Harry Potter and the Other Half

Chapter 3: The Return to Hogwarts and The Sorting

The three cars pulled up in front of the entrance to King's Cross Station. The new and returning students loaded their trunks onto carts; Harry, Hermione, and Ron put their respective pets' cages on their carts, as well. After all of this was seen to, Mrs. Weasley, in her usual manner, ushered every one to the partition between Platforms 9 and 10.

"All right, you three!" The Weasley matron instructed Iris, Lily, and James. "To get to Platform 9 3/4 simply lean against that partition there and try not to attract too much muggle attention." The young witches and wizard nodded their understanding. Sirius went through first with his kids, Harry and Iris quickly following. The last students to go through were Ginny and Hermione, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

The three foreigners stopped and stared in awe like the many first years scattered about the station. The trio smiled at their friends' expressions, and then brought them to their usual compartment. After they lifted their trunks up to the racks above the seats, the 6^th years returned to the platform to say good-bye.

Harry was about to say good-bye to Sirius when his godfather stopped him abruptly. "No need for 'good-byes' just yet, Harry. I've got a meeting with Dumbledore and am taking the train to Hogwarts. It'll be good to get back on the train after so long!" the man explained. James looked at his father curiously, but Sirius only flashed him a smile.

The whistle blew and steam roiled out from the engine. The students and Sirius rushed to the passenger cars. Ginny jumped towards the train as it began to move out and Sirius caught her around the waist from his position on the stairs.

~*~*~*~

Draco Malfoy had arrived at the platform early, with his parents. There, he had met up with Crabbe and Goyle, for the first time not pleased to see them. The young pureblood would have been happier had he seen Lily Black again.

He had said a quick farewell to his parents, and then led his cronies to meet up with the other Slytherins. Draco couldn't pay complete attention to the conversation, for his mind stayed stubbornly fixed on Lily and her beautiful, and kind, face.

~*~*~*~

Ron was recounting to Harry and Iris several of the hilarious things that had happened at the park while they were in the woods with Sirius, who was up at the front of the train. Suddenly, the door to their compartment slid open, framing Draco Malfoy, and his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.

"So," drawled Malfoy, staring at the Golden Trio, "I see there have been some...additions to your fan club, Potter. Who's that lovely girl," the tall Slytherin gestured to Iris, "your prostitute?"

The girls had to quickly restrain Harry and James at the slight to Iris, who happened to be ignoring her companions and was pointing her drawn wand directly at Malfoy's heart. The three Slytherins cackled madly at the struggle between their seated victims, until Iris interrupted them.

"So, Malfoy," she spat his name, "should I hex your vital organs," she moved her wand upwards towards his face, "or your vital 'features'?" She arched her eyebrow delicately, daring him to make a response.

Draco blanched visibly, surprised at the dark haired girl's guts. He decided to take a new tactic. "And what, pray tell, might your name be, my flower?" he asked deviously.

"It's Iris, Iris Potter. And I may be a 'flower', but I'm not yours, and will never be," Iris replied angrily. Does this boy know when to stop, she though, astonished. Malfoy had really ticked her off now! She could wait no longer, so she promptly hexed him, knocking him unconscious.

Crabbe and Goyle moved towards her, menacingly cracking their knuckles. Thinking quickly, Ginny interrupted and forced the thugs to think for themselves. "Wait, just wait a second, you two! It's not right to hit a girl!" she exclaimed, causing fits of laughter among her peers at the thugs confused faces.

After the laughter subsided, James stood and gave an elaborate bow to the four girls in their compartment and spoke theatrically. "Why don't you lovely ladies let us three strong men take these two bits of Slytherin filth off your hands, dears?" Harry stood as well and pretended to pull something out of his pocket.

"I have a wet nap right here!" he added merrily, causing giggles from Iris and Lily, Hermione's special eye roll, and a very confused look from both Ginny and Ron. Ron stood up after he got the gist of their theatrics and the three young men hexed the two thugs and put all three Slytherins in a different compartment.

