Chapter 11

WELCOME TO HOGWARTS

A. N. : I am really, really sorry for the delay. I know it has been months but I was swamped in college work until a few days ago and then, my muse went on a holiday. I would like to clarify that no matter how long it takes me to update, I will not abandon this fic. I have also decided that after first year, I will simply fast forward a couple of years unless describing an important scene. This is because my story differs vastly from Canon. You will see. Once again, I am sorry. Please review!! I appreciate honest critique about my work. And thank you for those who did not give up on my story.

For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth -- and the hat began to sing:

"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 Hufflepuffis 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 whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said.

"Abbott, Hannah!"

A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moments pause-

"HUFFLEPUFF!", shouted the hat.

The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Hadrian saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her. They were overly friendly in a way.

"Bones, Susan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!", shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them. Very professional bunch.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too, but

"Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded with cheers; Hadrian could see that the lions were a rowdy bunch and very loud, so not his scene.

"Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin. Perhaps it was Hadrian's imagination, especially after all he'd heard about Slytherin, but he thought they looked like a thick headed lot. He was starting to feel definitely bewildered now. How could the house of grace and ambition become a bigoted bunch. He could perhaps restore the house, especially with some of the sensible bunch he could see but really, it was too much hassle.

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Sometimes, Hadrian noticed, the hat shouted out the house at once, but at others it took a little while to decide.

"Finnigan, Seamus," the sandy-haired boy next to Hadrian in the line, sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor.

"Granger, Hermione!" The bushy-haired girl almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.

"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the hat. Weasley groaned. Hadrian wasn't really surprised, though bookish, the girl was obnoxious.

When Neville was called, Hadrian patted him on the back so he didn't lose his nerve. Neville became decidedly more confident then. The hat took a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouted,

"RAVENCLAW," Neville looked smug when the hall gaped before the ravens cheered for him. He very politely took off the hat to give it to

"MacDougal, Morag," who was sorted in Slytherin.

"Malfoy, Draco," swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once: the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed,

"SLYTHERIN!" Malfoy went to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle, looking pleased with himself. He looked like a peacock.

There weren't many people left.

"Moon" a Ravenclaw, "Nott", "Parkinson", both Slytherin, then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil", who surprisingly enough got in different houses. Parvati in Gryffindor and Padma in Ravenclaw. Then "Perks, Sally-Anne", a Hufflepuff, and then, at last -- "Potter, Harry!"

Hadrian didn't move. It wasn't his true name and he had already written to the Deputy concerning the name issue. The name was called twice again but he ignored it. The hall which was enthusiastic at first was now so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Then, Professor McGonaggal addressed him directly and asked, "Mr. Potter, please come up here to get sorted. Do not make a scene."

Hadrian calmly replied, "I am sorry, Professor, but my name is not Harry Potter. I already sent a letter informing you of my correct name. So, if you call my name, I will come up to get sorted. Otherwise, I am afraid not."

Professor McGonaggal looked quite angry and embarrassed at having a first year defy her orders. However, what Hadrian said was true and she had no option but to comply. So, she called out, "Potter-Black, Hadrian!"

Hadrian calmly walked to the stool with such a grace that made most purebloods jealous. The last thing Hadrian saw before the black of the inside of the hat obscured his vision was the students giving him a speculative look.

"Ouch!", yelped a small voice just outside his library wall in his mind. He went to his mindscape to see what it was about and found the hat's magic there. He greeted it and asked what it was trying to do. "I was called Aro by the founders and given the magic of telepathy to search the young minds to know what are their most prominent qualities. Then, I sort them. I have never really encountered shields capable of keeping me out. However, there is no way I am combating with pain to enter your mind. If you would, please give me access so that I can sort you. I can't give your secrets to anyone because of the privacy ward woven into my very threads by the founders."

Hadrian thought it over and with a thought made a small opening for the hat to slip through and promptly closed it. Then, he heard the hat's assessment.

"Hmm.. A brilliant mind, Rowena would have loved to be able to teach one such as you. A newfound cunning and inherent cautiousness, a certain disregard for rules, amazing Slytherin traits. Loyal, not to everyone, but still, good Hufflepuff trait, especially with the hard working nature I could see of yours. And, oh yes, courage and a slight hard-headedness, you will make a fine Gryffindor as well. So, where to sort you? You have already taken the heirship of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, I see. It also factors in the decision. Difficult, very difficult. Oh, which house would you prefer, you will do well in any of them?"

Hadrian, though surprised to be asked his opinion, told the hat that he would prefer Ravenclaw, if possible.

He, then, let the hat out of his mindscape as requested and heard the hat, "Well, if you're sure-- better be RAVENCLAW!"

