Chapter 1: You're Wizards, Boys.
Radio music: Chant by Phil Thornton
-Sedona, Arizona, Navajo Nation, 1982-
In the desert houses set in the Arizona corner of Navajo Nation, a moving truck was outside the house as furniture was loaded into it while a family was in the process of moving.
"Why are we moving?! This makes no sense!" A boy of about 12 years old groaned out loud as he paced through the front yard.
"You're not the only one who doesn't get it." Another boy with him sighed, he looked to be about 11 or so.
Both boys looked to be of mixed heritage, a combination of Navajo/Mohawk/Welsh and Scottish if one had to wager, with just ever so slightly fair red skin, black hair and features befitting their heritages. But that was where the similarities ended.
The first boy (aside from the aforementioned shared traits) had brown eyes, and was a surprising five foot six.
Attire wise, he wore a green shirt, a buck skin jacket with a dream catcher on the sleeve, and a tiger eye wolf totem necklace around his neck, as well as a pair of blue jeans and a pheasant feather in his hair and a pair of moccasins.
The second boy had green eyes, and had a eagle feather in his hair and a scar on his lip. He was also of average height, five foot three specifically.
Attire wise, he wore a black shirt and a pair of blue shorts, as well as a similar buckskin jacket and dream catcher, but had a rose quartz eagle totem necklace and a pair of moccasins as well.
"Boys, we went over this." Their mother, a woman who looked like she was of Celtic descent, probably Scottish, with red hair, freckles and green eyes being her most noticeable features—and her attire seemed to be business casual. "I have a job opportunity in England, I don't want to be there without you." She told them.
"Doesn't make leaving the lands we've known all our lives any better." The first boy sighed.
"I know, Achilles. I know." The woman sighed as she hugged her eldest son. "Arthur? Are you alright with looking out for your older brother?" She asked.
"I'm trying my best." The younger child replied.
"Caroline, are you and the boys ready?" Their father called as he poked his head out of the moving truck as everything was loaded.
He was a tall man, about six foot free who was of a similar mixed heritage of his sons, and looked almost like a grown version of his sons, his brown eyes tough and his stature was imposing as he stood at a staggering six foot four with a muscular body.
Attire wise he was wearing a white shirt, a jacket similar to his sons, brown buckskin pants, moccasins and had a buffalo totem necklace as well.
"We're ready to go, Edward!" His wife called.
"Good! Next stop: England!" Edward exclaimed with a laugh.
"Yay…" The two brothers cheered sarcastically.
(Timeskip)
It was a month later and the two brothers were now finally managing to get used to their lives in their new home of Number 7, Privet Drive, Little Whining, Surrey London.
It wasn't all bad, their neighbors were nice enough and it was a fairly quiet town, but there was one thing that both Arthur and his brother hated with a burning passion—their neighbors at Number 4 Privet Drive: the Dursleys.
Oh how they loathed that family.
The second their family met them, that fat walrus named Vernon threw more slurs than either boy wanted to hear—which eventually led to Edward burying a hatchet in their yard's ash tree, a sign that they were now at war with the Dursleys.
It then got where Achilles and Arthur were regularly ganged up on by the Dursley patriarch with their father as well, for example, Achilles was typically seen using Vernon's prized petunias as target practice for his favorite slingshot.
And Arthur, meanwhile, liked making the comparatively less intelligent Vernon feel stupid when he talked to him, often speaking to him in the native Navajo or Mohawk languages, which he was fluent in, and watching everyone laugh at him as he revealed what he said.
He took a certain joy insulting the man in said languages.
Unfortunately this did cause trouble for their mother at times with the authorities when Edward would threaten Vernon with his Assassin A headed tomahawk, but since Vernon often instigated—it couldn't be helped.
Right now, though, the brothers were busy unpacking what still needed unpacking. Most of it was just mementos from their old home.
One in particular was a radio and they were currently listening to Navajo music and chanting, which made them feel more at home despite the rain pouring outside.
"Man, I really wish something interesting would happen already…" Achilles groaned in boredom, unpacking some dumbbells.
"Dad hurling his tomahawk at the Dursley's gnomes yesterday wasn't interesting enough for you?" His little brother questioned as he straightened his books and magazines on folklore, historical periods, renaissance art, dinosaurs and pirates on his bookshelves.
"It was, but now it isn't." The older brother replied.
"Well whoop de doo…" The younger brother sighed as he finished unpacking before laying on his bed, pulling out a magazine from National Geographic about the Revolutionary War and started reading it while Achilles started doing curls.
(Later)
After a bit, while Caroline was fixing her family some rainy day snacks with either tea or coffee, their mail slot rattled.
"Hm?" The woman hummed as she went to see what was up.
When she got there, she saw two letters addressed to her sons… And the addresses were very concerningly specific.
Arthur Connor Kenway
Second Story Bedroom
Number 7, Privet Drive
Little Whinging, Surrey
England
Achilles Haytham Kenway
Second Story Bedroom
Number 7, Privet Drive
Little Whinging, Surrey
England
"Who the hell…?" She uttered under her breath, confused and concerned by how accurate these were addressed to her children.
Flipping them over, she saw a crest on a wax seal, one of a shield with a Lion, Raven, Serpent and Badger on it surrounding an H.
"Who sent these?" She wondered.
"What's going on?" Edward asked as he walked up to his wife.
"Take a look." Caroline said, showing her husband the letters.
