Alright, I've tortured you guys long enough. Time for the next chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I own Elizabeth "Lizzie" Black, Michael Black and Whizzy the house elf. All other characters are property of J. K. Rowling (even if I did get Blaise's gender wrong…but who cares?!).
I've received one or two reviews about Hermione's change in personality, as well as her apparent knowledge of the wizarding world. Well, in my fic, Hermione is much more subdued, and more hesitant to speak up. She's still a know-it-all, she just won't flaunt it as much as in canon.
----
LAST TIME: "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…!
----
Chapter 5 - The First Night
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat announced. The whole hall immediately broke into applause as Harry took off the Sorting Hat and walked to the Gryffindor table, sitting between Michael and Hermione.
"Why didn't you say you were Harry Potter?" Hermione hissed as the sorting continued. Harry shrugged.
"You didn't ask."
"That was a close one, bro," Michael said. "For a minute, I thought you'd end up in Slytherin or something." Harry snorted.
"Dad would have had a heart attack if I did," Harry deadpanned. While the two brothers were talking about the various reactions Sirius would have had based on where they might have been sorted, Hermione's head was spinning. Harry Potter? I rode the train with Harry Potter?! But he was kidnapped by Sirius Black! He should be dead! But as she looked at the two boys laughing about something, she thought, But look at them. They laugh and they banter like two ordinary boys. They said that their father would have had a heart attack if Harry was in Slytherin, but he was raised by Sirius Black! He should have fought tooth and nail to get into Slytherin. Could it be…? No, it can't…can it?
"Zambini, Blaise," Professor McGonnagal announced. Harry and Michael immediately stopped their conversation to watch as the dark-haired girl ran up to the elderly professor and sat on the stool. The Sorting Hat was again taking its time, but Harry could see her mouthing something over and over again. Finally, the hat announced, "GRYFFINDOR!" Blaise squeaked and visibly paled at this. There was scattered applause echoing through the hall as Blaise walked to the Gryffindor table like a criminal being led to the guillotine. She plopped onto the chair directly across from Harry and cradled her head in her hands, muttering under her breath. Harry reached over and gently patted her on the arm.
"It's okay, Blaise. Gryffindor isn't that bad," Harry said reassuringly. Michael nodded in agreement.
"Besides, the Zambini's are a…okay sort," Michael added. "The most you're gonna get is a letter of disappointment from your parents. It's not like they're gonna disown you or anything. That's something the Malfoys would do."
"Speaking of the Malfoys," Harry said, directing his attention to Michael, "I believe you owe me two Galleons." Rolling his eyes, Michael reached into his pocket and placed the two shiny gold coins in Harry's waiting hand.
"Thank you," Harry said, pocketing his winnings. He then turned back to Blaise.
"Besides, you have us to keep you from the jerks in our dorm," Harry said cheerfully. This seemed to have worked, for Blaise lifted her head from her silent sulking and cracked a small grin.
"Thanks, guys," she said. Then all of a sudden she was back to her cheerful self. "So, Harry Potter eh? I must say I'm a bit surprised." Before Harry could respond, Dumbledore stood up. Both Harry and Michael suddenly found their shiny gold plates very interesting.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" the wizened wizard announced, his eyes twinkling merrily. "Before we dig in, I have a few words to say: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Suddenly, all the platters on the tables were covered with food of all kinds, with the students hungrily digging in.
"So…what do you mean `surprised'?" Harry asked as he spooned mashed potatoes onto his plate.
"Well, I thought you'd be taller, for one," Blaise said, hacking away at a piece of roast chicken. Harry shrugged.
"Can't help you there," he said. "So you're not the least bit concerned about me being raised by Sirius Black?" Blaise shook her head.
"No. My parents were in school with him, and said that he was too nice to ever be a Death Eater. Now that other kid, Parker or something…"
"Peter," Harry and Michael said in unison.
"Yeah, him. Now he was Death Eater material. Guy would jump off a bridge if you intimidated him enough, the little wuss," Blaise continued. "Besides, you're too nice to be evil."
"What if this is just a front while I secretly plot for Voldemort's return?" Harry asked, cocking his eyebrow. Hermione gasped at the name, but Blaise didn't seem fazed in the least.
"Then I'll write my mum. I'm sure she knows a few people she'd like you to get rid of while you're waiting," she said in a flat tone. Harry snorted at her last comment. After swallowing a piece of ham, he turned to Hermione.
"So Hermione, what's your story?" Hermione, caught off-guard by the sudden attention, stammered, "Umm…I-I'm Muggleborn from Birmingham. Both of my parents are dentists." She started picking at her food nervously. Nodding, Harry went back to his own food.
"What's a dentist?" Blaise asked.
"Muggle healer that keeps your teeth healthy," Harry explained. Nodding in understanding, Blaise dug into the recently-appeared dessert.
After everybody had their fill, the scraps of food disappeared, leaving their plates spotless. Again Dumbledore stood up and the two Black boys had a staring contest with their reflections.
"Now that everybody has been fed and watered, I have a few announcements to make," Dumbledore said. "First off, there shall be no performing of magic in the corridors. Second, the list of banned items has had seventy-four items added to it; you can find the complete list in Mr. Filch's office. Thirdly, the Forbidden Forest is just that: forbidden. Some of our older students would do well to remember that." At this, his twinkling eyes fell to two identical red-haired Gryffindors. "And finally, I must impress on you that the third floor corridor is strictly forbidden to all those who do not wish to die a most horrible death." There was some nervous laughter at this. "But on a lighter note, I'd like to introduce our latest Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Quirrel." The nervous-looking man stood up, and again Harry felt his scar twinge. "I believe it is time for bed. Prefects, if you could please lead the first years to their dormitories?" A redhead boy and blonde girl stood up at the Gryffindor table.
"Gryffindors, this way please!" the male prefect shouted. The students navigated through the many corridors and climbed up the magical staircases that shifted positions.
"Amazing!" Hermione exclaimed. "I read about these in Hogwarts: A History, but it's another thing to actually see it!"
"A damn inconvenience, it is," a third year student muttered darkly. "They're the reason why first-years are always late for classes." They finally reached the entrance to the Gryffindor common room: a portrait of a large woman in a frilly pink dress.
"Password?" The Fat Lady asked.
"Caput Draconis," the male prefect said. Nodding in acceptance, the portrait swung open to reveal the common room. The room was mostly a crimson coloring with some gold scattered. It combined with the light from the fire to make a warm atmosphere.
"This is the Gryffindor common room," the prefect explained. "The boys dormitories are to your left, girls to the right. Now rest up, we have a long day tomorrow." With that, the students climbed up to their respective dormitories.
When Harry and Michael got to their dorm, they saw who their roommates were: a tall, freckle-faced redhead who looked related to the prefect that led them there, a short brown-haired boy and a black boy who was looking around in wonder.
"Well, I guess we better turn in," Harry said. He pulled his trunk out of his pocket and placed it on the floor, with Michael following. "Engorgio," they said, and their trunks grew until it reached its normal size. They opened their trunks, ignoring the looks of awe that the other three boys were giving them, and changed before climbing into bed.
----
And that's the end of that. As you may have noticed, this is a relatively short chapter (just over four pages), but this is more of a transitional chapter. Classes will begin next chapter (obviously).
And as you may have noticed, Ron is no longer part of the Golden Trio (or quartet, as it would seem). We'll just have to see if he and Harry are friends or not. And keep those reviews a-comin'!
-->