River Flows

“Well, Mr. Black? What do you have for us?” Minister Bones asked. But Black didn’t respond. He was too busy glaring at Sirius. His brother didn’t seem to have much of a problem with that though. Sirius was glaring right back.

“What are they doing here?” Black snapped, pointing a sneer at Sirius, James, and Remus. James sighed, looking irritated. 

“They’re here, Mr. Black, because they’re the only two people on Earth other than Dumbledore himself that are aware of how to pass your illusions and as we aren’t in the high security prison that we last met with you in, I don’t trust you not to misbehave,” Minister Bones snapped. He only got a scoff in return. 

Rolling his eyes, Minister Bones continued on. “I’m not about to deal with temper tantrums worthy of toddlers from a bunch of thirty-years-old men so if you’d please get over yourselves,” he aimed a glare at the Aurors behind him then at Black, “I’d like to get this information before Riddle makes his next move. Inside sources have told me that he’s gaining a following within Azkaban so we might have to move him; something I don’t want to risk again. He nearly escaped the first time.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know something about that, would you, Reg?” Sirius drawled, quirking a brow at his brother. Black clenched his jaw, eye twitching. 

“Enough, Sirius,” James warned, placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. Almost immediately, Sirius backed off but a snarl still formed on his lips.

“You really are just like a dog, aren’t you, Siri?” Black mocked, casting a disdaining eye on James’ hand on Sirius’ shoulder. To James’ credit, his hand never moved from its spot, didn’t even twitch. 

“Relax, Black,” Frank said quietly. He didn’t turn from where he stood, staring intently at the prisoner in front of him. “They’re only here on defence. None will attack unless you do first.”

“I already knew that, Longbottom,” Black snapped, though he still looked tense enough to crack. “They’re all Gryffindor, for Merlin’s sake. Being sanctimonious idiots is a requirement for them.”

“Learn that word from the Dementors, did you?” Sirius mocked.

“Piss off, Sirius,” Black snapped.

“Will you two quit it?” Minister Bones interrupted, looking at the end of his rope. “We’re here for information, not for you to let out all your little grudges against each other as if all of that didn’t happen nearly a decade ago.”

James, still gripped Sirius’ shoulder, muttered something in his ear. Sirius calmed instantly. Black scoffed but didn’t say anything when Frank glared pointedly at him. 

Finally, everyone settled and Minister Bones straightened. “Now, Mr. Black. Would you like to begin?”

With a nod, Black said, “He had a fail safe in place in case his plans failed; a lackey of sorts. If my memory serves correctly, it was an enchanted object. I’m… not sure the specifics on it.”

“A lackey that was an enchanted object?” Sirius repeated dubiously. Black glared at him.

“It was some sort of lackey, alright?” snapped Black, “I don’t know if the lackey was the enchanted object, the lackey was in the enchanted object, or if the enchanted object made the lackey or some other absurd combination—”

“Okay, it was a lackey! Get to the point,” Remus interrupted, exasperated.

“He had some sort of plan to get the Philosopher’s Stone. If what he used to preach to us is true, he’s already immortal though so I don’t know why this is something he sees as important or useful to him though,” Black added. 

“The Philosopher’s Stone,” Minister Bones muttered thoughtfully, “Auror Black, you have the most normal looking Patronus. Send it out to give a message to both Dumbledore and Flamel that Riddle might be aiming to steal the Stone. Make sure it goes through as many Muggle or unpopulated areas as possible without too much delay.” Sirius nodded, standing up and leaving the room to go send the message.

“How do those two things connect? Do you think he wants the lackey to steal the Stone?” James asked, straightening.

“I do,” Black admitted reluctantly. “Oh, and one more thing, Minister.”

Minister Bones looked up, standing from where he leaned on the wall. “Yes?”

“The lackey — whoever it is, whatever it is — is in Hogwarts.”