"What in the world…?" The man uttered, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Is this some kind of elaborate prank or something?" He wondered.
"What is it?" Achilles questioned, eating a scone with jam and Earl Grey tea and some bacon and eggs.
"Two letters showed up addressed to you and your brother. We don't know who sent them." Caroline told her son in reply.
"Lemme see." The older brother said as he grabbed the letters and handed the one addressed to his brother to Arthur and then opened his.
"Is this… parchment? Nobody writes on this stuff anymore." Arthur remarked as he read his letter.
"And fresh ink. Interesting choice of writing." Arthur nodded. "And a wax seal? So formal." He mused.
The letters meanwhile…
Dear Mr. Arthur/Achilles Kenway,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"… HUH?!" The two boys exclaimed in shock.
"Is this some kind of weird prank or something?" Arthur had to question.
"I have no idea…" Achilles muttered, sitting back down while they ate their breakfast, deciding to save this for later.
(Later)
It was pretty late in the evening that same day, and the Kenway's were enjoying themselves as the rain continued to fall—when there was a knock on the door.
"I got it." Achilles said as he got up and answered the door.
He was not ready for who he saw on the other side.
Standing at the door was a true giant of a man–ten feet tall, if he had to guess–His face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard, but you could make out his eyes, glinting like black beetles under all the hair.
For clothes, he was wearing a brown jacket over a blue shirt, black trousers with a belt and brown boots.
"... Wow, you're huge!" Achilles gasped with wide eyes.
"Why thank ye lad, I'm quite proud of that." The man chuckled. "Sorry to bother ye, but is this the Kenway house?" He asked.
"Yeah. Come on in." The boy beckoned, somehow able to tell this man was harmless.
"Achilles, who's– Whoa!" Edward started to say before his saw led their tall guest into the living room. "Okay, as much as I wanna tell you not to let strangers into the house, kiddo, who is this?" He questioned.
"Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Gates and Keys at Hogwarts." The man replied, shaking the tall native man's hand with a firm grip.
"Wait, so these letters are actually for real?" Arthur blinked, looking at his letter.
"Well of course they're real! You don't think we'd send fake acceptance letters to just anyone who we fancied, do ya?" Hagrid asked with a hearty laugh that damn near shook the house.
"Um, to be fair, nobody uses parchment in this day and age." Caroline stated. "Not to mention we never signed our kids up for Hogwarts. Trust us, we'd know." She added.
"Then there's this whole Wizard and Witches business." Edward nodded. "In my culture, such people are often selfish and power hungry individuals who use dark magic to prey on the weak and innocent and do every taboo imaginable." He added.
"We have some Native American roots." Arthur supplied to help Hagrid understand.
"Ooh, I get it." The giant nodded. "There are admittedly people who do that in this side of the world, but that's the dark arts. Hogwarts teaches the good side of magic." He told them. "Stuff like healing, for example." He added.
"The malevolent witches I speak of start out usually as healers and medicine men or women, who decide to turn to evil in order to gain power." Edward explained. "I'm only wary because I don't want my sons to fall down a similar path." He added.
"Our people, the Dine, call them "yee naaldlooshii", which means "with it, he goes on all fours"." Arthur explained, albeit rather reluctantly, but it seemed important that Hagrid knew this.
"Or as they're more commonly known, Skinwalkers." Caroline added.
"Well if it helps, Hogwarts exists in a magical society that has its own law enforcement. Stuff like that is addressed the moment it's discovered." Hagrid told them. "There's no such dark magic used in it, and there's a variety of spells meant to aid in incapacitation of criminals." He added.
"That… puts me somewhat at ease." Edward nodded. "But how are you so sure my sons are wizards?" He asked.
"Well." The giant of a man said as he turned to the two brothers. "Tell me boys, ya ever make anything happen? Anything ya can't explain when you were angry, sad or scared?" He asked.
"Now that you mention it, there is." Achilles said as his brow furrowed. "When I was out roaming near a treeline, a wolf ambushed me. Right as it pounced, I suddenly found myself in the backyard of my house before it made contact." He explained.
"And come to think of it, I was trying to get my favorite magazine off the roof of our old house—after someone threw it up there for no reason—." Arthur nodded, glaring at his brother. "And then when I tried to jump and get it—I leapt twelve feet straight up onto the roof." He added.
"Those were moments of accidental magic." Hagrid told them. "They're signs of you being wizards." He added. "And a pair of thumpin good ones, I'd wager, once you've been trained up a bit." He nodded.
"Yeah, in the grand scheme of things, being untrained in magic is a bad idea." The younger child mused.
"You said it lil' bro." Achilles nodded.
"Well, if your mum and da are alright with it, we can leave first thing in the morning." Hagrid told the two.
"Give us a moment to talk privately." Edward requested as he and Caroline got up.
"It's a big deal, so take all the time ye need." Hagrid nodded in understanding before checking his watch. "Well, it's getting late, I best be off." The man smiled as he left the family to themselves.
"… Well he was certainly nice." Caroline admitted.
"Part of why I let him in. He looked like he couldn't hurt a fly." Achilles nodded.
"We should talk in the kitchen, I have a feeling that we'll have a lot to talk about." Edward said as they all did so.
(Timeskip)
The next morning, the Kenway brothers were now indeed walking with Hagrid down the streets of London, where the large man was to show them where they would get their things for school.
Currently, they are being led to a pub called the Leaky Cauldron, which would act as the gateway to where they'd be going.
