Thursday, September 1st, 1994
"Percy! Percy! Wake up. We're almost at Hogwarts," a girl's voice could be heard as a boy groggily opened his eyes. "WAKE UP!"
"I am awake. Stop screaming in my ears, Isabel," Percival said as he sat up properly.
As he opened his eyes, the dim light filtering through the train windows cast soft shadows across the compartment. The worn upholstery of the seats bore the marks of countless journeys, while the rhythmic clacking of the wheels against the tracks provided a soothing background soundtrack to the interrupted conversation.
The boy glanced out the window, watching as the Scottish Highlands whizzed by in a blur of colours. Trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling like whispers against the glass. Beyond the rolling hills, the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, signalling the approaching twilight.
"You look like you had a nightmare," Isabel said.
"Recurring nightmare," Percy corrected as he corrected his posture.
Silence filled the room. The air was getting heavier, and the boy felt his chest constrict. Rapid intakes of air reverberated in the compartment. With each inhale, he felt his chest tighten further, the familiar sensation of anxiety gripping him like a vise. Hiis heart hammered against his ribcage, its erratic rhythm echoing. He clenched his fists, trying to ground himself as a wave of dizziness washed over the boy. The world seemed to spin, the train compartment tilting precariously as he struggled to regain his composure.
He pounded his chest in frustration, desperate to alleviate the pressure that seemed to crush his lungs with each passing moment. Vision blurring, the edges of perception growing hazy as he fought to keep his breathing steady. Eternal sleep was calling.
"Percival Laurentis Gustavus Ebonwood. Breath. Think. Think of your happy place. Pink, fluffy clouds. Imagine your worries floating away on pink fluffy clouds," Pricilla said as she tried to calm him down.
It did help a little. He thought of what his grandmother taught him to deal with. His chest heaved. Three things to name. He willed his racing mind to list what he saw. A girl—Jessica Collins—proudly wearing her prefect badge as it gleamed under the lantern's glow; those summer-blue eyes; and... That was only two things! He needed three things. He scanned the compartment until his gaze landed on polished wood panelling, the faded Hogwarts crest emblazoned above the door. The polished oak panelling reminded him of home.
He closed his eyes. Percival focused on the surrounding ambiance. He inhaled the diesel‑sweet tang of the engine, carried on a cool evening breeze through the open window. Laughter and chatter from the next compartment mingled with crickets' trills, and the train's distant whistle pulsed as the lulled vibrations eased the tremor from his shoulder. He then slowly turned his head left and right. He lifted his left hand above his head. The boy's right knee jerked up. Letting out a deep and long exhale, he opened his eyes. He felt his fingers unclench the armrest.
"Are you feeling better?" Jessica asked.
"Yes," the boy replied. "Sorry about that."
"No need to apologise," the last girl said. "We all have our moments. Now onto something less depressing: how was your time at the Greengrass Manor?"
"It was okay. I was mainly there for business and research," Percival replied.
"I can't believe this time next year our boy wonder will be cemented in the history books," Jennifer said.
"It's not that amazing," Isabel said. "I'll be in the books in the future."
"It's not that amazing, my arse. How many seventeen-year-olds can you name that have found a viable cure to a blood curse that was previously thought to be incurable for the last millennium? None! That's because there are none," Jennifer said.
"Stop fangirling over him," Pricilla said. "You have to admit it is a little surreal that you're in the same compartment as a future history maker."
"Okay, it's a little, but I'll be like him in the future," Isabel said.
"I'll only be mentioned if I successfully cure Astoria," the wizard said.
"Nonsense. You've already cured, what, six girls?"
"Seventeen," Jessica corrected Jennifer.
"Seventeen! You will definitely be mentioned in the history books."
They then started talking about other famous researchers and innovators until someone knocked on the door. It was the Crown of Slytherin. We were almost at Hogwarts. He then left soon after.
"I'll go clean myself up and look presentable. After, I'll start from the back and herd them off," Percival said as he got up from my seat.