“Send our most highly trained Aurors and detectives into Hogwarts. I want every person that’s been in and/or out of Hogwarts in the last two years to be reported and a list of their names on my desk by tonight,” Minister Bones ordered as people scattered in a rush to complete his requests. “Ready a Floo meeting with our border country rulers and all the other major countries worldwide to report what we have on Riddle and tell them to be on high alert. Request any aid if possible. Oh, and Auror Potter?” 

James snapped to attention, straightening to face the Minister. 

“As Head Auror and a national celebrity, I expect that you find a way to deliver the news of Mr. Regulus Black’s transfer by tonight,” Minister Bones told him with a pitying smile. James blanched slightly though he nodded, heading off to begin right away.

“I want all eyes and ears on Hogwarts,” Minister Bones announced to the crowd of Ministry employees, knowing his voice was being amplified throughout every part of the Ministry. “We’re going to find Riddle’s little lackey by Christmas if it’s the last thing I do.”

“First years! First years over here!” shouted a familiar voice over the crowd of students exiting the train. Harry’s head snapped up, anxiety swirling in his chest as his heart rate sped up. He swallowed as he spotted Hagrid, another dear friend who wouldn’t remember a single thing about him. 

All of the first years gathered up, stumbling and tripping as they made their way to the boats. Harry sat in one with Ron, Neville, and Dean Thomas. Darius and Henry waved at the four of them, going to sit down with Hermione — much to Darius’ chagrin — and Nina. 

Ron and Neville were chatting with Dean but Harry stayed quiet, preferring to admire the view of the school he considered to be his first real home, the school that had been in ruins when Harry had last seen it. 

An age-old tiredness from the seemingly endless war in his own universe seemed to still linger in his bones. The sight of Hogwarts, alive and bright, made a lump form in his throat, tears burned at his eyes. He’d missed this school. For all the melancholy being in this new universe would bring, Harry was glad to know that at the very least, he’d still have Hogwarts to fall back on.

Eventually, the students exited the boats and made their way to the grand doors of the school. As whispers broke out among the anxious first years, Hagrid knocked a close fist on the door.

Despite all the changes of this new world, Professor McGonagall seemed to be the same as she’d been in his world; a familiarity that Harry welcomed graciously. 

Harry and the other first years stood in the entrance hall, awaiting her speech. Hagrid had left just minutes before to join everyone else in the Great Hall. He looked around, taking a moment to scan the both familiar and unfamiliar faces of his new classmates. Harry noticed many old friends that he’d known from his own world: Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown and a few others were a little ways away from him. Harry took notice of Draco Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe. The three were in the back of the group. Malfoy seemed to be talking with another student — one that Harry assumed was unique to this world. Whoever he was, he wasn’t someone Harry had ever seen in his own universe.

Another girl, Nina, stood near Hermione. She too seemed very nervous and was fiddling with her fingers as the silence dragged on. Harry looked away, gulping as Professor McGonagall’s eyes scanned the crowd of students and swept over him, only to skitter back to Harry a few moments later.

Harry made a split-second decision and gave her a polite smile, ignoring the way McGonagall’s curiosity seemed to grow. He turned to listen in on Darius’ conversation with another boy next to them. A couple minutes later, he glanced at McGonagall but she’d already turned away, opening her mouth to address the first years.

“Welcome to Hogwarts, students,” she announced, gaining the attention of every first year in the room as their chatter slowed to a stop. “My name is Professor McGonagall, as Hagrid said earlier. Shortly, we’ll be entering the Great Hall for the start-of-term banquet. There, you’ll all be sorted into one of the four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. The Sorting Ceremony is a very important part of your time in Hogwarts and will determine where you’ll sleep, who you’ll attend classes with, and who you’ll be surrounded by. 

“Any triumphs in Hogwarts will earn you House points, and any misbehaving will have points deducted from your House. At the end of the year, we tally all these points and award the House with the most points with the House Cup. I expect you’ll all be valuable additions to your future House. Until the Sorting begins, you may prepare in any way you see fit. When the doors reopen, you may all enter the Great Hall and line up on the left side. Once your name is called, you’ll sit on the stool in the front to be sorted.”

Immediately after, Professor McGonagall slipped through the doors of the Great Hall, the sound of chatter momentarily growing louder until they closed again. 