"Ah, Hagrid, usual I presume?" An older man behind the bar questioned as the three entered the dim and almost medieval looking pub in question.
"No thanks Tom, I'm on official Hogwarts Business." The giant replied. "Just helping these boys get their school supplies." He added.
"Ah, well, later then?" Tom nodded as the trio left into an alley, where Hagrid tapped a pattern of bricks with his pink umbrella.
Then they opened up like a gateway, revealing a crowd of people on the other side.
Stores, buildings, all sorts of things were everywhere, and on top of that—they were all dressed similar to Hagrid.
"Welcome boys, to Diagon Alley." The man chuckled.
"Wicked." The two native boys grinned in surprise.
"Glad you got a good first impression, boys." Hagrid chuckled. "Anyhow, come along. We'll be making a few stops." He added as he led the boys along.
First up was Gringotts, the wizard bank.
According to Hagrid, their great grandfather on their mom's side, Richard Auerelius Grampier was a successful ministry wizard in his day whose family moved to America, and he apparently had a bank vault in it that accumulated interest every year or so. So they would get most of their money from there.
This explained why they were the only ones in their family to attend—their family had moved and probably diluted their gene pool.
Looks like they ended up being the lucky ones.
When they entered the bank, they saw actual goblins serving as salarymen and such. There were even some serving as armed guards, which spoke of a military culture.
"Goblins?" Arthur uttered.
"No shit." Achilles nodded as he stared around.
"Not exactly the most friendly of beats, best stay close." Their giant companion told them.
They walked up to the front desk, Hagrid tapped a bell to get the goblin's attention.
"State your business." He requested in a firm tone.
"The Kenway brothers would like to make a Withdrawal." Hagrid explained.
"And do they have their key?" The goblin questioned.
"It's their first visit here, so no." The giant man replied with a shake of his head. "We'd like to get some new ones issued as well while we're here." He added.
The goblin hummed as he waved for one of the others to come over while Hagrid gave them the boys' vault number.
"No need. Vault 1322's key is in storage. We'll retrieve it." He told them while another goblin led them to the transporter.
The transporter looked like an ordinary minecart, but when the group was in, it shot off like a rollercoaster. The boys let out surprised screams when they found themselves zipping along the rails at what felt like Mach Fuck speeds.
"Vault number 1322." The goblin told them. "Lamp please." He said as he hopped down, prompting Achilles to hand him the lamp.
"So, generally, how do these vaults open? Are they similar to non-magical ones?" Arthur questioned as they walked.
"In general, that is the case, yes. The security, however, is magical in nature." The goblin nodded in reply.
He then used a key to open it, causing the vault to open and reveal that it was absolutely loaded.
"Whoooooa." The boys gasped in surprise.
There were piles of coins made from gold, silver and bronze inside, and boy howdy were they large piles. Those weren't the only things inside, however. There were books as well along with some stored weapons like spears, swords, shields and the like.
"This is gonna be awesome." Achilles grinned.
"No argument here…" His brother nodded.
(Later)
"We still need wands, and our chosen pets." Arthur noted after spending the past few hours getting their things.
"Let's start with yer pets. There's a pet store nearby." Hagrid nodded as he led the brothers to their destination.
As they entered, the three were quick to take a look around, but soon found themselves uninterested in the cats, owls or toads that were in stock.
However, then they found two animals in cages that caught their eyes.
One was an adolescent White Tailed Eagle that had a white and brown speckled appearance and the other was a pure white Dire Wolf with icy blue eyes in a similar cage of a similar age.
"… We'll take them!" The two exclaimed in unison.
"Those two, eh? Fine creatures, both of 'em." Hagrid nodded, looking at the two animals appreciatively.
After paying for them, the two animals were let out of the cages and then—with a bit of hesitation—went to their new owners.
Arthur smiled as he stroked his Eagle's head as it rested on his arm.
"It's nice to meet you too, I'm Arthur." He smiled. "I think I'll name you… Enkidu." He nodded, getting a peep of approval from the bird.
"And I'll name you, Geralt." Achilles laughed as he tussled with his new Dire Wolf pup.
"Well, they certainly like you." Hagrid chuckled.
(Later)
Later on, the two's last stop was at Olivander's for their Wands.
"Fair warning, Ollivander can be a bit eccentric. Just figured you should be aware of that." The giant told them.
"Thanks." Arthur nodded.
"Appreciate it." Achilles hummed as the two boys went inside.
"Hello?" The two called.
"Hello." A voice said behind them, causing them to jump and see an old man with wiery white hair, smokey blue eyes and who was dressed in ragged gray clothes standing there. "And who might you two be?" He asked.
"I'm Achilles Kenway and this is my kid brother Arthur." The older brother replied.
"Ah, I see." The man nodded. "Well then, let's find you two a pair of wands, eh?" He hummed as he started rummaging through his stock for a moment. "Here we are." He hummed after a moment before handing a slim wand made of oak with a Phoenix feather core to Achilles.
The boy gave it a flick, and a nearby vase shattered.
"Nope. Not that." Ollivander said, shaking his head as he took the wand back and went to find a different one.
"It's all fun and games until someone needs to go to the hospital…" Arthur muttered as his brother quickly set the wand down.
Seconds later, Olivander returned with an Alder wand with a red finish and a unicorn hair core.
Achilles gave it another wave and the Alder wand actually nearly snapped as it caused boxes to fly off the shelf.
