Alright, this is my last chapter released so far. I might write another chapter sometime this week though.
DISCLAIMER: I own Elizabeth "Lizzie" Black, Michael Black and Whizzy the house elf. All other characters are property of J. K. Rowling.
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Chapter 4 - Hogwarts
Soon, the first of September arrived, and chaos reigned in the Black household.
"Are you sure you packed everything?" Lizzie asked in a panic. "Toothbrush? Books? Clean underwear?"
"MUM!" Harry shouted, snapping her out of her panicking. "We'll be back in four months; it's not like we're joining the military or anything."
"Oh, I know, Harry. But this is the first time that I'll be separated from you for so long. Can't a woman just be a little bit emotional?"
"Mum, take a deep breath, and relax," Michael said, inhaling and exhaling deeply.
"Besides, I made a list," Harry said, producing a piece of parchment with various items listed. All of them were crossed out. Finally satisfied, Lizzie glanced at her watch.
"It's 10:30. Go get changed and we'll apparate to the station. Collapsico," she said, pointing her wands at their trunks. They instantly shrunk to the size of toy cars. With that, she left the room and closed the door. The two boys started changing into their uniforms.
"Don't forget your precious hat, dear brother," Michael said, smirking. He grunted as he narrowly dodged the wadded up T-shirt that Harry had thrown at him.
Ten minutes later, Harry, Michael, Lizzie and Remus appeared at platform 9-3/4 with a crack (they said goodbye to Sirius at Grimmauld Place, as it would look suspicious to be side-along apparating a dog). Lizzie and the two boys were stunned at the sight of the scarlet locomotive that was the Hogwarts Express, while Remus merely smiled at the happy memories it brought.
"Don't forget to write lots of letters," Lizzie said as she hugged Michael. "And be sure to make the sorting nice and detailed for me," she continued, hugging Harry. "I love you both."
"We love you too, Mum," Harry said. Then he hugged Remus. "Bye, Uncle Moony," he said. Michael repeated the gesture.
"I'll see you both at Christmas," Remus said, eyes welling up with tears. Bidding their final goodbyes, and making sure that Harry's black baseball cap was on securely, the two boys climbed onto the train that would take them to Hogwarts.
The two boys opened a compartment to see a young girl holding a copy of the Daily Prophet, chewing on the end of a quill in thought. She seemed oblivious to their presence.
"Umm, hi," Harry said. "Mind if we sit here?" She shook her head, but her gaze remained fixed to the parchment. Sitting down, the three of them sat in awkward silence until she asked out of the blue, "What's a seven letter word for `stupid'?" Harry and Michael looked at each other, confused. Michael shrugged his shoulders, and after a minute, Harry answered, "Asinine. A-S-I-N-I-N-E." The girl nodded and scribbled on the parchment before tossing aside sighing.
"Bloody crossword's been stumping me all week," she muttered to herself. Then she perked up as if finally noticing the two other presences there. "Hi there. I'm Blaise." She held out her hand. After the two boys introduced themselves, she asked, "You excited about going to Hogwarts?"
"We are," Harry said. "Our mum wasn't too thrilled, though."
"Mmm," Blaise hummed, nodding in understanding. "Separation anxiety. My mum did it too." They lurched in their seats as the train started moving. Blaise suddenly frowned. "Where's your luggage?" Michael slapped his pants pocket.
"Had our mum shrink it for us. She taught us the reverse charm for when we get to Hogwarts."
"Ah." After a few minutes of silence, she spoke again. "So, what house do you reckon you'll be in?" They both shrugged.
"Our dad hopes we'll be in Gryffindor, but we'll just go where we're sent. How `bout you?"
"I'm hoping for Slytherin. My mum went there, and she's like the coolest mum ever!" she said, squealing excitedly. Harry and Michael cocked their eyebrows at each other.
"Our dad doesn't have the highest opinion of Slytherins, but after some verbal thrashing from our mum about prejudices, he mostly keeps it to himself," Harry said.
"Who's you're dad?" Blaise asked.
"That's for us to know and for you to find out," Michael said coyly, winking. Blaise glared at Michael while Harry rolled his eyes at his brother's antics.
About an hour later, the three were surrounded by sweets and playing exploding snap when the door opened to reveal a shy young girl with bushy brown hair.
"Hi," she said softly. "Mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full."
"Sure," Blaise said, quickly sweeping the empty wrappers off the seat next to her. The girl timidly sat down.
"I'm Blaise," she said cheerfully. The new girl hesitantly shook Blaise's hand.
"Hermione," she said.
"I'm Harry."
"Michael." Hermione looked oddly at Harry, who shifted nervously under her gaze.
"Why are you wearing a hat?" Harry chuckled nervously as he pulled the cap down further.
