Chapter Nine
Room to Grow
When Quintin first got to his bedroom he found the door going to Dusthorn locked, and no amount of pushing, pulling, or casting spells did anything to get it open.
"I take it I'm bunking in here... just like old times," Jeremy observed.
"Apparently so," Quintin said, then went out the open door near the Ravenclaw storage room and through the nursery door.
He worked his way into the Headmaster's Study with Jeremy close behind. Inside, his father was sitting behind the desk while his mother stood in front of it, getting each other caught up on what they'd missed during the two weeks that Severus had been at Hogwarts.
"How come the door to the Common Room won't budge?" Quintin asked.
"It isn't connected at the moment," Severus replied calmly. "There are several teams still putting the finishing touches on summer projects, which need to be done before we can have the carpet installed in the main common room. You're simply going to have to wait until it's done, which likely won't be until after the Sorting Ceremony. Don't bother trying to sneak through the front doors either," he added when he saw Quintin's shoulders slump. "They are temporarily barricaded because there's a goblin team working on the new staircase."
"It's going to be nice having a staircase rather than that rickety old ladder," Jeremy commented in support.
"A lot safer as well, but they've had some trouble linking it to the school's security system. Sirius and John are both having to help... much to the goblins' dismay," Severus added. "So do me a favor and stay away from the fourth floor. They have a lot to do and not much time left to finish up."
"I don't mind staying in Quintin's room," Jeremy offered. "Where's Truman?"
"Truman is going to bunk up with Rus," Jennifer replied. "The two of them went off to play with Seren, and I could really use your help keeping an eye on her until the daycare is open. I need to go down and start checking components in the Potion Lab so that everything will be ready when Arcadia arrives. I swear the prescription list gets bigger every year. I'm so glad I don't have to try to tackle it alone like in the old days."
"As I recall, you managed to find help in the 'old days' as well... namely me," Severus pointed out.
"True, but I had to try to convince you," Jennifer teased flirtatiously.
"Let's go," Quintin told Jeremy quickly.
"Yes alright, run along!" Jennifer replied as Quintin led Jeremy over to the Doorlift. "Dinner's at five..."
"Make it six," Severus suggested.
"Six, then," Jennifer corrected.
"Yes, Mum," Quintin said, holding the door for Jeremy and closing it behind them. Then he got out the goblin watch that his father had given him for his birthday. "Looks like everyone's outside on the Quidditch Pitch," he informed Jeremy.
"Let's go see what they're up to," Jeremy suggested.
They stepped through the Doorlift near Danyelle Brittle's office and went down the corridor, stepping outside.
As they walked over to the Pitch, Quintin couldn't help but smile, because the four of them were far from alone; Rasputin, Descartes, and Radiance were there, as well as Rus' owl, Wrongway. On Serendipity's head was the Sorting Hat, and thet were listening to Jay's instructions as Jay lined them up and taught Truman, Rus, and Serendipity how to pass a broom inspection. Seren seemed to be taking this playtime very seriously, looking over her toy broom suspiciously. She inspected its sparkly lavender bristles and picking at it to look for loose ones.
"Hey, can we play?" Quintin asked.
"We're not playing, they're helping me practice," Jay said indignantly.
"I'll go grab our brooms," Jeremy offered.
"Just get a couple of school brooms, they're closer," Quintin suggested, but Jeremy waved him off and he hurried back inside. "On the other hand, I should run up and get Ebony."
"Already present," the Sorting Hat informed him.
Quintin lifted the Hat long enough to check on his rabbit before placing the Hat back on his sister's head. Then he stood next to her and Jeremy ran back to take his place next to them. They listened to Jay explain broom inspection, how to line up, and the basics of marching and hovering drills. Jay had to stop a time or two to show Seren how to hover on her toy broom. The broom never hovered any higher than she could put her feet, nor did it ever move any faster than a walk. Rus quickly volunteered to help her, giving Jay the freedom to concentrate on Truman, Quintin, and Jeremy. The flying familiars joined the ones hovering at height, while Rasputin saw many benefits to following behind Seren's much slower procession as she practiced starting and stopping at her own pace.
The warm afternoons flew by, and the five of them had little trouble occupying each other during the remaining days before school began. Sometimes the boys went out to play tennis or football, and other times they joined Seren to explore the castle.