"No, No definitely not." The old man nodded. "Those wands were far too short and had too weak a core—the wood around it being unyielding seems to fit though…" He mused as he kept looking before finding a wand he'd just had made merely five years earlier. "I wonder…" He hummed as he approached the brothers again.
Seconds later he handed the taller brother a dark brown almost black finished Blackthorn wand with small blunted nobs all around the handle with a wolf on the butt of the handle as well. It had a Dragon Heartstrings core, was unyielding in terms of flexibility, and length wise it was 14 inches.
Giving it a flick, a flourish of sparks erupted from the business end if it.
"Aah, there it is." The old wandmaker grinned. "This is the wand for you." He nodded.
"Nice." Achilles grinned.
"Blackthorn wood is not a wood I would typically use in a wand, but the dragon whose heartstrings reside in your wand insisted on it. I have always held the belief that Blackthorn is a wand wood meant for warriors. So I urge you—use it wisely." Olivander told him.
"Got it." The boy nodded.
"Now, let's see what will suit your brother." The man hummed as he searched for a wand..
First was a cherry wood wand with a blossom carving in the handle, Arthur gave it a wave and it immediately flew out of his hand, almost as if it were offended.
"Definitely not that…" The wand maker muttered as he grabbed the wand and put it back before coming back with a different one.
This one was applewood and had a boar's head on the butt of the handle. Arthur gave it a wave and instead of casting a spell—it immediately shot him back into the back wall.
"... I'm okay!" Arthur groaned as he got back to his feet and gave the wand back to Ollivander.
"Most definitely not this one…" The man nodded, before his ears twitched at a sound coming from all the way back in the shop. "Surely not…" He muttered, his hands rubbing spindly like a spider, before he went to the back to where the sound was, and came back with a third wand.
It was an Elder wood wand, with a grey, almost silver color to it, with three pitted knobs going from base to tip of it, and a feather-like grain to the wood—the handle was almost hooked, like a bird's head and beak. The stiffness was Reasonably Supple, and it was ten inches in length.
"Give this a whirl." He prompted.
When Arthur flicked the wand, a ring of fire formed around him that made him go wide eyed.
"Curious. Very curious." The old wand maker mused as the boy put the wand away.
"What's up?" The Native boy questioned.
"I remember every wand I ever sold, Mr. Kenway. Every last one. And this one has been in my shop since I took over from my father and his father before him." Olivander replied. "The elder wood used in this wand was said to be harvested from a tree descended from the same one that Death crafted the most powerful wand in history from. And the Phoenix, whose tail feather resides in your wand, gave his most prized feather to be this wand's core." The man continued. "It is curious that you are destined for this wand, when that of its father is the one thing that even the worst of evil fears." He added.
"That's… A lot to take in." The boy blinked as he looked at the wand.
"And who has its father?" Achilles asked.
"Why the headmaster of Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore." Olivander replied. "He is the only one who He Who Must Not Be Named is frightened of." He added.
"Who?" The boys questioned.
(Timeskip)
After finally getting everything they needed, the two boys were now on their way to the train station with their parents and Hagrid in tow.
"So they gotta take a train ride to get there?" Edward asked.
"Yessir, platform 9, it's just this way straight between platforms 9 and 10." Hagrid replied, gesturing to a platform just up ahead.
"Hm… Is it what I think it is?" Caroline asked with a raised eyebrow.
It was then that a small family of three came to be next to them.
"Oh, hello Hagrid." A man in his late twenties said he faced the giant.
"Well hello there Mr. Weasley, Molly! I see you got Bill ready te go!" The large man smiled.
"Yes, he's ready for Hogwarts." Molly smiled before looking at the Kenways. "Oh, some more first years, hm?" She hummed.
"We're trying to figure out how to get onto the platform." Arthur explained.
"Oh, all you have to do is go straight between there." Molly replied.
"Best to give it a bit of a run if you're nervous." Her husband nodded.
The boys nodded before they quickly hugged their parents while the redhead Bill Weasley hugged his parents, before the three boys ran straight to the wall and went right through, reaching a train station at the other end.
"Holy Shi—." The two started say.
CHOOOO CHOOOO!
Before the train's whistle cut them off.
The train in question was a gorgeous red and black steam locomotive with the words Hogwarts Express on it, and Arthur in particular was in awe at the sight, as he'd always loved trains as a kid.
"... We should get aboard." Arthur told his older brother.
"Right." Achilles nodded as they got aboard the train.
(Later)
The boys were now in their private compartment, looking out the window as the train went along the countryside.
"Ya know, the country may not be the same as the desert, but it's honestly just as beautiful." Arthur hummed as he took note of a shepherd tending his flock with an Anatolian shepherd, the dog even picking up a lamb that had tripped in order for it to not get lost.
"That is true." Achilles acknowledged with a nod.
As he said this though, the same red haired boy from the station poked his head through the door.
"Sorry, but is it okay if I sit in here? Everywhere else is full." He said, causing the two to look at him.
"Yeah. We've got room." Arthur nodded.
"The more the merrier, I say." Achilles nodded.
The boy sat down opposite Achilles and next to Arthur, getting comfortable.
"I'm William by the way, William Weasley, but my family just calls me Bill." He told the two.
"I'm Arthur, Arthur Kenway." The younger brother smiled, shaking Bill's hand.
"Name's Achilles." The older one nodded, leaning forward and doing the same.
"Hm, did you two come from a muggle family?" Bill asked, looking at them closely.
