Örlög

In the span of time he had spent with Ron, Harry learned that he had 5 older siblings and a younger sibling. Their family’s only little baby sister, who will start Hogwarts next year. His two older brothers had graduated, his other brother included a pair of twins who were in 3rd year and another older brother who was in his 5th year and also a prefect. 

Ron and Harry were animatedly talking to each other when the ‘Trolley lady’ passed by and asked if they needed anything from the trolley. They all declined.

It was also then that Harry realized that they should probably carry some wixen coins with them.

The next interruption came in the form of a bushy haired girl; a boy was standing behind her, almost on the verge of tears.

“Has anyone here seen a toad? Neville’s lost his.” The girl declared, she had that no nonsense vibe around her.

“Um no, have you gone to the prefects?” Harry asked.

The girl deflated a bit, then straightened up to say, “they are all currently in a meeting, hence why we are undertaking this task ourselves.”

Harry could just see Ron mouthing the words.

Theo closed the book, “what is your pet’s species, and what is their name?”

It was then that Neville took a tentative step forward and said softly, “it’s my pet toad, Trevor.”
Theo took out his wand and said, “accio Neville’s pet toad, Trevor.”

A toad zoomed out of somewhere and landed in Theo’s extended hand.

Neville rushed forward to retrieve him, “Trevor!”

“Was that a spell, I’ve never heard of that spell before. It is certainly not a first- or second-year spell.” The girl declared.

“It’s a summoning spell. It’s a fourth-year charm.” Theo stated as he handed the toad to Neville.

“I’m Hermione, Hermione Granger. And you are?”
“Ron Weasley.” Ron waved awkwardly from the corner. Hermione glanced at him, gave him a slight nod, and returned her focus back onto Theo.

“Theodore Nott”
“Harry Potter.” Harry said, peeking out from behind Theo.

Neville took a startled step back. 

“You’re Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived?” 

“I’ve read about you.” 

“All pretty inaccurate, I assure you. Let alone fight a dragon, I've never even seen one.” Harry reassured them.

“I’m talking about you defeating Voldemort as a baby.” Hermione argued.

“I’m saying this slowly, hypothetically holding your hand. Do you, actually believe, that a baby, killed, a DARK LORD. The most viable answer is obviously that my parents did something.” Harry finished slumping in his seat.

Hermione shrugged, “magic.”

Harry sighed.

“Instead of standing, why don’t you all take a seat.” Theo offered.

“Ah we were just here for Trevor, we’ll go back.” Neville said.

They bade them farewell and left, closing the door behind them.

“Wait a minute you never told me you were the ‘Harry Potter’,” Ron asked, waking up from some kind of stumper. 

“Does it really matter?” Harry questioned back.

“Not really I suppose,” Ron said. 

—---------------------------------------

“First years! First years, over here.” A large man, with a thick beard and holding a lantern beckoned them towards his side.

Damedra had already entered a cat carrier, which had an expandable charm and resembled a small room. It contained food, water, toys, and whatever else she could need. The cat carrier was placed inside the messenger bag.

The boys had left their luggage inside, but Harry and Theo were carrying their messenger bags.

Ron had commented that it was a neat idea.

They got situated in their little boats and waited before it started moving, gliding along the still water.

The first glimpse of the castle was magnificent. The delicate noble arches, the expansive walls, the big concaves of balconies, and the overarching windows. The whole castle seemed to glow in an attempt to send its warmth both inwardly and outwardly, to weary travelers and joyful inhabitants.

Harry felt his breath catch in his throat. It wasn’t home, not quite, but it felt like it could be. 

He glanced at Theo and could see the same sentiment in his gaze. 

—---------------------

The first years were assembled and escorted into the castle by the same large man after they had left the boat.

“The first years, Professor McGonagall.” He greeted a stern looking woman, wearing a wixen robe and a rather tall black pointy hat.

“Thank you, Hagrid.” Professor McGonagall said as they nodded to each other and Hagrid left.

“Follow me, please.” The Professor turned around and started walking towards the castle and opened the hallway door. She led them inside the Grand Entrance Hall. 

The corridors were expansively decorated, lighted by torches. 

Before entering the main hall she gave an introductory speech regarding the house system and told them to wait there to be called.

As soon as the Professor left, chattering began ringing around. Harry could hear a few whispered ‘Potter’.

“Is it true that Harry Potter is attending Hogwarts this year?” A young boy with platinum blond hair spoke up, loudly. He appeared to be the kind of kid who has always been pampered and spoiled. Two boys hulked behind him like goons or bodyguards.

Harry shifted, uncomfortably grasping at the handle of his bag, and looked towards Theo who only gave an impassive stare.

“What’s it with you Malfoy?” Ron shouted at him.

“Red hair and hand-me-downs, you must be a Weasley,” Malfoy stated with his nose up in the air.

“White hair and poxy face, you must be an old bastard,” Ron shot at him

Malfoy went red in his face, “just wait till my father hears about this!”

“Yeah yeah, I’ll wait for it.” Ron shouted back at him, just before Professor McGonagall returned back.

She glanced at the group, as if she knew that something must have happened while she was gone, but not sure what happened.

She led them into the Great Hall which was filled with the crescendo of rising and falling noises. 

The headmaster gave a speech on safety rules, rules in general, and welcomed them. Professor McGonagall brought forth an old slightly tattered pointy brown hat, the seams ripped open as soon as she placed it down on the conjured chair situated in front of the staff table. 

"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!"

A round of applause erupted at the end of the impromptu song courtesy of the sorting hat.

“As soon as I state your name, please come up and take a seat in this chair to be sorted.” Professor McGonagall stated.

“Hannah Abott.” A nervous looking girl walked up, the hat declared ‘Hufflepuff’ after a while.

The next to be sorted was Susan Bones. 

Harry scooted a bit closer to Theo and whispered, “doesn’t she look like the girl we met in London?”

“It’s possible, we could later ask her,” Theo answered, his words being slightly overshadowed by the ‘Hufflepuff’ that the hat shouted.

Harry nodded.

Hermione and Neville were sorted into Gryffindor. Neville appeared extremely nervous and had almost gone to his House table with the hat on his head, before having to go back and return the sorting hat to Professor McGonagall.

Malfoy was sorted into Slytherin.

Theo was soon called for his sorting. The hall was filled with distracted whispers and murmurs as Theo sat in the chair for a couple of minutes. Soon enough the seams of the hat ripped to declare ‘Ravenclaw!’.

Harry clapped loudly with a wide grin. Theo returned the hat and searched the first years before spotting Harry and giving him a soft smile along with a subtle nod. He headed to sit amongst his fellow ravenclaws.

Ultimately, Professor McGonagall began listing names starting with ‘P’. Harry tried to wipe his clammy hands discreetly on his robe.

“Harry Potter.”

The hall descended into silence before erupting into chaos. Some people even tried to stand on the table in an attempt to have a glance.

Ron gave a curt ‘good luck, mate’.

He walked to the front of the hall and the hat was placed on his head as soon as he was seated, the voices beginning to drown out.

‘Hmm. Interesting. Such courage, not a bad mind either, and such utter loyalty. A desire to prove yourself too, I see. Now where should I put you. Ah yes, I know the perfect place for you, such driven mischievous students, better be…’

“... Hufflepuff!”