Harry Potter and the DN: The return of the Prince
Chapter 1: Reassurances (Harry)Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first of September was crisp, and as the little family bobbed across the rumbling road toward the station, the smoke from car exhausts and the breath of pedestrians sparkled. Two large cages rattled on top of the laden trolleys the parents were pushing; the owls inside them hooted indignantly, and the redheaded girl trailed tearfully behind her brothers, clutching her father's arm.
"It won't be long, and you'll be going too," Harry told her.
"Two years," sniffed Lily. "I want to go now!"
The commuters stared curiously at the owls as the family wove its way toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Albus's voice drifted back to Harry over the surrounding clamor; his sons had resumed the argument they had started in the car.
"I won't! I won't be in Slytherin!"
"James, give it a rest!" said Ginny.
"I only said he might be," said James, grinning at his younger brother. "There's nothing wrong with that. He might be in Slyth—"
But James caught his mother's eye and fell silent. The five Potters approached the barrier. With a slightly cocky look over his shoulder at his younger brother, James took the trolley from his mother and broke into a run. A moment later, he had vanished.
"You'll write to me, won't you?" Albus asked his parents immediately, taking advantage of the momentary absence of his brother.
"Every day, if you want us to," said Ginny.
"Not every day," said Albus quickly. "James says most people only get letters from home about once a month."
"We wrote to James three times a week last year," said Ginny.
"And you don't want to believe everything he tells you about Hogwarts," Harry put in. "He likes a laugh, your brother."
Side by side, they pushed the second trolley forward, gathering speed. As they reached the barrier, Albus winced, but no collision came. Instead, the family emerged onto platform nine and three quarters, which was obscured by thick white steam that was pouring from the scarlet Hogwarts Express. Indistinct figures were swarming through the mist, into which James had already disappeared.
"Where are they?" asked Albus anxiously, peering at the hazy forms they passed as they made their way down the platform.
"We'll find them," said Ginny reassuringly. But the vapor was dense, and it was difficult to make out anybody's faces. Detached from their owners, voices sounded unusually loud. Harry thought he heard Percy discoursing loudly on broomstick regulations, and was quite glad of the excuse not to stop and say hello…
"I think that's them, Al," said Ginny suddenly.
A group of four people emerged from the mist, standing alongside the very last carriage. Their faces only came into focus when Harry, Ginny, Lily, and Albus had drawn right up to them.
"Hi," said Albus, sounding immensely relieved.
Rose, who was already wearing her brand-new Hogwarts robes, beamed at him.
"Parked all right, then?" Ron asked Harry. "I did. Hermione didn't believe I could pass a Muggle driving test, did you? She thought I'd have to Confound the examiner."
"No, I didn't," said Hermione, "I had complete faith in you."
"As a matter of fact, I did Confound him," Ron whispered to Harry, as together they lifted Albus's trunk and owl onto the train.
"I only forgot to look in the wing mirror, and let's face it, I can use a Supersensory Charm for that."
Back on the platform, they found Lily and Hugo, Rose's younger brother, having an animated discussion about which House they would be sorted into when they finally went to Hogwarts.
"If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," said Ron, "but no pressure."
"Ron!"
Lily and Hugo laughed, but Albus and Rose looked solemn.
"He doesn't mean it," said Hermione and Ginny, but Ron was no longer paying attention. Catching Harry's eye, he nodded covertly to a point some fifty yards away. The steam had thinned for a moment, and three people stood in sharp relief against the shifting mist.
"Look who it is."
Draco Malfoy was standing there with his wife and son, a dark coat buttoned up to his throat. His hair was receding somewhat, which emphasized the pointed chin. The new boy resembled Draco as much as Albus resembled Harry. Draco caught sight of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny staring at him, nodded curtly, and turned away again.
"So that's little Scorpius," said Ron under his breath. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother's brains."
"Ron, for heaven's sake," said Hermione, half stern, half amused. "Don't try to turn them against each other before they've even started school!"
"You're right, sorry," said Ron, but unable to help himself, he added, "Don't get too friendly with him, though, Rosie. Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pureblood."
"Hey!"
James had reappeared; he had divested himself of his trunk, owl, and trolley, and was evidently bursting with news. "Teddy's back there," he said breathlessly, pointing back over his shoulder into the billowing clouds of steam. "Just seen him! And Guess what he's doing? Snogging Victoire!"
