Chapter 4
Living in Longbottom Manor for the last 2 weeks went pretty smoothly. Augusta, or gran as she preferred to be called, had spent the time tutoring Melanthios on wizarding etiquette while Chrysanthos helped him research different immortal mythology. Before they knew it, it was already September 1st.
“Are you both sure you have everything? All your books and quills?” Augusta asked for what felt like the millionth time.
“Yes gran” the boys answered in unison as she shrunk their trunks. They would be apparating directly onto the platform as she didn’t see the point of dealing with muggle transport.
“Alright then hold on” she said as she gripped both boys’ hands.
A moment later they were standing on platform 9 3/4. There weren’t many people around yet. Melanthios had wanted to make sure they could find good seats on the train so they had come early.
“I do not like traveling in that manner,” Kalli complained as she coiled around his upper arm to lay her head on his shoulder.
Melanthios chuckled as he stroked her head. “Looks like someone agrees with you” he said as high pitched screeching started coming from Chrysanthos’ pocket.
“Aww did someone wake up cranky from her nap?” Chrysanthos cooed as he took his familiar from his pocket and nuzzled her. Ligeia was a gray and white screech owlet. She bonded with him at only 8 weeks old and had become slightly territorial and very spoiled, refusing to stay in her cage.
“Alright you two come here and give me a hug” Agusta called. They both went over and hugged her tightly. “I want you both to be careful and watch out for each other. Dumbledore is the headmaster so don’t let down your guard. Be smart.” She smiled as they both nodded and boarded the train. “I expect a letter by the end of the week” she called before apparating away with a wave.
The twins quickly found a compartment near the back of the train and got comfortable. They watched as the closer it got to 11 o’clock more and more families arrived on the platform. Right as the train was pulling off the compartment door slid open. “Ah I’ve finally found you Tesero!” Blaise said as he walked in and closed the door.
“Blaise! I was wondering where you were” Melanthios smiled as he got up and hugged his friend. “I’d like to formally introduce you to my brother, Chrysanthos.”
Blaise smiled his most charming smile as he shook the other boy’s hand. “Pleasure to finally meet you” he said as he sat down “Melanthios mentioned you often in his letters. I’m glad I can finally put a face to the name”
Thanks to their weekly letters, Blaise knew that his friend was trying to find his family. So, when one of the letters said that he’d found his brother, Blaise had felt happiness for him as though it were his own.
“Likewise. Melanthios speaks of you almost constantly. He always gets excited whenever we get an owl hoping it’s from you” Chrysanthos teased his twin.
“So what house do you think you’ll be in?” Melanthios asked loudly as Blaise smirked at him. “Seeing as I had a compulsion placed on me to hate Slytherin I think that’s where I’ll aim to go”
Chrysanthos shook his head at his brother’s antics. “I’m probably going to Hufflepuff. It fits me the most from what I’ve read” He looked at Blaise. “What about you?”
“Either Ravenclaw or Slytherin” he shrugged “but I’ve a feeling it’ll be the house of snakes for me” he said winking at Melanthios and causing both boys to laugh.
They quickly got to know each other better. Talking and joking like old friends. When the snack cart came around and they all got treats to share. As they ate they lapsed into a comfortable silence, watching the passing fields of cows and sheep through the window.
A few hours later, the door slammed open and a girl with bushy brown hair barged in. She was accompanied by a tall boy with red hair and freckles.
“Have any of you seen a rat?” she asked in a bossy voice. “Ron here has lost his”
The three boys looked at each other before shaking their heads.
The boy, Ron, rolled his eyes. “I told you he’d turn up later, Hermione. We need to focus on finding Harry and Neville” he said in exasperation.
The girl huffed but nodded. “I suppose you’re right,” she said as they turned to leave.
“I wonder why they were looking for you two” Blaise said as he got up and closed the door back.
Melanthios sighed “I can give you 3 guesses why.”
“Dumbledore” Chrysanthos nodded as he began to feed Ligeia some worm mush. “The red head was most likely a Weasley.”
Blaise shook his head as he sat back down. “Hopefully they don't cause too much headache”
***
Hogwarts castle sat perched atop a high mountain. In order to reach it the first years had to take boats across a great black lake. Each boat held four students so they were joined by the blonde boy Melanthios had met at madam Malkin’s.
“Fancy meeting you again” he said as he sat down and the boats began moving. “I don’t believe I ever got the chance to properly introduce myself. I’m Draco Malfoy.”
