Alexander Acheron and the Child of Death
Chapter Two Is paved in good intentions
Early in the morning Harry awoke early due to all the times his aunt awoke him very early in the morning so he went to get Mia and Ace up.
"Five more minutes Harry." Mia mumbled.
"Five more minutes" Mia again mumbled.
Harry decided to give Mia five more minutes so he then decided to go upstairs and get Ace up.
As he was walking upstairs he remembered the dream he had before he awoke. It was confusing.
His mind spun as it always did when he went to sleep "Like always he thought."
But then something abnormal happened, something like a song echoed in his mind to the tune of tiptoe through the tulips in a voice he did not recognize but was surprisingly familiar.
It was an odd voice cold but infernal high pitch yet somehow low at the same time a choir of different tones and pitches yet one insidious voice bellowing louder than them all it sang.
"Going insane faster than you know"
"Going insane far too quick ick ick aly"
"Going insane faster than you know"
"Going insane far too quick ick ick aly"
"In this dance with death it's all too quick But… but.. but. when you dance with death your always the one who croaks"
"Your not just flirting with insubordination your grabbing it by the neck and kissing it so hard you can feel its tonsils"
"Going insane faster than you know"
"Going insane far too quick ick ick aly"
"Going insane faster than you know"
"Going insane far too quick ick ick aly"
"In this dance with death it's all too quick But… but.. but. when you dance with death your always the one who croaks"
"Your not just flirting with insubordination your grabbing it by the neck and kissing it so hard you can feel its tonsils"
"So stay away stay away stay away stay away where it's safe well maybe not for you it's already far too late late! FAR TOO LATE!!!"
Then he awoke with the force of a hurricane.
He sighed as walked up the stairs he opened Ace's door and walked in "Ace get up" he announced
Ace groaned as he got up but aside from that he didn't fight getting up.
"Now help me wake sleeping beauty up" He declared
"Yeah yeah I'll help you wake your girlfriend up sunshine" Ace snarked
He rolled his eyes. Ace always did this.
As he walked out waiting for Ace to get dressed so they could wake Mia who most likely was still asleep.
They walked down the stairs and opened the door to Mia's room.
"Mia get up!" Both Ace and Harry yelled
Mia shot up in a daze and said the first spell that came to mind "Flipendo!" Throwing both Harry and Ace back.
"Mia, why'd you hex us?" Harry moaned out, still winded from her knock back hex.
"I hexed you because you startled me!" she said grinning
"Anyway get up, we packed yesterday and you both brought your stuff here." Ace said
"Now get dressed and get up so we can go to diagon alley for the inheritance tests you both got yourselfs Grandpa also has something he needs to file at the ministry" Ace said
With that said Ace said Harry walked out of the door and shut it so she could get dressed.
She sighed wondering what would come up on her inheritance test and what Mr Acheron was going to the ministry for.
Harry and himself walked downstairs to the living room and sat down himself in the rocking chair Harry on the side of the settee closer to the rocking chair and asked "Between you and me does the business Mr Acheron is going to have anything to do with Mia?"
Ace sighed "Of course Harry would figure it out he's too observant for his own good sometimes." Ace thought he then said "As long as you don't tell Mia I'll tell you it's supposed to be a surprise."
After Harry nodded he continued "You know the reason why we can't make you a ward of house Acheron and bring you here permanently but Mia doesn't have those restrictions on her living situation."
Harry nodded, realising what Mr Acheron was doing, also remembering to ask the headmaster why he had to stay with the Dursleys?
Harry also noticed that Ace separated Harry becoming a ward of Acheron house and him living here permanently, which gave him hope.
As she was walking down the stairs and into the living room Mr Acheron walked out of the green fire in the fireplace.
Ace looked at him and said Grandpa.
"Yes yes now come on so I can drop you off at Gringotts whilst I attend to some business at the ministry." Mr Acheron said
"Now neither of you two have ever used floo powder have you so Mia you can go through with Alex and I will go through with Harry, now hold hands grab a pinch of floo powder walk in and say Diagon alley preferably before you walk into the fire so you can't get lost or go a grate or a hundred to far" Mr Acheron said
Ace grabbed her hand, walked towards the fireplace sprinkled the floo powder in and said "Diagon alley" before tugging on her hand and walking into the fire.
It was a kaleidoscope of green fire swirling all around them smothering them in heat but then they appeared outside a fireplace in Diagon alley
Ace then said "That is the benefit of clear instruction and a steady voice"
Then Harry and Mr Acheron walked through the flames
"Now I trust Alex can get you two to your meeting with the MurderousMagpie. These letters say" before handing them to Harry and Mia he then grabbed a pinch of floo powder and said "Ministry of Magic."