The Sorting Hat was often preoccupied with teaching Seren some of the games he used to play with Quintin, who found it rather exciting to finally be able to include his little sister. In fact, Seren and the Hat often enticed Quintin to play games that he had once thought he had grown out of.
September finally arrived, and Quintin put on his new robes with a Dusthorn patch carefully embroidered with gold thread. Jeremy and Quintin waited until the other students began to arrive before going into the Great Hall, greeting their housemates and exchanging summer stories as they waited for the larger houses to get settled into place. Soon the faculty were situated as well, and Quintin smiled at his parents and then at the Sorting Hat, who was waiting for Professor Weasley to bring in the students who had gotten their letters that year.
There were a few jabs and whispers as some of the students pointed out siblings or other people they knew, and Quintin smiled warmly to see his longtime friend, Duncan Brittle, who was sure to be one of the first ones sorted. Duncan looked up nervously at his mother, but Danny offered him a warm encouraging smile as he waited for his turn. It was not long before his name was called and he had to sit down on the stool.
"Dusthorn!" the Sorting Hat declared cheerfully, and everyone at Dusthorn clapped enthusiastically to welcome their first properly Sorted student at the table. It wasn't long before Oscar began getting so excited that Pete and Curt had to put a hand on each shoulder to keep him from getting up as his young brother Oswald came up and sat on the stool. Just as before, the Sorting Hat declared, "Dusthorn!"
Nothing could stop Oscar from jumping up that time, coaxing Curt to scoot over enough to let Ozzy sit by him.
After that came a series of hushes as the others tried to calm Oscar down enough to hear the other names and where they were going, until finally the name Pamina Dipple got their attention. It was Pippa's turn to get excited as the Sorting Hat enthusiastically called out, "Dusthorn!" Her sister skipped over to take her place at the table across from her, turning her robes a lovely shade of purple as she sat down.
Then there was a bit of a lull, but Quintin wasn't worried; he noticed early on that they seemed to be getting just as many in his house as they were in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Only Slytherin had less students than usual; but the students who were Sorted into that house seemed quite pleased to be there. In fact, Quintin suddenly realized that he had yet to see anyone who was disappointed about where they had been Sorted, most especially Slytherin. Instead, their thoughts ranged from relieved to proud... or simply grateful to be with their siblings just as Pamina and Ozzy had been to be with theirs. They were nearly halfway through, and there had yet to be a single student who behaved as if they were disappointed.
As Quintin was pondering that, he glanced at the students that were left and noticed one that looked strangely familiar to him, wondering where he had seen her before. That was when it came to him; it was the Maxen girl from the Halloween party. She looked a bit pale in the dark robes but was as pretty as Cadha, yet calmer in demeanor. Still, Quintin hadn't forgotten the fact that the girl had made all of his housemates bleat like sheep using some sort of mental technique that Quintin didn't understand. The name Griselda was called and she sat on the stool, the Sorting Hat wasting very little time when he declared, "Slytherin!"
Griselda Maxen nodded as if in confirmation that the decision had been obvious, going over to the table where some of the other first year Slytherin obligingly shifted so that she could sit with Moira, Bonnibel, and Douglas.
The other students clapped politely, turning their attention to the next student, Kirsty Meyers, who looked quite nervous indeed. Once again, the Sorting Hat came down, giving it only a moment or two before saying, "Ravenclaw!" Kirsty exhaled with a smile and stepped down, while Jennifer whispered something to Severus as she clapped.
"A Meyers who isn't a Slytherin? Is that even allowed?" Pippa wondered.
"It's happened before, it's just been a long while," Quintin replied, clapping for Bruce Mitchell, who went to Gryffindor. "I say, though, everyone looks quite happy to be in their houses this year."
"True, but is it just me, or does it seem like Slytherin isn't getting as many this year?" Pippa pointed out.
"There are still the S and T names to go through, so don't get your hopes up," Jack pointed out. But even through their numbers improved, even Jack admitted in the end that Slytherin seemed to have less than usual.
"Do you suppose it's a good sign?" Jennifer asked Severus as they were walking back to their rooms. "I mean, I was thinking that Slytherin's light numbers this year could be in response to that paper about Salazar."
"Possibly, but I think it's too soon to tell," Severus warned. "One can hardly call one sample a trend, and I think it'll take several years or more to see what sorts of effect that Salazar's past will have on that house. But considering who we just Sorted into that house, I very much doubt their smaller number will matter."
"You mean Zelda Maxen," Jennifer said.
