//------------------------------// // The Start of Term Feast // Story: Scoti Alaw Prewett // by SamuelK28 //------------------------------// As the train slowed to a grinding halt, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the two boys pushed their way out onto a small dark platform. Their luggage had been left behind ready to be taken to the school separately. A cry of “First years over here” and a lamp hanging above the students directed the five to Hagrid who seemed delighted to see them all, especially Harry. “Alright there young Apple, I think you’ve shown your friends enough.” Hagrid said to the young lady who’d carried him from the platform along a dark narrow path to the edge of an enormous black lake. She lowered the behemoth of a man into one of the boats that was moored there and suddenly everyone’s attention diverted from the young girl to the mystical castle that rose from the other side of the lake. There were a lot of oohs and aahs from the children as Hagrid directed them four into a boat. The girls ended up with a snobby young boy in their boat called Justin who decided to tell them all about how he was supposed to go to Eton before his Hogwarts letter arrived. The girls had no idea what Eton was and just decided to nod politely whilst half listening to him prattle on as the boat magically bobbed across the water. After having to duck their heads as they entered a narrow pitch-black tunnel, they soon came across an underground harbour. From here, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and the rest of the first years were directed up a flight of stone steps and through a massive doorway where Professor McGonagall was waiting for them and took them from Hagrid. After being directed through an enormous entrance hall bigger than the one in Canterlot castle, the three girls found themselves in a small empty chamber. It was here that McGonagall spoke to the students while the drone of many voices could be heard in the adjoining room next door. “Welcome to Hogwarts. Before you may take your seats in the Great Hall and enjoy the start-of-term-banquet you will need to be sorted into one of four prestigious houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. These have produced some of the finest witches and wizards in the world although it is not just because off this that this ceremony is of such importance. Whilst you are here your house will be like your family. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. Each house is attempting to win the House Cup by collecting the most points from their triumphs throughout the year, a truly great honour. Beware though that rule-breaking will not be tolerated and will lose your house points. Good luck to each and every one of you in whichever house you are sorted into. You have a few minutes, so I suggest you tidy yourselves up before the ceremony begins, I’ll be back shortly to bring you in.” Minerva finished her speech turning and leaving the chamber. “How do you think they sort us into our houses?” Apple Bloom asked Scootaloo the question on all the new students minds as she attempted to straighten her hair out with a brush from she’d pulled from her robes. Scootaloo never got a chance to reply as Sweetie and a number of other students next to her screamed. The small anti-chamber had suddenly become full with bickering ghosts! “New Students!” Cried one of the ghosts. “You three especially look like Hufflepuff material to me. My old house. you know.” He stopped in front of the three Crusaders with a broad smile across his face. “Fat Friar is the name and you in particular look like you would make an excellent addition to our quidditch team. Small, fast and nimble, excellent seeker material.” The ghost went on pointing at Scootaloo with a see-through white finger. “Been diabolical for years, bottom of the table five years running and only two wins in that time. Haven’t won the cup in twenty-eight years. Dreadful, truly dreadful, even the bookworms have been hammering us!” “How many times do I have to tell you not to call my house’s students bookworms.” Another ghost of a beautiful young lady chided next to him. “Students we are ready for you. You ghosts move along. We’ve a ceremony to conduct.” As they floated away through another wall Scootaloo couldn’t help but overhear the Fat Friar discuss with another ghost which house would get the most students this year. “Really hoping my House can get a few more newbies this year, haven’t even been in double figures past three years. Lowest total in over fifty years last year with only seven newbies, whilst Gryffindor had thirteen!” The Friar commented Shortly the first years were shepherded into a line and back out into the entrance hallway before being ushered through into the Great Hall. Above her Scootaloo saw the night sky beaming down upon her as thousands and thousands of candles floated above lighting four long tables, two on either side of