"This time, remember to check every single compartment."
"Last time you left one behind."
"He was bawling his eyes out as McGonagall brought him in."
"And we had to stop eating to sort him."
"This time, I'll make sure to check all the compartments," Percival reassured them. "Has anyone of you seen the Potter trio?"
"Yes, I saw them boarding," Jessica said.
"Anything off about them?" Jennifer asked.
"It didn't seem like anything was off."
"Finally, one year without anything weird happening," Pricilla said.
"I could drink to that," Percival said as he opened the door. "I'll see you four by the carriages."
"Yeah, we'll be waiting. We're taking our normal route," Isabel said.
"Can't wait."
As Percival left the compartment, the rhythmic clatter of the train echoed through the narrow corridor. He made my way down the dimly lit passage. As he reached the end of the carriage, he found himself standing before the door to the prefect's restroom.
With a firm rap of his knuckles, Percival knocked on the door, waiting patiently as the lock clicked and the door swung open. Two figures emerged from the restroom, their expressions guarded as they glanced nervously. The first, Naomi, stood tall with her dark hair pulled back in a tight bun, her sharp gaze piercing. The second, a boy with tousled hair and furtive eyes, avoided my gaze.
"Not a word, Percy," Naomi whispered, her voice tense, as she reached into her pocket and withdrew a handful of galleons, extending them towards me. "Not a single word."
Without a word, Percival accepted the payment, pocketing the coins with a curt nod of acknowledgment. He stepped past her into the restroom, the door closing behind me with a soft click.
Inside, he approached the sink. Cupping his hands beneath the faucet, Percival splashed his face with cold water, the cool rush of water washing away all the anxiety. He lingered for a moment, looking at himself in the mirror. Straightening his robes and fixing his hair, he then turned towards the door.
As he exited the restroom, the cool breeze rushed past his face and ruined his neat hair. Some idiot had opened the window while I was in the restroom, he thought as he made his way to the back of the train. Once he got there, he waited for the PA system to ring and inform the students we were arriving at Hogsmeade station in a few moments.
As the announcement ended, he wasted no time, starting to knock on each compartment door methodically. With each compartment he passed, he knocked rather harshly on the door, his voice cutting through the silence as he issued the last wake-up call.
Moving from one end of the train to the middle, he repeated this, ensuring that no compartment was left unchecked, unlike last time. But he did struggle with one compartment. That was because of the three girls inside it: the Mitford triplet. Two years ago, during the preliminary testings, he had cured their grandmother of Blood Maleductus, and last summer, prevented their mother from succumbing completely to the blood curse. Their mother was narcoleptic, just like their grandmother, which he suspected was a result of being stuck as a groundhog. Perhaps narcolepsy runs in their family, he thought. Percival tapped the youngest's shoulder once—soft, insistent.
"Kate."
Her head lolled forward. For a heartbeat, he thought she wasn't going to come back. Then her eyelids fluttered open, heavy as curtains at dawn.
She blinked, confusion pooling in dark circles beneath her eyes. "Mmm?"
He offered her water glass from the table. "You dozed off."
She lifted it, drank, but halfway through the sip, her fingers slackened. The glass tipped, clinking against the table before it slipped from her grasp. Percival caught it.
"Whoa—easy." He set it back down and reached out again, this time resting a hand on her forearm and saying her name more firmly: "Kate."
Her chest rose in a sudden, deep breath, and she sat up—only to slump again as her eyelids closed.
Percival sighed. "I Know you can't help it, but could you baa a little more co-operative? House-elf, a mug of coffee, please." He stood, fetched a cup of coffee that appeared after his request, and placed it in front of her. The steam curled around her face.
Moments stretched. Then, with one more coaxing whisper—"You've got to stay with me"—Kate's eyes snapped open. She blinked rapidly, the room swimming into focus, and gave a shaky smile.
Percival tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Good. Now drink this before you let it take you again."
Kate wrapped both hands around the mug, the warmth pulling her back to wakefulness—at least for now.