He gazed up at the adults, evidently disappointed by the lack of reaction.
"Our Teddy! Teddy Lupin! Snogging our Victoire! Our cousin! And I asked Teddy what he was doing —"
"You interrupted them?" said Ginny. "You are so like Ron —"
"— and he said he'd come to see her off! And then he told me to go away. He's snogging her!" James added as though worried he had not made himself clear.
"Oh, it would be lovely if they got married!" whispered Lily ecstatically. "Teddy would really be part of the family then!"
"He already comes round for dinner about four times a week," said Harry. "Why don't we just invite him to live with us and have done with it?"
"Yeah!" said James enthusiastically. "I don't mind sharing with Al. Teddy could have my room!"
"No," said Harry firmly, "you and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished."
He checked the battered old watch that had once been Fabian Prewett's.
"It's nearly eleven, you'd better get on board."
"Don't forget to give Neville our love!" Ginny told James as she hugged him.
"Mum! I can't give a professor love!"
"But you know Neville —"
James rolled his eyes.
"Outside, yeah, but at school he's Professor Longbottom, isn't he? I can't walk into Herbology and give him love…"
Shaking his head at his mother's foolishness, he vented his feelings by aiming a kick at Albus.
"See you later, Al. Watch out for the thestrals."
"I thought they were invisible? You said they were invisible!"
But James merely laughed, permitted his mother to kiss him, gave his father a fleeting hug, then leapt onto the rapidly filling train. They saw him wave, then sprint away up the corridor to find his friends.
"Thestrals are nothing to worry about," Harry told Albus. "They're gentle things, there's nothing scary about them. Anyway, you won't be going up to school in the carriages, you'll be going in the boats."
Ginny kissed Albus good-bye. "See you at Christmas."
"Bye, Al," said Harry as his son hugged him. "Don't forget Hagrid's invited you to tea next Friday. Don't mess with Peeves. Don't duel anyone till you've learned how. And don't let James wind you up."
"What if I'm in Slytherin?"
The whisper was for his father alone, and Harry knew that only the moment of departure could have forced Albus to reveal how great and sincere that fear was. Harry crouched down so that Albus's face was slightly above his own. Alone of Harry's three children, Albus had inherited Lily's eyes.
"Albus Severus," Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, "you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."
"But just say —"
"— then Slytherin House will have gained an excellent student, won't it? It doesn't matter to us, Al. But if it matters to you, you'll be able to choose Gryffindor over Slytherin. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account."
"Really?"
"It did for me," said Harry.
He had never told any of his children that before, and he saw the wonder in Albus's face when he said it. Now the doors were slamming all along the train, and the blurred outlines of parents were swarming forward for final kisses, last-minute reminders. Albus jumped into the carriage and Ginny closed the door behind him. Students were hanging from the windows nearest them. A great number of faces, both on the train and off, seemed to be turned toward Harry.
"Why are they all staring?" demanded Albus as he and Rose craned around to look at the other students.
"Don't let it worry you," said Ron. "It's me. I'm extremely famous."
Albus, Rose, Hugo, and Lily laughed. The train began to move, and Harry walked alongside it, watching his son's thin face, already ablaze with excitement. Harry kept smiling and waving, watching his son glide away from him. The last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner. Harry's hand was still raised in farewell.
"He'll be alright," murmured Ginny.
As Harry looked at her, he lowered his hand absent-mindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead.
"I know he will."
Chapter 2: The Express (Albus)Albus turned, and sat down in the compartment with Rose, as the train left the platform. He was excited to finally be heading to Hogwarts. He had been waiting for this day for his entire life. Rose immediately pulled out a thick book, and started reading. She seemed to always do this on long trips. Somehow, someway, she always had a book she could pull out at a moment's notice.
"Do you ever stop reading?" Albus asked looking at the back of the book, Hogwarts a History.
"No." Rose responded flatly. "And don't bother me. I am–".
"Reading," Albus rolled his eyes. It was so like Rose to snap at anyone who interrupted her reading. His dad had always said Rose was like his aunt Hermione. He never really got how either of them could spend so much time in their studies without ever really doing anything he called fun. But then again, Rose and his aunt were, as he liked to think of them, different.