They walked past shops that had books, robes and even a broomstick called the Nimbus 2000 100 galleons Ace muttered "I bet it'll be half that in a week quarter by the time our first flying lessons come about" which based on the last nimbus the Nimbus 1700 came out at 80 galleons by the time of the first Hogwarts quidditch match it was 10 galleons and still was a decently pricey broom considering most new brooms cost 5-8 galleons at the time
"How do you know so much about quidditch?" Harry asked which was a good question considering Ace didn't like quidditch too much as far as she knew and certainly wouldn't be keeping track of broom prices.
Ace snorted "it's one of the only sports in the wizarding world plus my sister's obsessed with it and whilst I'm not obsessed with it like she is I do like quidditch and I love flying." Ace admitted as they were arriving at Gringotts
They chatted a bit whilst waiting in line
Once they arrived at the Teller was about thirty minutes after they arrived Ace said we're here to see The MurderousMagpie the Teller was inwardly shocked that this boy knew the correct goblin universal goblin pronoun was The but didn't display his shock outwardly and merely said "Griphook" a goblin arrived and the Teller said "take these humans to The MurderousMagpie."
Griphook walk forward and said "come with me"
Mia didn't even bother counting the paths they took as Ace had informed them that Gringots was enchanted to make you forget the paths taken unless you were a goblin or at least 1/16th goblin.
Griphook knocked on a door "two humans and a friend of theirs here for The MurderousMagpie."
A taller goblin opened the door and said "come in"
"Yes do you two wish to have this one or the other listen In" said a goblin who they saw was The MurderousMagpie.
Mia looked at Harry and they both said "I don't mind."
"Alright then" the MurderousMagpie muttered before waving a bejeweled dagger in a way similar to how a wizard waves a wand and then four pieces of parchment appeared one each in front of her and Harry and two in front of The MurderousMagpie.
"Yes let's start with you Potter" he looked down at the parchment. "Yes it seems like you are the Potter, Fleamont, Black, Peverel and Gryffindor heir's and in line for a few others." The MurderousMagpie said
"Now you" he said pointing at her "Are heiress to the Gaunts the Goldfinches and the Slytherin lines and in line for a few others."
"Come back on your 14th birthday or as close as you can get to claim your heir rings." The MurderousMagpie told them
Ace stood up and said "Thank you Warrior MurderousMagpie may your vaults overflow with gold and you find ever fortune." before dragging her and Harry out of the door and following Griphook out of the bank
Harry asked Ace "Ace do you know anything about my family?"
"Or mine?" Mia added
Ace sighed before saying "Yes I know a bit the Potters were always light or gray some of the best warders and Transfigurationists in the whole world, The Fleamonts were generally gray explorers, adventures they actually founded wizarding Britain no matter what they did they were always rather great at from magizooigists to charms or potion masters. The Blacks generally were dark but the Black lords have almost always been grey I guess as you were Sirius Blacks godson you were the heir considering your grandmother was a Black as well and the Blacks were Slytherins for centuries aside from well Sirius Black and were known for being extremely skilled at self transfiguration and extremely dark curses, the Peverels were known as the house of death" he said a thoughtfull look passing over his face before continuing, "The last Lord Peverel lived over a millennia ago so not much is known about them aside from there talent at the dark and black arts, and the Gryffindors well the Potters were the only heirs for centuries, so yeah it's actually kind of shocking that you have the family magics for five very different families most only have the magic for one light, dark or gray not all light, dark, grey, mixed and black or even the amount of magic required to hold multiple lords rings, and you" he said before pointing at Mia before continuing "Well the Gaunts were dark known for being descendants of Slytherin and extremely dark generally in Slytherin house the Goldfinches were generally light to grey and were generally Ravenclaws and the Slytherins well your father was the last person to claim the Lordship in 700 years but before him Slytherins lords and ladies were known grey and only grey not dark or light" Ace said
"Come on let's go look at some books or something mind you I've got to get my sister something for her birthday and I was thinking about getting her a book on quidditch" (Harry and Mia had gotten Sarah a birthday present each when they first went to Diagon alley) he said as they were walking out of Gringotts.
After they got to Flourish and Blotts Harry found a book on transfiguration called The Complete Guide to Transfiguration and The Theories Behind it by Antonin Fleamont (Harry 2nd cousin twice removed who had been murdered three years prior alongside his wife and newborn son) Mia had found a book Called Problematic Potions of The Past by Jane Goldfinch (Mia's aunt who was murdered by Mia's mother ten years prior) whilst I found two books one for Sarah called Quidditch Teams of England and Ireland and one for himself called The World of Alchemy by Nicholas Flammel which was written the previous year.