"Kate, are you with me?" he asked as she nodded slowly. "We've arrived at Hogwarts. Could you wake your sisters up as I finish up?"
She nodded slowly in response.
"Finish drinking the coffee. House-elf, could I have two more cups? These are for when your sisters are awake," she gazed intently at the cups. "House-elf, make that three. I'll see you in the Great Hall."
She nodded in understanding as he opened the window before leaving. After that, there were no hiccups. Once he got to the entrance for his compartment, he saw Jessica stepping onto the platform with the other three Ravenclaw girls. The Ravenclaw boy ushered the younger years out of the compartment before stepping out himself. He then counted the number of first-year students still waiting on the platform before making my way towards Naomi, the head girl.
"Having fun over there? It reminded of the time when you actually counted sheep on the way to Hogwarts in your third year. You were adorable back then, with your chubby cheeks," Naomi said with a smirk.
"I'm glad they're gone. At least I didn't have random older students pinch my cheeks during that year. It was bliss," he replied.
"It was a shame. I liked the way your squirmed. How many did you count?" She asked.
"You and Isabel. No wonder you two get along. Seventy-three first years, that's how many I counted," he replied as Naomi scowled. "That means one of us needs to go to the boathouse and get some more boats out of storage."
"Wand's Choice, not me!" Naomi exclaimed. He gave her a look. "What? I'm not doing it."
"I don't want to do it."
"Neither do I. There are more Ravenclaw than Hufflepuff, so you can ask them for help."
"There are only five of us."
"And there's only four Hufflepuff in our year. I need to go. The boys are getting impatient and are ready to leave," Naomi said, her tone firm.
He sighed. "Fine. I'll do it if you take four of my patrols."
Naomi raised an eyebrow. "One."
"Four."
"Two." They locked eyes for a moment before Naomi relented.
"Acceptable. I'll see you in the Great Hall then."
"And could you tell Professor Sprout to pick up the Mitford Triplet?"
Seeing Naomi nod as she walked away, the Ravenclaw waited a few moments before following. He heard Hagrid's booming voice as the half-giant ushered the new first years down the mountain path. The boy glanced up at the forming rain clouds as he waited for the last carriage to arrive. The sound of thunder echoed through the valley.
He stood with his right hand outstretched and eyes tightly shut, enveloped in darkness. A few drops of rain pattered onto his outstretched hand. He sensed its approach. A cold sensation passed through his body, and a warm shiver ran down his spine. Percival felt the soft nuzzle of the young Thestral against his palm.
Opening his eyes, he turned to face the creature. Its empty white eyes met his. Its large, doll-like eyes seem to gaze out into the beyond, devoid of emotion or expression. Yet, he could perceive a glint of intelligence, and could see the half-moon shining back at me. Its dark, taut skin stretched over a skeletal frame, giving it a gaunt and otherworldly appearance.
The thestral unfurled its wings with a graceful motion, revealing their bat-like structure—a delicate network of membranes stretched between elongated bones. With slow, measured steps, the young thestral circled around with its nuzzle near the young Ravenclaw. Despite its skeletal appearance, the thestral moved with a grace and fluidity that contradicted its skeletal exterior. Its movements are silent and swift, almost ghostlike as it glides across the ground.
"Percy!" Jennifer's sudden shout startled the young Thestral more than the thunder, causing it to retreat and rejoin its herd.
As the Thestral scurried back, he turned back towards the carriage and rejoined the Ravenclaw girls. He took a seat next to Jessica.
"We have to take a detour to the boathouse before we can take our normal route," Percival said, much to the dismay of the girls.
"What? Why?" Isabel asked.
"There are seventy-three first years. There are enough boats for a maximum of seventy. You'd think they'd prepare the right amount of boats, but they didn't. So I need to get two or three boats out of storage. Or we might have to go to the inner alcove if there aren't any," the only boy said.
"Why can't Naomi do it?" Jennifer asked. "She's the head girl."
