The Arrival
By the time his mother was in his room to get him up, Ezekiel was pacing the room with his school robes and Doc Martens already on.
“You okay, Bubs?” Amaranth asked, making Ezekiel jump and stop his pacing.
“Uh, I guess so. I ‘ad questions for you las’ nigh’, but I don’ remember ‘em,” he muttered, his voice just above a whisper, and brought a hand to his face. Ezekiel felt utterly ashamed of his horrid memory; he should be able to remember what he wanted to say just the night before.
“Was it about how to get to school,” Amaranth suggested, remembering back to all of the questions she had asked her parents.
“No. It was somethin’ abou’, like, supplies, I reckon,” Ezekiel scratched his chin and closed his eyes tight. He searched his brain for something, anything , that could lead to his questions. He knew he had packed all that was on the supply list, as well as some extra clothes. Was there something about what he had to pack that he wondered about?
“Oh! I got it!” Ezekiel exclaimed. “Am I allowed to bring my guitar or record player?”
“Well, I know I certainly brought my record player to Hogwarts, but I don’t know about the guitar. I would wait and see first.”
“Orright, thank you,” Ezekiel hugged his mother tightly. They stayed like this for a while, Amaranth clearly saddened that she wouldn’t see her son until July.
“Alright, on you go!” she fretted and tapped Ezekiel’s head, releasing him, “You mustn’t be late for the train.”
“I’m already early, though.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Amaranth tutted and left the room leaving Ezekiel to plod over to his record player and place it gently in his trunk, along with a few of his favorite records. He checked the clock.
6:54. I don’t know what Mother was on about, Ezekiel rolled his eyes, I’m bloody earlier than I’ll ever be. Nevertheless, Ezekiel trudged to the kitchen to get some food.
“Mornin’ Bubs,” Cyrium called. He was currently rummaging through several cabinets.
“Mornin’.”
“What would you like fer breakfast, eh?” Ezekiel’s father asked, glancing back at his son.
“I ‘on’t know. Somethin’ edible, I’m thinkin’.”
“Oh, har har,” Cyrium faked a laugh, “How ‘bout some toast, apples, and peanut butter? You seem tuh like that.”
“How very observan’t of you,” Ezekiel smirked. It was apparent to the small family that Ezekiel basically only ate apples and peanut butter, and only sometimes toast. His father, albeit slowly, fixed Ezekiel apples with peanut butter and toast.
Ezekiel plopped himself down at the small, four-chaired table that was sat in the middle of the kitchen. He slowly looked over to the seemingly extra chair then quickly looked at the table in front of him. Ezekiel’s hands found their way together, his right hand scratching his left, without him even realizing. By the time he realized, Cyrium was setting down a plate filled with Ezekiel’s breakfast.
“Alright, ‘ere you go.”
“Oh, uhm, thank you,” Ezekiel muttered before grabbing an apple slice and eating it. He slowly ate his breakfast, he didn’t truly need to hurry, and by the time he finished it was already 7:05.
“When would you boys like to leave for King’s Cross? It’s a bit of a ride there,” Amaranth came in the kitchen and quickly kissed her husband.
“We can go now if you want. I don’ mind.”
“Okay, load up the car.”
***
Amaranth and Cyrium loaded a trolley up with all of Ezekiel’s school supplies, and Celadon was perched on Ezekiel’s shoulder.
“That’s the whole lot of it,” Cyrium declared with a nod. He wheeled the trolley over to the wall that was labeled platforms 9 and 10.
“Okay, what you want to do is,” Amaranth instructed, “go at a good pace directly into the wall and you’ll pass over. We will be following you shortly.”
“I have to walk into a wall?”
“If you’re nervous, a run might be best.” Ezekiel sighed, not believing he was about to walk head-on into a wall. He decided to trust his parents and set off towards the brick wall, closing his eyes. Ezekiel braced himself for the impact that never came.
Ezekiel felt a weirdness come over him as he opened his eyes to see a platform of a few children—young and old—hugging their parents goodbye.