her. These were decorated with an array of fancy dinnerware, stuff she’d only a month ago dreamed would be available at Canterlot Castle. A couple hundred of faces stared at her and her companions as they walked towards yet another table at the end of the Hall which was parallel to the four but laid out across a stage. It was here where all the teachers sat and was upon this stage that Scootaloo, her fellow Crusaders and the other new students found themselves waiting in front of. Thankfully the eyes that bore into her slowly shifted their focus to something upon the stage, an extremely well-worn and moth ridden hat sitting on a stool. Sweetie immediately thought Rarity would have a fit over the hat if anyone even thought about wearing it. Then, to her and all the first year’s amazement the cap twitched and a mouth seemed to open wide near its base as it started to sing a song! * As the ballad came to end and the hall quietened down from a rapturous applause that the hat seemed to milk as much as possible, Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a scroll and spoke. “We shall be going in surname alphabetical order starting with Abbot, Hannah. Don’t feel shy, just go up, take a seat on the stool and put on the hat. It will determine which house you belong in after a short period.” Professor McGonagall explained. After Hannah had been sorted into Hufflepuff Minerva called out once again, Apple, Apple-Bloom. Gulping Apple Bloom took the seat as the hat fell over her eyes. “Intriguing.” The hat whispered in her ear. “I’ve never had a being from another dimension before. Sentient ponies huh? Who would have thought it?” “Says the talking hat.” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Good Point. Anyway, getting to the matter at hand you’d definitely not fit in Slytherin, let us just say honesty is not their strong point. Although you’ve intelligence and have the diligence to learn, I don’t think you’re quite Ravenclaw material. Similarly, although you are certainly brave at heart, you are to level-headed for Gryffindor. Hard working, fair and true of heart, sister of Lady Applejack, Element of Honesty, dedicated, could use a bit more patience but most importantly loyal to both her family and her friends. Yes, you will do well in HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat screamed. Apple Bloom squealed in delight and she nearly flung the hat of in her excitement and happiness as she raced to sit opposite to Hannah who greeted her warmly. There wasn’t any time for her to talk to her new housemate though as Minerva’s voice once again called throughout the hall. “Belle, Sweetie.” Cautiously Sweetie took the stall hoping that she’d be with her friend but not feeling confident after the first two students went to Hufflepuff. Surely law of averages would be against her? She looked at Minerva, who smiled and nodded encouragingly. Well here goes nothing. She ignited her horn and placed her witch’s hat upon the floor. She felt it best to get this out the way so transfigured into her unicorn form, her robes and clothes sliding off her and onto the floor. She then lowered the hat on her head, which actually ended up covering her entire body. Darkness engulfed her. “Err, hello.” She muttered “My, aren’t you a cute one. Another sentient pony and a unicorn at that! I won’t make you wait. Although you are intelligent, I once again couldn’t see you settling in Ravenclaw like your friend. You are more the brains behind your friend’s schemes rather than the fearless leader, often forced along due to your loyalty and protective nature of them, thus Gryffindor would not be for you. You are no coward, but do not have the heart of a lion rushing head first into danger. Your intelligence and ability to plan and map out your friends’ escapades could make you a fit for Slytherin, but no matter how much trouble you’ve got into, not once have you sold your friends out to save your own skin or deliberately caused such trouble. No, sister of Lady Rarity, Element of Generosity, with loyalty as her hearts guide there be only one place for you, HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat screamed. And as the friar cried in delight at yet another addition to his house the little unicorn levitated the hat of her and galloped to her friend launching herself into Apple Bloom’s hands. tears in both their eyes. Nobody in the Great Hall that day would forget that moment and never again would they see one of such heartfelt emotion. It was McGonagall who broke the touching embrace. “Although I’m glad to see you happy with your house choice Miss Belle, please could you pick up your clothes and return to your human form in this side room.” As Sweetie darted off levitating her clothes behind her, she didn’t think she could feel any happier than she did at that moment in time. Averages hadn’t won. * Shortly Sweetie returned to her chair next to Apple Bloom and opposite a girl with