“Melanthios Khthonios. This is my brother Chrysanthos and my friend Blaise Zabini” he introduced.
“His best friend” Blaise corrected, causing Melanthios to roll his eyes.
Chrysanthos shook his head laughing. “Ignore them. It’s nice to meet you, Draco.”
They soon reached the castle and were met by a stern looking witch in green robes. She introduced herself as Professor McGonagall and led them inside.
She had them all line up in front of large double doors. The older students must already be in there because it was quite noisy beyond them.
“Welcome to Hogwarts” she said. “The start of term feast will begin shortly but before that you will be sorted into your houses. There’s Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. While here your house is your home, your housemates your family. I hope each of you will do a credit to your future house” she looked at them sternly before turning around and pushing open the doors. “Now follow me”.
She led them into the Great Hall. It was lit by thousands of candles floating in the air. There were 4 long tables where the students were seated and another table at the head of the hall for the teachers.
In front of the teacher’s table was a stool with a brown pointed hat on it. There was a rip near the hat’s brim that opened like a mouth and it began to sing.
After the song, which described what each house valued, Prof McGonagall unraveled a long roll of parchment. “When I call your name, come up and sit on the stool to be sorted” she instructed them.
“Abbot, Hannah”
The first person to be called was a girl with blonde pigtails. She stumbled out of line and sat on the stool as McGonagall placed the hat on her head. A few minutes later it yelled out “HUFFLEPUFF” and she went off to sit at the table on the right.
Terry Boot was the first to be sorted to Ravenclaw. He sat at the table second from the left. Lavender Brown became the first new Gryffindor and joined the overly loud table at the far left. The first Slytherin was Millicent Bulstrode, who sat at the table between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
And thus the sorting continued. Each first year joining their house table. Melanthios only half paid attention though. Not really caring who went where until Chrysanthos nudged him to get his attention.
“Granger, Hermione”
The bushy haired girl from the train basically ran up and sat on the stool. Melanthios and Blaise rolled their eyes while Chrysanthos and Draco shook their heads in distain, Draco mumbling under his breath.
“RAVENCLAW!”
She happily jumped off the stool and went to sit with her housemates. Blaise groaned. “Looks like I won’t be going there anymore” he pouted “she seems too much like a bossy know it all”
Melanthios laughed and patted his friend’s back. “There there you can still join me in Slytherin”
“Ah but that was the plan all along, mio Bello” he whispered as he wrapped his arm around Melanthios’ shoulder.
When Prof McGonagall reached the Ls, Melanthios began paying attention once more.
“Longbottom, Neville”
Whispers filled the hall at the name as everyone looked around. Chrysanthos shared a look with his brother before walking up to the stool. Instead of sitting down though he turned to McGonagall. “Actually there is no Neville Longbottom. There’s a mistake with the list. My name is actually Chrysanthos Khthonios” he said sweetly before sitting down.
Melanthios had to bite his fist to stop from laughing out loud at the confused look on McGonagall’s face as she placed the hat on his brother’s head.
“Dumbledore doesn’t look happy” Blaise whispered to him. He looked over and the headmaster indeed looked rather upset. His face in a deep frown as he watched Chrysanthos sit under the hat.
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
Melanthios smiled and clapped loudly for his twin as he joined the Hufflepuff table. He was slightly sad that they wouldn’t be together but he knew that it was the best fit for him.
“Malfoy, Draco”
Draco swaggered forward and sat down. McGonagall had barely placed the hat on his head when it screamed out “SLYTHERIN!” He looked pleased with himself as he went and sat at the Slytherin table.
Melanthios was now bouncing anxiously as he waited for his time to shine. If they were confused with Chrysanthos they were gonna be shocked when he went up.
“Calm down Master. What’s wrong?” Kallisto poked her head from under his robe to look around for danger. She must have felt his anxiousness and woke up.
“Sorry Kalli. Go back to sleep. I’m just excited to be sorted into my house” he told her as Nott, Theodore joined the Slytherin table.
“Very well” she tucked herself back into his robe and went back to sleep.
McGonagall was now on the Ps. The Patel twins had just gone to their individual houses when finally she called the name he’d been waiting for.
“Potter, Harrison”
Again the whispers started. But unlike his brother, Melanthios stayed where he was. “Gotta build suspense” he whispered to Blaise with a smirk as everyone began looking around.
“Harry Potter?”