"My hair's got a mind of it's own, and a hat's easier than trying to tame it," he said, telling a half-truth. Hermione nodded, satisfied with his answer.
"We're playing exploding snap, wanna join?" Blaise asked as she gathered the cards. Hermione seemed hesitant to answer.
"Umm…I don't know how to play."
"Ah, don't worry about it; we'll teach ya," Blaise said dismissively, dealing all four of them a hand, then explaining to Hermione the rules of exploding snap.
Several hours - and explosions later, the driver announced that they were nearing Hogwarts and to leave their luggage on the train.
And true enough, within ten minutes, the train stopped at Hogsmeade station. The students walked down a beaten path until they reached a lake with dozens of small boats on the shore. They also noticed the man three times their height calling for them.
"Firs' years! Firs' years ove' here!" the man called. The first years immediately milled towards the giant. "Now, no more `en four to a boat, ya here?" the giant asked, gesturing towards the boats. Harry, Hermione, Blaise and Michael all climbed into one boat, which immediately started sputtering away, despite no motor or paddles.
"Amazing!" Hermione gasped. Blaise just rolled her eyes.
"It's just a simple propelling charm," she said flatly. Hermione frowned while Harry and Michael shot her glares.
"Party pooper," Michael muttered.
Several minutes later, the boats docked at the grounds of Hogwarts. The students climbed out of the boats and followed the giant man towards the doors to the entrance hall.
After the giant pounded on the doors three times, an aged woman with a strong air of authority opened it.
"The firs' years are all yers, Professor McGonnagal," the giant said.
"Thank you, Hagrid," the woman said. Nodding, the giant left. "Follow me," Professor McGonnagal said sternly. The children gladly complied, not wanting to cross her.
While Professor McGonnagal was reciting her mantra on the houses, Harry and Michael were looking at the head table. They kept their heads low when they saw Dumbledore. They saw a dark, greasy-haired man, who they recognized from Sirius' stories as Serverus Snape. Next to him was a jittery man with a large and silly-looking purple turban. When Harry set eyes on him, Harry immediately winced and started rubbing his forehead as his scar started aching.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked, concerned. Harry nodded, still rubbing his forehead.
"I'm alright. It's just a headache."
"…And now, the Sorting Ceremony shall begin!" Professor McGonnagal announced. Then she placed an old tattered hat on a stool. For a minute, it just sat there, but then the front crinkled to make a face and a tear opened to form a mouth. Then the hat burst into 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 is nothing 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,
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 be in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I am a thinking cap!" The students applauded the Sorting Hat's song. Professor McGonnagal pulled out a long scroll of parchment and began calling names.
"Abbot, Hannah!" Hannah Abbot walked to the professor, who placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
"Hufflepuff!" the hat announced. The crowd applauded as she ran to the Hufflepuff table. Professor McGonnagal tensed at the next name.
"Black, Michael," she read, and the hall immediately went quiet. Some scattered whispers were exchanged as Michael walked up to the hat and donned it. After a long, tense minute, the hat shouted "Gryffindor!" There was scattered applause as Michael made his way to the Gryffindor table, giving Harry a thumbs-up on the way. Professor McGonnagal cleared her throat and called "Boot, Terry" to the stand.
Harry didn't really pay attention to the rest of the sorting beyond Hermione ("Gryffindor!"). But then Professor McGonnagal tensed again, and even paled slightly, before calling the next name.
"Potter-Black, Harry," she said in a strangled whisper. Again, the hall went silent. The hall then broke into whispers again, with the exception of Michael, who was nervously waiting the verdict, and Hermione, who seemed too stunned to speak. Sighing, Harry took off his hat and walked towards Professor McGonnagal, who placed the Sorting Hat on his head.
Hello, Mr. Potter, a voice in his head echoed.
"Umm…hi," Harry said awkwardly. Now, let me see…Ah, very interesting. Quite a mind you have tucked away there, and fiercely loyal to those you care about. Also plenty of courage and honor, but not afraid to be sneaky when you need to. Oh, if only the founders were here, they'd be fighting over who would get you. Very difficult decision. What do you think?
"I'd prefer Gryffindor, but it's up to you," Harry said softly. The Sorting Hat chuckled in his head. Up to me, is it? Very well then. You shall be placed in…!
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Soooo…where do you think Harry will end up in?
And if Blaise is in fact a boy, I'm sorry, but I'm not changing it. The only time I remember Blaise showing up was during the sorting in 1st year, which gave no indication of gender. I don't remember if Blaise showed up again, I'm too lazy to check the Lexicon, and I don't know where my books are. So chalk it up to writer's liberty. But hey, this is minor. At least I didn't make Harry female or something. :P
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