light brown plaited hair who introduced herself as Susan Bones. Apparently according to Apple Bloom, a boy named Terry Boot had been assigned to Ravenclaw whilst she was gone as well. Slowly the remaining spaces at the tables filled as twenty more children were assigned. Five went to Gryffindor, Lavender Brown, Fay Dunbar, Seamus Finnigan, the arrogant girl from the train Hermione and Neville Longbottom. The latter looked the opposite of brave of heart as he nervously walked off the stage with the hat still on his head and had to retreat to return it to the next student to barrels of laughter. The rest of the Gryffindors did not look overly pleased with their allocation so far in terms of personnel and numbers, with only Slytherin not outnumbering them. Apple Bloom, Sweetie and the two other girls were joined by the pompous boy Justin from the boat, much to the former twos regret, a long blonde-haired boy called Wayne Hopkins and a weedy long brown-haired girl called Megan Jones. Slytherin received five nasty looking pieces of work in Millicent Bulstrode, Vincent Crabbe, Tracey Davies, Gregory Goyle and Daphne Greengrass with the hat barely even touching their heads before it screamed the House’s name compared to the thinking it did for most the other House’s occupants. Ravenclaw seemed to swiftly catch up and challenge Hufflepuff as the House with the most students. Mandy Brocklehurst, Michael Corner, Stephen Cornfoot, Kevin Entwhistle, Anthony Goldstein and Su Li all joined Terry Boot and as the hat screamed Ravenclaw again for Morag MacDougal, that put them at eight students to Hufflepuff’s seven. This was not to last though as Ernest Macmillan became Hufflepuff’s third male addition. By now the Fat Friar was in delirium. Unsurprisingly the nasty boy Malfoy went to sit with his pals Crabbe and Goyle at Slytherin alongside Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson after Roger Malone and Leanne Moon became Ravenclaw’s and Hufflepuff’s ninth new members each. “Here, what is this.” Cried a Gryffindor student. “Do we no longer exist?” “Settle down.” Minerva called. Although she was a little worried about the lack of new students in her house even if that Hermione girl’s brains would surely earn them a hatful of points. Still though it seemed nothing looked like it was going to change as Padma Patil became Ravenclaw’s tenth new addition, but suddenly her Lions had something to cheer as Parvati Patel became Gryffindor’s sixth addition. Although Minerva was delighted at another addition to her Lions, she couldn’t help feel sorry for the poor girl and the dejected look on her face as she was separated from her twin sister. Next up was Hufflepuff’s tenth addition, Sally-Anne Perks, continuing their fight for supremacy with the Ravenclaws. Then Minerva saw the next name on her list. “Potter, Harry!” She cried, causing whispers and murmuring to once again break out amongst the crowd of students. The murmuring slowed down and a deathly silence fell around the room as the hat fell over Harry Potter’s head. After what felt like an age the hat bellowed GRYFFINDOR! Causing the biggest roar of the evening as the Weasley twins yelled ‘We got Potter! We got Potter!” Minerva sighed in relief, glad the worry over her House’s new additions seemed to have been quelled for now with Harry’s addition. Then she looked at the next name and sighed. This might cause another stir. “Prewett, Scoti Alaw!” Although less of a reaction than The Boy Who Lived, there were still a few hushed murmurs from some of the more informed older year members. “Prewett, I thought the Death Eaters got them all bar Molly Weasley?” “Wait, I thought they were wiped out?” Slowly Scootaloo edged herself up onto the stage fingers crossed that she wouldn’t be separated from her friends. But before she sat though she let her robes fall to the floor and flared her wings out from behind her back. She wasn’t about to let Sweetie have to reveal her true nature on her own. The Crusaders stick together, no matter what. Minerva facepalmed. Once again silence engulfed the room. “MERLINS BEARD, SHE’S GOT WINGS! WHAT A FREAK!” Cried a boy from Slytherin which was swiftly followed by the whole table breaking out into laughter. Before Minerva could react herself a teacher in black robes with a hooked nose rose from the end of the table and spoke in a deadly tone. “Mr Flint, well done. The year has yet to officially begin and you’ve just cost our house twenty points. That was disgusting behaviour and I will not tolerate it in my house. If this wasn’t a very important year for you academically, I’d have you cleaning the potions lab every evening from now until Christmas. Still, you will report to the potions lab every evening for the next week where you will write ‘I will not discriminate against other students’ one hundred times on the chalkboard. I apologise Albus for that shocking behaviour and hope you find the punishment suitable.” The