Chapter 9
Still Tuesday 28th August 1990. Potter Manor.
The group had gotten together at the Potters, originally to offer support to Sirius over the death of his mother. They were now listening to an entirely different tale.
Emma just had to interrupt. "Sirius, he's a child. How could you leave him there?"
"Yes Emma, Draco is the same age as most of our lot. I can assure you that's where all similarities end. Draco has been raised by a vile, possibly even deranged, woman who was my mother. Had I known at the time, then you can be certain I would have taken action. No child deserves to be raised in an environment like that, I'm speaking from personal experience here. Without my father's influence, my mother was apparently even worse in her later years. Draco is a boy who wouldn't last five minutes with our kids."
Emma wasn't convinced. "How could you possibly know that Sirius? Yes, ours are certainly a tightknit bunch but they do have other friends at school."
"Emma, you don't have to be a genius to work out what would happen seconds after Draco called Hermione a filthy mudblood."
The gasps of shock from the magical people there let Emma know this was a bad insult. "Can I assume that's not something I want my daughter to hear?"
It was Lily who answered. "That is something I've not heard in many years, the last person to say that to me ended up leading Voldemort to Privet Drive. I had hoped never to hear those words uttered again. It's probably the most insulting thing you can say to someone like Hermione or I. It refers to their blood being dirty, as opposed to pure."
Sirius nodded. "Lily, you know that's a phrase I would never use. My mother suffered from no such compunction. The boy Draco Malfoy is like a throwback to the bad old days. He still believes that one day purebloods like him will rule and he'll be the head of the Black family, my mother apparently spoke of little else. If you ignore the fact that I banished his mother from the family, after she got sentenced to Azkaban, Harry, Joy and I would all need to die before it could even become a possibility. Draco has been taught these deaths are mere problems that can and should be overcome."
Sirius leaned over his wife to kiss his beautiful baby daughter, needing the comfort that action gave him before he could continue. "When I ran away from home to live with James, I was disinherited in favour of my younger brother. He willingly joined the death eaters and was the apple of my mother's eye. Regulus apparently got on the wrong side of Voldemort over something and paid the ultimate price. My mother's heart was so corrupted, she still supported the dark wanker after he murdered her son. Never let it be said that pure blood supremacists made any sense, I thought though we'd seen the last of them."
Alice then asked the question that they all wanted to know the answer to. "What's going to happen to Draco now Sirius?"
"I approached Barty Crouch and leaned on him a little, he wasn't unreasonable. The ministry should never have awarded custody of the child to my mother, they would have been better dropping Draco off on some random doorstep. I got my way and the proposal will be discussed in the Wizengamot chamber tomorrow morning. I've asked for Narcissa to be freed from Azkaban early on compassionate grounds, she's the best person to look after Draco now. I will allow them both to live at Grimmauld and continue the stipend I paid to my mother, this should allow her to at least undo some of the damage my mother has inflicted on the child."
This satisfied all of them. Sirius was attempting to get the boy's mother out of prison while keeping a roof over their heads and paying for their upkeep. He really couldn't do much more.
His wife though asked the really awkward question. "Sirius, what happens if they don't let Draco's mother out of Azkaban?"
"Love, the boy is no legal relation to me. His mother being disowned from the House of Black automatically applied to him as well. I suppose Andi might step in but he would be handed over to the ministry child welfare services. I know that's not the answer most of you wanted to hear but that's the way it has to be. Everyone in this room totally rejects the pureblood supremacists' way of life, we put our own lives on the line to do so. Draco Malfoy will find out the hard way that those days my mother harked back to are long gone, it's not our job to teach him. We've each played our part in shaping the magical community but we can't personally save everyone. I did the best I could but I will not have that boy anywhere near Joy."
Emma wanted to say more but Lily's hand on her arm held her back. There were clearly things going on under the surface that she did not appreciate. She trusted Lily to explain it to her later and was much heartened by Xeno's take on the situation.
"The Wizengamot hasn't changed that much over the years. There is more chance of that imbecile Cornelius Fudge becoming the next minister than there is of them keeping a pureblood mother in Azkaban. Especially when they have a perfect excuse to set her free presented to them on a plate."
Amelia agreed with the newspaperman's assessment. "Barty is a political animal, the ministry have undoubtedly made a bad mistake here. He'll use this opportunity to turn a negative into a positive, show the caring face of the ministry to the public."
Further discussion was halted as the sound of engines got progressively louder, Dan had returned with the kids and their quad bikes. Lily, Alice and Maia left to perform cleaning charms on their laughing children and a beaming Dan Granger. The dentist loved his quad as much as any of the children did. Having to sit and watch while Remus, Sirius and James taught the kids how to fly brooms had left him wanting something he could teach them on his own. The quad bikes had been love at first sight for all of them, their brood were rapidly becoming a bunch of speed freaks.
-oOoOo-
Wednesday 29th August 1990.
Sirius was waiting at the dock for the boat from Azkaban to arrive. His initial plan was to take Narcissa directly to Grimmauld Place, hopefully then to never hear the name Malfoy again. That plan was shot to pieces the instant he laid eyes on his cousin. Narcissa had easily been the vainest of the three Black sisters, a lengthy stay in Azkaban would appear to have cured the youngest sibling of that affliction. Narcissa was two years younger than Andi but currently appeared at least two decades older.
Her hair hung lank, unwashed and uncared for. This added emphasis to her gaunt and haunted appearance. Her eyes never rested as they constantly searched for danger, she seemed ready to either bolt or collapse at the first loud noise. Her appearance reminded Sirius of a character in the kids' favourite movie. The once proud pureblood Narcissa Malfoy now resembled the scarecrow. With the evidence currently in front of him, Sirius was glad never to have set foot in that place.
"Hello Cissi, long time no see. You look like shit!"
She appeared to take great confidence from recognising him, a spark of life appeared to enter her eyes. "Sirius Black, nice to see some things haven't changed while I was away. You're still an arsehole. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I got you out of that place on compassionate grounds, I also came to personally deliver an apology. In fairness though, I just found out. My mother somehow gained custody of your son and has raised him. It only came to light a few days ago when she died."
"I thought I had another eighteen months left to serve. I spent years asking what happened to my son, the bastards wouldn't tell me anything. We both know Walburga was not right in the head Sirius, how's Draco?"
"He's fit and healthy Cissi. His attitude is probably what you would expect from someone raised by my mother, warped and twisted. You'll have your work cut out to repair the damage. I was originally going to take you straight there but you appear to be dead on your feet. I'm going to take you to St Mungo's and then contact Andi. She might agree to look in on him until you're fit enough, I don't want him near my wife or baby daughter."