“Oh, good. You seem to have made it over fine,” his mother said as she entered the platform.
“The train leaves at ‘leven, yeh?” Cyrium asked as he came past.
“Yes, it does,” Amaranth responded, “Oh, bloody—! It’s already half past eight, hurry and get on the train now!”
“If it leaves at ‘leven, why do I have to hurry?”
“So you can get a good seat!” Ezekiel’s mother responded, rubbing her eyes furiously. Ezekiel knew she only half meant what she said; Amaranth wasn’t one to cry very often.
“Oh! One more thing, Bubs,” Cyrium cut through the silence, “If you want to sit alone, sit ‘wards the back ‘cause less people will make it that far without findin’ a seat.”
“Orright, thank you.” Ezekiel mentally made a plan for what he was going to do.
“Off you go now!” Ezekiel and his parents hugged, Cyrium squeezing harder than needed, before he set off to find a seat.
There weren’t many people on or around the train and, much to Ezekiel’s liking, the last compartment was empty. He threw his trunk up on the racks and flopped down in seat. Celadon jumped elegantly from his perch and curled up in Ezekiel’s lap. Ezekiel petted his cat softly.
He found himself looking out of the window to see children getting hugged by their emotional parents. That’s when he saw it. Well, him actually. He was a well-put together boy with long black hair that was slightly curled at the ends. The boy had a strong facial structure, though he looked the same age as Ezekiel. He was currently getting fussed over by his stern-looking mother.
I’ll have some fun with this . Ezekiel thought and made a face at the boy through the window. It was obvious the boy was looking Ezekiel’s way, and he tried very hard to not laugh. When his mother moved from right in front of him, the boy made a face back at Ezekiel. The two shared a laugh before the boy’s mother went back to smoothing down his clothes.
Meet me here , Ezekiel mouthed to the boy, which earned him a nod.
Eventually he got bored and carefully moved Celadon off of his lap to get out one of his books. Ezekiel read and checked his watch several times.
It’s only nine. Two more hours of sitting with Celadon, and maybe that kid. Ezekiel thought, smiling to himself.
As always, Ezekiel’s luck is horrid. The compartment door slid open to reveal a small and stout boy, probably of the same age as Ezekiel, with tawny hair. They were quite fidgety.
“Ah, u—uhm, excuse me, may I sit here?” the person asked. They sounded a bit posh, to which Ezekiel made note of. “My friend isn’t here yet, honestly I believe he’s—he’s going to be late. If—if not that’s fine.”
Eh, why not? They seem harmless. Ezekiel shrugged and gestured to the empty seat across from him. The person muttered a ‘thank you’ and sat down, hurriedly putting their luggage on the rack.
“I’m Peter. Peter Pettigrew. It’s nice to meet you,” they introduced themself and extended a hand.
Pettigrew, eh? Makes sense. Ezekiel placed his hand in the other’s and shook it once.
“Ezekiel Eldritch. ‘Nd the same goes t’ you.”
“Eldritch? Are you related to Amaranth Eldritch?”
“I should ‘ope so, she’s my mother.”
“Sorry, did that come off as rude? I wasn’t trying to be, honest. It’s just that my mum talks about her a lot…” Pettigrew went on.
“Hah, i’s alright. Plus, I know loads about your family,” Ezekiel smirked.
“Wait, what do you mean?” the other boy looked concerned.
“I’ve read up on a bunch of pure-blood families, just for the ‘ell of it, and the Pettigrews were one of ‘em.”
“Oh! Then, do you know about the Potters?” when Ezekiel nodded, he continued, “Their son is my friend, the one who’ll be joining us. Is that alright?”
“As long as you’re fine with another kid sittin’ with us; I ‘ad motioned to ‘em that they could sit with me before you got in.”
“Ah, uhm, that’s fine. Do you know who?” Ezekiel shook his head and sat his book down, now coming to the conclusion that he wouldn’t get much reading done. Celadon hopped up in his lap and curled up, purring when Ezekiel pet him.