The hat shouted the last word to the whole hall. He took off the hat and walked with the same grace as before to the Ravenclaw table and sat down next to Neville and Terry Boot, another first year. Most of the Ravens shook his hand and welcomed him, but there was also academic interest in him. He couldn't believe how many students actually thought that he looked like how those horrid fiction books wrote about him. He had already acquired a solicitor's services to sue the authors and publishing company for not labelling the books as fiction. At least, Neville tried to comfort him. Hadrian didn't want to be a project to be studied and decided to nip the progress in the bud. But first, the sorting was continuing as the teachers had gotten over their shock at seeing a non-Gryffindor Potter. He decided to wait until reaching the dormitories. Plus, he had a killer headache. He would have to check on his occlumency shields.

He could see the High Table properly now. At the end nearest the Gryffindor table sat Hagrid, the half-giant keeper of keys. Hadrian had been told about his Dumby worship but kind and gentle nature. And there, in the center of the High Table, in a large gold chair, talk about ostentatious and kingly, sat Albus Dumbledore. Hadrian recognized him at once from the newspaper article about him after Siri's trial. Dumby's silver hair was the only thing in the whole hall that shone as brightly as the ghosts. He was looking quite displeased, if Hadrian said so himself. His eyes had lost the famous twinkle and showed rage, shock and malice. Hadrian spotted Sev talking to probably Professor Quirrell, the only new staff member, although he had apparently been the Muggle Studies teacher two years ago. He was looking very peculiar in a large purple turban and was looking very nervous. He also spotted a half goblin professor, he was sure he was Professor Filius Flitwick, the charms professor. There was a rather stout, kindly looking witch he was conversing to, Hadrian recognised her as Professor Pomona Sprout. The other teachers were maybe the electives' tutors.

And now there were only four people left to be sorted. "Thomas, Dean," a Black boy even taller than Weasley, joined the Gryffindor table. "Turpin, Lisa," became a Ravenclaw and then it was Ronald's turn. He was pale green by now. He sat on the stool and a second later the hat had shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Not a surprise. Then, the last student, "Zabini, Blaise", went to Slytherin and the sorting ended. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.

Albus 'Dumby' Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there. "Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! "Thank you!" He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Hadrian however, almost couldn't keep his disgust from showing.

Suddenly, the dishes in front of him were piled with food. He had never seen so many things on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and, for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs. He acknowledged that if the elves at the Manor hadn't ensured the high carb diet for him, he wouldn't have been able to even look at it without feeling sick. As it was, he only took healthy food with orange juice, which for some strange reason, there was only one pitcher of. The conversations started then.

Terry Boot, on his left, said, "I have been waiting so long to come to Hogwarts! You know, Mum told me a little about the castle from when she was attending but she really didn't do justice to it." He laughed along with others at this statement. Hadrian could relate as no amount of description could have described the sheer magical presence of the castle. Then, the other students also commented on Hogwarts' beauty. Hadrian didn't say it, but the magic imbued in the castle felt just like home and comfort.

In this idle chatter soon, the feast, along with dessert, was over. For his part, he hadn't talked much, only a word here and there to Neville. He was feeling quite a headache by then and wanted to be in his bed for the opportunity to clear his mind. After all the dishes were cleared, the headmaster stood up to make some announcements. The hall fell silent.

"Ahern -- just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Very few people laughed at that. Hadrian was not one of them. His eyes had narrowed at the warning. It was a practical invitation to the Gryffindors to have an adventure. Most of the student body were already speculating about it. He also didn't miss Dumby's eyes flickering to him at the end of that ridiculous warning. He didn't actually ban that corridor, just limited the use with a condition, one every foolish lion can fulfill. He was not liking where it was going. He would have to ensure the safety of the students or at least get Sev to do so.

He almost didn't hear when Dumby continued talking. "And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumby. Hadrian noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed. Dumby gave his wand a little flick, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words. It was a truly wonderful transfiguration, especially as it seemed that Dumby was paying the least bit of attention. He could admire the talent when he sees it, enemy or not.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumby, "and off we go!" And the school bellowed:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

Everybody finished the song at different times while Hadrian hadn't even bothered starting. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest. "Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

The Ravenclaw prefects, Penelope Clearwater and Ernest ShawAlter commanded the first years to follow them. They showed them all the known shortcuts on their way to the Ravenclaw tower on the seventh floor while also warning them that they would have to discover other rare paths and the castle secrets by themselves later. Soon, they came to a door with a majestic Eagle head protruding from it and a brass knocker. The prefect, Penelope explained, "This is the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. When you knock, the Eagle, Shamanii, enchanted by Rowena Ravenclaw herself, will ask you an age appropriate riddle. If you get the answer right, the door will open. If not, either keep trying or wait for someone else to get it right. It is also sentient and other than those of our house and professors will not be able to get entry through him. So, let's see if you can answer the riddle, shall we?"