Narcissa didn't have any energy left to ask more questions, never mind argue with Sirius. Yes she was desperate to see Draco but would prefer to at least have bathed and changed first. Her baby would be too young to remember his mother. Narcissa didn't want to be looking like this at his first sight of her.
Sirius portkeyed both of them to St Mungo's before arranging a private room for Narcissa, then he floocalled Andi.
Sirius hated telling her this way but it was necessary. "Hi Andi, I need to ask you a massive favour. I've got Cissi out of Azkaban but she really needs at least a few days in St Mungo's before she'll be fit enough to look after her son."
Andi sighed, she wasn't sure about this but provisionally agreed. "Sirius, I'll come to St Mungo's and talk with Cissi. If she's still the same stuck-up bitch that wanted nothing to do with Ted or I, then I won't be there for very long."
Sirius gladly accepted that promise, it was probably the best he could hope for.
Andi promptly arrived, took one look at her broken young sister lying in the bed and burst into tears. Now she was washed and in a hospital gown, Narcissa resembled a skeleton more than a scarecrow. Andi soon had her baby sister's slight form wrapped in her arms as both cried while trying to apologise for deeds and words from years ago.
Sirius tactically withdrew, there must be a mug of coffee somewhere in this place with his name on it. He returned later to find both of them chatting while a nurse hovered with a tray of potions.
"Sirius, they want to fill me with potions that will have me sleep while healing. I wanted to find out about Draco first."
"As I said he's healthy and, unfortunately, the spitting image of his father. You can both stay at Grimmauld and I'll arrange a stipend to support you both for now. The moment your husband is free, all that stops and Grimmauld goes up for sale. Lucius will never set foot in a property I own."
Narcissa almost managed a smile, it was fuelled by relief. "Thank you Sirius, that's more than fair. I have no idea what financial position we're in at the moment so I really appreciate you doing this for my son and I."
"Narcissa, I may hate your husband but I would never have stood back and let Draco be raised by my mother, I honestly didn't know. Andi will keep me updated with what is happening as I need to go now."
Narcissa started to take her potions as Andi kissed his cheek. "Give my love to Aurora and Joy, I'll call later."
With that, Sirius left. He'd done his best for the boy, the rest was up to his mother.
-oOoOo-
Saturday 26th May 1991.
Dudley had known for years this day would come and actually found himself comforting his mum. The Potter / Granger family had held a discussion on the subject earlier and she was now in his room to see if he was really all right with this.
"Honestly mum, I'm fine. This will work out for everybody. With you and dad now at Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione will be looked after. I'll be staying with Aunt Em and Uncle Dan who'll only have one kid to concentrate on, I'll probably end up spoilt rotten." Dudley's smile didn't seem to alleviate any of his mum's concerns so he kept going.
"I'll still be going to school with Luna and either you or dad will be home every weekend."
Lily felt terrible, almost as if he was abandoning her son. Hearing Dudley rationalising the situation just made her feel worse. "I'm really sorry son. Minerva is finding it just too difficult teaching and running Hogwarts. Your dad was faced with the choice of going full-time or quitting while she got someone else. With your dad, Harry and Hermione there full time..."
"Mum, please stop beating yourself up over this. I'll be fine at the Grangers and the whole family will be together for Christmas at the manor." They were both sitting on his bed as Dudley lent his head on his mum's shoulder.
"You've told us all the story of how you and my mother stopped being close when you headed off to Hogwarts. That's never going to happen with us, you've seen to that. I've been included in magic from the time we were old enough to know what magic was, I can do a lot of the stuff you don't need a wand for. You and my mother never had that chance. We've all got our mirrors and Uncle Remus is working on a special one as a surprise."
This had Lily wrap her arm around her boy, she was so proud of him. She was also curious though, having heard nothing about these 'special' mirrors.
Dudley explained some of it. "How do you think the girls would cope without their fix of Neighbours?(1) What would a Saturday night be for Harry and Neville without Match of the day? (2) Uncle Remus is working on ones that will enlarge to the size of a small TV screen and Uncle Dan has converted a camera tripod for me to use. I can tape the daily episodes of Neighbours and beam them to Hogwarts on a Sunday afternoon for Hermione and Susan. I'm hoping the guys will still be able to watch the football with Uncle Dan and me on a Saturday night."
This actually saw a slight smile play on Lily's lips. Dan had introduced all the kids to football, even taking them all to watch Crawley Town(3) play. Like most of the country, the BBC's Match of the Day on a Saturday night had become something of an institution in their family. Being able to continue that and giving the six kids the ability to chat any time they weren't in classes would certainly go a long way to maintaining the closeness the group had.
Dudley could see he was finally getting through to his worried mum, he hated to see her like this so pushed on. "Mum, Harry and Hermione are my two best friends. They are also like my brother and sister, being apart for a few months at a time isn't going to change that. We've been inseparable for nearly ten years, none of us have any wish or intention to grow apart."
Lily couldn't help but hug her boy. "I have the two best sons in the whole world."
"Hey, don't forget to put Hermione in there somewhere."
This released more of Lily's apprehension so Dudley continued in the same vein. "You know Hermione is already thinking about university? That girl has it all mapped out already, the three of us sharing a flat while we attend our courses. She's even planned for part-time jobs so we can stand on our own feet. Does that sound as if we're going to let anything part us?"
Lily had come in here with the intention of comforting her son, only to find he was the one doing the comforting. She thought there was at least one thing she could do to help keep his spirits up, and it was also time. "I don't think you'll need those part-time jobs son, you're old enough to be told this now. When your mother and father were killed, there was quite a bit of insurance money left to you. Your dad set it up in a trust fund that becomes available to you when you leave school."
Dudley didn't know how to feel or what to say about that, then it hit him. "Oh that means I'll be able to help Harry and Hermione out."
Lily was so proud of the way Dudley had grown up, he was always thinking of others before himself. "Dudley, you know what your dad's like."
Dudley got it at once. "He would have set funds up for all three of us! Do they know? Can I tell them?"
She could only smile and nod as Dudley gave her a quick peck on the cheek before shooting out the room to spread the good news. Lily couldn't help but think all four parents would be delighted if the three of them ended up at university together. She remembered Hermione asking her if it was possible to take a magical degree, or transfer to a muggle one with NEWTs. Lily had carefully explained the situation to her and it would appear the girl was already making plans. That both her boys would be included in those plans was a given.
Hermione's squeal of delight alerted Lily that all three kids now knew the secret. She wondered how long it would take Hermione to have her plans revised to take account of their new circumstances? On past form, not long at all. Dudley hadn't even asked what size his trust fund was, he just couldn't wait to tell his two best friends the good news.
-oOoOo-
September the first made its way around and the whole gang descended on Kings Cross. With it being Sunday, Dudley and Luna were also there to see their friends leave for Hogwarts. It was an emotional trip for all the parents too.