The compartment was very quiet apart from the sound of Rose turning the pages of a book for several hours, in which Albus spent most of his time looking out of the window at the passing fields and beautiful landscape. Eventually the silence was interrupted by the compartment door opening, a blond boy with a pale face and pointed chin peeped in. Still Rose didn't look up or, in fact, even acknowledge the boy's arrival. Only when he spoke did she look up, and even that was brief.
"Can I join you?" The boy asked, sounding uncomfortable.
"Sure," Albus said, nodding at him.
The boy took a seat next to Albus, and looked at Rose, with an expression of utter confusion.
"Do you know her?" He asked.
Albus smiled. "Yeah, she is my cousin".
'Is she always reading?"
"Oh yeah, I never really saw her do anything but reading. She always somehow pulls out a book when there is nothing to do."
The boy looked at Rose and asked, "Are you really reading all of that?"
Rose looked up, and then seemed to do a double take.
"You're a Malfoy, aren't you?" Rose asked, sounding acusitory.
"Yeah, I am." the boy said, looking uncomfortable again. "If you want me to leave–"
"No." Albus cut him off. "If you do that, I have to put up with her reading for the rest of the train ride, and it's no secret that she is practically the worst travel companion."
Rose stared at him. "Leave," she said simply, and flatly, as if this was the most obvious thing to do.
"Why should he leave?" Albus asked, surprised by her tone.
"He is a Malfoy. Everyone knows they…". She trailed off evidently not wanting to say what she was really thinking.
"What?" Albus asked her, but it was the boy who answered.
"The Malfoy's were mostly Death Eaters." When Albus looked confused, he added. "Voldemort's followers."
"You don't support Voldemort do you?" Albus asked.
"NO! I never supported Voldemort. My dad says he was not a good person to follow.
"He is only saying that to get on your good side," Rose said staring at Albus
"Rose, that's mean." Albus said, glaring at her. Rose had no response to this. "You know what? If you are going to be like this, I'll go with him and find another compartment," and with that final statement Albus pulled his trunk and owl out of the luggage rack and led the boy out of the compartment, closing the door behind them. They went down to the end of the train and found the final empty compartment of the caradge. They moved their trunks in and put them up next to each other on the rack. Finally, Albus spoke up.
"Sorry about Rose, she can be a little rude sometimes."
"It's fine, I am used to it by now," the boy responded, shaking his head dismissively.
"What do you mean?"
"My grandfather was an active Death Eater. People tend to hate us for that."
"You seem alright to me."
"Thanks," the boy said, smiling slightly. "I'm Scorpius by the way. Scorpius Malfoy"
"Albus, Albus Potter."
"Your dad is…"
"Harry Potter, Yeah."
"Wow, you must have a lot of great things to do at home."
"My dad did teach me the disarming spell before I came. But otherwise nothing much."
"You already know how to disarm?"
"I am not that good. I managed to do it a few times."
"That's more than most people," Scorpius said, smiling at Albus's modesty.
"Any idea what house you're going to be put in?" Albus asked curiously.
"Probably Slytherin," Scorpius said, a tone of disdain in his voice. "My entire family was in it. You?"
"My dad says he doesn't care what house I'm in, but I really don't want to be in Slytherin," Albus said. "Hopefully I will be in Gryffindor. No offence to you."
"None taken. I really don't want to be in Slytherin myself, so yaah, you and I are on the same page.
"My dad says the Sorting Hat takes your choice into account. So just ask it to not put you in Slytherin."
"That's good to know, thanks."
Most of the train ride was spent with them playing games of Exploding Snap or Wizard's Chess. Only interrupted by the arrival of a tall, black haired boy with a short nose, black eyes, and thin face. The boy was tapping a long metal stick with a blue handle and a tip that looked a lot like a marshmallow as he went. The stick had a black rope that the boy had looped around his fingers. He looked a little uncomfortable.
"Do you want to join us?" Albus asked him.
"Can I?" the boy asked, sounding a little apprehensive
"Sure." Scorpius said, waving the boy in.
"I'm Snehin, Snehin Sen," the boy introduced himself, taking a seat across from them.
"I'm Albus, Albus Potter," Albus said, smiling at Snehin.