hook-nosed teacher stated before bowing to the headmaster and returning to his seat. Boo’s rang out from the Slytherin’s table and Flint’s friends consoled him as Scootaloo held back her anger from the outburst and took her seat upon the stool letting the hat drop over her face. “Ahh, how curious. One who is from our world but has been tainted by another. You are an even easier sort than your friends. You do not have the brains or tact for either Ravenclaw or Slytherin and it is often the lack of these skills that end you up in crazy situations with your friends rather than your bravery and daring. “I’m unsure whether to take this as a compliment or an insult.” Scootaloo murmured The hat continued as if it hadn’t been interrupted. “No, you idolise the one known as Lady Rainbow Dash, embodiment of the Element of Loyalty, and I can assure you that you are following in her shadow. Never have I seen one so committed to her friends. HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat cried once again causing the biggest roar of the night as Scootaloo removed the hat only to be overcome with a great sense of foreboding as her eyes focused. “THE TIME FOR HIS RETURN NEARS. DARKNESS CLOUDS OVER HOGWARTS. DO NOT TRUST THE DARK ONE.” Scootaloo chorused in a trance like state before being encased in a shroud of white light and stumbling of the stool onto the floor. The next thing she knew Minerva was by her side as a Hufflepuff boy cried in the background. “OH SWEET, SHE’S A SEER TO!” “Miss Prewett, are you alright my dear?” Professor McGonagall stated with concern. Slowly the nausea and dizziness were fading and Scootaloo was regaining her senses. “Yeah. The rooms still spinning a bit but I’ll be fine in a moment or two if you wouldn’t mind helping me up.” Slowly with McGonagall’s assistance she made her way to the Hufflepuff table and squeezed herself in-between Apple Bloom and Sweetie who took over ensuring her well-being. After the excitement of the previous two, the remaining eight students were all assigned without much fuss, the biggest highlight being when Ron was assigned to Gryffindor like his brothers before him had. Gryffindor and Slytherin both ended with ten students, the former taking on Sophie Roper and Dean Thomas alongside Ron, whilst the snakes took on Regina Runcorn and Blaise Zabini. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw booth ended with twelve students, Sally Smith joining the girls in Hufflepuff as Oliver Rivers and Lisa Turpin joined Ravenclaw. By this point Scootaloo had regained her bearings and watched as the headmaster rose from his golden chair and spoke. ‘My, wasn’t that an intriguing opening ceremony. I can assure you all though that despite that ominous premonition by Miss Prewett you have nothing to fear at Hogwarts this year as long you follow these two golden rules. But Firstly, first-years, I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, you should all note that the forest in the grounds is full of dangerous beasts and is forbidden to all pupils. I think a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.” His eyes flashed over the Weasley twins before continuing. “Secondly, 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.” He finished as silence gripped the room for a moment. “Now that those are out the way I welcome you all back to Hogwarts for another year with a Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you and enjoy the feast.” He sat back down as a huge cheer went up around the hall once again. The three girls and a number of other first years though were to astonished at what had just happened to join in the rapturous applause. The empty dishes in front of them had become laden with food. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom had had no problems adjusting to a human diet over the past month, both had very quickly learnt that refusing food meant going hungry when growing up. They thus eagerly tucked into the food on offer, filling their plates with all kinds and varieties of meats, from roasts, to chops, to legs, thighs, sausages, bacon, burgers and so forth along with an array of types of potatoes and vegetables, before happily covering everything in gravy. Sweetie Belle on the other hand had taken a little longer to adapt to a human’s usual diet and was still reluctant in eating meat, preferring to stick with the assortment of vegetables on the table although she did let herself have a couple of pieces of bacon and a chicken leg. It was a jolly meal with the fat friar dancing merrily in amongst all the food as the Cutie Mark Crusaders started getting acquainted to their fellow new housemates. “I know how you feel Scootaloo. My family have both Muggle and Magical heritage. We were considered one of the most powerful families up until the war. Voldemort literally wiped us all out. My grandparents along with my aunt, uncle and parents are all gone. Mother was the youngest member