Emma couldn't help but think how different things would be if they hadn't met Lily and Harry that Halloween. She and Dan would be standing here sending their little girl off alone to face the unknown, relying on the occasional letter home to keep them in touch. Instead they knew exactly what was waiting on her, including a few of the professors who were like family, and she was boarding the train with three of her best friends. They would also have Dudley staying with them to help cope with the missing children who had become such a major part of their life.
Little Jane Longbottom was in floods of tears at the sight of her big brother getting on the train without her.
Luna was also holding onto Dudley as she fought not to cry, they'd never had to say goodbye before. Dudley attempted to offer some comfort. "Never mind Luna, you'll be going with them next year."
"That doesn't make me feel any better, I'll need to leave you behind then. Why do things need to change? We've all been together forever."
"Luna, we've always known this was going to happen. I won't stop being here for you just because you go to Hogwarts."
"I've just thought of something, I'll need to spend my last year at Hogwarts on my own."
"Yeah but by that time you'll be head girl and so popular, you won't even miss us."
"Please don't ever think that Dudley, I'll always miss my friends."
She buried her face into his chest so he wouldn't see the tears she was shedding. Dudley looked away to avoid embarrassing Luna and noticed his mum was fighting the tears too. "Mum, you're going to be waiting on them at the other end when the train gets to Hogsmead."
"I know son, but you won't be there."
"Mum, I'm staying with Aunt Em and Uncle Dan and you'll be home on Friday. Luna's going to be staying tonight and we've both got St Andrews tomorrow. I'll be fine."
They were interrupted by a blond boy walking past, an old elf levitating his trunk behind him. "Come Kreature, one mustn't tarry about here. They're apparently letting anyone on to the platform now. The stench of muggles is really quite repulsive."
Luna stopped Dudley from reacting, whispering just loud enough so Draco could overhear. "Ignore him Dud. That must be that arrogant wanker Malfoy that Uncle Sirius told us about. He was right, what a tosser."
Draco was desperate to reply but his mother had now caught up with him, he had to behave himself. "Morning Sirius. On the train Draco, it will be leaving in a few moments. Remember and write."
The group's attention was then drawn to a tribe of redheads who appeared to be running even behind the fashionably late Malfoys. That didn't stop twin boys heading straight for their group.
"Mr Lupin, it's absolutely splendid to meet you, we just love your shop, Tomfoolery."
"Yes, we design and make our own pranks. They're not up to PMP standards but one day..."
Both boys were grabbed by their ears. "Fred, George, get on that train this instant. Stop bothering these good people."
Sirius had Joy in his arms and didn't even try to hide his laughter as the boys were frogmarched off. "Now you know why we made Remus the public face of Padfoot-Moony-Prancer. We don't work in Tomfoolery and don't get recognised in the street."
"You mean it wasn't because I'm the best looking marauder? You wound me Padfoot."
James was quickly shaking his head in answer. "Remus, you know if it was down to looks then I would be the public face of Prancer-Mooney-Padfoot. Isn't that right Lily love?"
"Oh and here was me thinking PMP stood for Prat-Moron-Plonker. Our kids are about to leave for one of the most important journeys of their lives, let's leave the board meetings until later."
The steam whistle resounded around platform nine and three quarters and they all waved madly at the carriage that was taking their four new first years to Hogwarts.
-oOoOo-
The four settled down as the train headed out of London, bound for Scotland.
"Harry, you know we'll keep in touch. Anyway, can you see Dudley leaving St Andrews without Luna? Never going to happen."
"You're right Hermione but it just feels so strange, this is the first time I can remember us ever being separated."
Susan agreed with Harry. "I'll miss them too. What's going to happen if we get sorted into different houses? I would hate it if we were reduced to seeing each other only at meals and sharing a few classes."
Hermione was the one who usually came up with a plan of action, she didn't disappoint. "I spoke to Uncle Remus about that, he told me you can influence the sorting hat. It will listen to what's most important to you. The most important thing for us is to be together. Susan will be the first to be sorted and then we all demand to be in the same house."
"Glad to know the Bones name is good for something, even if it's only alphabetical. No pressures on me then, choose the house for all of us and Luna next year."
Neville was smiling at Sue's pretend pout. "It's not that important Sue. Sorry Harry but I don't care if we're not in Gryffindor with Uncle James, as long as we're all in the same house that will do for me."
This set Hermione off into a bout of the giggles. "This is going to be so weird. Having to remember to call Uncle James, Aunt's Lily and Aurora by Professor."
"Hey, you think you lot got it bad? I've got to change from mum and dad to Professor Potter."
The four were all laughing as the compartment door opened and a set of twin boys entered.
"What do you think George, likely candidates?"
"Oh I would say so Fred. Four firsties acting as if they don't have a care in the world, could be the very people we're looking for."
"I'm Fred and he's George, we're the Weasley twins. The best pranksters in Hogwarts."
Harry could never resist a good prank, especially when it landed right in his lap. "Oh, we've heard about you two." Fred and George looked quite pleased until Harry continued. "My dad says you show some promise but are still rather amateurish and far too predictable."
Fred wasn't pleased. "And just who is this paragon of pranking you call dad?"
George had another thought. "You wouldn't happen to be Remus Lupin's son? We spotted him on the platform saying goodbye to someone and have been checking all the firsties."
The four burst into laughter again, Neville was almost doubled over. "Uncle Remus as your dad."
Susan couldn't help but add her tuppence worth. "Could have been worse, imagine Uncle Sirius?"
This had Harry springing to his godfather's defence. "Hey, leave my dogfather alone you guys."
Hermione backed him up. "Yeah, Padfoot makes a wonderful father. Just look at the way he dotes on Joy."
Susan was still sniggering at her friend. "Did you bring Paddy to Hogwarts?"
Hermione wasn't in the least perturbed, she rested her head on Harry's shoulder. "Of course I did, I'll need something to cuddle into when Harry's sleeping in the boys dorm."
The twins were left thinking they'd found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
"Uncle Remus?"
"Padfoot?"
Both now invited themselves to sit with the firsties. "Tell us more?"
"Yeah, Remus Lupin and the Marauders are our biggest heroes."
Hermione was instantly on alert, you didn't grow up with three marauders without developing a healthy suspicious nature. "How do you two know about the marauders?"
With great reverence, Fred removed an old piece of parchment from his robes. "Boys and girls, I present to you the marauders. The greatest pranksters Hogwarts has ever seen."
Harry couldn't take his eyes of the old bit of parchment. "Well, you certainly got the last part right. That's the original Marauders' Map, how did you get a hold of it?"
