Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Albus Dumbledore stared at his old friend across his desk. His blue eyes were narrowed and a frown was hidden by his long white beard.
Nicholas Flamel was one of the most famous wizards in the world. To look at him, he was quite unremarkable. He was short, plump, with brown hair liberally streaked with grey. There were laugh lines around his mouth and his grey eyes usually gleamed with good cheer and happiness. Today, His eyes were filled with barely controlled panic. He stared at Dumbledore with a pleading expression.
“Please Albus, I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important. Hogwarts is supposed to be the safest place in Europe. They’ve already broken into Gringotts. It’s no longer safe there. The school has protected dangerous artifacts in the past.”
“A practice I have never agreed with,” Dumbledore said softly. “You are asking me to endanger my students. If who we suspect is behind the attempted theft of the stone comes here; it could be a bloodbath.”
Nicholas swallowed. He could defeat Dumbledore if it came down to a magical duel, but the younger man was his friend. He hated asking this, but the Philosophers stone was too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands.
“If Voldemort gets the stone, he will gain immortality,” Dumbledore said sternly. “How did you even invent the stone?”
Nicholas winced. “I will have to keep some of my secrets. You are right about one thing; If Voldemort gets the stone it would be bad. He could use the stone to give himself a new body. That is why I’m asking you for help.”
Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles and rubbed his forehead. “Alright,” he said. “Fine, I’ll help you, but you will owe me a favor in the future. Term starts tomorrow, so we’d better get started with the protections.”
Nicholas sighed in relief. “Thank you,” he said.
Dumbledore didn’t answer. Nicholas was a good friend, but he still had very old-fashioned ideas about children. When he was young, it wasn’t uncommon for children in poorer families to begin working as soon as they could walk. Dumbledore would have to be careful. The students couldn’t get any idea that the stone was in the school. That shouldn’t be a problem.
“So long as I don’t do something daft like announce the corridor that leads to the stone and then tell the students to stay away from it,” he muttered.
“What?” Nicholas asked as he followed Dumbledore out of his office.
“Nothing,” Dumbledore said quickly. “Let’s get this over with.”
**ROE**
Harry sat down beside Luna on her bed and looked at his packed trunk. The last summer before Hogwarts had gone by far quicker than he would’ve liked. Luna had stayed close to him as much as possible. It was like if she let him out of her sight he would disappear. As if she’d read his mind, Luna spoke.
“I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you to,” Harry responded.
“Will you write to me?”
“Of course.”
“You won’t forget me?” Luna sounded more vulnerable than he had ever heard.
Harry resisted the urge to laugh. A laugh might give the wrong impression. “I could never forget you.”
“Good,” Luna said.
Harry went back to staring out the window. His Mother had gone to Hogwarts two weeks ago to prepare for her roll as History of magic professor. Surprisingly, Professor Binns had vanished the day after their conversation. Harry wondered if his father had something to do with it but hadn’t had the chance to ask.
Dumbledore was supposed to be sending someone to make sure Harry got onto the platform alright. Harry didn’t know why Pandora just couldn’t take him, but he wasn’t going to argue.
“She’s nice,” Luna said.
“Hmm?” Harry asked.
“The lady escorting you to the platform.”
“How do you know that?” Harry asked.
Luna just smiled. “I just know.”
**ROE**
At exactly ten in the morning, there was a knock on the Lovegood’s front door. Harry slowly approached the door and pulled it open.
On the other side of the door was a woman of average height with long blond hair and piercing blue eyes.
“Hello,” the woman said. “I’m Ariana Dumbledore and no I’m not as daft as Albus. You must be Harry. It’s nice to meet you.” The woman held out a hand.
Harry laughed in spite of his nervousness and shook the woman’s hand. “Yes,” he said. “I’m Harry. It’s nice to meet you Ms. Dumbledore.”
Ariana waved a hand. “Call me Ariana. I’m not your professor and Ms. Dumbledore makes me feel old.”
“Are you Dumbledore’s Granddaughter?” Luna asked.
Ariana chuckled. “Oh no, I’m his sister.”
“But you look so much younger than him,” Luna said.
“Good genes,” Ariana said drily. She looked at Harry. “Ready to go?”
“I suppose so,” Harry said.
“Good,” Ariana said. “Come on, we’ve got a little extra time, but we don’t need to doddle.”
