glaring at them "Why are two young second years alone in the Headmistress's office?"
Aubrey began to speak but Henry interrupted.
"Actually I was wondering if you had perhaps made a mistake and placed me in the wrong house." Henry asked the hat.
The hat sighed. "Your placement is one that haunts me quite often actually. I initially intended to place you in Gryffindor but Professor McGonagall had given me orders that if I was to come across a new student with the right qualities, I was to put them in Slytherin."
"Qualities? What 'right qualities'? Henry questioned.
"Ambition, cunning, resourcefulness and leadership, the qualities that Slytherin house value," listed a voice behind them, causing them to jump in fright. It was the voice of Professor McGonagall and they spun around to face her.
"As well as courage, bravery, intelligence and determination to work hard," she continued, taking a step towards them. "A young person who would persist and strive to reach the ultimate goal."
"And what would that 'ultimate goal' be, Professor?" Henry gulped, his voice wavering slightly due to her intimidating presence.
"Since I became Headmistress after the school was restored, I have wished for harmony amongst the houses," she said, walking behind her desk. "Slytherin house has always been viewed in a negative light and the dark days of Voldemort's power made the unrest between Slytherin and the other houses even stronger. However those days are gone and I wish Slytherin house to be viewed as the equal of the other three houses as well as being desired by new students. The Slytherin house values were lost under the pretense that the house is for dark wizards and witches and I would like those values to be recognised again."
She stared over her desk and directly at Henry. "It is all very well for me to say this to the other students but I believe the only way it will be completely understood is if it is demonstrated and proved. That is where you come in, Mr Wilks. The Sorting Hat recognised these qualities in you, as well as your blood purity which Slytherin desires, and so placed you in Slytherin house, even though it was against its wishes to do otherwise. Henry, you have to chance to help me eradicate all stereotypes against Slytherin house being the house for dark witches and wizards. If then, by removing that assumption, there may be less students becoming so, you will have protected our world from another such war that has so recently ended. Do you understand?"
"I do, Professor. I understand," said Henry quietly.
"I know this is a lot to place on the shoulders of such a young boy but I believe you can succeed."
"I will do my best, Professor," he agreed, sounding determined.
It was then that Professor McGonagall looked at Aubrey who had almost hoped she had not been noticed by the Headmistress. However she didn't say a word to her and continued to speak to Henry.
"It is a great responsibility you hold in your hands now, Mr Wilks. But don't let that blind you. Take every opportunity to enjoy yourself whilst at Hogwarts and do not disregard your friendships." Then she smiled at Aubrey. "Friendship is one of the greatest gifts you can be given."
"Now off to bed, the both of you," she said, snapping back to her commanding Headmistress's voice. "And I do not want any more surprise visits from either of you, do you hear me?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall," they said in unison before walking towards the door.
But a thought popped into Aubrey's mind and she approached the Sorting Hat again.
"Excuse me," she said, "Was there any doubt in your mind when you placed me in Gryffindor?" she asked.
The hat chuckled. "Do you think anyone but a Gryffindor would be so curious? And this little stunt you pulled to get you and your friend in here, do you think anyone but a true Gryffindor would do that either?"
She smiled, blushing. "No I guess not," she said.
"Your courage, nerve and loyalty towards your friend prove you to be a worthy Gryffindor, my dear," it said to her softly. "So to answer your previous question, no, I didn't have any doubt."
Henry didn't hang around long after they left the Headmistress's study. He told Aubrey that he wanted to finish all of his homework that night and so, after thanking her for helping him, he strode off towards the Slytherin common room looking very confident.
Aubrey arrived back at her dormitory to find Nell sitting on her bed eating a chocolate cupcake from a small pile of them on her pillow.
"So how did it go then?" asked Nell, her mouth full of chocolate icing.
"Really well," she replied thinking back to Professor McGonagall's conversation with Henry and how determined he had looked when he left.
"But what happened with you?" Aubrey inquired. "We heard screaming and the clattering of dinnerware all the way up near the Headmistress's office."
Nell started to laugh, recalling what had happened. "Cornish Pixies," she said simply, throwing Aubrey a cupcake from her stash. "I took those two large cages of them from the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and put them underneath the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. Then after you left, I opened the cages from my underneath my seat at the Gryffindor table using Alohomora and then just ran around pretending to be scared when they made havoc of the hall."
Aubrey laughed. "That was brilliant, Nell!" she chuckled. "I wish I could have seen it!"
"And the best thing was," continued Nell proudly, "that when the Professors found the cages under the Slytherin table, they suspected those Slytherin tricksters from year four. Then while they were all busy catching the pixies, I was able to grab this lot," she patted her cupcake stash happily, "and bring it back here to celebrate my glorious little stunt with you! Hogwarts is wonderful, isn't it?"
"It sure is!" beamed Aubrey and took a large bite of her cupcake.
CHAPTER 4 (YEAR 3) NOW AVAILABLE
As a first-time FanFiction writer, I would love a review or feedback from you on my writing. Just like Aubrey I am very excited to be setting out on a new journey and I can't wait to share more of my ideas with you.
KC