"Technically? Our great grandfather was a Wizard, Richard Grampier. But I think after his descendants moved to America the bloodline thinned out for a bit." Arthur explained as best he could.
"Yeah. We ended up being the lucky generation." Achilles nodded as well.
"Oh so you're American." Bill nodded. "That explains the accent." He mused.
"Accent? Brother, you're the one with the accent here." The taller boy guffawed.
"He's not wrong." The shorter brother snickered. "Muggles, what does that word mean? Non magic folk?" He asked.
"Yeah. There's also half bloods (muggle and wizard), pure bloods (full magic), and squibs (magic born but with no powers)." The redhead nodded. "… Weird question maybe, but are you guys Indians?" He asked.
"Yeah." Achilles nodded tensely.
"We prefer Native American, though." Arthur explained. "We're half that and half European. Mohawk, Navajo and Welsh on our dad's side, and Scottish and English on our mom's side." He elaborated.
"That's quite a bit of diversity." Bill remarked. "So, what houses are you two going to get into at Hogwarts?" He asked.
"Houses?" The brothers parroted in confusion.
"Yeah, there are four of them. There's Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. My family is usually sorted into Gryffindor, myself." Bill nodded.
"Haven't really thought about it much, honestly." Arthur shrugged, Achilles doing the same as a woman came by with a cart full of sweets.
"Would any of you like any treats from the trolly?" She offered.
"No thanks. I'm all set." Bill said sadly, holding up a bean sandwich that honestly didn't look all that appetizing.
Seeing their new friend's sad expression, the brothers looked at each other and nodded.
"We'll take everything ya got." Achilles told her.
"Money is no object." Arthur nodded as they pulled out the gold galleons that they tucked away for just such an emergency.
One exchange later, and they had quite the assortment of treats available.
"Burty Bott's every flavor—what now?" Achilles said as he picked up a box of jelly beans.
"That label isn't a joke. When it says every flavor, it's literal." Bill warned, causing Achilles to look at the bean box warily.
There was a chance he could get apple, watermelon and orange flavored beans, but there was an equal chance at him getting something like spinach, liver, tripe, or even lint, boogers, earwax or vomit. Those negatives were not pleasant.
Hesitating, he ate one and…
"GAH!" Arthur gagged before he started drinking some pumpkin juice. "Rotten eggs?! What is wrong with you people?!" He exclaimed.
"I warned you!" Bill yelped defensively.
"I thought it was popcorn!" The boy groaned.
"… These are real frogs are they?" The older brother questioned as he picked up a box of chocolate frogs.
"They're made purely of chocolate, but they're animated to move like frogs." The Weasley assured. "They only have one good hop, though, so don't let it escape out the window." He added.
"Noted." Arthur nodded as he opened his box and pointed it into his mouth and let the frog actually hop its way into its doom.
"Smart." Bill nodded. "But really it's the cards you want. Each box has a famous witch or wizard." He added.
"You mean like baseball bubblegum cards?" Achilles asked as he caught his frog before it could escape and bit its head off.
"I'm just gonna assume that's a muggle thing, so yeah. Basically." Bill nodded in reply with a shudder.
"Cool." The boy nodded as he checked his card. "Hey I got someone named Salazar Slytherin." He noted. "Any relation to the house Slytherin?" He asked.
"That's one of the four founders of Hogwarts!" Bill exclaimed in wide eyed amazement. "He was said to be a black sheep among the founders, having a view that only pure blood wizards should be allowed to use magic, but he was still one of the most important people of his time!" He added.
"Wow. I got a rare one." Achilles whistled. "Guy sounds like a total ass, though." He hummed.
"No argument here." Arthur nodded as he checked his card. "Ooh, Rowena Ravenclaw, must be the founder of Ravenclaw House. Nice." He added. "… She's actually kinda gorgeous, not gonna lie." He hummed.
"A lot of people have that opinion." Bill chuckled.
As they continued talking, the door opened again and a girl poked her head into their cart, causing the boys to face her.
She was around their age with fair skin, black hair with a bow on top of her head and silver eyes. She appeared to be wearing a set of robes meant for young witches.
She was also dragging a case of her belongings with her.
"Has anyone seen a squirrel? A girl named Ginny's lost one." She asked the trio, her accent seemed to convey that she was from Oxfordshire—which was in contrast to Bill's Devon accent.
"None here, sorry." Achilles replied with a shake of his head. as he chomped on a licorice wand.
"We'll keep an eye out." Arthur nodded, popping an actual popcorn bean into his mouth.
"Right… Oh, are those Burty Botts Every Flavor Beans?" The girl asked as she briefly parked her bag outside and sat down next to Achilles. "Mind if I try one? I've never had the chance to try them yet." She requested.
"Sure, but pray you don't get a bad one." The younger brother nodded, gagging a bit as he recalled the rotten egg bean he had the misfortune to eat.
"Thanks." The girl nodded as she took a bean. "Mmmm, peppermint." She hummed. "I'm Lavender Wisp by the way, and you are?" She asked the three.
"Bill Weasley." Bill replied.
"Name's Achilles, Achilles Kenway." The taller brother replied.
"Arthur Kenway." Arthur nodded, blushing a bit when he saw Lavender's smile.
"Pleasure." The girl nodded as she shook hands with them. "Well I better get back to my cart, and you better get changed into your robes, if I'm right we'll be arriving soon." She told them as she got up.