"She gave me fifty galleons and is taking two of my patrols. A fair deal, if I must say so," he replied.
"A fair deal for you, maybe?" Isabel exclaimed. "We wouldn't want to be late for the first day. And Merlin forbid McGonagall being the one to catch us."
"You've just jinxed us. Why? Why do you have to be the one to jinx us?" Jessica asked, shaking her head slowly.
"Give me one example when I jinxed us. I bet you can't name any off the top of your head."
"Didn't you say that we would have an uninterrupted journey?" Priscilla joined in. "And I believe this counts as an interrupted journey."
"Fair enough," Isabel conceded before she faced the Ravenclaw boy. "We would like a fair deal for this interruption."
"How about a sum of ten galleons each?"
"You'll have to do better," Jennifer said, lifting her head from her book.
"How about I get you a copy of 'Krew Elfów' signed by the author himself? And to top it off, I'll even help your translate it?" Percival said as Jennifer match his gaze.
"How are you going to do that?" Jennifer asked.
"I could call in a favour. There was a Polish pure-blood family willing to reward me handsomely for my potion."
"You're only doing that because you also want to read it."
"How could I not? He just can't leave us there. I want to know what happens."
"Me too. I still can't get over when Ciri asks 'Am I your destiny?' and Geralt replies 'You are something more'."
"I know. That line. It had me feeling stuff," Percival said as Jennifer squealed.
"Don't get me started on 'A Shard of Ice'! When Yennifer says..."
"Alright, alright, we get it—destiny, fate, snowy mountains, magic swords," Priscilla cut in, arms folded as she leaned against the doorframe. "Are you two going to survive if he doesn't publish another book next year?"
"Barely," Jennifer said with a mock-serious sigh. "And I think the next book will come out the year after."
"Also," Priscilla continued, "how can you both be obsessed with stories about fate and chosen ones when you hate the actual chosen one? You know, the one probably sulking a few carriages ahead of us?"
"Reading about destiny and living it are two very different things," Percival muttered.
"Besides," Jennifer added, "that boy is a walking disaster. Not quite the same vibe. He got rid of professor in his first year, and supposedly killed a basilisk the following year. And let's not mention the whole Black debacle."
"That's because it's his destiny," Priscilla replied with a soft chuckle.
"Destiny to be a magnet that invites trouble more like," Jessica said. "How are you going to bribe the rest of us?"
"I'll take some of your patrols," Percival stretching out the last word. Jessica shrugged in response. "And for you, Priscilla, how about a glowing recommendation from Madam Pomfrey?"
"It has to be glowing. Saint Mungo only offers four spots each year, and I want it to be me," Priscilla said, glaring intently.
"I've seen it. I read it."
"And?"
"It made my eyes hurt. I didn't know recommendations could glow that much," Percival replied.
"Life saver. How did you get her to agree?"
"I just asked her. If I were a betting wizard, I would have won a lot. We know you wouldn't ask her if one of us weren't there to support you. I was going to tell on your birthday, but nows also a good time."
"Was my bribe also a birthday present?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes."
"Can you consider patrols to be presents?" Jessica asked.
"We all know you love sleeping in. That's present enough," Isabel said as Jessica nodded. "But what about mine?"
"I had no clue what you wanted."
"That's good. I already claimed my bribe," Isabel said as Percival turned his head. "I read your paper. It was insightful. Though I don't understand where you got that kind of information from and you didn't even cite it."
"MACUSA Confidential: The Addams Family," the three other girls replied in unison.
"It's called a first draft for a reason," Percival replied, chuckling. "I have the second draft with me, if you want it? It has some citations now."
Isabel shook her head as Jennifer turned back to face the thestrals at the front. She tugged the reins to change our destination before refocusing her attention on the people in the carriage. The carriage moved faster. We engaged in small talk for a while before a hush descended. Jennifer broke the silence.
"So, how were your summer holidays?"