"Yes," Severus admitted. "I think the best course of action is to be vigilant from the very start. The instant her mental powers becomes a problem, we must immediately intervene and take harsh measures, reminding her that general abuse of it will let to her expulsion."
"In other words, you're as sure as I am that it's a matter of when she tries something rather than if," Jennifer said.
"Of course she will, to test us if nothing else," Severus replied. "But I've already spoken with Danyelle and Aurelius extensively about what to look for, and Aurelius and I will personally handle any detentions that might come up."
"Oh, be my guest," Jennifer replied.
Jack took special pleasure in being able to lead the new students up to the Guard Wing, grateful for the opportunity to show them around Dusthorn house. But when he passed the guard statues he was in for a surprise, for quite a number of changes had been made. The room once known as the Fluffy Room was no longer a room at all; instead, the wall between it and the common room had been joined with a wide mahogany archway, and the gold-flecked purple carpet extended into the area. The Doorlift hadn't moved, but there was a new touch panel added next to the buttons. It was just like the new Doorlifts that the Order of the Owls had added to the castle three years ago, allowing any student who had accessibility challenges to use the Doorlift system to get around. It had likely been adjusted to give students a way to bypass the marble spiral staircase in the center of the room.
Anna and Ambrose smiled from where they stood on either side of the arch, watching as Jack slowed down and peered down the spiral staircase curiously.
"Everyone in the house is getting a tour tonight," Anna said when she saw his curious gaze, and Jack grinned at that. "We're going to give out schedules to make sure everyone is here first, and then we're going to take everyone around to see what's been done over the summer."
"Great!" Jack replied, and they stepped into the main common room.
The first thing he noticed was the fireplace on the back wall, set in grey brick with a granite mantle and finish, along with a cozy nook for reading nearby and upholstered chairs for seating. It was no surprise that the heating stove had been removed, and the temporary tapestries had been replaced with flags and banners of their house crest, a golden rabbit surrounded by gold falling leaves against a purple background.
"Jack! Do you want your schedule or not?" Anna asked, rolling her eyes. "You are the only sixth year, you know."
"Sorry!" Jack said and came over to get his schedule, taking a step back to read it as he waited for everyone else to get theirs.
Several of the second years had sacrificed one of their study hours to take Symbology after hearing that Quintin was planning to take it, and Anna and Ambrose conjectured that it was probably going to be the biggest class Hermione had ever had in the subject. Jack shook his head at that, seeing that Quintin's charisma and its effect over his friends was as strong as ever. Even some of the first years seemed to be looking at him for guidance as they nervously stepped up to get their schedules.
"Don't worry, Pamina. It's only rough the first couple of weeks," Quintin was telling her. "But it won't be long before you get into a rhythm. Personally, I would advise that you don't waste your first assigned study time, and use it to get ahead in the classes you've already had. It'll keep you from struggling later on when the work starts to pile up."
"Yeah, we learned that lesson the hard way last year," Pippa agreed.
"Sometimes learning the hard way can be more effective," Ambrose offered. "I see that you and Jeremy are taking Creative Writing this year, Quintin."
"Anna recommended that I take it to help me with my journalism, although I don't see how it would," Jeremy said. "I want to stick to the facts!"
"Yes, I know you do, Jeremy, but it'll help you make better word choices, especially if you learn how to keep it descriptive yet simple," Anna explained, handing Ozzy his schedule.
"How can you possibly do both?" Jeremy asked with exasperation.
"I guess you'll find out in my class this year," Ambrose said with amusement. "Especially when we get to poetry. Oh, don't scrunch your nose up like that... many forms of poetry force you to be both restrictive and intentional in your word choices, which is exactly the sort of thing you need to learn."
"I like poetry," Quintin informed Jeremy. "Especially Janus Edgar's poetry."
"It's so romantic," Virginia said with appreciation behind them. Jeremy glanced over his shoulder.
"Yes, he's quite popular these days," Ambrose agreed with amusement, then looked over at Anna. "I'm out of schedules."
"Me too," Anna said. "Should we tour this floor or the lower level first?"
"This one, I'd say," Ambrose replied.
They walked over to a pair of double doors between the fireplace corner and the research area and opened them, allowing all of the students into the next room. They stared in surprise to see that it was a further extension of the common area, containing the original fireplace that the new one was based off of, as well as tables, chairs, and tapestries on the wall. Jack couldn't help but admire the fact that the two rooms not only complimented each other, but both had features that tied them together. Just as the new fireplace had been modeled from the original, the recently installed windows in the extension had obviously been reworked to resemble the ones in the main common room. Although not as numerous, they were just as tall and of similar design with pieces of frosted and stained glass in its pattern. Nestled in each apex was a representation of their house crest.