Twenty minutes later he Mia and Harry were sitting on a bench here the floo reading there new books when Mr Acheron walked through saw them and said "come on we need to get to the train" whilst it was still half an hour before it left, Mr Acheron had some business to attend to in France.
15 minutes later after they finally got there trunks into the overhead rack in the compartment Amy was sitting in they finally sat down, Alex noticed Amy looked very tired and remembered yesterday was a full moon and casually wondered if she was a werewolf before he dismissed that idea, but still decided to check what the signs of a werewolf are he also noticed that Harry noticed this to and that Harry noticed that he noticed and that he noticed that Harry noticed that he noticed those signs her story was that she was scratched by a werewolf when she was eight and thus was very tired during full moons, (an actual side effect of being attacked by a werewolf but not actually becoming one) but he remembered that she covered her side with her arm a lot more since then and that made him want to check the sighs even more it seemed Harry noticed this to and of course knew he knew, after that they chatted a bit but mostly just read for the next hour.
Harry was currently playing Exploding snap a cool wizarding version of uno with Ace whilst she had her feet on Ace's lap so she could lie down and stretch Mia was laying her head on Harry shoulder restricting Harry from using his right arm
Harry sighed "do you always have to use me as a pillow."
Mia said "yes" and that was that
Whilst they were bickering Ace lent over to her and whispered
"I bet they end up getting together dating by seventh year married by twenty one" she agreed
"How long do you think it'll take till a betting pool is created" she added
"End of first year" Ace insisted as he leant back he then said audibly "Do you have to use me as a footrest?" Ace said annoyed
Amy gave him her best puppy eyes look and said "of course sharp shot,"
Mia gave Harry a knowing look and smirked
Then there was a knock on the compartment door and it slid open to reveal a timid looking, round-faced boy with a mop of brown hair and a near anguished expression on his face.
"Sorry," he said. "But have you seen a toad at all?"
All four of them shook their heads and the boy groaned loudly.
"I've lost him!" he wailed helplessly. "He keeps getting away from me!"
"He'll turn up," said Harry encouragingly.
"Yeah," added Mia with a smile. "I'm sure you'll find him soon."
"Get one of the prefect's to cast a summoning charm. The incantation is accio but I forget the wand movement."
"Yea thanks," said the boy. "Well, if you see him…"
Then the boy left, closing the compartment door behind him.
HPOV
Ten minutes later the compartment door slid open again. They looked over to see that It was a girl who looked about their age, with wild, bushy brown hair, large front teeth, and wearing her Hogwarts robes already. She took a moment to stare around the compartment before moving her gaze to the three of them.
Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," the bushy haired girl said.
"Ace there" pointing at Ace "told him to find one of the prefect's and ask them to summon him. The incantation is Accio." Amy informed her
Ace blushed
"Accio I haven't heard of that one before and I've learned all our books by heart." I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard — I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough — I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"
She said all this very fast. Harry looked at Amy and Mia, and saw that the both of them looked stunned
Ace said "It's not surprising you haven't heard of Accio were supposed to learn it in fifth year, but that's just because it's problematic to have kids make object fly to them apparently, they used to teach it in first year when my Great Grandfather went to Hogwarts he thought it was changed a hundred or so years ago after he went some pure blood kid one of one of the governor's kids, summoned a knife to them and stabbed himself in the hand what was his name oh yeah it was Abraxus Malfoy, My grandaddoesn't really know he went to school over 90 years ago and he didn't go to Hogwarts he went to The Durmstrang Institute of Magic.
"Really did he tell you anything about it like where is it? What do they teach there? Do they really have 2 different Quidditch leagues there?" Hermione Granger bombarded him with questions
"Well no he didn't tell me where it is, the teaching style is similar to Hogwarts except they don't have muggle studies like we do, instead they have muggle evasion where there taught how to evade muggles, and they also get taught the dark arts not just how to defend yourself against them, and yes they do have two Quidditch leagues."
"Thanks for explaining." She smiled back at him
You read all of the books by heart?" Mia said in amazement.
"Oh yes, and they're all so very fascinating!" Hermione gushed. "My favourite so far is Hogwarts, A History, it has so many interesting facts about the history of the school, I absolutely love it!"
"I really like it too," Amy said with a smile. Hermione positively beamed.
"What's your name?" she said.
I'm Amelia Pines, but just call me Amy," Amy replied.
"I'm Alexander Acheron but you can call me Alex or Ace like these hooligans,"Ace muttered.