"Mine was okay. We spent most of it in Italy, as my dad had business with the House of Black and White. After, we went to support Percy during the Duelling Circuit and followed the events at the circuit," Jessica said. "Congratulations on you and Fleur winning."
"Thank you, Jess. It was quite intense, but we pulled through in the end. The support meant a lot. My turn then?" Percival replied. "I was at the Greengrass Manor discussing when we would administer the potential cure for Astoria. The Addams Family increased my funding and gave me some new research materials. The Greengrass Family offered to host me until the Duelling Circuit Series started. As you know, Fleur and I won. After, I stayed with her for the afterparty. I spent the last week with my grandparents. Priscilla, how was your holiday?"
"Well, I have some news, everyone. I got engaged over the summer!" Priscilla said as she was showing off her ring. It hung from a silver necklace.
"Engaged? That's incredible, Priscilla! Tell us all about it," Jessica said as she inched closer to girl.
"I'll tell you girls while he's fetching the boats; I'm sure someone here wouldn't like to hear a sappy love story, especially after they got their hearts broken," Pricilla said.
"Congratulations, Pricilla! That's not cool. But this is wonderful news," the Ravenclaw boy said.
"Congratulations, but why aren't you wearing your ring?" Isabel asked.
"We're going to have an engagement according to the Olde Ways. For that, my husband-to-be would put it on my finger when the moon is at its highest during the Winter Equinox."
"Are you happy with this? And about your Saint Mungo thing?" the boy asked.
"I'm only getting engaged. As long as we get married and conceive a few years before menopause, we'll be fine. And that's like sixty-one years away."
"Sixty-point-nine-two years away," Isabel corrected. "You're about twenty-eight days off in you estimation."
"Twenty-Eight days doesn't make a big difference. Besides, you can lend me one of your potions if need be," Priscilla replied, directing the last part to Percival. "It could have been worse. I could have been married off to a 100-year-old wizard. My fiancé is the second son of an Albanian pure-blood family. His family is rich and is willing to let love grow between us."
"Just imagine your husband-to-be placing a ring on your finger as the moon shines down on us, and a bunch of people chanting in a forgotten language. How romantic!?" Jennifer swooned.
"I know you'd love that," Priscilla said as Jennifer agreed.
"Congratulations in advance. Would I be correct in assuming the engagement party and the wedding will be in Albania?" Isabel asked.
"Yep," Pricilla said, emphasising the 'p.' "The Olde Way rituals are illegal in Britain, so we have to do them in Albania. Jennifer, it's your turn."
"I'll wait. We're almost at the boathouse, and it's raining pretty heavily. You should hurry up and grab those boats before you get soaked!" Jennifer said.
Percival waited for the carriage to stop. Once it did, the Ravenclaw boy got off, summoned an incorporeal umbrella, and ran towards the boathouse. The boathouse stood nestled at the water's edge, its weathered stone walls adorned with creeping ivy and patches of moss. A sloped roof, fashioned from aged timber beams, sheltered the structure, blending with the landscape. As Percival approached, the scent of damp earth and lake water hung in the air.
As he hurried along the dock, a sturdy wooden dock extended from the boathouse, stretching out into the glassy surface of the lake, providing a safe and convenient pathway to the entrance. The dock was well-maintained, with handrails and lanterns to guide students during nighttime escapades.
Inside the boathouse, wooden benches lined the walls, their surfaces polished smooth from years of use. Lanterns hang from the rafters. Along one side, a row of small wooden boats rested on racks, their hulls gleaming softly in the dim light of the lanterns.
Percival drew his wand again and cast a silent levitation charm on four of the small boats. They levitated behind him as he went out to the lake. The boy gently placed it down.
"Despulso."
The four boats slowly glided towards the other side of the lake. They weren't travelling to the right location, but Hagrid could sort that out, thought the boy. Percival re-summoned the umbrella and headed back to the carriage. Casting a quick Scourgify and cleaning the mud off his boots, the Ravenclaw boy re-entered the carriage.