"Brilliant work! I love how they're a lot alike and yet have their own personality. Aunt Zoe designed this, didn't she?" Jack inquired.
"She definitely helped, but we all had a hand in it," Anna replied. "Ambrose and I, Sirius and Zoe, Alicia and Pyther, John Carnegie, Janus Craw, Professor Craw and the Headmaster all contributed to the planning in some way. Quite a few of us contributed labor, too, along with Sirius' favorite masonry company and the Headmaster's favorite woodcrafting company," Anna said. "I should warn you that this level isn't completely finished, as you will see when we go through the next corridor." Anna then led them over to the opposite side and opened the double doors. The students peered down a stark, stone corridor with torch sconces lighting the way.
"This corridor used to be a series of empty rooms that we've opened up to form this corridor, but there wasn't enough time or budget to add windows; they will go in next summer," Anna explained as they walked down the stone corridor. "But this corridor leads to the wizard's dormitories, as you can see..." she stepped into the last room.
The long rectangular lobby had pair of large windows that looked as if they could be opened to let air in, facing the front grounds. To the left and right was a series of doors, each one with a guard painting and a small golden plate with a Roman Numeral etched in it.
"These are the wizard's rooms. If you're a first year, you'll see your room number on your schedule," Anna explained with a smile. "If you show your door guard the number, it will let you in, but I suggest you get to know your guard painting so that they learn to recognize you on sight. That way, you won't have to use your schedule to get in. You can also set up your own password if you want; just know that staff can get in and they'll open automatically if there's an emergency."
"Everyone gets their own door guard?" Quintin repeated in surprise, gazing at the paintings. Most of them appeared to be Alicia's work with a couple of the older paintings thrown in. "These aren't like the other dorms at all, are they?"
"One of the benefits of being able to design this house from scratch is that we could easily install security measures that's on the Headmaster's 'someday' list," Anna explained with amusement. "Adding the door guards provides both security and added freedom, because you'll be able to access every part of Dusthorn without restriction."
"We've never been restricted from any house rooms anyway," Quintin said with a shrug.
"Let's head downstairs," Anna suggested, and they all turned back down the stone corridor and through the common rooms.
But instead of the spiral staircase they had seen when they came in, they were quite surprised to see a stone statue of a three-headed dog, tall and menacing. Sirius stood nearby with his arms folded, smiling knowingly.
"Down, Fluffy," Anna commanded, and there was a rumble.
The students let out exclamations as the statue spun downwards, and then comments of appreciation when they saw the spiral staircase once more.
"It's just like the staircase to Dad's study," Quintin realized with a grin.
"Not exactly alike, but definitely modeled after," Sirius said proudly. "It's designed to close during lockdowns. Do you like the statue? Janus Craw and I made it. Even if this entryway can't be considered a room anymore, I figured we could at least have a Fluffy guard dog."
"Trust you to put a guard dog in here," Jack said knowingly.
"Actually, it was Harry's idea, but I'll gladly take credit for designing the spiral staircase," Sirius said, leading Anna and the rest of them downstairs.
At the bottom, the room they had used to sort through memories the year before had been turned into a small sitting area, similar to the one they had seen near the wizard's dormitories. Again there were no windows, but it was brightly lit with ornate fixtures that made Quintin deduce that it was unlikely any windows would be added. Still, he couldn't help but smile when he noticed that the mirror they had borrowed out of the storeroom was still there, its frame mended and polished and placed at a place on the wall that helped to extend the room.
"I think you'll see the biggest changes in here," Anna said, stepping into the room they used to call the Chess Room.
All of the students who had explored there the year before grinned with amusement, seeing quite plainly that the room could still be called that. The space was much smaller than it once had been; plastered walls took up most of the area lined with a series of doors with paintings on them.
In the center was an open space with plenty of wooden card tables, two chess tables, and a table with a built-in Wizard Go set. There was also a polished wooden shelf filled with board games, which would prove to be a blessing on snowy and rainy weekends when students were so bored that they didn't even have homework left to do.
"Brilliant! A game room!" Jeremy said, and everyone else excitedly echoed the sentiment.