When Penelope knocked, the beak of Shamanii opened and a strangely melodic voice floated out, "I am here, I am there, it would seem I am everywhere. You cannot live without me, yet you will not be able to hold me. What am I?"

Hadrian spoke up at once, "Air."

Everyone looked at him in awe at getting the answer this fast but he ignored it as his headache had returned with vengeance. Shamanii said, "A sharp mind you have indeed.", and the door swung open. The inside of the common room was amazing and homey. The room was done in royal blue and bronze but in a very tasteful manner. The walls on either side of the entrance and the left and right side of the room was lined with bookcases ceiling high. Couches, armchairs and study tables were scattered throughout the room with a fire going in a fireplace directly across the entrance. On either side of the fireplace were stairs, Hadrian thought they led to the dormitories. Directly above the hearth was a huge portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw.

Just then, Penelope and Ernest claimed their attention by standing on the bottom stairs of either staircases. Penelope started, "The stairs behind me lead to the girls' rooms and the ones Ernest is on lead to the boys' rooms. Unlike other houses where the boys are restricted from entering girls' rooms and not the other way around, in Ravenclaw, there are no restrictions before curfew but both staircases are banned from the opposite gender after the overall curfew inside the common room, 12 o'clock keeping in mind the NEWT students. Please respect the freedom you are granted."

Here, Ernest interrupted her, "Next, the rooming structure is different as well because our main concern is studies and research. We have two students per room until fourth year and then, all are given individual rooms. The first years are assigned partners if they don't choose for themselves and are stuck with them until fourth year. Furthermore, because you are encouraged to learn as much as possible, you are supposed to decorate your rooms with new things you research, wards included. Each student will be awarded house points for their efforts as well as a chocolate frog or sugar quill. So, learn as much as you can."

Penelope took over, "We are available to help you in your studies, even extracurricular studies, everyday from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Professor Flitwick is also available during this time to first to fourth years and the consequent hour for senior years. Anything else, you can ask us personally. Now, we know you are tired, please find your partners and rooms. These will be your rooms for the next seven years. Also, first years have the topmost rooms which the castle will move down one level automatically next year. The rooms will be as you leave them. Also, your single rooms are simply made from inserting a film wall so your personal rooms will not be suddenly changed in fifth year. Each room has their own bathrooms."

Ernest, then said, "Find your rooms and settle in."

Hadrian automatically moved towards Neville who paired with him just as eagerly. They then moved to the topmost floor where there were two twin rooms and they moved in the right one leaving the other for Terry Boot and Samuel Richie. They found their trunks at the bottom of each bed, and as the room had windows above each bed individually and the room was really the same on either side, they took their bed corresponding their trunk without further discussion. Neville seemed to recognise that Hadrian wanted silence as he just made use of the bathroom to change and slipped into his bed with a smile to him. He drew the royal blue curtains around his four poster bed. Hadrian felt grateful for his God brother's understanding nature and got ready for bed himself. The sheets, he observed were silky soft royal blue and there were bronze pillows on the bed. The bed itself was oak with a sturdy bedframe. He drew his own curtains and slipped in his mind to check on the source of the headache. What he found was astounding.

The outside of the library wall was teeming with emotions and they were not his own. He had read about empathy a few years ago as there were some in the muggle world. He recognised the situation somewhat. He just was an empath on a larger scale than any muggle can manage. But even recognising the problem, he did not know how to sort it. He had been fairly emotionless almost all his life. He had difficulties gauging his own emotions, let alone others'. He would have to do something if he did not want to go insane though. Another thought occurred to him then, he had only utilised the pain in his mental walls, where were other emotions he had felt, his core and his life in his mind scape. It was then, he realised, that he had only utilised his memory until now and he should correct the folly. He sank deeper in meditation and felt for the elusive emotions. It took him at least two hours before he found them.

He knew that he couldn't continue right then as he had to wake up for classes the next day, so, he pulled the place holding his emotions just below his library as a sort of a basement and sealed it again. After all, his library wall was a formidable protection. He then, realised, what had briefly nagged him through his conversation with the sorting hat. It was the only protection to his library. He had to correct that oversight as well. After all, when he first made the library, it wasn't for protection purpose really, just to sort his mind in order. He, then, thought about his empath abilities brought to his notice by the overcrowded great Hall and the subsequent headache. He decided that until he found a great solution, not to try to use this ability. He placed a reflexive shield around his mind and magic which will just make the emotions bounce off undetected from it. It will save him the headache until then. He came out of his meditation.

He thought about Neville some more. He couldn't do anything about his wand until the weekend at least. He will have a lot of problem, then. He needed to talk to Sev before then at any cost if he he were to help Neville. He hoped Sev would help. He had already told Nev that he will get him a new wand suitable for him and he would hate to disappoint his first friend. He fell asleep with the thought of his new friend and God brother on his mind.