It was George's turn to be suspicious now. "How do you know about the Marauders' Map, and what do you mean the original?"
Harry took his mirror from his pocket. "Bambi, I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."
Harry now had a twin looking over each shoulder as the writing familiar to the three of them appeared on the mirror.
Messer's Prancer, Moony and Padfoot welcome Bambi to the Marauders' Map –Version Four
Harry then said 'expand' and the small mirror was suddenly about five times larger. The map that the twins had spent many an hour studying was now on the screen. When Harry began moving the locations on the map simply by touching the screen, the twins were almost drooling.
"Mischief managed. Thumper, Ariel."
Two faces about the size of the original mirror soon appeared on the screen.
"Harry what's wrong? You've hardly been gone an hour, I can't believe Hermione would let you get into trouble already."
Another part of the screen blinked SW and Harry said 'Snow White' before Hermione's face appeared on the screen. "Thanks for that vote of confidence Dudley, hi Luna, is that ice cream I see?"
This had Dudley smiling. "I think mum was feeling guilty at leaving me in Crawley. Uncle Remus took us to Diagon Alley and Aunt Maia is picking us up when she finishes work to take us back to Hermione's. Of course we're in Fortescue's, first place we made for."
The twins were transfixed, another flicker of an L and Harry said 'Lady' before the other girl in the compartment appeared on the screen. The pranking possibilities of these things were just awesome.
"Hey Dudley, don't forget to tape Neighbours. I can't wait to find out what happens next."
"Yea sure Susan, though how you can watch that rubbish is beyond me."
"Just because Charlene left, all you guys now think it's rubbish."
The final part of Harry's screen flickered with a red B and Harry said 'Baloo' as the other boy's face appeared. "Take Kylie Minogue out the show and there's no reason left to watch it."
As Harry was sitting beside Hermione and Dudley was next to Luna, Neville found no backers for his views at the moment.
Dudley quickly changed the subject, reaffirming the universal rule. If in doubt around girls, guys cover by talking about sport. "Hey guys, Uncle Remus came up with a cracking new invention. It's a pair of omnioculars that appear like an ordinary pair of glasses. I'll be able to record some of the Crawley City games and we'll be able to watch it before match of the day."
Harry was well pleased. "Dudley, that's fantastic. We'll all talk tonight after we're sorted."
Dudley was nodding into his mirror. "Ok you guys, good luck with all staying together."
Luna wanted the final word. "Yeah, pick a good house because I'll be in it next year."
They all signed off as mirrors were put back into pockets. The twins' eyeballs were popping out their heads. "As you can see gentlemen, the marauders have come a long way since leaving Hogwarts. The stuff they come up with now is out of this world."
Hermione readily agreed with Harry. "They watch how trends develop in the muggle world and then attempt magical solutions. We get to be the guinea pigs but it has its benefits." Hermione tapped the pocket she'd just placed her mirror into.
George couldn't help his outburst. "Can you lot adopt us?"
Fred was nodding eagerly. "Does that mean Remus Lupin is a marauder? Who were the other three?"
You could have been forgiven for thinking a dementor had entered the compartment, the atmosphere was certainly now cold enough. Harry was really the only one who could answer that. "There are only three marauders. Wormtail, aka Peter Pettigrew doesn't get mentioned in our house. He tried to get us all murdered when I was a baby."
It was hard to hear that someone you'd idolised was a traitorous bastard, Fred was now frightened of the next answer but just had to ask. "What happened to Prongs?"
Harry couldn't help but smile at that, Hermione had cuddled into his side at the mention of Wormtail. He put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulder in appreciation. "A certain Miss Hermione Granger couldn't tell the difference between a stag and a reindeer."
"Hey, I was two at the time!"
"In her defence, I will say that's probably the last time she was wrong about something." This earned Harry a hug and a heart-stopping smile from the girl in question. "Anyway, Messer's Padfoot, Moony and my mum thought this was bloody hilarious. So Prongs became Prancer."
Fred was pleased that nothing bad had happened to Prongs but the answer threw up another question. "What did your mum have to do with it?"
"Well, since she's his wife, quite a lot. My dad is Professor Potter, also known as Prancer while Padfoot is my godfather, Sirius Black. Both he and Moony are honorary uncles to all of us, Moony is of course Remus Lupin."
"Fred, we're amongst pranking royalty here. Who would have thought Professor Potter was a marauder?"
"Come to think of it George, we've never been able to prank either of the Potters."
Harry was now laughing, the bad moment from earlier now behind them. "How do you think we feel. I'm Harry Potter, this is Hermione whose parents are like her, scarily smart. Neville Longbottom, his mum and dad just happen to be two of the best aurors in the country while Susan Bones here lives with her aunt. Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, we couldn't pull any pranks while growing up. Now we get to Hogwarts to find both my parents and Aunt Aurora here as professors, we just can't seem to catch a break."
The compartment door opened again to reveal another redhead standing there, this one wore a prefects badge though. "Fred and George, I hope you're not frightening these first years with outlandish Hogwarts tales."
"Percy, trust us, McGonagall couldn't frighten these guys."
Susan had mischief in her eyes as she chipped a bit of misinformation into the conversation. "Why would Aunt Minnie be scary? She's a pussy cat."
The stares she got from the three redheads was worth the joke, all she needed now was for one of them to call McGonagall 'Minnie' to her face. Surely no one was that stupid?
"Well, if you two want to sit with first years, can I suggest spending some time with Ron? I need to patrol the train."
"Aw Percy, he's a whining little git."
"You know Fred's right, no way are we being saddled with him all the way to Hogwarts."
"He might be a whining little git, but he's our whining little git. I would hate for mum to hear that you two left him alone all the way to Scotland."
"Ok Percy, we'll take a turn babysitting. Where is he?"
"He's about three carriages behind this one, see you all later."
Fred was shaking his head as his elder brother left. "We need to go guys, Ronald is our little brother and mum would kill us if we don't keep an eye on him."
"Yeah and Percy the prefect wouldn't hesitate to use his new owl to let her know."
"Hope you guys are all in Gryffindor. Professor Quirrell is pretty harmless and we get away with murder."
Hermione couldn't hide her smirk. "He left, should we tell them who the new head of Gryffindor is, or let them find out at the feast?"
Harry decided to put them out of their misery, just in case they planned something for the feast. "My dad is the new head of Gryffindor.
All the new first years were sniggering at the twins' identical shocked expressions, Susan was the one to deliver the final devastating blow. "Oh, and he has a mirror like ours, since he helped invent them."
George could see their pranking carer slipping down the toilet, what was the point of attempting pranks if you always get caught? It hardly enhanced your reputation as pranksters.
Fred had one final question. "Are you lot marauders? Is that why you had the names in the mirrors?"