"Wow, Pricilla, I didn't see that coming! Your fiancé sounds like quite the catch," Jennifer said as Pricilla giggled.
"Thank you, Yen. Now that Boy Wonder is back, it's your turn," Pricilla said.
"Hey, so, as I was saying—" Jennifer's words were cut off as the carriage lurched forward, prompting an exclamation from Isabel.
"Whoa, hold on!" Isabel steadied herself, gripping the edge of the seat. "Okay, sorry, go on, Yen."
"My sister married a couple of years ago, and his family are avid hunters. They invited me to go hunting with them in the States. I got to use a sniper, and we lived off the fat of the land. It was amazing! Oh, and did I mention I took down a grizzly solo? I have a photo somewhere in my luggage, if you want to see it. What about you, Isabel?" Jennifer said.
"I snagged internships at both St. Mary's Hospital and Saint Mungo's. I oversaw clinical trials for the two drugs I've been developing. Percy's grandparents handled all the Muggle red tape while I navigated the magical side, swearing enough oaths to fill a library," Isabel said.
"Can you tell us what they do?" Jessica asked.
Isabel launched into an animated explanation: "It is a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody designed to bind soluble amyloid-β proto fibrils. The antibodies stabilise the proto fibrils, stopping them turning into large fibrils and insoluble plaques. It then cannibalises on it. This reduces the amyloid pressure and reduces cognitive decline. I create two versions; the muggle one first, then our derivative. They both reduce cognitive decline and improve cognitive function. They're basically the same thing, but one is only effective for our kind."
"What do you mean only effective for our kind?" Priscilla asked.
"The muggle variant is created using Chinese Hampster Ovaries to create cell line and then grown in bioreactors. Our variant cultivated in Kneazles Ovaries and grown in special bioreactors. The doses are administered on a biweekly basis. However, thanks to Percy's first research paper on his potion and the difference in muggle and wizard physiologies, we can increase the dosages," Isabel said quickly. Only now had she stopped to take a breath. "We start clinical trial on the Longbottom Couple and the John Doe from America. Mr. Gold estimates that this could wake them up from their coma and help them return to normal life."
"Is it me, or does that sound illegal?" Jennifer asked.
"Yeah. I thought the Ministry forbids these kinds of experiments," Jessica added.
"Mr. Gold said that ministry expressly forbids the creations of chimeras and homunculi. We're not doing that. Plus, we're doing this with muggle science as our foundation. The ministry cannot forbid that. There was very little magic involved when creating our first muggle pilot batch," Isabel said.
"How did you get your hand on a bioreactor?" Percival asked.
"Mr Gold had somebody who owed him a favour."
"How is that any different from Baruffio's Brain Elixir? And would it work on us? Like make us smarter?" Priscilla asked.
"The Baruffio's Brain Elixir is a placebo. It could work, but it is not recommended. We would see minimal increase in cognitive function," Isabel said.
"Is it a pill or potion? Aren't potions usually more potent than pills?" Percival asked.
Isabel launched into an animated explanation: "The muggle variant is a pill, while we're trying to make our one into a potion. Common misconception, actually. That's only sometimes. The pill form in this case is much stronger than when it was in potion form. But potions sell better. We are trying to retain the efficacy, but we hit a stumbling block. But mark my words, I will solve it," Isabel said excitedly.
"Can we even make it to the waterfall before the sorting starts?" Jessica asked, glancing down at her watch.
"Maybe," Pricilla said. "If we don't make it, we could head directly to the Common Room and ask the house-elves for food."
As Pricilla had said her piece, Jessica tugged the reins, and we were off towards the Forbidden Forest. We again engaged in small talk as the Thestrals pulled the carriage along.
As the carriage rattled over the aged wooden bridge, the familiar creaking of the timbers beneath echoed in my ears. I leaned towards the windows as we approached the edge.
And there it was, nestled within the depths of the Forbidden Forest: the waterfall. The crystal clear and pure water seemed to shimmer in the dappled moonlight that filtered through the canopy above. The sound of rushing water filled the air, a soothing melody that echoed through the forest.