Whispers broke out amongst the first years, anxiety and anticipation thick in the air. Some of the students were bouncing on the toes of their feet, loudly proclaiming things to whoever they were talking to. 

“Do you know how they sort us?” asked Dean from beside him. Darius shrugged in response.

“Don’t know,” he answered, “My parents refused to tell me, and I don’t think Ron, Henry, or Neville know. Their parents wouldn’t tell them anything either.”

Dean sighed, glancing at Harry but he too shrugged, deciding it best to act ignorant. Even so, Harry’s thoughts whirled and anticipation bubbled in his stomach. Everything seemed relatively similar to his world — other than the other children his age that existed most likely because many of their families hadn’t perished in the war of this universe. He wondered just how many more students Hogwarts would have in this universe since so many people seemed to have survived.

“Shut up, Dolohov!” shouted Ron. Harry jerked, heart spiking as he wheeled around to see Ron, Darius, and Neville glaring down at another group of boys — the one in the middle with the black hair, strong features, and ugly sneer was who Harry assumed to be Dolohov. He recognized Malfoy on Dolohov’s right but he didn’t seem to be paying attention, chatting with Theodore Nott right next to him. On the other side of his was another boy Harry didn’t recognize. He had blonde hair, pale skin, and a lofty smirk on his thin face. 

“Just pointing out the obvious, Weasley,” Dolohov scoffed, giving Ron an unimpressed look. Beside Ron, Darius bristled as if Dolohov personally offended him. Harry frowned, taking a step towards them when a hand grabbed his forearm. He turned, seeing Dean’s wide-eyed look and nudged him, silently asking for an explanation. 

“Dolohov said something about Henry,” Dean whispered, tugging Harry backwards. Harry stumbled, nearly bumping into Lavender Brown. She was standing on her tip-toes, trying to see what was going on. “Don’t know what he said but whatever it was made Darius, Ron, and Neville really angry.”

Harry twitched, clenching and unclenching his fists as he stared at the bickering boys. He didn’t think he needed to step in. None of them were pulling out their wands so he assumed that it wasn’t anything too serious. 

“That’s enough!” snapped Professor McGonagall as she strided back into the room. Almost immediately, the boys jumped back, startled. Dolohov scowled but stayed silent. Ron, Darius, and Neville all cringed, hanging their heads or diverting their eyes as she glared down at them. “We’ll be entering the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony now,” she paused, turning to give the boys one last pointed glare and said, “Behave.”

Professor McGonagall turned to face the now-opening doors of the Great Hall, the first years following behind her. Harry swallowed, taking a deep breath and following the rest of his classmates into the Great Hall as loud chatter swept over him.

The amount of students in Hogwarts this time around was definitely larger than the student body that had been in his universe. Harry still wasn’t sure what the exact reason for that was. He wasn’t quite sure how much the war had affected regular civilian lives this time. Merlin, Harry wasn’t even sure if there had even been a war or if the Ministry termed Voldemort as merely an extreme criminal with a small, cultish following. 

Harry was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Hermione whisper, “It’s bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.” Blinking, Harry looked up and smiled slightly. He’d spent years seeing the view but he never did get all that tired of seeing it. 

“Work of Rowena Ravenclaw — my mum told me,” Henry replied quietly, sharing a smile with Hermione. “Very impressive spell work.”

Smiling to himself, Harry turned to face the Sorting Hat and saw the bright curiosity on the faces of the other first years out of the corner of his eyes. A couple seconds later, a rip opened in the Hat and it began to sing its song:

“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 folk 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!”

The entire Hall burst into loud applause with some of the older students whistling and shouting out in the cheery atmosphere. Harry grinned to himself, letting the nostalgia roll through him. Things like this would never quite get old. 

“When I call your name, you will sit on the stool as the Hat is placed on your head to be sorted,” Professor McGonagall announced, “Abbott, Hannah!”

As Hannah nervously clambered up to be sorted, Harry’s stomach sunk. Had Lady Magic prepared for all this? What if his name didn’t pop up? What name would be called instead of Jameson? She’d never given him an alibi. Just dropped him in the new world and expected him to figure it out himself. 