Hermione actually harrumphed. "No, they gave us those stupid names and all the cool stuff doesn't work if we don't use them. The mirrors are tied to our voices so, unlike the original map, knowing the password won't help if someone else gets a hold of it. The marauders have all become hooked on Disney movies while we were growing up, hence the stupid names."
Fred could see an obvious fault in that method. "Why not tie the mirrors into your magical signature, surely that would be better?"
Harry's answer left no room for further questions on the subject. "Not everyone has a magical signature."
George hadn't understood a lot of what had been said here today and didn't get Hermione's last reference either. "What's a Disney movie?"
Neville's entire face lit up. "Now here's an opportunity, Dudley could beam the Jungle Book right into Hogwarts."
The thought of a load of witches and wizards walking about humming 'I want to be like you' cracked the four youngsters up, the twins left the four firsties the way they found them, laughing. Hogwarts was certainly going to be interesting this year. None of them knew the surprise that was waiting in the castle for them.
Chapter 10
When Harry, Hermione, Susan and Neville left the train at Hogsmead, Hagrid's instantly recognisable figure was standing with a lantern and calling for all first years to follow him. The four to a boat rule suited the friends just fine as they began the final stage of their journey to Hogwarts.
Some of the older students had obviously been frightening the newbies with wholly horrific and entirely inaccurate tales of how they would be lucky to all make the castle alive. Apparently the giant squid demanded a sacrifice every year for allowing them passage across the Black Lake, no one had yet unravelled how the giant creature made its seemingly random choice. Once the castle was in view, their apprehension shifted to the even more horrific and down right ludicrous methods that they would be forced to experience when being sorted into houses.
To the four, these conversations were a lot more palatable than the hatred the blond prick had been attempting to pollute the train with. Malfoy had reacted like a religious zealot, dropped into the middle of a sea of unbelievers. He just couldn't wait to begin converting everyone to the true faith, his own pureblood philosophy of course. On most occasions, his ramblings had fallen on deaf ears but more than one eyebrow had been raised in curiosity.
The pounce had gotten short shrift in their carriage. Thanks to this vile brand of bigotry, Susan and Dudley had both lost their parents while the Potters and Longbottoms narrowly escaped the same fate. That Malfoy escaped their carriage uncursed and unscathed was solely due to the four holding their tempers.
Hagrid was now the centre of attention as the firsties attempted to discover just what the sorting entailed, the Hogwarts gamekeeper though was sworn to secrecy on this issue. Telling them that all they needed to do was wear some old hat probably wouldn't have been believed anyway.
After leaving the boats and entering the castle proper, they were greeted by the Deputy Headmaster, Professor Flitwick. He gave a brief explanation of the personal attributes each of the four houses was looking for before leaving to see if the great hall was ready for them.
The diminutive professor had no sooner departed than the whining voice the four friends had already come to loathe started spouting forth his particular brand of poison again.
"Honestly, as if the uneducated oaf who brought us here in those ridiculous boats wasn't bad enough, we have to put up with that creature as a deputy headmaster. This place has certainly let the standards slip. This would never have been allowed if my father was still on the Hogwarts board of governors."
Neville had all he could stand of this idiot. He decided to say something now before the stupid arse started mouthing about those unworthy to be taught magic and Harry dealt with him. "Oh and just why did this great wizard you call father decide he no longer wished to serve on the school board? Could it possibly have something to do with all the travelling involved in going between Azkaban and Hogwarts? Right enough, Azkaban prison tends not to hand out weekend passes to convicted death eaters."
Draco had been raised on stories on how great a wizard his father was, a wizard who was willing to go to prison to stand up for his beliefs. As his son, Draco wasn't about to stand here and listen to his father's great name being tarnished. "Yes my father was wrongfully placed in prison but he'll be getting out soon. Then we'll see what happens, standards will certainly improve when all the political prisoners get released."
Susan exploded at that lie. "Political prisoners? Where did you hear shite like that? Death eaters were nothing more than cowardly murdering bastards. My parents were amongst the many they killed, and the Bones name is far older and more prevalent in our society than yours ever will be."
Neville and Hermione comforted their friend. If Susan lost her temper here, Malfoy would be changing his name to mincemeat. Harry had known it would only be a matter of time before one of them would have to stand up to Malfoy, he just thought it would take longer than this. It was also hard to miss that the rest of the first years were now focused on this issue, it was time to destroy Malfoy before anyone thought to take him seriously.
"Malfoy, when your old man gets out of prison, your family are then homeless. Sirius refuses to let the death eater set foot in a Black property, and you are only here because Sirius also paid for your tuition. Malfoy Manor is long gone as it, and most of your family fortune, was impounded by the ministry."
Susan had her temper back under control but that didn't mean she was finished with Malfoy, it was time to verbally put the boot in. "The manor was stripped of anything worthwhile and then flattened. The land was worth a lot more than some stupid attempt at impressing the neighbours with a large house. There are almost seven hundred houses built there now, all bought and occupied by people without magic."
Draco's temper tantrum reminded them of little Jane Longbottom when she couldn't get her own way. "You're nothing but a bunch of liars!"
Harry shook his head in answer. "Nope, Dad and Uncle Sirius listened to Uncle Dan. They sold the land to a non-magical developer, and made an absolute fortune on the deal too."
The young blond boy was struggling to understand this concept. "But that was our house."
Susan could feel no sympathy for him, even if he was almost in tears. "Was is the important word there, the ministry sold it off as part of your parents punishment for their crimes."
Draco never got to say any more as Flitwick returned, leading them in to be sorted. He was fuming but still knew better than to continue this argument when a professor was present.
On entering the great hall, the Oh's and ah's of the new first year's were peppered by four different versions of 'what the …'.
Harry, Hermione, Neville and Susan had expected a pair of Potters and a female Black to be sitting at the staff table, the additional two Blacks confused them. Sirius was sitting there, bouncing Joy on his knee while smiling down at their obvious bemusement. They had no time to consider this development as the sorting hat began what could be grudgingly be referred to as a song, only if you were tone deaf though.
Susan knew she would be one of the first students sorted and again felt her friends rally around in support. "Hey Sue, don't worry about it. We're the ones left to fight with the hat to get in the same house."
"Thanks Nev, you really know how to cheer a girl up. Wish me luck guys." As Hannah Abbot headed for the Hufflepuff table, Susan Bones was called forward to be sorted.
She marched straight to the stool, sat and placed the hat on her head. Even seated, Susan was probably too tall for the charms professor to reach up to her head with the sorting hat.
"Mmm, very interesting and most unusual. From an old pureblood family yet you could easily pass as a muggle if you wished to, there's something I don't see too often. Smart too, but I don't think Ravenclaw would suit you. Yes you certainly love to learn but there has to be a purpose to that knowledge, not just to know facts others don't."