"Scorpius, Scorpius Malfoy," Scorpius said, still slightly uncomfortable with introducing himself.
"What do your parents do?" Snehin asked Scorpius.
"My dad is part of Gringots's management, and My mom stays at home," Scorpius said much more comfertablly.
"Wow, I only just found out that it even existed."
"Are you Muggleborn?" Albus asked curiously.
""yaah, I am." Snehin said. "I am still getting used to the wizarding world".
"Want to play a few games then, get used to the wizardry of things?" Albus asked, chuckling slightly.
Snehin smiled at him. "Yeah, let's do that."
They played lots of matches of Wizards Chess and Exploding Snap. As it turned out, Snehin was just as good at chess as Albus was, so naturally Scorpius beat them every time any of them played him. When the Trolly Which arrived Albus got everyone a stack of Cauldron cakes, Lickerish wands, and Chocolate Frogs.
Snehin pulled out a book and looked at Albus while taking a frog from him.
"I was having my phone read this to me earlier. Is your dad Harry Potter?" Snehin asked
"Yeah, he is," Albus said, smiling at him.
"Isn't he the owner of Potter Industries?"
"Oh yeah, he is," Albus said, nodding.
"Is he a wizard?" Snehin asked
Upon opening his first frog, Albus found his dad's face looking back up at him. He smiled. "Here, I think you will find this intersting".
Snehin took the card and stared at the picture for a moment before speaking.
"These pictures are moving"
"Yeah, wizarding pictures and paintings move," Albus explained. "Read what's on the back of it."
Snehin turned the card over and pulled out his phone which read aloud.
"Harry James Potter, along with his good friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, founded Dumbledore's Army. This secret group was all about teaching magic for defense and keeping wizards safe. Harry, famous for beating the Dark Lord Voldemort, is also known for his bravery. From winning the Triwizard Tournament to leading in the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry's done a lot to protect the wizarding world and inspire others. Afterward, he serves as an Auror, using his skills to uphold justice and maintain peace in the magical community."
Snehin looked back up at him. "Who is Voldemort?"
"Oh, he was a dark wizard who wanted to practically destroy everything in the wizarding world, Albus said. "My dad said that Voldemort promised Pureblood rule, and that extends to the muggles as well. He wanted to rule them all."
"Albus, is this your namesake?" Scorpius asked him, holding up a Chocolate frog card with Albus Dumbledore's face on it.
"Yeah, My dad's old headmaster".
"Wow, your dad created an army for him?"
"Nah," Albus said. "That was the name given because the ministry stopped teaching proper defense in my dad's fifth year. My aunt and uncle got my dad to teach everyone, who wanted to learn, proper defensive magic. My mum gave it that name because that was what the Minister of magic feared of all things."
"Do you know if Dumbledore didn't want an army?" Snehin asked.
"My dad said that the ministry didn't want people to believe that Voldemort had come back, and so the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, used the Daily Prophet to slander my dad and Dumbledore. My dad says that It was Fudge wanting to keep his job rather than actually doing it that got them into the second wizarding war. Yes there were two. My dad as a baby ended the first and again when he was 17 the second in the Battle of Hogwarts. That's how my dad got that scar. in the first Wizarding war"
"I'm not trying to flex or anything," Albus added quickly, realizing how his short rant might have sounded. "It's just what happened."
After this they spent the rest of the ride with more games, and Albus explaining various small parts of the wizarding world to Snehin, when it came to his dad however, he said he wasn't the person to ask much about this. "My dad is the person you should ask."
Eventually they pulled up at Hogsmeade station. The sky outside was dark, and the air was damp, it had just stopped raining moments ago. Albus, Scorpius, and Snehin Heaved their trunks off the rack, and headed down to the small platform. Seconds later Albus heard a familiar voice call through the crowd.
"Firs' years, over here!, Firs' years," Hagrid called.
"Wooh, who's that?" Snehin said, jumping back several feet.
"Oh, that's Hagrid," Albus said. "He's a family friend."
"He's nice?" Snehin asked.
Albus smiled. "He only looks scary, but he is very nice."
"Hay Al," Hagrid called, waving at him.
"Hi Hagrid," Albus said, waving back.