"Harry Potter," said Harry.
"Are you really?" said Hermione, her eyes wide. "I know all about you, of course — I got a few extra books, for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."
"Am I?" said Harry, Very sarcastically.
"Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione. "Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad."
"Gryffindor does sound like a very good house," Mia agreed with a nod of her head. "I don't think I'd be smart enough for Ravenclaw though."
"You're plenty smart Mia," said Harry, giving her a big smile. He knew she was trying to draw Hermione's attention away from him, and he appreciated it. "You would do great in either house, I know it."
"What's your name anyway" Hermione said realising she hadn't answered her question
"Merope Slytherin" she muttered shyly
"Really you're the descendant of one of the founders.* Hermione said
"Yea" Mia muttered
Harry said "You shouldn't ask her about her family she's an orphan" Harry hissed at her reproachfully
"Oh sorry" Hermione muttered sorrowfully
"I've got to go find Neville now bye." Hermione said before walking out of the compartment
"Harry, I bet you three galleons she's in Ravenclaw." Ace said
"Deal!" Harry exclaimed
They chatted whilst reading until it was getting dark, he could see mountains and forests under a deep purple sky. The train did seem to be slowing down. Mia and Amy offered to wait out in the hall while he and Ace got dressed. As soon as the door closed behind her, he opened his trunk, pulled out his robes, and quickly slipped them on. After he and Ace stuffed the last of their sweets in their pockets, they opened the door to let Mia and Amy inside and left them to change. As they waited, they heard a loud voice echoing through the train, saying that they would be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Harry's stomach did a backflip and his nerves started creeping up on him again. A couple minutes later, the door opened behind him and he turned around to see Mia and Amy stepping out of the compartment. Their uniforms were basically the same as theirs, only instead of black trousers, they wore black skirts with matching stockings. He looked at Mia. She had pulled her hair up in a high ponytail, with a couple strands framing her face. She looked as nervous as he felt, and she tucked one of the strands of hair behind her ear, biting her lip. Harry reached for her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. Mia gave a tiny smile and squeezed his in return. The train moved slower and slower until it came to a sudden stop altogether. The door instantly opened and everyone started filing out onto the dimly lit platform. Harry kept a tight hold on Mia's hand so he wouldn't lose her as they clamoured off of the train with Amy and Ace holding hands right behind them.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" called a familiar voice. Harry looked up and grinned as he saw Hagrid's big hairy face beaming over the sea of heads, waving a huge lantern in his hand. Harry turned to Mia, Amy and Ace, chuckling lightly as he saw their mouths (Aside from Ace's) drop open.
"Who is that?" Mia gasped in astonishment.
"That's my friend Hagrid I told you about, the Gamekeeper," he replied, still chuckling.
"C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" Hagrid yelled. When he was sure he had everybody, he turned around and started to lead them through a darkened wooded path. It was mostly silent as they made their way through, and they tried not to trip over any rocks or stray branches. Harry felt Mia shiver slightly next to him from the night air, and she pressed herself closer to him. He wasn't too sure how long they walked, although it couldn't have been more than a few more minutes, when Hagrid spoke again.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," he called over to them. "Jus' round this bend here."
The Quartet rounded the corner past a thick cluster of trees and then they saw it. Shifting out of the darkness was a magnificent castle sitting at the top of a huge rocky mountain, surrounded by the lake and a thick forest on its sides. The towers stood high and proud, overlooking all that lay below them, the flickering lights twinkling from the windows.
"Wow. It's beautiful," Mia breathed. Amy nodded mutely beside her.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. The Quartet all scurried over to a boat.
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then — FORWARD!"
And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood. While they moved, Mia slowly reached over the side of the boat and trailed her fingertips across the water.
"Be careful Mia," Ace whispered. "Don't want to disturb the giant squid."
"The what?!" Harry said as Mia quickly drew back her hand from the water.
"Oh, don't worry, it's not dangerous!" Ace quickly assured them, "It's actually really friendly, my Sister and her friends mess around with it all the time."
Harry didn't feel completely at peace with his words, and kept glancing at the water to make sure nothing was there.
"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbour, As soon as they reached the shoreline, the four of them climbed out along with the rest of the students and gathered around Hagrid.
"Oi, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.
"Trevor!" cried Neville blissfully, running forward and holding out his hands. Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle.
"Everyone here?" Hagrid checked. "You there, still got yer toad?"
Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door and Harry's stomach did another lurch. The doors immediately opened and standing on the other side was an elderly woman wearing emerald green robes, square glasses, and had her black hair pulled back into a tight neat bun behind her head. She had a stern appearance, as if she was not someone to be crossed to meddled with in any way. She peered over her glasses at them as Hagrid came forward.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
Professor McGonagall led them inside the Entrance Hall and Harry couldn't help but stare. It was huge! It was big enough to fit a couple houses, or even mansions! He gazed around along with everyone else as McGonagall led them across the hall and past a grand marble staircase that must have led to the upper floors of the castle. They were all led into a small, empty chamber off the hall, and once everyone was inside, McGonagall turned to face them.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."
Without another word she left the chamber, leaving everyone alone with their thoughts. Mia gave Harry's hand another squeeze, and he turned to see her biting her lips again.
How exactly do they sort us into houses?" she asked Ace.
"Some sort of test, I think. Sarah said it hurts a lot, but I think she was joking."
"A test?" Amy squeaked, her eyes widening slightly.
"I'm sure it won't be so bad," said Mia, though she didn't sound so sure of herself. Harry swallowed a large lump in his throat. What kind of test would they be given? They haven't even learned any new spells yet! He looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified, too. No one was talking much except Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need. Harry tried his best to ignore her and thought about the possible spells he might need to know. Shortly before coming to Hogwarts, the Quartet had gone through their books and read about some of the basic spells they would be learning in the first term. Sure they didn't memorize everything (Although he had gone about crazy about reading and memorising everything in his Transfiguration books), but they had drilled some things into his skull. Harry's grades at school were okay, but he was never allowed to do better than Dudley. Amy always said he had so much potential, and she never settled for less when it came to him. He just hoped that this test wouldn't be too hard. All of a sudden, several people behind him screamed, making him jump about a foot in the air.
"What the —?"
Many people gasped, and Mia pointed out to something behind him. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years. They seemed to be arguing.
"Forgive and forget, I say," a fat monk was saying. "We ought to give him a second chance —"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost — I say, what are you all doing here?"
A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years. Some of the other ghosts stopped to stare at the first years as well.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling joyfully, his round eyes fill with glee. "About to be Sorted, I suppose? Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know."
"Move along now, the Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned for the first years. She held the door wide open and said, "Now, form a line and follow me."
Everyone quickly got into a line. Harry stood behind Mia, with Amy and Ace behind them and they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. As soon as they stepped inside, Harry heard Mia gasp softly.
Everyone quickly got into a line. Harry stood behind Mia, with Ace and Amy behind them and they walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall. As soon as they stepped inside, Harry heard Mia gasp softly.
The Great Hall was more wonderful than she could have ever imagined. Floating in midair were thousands and thousands of candles. They were all floating over four long tables that nearly stretched from one end of the hall to the other, and they all floated above the rest of the students. As they walked by, Mia saw golden plates and goblets litter the surface of these tables, all gleaming in the candlelight. Mia turned her gaze upward and saw a velvety black ceiling, with puffs of clouds and stars scattered all about. It was beautiful, and it looked as if the ceiling opened up to the high heavens. Professor McGonagall led all the first years up to what looked to be the teacher's table. She gathered all of them in front of the table so that they were all facing the rest of the school. The other students were staring at them in curiosity, and Mia felt a little uncomfortable. The knot in her stomach began to tighten painfully, and she tried to take a couple of silent, deep breaths to calm herself. She turned to see Professor McGonagall come forward with a four-legged stool and place it in front of the line of first years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat that looked like it had seen better days. It was all patched up and extremely dirty. For a few seconds everyone stared at the hat in silence. Then, the hat suddenly twitched, a rip near the brim opening like a mouth. Sara's own mouth opened slightly as the hat began to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm 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 top 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 steady mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk 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!"
Once the hat finished its song, the entire hall burst into loud applause. The hat gave a low bow to each of the four tables before going completely still again. The knot in Mia's stomach loosened up a great deal. All they had to do was put on the hat. That seemed like the simplest thing in the world to do, although she was interested to know exactly how the Sorting Hat put people into houses. When all the applause died down, Professor McGonagall came forward holding a very long piece of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A timid looking girl slowly came towards the stool, twiddling her thumbs together. She took a seat on the stool and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head. There was a moment's pause as everyone waited.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat, its voice echoing throughout the Great Hall. The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah took off the Sorting Hat and went over to join them, a bright smile on her face.
"Acheron Alexander"
"SLYTHERIN!" After a while the hat shouted again, as Ace went to go sit down at the Slytherin table next to an older student, a girl with a pretty face who looked to be about fifteen.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted again, and Susan went over to sit next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!" The table second from the left cheered as Terry went to sit with them.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Brown, Lavender!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Bulstrode, Millicent!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
On and on the list went, with McGonagall calling up a new student each time to be sorted into their destined house. It wasn't too much longer before she called out a new name once again.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Hermione eagerly walked out of line, hopped up on the stool and practically jammed the hat on her head. Mia smiled a little at her excitement. A moment of silence, and then-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Mia smiled as Hermione scurried over to the Gryffindor table.