Harry’s thoughts continued to spiral until the Hat shouted, “HUFFLEPUFF!” He forced himself to pay attention to the ceremony after that, hoping that Lady Magic would be able to keep things going.

“Avery, Adonis!” called Professor McGonagall. The boy — stout with blonde hair and blue eyes — stepped up and sat on the stool. 

“SLYTHERIN!”

Harry clenched his fists, taking breath after breath in an attempt to calm himself down. Adonis Avery stepped off the stool and made his way to the cheering Slytherin table with a proud smirk on his face.

“Black, Darius!” called Professor McGonagall, and Darius stepped up, sharing a smile with Henry and nodding to Harry before sitting on the stool. It took a minute… then two… then three… Darius seemed to be arguing with the Hat, his face twisted in distress. Worried, Harry glanced at Henry but the boy merely shrugged, biting his lip anxiously as the Hall silently waited for what House he’d be sorted into.

“SLYTHERIN!” shouted the Hat finally. The Slytherin table cheered but Darius seemed very pale, glancing around the room in panic. He looked at Henry. The boy gave him a comforting smile but nothing else, looking just as caught off guard as his friend. Darius looked back as he slowly made his way to the Slytherin table. Harry followed his line of sight and blanched when he saw the professor who he’d looked at.

Lily Potter was teaching at Hogwarts. Of bloody course she was.

Lily — or Professor Potter — also gave Darius a comforting smile and a thumbs-up though this didn’t do much to make him feel better, judging by the look on his face. Despite that, Darius sat reluctantly with the other first years at the Slytherin table. Even with Darius’ obvious lack of enthusiasm for being sorting into the House, the other first years there didn’t seem to be as unwelcoming and patted him on the shoulder, letting him into whatever conversation they were having.

“Bones, Nina!” The girl from the train stumbled forward. She looked around the Hall as she made her way to the Hat. Harry followed her line of sight, seeing an older boy in Gryffindor give her a wave. He looked a bit like her so Harry assumed they were relatives; siblings or cousins, perhaps.

“RAVENCLAW!” 

“Bones, Susan!”

“HUFFLEPUFF!”

“Boot, Terry!”

“HUFFLEPUFF!”

It continued like this for a bit. Lavender went to Gryffindor like in his universe and Mandy Brocklehurst went to Ravenclaw. Millicent Bulstrode went to Slytherin and Lori Cabell went to Hufflepuff. 

“Carrow, Alena,” McGonagall announced next. Harry jolted, head snapping to see the next girl coming up. She was a bit lanky with dark brown hair and tan skin. She was facing away from Harry though so he couldn’t see what she looked like from the front. 

As she sat down to get sorted, Harry clenched and unclenched his fists. Was she related to the Carrows that were Death Eaters in his time? Were the Carrows Death Eaters in this universe? Just how many Death Eaters had kids in this world?

“RAVENCLAW!” The loud shout and the cheerful applause from the Ravenclaw table broke Harry from his thoughts as he dragged himself back into the present. Alena Carrow, though she appeared slightly disappointed, headed over to the Ravenclaw table with no small amount of enthusiasm. 

Afterwards, Harry decided to pay more attention to the students in his year. Perhaps he could figure out how many Death Eaters had children in this universe. 

“Collins, Tom!” The next student was a Muggleborn, if his surname had anything to do with it. He might’ve been a half-blood too but Collins tripped and nearly fell on his face while walking up to the Hat because he’d been too busy staring up at the spelled sky so Harry assumed otherwise. 

A minute passed… and the Hat shouted, “HUFFLEPUFF!” The House cheered and Collins, with a happy smile on his face, made his way to the Hufflepuff table where he was welcomed warmly. 

Next was Crabbe but he was sorted into Slytherin like in Harry’s world. After him was Chiara Dawson, sorted into Gryffindor. The next boy, Jax Dolohov, went up and got sorted into Slytherin. The memories of Dolohov’s relative in Harry’s world that was a Death Eater were perfectly clear, a rush of rage at the memory rising in Harry’s chest. Antonin Dolohov had been the one to kill Remus.