Harry looked back at Pandora leaning in the doorway. “Thanks Mrs. Lovegood,” he said. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“Take care Harry,” Pandora said. “I’m sure Xeno would’ve said goodbye, but he’s… distracted.”
Harry grinned. In the two weeks he’d been at Luna’s house, he’d only seen her father a few times.
Luna hugged him. “Remember, you said you wouldn’t forget me.”
“I promise,” Harry said as he drew away from her and picked up his trunk.
“I’m ready,” he said as he joined Ariana on the doorstep.
“Good,” Ariana said as they walked down the steps and across the small yard. Reaching the edge of the property, she took Harry’s hand.
“This may be a bit uncomfortable.”
Before Harry could ask any questions, He felt as if he were being squeezed through a rubber tube. His eyes were being pushed into his heat and his eardrums felt like they were going to burst.
When he could see and hear again, they were behind some bushes across from Kings Cross station.
“Apparition,” Ariana said. “Not the most comfortable way to travel, but it definitely speeds things up a bit.”
“It felt like I was being squeezed through a tube,” Harry gasped.
“Yep,” Ariana said. “Come on, let’s get you onto the train.”
**ROE**
They stopped in front of the barrier between platforms nine and ten. “Ready?” Ariana said.
“Not really,” Harry said. “How exactly does this work?”
“From what I’ve been told we just walk towards the barrier, and we’ll pass through it.”
“From what you’ve been told?”
Ariana looked uncomfortable. “I’ve never done this before.”
Harry stared at her. “Didn’t you go through the barrier when you went to Hogwarts?”
Ariana looked away. “I never went to Hogwarts. I was trained somewhere else.”
“Okay,” Harry said. “I can do this. There is no reason to panic.”
“I’ll go first,” Ariana said.
Ariana turned and neatly stepped through the barrier. Taking a deep breath, Harry pushed the trolley holding his trunk after her.
**ROE**
Harry looked around him spotting the scarlet steam engine ahead of him.
“Incredible isn’t it,” Ariana said.
“Yeah,” Harry said. “I wonder if it still runs off of steam?”
Ariana shook her head. “It runs off magic now. The charms and enchantments are updated every few years just to make sure nothing goes wrong.”
Ariana led him to a compartment and watched him store his trunk. When that was done, she patted his shoulder.
“You’ve got about fifteen minutes until the train leaves. Will you be alright here?”
Harry nodded. “I think so.”
“Good,” Ariana said. “I’ll see you at Hogwarts.”
Harry watched as she turned and walked down the platform. There was something strange about her. For one thing, she looked to be about seventy or eighty years younger than Dumbledore. For another, she’d never been to Hogwarts, but Dumbledore had. What was her story? His thoughts were interrupted by a woman’s voice.
“Alright we all made it safely. Fred George stop trying to put dung bombs down Ron’s pants. Where’s Percy?”
Harry looked over and watched a family of redheads clustered around the train. He hadn’t lived far from the Weasley family, but he hadn’t had much to do with them. Luna had said the youngest daughter, Ginny was nice, but she hadn’t said much about the others.
“Alright, I’ve made you all sandwiches,” the woman said passing them out. “No, they’re not corn beef, Ron.”
“There’s Percy,” one of a pair of twins said pointing at what looked like the oldest boy.
“Can’t stay long Mother,” the boy said. “The prefects have a compartment to themselves up front.”
“Oh, are you a prefect Percy?” the other twin said. “You should’ve said something we had no idea.”
“Hold on,” the other twin said. “I think I did hear something about it… once or twice… a minute… all summer.”
“Shut up,” Percy said.
“Can’t I go?” the youngest girl asked suddenly.
Harry’s eyes were drawn to her. There was something odd about her. Magic hung around her like a well-warn cloak. Now that he was looking at her, he could sense the power coming off her.
What was it about her? Why was she so powerful? He would need to talk to his mother about her. Maybe she would know.
He was drawn out of his thoughts when the train whistle blew. He watched as the Weasleys rushed towards the train. As Mrs. Weasley kissed her children goodbye, he wished his mother had been able to see him off on the train. He watched the youngest Weasley as the train began to rush out of the station. She laughed and cried as the train carried her brothers into the distance.
**ROE**
Half an hour later, Harry was drawn out of One thousand magical herbs and fungi by the soft clearing of a throat. Looking up, he smiled as he saw Daphne.
“Hello Daphne,” he said. “How was the rest of your summer?”