~*~*~*~

All too soon, the scarlet train pulled to a stop in Hogsmeade Station and it was time to exit from their compartments. Hagrid's familiar bulk awaited the first years, his size already familiar to the three transfer students from their time at the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters.

"'Ello, 'Arry! Good ter see ya, Hermione an' Ron!" the large game keeper boomed. "Welcome to Hogwarts!" Iris, Lily, and James looked up at their large half-giant friend, smiling. Sirius suddenly reappeared from his place at the front of the train.

"Hello, Hagrid. Hey, kids. You three," Sirius pointed to James, Iris, and Lily, "are to go up to the castle in the carriages, but wait in the entrance hall while the others go into the Great Hall."

James spoke up in his curiosity. "Why do we have to wait?" the boy questioned his father.

"Well, you're to join the first years and be sorted into your houses," was the shrugged reply.

~*~*~*~

The students enjoyed an uneventful ride up to the ancient castle, filled with laughter and many jokes. When the trio and friends entered the entrance hall, they parted, expecting to be rejoined at the Gryffindor table after the Sorting. They would find out that their assumption would be slightly mistaken.

~*~*~*~

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle woke groggily from their unconsciousness. Startled by the lack of motion in the train, Draco rushed out of the compartment they were placed in to retrieve his trunk; Crabbe and Goyle slowly followed their "leader" out. The two thugs dawdled behind Malfoy's distant back flying along the corridors to their original compartment and into a horseless carriage, which was really drawn by thestrals.

The Slytherins' coach was one of the last to reach the huge stone castle that was their school, and as the sinister trio stepped into the warm light of the entrance hall, Draco saw Lily Black and her two close companions huddled in a corner, talking. The silvery blonde bid his followers to go ahead without him.

"Lily?" Draco queried nervously, anxious to meet with her again. "Is that you?" The shorter of the two black haired girls looked up, and smiled cautiously. The other two black haired teenagers turned at the girl's inattention to their conversation.

When Draco saw who Lily's two friends were he was caught off guard. "You!" he gasped, looking as if he was ready to obliterate Iris on the spot.

"Stop it, Draco! She's my best friend!" Lily intervened, stopping the approaching Slytherin in his tracks. "And this is my brother, James." The tall boy smirked at Draco's evident shock.

"What, Malfoy?" James began in a mocking tone. "Never seen siblings and friends before?" James's smile grew even wider at Draco's quickly purpling face.

"Well, I'm glad I met the kind twin!" Draco spewed in his growing anger. The other girl, Iris, snickered as James's face flushed pink in annoyance, and just as he opened his mouth to make a retort Professor McGonagall entered the cavernous hall, followed by a crowd of nervous looking first years.

"Mr. Malfoy," the head of Gryffindor house said, "kindly enter the Great Hall and find your seat at the Slytherin table so the first years, and these three transfer students, can enter and commence the Sorting Ceremony."

Draco did as he was told, his face paling to return to its normal color. As soon as the doors closed behind him, Professor McGonagall motioned for the sixteen-year-old trio to join the group behind her, and then she rummaged in a closet for a wooden stool after unrolling an old and patched black wizard's hat. When she finished the large group of first years moved through the now open oak doors into the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony.

~*~*~*~

Harry turned in his seat, and smiled, to see his sister, James, and Lily enter at the head of the first years behind Professor McGonagall. Hermione saw where boyfriend was looking, poked Ron in the stomach, and gestured for him to pay attention to the Sorting. As the crowd of people reached the steps to the dais where the teachers sat, they stopped. McGonagall walked up the steps and put out the old three legged stool and topped it with the Sorting Hat. The large room fell silent as the hat opened a rip near its brim for a mouth and began to sing.

I may look old and rotten,

But do not be deceived!