“Oh! Are you allergic to cats? I sure ‘ope not…” Ezekiel muttered. Upon seeing Peter shake his head no, Ezekiel plopped Celadon in the other’s lap.
“Uh—.”
“Hold ‘im for me, would’you? I’ve got to get sumthin’.” Ezekiel stood up and rummaged through his trunk and brought out a dainty coin purse, a small “aha!” escaping his mouth.
“What? What is it?”
“The snack trolley ‘ill be ‘ere soon, so I figured I’d get my money out.”
“How do you know the trolley will be here soon?”
“Intuition,” Ezekiel winked at the boy and took his cat back. Just as he had sat down, the door slid open to reveal a woman standing with a cart filled with different snacks and treats.
“Anything from the trolley, dears?”
“Oh, yes please.” Ezekiel stood once again and grabbed a handful of chocolate frogs, his favorite, and paid. Peter grabbed a few pumpkin pastries and licorice wands. The trolley-lady and her trolley left the two boys alone to eat in silence. That’s when the compartment door slid open again, making Pettigrew look hopeful for a second before he went back to frowning.
The person at the door was the one Ezekiel had seen on the platform. They were currently staring intently at Ezekiel.
“You prick!” they yelled, though they were smiling. “You almost made me laugh in front of my mother!” Ezekiel only shrugged.
“Not my problem, is it?”
“Hah, no I suppose not,” the other sat down next to Ezekiel and held out a hand.
“Sirius Black, if you couldn’t tell,” they said, raising a pointed eyebrow at Celadon.
“Ezekiel Eldritch.” he took the boy’s hand.
No wonder he sounds somewhat French but still posh. Ezekiel smiled slightly and released Black’s hand.
“Eldritch, huh? My mother would hate you… Would you like to be friends?” Sirius proposed, looking dead-serious. Ezekiel burst out laughing and only managed to get out a few intelligent words.
“You—haha—you—mother hate me—ha—sure man!”
“What’s so funny?” Sirius asked, leaning away from Ezekiel. Ezekiel took a few breaths from his inhaler before he was able to calm down.
“I’ve never heard someone go from saying their mother would hate me to whether I’d be their friend or not,” he smiled a genuine smile, it even reached his eyes.
“Well, excuse me your majesty” Sirius bowed the best he could while sitting. “I’m so sorry I happen to say something of the sort.”
“You’re good at that, y’know.”
“Good at what?”
“Pretending to be sorry…” For a moment, only for a moment, Sirius looked frightened of something before his face returned to a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
“Really? Thank you, I’m sure my talent will come in handy at some point.” Ezekiel’s response was a simple hum, before he looked back over at Peter.
“Peter incase you didn’ hear, this is Sirius. And Sirius, this is Peter.”
“It’s—ah—nice to meet you. I—uhm—hope you aren’t upset that I’m sitting here too,” Pettigrew mumbled, more to himself than anything.
“Likewise and no, it’s not a problem you’re sitting here.” They were so focused on the conversation that they didn’t even hear the door being thrown open.
“Peter! There you are, man! I’ve been looking everywhere!” it was a kid Ezekiel had never seen before but had extremely messy hair and glasses just as round as his own.
“Ah! James, hello. I’m sorry…This compartment was the only empty one.”
“Who’re they,” the kid, James, gestured to Ezekiel and Sirius with his free hand as he lifted his trunk with the other.
“This is Ezekiel Eldritch and Sirius Black. They’re quite nice, but if you want to leave we can…” James shook hands with the two other boys and sat down next to Peter.
“Nah. I mean, I know about Black but I’ve no clue who Eldritch is. Where’re you from?”
“St Andrews, an old town in Scotland. Won’t give you my address jus’ yet, though,” he winked at the end making Sirius burst out in laughter.
“Well, at least you’ve got a sense of humour,” James smiled as Black calmed down.
