Percy Potter

Chapter Nine

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Harry and I jumped out of the carriage and ignored Hermione and Ron as we struck up a conversation with Hagrid. "Hey Hagrid, I can't help but say you're a stubborn fella. Did you really think I was a merman?" Harry gawked at me. I'll tell you later. Hagrid laughed uneasily, rubbing the back of his head. "Yea', sorry 'bout that lad. I was so sure the way the wa'er wrapp'd 'round me. 'S if they w're pullin' me down." I snickered. "It's ok. Thanks for that info though, I had a little run-in with them, but everything was good thanks to Jorkan." As fast as a half-giant could, Hagrid turned around and shook my shoulders. "Ye saw Jorkan?!" I nodded, confused. "Is he ok? I h'vn't seen 'im in so long. What's he look l'ke?" One word popped into my head. "Huge. He's huge." Hagrid smiled at the sky. "O' course he is! Jus' l'ke 'is brother!" Hagrid was chuckling, but I was confused. "His brother?" Harry was just following us like a lost puppy, confused with our twisted words. "Yea'. He was a gif' from me mum. I use ta call 'im me brother. Then, he disapp'ared an' I never saw 'im again." I could almost see tears in his eyes. Almost. "Don't worry Hagrid! I'll take you down to see him, and maybe even let you talk to him. How about that?" I patted him on the back, or, well, as close to his back as I could get. He looked at me with hope and confusion in his eyes. "Really? How 'ould ye pull tha' off? I've never he'rd a magic like tha'." I nodded my head and motioned him lower, seeing as I was a tad bit shorter than his ten feet stature. "I'm an animagus." Hagrid looked at me with wide eyes. "Wha' kind?" I smirked. "That's a secret, but I can translate and let you speak with him." Hagrid nodded his head wildly. "When 'ould ye l'ke ta do it?" I thought through what I was honing to do here. "Why not two weeks from now, after classes? I'll be sure to go down to your hut sometime during my free periods." I wasn't about to go back into that water with Hagrid where he might find out about me, unless I cleared them first. "Sounds good. I don' got much ta do 'round h're." Harry looked confused. "Other than classes and taking care of the animals, right?" Hagrid nodded, looking slightly embarrassed. "O' course." We arrived at the gates of the castle/school with children surrounding us and cheering, cutting off our conversation. Hagrid quietly slipped away, even with his massive form. Kids came up to me crying, thanking me for saving them and/or their friends. Suddenly, the doors swung open and a lady in long robes (that I knew had to be the headmistress, Mrs. McGonagall) greeted the loud crowd. "Quiet!" She must have used the Sonorus spell, literally translating to 'Noisy' spell, to get her voice that loud. Everyone quieted right away, and she cleared her throat. "Now...." She quickly dispelled the amplifying charm and continued. "I want all of you to follow me. Be quiet in these halls." I looked at Harry with question and he held me tighter. I do not want to be separate from you just yet. I don't think our link is completely healed. I chuckled, knowing he was just making an excuse. All right little bro, whatever you say. We walked in a ways, following Headmistress McGonagall to the doors of the great hall. Harry and I were getting some suspicious stares, but we ignored them, continuing to telepathically converse as we walked. Gizar must have been asleep in my pocket for how little he was moving, it worried me slightly, but I dismissed it when he picked up on my feelings and denied them. Soon, McGonagall turned around with a flourish and started her welcoming speech. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the great hall, you will be sorted in to your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. 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 your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. 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." (Credit goes to J. K. Rowling) We waited patiently, Harry gripping my arm tightly, and my ADHD acting up. I bounced my leg and twirled my wand in my hand (painstakingly changing it when I took out Riptide by mistake), waiting for the doors to open. Mrs. McGonagall disappeared as the doors slowly swung wide open and we all filed in. We created a long line from right next to the Sorting Hat, all the way to the doors of the hall. If I didn't have my Hecate knowledge then I'm pretty sure I would have pulled riptide on the Sorting Hat when he started singing, but I already knew what was to happen. I hope I get Gryffindor with Harry. Don't worry big bro, you will. You are so much braver than me, there's no way you could go anywhere else. Thanks Harbear. I'm still worried though. That's alright, everyone is nervous at first. I was touched by my little bro's thoughtfulness, but I just hugged him closer under my shoulder.
"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 Hufflepuffs 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 folks 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!"
I smiled lightly at Hazza as the students clapped and Professor McGonagall began calling out names. "Alistunder, Ana!"