Both Iris and Fenrir chose to travel without any other company so they waited to get into the last of the carriages. When they were about to reach Hogwarts, Iris asked Fenrir again "Are you sure you want to be in Slytherin?"
Fenrir raised his eyebrows at the question but nodded in affirmation. This led Iris to slump a bit.
"Why are you so sad about it? You don't buy into all Slytherin are evil, do you?" Fenrir asked suspiciously.
"W-What, of course not!" Iris denied it and then slumped again "Well you see it is some kind of tradition in Slytherins to not befriend a Gryffindor, at least publically. And you are already better than most of the friends I have had in Gryffindor. I don't want to lose our friendship due to a silly house rivalry."
Fenrir nodded in understanding then smirked at Iris flirtatiously "Well if my lady commands, I will change the Slytherin for you!"
He said it so intensely Iris blushed but she fell into the act soon and sniffed pompously "See that you do it."
A moment later they both fell into laughter. Fenrir looked at her and said "No seriously, I would do it. I too, don't want to lose our friendship to house rivalry that wouldn't even matter after going out of Hogwarts."
Iris's cheeks reddened as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and replied shyly "It would be great."
And that is how Iris Dorea Potter, the 'girl-who-lived', the saviour of the Wizarding world and Fate's chosen, had her first crush.
They reached Hogwarts soon and Iris was snatched away by a worried Hermione and a bored Ron.
"Where were-" Hermione started but Iris ignored her. She looked around to find Fenrir. When their eyes met, Fenrir winked at her and was lost between the students of the castle.
--X--
Fenrir looked around and saw Professor McGonagall walking slowly toward the docks where the first years would arrive. He steeled himself before calling out "Professor?" as he quickly stepped a few paces to draw even with her.
Minerva McGonagall was drawn out of her musing by the call for a professor. She turned to see a boy who looked oddly familiar but she was sure she didn't recognize him, and he wasn't wearing any house affiliation. "Yes? Can I help you?"
He nodded a little, meeting her eyes. "I was hoping you might direct me where to go."
Minerva frowned and tilted her head curiously. "You should be with your school delegation because they're all supposed to come in together." She looked like she was preparing to direct him to the ship or the carriage.
He quickly shook his head, "No, I'm not with Durmstrang or Beauxbatons. I'm Fenrir Peverell, I'm a transfer student."
McGonagall's eyes widened momentarily, either at the last name, or the new student's knowledge of the arrival of the two guest schools, but quickly composed herself. "Oh! Yes, of course, Mr. Peverell. You need to be sorted and I assumed you would come across the lake like all the first years. I'm headed to get them now if you'll accompany them, you can join me."
Fenrir sighed a little bit, so much for hoping he could be sorted privately. However, knowing the professor as he did, he knew there was little hope of convincing McGonagall to allow him to be sorted privately, especially if Dumbledore hadn't approved it. So he merely nodded, "Of course, Professor McGonagall."
Minerva raised an eyebrow at him, wondering if someone had pointed her out to him, but shrugged and turned to walk toward the entrance. They were quiet for several moments, during which she was surprised the teen did not ask about the sorting, he merely seemed content to walk next to her. When it became clear he wasn't going to ask her questions Minerva began to ask questions of her own. "Professor Dumbledore was most surprised when Minister contacted him about your enrollment."
Fenrir merely shrugged. "That was relatively undecided until recently. And this is only a trial experience. If the school doesn't suit me, I'm able to withdraw and transfer to another institution, or return to private schooling."
Minerva frowned as she regarded him thoughtfully, "I'm surprised your guardians didn't enrol you when you were eleven. That's the standard practice."
Fenrir could almost see the lines, as she fished for information. "They researched schools thoroughly. After looking at all the options, they thought that remaining homeschooled would be better for me. I had already started my education at that point. They saw no reason to take me back to basics. As it is, I'm still relatively advanced in comparison to others in my age group. We think. Truth be told, they still weren't sure about sending me here; they had some educational and safety concerns."
Minerva looked surprised at that. "Hogwarts is the finest magical institution in the world. The education is unparalleled and it's very safe."
Fenrir raised an eyebrow at that statement, though he kept his tone placid. "Let's just say that I have my doubts about that Professor."
Minerva scowled at that, but any rebuttal she would have been able to make was cut off as they arrived at the entrance to where the first years awaited. She looked at all of the first years and began to give a speech about Houses and family.
Fenrir looked at the staff table. He could see empty space beside the Headmaster's throne for Professor McGonagall. Flitwick was as excited as he remembered him to be, Sprout was also clapping with a polite smile on her face, Bathseda Babbling, Aurora Sinistra, and Septimus Vector were also present along with the half-giant Hagrid. Snape like expected had scowl on his face which soured Fenrir's mood. Regardless of the spying he had done, Snape had been a death eater and nasty to him, he was also responsible for Voldemort knowing the prophecy. He was never going to be a fan of Snape.
What shocked him was the presence of Lily Potter at the staff table. From what he had learned, she had a job in the Department of Mysteries, so what could she be doing here? Fenrir shrugged and carried on to observe his surroundings until all the first years were sorted.
Dumbledore stood up and Ares saw him smile first down at him and then the room at large, before speaking. "This year, we also have someone else joining us. He has been home-schooled up until this year and has elected to enrol in Hogwarts to continue his education. Please welcome, Fenrir Peverell." Dumbledore stated loudly enough for everyone to hear as he gestured to the stool for him to take a seat.
Fenrir internally rolled his eyes, as he heard murmurs break out all over the hall. It was mostly upper-class students. He wondered if it was the rarity of any sort of transfer student, or if it was the name of forgotten Elites, the Peverells.
