"Oh I can see it all and that is very astute of you, and you are rather more mature than most that I sort. But I decide not you, youngster. Let's see… I can see how you thought you could fit in as a badger, you are no stranger to hard work for certain and loyal to those who return it, but you would terrify most of them. You are more determined and reckless than any badger. Rowena would have liked to claim you as well, your high intelligence speaks well of you. But you believe in applying your knowledge, not knowledge for knowledge's sake the current crop of Ravenclaws would be appalled. Salazar would like your cunning but you lack personal ambition, you merely wish to do that which you perceive as best for the common good but with a more all inclusive and broader parameters than is allowed at the present time. You are like your godfather in that, you know. Hmm where to put you… Of course. Although you have buried it in friendship, loyalty, intelligence and cunning in your heart you truly carry the courage and plow forward mentality that makes an earl of -GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry ruefully pulled the Sorting Hat from his head. He looked at Professor McGonagall. She gave him a smile and a gentle nudge towards his table. Harry smiled as he joined Neville and Susan. They introduced him to Hermione Granger the brunette that they had ridden across the lake with. The twins from the train cheerfully waved in his direction. Harry made a point of reminding himself of his year and house mates names while ignoring the exuberant response his sorting had caused. The girls were Susan, Lavender Brown, Hermione Granger, and Parvati Patil. The The boys were Seamus Finnegan, Neville Longbottom, himself, and they were now being joined by Dean Thomas. As the last two boys were sorted they were joined by Ronald Weasley, who was obviously a younger sibling to the twins from the train.
The Feast started and Harry cheerfully tucked into the dinner after a discreet wave of his wand under the table assured him his food and dishes hadn't been tampered with. During supper he noticed that one of the Professors was glaring at him. The hook nose and greasy hair gave away that it was Snape, childhood nemesis of the marauders.
Sirius had warned Harry as soon as he'd heard Snape was the potions master at Hogwarts, "He was a greasy git, and we hated him, but he's powerful, smart, and not someone to cross. I wronged him more than an apology can really make up for, so odds are he won't treat you well. Try to stay respectful. Maybe he'll give you a chance because you're Lilly's kid, but if not let me know I could always pull you from his class and get you a tutor for potions too. One last thing Moony told me that while Snape had been a Death Eater he was also apparently a spy, for the light side."
Harry's response had been, "So he'll probably hate me, got it." It appeared that Harry had nailed the Professor's reaction to him on the head.
As supper came to an end, the Headmaster rose to his feet and began his remarks. " Ahem- 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 no magic should be used between class in the corridors. "
Harry spotted an immediate loophole in that instruction. Between classes no magic in the corridors but what about the mornings before classes began and after classes in the afternoons and evenings.
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their House team should contact Madame Hooch.
Harry half wanted to pout because first years weren't allowed brooms and he wouldn't get to try out. He knew he would miss flying the most this first year.
"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 doesn't wish to die a very painful death."
Harry was instantly alarmed. He didn't know what Dumbledore was doing making an announcement like that, but whatever the old man was up to, he had no business doing it in a school where he was supposed to be responsible for the safety of the children. If he had needed confirmation of Riza's diagnosis of Dumbledore being a sociopath he'd just gotten it. He wondered what the man was up to. Announcements like that were a call to mischief by those so inclined. He wondered how long it would be before the Weasley twins went to check it out.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!"
Harry winced, there was no way he would sing. Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself snakelike into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "And off we go!"
Harry was… appalled and horrified were to two words that came to mind, but neither adequately conveyed Harry's feelings at that moment.
Everyone finished the song at different times. At last only the Weasley twins were left singing to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines and when they finished he was one of those who clapped the loudest.
"Ah, music," he said wiping his eyes. "A magic-"
Harry stood up "Headmaster, if you call that cacophony of amalgamous sound music, you need to see a healer post haste. Music has melody, and harmony, and rhythm. It is pleasing to the ear. That was just noise and I pray that I never hear something that appalling ever, ever again."
"Mr. Potter, thirty points from Gryffindor for your rude interruption!" Dumbledore snapped. " Now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
The Gryffindors scowled at Harry but later as they walked by the hourglasses that tracked school points, they were puzzled. There was a positive balance of ten rubies in the Gryffindor's hourglass. Unbeknownst to them even as the Headmaster had removed points many of the teachers had been giving points.
...
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