“Fine,” she said quietly. “May I sit with you? There’s only one other compartment and it’s got Longbottom and Weasley in there.”
Harry nodded. “Sure. I’d be happy for the company.”
Daphne stepped inside and Harry rose quickly to lift her trunk into the overhead compartment.
“Thanks,” Daphne said.
“I’m glad I could help. How is your family?”
“Mum and Dad were excited to see me go off to my first year, but I think they were sad to. You know it’s kind of like seeing a part of childhood end. My sister…”
“What about her?” Harry asked.
“Nothing,” Daphne said looking down at her lap.
Harry hesitated. If something was wrong, perhaps he could help. Reaching to his side, Harry placed his fingers on the hilt of his sword. Gathering in a little ambient luck, he spoke softly.
“You and your sister must be close.”
Daphne nodded. “Only daughters of a pureblood family. It is our responsibility to continue the Greengrass line, so Astoria and I have always been close.”
Harry drew in a bit more luck. “What’s wrong with her?”
Daphne turned to stare out the window. “I was sad to leave her behind. She is sick.”
“Sick?”
Daphne nodded. “It’s a blood curse that has affected our family for generations. It’s been getting weaker, but…”
“But?” Harry asked softly.
“It won’t be in time to save my sister.” Daphne’s lip curled. “The curse only effects women you see. They die before they turn forty. The curse causes them to just waste away.”
Harry watched her for several moments. It was obvious the mere thought of losing her sister distressed her as it would anyone that loved their sibling. If it were a blood curse, perhaps his father could do something about it? He would need to contact him and see.
The door slid open, and a deep masculine voice spoke.
“Oi, you kids want anything from the trolley?”
Harry turned and gaped. Even glamoured to appear as a scrawny middle-aged man, he recognized his father. He and Daphne rose and bought a bit of everything. As Daphne made her way back to their compartment, Harry lingered behind.
“Dad?”
Arawn grinned. “Hello son. Your Mum contacted me and told me that Dumbledore was keeping her at Hogwarts for some reason. She wanted someone to ride the train with you, so here I am?”
“Mom told me it was usually a lady that pushes the trolley?”
“Yeah, but when I glamoured myself to look like her I didn’t like the way I looked in the dress. you’d be surprised what a bad case of food poisoning can do.”
“Disregarding the image of you in a dress, you gave her food poisoning?”
Arawn shrugged. “I needed to get on the train and I didn’t feel like asking her to let me take her place.”
Harry shook his head. “Look, I’m glad you’re here. I need to tell you about my friend Daphne.”
“Oh, her name is Daphne,” Arawn teased. “Do you think Luna is going to be jealous?”
Harry felt himself blush. “It’s not like that. Look, she told me that her sister suffers from a blood curse. Do you think you could look into it?”
“I see,” Arawn said. “I knew I’ve heard of the Greengrass family before. I remember this story.” His eyes narrowed. “Ms. Greengrass just happened to tell you all about her sister’s curse?”
Harry shrugged. “Got lucky I guess.”
Arawn watched him without speaking. “Sure,” he said finally. “I’ll check into it.”
As Harry turned to leave, Arawn called after him.
“Harry, probability works better than luck in situations like that, just a bit of advice.”
**ROE**
The next few hours passed happily enough. Harry and Daphne ate sweets and talked about Hogwarts. Once she opened up, Daphne was quite good company. It all started with the Chocolate frogs.
“I haven’t had these much,” Harry said as he opened a pack of Chocolate frogs.
Daphne shrugged. “Some people like to collect the cards, but I only like certain ones.”
“Really? Which ones?”
“Morgana and Niamh for starters. They were strong women who stood up for what they believed in.”
Harry thought about telling her that Niamh had been fae but decided to stay quiet. He didn’t know how she felt about fae, and it was too early to be revealing his secrets. To distract himself, he looked down at the card and blinked.
“Dumbledore?”
“You have heard of Dumbledore,” Daphne said as she took a bite of a pumpkin pasty.
“Yeah, I’ve met him,” Harry said absently.
“Interesting,” Daphne said. “What was he like?”
Harry tucked the card in his pocket before answering. “He was nice enough I suppose. I liked his sister better. She was more friendly.”
At that, Daphne looked up. Her blue eyes filled with excitement. “You’ve seen Ariana Dumbledore?”
“Yeah,” Harry said slowly. “Why?”
“There are stories about her.”
“Stories?”