"Thanks for the heads up." Achilles nodded.
(Later)
It was now late at night and the kids now all reached Hogwarts station, where an expectant Hagrid was waiting while Achilles was walking next to Arthur and Bill with his Dire Wolf pup Geralt on a leash.
"First years! First years! Gather round! Come on, don't be shy!" The man called, holding a lantern.
"So we're going by boat?" The shorter sibling noted.
"Hello boys, didn't see ya there." Hagrid smiled. "Yessir you'll be loading up now." He nodded.
Then everyone got into the boats, which had no oars (fat chance of them having motors), leading the Kenway siblings to believe that the boats had charms on them.
"Well, they certainly get by pretty well without any technology." Achilles noted.
"It's probably because they use magic to pretty much everything, gotta be." Arthur nodded over the bustle in the boat they were in.
Though this discussion was cut short when the school came into focus, and the brothers' jaws dropped as they saw what could only be described as a castle straight out of a fantasy novel came into view.
It wasn't just that; the two swore there was an aura coming from the castle itself, an aura that said "welcome home, I've waited for you for so long."
"… This is gonna be awesome!" The two exclaimed in unison as they reached the docks.
(Later)
After they finally got to the castle's front door, they were met by an elderly woman in a green cloak, with a pair of spectacles and a witches hat on, she also looked like a woman who seemed like she meant business.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, first years. I am Professor Minerva McGonnagal, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwats." The woman told them. "Now, in a few moments you will follow me into the great hall and join your classmates, but before you do that you must be sorted into your houses." She explained. "There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." She continued. "Here at Hogwarts, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points, any rule breaking and you will lose points." She elaborated. "At the end of the school year, the winning house will be awarded the house cup." She added.
"Sully!" A girl exclaimed as a Red Squirrel hopped next to McGonnagal, causing everyone to look at her as she scooped the small mammal up, who snuggled itself into the neck of her robe.
"That squirrel must've had quite the adventure." Arthur whispered to his older brother.
"Mmmm hmmm." Achilles nodded.
The girl in question was a redhead like Bill with curls, but was shorter than Arthur, probably only five foot or so, with freckles all over her face and teal colored eyes.
Arthur had to admit, she was pretty cute as well.
"Please keep your pet close, dear." The elderly woman told her.
"Sorry…" The girl they assumed was Ginny replied with a blush.
"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." McGonnagal told them before she stepped away.
This gave the new arrivals a moment to breathe, and as they did, a kid off to the right decided to make a comment when he saw the Kenway brothers.
"So it's true, what they were saying on the train, they let two Yanks into Hogwarts." A voice said, causing the two brothers to look at the source.
They found a pudgy looking but not quite fat boy with caucasian skin, brown hair and brown eyes sneering at them. He was wearing normal robes, and he clearly had a condensing attitude about him.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Achilles questioned with a frown.
"Marvolo Rosier. Who're you?" The kid sneered.
"Name's Achilles." The taller boy stated, standing in front of the kid, and practically stood a whole head taller than him.
"Arthur Kenway." They younger sibling frowned, already not liking this guy. "Also, Marvolo? That's certainly an odd name." He added, getting a snort from Bill.
This earned the redhead a glare from Marvolo, who turned towards him.
"Think my name is funny, do ya? No need to ask for yours." He scoffed. "Red hair, freckles, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley." He noted with clear disdain.
"And just like that, we already hate your guts." Achilles scoffed. Just when he thought he'd be free of bigoted stupidity here…
"Piss off." Arthur nodded as McGonnagal returned.
"We're ready for you now." She told the kids.
(Later)
The kids all headed into the great hall, which was absolutely massive, tables everywhere with candles floating in the air with a ceiling that looked like the night sky, and inside—kids of all ages were everywhere.
"Wow…" Arthur breathed.
"You said it, little bro…" Achilles nodded.
"It's not actually open." A voice said, causing them to turn and see Lavender. "It's just bewitched to look like the night sky." She informed them. "I read it in Hogwarts: A History." She added.
"Note to self, remember to get that book." Arthur muttered.
Then all the fresh arrivals sat at the tables, and Achilles noted that those presumed to be the faculty were sitting at their own head table.
"Now before we begin, professor Dumbledore would like to say a few years." McGonnagal said.
The man that stood up at the Headmaster seat alerted the brothers to this being the man Hagrid mentioned.
He is a tall, thin and elderly man with long fingers. His hair and beard are long and silver. He has a long and crooked nose, long fingers and bright blue eyes. He wore half-moon spectacles and he was wearing a vibrant colored robe and hat.
'He looks like he's lived for over a century…' Achilles thought, seeing how old the man looked.
'Wonder why Hagrid respects him so much.' Arthur questioned mentally.
"Now there are some beginning of term things I'd like to announce." The man said. "As all returning students know, the forbidden forest at the edge of the campus is forbidden to all students." He began. "And, our caretaker, mister Filch, would like me to remind you that the third floor room on the right hand side, is out of bounds. For any of you who do not wish to die a most painful death." He added.
The Kenway brothers glanced at each other at that before letting out a loud gulp. It was confusing and suspicious to them, almost like something was hidden there.
"Now when I call your name, you will come up to the podium, I will put the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses." McGonnogal said, at least until the hat sat up revealing its almost face-like front.
And then it started 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 cap 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 ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks 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!"
"… Is it just me." Achilles said as he faced his brother. "Or was that the stupidest thing we've ever seen?!" He questioned.