"Are those our dorms over there?" Pippa asked impatiently, pointing at the doors.
"They certainly are," Anna agreed. "The Chess Room will double as your personal lobby, so feel free to use the tables for homework and snacks too," she said. The witches chatted excitedly about that.
"Hang on a moment! Does that mean we're not going to be able to use it?" Jack asked sharply, and most of the other Dusthorn students looked at him curiously.
"Sure, you can come down and use at any time," Anna replied.
"But it's right next to the girl's dormitories and bath!" Jack said, pointing at the doors. "Or are the paintings themselves hexed to keep us out of individual rooms?"
"No," Anna said calmly. "You can visit their rooms if you like, just as they can visit you if they like."
"You mean a boy can get in my room?" Libby gasped in shock.
"Not if you don't let them in," Anna pointed out.
"Well, I'm not letting any boys in my room," Libby said, turning up her nose.
"I'm not letting you in our room either," Jack retorted, his face blushing red.
"Your prerogative," Anna said.
"Aren't you even remotely worried about it? I mean? Well, you know..." Jack said, painfully aware that all of the first and second years were gazing at their only sixth year student fixedly. "About possibly breaking rules and stuff?"
"No more than we were when the witches could get in your dorms at Slytherin," Anna shrugged. "Besides, if there's any rule breaking going on, all of the paintings will be quick to tell the faculty about it... especially the door guards," she pointed out. Sirius put a hand on his grandson's shoulder, leaning over.
"And some of those are paintings of your relatives," he warned quietly, patting his shoulder and making Jack blush even more.
"Shall we move on?" Anna suggested. Jack nodded vigorously, following the other students as they made their way across the room and into the Key Tower.
Surprisingly, very little had been done other than a good polishing that left the floors and stairs to the upper room clean. But Quintin did notice a difference; the door to the room that had been opposite the doors they came through was gone. To the left there was new wooden door with a tall arch, reinforced with iron and magic but with a handle that made it very easy to pull open.
"If you're wondering why it's so bare in here, it's because everyone involved in renovating the place decided to leave the decoration of this tower up to your students," Anna said, earning another murmur. "You can even keep it as it is if you like, it's entirely up to you. The tower's main practical function is to act as a link to the house's storage room, which is the room at the top of the tower up those stairs. It also serves as a one-way exit," she explained, pointing to the new door. "This leads out onto the grounds. If you have a football or Quidditch game, you may find it faster to go out this way, or even if you need to get to Magical Beasts or Muggle Studies as far as that goes," she said, another murmur of appreciation going up. "Some warnings though," she added in a voice loud enough to echo and get their attention. "When I say one-way, I mean it. There's no way to access this tower from the outside, so if you step out and leave your broom or quill or coat or whatever... you're out of luck and will have to get back to your dorm room the usual way," she warned. "One other thing. Although you are all permitted to use this door during normal school hours, if you try to use this door after curfew or during a lockdown, this will happen," Anna said, pulling open the door.
A blaring siren began going off, causing most of the students to hold their ears. That was when Jack and Quintin noticed that Sirius and Ambrose were conveniently wearing earmuffs. Anna shut the door, and the siren ceased.
"Professor Black," said the echoing voice of the Headmaster, and the students looked around to try and figure out where it was coming from. "I assume this was part of your planned demonstration."
"Yep, I showed them," Anna replied in her normal tone while the students were still trying to get the ringing out of their ears.
"Very well," the echoing voice said. "Don't forget to remind them that if they open that door after hours and it isn't a dire emergency, it will mean an automatic detention."
"You got it," Anna replied.
"I'll leave you to it then," the Headmaster's voice said, falling silent.
"Any questions?" Anna inquired.
"Not about the door, no," Quintin spoke up.
"Okay, then what else?" Anna asked curiously.
"It's just that... well, it's so big. Do we really need all of this space?" Quintin wondered. Anna smiled.
"It may seem big to you right now with only two years worth of students plus one sixth year," Anna said. "But after all of the headaches and expense of expanding the other four houses, it was agreed by both the board and the faculty to plan ahead on this new house, so that it will be a long, long time before Hogwarts has to worry about expanding again. I suggest you enjoy the extra space while it lasts," she suggested. "By the time you've become seventh years, it won't feel so empty. Even then, there will still be plenty of room to grow as time goes on."
Quintin nodded at that with a smile, and Anna dismissed them so they could investigate their new dorm rooms.