Daphne leaned forward. “You’ve seen her. She looks so much younger than Dumbledore. They say she can use magic without a wand. Some say she doesn’t even own a wand.”
“That would make her a mage,” Harry said.
Daphne shook her head. “There hasn’t been a mage in centuries. Mages are rare and I mean really rare.”
“If she’s not a mage, what do people think?”
“Most think she spent time in Faeryland.”
Harry’s eyes widened.? “I thought wizards forgot about the fae?”
“The pureblood families never forgot. That’s one reason there’s always been tension between purebloods and Muggle-born. Some Muggle-born like to belittle pureblood beliefs and that causes problems.”
“How do they feel about the fae?” Harry asked opening a pack of Bertie bott’s Every flavor beans.
“Be careful with those,” Daphne said her lips twitching. “When they say every flavor, they mean it.”
Harry popped a bean into his mouth and choked. “Oh, good lord, what is that?” Eyes streaming, he looked at the packaging. “Vomit flavored,” he said resignedly.
Daphne giggled. “I warned you.”
“I think I’m just going to stay away from these,” Harry said laying the beans to one side.
Daphne’s giggles slowly subsided. When she’d stopped laughing, she looked at Harry seriously. “To answer your question, they feel abandoned. The last of the fae left over three hundred years ago and didn’t take us with them. According to the stories, the fae live in a land of magic. What would it be like not to have to hide?”
“The wizards have done alright,” Harry said casually, deciding not to tell her the fae were not near as gone as the wizards thought.
“Well, yes, but some wizards have infiltrated the Muggle government. Any wizard with a brain is concerned about Muggle technology. There are those that fear we will be discovered in the next thirty years or so.”
“I see,” Harry said. “Considering how Muggles treat anyone that is different, they fear what would happen if magic were exposed.”
“Exactly,” Daphne said. “What most of the public doesn’t realize is that the Muggle prime minister already knows about us. All it would take is the wrong prime minister to get evidence of magic and we’d be in real trouble.”
“I don’t know if you want the fae involved,” Harry said. “You’ve heard what happened in 1347. they definitely preferred the scorched earth policy on that occasion.”
Daphne nodded. “The Church killed two thousand fae men, women, and children, so the fae caused the spread of the bubonic plague.”
Harry ate another chocolate frog. “The Seelie King and Unseelie Queen caused that particular ship to arrive in Sicily. I don’t think either of them realized what one day of bad luck could do.”
“I never understood how they caused such a terrible plague,” Daphne said.
“From what I’ve read, it was a lot of bad luck at just the right time. They didn’t create the plague. They simply caused it to spread all over the known world and extended it’s effects long enough for the fae population to recover from what the church had done. Remember, fae breed slower than humans, so it took time for two thousand fae to be born. When the ships carrying those plague victims entered the harbor, the royals shifted all fortune to misfortune in that location.”
“It’s a good thing Muggles don’t believe in them. That was just two fae that caused so much destruction.”
“Yeah,” Harry said. “That’s the only time the fae have done something like that and I think even they were shocked at how many people died. I don’t think they would do that again unless they had no choice.”
“Wizards weren’t effected,” Daphne said, “but we still had to hide.”
“Some wizards left with the fae. Most of the portals to Elphame were lost, so the fae protect what few are left. They didn’t really have a choice to leave you know.”
“Too much cold iron,” Daphne said.
Harry nodded. “The fae waited until steel became more useful than iron. Steel can still hurt them, but it doesn’t burn their skin. The fae can even work magic on steel.”
Daphne shot him a suspicious look. “You know a lot.”
“I read and listen,” Harry said.
“And they’re coming back?” she asked.
“Some of them.”
Daphne was silent for several seconds. “I wonder if they could help my sister?”
Harry was saved from answering by a voice echoing through the train.
“We will be reaching Hogwarts in ten minutes time. Please leave your luggage on the train. It will be taken to the school separately.”
“And so it begins,” Harry said.
Daphne smiled. “Are you ready to see what house you’ll be in?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Standing up, Harry pulled his robes and cloak out of his trunk. “I’m gonna go change.”
“Lock the door behind you please.”
“Sure,” Harry said as he locked the compartment door and drew it closed. As he walked down the hall towards the Lou, he felt a flutter of nerves in his belly. He hoped he could make his parents and Grandfather proud.
**ROE**
Ten minutes later, the train slowed to a stop. Looking out the window, Harry saw a wooden plat form surrounded on all sides by trees and shrubs.