Professor McGonagall called the name out again. The whispers began to grow louder as her eyes searched the remaining first years. Blaise sniggered as Melanthios raised his hand.
“Umm professor” he said in his sweetest most innocent voice “I’m sorry but that’s the wrong name” he made sure to make eye contact with Dumbledore as he walked up to the stool. “There seems to be another mistake in the list. There is no Harrison ‘Harry’ Potter”
Professor McGonagall was beyond confused as she looked at her list again. “And who are you then?”
“You actually skipped me. I’m Melanthios Khthonios” he smiled as he sat on the stool and waited for her to place the hat on his head.
After a few seconds she nodded and apologized before placing the hat on him. Within a few moments the hat called out his future house and he couldn’t help but grin.
“SLYTHERIN!”
The hall was completely silent as he made his way to the Slytherin table. He sat across from Draco who was looking at him curiously.
“You’re Harry Potter?!” One of the first year girls leaned over to get a better look at him. He was pretty sure her name was Pansy Parkinson.
Sighing, he shook his head. “Weren’t you paying attention? There is no Harry Potter. My name is Melanthios”
He turned back to the sorting in time to see the redhead boy from the train Weasley, Ronald go into Gryffindor. Leaving Blaise as the last student to be sorted. He hoped that he would be in the same house.
“Zabini, Blaise”
Blaise sat on the stool and a few moments later the hat called out “SLYTHERIN!” He grinned and happily took the empty seat next to Melanthios.
As the feast started Melanthios could feel Dumbledore watching him. When he looked up to the head table he wasn’t surprised to see the irritation and slight anger in the old man’s eyes. He smiled sweetly up at him before turning back to his food. This would be a very fun year.
***
After the feast each house was led to their common rooms by the prefects. The Slytherin common room was located behind a bare stretch of stone wall in the dungeons. To enter you had to know the password which changed monthly.
The common room had a grand atmosphere. It was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls that extended part way under the lake giving the light in the room a green tinge. It had lots of low backed black and dark green leather sofas and dark wood tables and shelves. Round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains from the ceiling and it was decorated with tapestries featuring the adventures of famous Medieval Slytherins. There was even fire crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece.
Not long after they arrived, their head of house, Professor Snape, came. He gave the first years the rules and house expectations before sending them off to bed as classes would start in the morning.
Melanthios followed the other boys up to the dorms and was happy to see he’d be sharing a room with Blaise. They had a pretty nice setup. They each had a large black four poster bed, a desk and an armoire. There was even a built-in fireplace and a door off to the side led to their shared bathroom. He and Blaise resized their trunks and began to unpack. After showering they laid in bed trying to imagine what classes would be like.
“It sucks that the 1st was on a Sunday” Blaise complained as he pulled the covers higher.
“Yeah but hopefully the first week goes by fast”
“Hopefully… Good night Tesero” Blaise yawned as he turned off the lights.
“Good night” Melanthios muttered as he closed his eyes and dozed off.
***
Meanwhile, in the Headmaster’s office, Dumbledore was not in a good mood. Neither of his weapons were behaving the way he’d planned and if not taken care of quickly it would become an issue. It was completely unacceptable. He had done way too much to turn back now. Albus refused to let his plans be ruined.
As he paced his office he tried to think of how to fix things. Apparently, the muggles he placed Harry with had acted more ruthless than he expected. Causing the boy to run away and end up staying in Diagon Alley. Initially Albus had only seen this as a minor hiccup to his plans. He had already sent Hagrid with Hermione to get the stone but could arrange for the Weasley’s to intercept and befriend him.
The fact that he ran into the Longbottoms first instead of the Weasley’s was just plain unfortunate. Augusta was not someone to be trifled with. Once she made a decision it was final. So when he had gotten the letter from her in the beginning of August, stating that Harry would be spending the last 2 weeks with them he couldn’t dispute it. Dowager Longbottom could rightfully claim custody of the boy since her daughter-in-law was his godmother. He just didn’t realize how detrimental to his plans the two boys meeting up would be.
At the sorting ceremony both boys looked extremely different, meaning that his glamours had been wiped. And instead of both boys being in Gryffindor, Neville was in Hufflepuff and Harry was in Slytherin. What unsettled Albus the most though, was that they both insisted on being called by new names. Claiming that there was no Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom.
Dumbledore shook his head. Why couldn't they have just stayed ignorant of their true heritage? It would have made things so much easier. Oh well, he couldn’t dwell on what was already done. If he couldn’t restrengthen the memory blocks like he planned, the boys would just have to be manipulated and controlled.