"Ours is not to reason why." Arthur shrugged.
"Lavender Wisp." McGonnogal called.
"Okay, relax, relax…" She muttered.
"Mental that one, I'm telling you." Bill whispered.
"You'd be nervous too." Arthur whispered back.
Lavender walked up and sat on the stool, where the living hat was placed on her head.
"Hmmmm, right. Yes. Right…" The hat mused for a minute or two. "Okay: Ravenclaw!" It exclaimed.
The Ravenclaw table cheered as Lavender joined them, the girl looking nervous and a little shy.
"Marvolo Rosier." The Deputy Headmistress called, prompting the boy in question to walk up.
"Slytherin!" The hat exclaimed not even a second after it was put on his head.
"There's not a witch or wizard that went bad who wasn't in Slytherin." Bill whispered.
"Great…" Arthur muttered.
"Ginny Keddle!" The Deputy Headmistress called as the girl came up.
A few minutes later…
"Oh, I know! Hufflepuff!" The hat exclaimed as the girl and her squirrel bounced to the table.
"Bill Weasley." The woman called, prompting Bill to walk up.
When the hat was on his head, barely a minute went by when…
"Ha! Another Weasley! I know just what to do with you: Gryffindor!" The hat exclaimed, causing the table in question to cheer as Bill joined them.
"Achilles Kenway!" The older woman called.
This prompted the Native American boy to walk up, ignoring the glares he knew were coming from the Slytherin table.
"Hmmm…" The hat hummed as he was placed on the boy's head. "You're a bit different than the others, a different kind of view than your peers on the world. You come here with certain notions, preconceptions or even assumptions." It mused to itself.
"If I want a psychological evaluation I'll ask for a shrink, not a hat." The boy hissed.
"Indeed? I detect something inside you, something I can't quite put my brim on." The hat mused.
"Strength? Power maybe? A blackthorn dragon heartstring wand picked me, so it has to mean something." The boy offered.
"Even that isn't enough to figure it out." The hat replied. "However, I can tell that it would be the grain of wheat needed to tip the scale. So…" It hummed before…
"Slytherin!" The head garment exclaimed with finality.
With a groan of exasperation, he headed over to the Slytherin table. The feeling was somewhat lessened by those at the table that actually welcomed him.
Arthur, meanwhile, was horrified—his eyes were now stricken and his face was paler than his red skin typically showed.
His brother was in Slytherin? A house with such a terrible reputation? He didn't even want to fathom the idea of what this could possibly lead to.
'Oh no…' He lamented, his face resting in his hands as his heart sank.
"Arthur Kenway!" The Deputy Headmistress called as the boy made his way to the podium and let the hat rest on his head.
"Hmmmm. Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. A sharp tongue, quick wit, equally quick and sharp mind—not a bad one either—there's talent. An innate ability, untapped potential and unique power resting in your body and mind… and something else." The hat hummed.
"What does that mean?" Arthur questioned.
"Like your brother you have a unique perspective, but yours is a quality I can't quite place…" The object replied.
"A desire to learn perhaps? I do love learning, a good book, a puzzle, anything of that nature is all I typically need to feel relaxed." The younger brother offered.
"There it is—I know exactly where to put you: Ravenclaw!" The hat exclaimed, causing the table in question to cheer as he joined them.
"I'm glad that we were able to be sorted into the same house." Lavender said as he sat down with her and a few other kids. "That means we're at least in a house where we know people." She added.
"But my brother isn't with me…" Arthur lamented.
"Don't let that stigma get you down. It's true that every wizard that went bad was in Slytherin—but not every Slytherin has gone bad." The girl told him, causing the native boy to look at her.
"How…?" He asked.
"My aunt was Slytherin." She replied. "Just be there for your brother, it'll be fine." She added.
"I hope you're right." The boy sighed.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile at the Slytherin table, Achilles was sitting far away from the students that Marvolo was sitting with, deciding to remain alone.
However, this didn't last long as he soon had someone sit next to him.
Glancing at his right, he saw a girl with black hair tied up in a ponytail, blue eyes—one having a scar on it—and was dressed in some Slytherin robes.
"Not much for greeting people, I take it?" The girl asked as she turned to face him.
"Being in Slytherin wasn't exactly my plan. I'm not in a good mood because of it." Achilles sighed.
"I suppose I can understand that." The girl shrugged. "But at this point, what's done is done, there's no sense in fretting about it now." She pointed out.
"That's gonna take a while to settle in." The boy told her.
"Fair enough." She shrugged. "I'm Wendelin, by the way. Wendelin Silkhard." She told him.
"Achilles." The boy replied.
And as the last kids were sorted, Dumbledore stood up.
"Let the feast, begin." He smiled as all manner of food appeared on the tables, much to the delight of the Kenway boys.
(Later)
After the feast, the boys went to their respective dorms led by their house's Prefect.
In Achilles' case, the prefect was actually Wendelin's older sister, Wilhelmina, who looked like an older version of the girl with a more mature figure, and seemed like the strict and nurturing type.
The dorm was located at the bottom of the school near the Dungeons and near the Black Lake, and now they stood before the wall.
'Am I missing something?' Achilles wondered.
"This is the entrance to the Slytherin common room. To enter, you need only to say the password." Wilhelmina explained before clearing her throat. "Aspiration." She spoke.
Then the body of a stone snake rose up, revealing a doorway that opened moments later.