To one side of the platform, a line of horseless carriages waited.
“Come on,” Daphne said. “Let’s get going.”
Harry and Daphne disembarked with the other students. As they stepped onto the platform, a booming voice rang out.
“First years this way. First years, over here please.”
Harry turned and saw a man at least ten feet tall gesturing to them. If a brick wall could move and talk, Harry imagined it would look something like this man. In one hand, he held a lantern and tucked under the other arm was a large pink umbrella. His beetle black eyes sparkled with kindness and good cheer.
Harry and Daphne followed the other first years over to the giant.
“My name is Rubeus Hagrid,” the man said. “I’m the gamekeeper of Hogwarts. Now, it’s tradition that you ride the boats across the lake to reach Hogwarts for your first year, so I want you to just follow me.”
They followed Hagrid down a winding path to a wooden dock where a fleet of small wooden boats were tied.
“No more than four to a boat,” Hagrid instructed.
Harry and Daphne chose a boat and were quickly joined by a blond boy and a bushy haired girl.
“I’m Neville,” the blond boy said extending a hand. “Neville Longbottom.”
“Harry Potter,” Harry said.
Neville froze for a few seconds before smiling slightly. “Nice to finally meet you, Harry. My Mum has told me a lot about you.”
“She has?”
Neville shifted glancing at the lake. “Well, a lot about your Mum anyway.”
Before Harry could respond, the bushy haired girl spoke.
“I’m Hermione Granger. I never knew that I was a witch before I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased. Neville has been telling me all about the Wizarding world and I must say it seems quite odd, doesn’t it?”
Neville winced. “Hermione,” he said sounding exasperated. “You can’t go around saying things like that. You’ll insult half the school before this time tomorrow.”
Hermione blushed. “Sorry,” she said in a small voice. She looked at Harry shyly. “You are Harry Potter? From what I’ve read, you and Neville are mysterious. Your Mums refused all interviews and hid you away.”
“I can’t speak for Neville,” Harry said, “but my Mum never hid me away. She just ignored all requests for an interview.”
Neville snorted. “She turned several reporters into mice when they tried to find your home. St. Mungo’s is still trying to reverse it.”
Harry scratched his head. “They annoyed her. Thanks for reminding me, I probably need to ask her to reverse that.”
Hagrid’s voice interrupted their conversation. “You’ll get your first sight of Hogwarts in a moment.”
Rounding a bend, they all gasped. Ahead of them stood a castle on a high cliff. Each stone looked freshly cut and every window blazed with light. “Incredible,” Harry murmured.
“Yeah,” Neville breathed.
The boats pulled up to a wooden dock. “Everyone out,” Hagrid called.
Slipping and sliding, the first years made their way up a set of steps, down a path, and to a massive oak door. Raising one fist, Hagrid knocked three times.
The door was opened by a tall witch with jet black hair and piercing green eyes.
“The first years, Professor McGonagall,” Hagrid said bowing slightly.
“Thank you, Hagrid,” Professor McGonagall said. She glanced at the first years. “Come with me please.”
The first years followed her into a large entrance hall. To the left, a marble staircase led to the upper floors. From their right, they could hear many voices chattering and laughing.
Professor McGonagall led them into a small room off the entrance hall. Closing the door, she turned to face them.
“Welcome to Hogwarts,” she said smiling widely. “In a moment, you will be sorted into your houses. Your house will be kind of like your family at Hogwarts. Each house has produced outstanding witches and wizards and has a unique and exciting history. I will be leaving to get things ready, so I suggest you smarten yourselves up before you meet the other students.”
As she left the room, a boy with white blond hair and grey eyes turned to Daphne.
“Greengrass,” he said loudly. “I hope your ready to be in Slytherin. It’s about time you started mixing with your equals instead of your inferiors.” He glanced at Harry.
“So, it’s true, you are Harry Potter, raised by a Mudblood. No doubt you have all their filthy ideas of changing our world.”
Harry’s eyes narrowed. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t judge my intentions before knowing me. You don’t know my Mum and you don’t know me. Until you do, keep your mouth shut.”
The boy glared. “I am Draco Malfoy, and I will not be spoken to like that. You will soon learn who your betters are Potter.”
“Already making friends,” Neville snickered.
“Something funny Longbottom,” Malfoy said turning his glare on Neville.
“Nope, just you.”
Before Malfoy could say anything else, four ghosts streamed through the back wall.