"Look at that," murmured Jessica, her voice filled with awe. "Even after all this time, it's still as breathtaking as ever."
Priscilla leaned closer to the window, her eyes tracing the path of the waterfall as it disappeared into the depths of the forest. "I remember the first time we stumbled upon this place. We were arguing like headless chickens, and we startled the thestrals. Yen tried to calm them down, and we ended up here."
Jennifer gazed out at the scene. "We were little kids. I asked them to go to their happy place to calm down, and they led us here."
"I can't believe we're all still friends. We hated each other's guts and are now the only Ravenclaw left in our year," Isabel said.
"Funny how fate works," Percival said.
…
"We've arrived at the gate. If you don't mind, I'd like to get off first," Percival said as the mostly dried boy stood up.
"Geez, Percy, have you never heard of social etiquette? Something like 'Witches first?'" Jennifer teased.
"'Wizards just before,'" the Ravenclaw boy quickly quipped with a grin. "I mean, if you want to get out first and get drenched by the storm, then hell yeah, I insist. Go on, then."
"I think what she was trying to say was, 'Thank you for being a gentleman by opening our door and summoning us an umbrella,'" Jessica said.
"Like we couldn't do it ourselves," Priscilla mumbled, earning a playful nudge from Isabel.
Percival exited the carriage first and drew his wand. With a flick, he conjured an incorporeal umbrella and offered each of the girls assistance as they stepped out one by one. Once they were all safely on the ground, they also conjured their own umbrellas, and together they made our way towards the Great Hall.
Walking past the fountain and entering through the double door, we slowly walked up the stair. We were almost at the Great Hall; we just had to go through another set of double doors, and we'd be there. However, we met familiar faces emerging from the first double door.
"Hello, Mrs. Norris. Hello, Mr. Filch," Jessica said.
"You look quite dapper, Mr. Filch," Jennifer said.
"It's actually Mr. Norris now," Filch corrected. That's going to be hard to get used to, thought the boy. "We decided to get hitched over the summer."
"Congratulations," we all said in unison.
"Then what are you doing here?" Isabel asked.
"Work," Mrs. Norris replied. "I'm the new caretaker for Hogwarts. I'm also taking over some extracurriculars from some professors."
"Like, what?" Percival asked.
"Etiquette, for starters. I'm also taking over for Burbage regarding students who want to continue their muggle education. I mean muggle sciences are quite interesting. Who could have imagined how far they'd come since I was a child? And did I mention I'm helping Irma with the languages?" Mrs. Norris said.
"Then what about you, Filch? Um, I mean Mr. Norris?" Isabel asked.
"I'm taking on more of an administrator role," he replied.
"You got a promotion. But caretaker to administrator is not career path I thought was possible. How did you get that?" Isabel asked.
"I insisted Minerva come to our wedding, and when she found out Argus was in charge of the logistics, she let him have a trial run in the admin office for the summer," Mrs. Norris said. "He's done a good job so far, and she'll be keeping an eye on his work for the next few months, but I expect she'll give him more autonomy soon."
"Why's that?" Priscilla enquired.
"When I started, I decided to do a full audit of the past five years, and I found some galleons that had been 'misplaced.' I asked Minerva to look into it, who then asked Albus to do the same. The galleons were 'found' and put to good use," the new Mr. Norris said.
"What exactly has Hogwarts used that for?" Priscilla asked.
"We finally upgraded the brooms and added a cushioning charm over the Quidditch pitch to avoid injuries. We had enough money to retain the additional professors from last year, and Albus even hired a goblin curse breaker to look at the curse of the DADA position," Mr. Norris said proudly. "The curse breaker believes she can break it, but it'll take time. Albus has already made a down payment for her services."
"So there'll be an actual decent professor next year. That's wicked," Pricilla replied.