Ace groaned thinking about the three galleons he now owed Harry.
The sorting continued, the line of first years growing smaller and smaller as each name was called. Soon enough the round faced boy named Neville was called to the stool, and the hat took a surprisingly long time to decide with him. Mia saw him clench the sides of the stool a couple times, and, after what felt like forever, a final decision was made, and he was placed in Gryffindor. Neville was so happy he started heading over to the table with the hat still on and had to double back to give it to McGonagall. The line of students kept getting smaller as the minutes passed. Mia frowned as the pale haired boy, Draco Malfoy was called. The hat had barely even touched his head before it declared him as a Slytherin. After he was dealt with, there weren't too many people left.
"Moon…Not…Parkinson…Patil…Patil-"
"Potter, Hadrian!"
Harry's body was shaking as he stepped forward and Amy reached over and squeezed his hand one more time before they disconnected, this time out of encouragement. He made his way over to the stool and sat down while everyone else started whispering and straining their necks to get a good look at him. The whispers quickly died down as McGonagall came forward and placed the hat over his head. Silence settled upon the hall as they waited for the Sorting Hat to make its decision. A couple minutes passed by, and the other students started whispering softly again, wondering what was taking the hat so long. Then, in the next moment, the rip near the brim opened widely and shouted into the silence.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"The Slytherin table burst into loud but polite applause as Harry took off the hat and got off the stool. Mia and Amy and also clapped for him, While Harry made his way over to the Slytherin table sitting next to Ace, before another name was called up.
"Pines, Amelia!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
McGonagall pulled the hat off of her head, Amy eagerly jumped down off the stool and had to restrain herself from running over to the Gryffindor table, where Neville and Hermione were clapping loudly, while Fred and George were once again standing on their seats, whistling and cat-calling. Amy quickly made her way over and took a seat right next to Neville.
"Slytherin Merope!"
Mia's smile instantly faded from her lips and her nerves suddenly hit her again tenfold. The knot that had been slowly loosening in her stomach tightened so much she was finding it difficult to breathe properly. For a moment she was frozen, and then the boy behind her nudged her forward out of the line. Forcing her legs to move, Mia made her way over to McGonagall, her hands shaking and her feet shuffling. McGonagall gave her a soothing look, as if telling her not to worry, and watched as Mia stumbled up onto the stool. She gazed out across the hall until her eyes landed on the Gryffindor table. Hermione smiled gaily at her, Harry gave her a thumbs up from the Slytherin table, and the twins were wolf-whistling at her, grinning widely. Her cheeks turned a little pink at this, and the next thing she knew, she was staring at the darkness inside the hat, waiting.
"Now, what have we here?" came a quiet voice beside her ear. "My, my, such a bright young mind, your yearning for knowledge could rival the best of Ravenclaws." It said knowingly
"No doubt you would do well in that house. Hmm, you are undoubtedly loyal, but not quite the Hufflepuff type."
You can be quite cunning when you need to be, and sneak your way out of dangerous situations. You also have a good head on your shoulders, always wanting to do the right thing. And what's this I see? Such undying bravery, good gracious, and an untamed free spirit. I see you wish to remain with Mr. Potter? Your bond is strong, and may even lead to something more…"
Something more? What does that mean? Mia wondered.
"It means, Miss Slytherin, that the future may hold great things for the both of you, should you wish it. Hmm, slightly difficult. Very well, however I believe your true place belongs in…"………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Mia beamed as the Sorting hat shouted this out to everyone in the hall, her heart doing back-flips inside her chest. When McGonagall pulled the hat off of her head, Mia eagerly jumped down off the stool and had to restrain herself from running over to the Gryffindor table, where Amy, Neville and Hermione were clapping loudly, while Fred and George were once again standing on their seats, whistling and cat-calling. Mia quickly made her way over and took a seat right next to Amy.
She saw a few more people were sorted finally a Redhead named Ronald Weasley was visually arguing with the hat before it said in a disgruntled voice
"I suppose reckless courage is a trait of GRYFFINDOR! house" it bellowed. Mia clapped and cheered as Ron walked over to them and sat down across from Neville,his pale face regaining some of its natural colour. His brothers all congratulated him while Blaise Zabini was sorted into Slytherin. With that, the Sorting Ceremony was over, and McGonagall rolled up the parchment and took the stool away. At that moment, an elderly man in light purple robes stood to his feet, spreading his arms wide as if his greatest joy was seeing them all there before him. He had long, silvery hair and beard that could be easily tucked into his belt, along with an extremely crooked nose and half-moon glasses. Mia realised with a jolt that this man was the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.
"Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
As he sat back down, everybody clapped and cheered, and Mia hesitantly joined them, wondering if Professor Dumbledore was slightly mad.
"Is he — a bit mad?" Mia asked, voicing her thoughts to Percy Weasly.
"Mad?" said Percy airily. "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Merope?"
For a split second Mia was confused, but when she and Amy looked down at the table, both of their mouths dropped open.
Mounds and mounds of food suddenly appeared out of nowhere all along the table and the mere sight of it made Mia's mouth water. There was roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and, strangely, peppermint humbugs. Mia's stomach grumbled loudly, so she picked up her fork and started piling things onto her plate while she saw Harry did the same at the Slytherin table. She grabbed some pork chops, carrots, potatoes with gravy and a couple sausages. She smiled as she cut off a piece of sausage and took a bite. It was the most delicious thing she has ever tasted.
"That does look good," said the ghost in the ruff sadly as he watched Mia chew her food.
"Can't you —?" said Mia.
"I haven't eaten for nearly five hundred years," said the ghost. "I don't need to, of course, but one does miss it. I don't think I've introduced myself? Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service. Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"Good to meet you Sir Nicholas," said Mia with a smile.
"As it is to meet you, dear lady," he replied with a smile of his own.
"I know who you are!" said Ron suddenly. "My brothers told me about you — you're Nearly Headless Nick!"
"I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy —" the ghost began stiffly, but a sandy-haired boy, Seamus Finnigan, cut in.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be nearly headless?" he asked.
"Like this," Sir Nicholas sighed heavily. He grabbed a hold of his left ear and as he pulled it, his whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder, held together by what must have been a sliver of skin. Ron let out a short yelp while Hermione made a face. Looking slightly amused at their reactions, Sir Nicholas swung his head back onto his shoulders and grinned at them all.
"So — new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the house championship this year? Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable — he's the Slytherin ghost."
Mia looked over at the Slytherin table to see a mean looking ghost whose robes were stained with what looked like blood.
"How did he get covered in blood?" asked Seamus.
"I've never asked," Sir Nicholas replied.
That's probably a good idea, Mia thought to herself as she took a sip out of her golden goblet. The Bloody Baron didn't look like the friendliest of people, and Mia could imagine him chasing whoever asked around the school well into the night.
"So Mia," said Hermione. "Are you excited for classes?"
"I sure am," Mia replied with a smile. "But I don't think I'll be too good at anything, really."
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be wonderful," said Hermione. "Any particular class you are interested in?"
"I'm excited to learn about Potions," Mia admitted thoughtfully. "I read our Magical Drafts and Potions book, it sounds fascinating! Can you imagine making love potions and liquid luck? And I'm also excited about Astronomy! Learning about all the different planets and stars, and we'll get to be on one of the towers at night!"
"And we'll have Transfiguration!" Hermione beamed eagerly. "You know, turning something into something else, it's supposed to be a very difficult class."
"I'm sure they'll start us off small, but it does sound great," Mia agreed. Hermione and Mia continued sharing their enthusiasm on their classes while they ate, and after a while, the remaining scraps of food on their plates disappeared, only to be replaced with the desserts. Mia happily helped herself to some apple cake as the discussion turned to families.
"I'm half-and-half," Seamus was telling everyone. "My dad's a Muggle. Mum didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."
Mia smiled while the others laughed at this.
"What about you, Neville?" said Ron.
"Well, my gran brought me up and she's a witch," said Neville. "But the family thought I was all-Muggle for ages. My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me — he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once, I nearly drowned — but nothing happened until I was eight. Great Uncle Algie came round for dinner, and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my Great Auntie Enid offered him a meringue and he accidentally let go. But I bounced — all the way down the garden and into the road. They were all really pleased, Gran was crying, she was so happy. And you should have seen their faces when I got in here — they thought I might not be magic enough to come, you see. Great Uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad."
"You weren't hurt were you?" asked Mia.
"No, I was fine, I was actually as relieved as my Gran," said Neville. "What about you?"
"I'm Muggle-raised," Mia answered as she placed some strawberries and whipped cream on her cake. "I had no idea I was a witch until this summer when Harry, Amy and I got our letters."
"Do you three know each other?" as Seamus as he stared between her, Amy and Harry.