The train gave a small lurch, and they were suddenly off on their journey to Hogwarts. They chatted and snacked all through the train ride. Ezekiel was mostly looking out of the window at the vast plains and beautiful lakes. Sirius and James quickly became friends and talked about quidditch the entire time, Peter desperately trying to join in on the conversation and nodded along when appropriate. It was a loud ride for Ezekiel and he eventually got a headache, but he found himself smiling at the end of it.
***
“Alrigh’ firs’ year, follow me!” a rather large man called and guided all of the first years to the edge of a dark lake with choppy waves.
“Who is this guy?” Sirius whispered to James.
“He’s Hagrid the Keeper of Keys and Grounds Master here,” James whispered back but still loud enough for everyone in their small group to hear.
“Four students to a boat, please!” Hagrid yelled over the loud bustling of older students getting on carriages being pulled by black, eerie horses.
“Wha’s up with those horses?” Ezekiel gestured to where they stood.
“What horses? I don’t see any horses.” Ezekiel stared at the creatures a little longer before shrugging.
“Thought I saw horses…”
“Anyway, we need to find an empty boat,” James said, taking the lead in their search for a vacant boat. Unfortunately, all of them had been taken.
“Get in with that kid,” Ezekiel pointed to a boat with only one person sitting in it, “I’ll find myself a boat.”
“Are you sure?” Potter asked and looked over at the mostly empty boat. Eldritch smiled and nodded. He watched the other three walk off and get on the boat. He glanced around and found a boat with a red-headed girl and a slimy looking boy with greasy black hair.
“Can I hop in with you? There’s no other boats…” Ezekiel asked, waiting for an answer.
“Oh! Sure you can!” the girl responded, looking eager to talk. “I’m Lily Evans!”
“Wait…Evans?”
“Yes, is that a—Oh my goodness, Zeek!” Lily tackled Ezekiel, making the boat rock violently.
“Lily! Calm down…And, who are you?” the greasy boy drawled, glaring at Ezekiel.
“Ah, I’m, uhm, Ezekiel Eldritch. Lily is my cousin,” he patted her back as the two sat up.
“Sorry, Sev! I should’ve told you about Zeek before jumping on him,” Evans laughed and sat back down next to “Sev.”
“It’s okay, Lily.” the boy softened his gaze when he looked at her, though it immediately went cold when he looked back at Ezekiel.
“Oh, right. Zeek, this is my friend, Severus Snape. He lives on the same road as me,” Lily babbled.
“Pleasure,” Snape sneered and held out his hand. Ezekiel took his hand and gave a small shake.
“Likewise.”
“Alrigh’! Off we go!” Hagrid cut into the silence that had fallen over everything. The waves continuously shook the boats the first year students were in.
“I think I’m going to be sick…” Lily uttered and hung her head off the side of the boat. Snape immediately went to rub her back and whisper soothing words to her.
She thinks she’s going to be sick? She should try watching Greaseball over there . Eldritch groaned and searched the other boats for his friends.
When he found them, he waved at them until they could see him. Ezekiel pointed over at the two others in the boat and stuck his tongue out, which ended in his friend’s boat rocking with their laughter.
***
The first year students huddled together in a giant hallway, voices hollering in a room nearby. The students whispered amongst themselves about what was about to happen.
“Quieten down, please! First years!” a which with dark brown hair that was pulled into a bun, much like Ezekiel’s was, came waltzing in.
“Welcome to Hogwarts. I am your Professor McGonagall,” she tutted, “The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.
“The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
“The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.” She walked into the Great Hall and the students immediately began whispering again.
“A test?” Peter groaned.
“It’s like a mental test to see what house you’re in, though most of the time it’s the same as the rest of your family,” James explained to everyone.
“Oh no…” Black mumbled. “I’m going to be stuck in Slytherin with the rest of my awful family.” Ezekiel brought his hand to rest on his shoulder to comfort him.
“If it’s a mental test,” he started, “jus’ have a better mentality than the rest of ‘em. Think positive about the house you want, y’know?” Sirius nodded and took big breaths, conjuring up a small smirk.
“Eldritch, I’ve a question for you,” Potter said suddenly. Ezekiel nodded in response. “Are you a muggle-born? If not, what house were your parents in? Or parent?”