Jax Dolohov was, Harry assumed, his son. After all, the boy was the spitting image of him.

Breathing a sigh, Harry turned away from the now smirking boy to try and control the rush of anger in his chest. They never did manage to catch Antonin Dolohov before Harry came here.

The names passed by in a blur after that. Harry had stopped paying attention. Harry feared he’d do something he’d regret if he heard one more name that reminded him of a Death Eater or some other despicable person who couldn’t help but make people miserable and ruin innocent lives.

Finch-Fletchley in Hufflepuff… Finnigan in Gryffindor… Granger in Gryffindor… Goldstein in Ravenclaw… Goyle in Slytherin… Huntsman in Slytherin and then—

“Jameson, Harry!” Professor McGonagall called out. Harry’s head snapped up, heart doing a backflip in his chest. That was him, wasn’t it? No one else seemed to be stepping forward so Harry scrambled, making his way clumsily towards the Hat. 

As the Hat was placed on his head, it covered his eyes slightly. A voice, curious and quiet, rang out inside his head. Hmm… what do we have here? A time traveller? Or… no, wait… a dimension hopper? Well, I personally have not had one in centuries. 

Harry stayed silent, unsure how to respond to a comment like that. 

No response needed, Mr. Potter — or… is it Mr. Jameson now? He didn’t need any response from Harry. They both knew the answer to that question. 

A Gryffindor in your past life, I see… Is that the House you’d like to go to this time?

Just how many children of Order members have you sorted into that House already? Harry parried back. Amusement coloured the Hat’s voice when it next spoke. 

A good point. Though, after spending many years in that House, it’d be the one you’d fit into best. Of course, that’s not to say you couldn't’ fit into other Houses. Perhaps Slytherin? Like my counterpart suggested in your universe. Very adaptable and resourceful. You’d fit nicely there.

Harry didn’t have to speak for the Hat to know his answer. He was older now (mentally, at least), more mature so he didn’t have the same resentment towards the House itself like he did in his younger years but… Harry wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle spending the next seven years with the children of people whose counterparts used to actively hunt him down.

I see. What about Ravenclaw? You’d work well there. A creative, quick-thinking mind with a large bit of wit. A fast learner too. Though… it can get a bit heated in that House at times. After all, that House is known for producing mass amounts of successful wizards and witches but it wasn’t great when it came to friendships, loyalty. 

Harry shrugged. He knew the Ravenclaws could get pretty competitive at times. He’d heard rumors that the more petty ones would team up with Slytherins and actively sabotage fellow students. Harry wasn’t sure he wanted to spend the next seven years in a House so… extreme. They were great people to know and have as connections but the House was just a bit too much for him. Especially now.

At this point, students were starting to whisper. The professors looked awkward, uncomfortable. Harry wasn’t sure how long the Hat had been on his head but he assumed it’d been pretty long considering the concerned looks he was getting from his friends.

And Hufflepuff? You’d make a fine Hufflepuff— oh… I see.

Harry cringed. Cedric was a couple years above him but after the incident on the train, Harry preferred to avoid him as much as possible. 

Harry rubbed at his eyes, looking up to see Ron and Neville staring at him in concern. When Ron noticed him looking back, he widened his eyes as if to ask what was going on. Harry shrugged, giving them a small smile. That seemed to calm him enough but Ron still bounced on the balls of his heels, anxiety clear on his face. 

Perhaps Gryffindor would be the best House, Mr. Potter. 

Harry gulped. Any other House probably would’ve been the safer choice but… he really did miss his old House. 

That fleeting thought seemed to settle the Hat’s decision, and the rip reopened to shout—

“GRYFFINDOR!”

The Gryffindor table cheered, whistles and shouts ringing out from the table. Harry saw Darius staring at him with envy from the corner of his eye. Harry turned to wave at him, smiling easily. Harry mouthed a word to Darius: ‘Later’. 