***
The first week of classes went pretty smoothly all things considered. Sure he had to deal with a few idiots gawking and whispering every time he walked through the halls but he could handle it.
According to the schedules that Snape had handed out, their classes were set up so that every house shared 2 classes together with most meeting biweekly.
On Monday and Wednesday Slytherin had Charms and Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws. Melanthios enjoyed the classes, just not the company. Blaise had been right in his first assessment of Granger.
In Transfiguration, professor McGonagall had the class try to turn a match into a needle. Since Granger was praised for being the first to make any kind of difference she took that to mean she was better than everyone else. Then during Charms, whenever professor Flitwick asked the class questions she would wave her hand around in the air and give the answer without being called on.
“Finally!” Draco groaned as they were packing up after class “I swear I was about to hex her mouth shut”
“I hope it’s not like this all year. I actually like Charms and Transfiguration” Blaise sighed as they left.
On the way back to their dorms Granger decided to approach them. Her face set in a fierce glare.
“Do you need something?” Melanthios asked with a raised brow.
"You don’t belong in Slytherin Harry!” She accused “You need to be resorted immediately!"
Melanthios tilted his head and stared at her. "Who's Harry?" He asked in fake confusion "I’m pretty sure my name is Melanthios."
He heard Draco and Blaise snickering behind him. Granger’s face turned red either in rage or embarrassment he wasn’t sure.
“Try not to test my limits, Granger. It’s bad for your health” he smirked as they walked off.
Tuesdays and Thursdays they shared Potions and Herbology with Hufflepuff. Those were admittedly his favorite days. Mostly because he got to spend it with his brother.
Herbology was held out in the greenhouse with Professor Sprout. She taught them how to take care of all the different types of plants, magical and non-magical. She also explained how each plant could be useful. They spent their first two classes tending to non-magical plants.
“I forgot you could do that,” Melanthios whispered as he watched a narcissus flower sprout up from the soil of Chrysanthos’ pot.
His brother smiled and stroked the petals lovingly. “I always did love being in the garden.”
Blaise looked over Melanthios’ shoulder at the fully bloomed flower and back at his tiny sprouts. “How did yours grow so fast?!”
Chrysanthos shrugged, “plants just like me.”
Melanthios hummed, a thoughtful look on his face. “I think he got it from mother… I kind of remember her being good with flowers”
“A gift you clearly didn’t seem to get” Blaise joked as he pointedly looked at Melanthios’ empty pot.
Chrysanthos laughed as a blush stained his brother’s cheeks.
“Shush up you! I can do plenty of other things!” He huffed as they began to pack up.
“Well then, I look forward to seeing them Bello” he winked as he quickly walked out of the greenhouse, Melanthios running after him a moment later.
“Those two are sickening,” Draco muttered as he walked over to Chrysanthos. He stopped and looked at the flowers that had bloomed. “We should pair up for the next class,” he said.
Chrysanthos chuckled. “Sure but only if you pair up with me for potions. Everyone already knows Snape favors his house and a little birdie told me he’s especially partial to his godson”
Draco huffed but nodded in agreement. “I suppose that’s fair” he held out his hand.
“Great it’s a deal” they shook hands and left the greenhouse together.
The potions class was held in the dungeons. And just as everyone warned Snape did his best to intimidate the first years. The very first class he zeroed in on the Hufflepuffs for an impromptu pop quiz.
“Longbottom!” He called out suddenly “where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
Chrysanthos stared at him “my name is Khthonios sir and I’m sorry but I don’t know”
Snape sneered. “Maybe open up the book before coming to class, Longbottom. Let’s try again. What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
He sighed and shook his head. “Again sir it’s Khthonios, and I didn’t read that far so I’m unsure”
Behind him he could hear Blaise trying to calm his brother down.
“Tut tut Mr Longbottom. I’ll give you one last chance. What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
Chrysanthos smiled. “Nothing sir. They’re the same plant. It can also be called aconite. And my name is Khthonios”
Snape glared at him for a moment before spinning back around and walking over to his desk.
“For your information” he snapped “asphodel and wormwood make a powerful sleeping potion known as the Draught of the Living Death. And a bezoar is a stone from a goat’s stomach. It can neutralize most poisons.”
For the rest of the lesson he had them begin working on a simple boil cure potion. Draco made sure to help Chrysanthos with the brewing. When the lesson ended everyone rushed to leave but Melanthios stayed behind.