“Forgive and forget,” a fat fryer was saying. “We should give him another chance.”
“Another chance,” a ghost in a ruff said. “How many chances does he deserve to wreak havoc on this school.”
“Nicholas is right,” a tall female ghost said. “He mocks this school with his very presence.”
“I say,” the ghost in the ruff said. “What are you all doing here? You should be at the feast.”
“New students,” the fat fryer said. “About to be sorted I suppose.”
Several people nodded.
“I hope to see you in Hufflepuff,” the friar said waving at them. “My house when I was alive.”
“You can’t have all of them,” the female ghost said. “Some of them have to go to my house. Ravenclaw is truly the best.”
“Good Lord,” Nicholas said. “We’re dead. Can’t we all leave house rivalries behind? Besides, everyone knows Gryffindor is best.”
The fourth ghost, who hadn’t spoken, just grunted. Harry noticed that this ghost was covered in blood and wrapped in spectral chains.
“Move along,” Professor McGonagall said as she entered the room. She turned to the first years. “Follow me.”
**ROE**
The great hall was a wonder. Four long tables sat below a raised deus where the teachers sat. All of that was below a sky of stars and a full moon rising high in the sky. Harry glimpsed his mother smiling at him as he lined up with the other first years at the front of the hall.
McGonagall placed a three-legged stool in front of them. On the stool, she placed a dirty ragged wizards hat. A rip near the brim opened like a mouth and the hat began to sing.
“I may be ugly, I may be ragged, that cannot be denied, but between your ears you should know, there’s nothing you can hide.
You may belong in brave Gryffindor or wise Ravenclaw, that may be where you are called. You could belong in shrewd Slytherin or loyal Hufflepuff now that is where you’ll learn your stuff.
So put me on and don’t be afraid. I’ve never yet been wrong I always know where you truly belong.”
McGonagall frowned. “Not up to it’s usual standards, but it gets the point across I suppose. All you have to do is put the hat on and it will sort you.”
“Sue me,” the hat called. “I’ve been doing this for longer than any of you have been alive. Everyone has an off year.”
McGonagall’s eye twitched. “Anyway,” she said ignoring the hat completely. “Let’s begin.”
“Abbott, Hannah,” A girl with blond pigtails stepped forward.
“Hufflepuff,” the hat called. The students sitting at the table second from the left burst into cheers and applause.
“Bones, Susan.”
A redheaded girl with her hair in a plat stepped forward.
“Hufflepuff,” the hat said.
A relieved looking Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hana.
“Boot, Terry.”
“Ravenclaw,” the hat called. The students at the table on the right broke out in cheers and applause.
“Brown, Lavender,” McGonagall said.
A girl with long brown hair walked up to the stool.
“Gryffindor,” the hat called. The table on the left broke out into cheers and catcalls.
“Bulstrode, Millicent.”
A tall broad shouldered girl stamped up to the stool.
“Slytherin,” the hat said. The table on the far right cheered.
Harry studied the Slytherins closely. This was the house Draco Malfoy preferred and expected Daphne to go into. They looked normal to him, just like any other student. Did everyone expect him to go into Gryffindor because his parents had been in that house? Perhaps it was time to change things up a bit.
On and on it went. Harry began tuning out the names until he heard a name he recognized.
“Granger, Hermione,” Hermione strode towards the stool her head held high.
The hat seemed to deliberate with Hermione before shouting, “Gryffindor.”
Harry watched as Hermione joined the Gryffindors. He glanced at Daphne and saw she looked nervous. He opened his mouth to ask her if she was alright, but McGonagall spoke.
“Greengrass, Daphne.”
“Ravenclaw,” the hat called.
The Ravenclaws cheered as Daphne joined them looking surprised, but happy.
The next name Harry recognized was Neville Longbottom. Neville approached the stool confidently, but Harry could see his hands shaking slightly.
“Gryffindor,” the hat called after a moment.
As Neville joined the Gryffindors, Harry glanced up at the ceiling and was startled to see the stars above were moving. ‘What magic would go into that? I just thought it was decoration.’
A pair of twins were next.
“Patil, Parvati.”
“Gryffindor.”
“Patil, Padma.”
“Ravenclaw.”
“Potter, Harry,” McGonagall said.
Harry walked up to the stool. The last thing he saw as the hat fell over his eyes was his mother winking at him.
A voice spoke in his ear.