Darius nodded, turning his head to see one of the other students tapping him on the shoulder. The next moment, Harry found a seat near one of the edges of the table; the side closest to the door. Percy got up from his seat across the table to shake his hand. Students around Harry patted him on the back, welcoming him graciously. Harry grinned, ducking his head and blinking harshly. He really did miss life in Hogwarts. 

Back with the other students, there were still tons of other students left and after the cheering died back down Harry refocused on the Sorting to see if he saw any more unfamiliar faces. 

Next was a girl named Mila Johnson with sweeping, black hair that reached past her shoulders and monolid eyes. She ended up being sorted into Hufflepuff. The table welcomed her warmly. 

After her was Bella Lavigne with a French bob and pale skin. She was sorted into Ravenclaw, a proud smile on her face as she made her way to the table. 

“Lestrange, Rigel!”

The cheerful atmosphere in the room dropped. Whispers hissed throughout the Hall. Harry’s head snapped up, eyes widening. Was that… did Bellatrix Lestrange have a child, a son?

A tall boy made his way up to the Hat, resolutely ignoring the whispers around him; his name (and his mother’s) hissed throughout the Hall. He had short, curly hair and an angular, aristocratic face. There was no nervousness on his face, no emotion at all. He seemed to walk like a robot, limbs stiff. 

The Hat was quiet for a moment… two… then—

“SLYTHERIN!”

The Slytherin table erupted in cheers but the rest of Hall had looks of discomfort or contempt on their faces. Harry could hear some of the older students booing Lestrange as he made his way to the Slytherin table. Despite all that, the boy made no sign of response. 

Harry, on the other hand, didn’t know what to say or what to do. There was a sort of ringing shock in his ears. What should he say to that? To… a Lestrange in Hogwarts? 

“Longbottom, Neville!”

The chill in the room seemed to disappear and people focused on the next kid celebrity: the Boy-Who-Lived. 

“That’s the boy that survived the Killing Curse,” someone whispered next to him. Harry ignored them, clenching his fork so tight he thought it’d bend. A couple minutes passed them the Hat yelled—

“GRYFFINDOR!”

A smile broke out on Harry’s face and he stood up with the other Gryffindors to pat Neville on the back as he sat down next to him. Seamus reached across the table, fist-bumping Neville with a grin. Harry let a nostalgic warmth take over inside him, ignoring all the other anxious thoughts in his chest.

The rest of the Sorting passed by in a blur. There were plenty of other students unique to this world that only made Harry’s anxiety increase but right now, Harry thought it’d be better to take things one step at a time. 

As the rest of the students finally calmed down, Dumbledore stood and spread his arms out in a welcoming gesture. He was beaming, looking very proud and happy to see all the students. 

“Welcome,” he said, “Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts, students! Before we begin the feast, I’d like to announce a couple of things. The forest outside the castle is forbidden to students so unless you’d like to die a painful death, I suggest you steer clear of it. 

“Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term, throughout the whole week. There is a sign-up sheet in every House common room that must be signed by the end of the week if you wish to try out.

“And finally, I’d like to welcome all of the first years to Hogwarts! I hope you all have a wonderful first year in this school. You may come to me or your Head of House if there is anything you need.” With that, Dumbledore sat back down, smiling as a round of applause echoed throughout the Hall. 

Meanwhile, Harry frowned. Was the Philosopher’s Stone not in Hogwarts this time around? He supposed it might not be, but Harry hadn’t realised the Stone being hidden here had depended on Voldemort. Harry thought it’d just been a favour to Flamel from Dumbledore.

“I’m half-and-half,” said Seamus next to him. Harry turned, shaking off the thoughts. He’d think about it later. “Me dad’s a Muggle. Mum’s a witch. Bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out.”

Harry laughed with the other kids, letting the relaxed atmosphere swallow him whole. Merlin knew he needed it. 

Harry looked up, still laughing, to see Lily Potter staring rather intently at him. He froze, caught off guard and unsure what to do. When she saw him staring, the intense look fading with the forced smile on her face. Harry didn’t return it. Turning away quickly, he forced himself to rejoin the conversation. 