Susan was blushing as the hat continued, she was so glad no one else could hear this.
"Brave enough for Gryffindor but again not the best fit for you my dear. Also loyal as any Hufflepuff but once more that's not what defines you. It's your ambition and drive that makes you who you are Miss Bones, your vision of what you want our society to become is something I can only hope you achieve. Ambition like that leaves me only one choice."
Her friends were all on tenterhooks before the hat shouted "Slytherin".
As Susan made her way to the Slytherin table, Harry glanced toward the staff table and was even more confused by what he saw there. Sirius was on his feet and literally dancing with Joy in his arms, not the reaction he would have expected.
Susan sat at a table that no member of her family had ever belonged to before, she was aware of her new house's rather dark reputation and now was concerned for her friends.
By the time Hermione's turn came, she was as prepared as she could be. With the determination she was renowned for, the young witch boldly stepped forward and soon had the hat on her head. "Slytherin please."
The hat almost chuckled. "Young lady, I don't know what you've been told but that's not how things work here. I'm the sorting hat and you are the student."
"Oh I know that sir, I'm the student you were just about to place in Slytherin."
The hat tried to reason with the girl. "Miss Granger, no muggleborn student has ever been sorted into Slytherin…"
"Oh brilliant, setting a record on my first day here. Surely that makes me ambitious enough for Slytherin? I know exactly what I want and I'm prepared to do whatever I need to get it, that must say Slytherin to you?"
"Wouldn't you prefer Ravenclaw?"
"No thank you sir, Slytherin for me."
"Ah, the mystery of how Miss Bones knows so much about muggles is explained. I also now understand how someone who is supposed to have no knowledge of our world can sit there and demand to be sorted into Slytherin. I wouldn't normally do this but some traditions deserve to be broken, and Miss Bones will need all the help she can get to achieve her goals. The best of luck Miss Granger."
At the announcement of Slytherin, Susan was standing with unshed tears in her eyes as Hermione ran into her waiting arms. Hermione was all smiles as she hugged her friend and they waited on the boys, Hogwarts wouldn't survive them getting sorted anywhere else but Slytherin.
Draco was livid, Granger clearly wasn't the right sort yet the stupid hat had placed her in Slytherin. He silently swore to make her life hell once he was sorted there.
Neville was next of the friends to be sorted. He followed the same procedure as Hermione and asked for Slytherin the instant the hat was on his head.
"Mr Longbottom, you can't be serious? You are the quintessential Gryffindor, that would be a far better fit."
"No thanks, I'm a Slytherin."
"Oh not another one, pureblood who knows more about muggles that the professor who teaches the subject. Just because you've been raised alongside Miss Granger and Miss Bones doesn't mean you need to be in the same house."
"My task at Hogwarts is to reach my full potential. To do that, I need my friends by my side. Slytherin for me please."
The hat grumbled about children today not knowing their place, but conceded at least they had still been taught manners. "Slytherin."
Seconds later, the first Longbottom sorted into Slytherin was being hugged by two girls.
When Draco sat and placed the hat on his head, the first thing he did was start berating the ancient artefact for placing a mudblood in Slytherin.
This proved a step too far for the beleaguered hat. "Mr Malfoy, I'll have you know that where I place any student, apart from you, is none of your concern."
A quick scan of the boy told the sorting hat many things, including that the lad was not the sharpest tool in the box. A Ravenclaw he was not. He expected Slytherin simply because he'd been given everything he'd ever asked for, to grant his wish would just encourage the spoilt brat further. The Gryffindors would eat him alive so that just left one option. This was reinforced by a conversation from the express that stood out in the boy's mind for the sorting hat to read, 'I think I would rather go home than be in Hufflepuff'. If any child needed to learn the value of hard work, it was this one. Besides, Hogwarts might get lucky and he would actually carry out his idle threat. "Hufflepuff."
Draco was not amused, he was raging. "What? You sort a mudblood into Slytherin and then try to put me in the house of the duffers? This hat is just a useless old piece of junk, I demand to be sorted properly. Everyone knows Malfoys belong in Slytherin."
Puffs were usually slow to anger but not tonight, Slytherins were angry at this little prick trying to drag them into this argument. The Ravenclaws were upset at his lack of respect and the Gryffindors were just angry, how could anyone prefer being a snake to a puff? The staff were also very annoyed with this outburst. Draco Malfoy had managed to upset the entire hall on his first night, quite the achievement.
Filius didn't get a chance to reprimand the boy as Minerva beat him to it. "Mr Malfoy, you just earned yourself a weeks worth of detentions with me, and a letter home to your mother for your disgusting language. Use that word again and you'll be facing a suspension. I've never heard a Hufflepuff use that word before…"
Malfoy was too self-centred to see he was in deep trouble here, he took the headmistresses words as proof-positive that his sorting was wrong. "That's exactly what I've been saying. I belong in Slytherin, the home of the purebloods."
Pomona was glaring at her new student, an expression rarely seen from the jovial head of Hufflepuff. "Mr Malfoy, you have been sorted so kindly make your way to the correct table. After you've finished your detentions with the headmistress, you'll have another week's worth with me. I'm Professor Sprout, the head duffer!"
Draco was forced to make his way over to a table when he'd just insulted everyone sitting there. The new Hufflepuff first years made sure to leave him enough room so they wouldn't actually have to sit beside him. Draco found himself sitting alone, something he was actually grateful for.
Things had barely settled down when Harry sat on the stool and asked the hat for Slytherin.
"Mr Potter, this is madness. You're a born Gryffindor and your father is currently head of that house, why would you want to be in Gryffindor?"
After the Malfoy fiasco, Harry decided to be totally honest with the hat. "Hogwarts has already separated me from Dudley, nothing will keep me from Hermione."
The hat now saw the bond between these children, but especially the one between Miss Granger and Mr Potter. They simply had to be in the same house. "Not Gryffindor, then better be Slytherin."
His three friends already at the Slytherin table were cheering loudly while Harry noticed Sirius with a big grin on his face as he taught Joy how to clap her hands. This had been a weird evening and it wasn't over yet.
There was more commotion when the hat decided another student would benefit from learning the value of hard work. Ronald Weasley's loud declaration that he wasn't a duffer also earned him a week's worth of detentions with the now totally pissed-off head duffer.
Minerva was relieved when the Zabini lad was walking in the direction of the Slytherin table and the sorting was over for the year. She quickly ran through a short welcoming speech before getting around to the staff changes for the year. "We have two new heads of house this term. Professor Quirrell has taken a sabbatical from teaching in order to travel, we wish him well. Professor James Potter will now be teaching transfiguration full time and is also the new Head of Gryffindor."