"More like a decade from what I heard. Oh, Percy, we invited you to come to our wedding. It's a shame you couldn't come. It's the least we could have done since you reversed me back in my human form. I even persuaded Slughorn to come and give his blessings," Mrs. Norris said as she held her husband's arm.
"Your happiness and certain leniencies are payment enough. But, you know Slughorn?" Percival asked.
"He was my favourite professor. I couldn't believe that he looked almost exactly as I remembered. And I hadn't seen that man for almost 60 years," Mrs. Norris reminisced.
"You're pushing eighty?" the Ravenclaw boy blurted out, immediately regretting my words.
The women gave me a deadpan look, while Mr. Norris shook his head disapprovingly. "What I meant was that you look stunning for a seventy-something-year-old. My apologies," Percival stammered as the older women looked ready to hurt him.
"So, where are you headed?" Jessica asked.
"Minerva asked us to wait for the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor and guide him to the Great Hall. He's a retired Auror," Mr. Norris explained.
"But shouldn't he know his way around Hogwarts?" Isabel questioned.
"Yes, he should, but we're planning to head to the staff room with the other professors for a bit of relaxation before the chaos of the new term begins," Mr. Norris replied. "Oh, and Minerva was quite displeased not to see the seventh-year Ravenclaw at the table. You might want to hurry before she starts her speech for the first year. We'll catch up with you all later."
"See you later."
"Goodbye."
As they walked through the double doors, the grand entrance to the Great Hall came into view, its massive oak doors wide open to welcome the students. The air was thick with anticipation as the last of the first-years entered the waiting chamber, their whispers mingling with the gentle flicker of candlelight that danced across the walls. But what caught their attention was Professor McGonagall standing at the front of the chamber, addressing the first-year students.
"Let's try to sneak past," Isabel whispered, motioning for us to keep low and quiet.
Tehy kept their heads down, hoping to slip by unnoticed, but just as the Ravenclaws reached the halfway point, Professor McGonagall's stern voice cut through the air.
"Stop right there, Mr. Ebonwood, Ms. Collins, Ms. Pinnock, Ms. Fitzgerald, and Ms. Rosier," she commanded, her gaze fixing on them with an unwavering intensity.
They froze in our tracks, exchanging nervous glances as Professor McGonagall finished her speech to the first years.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule-breaking will result in losing house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours," she said while glancing at us.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
"Come along, the five of you," Professor McGonagall ordered once she was done, her tone leaving no room for argument. They reluctantly approached the door to the Great Hall, walking in silence after her.
As they walked through the middle aisle, three ghosts floated past, wrapped in their own conversation. A group was discussing whether they should give Peeve another chance after what he had done last year. After the ghost's conversation was out of the reach of our ears, we heard Professor McGonagall tut.
"I must say, I am thoroughly disappointed to find the five of you are late on the first day of term," Professor McGonagall began, her eyes flashing with a mixture of frustration and reprimand. "Ms. Ward-Prowse said that you might be late, but I did not expect you to be this late. I had almost finished giving my speech. As prefects, seventh-year students, and head boy, you are expected to set an example for the younger students. Tardiness is not becoming of Ravenclaw, nor of any house, for that matter. Now whose idea was it to come to Hogwarts' grounds, then travel up north to the Forbidden Forest to see the waterfall, and travel back south before the sorting happened?"
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing.
"It is a beautiful sight to behold. You were saved because Hagrid had to fetch the extra boats down the shoreline. Next time, Mr. Ebonwood, do your task properly. Five points from Ravenclaw. I trust this will not happen again," Professor McGonagall said firmly. "You are expected to be role models and leaders amongst your peers. Now, please, take your seats."
We nodded in understanding as we made our way to the Ravenclaw table and sat down. Professor McGonagall exchanged a few words with Headmaster Dumbledore at the head table before returning to the centre of the room, her wand raised to gain everyone's attention.
"Students, this year's sorting may take longer than usual as this is the largest influx of students in the past 15 years," Professor McGonagall announced, her voice projecting across the hall. "I will go and fetch the first years. Please be patient and remain seated until I return."