Just put atop your tiny heads

And I your House will sing!

Four great wizards long ago

Started this stony school

And thought that I might do

To choose the good ones and the babblers

Proud Slytherin did want the purest of the lot;

Brave Gryffindor thought this principle was dead and good to rot.

Witty Ravenclaw preferred all those who were most studious;

And sweet Hufflepuff cried 'why, I'll take all your rejects!'

And as I tell you your true place,

Remember my final words

Do not believe the lies of safety in this castle

Stick together and be strong

And with this I give good warning

Four houses there may be

But war will soon reveal whether

They are enemies or family!

As the song finished, gasps could be heard emanating from all four House tables. None of the returning students expected another warning from the old hat, like last year's Sorting. Dumbledore waved his hands, demanding silence. Professor McGonagall nodded to the ancient wizard and began the Sorting.

"First, we will Sort the transfer students." More whispers at this statement. "Black, James." The boy shrugged, gave Iris's hand a reassuring squeeze, and then proceeded up the stairs to the stool. The aging professor lifted the hat and placed on top of the smooth black locks covering James's head that were so like his father's and his grandfather's.

~ ~ ~ ~

Hmmmmm, what do we have here! A Black, well I never thought I'd rest atop one again!

'My father and twin sister are still alive and well, thank you, Mister Musty Fabric!' James thought at the hat.

Ha, you're very like your father. Yes, very like that Sirius Black! Well, I knew there was only one place for that bundle of bravery, although you have a certain amount more of pride than he, and a strong ambition...well, it must be, Gryffindor!

~ ~ ~ ~

"GRYFFINDOR!" was the hat's distinct shout. James stood, removed the hat, and walked to the Gryffindor table. His father was beaming from the staff table; Sirius Black was very proud that his son had not followed in the footsteps of their ancestors, though next was Lily.

"Black, Lily," Professor McGonagall announced. The shorter of the remaining teenaged girls moved cautiously up to the Sorting Hat. She smiled at the older woman, and then placed the ragged hat on her head before sitting primly on the stool.

~ ~ ~ ~

Well, another Black! Aaaah, you're nothing like your father's side of the family, nor your brother. Hmmmm, you have a profound intelligence that is more prominent than anything else, suitable for Ravenclaw. Although, your sweet kindness would serve you well in Hufflepuff like your mother.

'Not Gryffindor?' Lily thought surprised. 'Nor Slytherin, with Draco, though I didn't expect to be placed there.'

You have strong romantic feelings for the boy. Lily blushed. But I am not here for romantic advice, although he is nothing like his father. I am here to interpret your mind and I believe you'll do superbly well in, Ravenclaw!

~ ~ ~ ~

"Ravenclaw!" was the hat's second declaration. Sirius looked thoughtful, but Lily's brother and friends looked utterly shocked. They had all expected her to be in Gryffindor with them. But her Sorting was over and she had been placed in Ravenclaw. Lily's five close friends watched with dismay as she stood, walked over to the Ravenclaw table, in between the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables, and sit between Padma Patil and Luna Lovegood.

Professor McGonagall pressed on with the Sorting. "Potter, Iris." Severus Snape's face distinctly turned to one of shock and rage as his school crush's daughter stepped up to be Sorted.

~ ~ ~ ~

Amazing, I never thought to look upon you, dear girl, your parents were too careful at ensuring you would not come to me till late. Let's take a peek, shall we?

'You knew of my existence,' queried Iris. 'You knew about me even though almost no one else did?'

Of course, I did! Your mind is exceptional, you have your mother's brains and your father's creativity and mischievousness. I know you come very close to the Weasley twins in your pranks. I believe I have simply no choice you must go to, Gryffindor!