He was sure he'd find out later, as he turned and sat on the stool, facing the crowd. McGonagall wasted no time in setting the sorting hat on his head. Even his mind, defended as it was wouldn't recognize it as an intrusion.
It took only a moment before Fenrir heard the sorting hat's voice in his head. He didn't even bother bracing himself, knowing that no form of occlumency could stop the hat from getting a read on someone's mind. Well, that was not true, he could use the resurrection stone to ward his consciousness and memories but the Hat's job was necessary.
After some time the hat shouted, without talking to him "SLYTHERIN!"
Fenrir took the hat off and kept his face carefully blank of any surprise, the Slytherin table was clapping politely. He wondered if anyone else knew just how much of the founders were in the sorting hat. He also made a mental note to investigate closer in the near future if the opportunity presented itself. Fenrir rolled his eyes slightly at all the gawkers he made the way over to the table, his robe already changing to acquire the silver and green trim of Slytherin.
As he descended to the table, he glanced up at the head table and saw Snape watching him with a blank expression, though he could tell he was curious. A quick curious glance at Dumbledore showed nothing but polite clapping and a smile on the man's face. He did notice a slight flurry of activity from the other side of the table. Lily Potter's eyebrows were drawn up in surprise as were the two teachers nearest to her. Though Fenrir only spared it a thought, wondering what they might be surprised by as he focused on the Slytherin table.
Any conversation was cut off as Dumbledore got up to make another announcement. Fenrir turned his head to listen to the announcement, though he was already well aware of what the Headmaster was going to announce.
He turned with feigned interest as Dumbledore announced the guests everyone had seen arrive with a flourish. Though Fenrir was attentive at the entrances of both Durmstrang and Beauxbatons and was only mildly impressed at their theatricality and the impression they made on the other students.
His eyes picked out Fleur out of the Beauxbatons group. She was at the very end of the Beauxbaton's line and twirled before curtseying to the crowd with the rest of our schoolmates. Her cool eyes swept the room with a haughty expression, a thoughtful expression crossing her face as her eyes traced the room searchingly a second time.
He knew how talented and hardworking Fleur had been from his last life. He decided he would be snatching her before Gringotts. She would be invaluable as Enchantress. Besides, no discrimination based on her race and higher pay would be enough to entice Fleur on his side.
He didn't bother to roll his eyes at the excited murmurs that broke out through the student body and definitely didn't take part in any of the discussions that broke out when the fact that Viktor Krum was there caused murmurs to break out at all four tables.
Durmstrang came and sat down at their table. Most of the Slytherins shifted and moved to give Viktor Krum and his friends some space to sit. Several people throughout the table were making eyes at Krum.
He remained seated and merely nodded at Viktor Krum who seemed pleased at the subtle acknowledgement as opposed to the fawning that he became immediately besieged with.
The rest of the meal went as he remembered it. The introduction of the Tri-Wizard tournament. Moody came into the great hall through the side entrance, the clouds in the enchanted ceiling thundering and lightning and he dispelled the effect with a blast of energy from his wand.
Fenrir watched Moody carefully, normally he might even be concerned that he was showing too much interest in the man, but he definitely wasn't the only one who was looking. Half the hall had turned to stare at him. The Slytherin's reactions were interesting, there were some angry looks among the students, but they were curiously subdued, Though he wasn't certain whether it was because of fear or respect.
He watched intently and then saw what he was looking for. Moody's tongue flicked out of his mouth, just briefly in a sort of tic. His eyes filled with malice as he stared at Moody. The flask that Moody kept with him at all times, was the same one he continued to use after the cup, so simply drinking from the flask wasn't proof of anything. However, that tic had told Fenrir everything he needed to know.
He noticed the sternness in Dumbledore's expression at that announcement, anyone could tell he was not pleased, and he stepped forward with his arms raised, irritation in his tone. "The Ministry, in its… infinite wisdom, has decided there shall be no minimum age requirement, for this tournament."
There was no mistaking the mutual scowls that crossed the faces of both Dumbledore and Barty Crouch as they stared at one another for just a few seconds. It was clear that Dumbledore wasn't happy about there being no age restriction, and Crouch was equally as displeased about Dumbledore's shot at the Ministry.
Dumbledore turned his attention back to the students who were hanging onto their words. "Please do not take this commitment lightly. The Goblet of Fire represents a binding magical contract. if you submit your name, and you are chosen, you will be required to compete or lose your magic. The Tri-Wizard Tournament is a dangerous competition and the number of competitors who have lost their lives in the past saw the end of the tournament until now. Do not enter your name lightly. There is no having second thoughts or getting cold feet. If you enter, and you are chosen you will be required to compete!"
When Fenrir cast several detection spells on his food and drink, it was someone sitting close by, who spoke up. "Are you expecting someone to poison your food Peverell?" A masculine voice asked with a slightly mocking note.
Fenrir thought about how to handle the situation. He would either ignore it or put Flint in his place.
"Marcus Flint was it? I understand that you don't need to check your food items before eating. After all, what would someone gain by dosing it with anything? The troll-like face you have already saves you from being the victim of Love potion. And if someone would want to put you in place, why would they resort to poisoning you? After all a weakling like you would probably be subdued by a bunch of newbies in magic."
Everyone at the snake table went quiet. Marcus Flint was a 7th-year student who should have passed Hogwarts last year but he chose to not give his NEWTs and attend an extra year. Currently, he was also the most influential Snake in the Viper pit. So nobody wanted to go against him.
Fenrir smirked knowing they would try to intimidate him in dungeons tonight. It would be a good opportunity to announce the presence of the big bad Wolf in the pit of vipers.
--X--