"… Okay that's badass." The Native boy uttered upon seeing that.
"Agreed." Wendelin whispered in agreement.
As they headed inside, Achilles took note of the fact that the place could be summed up in two words: Cool and Majestic. Serpent iconography, regal furniture, cool silvers and greens all over the stone and rather comfortable looking lounging ware as well.
The fireplace in the corner did add a bit of warmth to the place but didn't detract from the cool atmosphere of the place.
But the really cool feature—was the glass wall that looked directly into the Black Lake—where Achilles saw a Giant Squid swim by.
"... How'd this place get built underwater?" The boy wondered with a blink.
"It's a simple enchantment on the stone after fortifying it with volcanic pumice. It reinforces the already sturdy structure of the foundation." Wilhelmina explained. "Now the boys dormitories are on the left, the girls on the right. You'll find that your things have already been brought up." She continued.
As she said this, a familiar white shape came bounding down the stairs, revealing that Geralt was already there.
"Hey, boy." Achilles smiled as he gave his wolf buddy some headpats, which were greatly appreciated.
"Well I think that's our cue to turn in." Wendelin noted. "See you in the morning?" She asked.
"Yeah." The native boy nodded as he, his wolf and the rest of the boys went to their dorms to settle in for the night.
(Elsewhere)
Meanwhile, Arthur was being led to the Ravenclaw tower by his house's prefect.
The prefect in question was a boy named Cormac Kettleburn, an Irish boy from Ulster who was a carrot top with green eyes and slightly pointed ears, he also wore a shamrock pin on his robes at all times.
"Welcome to the Ravenclaw Tower. This is where us Ravens nest in our spare time." He told the first years, getting a few snickers in response. "In order to enter, you must solve a riddle. Anyone brave enough to try?" He asked.
The first years all fell quiet, not out of fear, but rather because they seemed to be mulling it over.
Though unfortunately, this meant Arthur beat them to the punch.
"Eh, why not?" He guessed with a cavernous yawn.
Then he stepped up to the door, the brass colored raven issued its riddle.
"Thousands of ears I have side by side, yet there's not a thing I can hear. What am I?" It asked.
Arthur let out another loud yawn as he rubbed his eyes, his free hand stroking his totem necklace—a habit he had when he was thinking.
"A corn field." He replied groggily.
The raven then looked at him before folding its wings, the door opening and granting entry.
"Well done, and while you were tired, too." Cormac nodded, impressed with the answer.
"My grandfather would ask me that same riddle every Thanksgiving. It's one I'm familiar with." Arthur replied as they entered the common room.
The place looked like a mix of a library and an observatory. There were constellations painted on the ceiling, and there were telescopes here and there. There was also a fireplace and a statue of Rowena Ravenclaw that was next to the stairs.
"… Jokes aside, I could get used to this." Arthur nodded as he took a look around the common room.
"I'm starting to think the same." Lavender nodded.
"Now, the boys' and girls' dorms are down the left and right sets of stairs respectively." Cormac told them. "I'll let you all get some sleep. Some of you look ready to collapse." He added, seeing some of the first years looking very tired.
"Well, guess I'll see you in the morning." Arthur sighed.
"Yeah." Lavender nodded before she hugged the boy after a moment. "You can talk to me if you need to. I promise to listen." She told him as she pulled back.
"... Thanks." The boy yawned as he went to his dorm with the rest of the boys, quickly crawling under the covers after getting dressed in his pajamas and letting his fatigue take him.
It had been a long, long couple of days, for both him—and his brother.
Welcome to Hogwarts, boys.
Dragon Emperor0: Hey guys. Well, after bouncing around ideas for well over three years by this point, Thermal and I have finally managed to decide on a final idea for a Harry Potter fanfic. This is it: The Kenway Saga. This story is Book 1: The Two Brothers.
ThermalsniperN7: This is gonna basically be an Orion Pax and D-16 situation, so the sibling bond is gonna fall apart gradually.
Dragon Emperor0: Everything changes in life, and while not everything lasts, some transformations are permanent—and once you cross that line—there's no going back. Anyway, this story takes place about eight or ten years before the events of the books. In case you guys are wondering.
ThermalsniperN7: Is it any surprise that our boys hate the Dursleys right off the bangle? They're assholes. That aside, this wouldn't be a Harry Potter story without Hagrid and a Weasley present. Seriously, those guys rock.
Dragon Emperor0: Damn straight. And as you guys can see, we're doing things a little differently by putting focus on a lesser known class like Ravenclaw—and to an extent, we're taking inspiration from Hogwarts: Legacy as well, but not much—we do want this to be its own thing, after all.
ThermalsniperN7: Exactly… This story is gonna make me want to buy Hogwarts: Legacy, I know it. Anyway, we decided to make the pets of the boys an Eagle and a Dire Wolf, since they're rarely given the limelight.
Dragon Emperor0: Me too, man. And lastly, as you might've guessed, we may or may not have plans for the Brothers internal conflict about their magic will be over the fact that their Navajo heritage warns against the dangers of using their powers for personal gain, like the Skinwalkers. And to any and all Native American readers, please know that we have done our level best to research and understand the elements of folklore we use in this story and are utilizing it with the utmost respect. This is meant to be a story, we have no intention of making any statements one way or the other about things.
ThermalsniperN7: Exactly. We don't mean any disrespect; we just want to make this story as interesting as we possibly can. We hope you can understand this. Anyway, see you guys next time.