Scorpius and Snehin, who had pulled out the stick he was using earlear and let it unfold, didn't seem as comfortable with Hagrid as Albus was, but they gave friendly waves anyway. All the other first years looked terrified at the sight of such a large man. Hagrid led them to a fleet of about ten boats waiting in the lake for them, Snehin taping his stick side to side as they went. After getting sorted into groups of four, Albus, Scorpius, Snehin, and a short red haired boy, by the name of Lukus, they set off down the lake, towards what was to be Hogwarts.
Chapter 3: The sorting (Albus)Shortly, Albus found himself stepping off the boats onto what looked to be a small dock of sorts in a cave. Hagrid led them down the passage lighting the way with his lantern aloft. Up a set of stairs they went, and Albus found himself approaching a large set of heavy Oak doors. Hagrid knocked three times and the doors opened. In front of them stood a wizard with a sturdy build and a confident demeanor. His round face was framed by a mane of wavy hair, and his bright brown eyes shone with determination. As he welcomed them with a warm smile, there was an air of authority and wisdom that commanded respect from those around him. It was Neville Longbottom, dressed in the black robes of a Hogwarts professor.
"The firs years, Professor Longbottom," Hagrid said.
There was a bit of murmuring at the sound of Neville's name.
"Settle down, settle down," Neville said, gesturing for silence, which came at once. "Now, If you'll follow me,"
Neville led them to a small room off the side of the entrance hall and had them line up. Albus and his friends were at the end of the line.
"As you have just heard, I am Professor Longbottom," Neville said addressing everyone. "I am the Herbolagy professor and head of Gryfindor house. There are four Houses at Hogwarts, Gryfindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. When you enter the great hall you will be called up to be sorted into your houses. We will start sorting shortly."
As soon as Neville had left, chatter broke out among the rest of the first years.
"Another one of my family friends," Albus said to Scorpius and Snehin. "My perents attended Hogwarts with him."
"How many of the Professors do you know?" Snehin asked him..
"Lets see," Albus said, counting on his fingers. "Professor Longbottom, Professor Hagrid, who everyone just calls Hagrid, Professor Flittwick, I think he teaches charms, and Headmistress McGonigal, who also teaches Transfiguration. So all in all, four."
All of a sudden, Albus heard everyone scream. About 20 ghosts had just flown through the wall.
Snehin looked at Albus. "Did you know about that?" He asked, looking slightly surprised.
Albus, Scorpius and Snehin were among the few who hadn't screamed. Evidently their parents must have told them about the ghosts or they were just not as easily scared as the rest. The door opened, and Neville waved them out.
"Single file everyone, follow me," Neville called.
They did so immediately. Neville led them out and over to the large doors leading into the Great Hall. The first years were led up to a small stool, upon which an old worn hat, evidently the sorting hat, sat. Silence filled the hall until a rip at the brim of the hat opened and it began to sing.
"Gather 'round, young witches, wizards too,
Listen close, don't let fear ensue,
For I'm the Sorting Hat, wise and true,
Guiding you through Hogwarts's view.
Oh, Hogwarts, grand and mighty,
Where dreams take flight, where stars shine brightly,
In Gryffindor, brave and bold,
Or Hufflepuff, with hearts of gold.
In Ravenclaw, where minds soar high,
Or Slytherin, reaching for the sky,
Each house has grace, none can deny,
In your hearts, their spirits lie.
Let me see into your soul,
With wisdom's touch, we'll reach our goal,
The house that's best for you, my dear,
Where friendship blooms, and skies are clear.
Oh, Hogwarts, grand and mighty,
Where dreams take flight, where stars shine brightly,
In Gryffindor, brave and bold,
Or Hufflepuff, with hearts of gold.
Let the Sorting Hat make its choice,
In your house, you'll find your voice,
Welcome to Hogwarts, young and bright,
Where magic dances day and night."
When the hat finished its song, everyone in the hall began to clap loudly.
"Now, when I call your name, you will approach the stool and be sorted into your houses," Neville said. He then stepped forward and called out the first name from the list.
"Abbott, Benjamin!"
One by one, the first years were called up to the stool by Neville, who announced each name with a firm yet friendly tone. After each student sat on the stool, the Sorting Hat would deliberate for a moment before announcing their house placement to the entire hall. Finally, it was Albus's turn.
"Potter, Albus!"