Harry ignored the anxiety swirling in his chest. He’d probably regret that later though.

After the feast, Percy and Liora took Harry and the other first year Gryffindors to the Gryffindor tower. It was a slow trek since half the students wanted to gawk and stare at every other thing hanging from the castle walls. To their credit, Percy and Liora were very patient with the group, giving in-depth answers to every little question. The purebloods and some of the half-bloods looked like they’d die of boredom. Students like Hermione seemed to be having a field day though.

Finally, they made it to the Gryffindor common room where many older students were hanging out. Some called out greetings to them, others ignoring them and continuing what they were doing. 

“In a couple minutes, we’ll release all of you to go to your dorms — girls, you’ll go through that door and boys, you’ll go through this one. You can settle, unpack, relax and then go to bed,” Percy announced to the first years. “But first, I’d like to say welcome to Hogwarts, everyone. Classes won’t begin for a couple days. We’ll be doing a tour of the castle tomorrow and you’ll have a group meeting with all the professors and the Hogwarts staff you’ll interact with most often. 

When you go to unpack, there will be a checklist in the dorm for you to use to make sure you have everything you need. Girls, you can talk to Liora if you’re missing something. Boys, you’ll talk to me. I’ll be checking into the boys’ dorm room a bit after you head inside to help you get things in order and answer a few questions. I’m sure Liora will be doing the same for the girls. Right, Liora?”

Liora startled, nodding hurriedly and stuttering out an agreement. She seemed rather tired. Perhaps she hadn’t slept for a while. 

“Great,” Percy said with a beaming smile. “Now, off you go. Liora or I will come to assist you soon enough.” With a sweeping gesture, he ushered all the first years into their respective dorms as they chattered excitedly with each other. 

Harry slipped into the boys’ dorm, anticipation bubbling beneath his breath. He looked around the dorm, noticing how much larger it was than the one from Harry’s universe had been. There was a lofted area above, right across the door to the dorm. There was a railing across it and a sturdy ladder to climb up to the three canopy beds in the loft. There were ten canopy beds in total. Seven against the edges of the dorm and the three in the loft above. 

Harry paused, a smirk lifting on his face. “First people to the loft get the beds,” he shouted. Within the next second, Harry and all the other first year boys made a mad scramble to get to the loft with Harry, Ron, and Neville kind of cheating and helping each other to the top, climbing over piles of limbs and pinching people when they got too close. 

“I’m up! I’m up!” shouted Harry as he threw himself onto the bed farthest from the ladder on the right with a big grin. Just as he landed on the bed, Seamus made it to the top with one of the new Gryffindors, Ivan Rookwood right behind him. Rookwood tackled Seamus to the ground before either could reach one of the beds. They scuffled on the ground of the loft while Harry cracked up in the background. 

“Hurry up, Neville!” Harry shouted, dragging Neville up by the arm to get him to one of the beds. Neville landed in the canopy bed on the left side of the loft, cheering as he hugged one of the pillows to himself.

“Come on, Ron!” Neville cried loudly between laughs, watching with Harry as Seamus and Rookwood continued to scuffle on the ground. Ron just climbed up the top of the ladder when Dean climbed over him, huge belly laughs leaving his mouth with every moment. It distracted Dean just enough that Ron was able to push him hard to the side so he hit the railing. Ron just managed to clumsily throw himself onto the bed as Rookwood and Seamus stopped wrestling. 

The other boys probably would’ve been disappointed they hadn’t reached the canopy but they all seemed too busy laughing.

Eventually, they all got up to unpack and prepare all their things, claiming parts of the dorm for themselves. Harry had gotten lucky, grabbing one of the corner loft beds. There were a couple windows lining the wall alongside the loft. With some help, Harry managed to move his bed in the direction he wanted, helping Ron and Neville do the same for their beds. 

Over the railing sat Harry’s trunk and all the stuff he didn’t want to risk carrying up in case he dropped it down. He’d wait for Percy to come and ask him to help them lift their stuff up so no one grew suspicious of a new first year performing the levitating charm. 