This drew a genuine round of applause from the Gryffindor table, and strangely four Slytherin first years.
"Professor Slughorn is working toward his eventual retirement and stepping down from his head of house duties. First and second years will now be taught both potions and charms from Professor Lilly Potter"
This drew more applause, both Professor Potters were popular in the castle.
"Our new defence against the dark arts teacher is Professor Sirius Black, who will also take over as Head of Slytherin."
Four new Slytherins were ecstatic at this news. They now personally knew their teachers of astronomy, transfiguration, defence, potions and charms, with Sirius being their head of house. All four were in great moods as the headmistress announced the start of the feast. Their new yearmates though were full of questions, Millicent Bulstrode waded right in. she was used to her rather large size intimidating others, she was about to discover it didn't work with this group.
"Granger? I don't recall that name as a wizarding family?"
Hermione's answer was pleasant enough but the Slytherins could hear the steel in her voice. "Oh that would be because I'm the first magical child in our family. Thankfully I had my friends to keep me right and teach me all about magic."
Susan also knew exactly what their large housemate was up to and wanted to shove a big stick through the girl's front wheel before she built up any momentum. "Yeah right, when was the last time any of us were able to teach you anything? This girl here is a certifiable genius, she's been top of every class since we were five."
This brought up more questions than it answered for the Slytherins but Neville interrupted them. "I just spotted Uncle James hand a bag of gold over to Uncle Sirius, any ideas?"
Hermione was shaking her head. "You know it will be some stupid bet, I think they just pass the same bag of gold between them."
Her comments got the other three laughing, they'd all heard some of the silly things the marauders had bet on over the years as they were growing up. The gold wasn't nearly as important as the kudos gained from winning. The bag could be full of dungbombs for all anyone knew, they'd never seen any of them opening it.
Milly wasn't about to be deflected from her initial question though. Just because she was a little more subtle than that prick Malfoy didn't mean she wasn't concerned about the blood issue. "If you're a muggleborn, why did the hat place you in Slytherin?"
"That's easy, I asked it to."
This discussion was drawing attention from more Slytherins than just the first years so Hermione continued. "We all decided before getting on the express we would be in the same house. We've all been raised and schooled together for most of our lives, Hogwarts wasn't about to separate us. Hearing that Uncle Sirius is our head of house is just brilliant, though I'll bet he rubs Uncle James' nose in it."
Susan was laughing at the certainty of that action. "Yeah, until Aunt Lily and Aunt Aurora slap them on the back of the head. I can't believe they're teaching us five of our classes, wait until we tell Dud and Luna that news."
Hermione could think of a few other people who would be pleased. "Mum and dad will be delighted too."
Vincent Crabbe had been watching this like a tennis match as the conversation was batted between the girls. His problems were, not only did he not know the current score, he had no idea what game was being played here.
"Who are all these uncles and aunts?"
The other three knew Hermione just loved explaining things so left her to it. "Uncle James and Aunt Lilly are Harry's parents and the Potters, our potions, charms and transfiguration professors. Uncle Sirius and Aunt Aurora are the Blacks, defence, astronomy and also our head of house. We've known Aunt Aurora since we were about five but we've known the rest since we were tiny, I met Harry, Neville and Susan when I was two."
Vincent wanted to make sure he had his facts right. "So you know nearly all our teachers and are a genius?"
Hermione blushed at that. "I don't know about the genius part but yes to the rest."
Harry's hand instantly found hers. "Trust us, she is. The House Cup is as good as Slytherin's, which will really upset my dad. Well Sirius bragging about it for the entire year will probably upset him more."
This brought a big smile to Vincent's face. "That's just brilliant, welcome to Slytherin Miss Granger."
With that, any animosity Milly had tried to generate toward Hermione vanished like free whisky at a Scottish wedding. Even the large girl could see that having these four in Slytherin would be a tremendous asset to their house. To a real Slytherin, having an advantage was everything.
Over the four house tables, introductions were made and stories were told as the new first years got to know the people they would be spending most of the next seven years with. The only place this didn't happen was the house that prided itself on unity. A redhead and a blond sat at the end of the Hufflepuff table in silence. They had no intention of speaking with each other and none of the other first years would speak to them. Since Ron's appetite wasn't affected by his sorting, his refusal to talk to Draco was the first break the Malfoy boy had caught since boarding the express.
At the staff table, Sirius was enjoying lording it over James. All had been sure the four kids would end up in the same house but for that house to be Slytherin certainly wasn't expected. "I need to speak to my Quidditch captain, he needs to make sure our new first years are included in any team trials. I've a sneaky suspicion he just might find some exceptional talent there."
Minerva's ears picked up at the mention of her favourite sport. "Am I to understand that some of our new first years have the potential to make the house Quidditch teams?"
"Minerva, four of my new first years would soar into any of the house teams. They're fast, fearless and have played together for years. They even have their own top of the range brooms at home."
While Minerva would probably always favour her old house, she just loved to see a good game of Quidditch. "Well, you certainly have my permission to play them if they make the house team."
As Sirius struggled to contain his exuberance, James was left groaning and wondering what went wrong. Something surely must be wrong when Slytherin gets three times the number of new first year that Gryffindor received. James realised though he wouldn't be complaining at only getting four first years if he'd gotten the four he wanted. Minerva had warned them both not to let their competitiveness with each other spill over into their houses. Slytherin and Gryffindor didn't need any more edge to their ages old rivalry.
That a Potter, Longbottom, Bones and first generation witch could be sorted into Slytherin was an indictment to the progress their society had made in the years since Voldemort was destroyed. Slytherin house was no longer the cesspit of pureblood bigotry that it had been when they attended Hogwarts. A muggleborn would have been murdered before completing their first week. Horace had done a good job of moving the house away from that stance. Then again, if there was one thing old Sluggy was good at, it was spotting a popular trend and getting in on it early. Sirius would never have taken the post otherwise. Even so, James would still have been really worried for Hermione if her head of house wasn't Sirius.
Sirius' master plan for this year was simplicity itself. Win both the Quidditch and house cups but do so fairly. Let the students see that Slytherin was a house they could be rightly proud of. The sorting hat had just handed him a massive advantage tonight. A muggleborn witch in Slytherin, his mother would be turning in her grave.
-oOoOo-
Hermione found her belongings had been placed at a four-poster bed between Pansy's and Susan's, they had Tracy, Daphne and Millicent across from them. Hermione knew Dudley and Luna would be desperate to hear from them so sat on her new bed and took out her mirror. "Snow White for Thumper and Ariel – expand."
The other four girls were arranging their belongings while attempting to peek at what was going on, especially when Susan repeated the process. Both girls were clearly talking to other people and it was Pansy whose curiosity got the better of her first.