The hall immediately went silent, Albus took a deep breath and approached the stool, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon him. He placed the hat on his head and waited anxiously, his heart pounding with the fear of what house he might be sorted into.
"Ah, another Potter," the Sorting Hat's voice echoed in Albus's mind, breaking the silence. "Bravery runs deep in your family, but there's more to you, I'm sure."
Albus's thoughts raced, but one fear dominated all others: "Not Slytherin," he pleaded silently.
"Ah, your dad had the same request," the hat commented, its voice gentle
Albus shuddered at the mention of Slytherin, but Gryffindor's bravery and courage connected with him. "Gryffindor," he thought fervently, clinging to the hope of being sorted into the house of his entire family.
The Sorting Hat seemed to pause, as if considering Albus's silent plea. "Gryffindor!" It declared, breaking the tension.
Albus let out a sigh of relief as he joined his new housemates at the Gryffindor table. Glancing around, he sat down with Scorpius, who was wearing a relieved smile. Snehin also joined them. Together, they celebrated their sorting into Gryffindor, grateful to have avoided the house they feared most. Chatter returned to the hall as soon as the sorting ended.
"Do you get that everyware?" Snehin asked him, hinting at the silence before Albus's sorting.
"Yeah," Albus said. "My dad's famous, so people stare at me too."
After this short exchange, the headmistress stood up, and the hall fell silent at once.
"Welcome old and new students to another year at Hogwarts," Headmistress McGonagall said to them all. " Before we begin our feast, I have a few notices to give out. Firstly, the Forbidden Forest is, of course, forbidden. Secondly, no student other than our Prefects, Head boy and girl are allowed out of bed after nine o'clock. Furthermore Mr. Filch, the caretaker, would like me to remind you that all Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products are not allowed inside Hogwarts grounds. I would also like to introduce our professors to our new students. Professor Neville Longbottom, our Herbology teacher, Professor Rubius Hagrid, our Care for Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Thaddeus Nightshade, our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Professor Horis Slughorn, our Potions Master. And with that being said, let the feast begin."
Food filled their plates, and all three of them dug in at once.
"Well Albus, you were right about the hat," Scorpius said.
"Nah, My dad was," Albus countered at once.
"You know, you look exactly like him?" Snehin asked him, and Albus nodded.
"Everyone says that," he said, with a mouth full of mashed potatoes.
They finished up and headed out of the great hall towards the Gryffindor dormatories. The group approached the portrait of a very fat old lady who asked for the password. A prefect at the front of the group said, "Fawkes," and they were let in. They entered the Gryffindor common room, it was a large circular room with a fire crackling marrely in the fireplace.
"Boys dormitories to the left," one of the house prefects called. "The girls to the right."
Albus, Scorpius, and Snehin headed up the boy's staircase and found their dormitory. Conveniently all three of them had their beds next to each other. Albus got the one by the window. He decided that now was as good a time as any to send his parents the news of his sorting. He pulled out a sheet of paper and a pencil, and paused with it raised over the sheet. He was unsure about how to write his letter. He decided that he should just start writing. When he was done, it read.
Hey Mum and Dad,
Quick update from Hogwarts! I'm in Gryffindor, settled into my dorm.
Hogwarts is amazing. I've made friends, Scorpius and Snehin, who's from a Muggle background by the way, and carries this metal stick with what looks to be a marshmallow on the end of it.
Looking forward to classes starting soon, especially Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Nightshade. I'm excited to learn.
Miss you both heaps, but I'm loving every minute here.
Love,
Albus
P.S. Oh and the password was 'fawkes'. Any idea what that is. I keep getting the feeling it's a name for something.
Chapter 4: Professor Nightshade
Two days later, at breakfast, Albus, Scorpius and Snehin received their time tables from Professor Slughorn, who, to Albus's amazement, was the only teacher doing so, and seemed to acknowledge him more than he did with anyone else, as he gave Albus a friendly smile that no one else got.
"Well, that was unexpected," Scorpius commented as soon as Slughorn had left. "He seemed to like you more than the rest of us."
"Yeah, I don't know what that's about," Albus said, looking after Slughorn in surprise.
Looking down at his schedule, he found that he had Defence Against the Dark Arts first thing that day, with Professor Nightshade. Once Breakfast was done, Albus, Scorpius and Snehin headed to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Snehin rolling his stick left and right as he went.