“I’m half-half but my mother won’t tell me ‘til I get sorted so I won’t feel bad if I get a diff’rent house than her.”
“That’s nice of her…” Pettigrew smiled.
“What house are you going for, Sirius?” Ezekiel turned to the panicked boy, who looked up with watery eyes.
“Gryffindor, definitely. My mother would kill me, it’s perfect.”
“Same! My whole family’s been in Gryffindor, so there’s no way I’m something else!” James exclaimed while Peter nodded along.
“Then, that’s what I’ll go for,” Ezekiel smiled, though it was more to himself.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll go for Gryffindor so we won’t be separa’ed.” The four of them shared a laugh when Professor McGonagall came back in.
“Alright, just this way please. Single file line!” The students stumbled into a big room with hundreds of other students sitting at tables, their chatter stopping as they came in.
“When I call your name, you will come up, sit on the stool, and put on the Sorting Hat.” she cleared her throat, “Black, Sirius!” He hesitated for a moment, and Ezekiel decided to take advantage of that small moment.
“Hey, it’s fine. Your house doesn’t define you, you are not like them. Be brave and think of Gryffindor,” Ezekiel grabbed his shoulder and squeezed slightly. Sirius nodded and slinked his way up to the stool.
The hat’s brim went past his eyes and to his nose. All was quiet, the hat was apparently thinking hard on where to put him. Ezekiel could see Black’s lips moving but heard no sound come out of them.
“Gryffindor!” the Sorting Hat bellowed and Sirius yanked it off and ran to the clapping and whooping Gryffindor table. He looked back at where the others were standing and gave a big smile and a thumbs up.
“Eldritch, Ezekiel!” He sighed and made his way up to the stool. He put the Sorting Hat on and let his eyes adjust to the darkness that now surrounded him.
Eldritch, hmmm? I remember your mother being sorted like it was yesterday. Do you know what house she was in?
“You can speak…” Ezekiel muttered. “But, no. She didn’ tell me.”
Shame. You wouldn’t do too bad in her house, but I don’t think that’s what you want.
“Put me in Gryffindor,” Ezekiel demanded.
Hmmm. That is an option. You’re quite headstrong, aren’t you? the Sorting Hat laughed at itself.
“I suppose… But please. Put me in Gryffindor.”
Why Gryffindor specifically? You’d do just as well in any other house.
“I don’ want to be left behind again. I don’ want to leave them behind.”
I’m unsure.
“Please!”
Well then. Must be—
“Gryffindor!” Ezekiel jumped up from the seat and rushed to Sirius, who was hollering the loudest out of the rest of the students. The two hugged briefly before they settled down again and waited for the next person to be called.
“Evans, Lily!” Professor McGonagall called. Evans hugged Snape tightly and all but ran up to the Sorting Hat. Ezekiel watched as she furiously whispered with the Hat.
“Doesn’ seem to be goin’ well for ‘er, does it?” Eldritch whispered to Sirius who shook his head. Lily herself was looking worried and unhappy with what the Hat was saying to her. Finally, the Sorting Hat seemed to smile.
“Gryffindor!” Lily looked scared as she glanced over at Snape before sitting down across from Ezekiel and Sirius.
“Hey, Lily. You alright?” Eldritch reached his hand out to take hers. She placed her hand in his and squeezed.
“Yeah…” she smiled weakly. Black raised his eyebrow at the two of them but said nothing.
“Fortescue, Alice!” A girl with waist length hair went up and placed the Sorting Hat on her head. She kicked her feet as she sat and waited for her house to be decided.
It’s like she already knows where she’s going. Ezekiel hummed.
“Gryffindor!” Fortescue took off the hat and made her way over to the loudest table, sitting next to Lily.
“Lockhart, Gilderoy!” A boy with blond hair sauntered up to the Hat. He smiled as he calmly talked with it. It certainly didn’t take long for him to be sorted.