The dark haired girl peered over Hermione's shoulder and spied five other faces appearing on what she'd assumed was a simple mirror. "Hermione, how is this possible?"
"Oh, these are PMP prototypes that we're product testing. Remus hopes to have them on sale by next year at the latest. Neville, Susan, and Harry you know, the other two are our friends Dudley and Luna."
Pansy was even more confused with that answer. ""Didn't you say earlier that these two were somewhere outside London and that the boy was a muggle?"
"They're in my house in Crawley and Dudley isn't magical, but I don't see your problem?"
Millicent had given up all pretence that she wasn't dying to know what these things were. She was now leaning over Hermione's other shoulder while Tracy and Daphne had taken up the same positions around Susan.
The large Slytherin girl was also still having trouble with this. "How can a muggle use a magical device? Isn't that against the statue of secrecy?"
"Dudley stays with Harry and I, he's currently living with my parents since his are the Potters and they're now here full time."
Any more explanations from Hermione were cut off as her parents appeared in Dudley's mirror. The other four Slytherin girls were left to watch in disbelief as all these people chatted with each other, despite some of them being hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts.
The same scenario was also taking place in the first year Slytherin boy's dorm. Greg, Vincent, Theo and Blaise were every bit as impressed as their female counterparts. All eight new Slytherins were looking at the item that had just shot straight to the top of their Christmas wish lists.
When a green 'P' appeared in the last space of the mirror, the watchers were amazed to discover that 'Padfoot' was none other than their head of house, Professor Black.
"Guys, you've all got a busy day tomorrow, don't stay up half the night chatting. I'm assuming there are others now listening in so I'll just welcome everyone to Slytherin House, I'll meet you all in the common room before breakfast tomorrow. Night all."
This display ended any and all objections Millicent may have had over Granger's blood status. She had instantaneous access to their head of house and called the man uncle. It was also obvious that none of the others in their year had a problem with the girl.
After watching what an arse Malfoy had made of himself earlier, there really wasn't a choice left to make. Millicent was a Slytherin through and through, she wasn't about to buck public opinion, or go after someone so clearly well connected, over a simple thing like blood prejudice. She had to spend the next seven years with these people, she had no intention of making enemies. A happy house would be a productive house and Millicent knew she needed the best education she could get.
There were also eyebrows raised when Hermione placed Paddy on her bed, Susan smiled at her friend and answered the unasked question. "Hermione here needs Paddy to cuddle into when she hasn't got her Harry."
Hermione returned a sad little smile. "I've just realised something, this is the furthest Harry and I have ever been apart at night."
Daphne couldn't let that one slip by. "You sleep with Harry?"
"Since we were babies. We always have at least adjoining rooms, even when we go abroad on holiday."
Tracy's jaw was hanging open at this. "What does your mum say about this?"
"Oh Harry has the room next to mine in my house too. Mum and dad love him nearly as much as I do."
Milly took on the job of asking the most obvious question. "Is Harry your boyfriend?"
Susan was now giggling. "Harry is her bestist friend and sorry girls, Luna and I have already claimed the bridesmaid spots."
The other four girls were now giggling along until they noticed Hermione's reaction to Susan's claim. She didn't make any attempt to deny it, rather cuddled into her toy dog with a wistful grin playing on her lips.
-oOoOo-
Albus Dumbledore was standing at the edge of the forbidden forest and there was also a wistful smile escaping from his beard. He'd gotten close enough earlier to make sure the Potter boy had indeed entered Hogwarts. Since Harry was the spitting image of his father, there was no room for any doubt as Albus had seen the boy with his own eyes. If he was not mistaken, the Longbottom lad was in the same boat. This would be a target that was just too tempting for Voldemort not to attack.
He would have to be vigilant now, there could be no room for error here. Voldemort was sure to strike during the hours of darkness so Albus would have to keep a close watch on Gryffindor tower. His entire future depended on defeating Voldemort and saving the boy, failure was not an option.
-oOoOo-
Justin was wondering if he'd ruined his entire future by attending Hogwarts. His parents had him down for Eton and he was the one who had chosen the magical option. Now he found himself sharing a dorm with a boy who thought that Justin Finch-Fletchley should have been drowned at birth, and another whose manners would put a pig to shame. That this hog also snored louder than any pig could snort just added to his nightmare.
Thank goodness for Ernie and Hannah. Without them, Justin would probably already be writing home so he could leave Hogwarts. He was heartened by the attitude of the Second year girls who offered to let Hannah bunk with them, since she was the only first year girl sorted into Hufflepuff.
An older boy called Cedric had also taken him and Ernie aside to say that Hufflepuff was a very friendly place, and not to judge them all on the example of people like Malfoy and Weasley. Justin gave serious thought to those words and decided to give himself a fair crack at the whip before asking to leave. He also knew he wouldn't be sitting anywhere near Weasley anytime there was food involved, a letter home for a set of ear plugs wouldn't go amiss either.
-oOoOo-
Hermione had tossed and turned all night, at five a.m. she submitted to the inevitable and decided to get up and face the day. As she quietly got ready, the thought that she would see Harry soon had a smile on her face. She made her way to the common room and found she wasn't alone in struggling to sleep, Harry rose from the couch and Hermione rushed into his open arms.
Sirius found them, snuggling into each other asleep on a couch, when he entered the Slytherin common room to greet his new first years. Neville and Susan were ensuring that they weren't woken and assuring anyone who asked that this was perfectly normal behaviour for them.
The marauder could only smile as he very gently nudged them awake, he learned the hard way not to prank one of them when they were holding the other. They were about four when Sirius had thought it would be fun to wake them by spraying some water on them, he'd been magically blasted clean across the room.
Harry assumed Hermione was being attacked and acted accordingly and instantly, his snuggle partner had done the exact same thing. Lily had mended his injuries before laying into him something fierce while Emma calmed the two kids who were distraught at hurting their uncle Padfoot. Sirius had learned his lesson well and could only grin when they woke and noticed they were the centre of attention. They quickly stood but Harry never released Hermione's hand, Sirius was pretty sure you would struggle to slip a sheet of parchment between the two the entire day.
Lily and James had been concerned that the two would have trouble not being able to hold each other if they had a bad or big day, so much so that they had an extra bedroom in their Hogwarts apartment. They hadn't told the kids about it yet but asked Sirius to keep an eye on the situation in case it was needed. He would monitor the pair closely but was pretty sure the kids would be staying at the Potters for Hermione's birthday, anything else would be cruel to them. The adults were all aware of the bond that existed between Harry and Hermione, all were expecting it to one day lead to marriage. Any other outcome was simply unthinkable.