Harry climbed down the ladder, hearing the door to their dorm opening behind him. 

“Hello, boys,” Percy said cheerfully, “Is there anything you all need help with? Questions you’d like answered?”

“Do you know what our first class will be?” Dean asked, flopping down on his bed. Seamus and Rookwood perked up, listening in for what Percy would say. Two of their dormmates, Mason Whitlock and Isaac Goldings were fast asleep in their beds, absolutely dead to the world. The other two had left the dorm to go hang out in the common room, promising to come back soon.

“You’ll have Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall first on Wednesday. You don’t have to worry too much about forgetting your classes though so don’t stress over it too much. There’s a large monthly calendar in the common room for anyone that needs to check their classes,” Percy answered, closing the door behind him and fixing his glasses. “It’ll change every time a month passes. All you have to do is say your name and year. It’ll show you your classes and any events that you have for that month. Of course, there will be personal schedules given out tomorrow and I’ve worked with the other prefects to make personalised schedules for each dorm so you’ll have those soon enough.”

Seamus perked up, grinning. “That’s one thing down at least.” Percy nodded, fixing his collar though Harry wasn’t sure why he was wearing a collared shirt so late at night. 

“What if we don’t do well in our classes?” Neville asked nervously. He’d climbed down the ladder, sitting on a spare pillow near the bed frame of Dean’s bed. 

“Not to worry, Neville,” Percy said, “Older students sign up to be tutors pretty often. It gets their House extra points, looks good on resumes, and has numerous other benefits. If you’re having trouble in classes you can sign up for tutoring in the common room. The names are automatically sent to Professor Sinatra to be organised. You’ll get a letter sometime the week you signed up about when to meet and who the tutor will be. 

“Of course, if you’re still having trouble, the professors will find a way to help you catch up but you wouldn’t be expelled in grades alone,” Percy said. That seemed to make Neville feel a little better. 

“Uh… Percy?” Harry said awkwardly, “Could you help us carry our trunks up to the loft? I was hoping you could float it up or something.”

Percy blinked. “Oh! Of course, Harry,” he said and pulled out his wand to cast the spell.

The next morning, Percy woke them up bright and early for breakfast, much to Ron’s irritation and Harry’s amusement. 

Harry rubbed at his eyes, stretching as he met with the group of first years. After so long of constant battles and sleeping light in case of attack, Harry didn’t have much struggle with waking up early. Though his roommates were very much different in that perspective, Harry thought with amusement as he watched them drag their feet and grumble. Undeterred, Percy and Liora ushered them out of the common room, ignoring the first years’ tired groans. 

There were tons of students out in the halls, all heading towards the Great Hall for breakfast. The chatter in the halls seemed to help the first years wake up, blinking the tiredness out of their eyes with the active atmosphere in the air.

The doors to the Great Hall were already open so Harry entered with the other first years, taking their seats at the Gryffindor table to eat. Glancing up at the professors, Harry frowned. They seemed really troubled. Harry wasn’t sure why though. Has something happened?

Shaking his head, Harry decided to worry about it later and started filling his plate with food. He chatted with Ron and Neville, laughed as Seamus tried to turn water to rum, and complemented Dean’s little sketches on the napkins. 

Hoots filled the air from above. Harry looked up, seeing the mail being delivered by the owls. Harry’s eyes widened, elation bubbling in his chest when he saw a familiar white owl among them.

“Hedwig,” he whispered, grinning widely when she landed on his arm with an affectionate nip. He laughed softly, looking up. Harry’s smile dropped when he heard the whispers, the familiar Daily Prophet papers being passed around tables. Was this what the professors were so worked up about? What was going on?

When the paper reached one of the students near him, Harry leaned from his seat to read it over her shoulder. His eyes scanned the front page title, freezing as confusion filled him. What?

REGULUS BLACK, FAMOUSLY KNOWN AS THE ‘ILLUSIONIST’ OR ‘R.A.B.’, MOVED TO AMBERS’ CORRECTIONAL FACILITY