~ ~ ~ ~

"Gryffindor!" the old Sorting Hat declared. Iris smiled as she rose, removed the hat, and moved to sit at the Gryffindor table, looking with regret towards her best friend, Lily. The Sorting continued and when no first year was left, Dumbledore stood to address the student body.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, new, and old, students! Let me kindly introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Sirius Black." Snape's face filled with venom as he looked down the table to his old school nemesis. "I must warn those new to Hogwarts," Dumbledore continued, "and remind several of those returning, that the Forbidden Forest is off limits for students. Filch has once again asked me to remind you all that Fanged Frisbees are off limits; the complete list can be seen posted on Filch's office door," the headmaster smiled. "And now, considering I can hear several rumbling tummies, I have only to say, chow down!" With a wave of his hands the gold platters and dishes filled with food, and the students began their feast voraciously.

~*~*~*~

"What's this?" Ron asked, holding up a cheese burger. Iris giggled, and James smiled and began to explain.

"It's a cheese burger, Ron," the young American wizard explained. "You know, a piece of cheese on top of a beef patty, sitting deliciously on a bun." As he finished, James took a very big bite out of his own burger.

"It's perfectly edible, Ronald! It is food, after all!" Hermione exclaimed when Ron continued to look skeptical. He finally calmed down after it was affirmed that the foreign food, in fact was food. Everyone around them smiled and continued to eat the array of British, American, and French foods.

~*~*~*~

Padma smiled encouragingly at Lily when she sat down. Luna, or Loony as some called her, welcomed the new girl with a dreamy, far off look on her face. Lily smiled in return to each of them. She also was greeted by several other students: Terry Boot, Cho Chang, Marietta Edgecombe, who still wore a scarf around the lower half of her face, and Michael Corner. Lily was content to simply sit, eat, and listen to the conversations going on a round her. What she didn't notice was that right behind her, with his back to her, was Draco Malfoy.

~*~*~*~

From his seat at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy had watched as Lily and her friends moved at the head of the first years and up to the staff's dais. He was particularly awed by the way Lily moved as if she were floating, her black robes hiding the movement of her feet. Draco's eyes followed her as she was Sorted, and then as she moved to take her seat at the Ravenclaw table. Her black hair shimmered in the light of the many floating candles, and her skin shone as if with an inner light, her cheeks barely flushed, her lips the color of a spring rose bud. He had to admit it to himself; Draco had never felt this way about girl before, ever. He didn't know how Lily felt about him, but he knew that he was falling in love.

The Malfoys were always a big supporter of Voldemort, but Draco felt differently. He hated his father with a passion and kept up his cruel façade for his mother. The truth of the matter was, Draco Malfoy hated his last name, and he hated his duty to his bloodline. While we're on the topic, the youngest Malfoy also hated Harry Potter and his little friends. Harry Potter had come into the Wizarding world and was given instant fame on a silver platter, but Draco had had to work to get his friends, besides the two idiots Crabbe and Goyle. The young Slytherin had to forget who he was on the inside so he could keep up his family's image; his family's hated image. Draco sighed, and came out of his reverie to play his part as the Malfoy heir.

~*~*~*~

When all of the students had eaten their fill the food vanished from the gold plates, leaving them shiny and spotless. Hermione looked at Harry regretfully, poked Ron from his stupor, and rose from her seat.

"We have to show the first years to Gryffindor Tower," Hermione reminded the red head forcefully. "Ronald! Get up, we're prefects, come on!"

The young man stood with a groan. "But, 'Mione, the snotty little buggers shouldn't need both of us! I just wanna go to sleep!" The brunette sighed exasperatedly and shared a look with her non-prefect friends. Hermione grabbed Ron by the sleeve of his robe and dragged him over to the first years, then looked back over her shoulder and called out instructions to The-Boy-Who-Lived.

"Harry, be a dear and just bring James and Iris to the Tower. I'll show Iris our room later!" were the girls parting words before turning back to her task. "Come on, first years over here! We'll show you to your rooms! Come along now!" Harry smiled at his sister and friend, and then led them to Gryffindor Tower.