“Go ahead, I'll meet you guys at dinner. I just want to have a quick chat with Professor Snape about the lesson” he told his brother with a calm smile.
Chrysanthos looked unsure but followed Blaise and Draco out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“What do you want Potter? I don’t have time for idle chit chat” Snape snarked
Melanthios’ smirk as he walked up to Snape’s desk was full of viciousness.
“I’m giving you a single warning” he said in a cold calm voice “from now on you will treat my brother and I with proper respect”
Snape sneered, “or what?”
“Or I’ll make you regret it” he whispered darkly, his eyes flashing with danger.
Snape jumped up. “You dare threaten me?!?” He demanded
Melanthios let out a cold dark laugh. “Oh it’s not a threat professor” he said with a deadly smile “it’s a promise”
“Just who do you think you-“ Snape gasped and collapsed into his chair. It felt as though the gravity had quadrupled and all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room.
“I am Melanthios Khthonios and it would be wise for you not to cross me. I hold more power than you could imagine” he said dangerously as he leaned forward on the desk to stare at his professor “do we have an understanding?”
Snape nodded. He couldn’t breathe. It felt as though he would pass out any second.
“Wonderful!” Melanthios smiled cheerfully, and just like that everything returned to normal “glad we had this chat! See ya later professor” he waved goodbye and left the room. Snape stared after him as he caught his breath. He'd have to speak with Albus.
Fridays seemed like a double edged sword. Not only were the classes shared with Gryffindor but History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts were both dreadful.
History was taught by a ghost and while at first he thought that was pretty cool he soon realized that professor Binns just droned on and on about dates and names. Within the first hour Draco had fallen asleep on the table and Blaise was nodding off on his shoulder. So after setting up his quick notes quill, he spent the time playing hangman with Kalli who was coiled around his wrist in the form of a small garden snake.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was the class most students were looking forward to but it turned out to be a total joke. Professor Quirrell was an odd man. He had a terrible stutter and his classroom smelled strongly of garlic. When the students asked why he said it was to ward off a vampire he’d met that was obsessed with him.
After class they headed to drop their bags off in the dorms. As they walked, Melanthios listened to Blaise complain about their classes.
“I mean I could have just stayed in bed and studied from the books” he whined
“Honestly if it wasn’t for the smell, DADA wouldn’t have been too bad” Melanthios grimaced. He hoped the house elves would be able to get the smell from his robes.
A scoff sounded from beside them and the two boys looked over in surprise at the usually aloof Theodore Nott.
He was a slender boy with pale skin and black hair which he kept tied back in a low ponytail. His reddish brown eyes were narrowed as his face set into a scowl.
“Garlic doesn’t even repel vampires. That’s just a dumb muggle myth” he spat.
“You’d know wouldn’t you?” A voice called from behind them “you filthy blood sucker”
Theo froze, his face becoming a blank mask. “What did you just say?” He asked in an emotionless voice as the group turned around.
Behind them stood a smug looking Ron Weasley with a group of sniggering Gryffindors.
Ron ignored him and turned his attention to Melanthios “I’d be careful if I were you, Harry. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort” he sneered “You hang around with monsters like Nott and Zabini, and it’ll rub off on you.”
Melanthios felt Blaise stiffen beside him as he gave a low, dangerous growl “Say that again”
Ron and his gang took a frightened step back. Melanthios placed a hand on Blaise's shoulder and pulled his friend back towards him. “It’s ok” he whispered to him before rounding on Ron.
“First off Weasley, my name is Melanthios. Not Harry. Get it right. Second, I don't need you to tell me who to be friends with. I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks. And lastly, if I ever hear you insult any of my friends again it’ll be the last thing you do” with that he grabbed both boys’ hands and left.
Once they got back to the dorms Blaise took their bags up to their room as he turned to Theo who was looking at him curiously. “Weasley is a dick. He has no right to say such things to people” he huffed.
Theo stared at him before a small smile split his lips. “While I do agree with you about Weasley, you know he wasn’t technically wrong…”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Melanthios furrowed his brows.
Theo chuckled and nodded towards Blaise who was making his way back to them. “Do you even know what he is?” He asked “what I am?”
Melanthios shrugged and smiled as Blaise took his hand. “It doesn’t really matter does it? All I care about is that he’s my friend”
And with that both boys exited the common room to head for dinner, leaving Theo standing there with a contemplative look on his face.