“Hello Mr. Potter, or should I say MacArawn?”
‘Mr. Potter is fine,’ Harry thought.
“Dear me,” the hat continued. “So, one of the fae has returned to the world of man. It’s about time. Things have been so dull since your people left. The magical world needs to be shook up a bit. Wouldn’t you agree?”
‘Yes,’ Harry thought.
“Good,” the hat said chuckling. “Now then, most of your family have been in either Gryffindor or Slytherin, but with you, I see some great potential. There is courage and ambition to do your best. You are loyal to those you trust, and you don’t mind hard work. You are gonna need some great teaching and there is only one place you can get that. it is Ravenclaw.”
The Ravenclaw table cheered as Harry sat down next to Daphne.
“I thought I wouldn’t know anyone here,” Daphne said quietly.
“Well, you do now,” Harry said grinning.
The rest of the sorting passed without incident. The hall went quiet as Dumbledore stood up.
“Tuck in,” he said spreading his arms wide.
Harry watched interestedly as piles of food appeared on the plates in front of them. There was steak, potatoes, roast beef, roast chicken, corn, bacon eggs, sprouts, and too many more things to count.
Harry piled his plate with food and ate ravenously.
“I miss steak,” a sad voice said from beside him.
Harry looked over to see the tall female ghost staring at his plate.
“You can’t eat anything?”
“No,” the female ghost said. “I don’t need to anymore of course, but it is hard not to miss having a body of flesh and blood.”
“You’re the grey lady,” Daphne said smiling slightly. “You don’t usually talk to people.”
The female ghost smiled wistfully. “I’ve been alone so long, and it never brought me any peace. Perhaps companionship can bring me what I need.”
Once everyone had eaten as much as they could manage, the desserts appeared. Blocks of ice cream, chocolate cake, chocolate puddings and jelly donuts were just a few of the treats available.
“Don’t get use to this,” the female ghost said. “Not every meal is this fancy, but it is good to indulge oneself every once in a while.”
As they ate, the talk turned to their families.
“I come from a pureblood family,” Terry said. “My family has been in Ravenclaw for ages.”
“Mine have been in Slytherin for a long time,” Daphne said. “I am nervous how they’ll take me being in Ravenclaw.”
“No matter what happens, you have us,” Padma said cheerfully.
“What about you,” Terry asked Harry.
Harry smiled. “It’s just me and my Mum. I don’t reckon she’ll care what house I’m in.”
The hall fell silent as Dumbledore stood. “Now that we have all enjoyed our marvelous feast, I have some announcements before we all head to bed.
“First, the forbidden forest is of course forbidden. I keep telling you all not to go in there, but some of you can’t seem to remember.” His eyes lingered on the redheaded Weasley twins sitting at the Gryffindor table.
“Second, Quidditch tryouts will be on the second week of term. Anyone wishing to play for their house team will need to submit their name beforehand.
Lastly, we have a new addition to the staff this year. It has come to my attention that History of magic classes have been used for sleeping for several years. Since we must all learn from history or be doomed to repeat it, I have hired Ms. Lily Potter to be the History of magic professor this year.”
Lily stood and the hall cheered. Daphne glanced at Harry.
“That’s your Mum.”
“Yep,” he said grinning.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Just thought I’d let it be a surprise.”
“Well,” Dumbledore said. “I think that is everything of importance. Off to bed now, chop chop.”
A tall girl with long raven hair stood up. “Follow me first years,” she called.
She led them out of the great hall, down the hallway, up several flights of stairs, and stopped in front of a door with a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. “Watch closely,” she said.
Picking up the knocker, she taps the door with the knocker. The beak of the eagle opens, and a woman’s voice speaks.
“What animal has four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?”
“Man,” the girl responded.
“Correct,” the eagle said, and the door swings open.
“You have to get the riddle right,” the girl said. “If you don’t, you have to wait until someone gets it right.”
Harry followed Daphne into the room beyond.
Several bookcases lined the walls. Tables and chairs were spaced through out the room.
“Dorms for the girls on the left and boys on the right,” the girls said.
“Goodnight,” Harry said to Daphne as she headed towards the staircase on the left.
“Night,” Daphne said sleepily.
Harry followed his fellow first years up the staircase, down the hall, and stopped in front of a door with a brass number one on it. Entering the room, he saw several four poster beds with their trunks lined up at the foot of each.
Harry found his trunk and changing into his pajamas, climbed into bed. He was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.