"Hay, Snehin?" Albus started. "What is with that stick of yours? I never saw you without it."
"Oh, you can't tell?" Snehin answered him.
"Tell what?" Scorpius put in.
Snehin smiled. "This is a cane, I need it to navigate."
When they both looked confused he added, "I have what is known as low vision. I can't see very well so I need this to, in a way, feel my way around obstacles." Seeing Albus's expression he added. "No glasses don't work for this. It's mental, literally."
"What do you mean, 'mental'?" Albus asked.
"Brain damage," Snehin answered. "Do you know basic science? I mean muggle stuff."
"My dad grew up with them, so, sort of."
"I have a damaged visual cortex." Snehin said. "Any idea what just came out of my mouth?"
Scorpius shook his head, but Albus shrugged. "Maybe? Isn't the visual cortex the part that you use to see?"
"Close," Snehin said. "It's the part that processes what you see into something that your brain can understand."
"Oh," Albus said. "Not to pry but what does that mean for you?"
"It means one of you has to copy down anything that the teacher puts on the board down for me. I use computers, but they don't work here for some reason."
"My dad could probably figure something out for you," Albus offered. "Until then I'll help you
"Thanks, I think I'll have to take you up on that. Can your dad really figure something out to help with this?"
"He probably could," Albus said. "Should I tell the teacher for you then?"
"Nah, I'll do it myself, though I would like it if you could be there with me Al. I'd much rather have you than not."
"Why? Can't you do it?" Scorpius asked. "No offence or anything, but you did just say you would tell them yourself."
"None taken," Snehin said. "It has to do with the fact that I am not sure that the teachers will take too kindly to my situation."
"Professors McGonagall, Flittwick and Longbottom, will probably be fine, but the rest, I am not too sure about. I'll help you, don't worry." Albus said, smiling. "I got your back"
Snihin smiled back at him. "Thanks"
They entered the D.A.D.A classroom and took a seat side by side in the front row. Professor Nightshade was standing at his desk surveying the class.
"Boy! Give me that," the professor barked.
They looked around, confused.
"Give it to me, I will have to confiscate that stick of yours," He said, giving Snehin a glare.
"I need this to navigate, professor," Snehin responded.
"No you don't!"
Snehin quickly folded up his cane and stuffed it into a pouch on his leg. "What do you mean, sir?"
"You don't need it. You need to find a reason for me to not have it first," Professor Nightshade stated plainly.
"He needs it to navigate, sir," Albus said, with perticular emphasis on the word 'need'.
"No one asked you to be his fan boy, Potter!" Professor Nightshade snapped. "Both of you to the headmistress's office. NOW!"
He pulled out a piece of paper and taped it with his wand, then rolling it up, he tapped it again. "Take this and go! The password is Dumbledore''
Albus and Snehin stood up and, taking the paper, headed up to the headmistress's office. Snehin nearly fell on something on the floor shortly after leaving the classroom, Albus managed to catch him in time.
"Thanks," Snehin said, catching his breath. "Can you lead me there Al? I am not sure I should use my cane right now," Snehin asked.
"Yeah sure. I don't think you should eather," Albus said, nodding.
"Dumbledore," Albus said to the gargoyle. It jumped aside at once to reveal a moving staircase. They stepped on to the stairs and in a matter of minutes, they had arrived. Albus knocked twice.
"Enter," Professor Mcgonagall's voice called.
They entered, and Albus handed over the piece of paper at once. The headmistress tapped the paper and unrolled it. After reading it through a few times, she looked up at them.
"Professor Nightshade says that you refused to hand over something he wanted to confiscate. May I know what he was referring to?"
Snehin nodded, "My cane professor," he said, holding it up.
"I see," the headmistress said. "And do you require it to travel everyware Mr. Sen?"
"Yes professor," Snehin said. "I nearly fell due to something on the floor I didn't see. If Albus hadn't caught me I would probably have gotten hurt."
"I see," Professor McGonogall said. " I suggest that Mr. Potter guide you till I can address this with Professor Nightshade. For now, I would suggest that you keep the cane folded and put away."
They nodded.
"Very well, I suggest you both head down to your next class, the period is almost over."
"We have Professor Longbottom next, so I think we can tell him about Snehin's cane ourselves, Professor." Albus said.