“Ravenclaw!” Lockhart placed himself at his table and smiled widely at the fact he was the only first year over there.
“Longbottom, Frank!” A tall boy with short hair plodded his way up and sat down. He kneaded his shirt in his hands as he spoke quietly with the Sorting Hat.
“Gryffindor!” Longbottom stumbled to the Gryffindor table and sat at the end of the bench away from the rest of them, but Ezekiel managed to pat him on the back as he sat down.
“Lupin, Remus!” A boy with claw-shaped scars littering his hands and face trudged his way and plopped the Hat on his head. He didn’t quite seem to care where he was put and barely even talked to the Sorting Hat. The Sorting Hat appeared to think hard on where to put him.
Those scars . Ezekiel put a hand on his stomach, They remind me of—
“Gryffindor!” The Hat’s loud voice cut through his thoughts, making him jump at the noise. Lupin sat down next to Sirius on the side Ezekiel wasn’t occupying.
“Eldritch!” Black looked between the two, “You haven’t met Lupin, have you? He’s a nice fellow, quite funny too. He’s the one we sat with on the boats.”
“I’s nice t’meet you.” Eldritch reached across Sirius to shake Lupin’s hand.
“You too…” the boy mumbled and took the other’s hand with his own scarred one. Ezekiel’s eyes lingered on the scars before turning to watch the rest of the sorting.
“Macdonald, Mary!” A short girl sat on the stool and nervously whispered to the Hat. She seemed somewhat on-edge and played with the hem of her skirt. The sorting for her took a while, small mutters escaping her lips slowly.
“Gryffindor!” The girl jumped at the outburst and slowly sat down next to Lily.
“She’s pretty,” Sirius whispered to Ezekiel, his voice hidden under the yelling and clapping of the students. Ezekiel looked at Mary again, more carefully this time, and took in the small details of her hair and eyes.
“I guess.” The clapping stopped and things were quiet again.
“McKinnon, Marlene!” The girl sat and waited, patiently speaking with the Sorting Hat.
“Gryffindor!” McKinnon stood and sat next to Mary, immediately starting a conversation with her.
That didn’t take as long as some, at least. Eldritch sighed and slouched further into his seat.
“Meadowes, Dorcas!” A tall girl strode up to the Hat and gently sat down, her long hair fanning out behind her. She smiled softly as she spoke with the Sorting Hat. Ezekiel sat up a little and peered at her hair.
It’s curly, he thought and went back to slouching.
“Gryffindor!” Meadowes strutted over to where McKinnon was sitting and joined in on the conversation.
“This is gettin’ borin’, eh?” Ezekiel inclined his head backwards to Sirius.
“It’s alright. I’ve sat through longer ceremonies,” he said back. Ezekiel noticed a small darkness to his voice but didn’t mention it.
“Pettigrew, Peter!” Peter audibly squeaked and tripped as he was walking to the Hat. He fidgeted and rambled to the Sorting Hat and bit his nails nervously. His leg bounced slightly as the wait stretched on for several minutes. Small whispers broke out from other tables.
“Come on Pete! You’ve got this!” Black whispered excitedly, not even seeming to notice how long it was taking.
“Gryffindor!” Pettigrew squeaked again as he ran over to the table. He hurried to sit down and let out a sigh of relief.
“That hat was taking forever,” he complained, “Saying things like I’d be good in Slytherin or Hufflepuff, but I kept repeating for it to put me in Gryffindor.”
“Atta boy, Petey!” Ezekiel hugged him, making Peter throw his hands up in a weak attempt to stop him.
“Potter, James!” As James made his way to the Hat, Sirius jumped up and threw up his hands.
“You got this, James!” he yelled, disturbing the ceremonial quietness that had been there throughout the sorting. James laughed and waved at him as he plopped the Hat on his head. The Sorting Hat didn’t even need to think about its decision.
“Gryffindor!” Potter threw the Hat off and jumped onto Peter, Ezekiel, James, and Remus. The boys laughed and each took their own turn to congratulate each other.