"Mia, Harry and Ace have been my best friends since I was Seven," Harry said. Some of the table looked at them in awe, as if being the best friend of The Boy Who Lived was the highest honour. Mia blushed pink and started eating her cake while Amy laughed.
"Shut up Amy," Mia mumbled.
"How did you meet?" asked Neville.
"We met in a Muggle primary school," replied Mia, smiling at his bushing friend. "She just started talking to us in class and that was it."
"Yes it was all quite fun," continued Mia, grinning. "We read stories, played on the swings, and I almost crushed his cousin with a tree branch."
"You did what?" Hermione gasped as Fred and George laughed.
"Brilliant!" said Fred.
"What made you do that?" asked George.
"They were being mean to him and I got angry," Mia said simply.
"Awww, you hear that Fred?" cooed George.
"That's so cute!" squealed Fred. "She was sticking up for her little friend."
"Shut up!" Mia said again, her face flushing even deeper, but smiling nonetheless.
"That's still impressive accidental magic," said Hermione. "I couldn't even do things like that when I was little."
To save herself from more embarrassment, Mia looked down at her plate and kept on eating. Everyone continued on chatting for a few more minutes and just as she was finishing her cake, she saw Harry jerk over at the Slytherin table and touch the scar on his forehead.
"What's wrong with Harry?" Thought Mia, concerned.
Mia looked at him for a moment, not quite believing him. His scar had never hurt him before in all the time she has known him. Knowing that the scar the most evil wizard of all time, her father gave him was hurting made Mia very uneasy for some reason. She tried to shake it off as Harry turned to talk to Ron's older brother Percy and finish up her cake, but the strange feeling never left her. At long last, the desserts were all done, and Professor Dumbledore once again stood to his feet.
"Ahem — just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins, and Mia couldn't help but giggle quietly. The twins must have heard her because they turned their heads in unison to glance at her. One of them smirked while the other winked.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Mia laughed but they were two of the few who did.
"He's not serious?" Mia muttered to Percy.
"Must be," said Percy, frowning at Dumbledore. "It's odd, because he usually gives us a reason why we're not allowed to go somewhere — the forest's full of dangerous beasts, everyone knows that. I do think he might have told us prefects, at least."
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. He gave his wand a little flick, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself into words.
"Everyone pick their favourite tune," said Dumbledore. "And off we go!"
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Everybody finished the song at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
Right after Hannah Abbott was sorted into Hufflepuff Professor McGonagall called him up
"Now what do we have here" came a voice from right above his ears the sorting hat of course he thought "righto young chap, intelligent of course incredibly so why you must be brighter than most of the Ravenclaws I've sorted"
Ace then thought concerned "Can you tell what you see in my head"
The hat mentally chuckled "no I cannot, I may make general statements on the houses but individually I cannot, yes you are very bright quite wise, with a certain bit of brilliance when it comes to architectural design. It said knowingly before continuing
"Brave certainly very much so a certain sense of showmanism, yes you are but certainly not enough to be a Gryffindor, incredibly charming, oh so cunning, observant perhaps even manipulative. loyal, hard working but not the right type to be a Hufflepuff, a certain sense of political acumen a good head on those shoulders diplomatic, ruthless oh so ruthless, perhaps even cruel oh don't think that a bad thing, cruelty can be useful and is not a bad thing, you could be great you know, and being able to look past personal and emotional attachments, and being able to find pleasure in the pain of others can be crucial in a battle so it better be…"
The hat shouted "SLYTHERIN!"
After Parvati Patil was sorted into Gryffindor, her name was called up so she went up to the stool, sat down and put the hat on nervously.
The hat whispered inside her mind "I see You've got a ready mind just as if not more intelligent than the young boy I sorted earlier, and no I cannot tell people about a sorting, but simple statements without revealing identity I can, yes certainly Ravenclaw, definitely charming a bit ruthless, and cunning enough to keep things secret yet not so cunning to keep it from the truly observant, loyal enough to be a Hufflepuff, certainly hard working yet courageous, certainly determined, very brave your daring and nerve certainly, set you apart so where shall I put you ah I think I've got it! G-" it said before she could add her own opinion.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Disclaimer
Harry never met Draco in Diagon Alley and so he wouldn't wouldn't have any reason not to go Into Slytherin, plus Ace was there so why wouldn't he, especially since that was where he was supposed to be?
The name Alexander Acheron comes from my middle name Alexander, and a random name I found in the rare section of the DND wiki dot, magic items section so it's quite ironic for what I have planned.
What I'm reading
You were always there. Another Harry OC fic
Potter and Black. Another Harry OC fic
Alexis Lestrange. Another Harry OC fic
Dear order
a