"Very well, are there any other teachers you can tell directly?"
"Professor Flittwick, perhaps," Albus suggested.
"Professors Longbottom, and Flittwick are perfectly fine for you to tell, but I would suggest not trying any other teachers."
"Is there anything else I should know about you Mr. Sen?"
"Yes, Professor," Snehin said. "I am low vision, so stuff on the board I will need someone to note down for me. I normally use computers to do my school work, but they don't work here."
"I see," Professor McGonagall said, nodding. "I think Mr. Potter's father should be able to help with that stuff."
"Yeah, Albus said that he might," Snehin acknowledged."
"Very well then. Head on down, I will be seeing you in class later today."
Turning, they both walked out of the room, and headed back down to the floor below.
"Well?" Snehin said.
"Looks like we're missing D.A.D.A today," Albus commented. "And I was really looking forward to it. It was my dad's best subject, you know."
Chapter 5: Quidditch (Albus)The rest of the week went by relatively uneventfully, with Albus helping Snehin out with his classes. Professor Nightshade had evidently met with Professor McGonagall as he had not mentioned anything about Snehin's cane ever since. Professors Longbottom and Flittwick were very understanding so everything went smoothly with them. Only when it came to Flying lessons on Thursday, did anything of interest happen. Snehin had his cane on him this time as they were out on the feild.
"Everyone to the left of a broom," Mme Hooch, their flying instructor, called. "Now, on my whistle, you will kick off from the ground and hover a few seconds, then gently touch back down,"
"One."
"Two."
Three."
She blew her whistle and everyone kicked off. Albus, Scorpius, and Snehin flew up next to each other.
"This is going better than I thought," Snehin commented.
Smack
Something hit Snehin squarely on the shoulder. He looked down, sighed and brushed a piece of rolled up paper off of himself as if it was nothing. Then suddenly he pivoted, another had just been thrown at him. Albus instinctively flew and caught the peace in his left hand. More and more started to come their way, Albus and Snehin kept dodging and catching the pieces of paper.
"What is this?" Mme Hooch called. "Both of you, down here now. Ms. Badwater, detention and 10 points from Slytherin."
The Slytherins, who they were sharing the lesson with, started to laugh, all except one average height girl, with long brown hair, black beady eyes, and a scowl on her face, evidently losing points was not something she liked. She had to be Badwater. Albus however didn't have head room to focus on her unusual last name, as he was a little mentally occupied. Unsure of what was going to happen, they touched down and dismounted.
"Follow me boys," Mme Hooch called.
"Are we in trouble?" Albus asked, but Mme Hooch didn't reply till they were inside the castle. Once safely out of sight of the rest of the class, she faced them.
"Did either of you know how to fly a broom before coming here?"
"No," Snehin said. "I am muggleborn. I didn't know brooms could fly,, or anything about magic for that matter."
"And you Mr. Potter?"
"I've seen my dad fly but never flew myself. My dad did carry me once."
"Yes, your dad was quite a flier," Mme Hooch said proudly. "However, I ment actually flying it, being in control."
"No, never," Albus said.
"Well then," Mme Hooch said, "Follow me boys."
They did so obediently, both of them were very confused as to what was happening. Were they in trouble? Were they going to get detention in their first week at Hogwarts? Albus voiced this last question to Snehin, who simply said they were about to find out. Shortly they found themselves in front of the D.A.D.A classroom.
"Professor Nightshade, may I borrow Williams please?" Mme Hooch asked, peeping in threw the door.
"Sure," Albus heard Professor Nightshade say.
A fifth year boy stepped out of the room, he was tall, with short black hair and pearcing blue eyes. He looked to be very athletic.
"Mr, Sen, Mr. Potter, this is Eathan Williams," Mme Hooch said. "Williams, this is Mr. Sen, and Mr. Potter, They can be your new beater and seeker."
"Wait hold up, are you trying to put us on the Quidditch team?" Albus asked, mentally elated. He had always wanted to play proper Quidditch. Playing against family was no fun because you know your opposing team's tactics. It was never really a challenge.
"Yes Potter," Mme Hooch responded. "You and Mr. Sen."
"Very well then," Ethan said, his voice was a lot deeper than Albus had expected. "We will see how good you two are this weekend."