“You are so loud!” Lily whisper-yelled at them and motioned over to where the line was, “Sev still has to be sorted!”
“Who’s Sev?” James squinted over at the last person.
“Some greaseball that she seems t’ have taken a likin’ to in the time tha’ I wasn’ around,” Ezekiel muttered to him. James laughs and settles down, still smiling.
“Snape, Severus!” The greasy boy glared over at the Gryffindor table before walking up to the Sorting Hat. He placed it on his head and mumbled angrily.
“Slytherin!” Lily whimpered as Snape sat down next to some Slytherin boy.
“Ugh, he’s sitting next to Lucius. He’s a right prick, you know,” Sirius groaned and plunked his head on the table.
“Attention, please!” the Headmaster called out, his airy voice somehow loud enough for everyone to hear. “The feast will begin momentarily, but for now I will like to share with you my rambles. We have fine young wizards and witches that have joined us today. I do not doubt that you all will become wonderful and powerful wizards and witches. I wish you all will have a good year.”
I must warn you, though, of the willow tree that has now been planted. It likes to cause quite a ruckus. No one is permitted to go near the tree. If one does go near it, expulsion or great consequences will be enabled. With that, let the feast commence!” Food appeared on the table. Students immediately began digging in.
“Eldritch, why aren’t you eating anything?” Potter questioned, his mouth full of food.
“Jus’ not hungry, I guess,” he shrugged and picked at the ham with his fork.
“You’ve got to eat something, even if it’s an apple!” Ezekiel caved and took a bite of the ham. It was wonderful. He tenderly took another bite and melted as the food touched his tongue. Ezekiel only ate what was put on his plate and chatted while the others ate.
“Are you really related to Amaranth?” Mary asked excitedly.
“Mhmm. How d’you know her?”
“I’m almost certain that my dad went to camp with her! Has your mum ever mentioned Magnus Macdonald?”
“I think so. She likes to talk abou’ ‘er past a lot.” The small talk went on but, no matter who it was with, Ezekiel felt small and alone. He sat in silence for the most part, only speaking when spoken to.
Ezekiel’s mind drifted off to when his sister was still around. He didn’t like when he thought back to those times; it made him feel guilty. Like he could’ve done something differently and he could’ve saved her. But he didn’t.
The food was now gone, as well as the plates, and Dumbledore stood once again.
“Now that our bellies are full and we are tired, let us rest easy. I wish you all a good night. Please follow your prefects to your common rooms.”
“Alright, follow me. Keep together! Hurry please!” the prefect called and led the way to the Gryffindor common room.
***
“Alright,” the first years were now alone with the prefect, the other students already went to bed. “To the left are the girl’s dorms and to the right are the boy’s dorms. You are going to be sharing a dorm with one another, so I’d suggest you get along and don’t start any fights. Since we’re on the topic of sharing dorms, one of the boys will have to have a dorm of their own; there aren’t enough beds in one room for all five of you. Does anyone volunteer?” Ezekiel raised his hand quickly. James turned to him.
“Are you sure? One of us can—.”
“No, I’ll do it. You guys can dorm together. Plus, I don’ mind bein’ alone.”
“That settles things. You will have to move your things into an empty dorm and print your name on the plaque.” With that, the prefect left and went to their dorm. The boys and girls said goodnight to one another and set off to bed. Sirius helped move Ezekiel’s things into his dorm and said goodnight one last time before the both of them went to bed.
Ah, wait. I said I'd write to Mother and Father. Eldritch hopped off of his bed and went to the small table that occupied one of the corners.
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Dear Mother and Father,
I am writing to you from the darkness of my room. I have been sorted into Gryffindor… what a loud bunch they are. I’ve made a few friends. One of them, Mary Macdonald, says you know her father. Is this true? I lied and said I’ve heard you talk about him.
Celadon is doing well, I think. Though, I am unsure if he likes the dorm. Speaking of which, I have a dorm to myself. Apparently, the dorms can only fit four beds and I nominated myself to dorm alone. I like it here.
Love,
Ezekiel Eldritch.
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