of the Order of the Phoenix. She got cornered. I won’t tell you what happened to her, all you need to know is the Longbottom’s rescued her but not before terrible things happened and I arrived nine months later. Sadly, her physical and mental wounds were to great and she passed away just shy of my tenth birthday, she was only 29. My remaining Aunt, Amelia, takes care of me now.” Susan Bones replied to the half Pegasus girl and her friends. “Wow, that truly is terrible.” Apple Bloom murmured in between devouring another chicken drumstick. “Agreed, my family were lucky during the war not to lose anyone.” Hannah added. “Yeah, but mum told me in clarity before she passed not to waste my life in mourning. She wanted me to make her and the Bones family proud by becoming an Auror. So that’s what I’m going to do.” “An Auror, what’s that? Sweetie asked. “Magical law enforcement. Anyway, enough sorrow. This is a joyous occasion and I want to know more about you and Apple Bloom. Are you really from another dimension filled with sentient ponies divided into Pegasus, unicorns and Earth ponies, with royalty being a combination of all three and known as alicorns?” Susan replied in awe. “And am I right in guessing after that show on the way to the docks, Earth Pony magic is strength, Pegasus magic is flight and unicorns their horns?” Hannah added “Apple Bloom swallowed the remainder of her meal, a massive mouthful of mash potato and roast beef, before simply replying “Eeeyup” to the two girls. “Wow, that is truly bizarre and you said you got to our world through this God of Chaos Discord, extraordinary.” Megan chimed in. She’d spent most the meal staring at the wings on Scootaloo’s back in between eating what was on offer. Now though she turned to Sweetie. “Any chance we could see your unicorn form again?” A mischievous grin adorned Sweetie’s face as she turned towards Scootaloo. * “I hate you so much right now.” Scootaloo grumbled as a gaggle of girls squealed, ogled, hugged, petted and stroked the poor struggling Pegasus. “Ow, that hurt Megan.” “That’s for pooing on my head.” Sweetie replied. “Excuse me Miss Apple, but Cedric here laughed in my face when I told him about how you carried Hagrid all the way to the docks. Said it was impossible.” Justin interrupted with an older boy next to him. “Oh, you want a demonstration then. Suppose I can give you some after dinner entertainment if you’ll just excuse me a minute.” Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie. “Any chance you can transfigure those grapes into cannonballs?” “I can try.” Sweetie replied, pulling out her wand and channelling her magic through it. Without even the need for a spell four cannonballs appeared on the table. “That was amazing.” Cedric uttered, staring in disbelief at what the girl had just managed to do without even uttering a spell. More was to come though. She’s a Metamorphamagus or something like that, now as for that after dinner entertainment * In less than a minute the whole hall was transfixed on the small girl juggling four cannonballs like they weighed no more than a feather each. No one had been more relieved for the distraction than Scootaloo who had used it to sneak of with Sweetie so that she could return back to her human form and put her clothes back on. As she came towards the end of her demonstration of strength Apple Bloom threw the balls high into the air catching each one easily as they came back down and placing them safely back onto the table, except for the last one. This she caught, before swivelling and hurling the cannonball at the speed of light into the wall behind the Slytherin table. As the Slytherins slowly rose from the defensive positions they had quickly taken, Apple Bloom stated sternly. “Let this be a warning to you slime buckets, you ever insult one of my friends or housemates again I will hunt you down, drag you out the castle and chuck you into the lake out there. I make myself clear.” “Woo hoo, a unicorn, a Pegasus seer and now a female Incredible Hulk.” The random Hufflepuff boy cried in glee in the background. The Slytherins, especially Marcus Flint, looked at the girl nervously. She did not flinch. She was actually serious. They looked at the cannonball now embedded in the wall behind them. They very quickly decided they would get their fix on picking on the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors this year and rapidly nodded their response almost as a collective. None of them wanted a cold swim in the lake. “Miss Bloom I will not tolerate you openly threatening my students.” The hook-nosed teacher’s voice chorused across the silence that now adorned the hall. “five points from Hufflepuff and if you ever go through with your threat I’ll personally see to your expulsion from Hogwarts.” “I promise any acts would only be in self-defence sir. By making myself clear now I’m sure we won’t have any problems. Isn’t that right slime buckets” Apple Bloom cooed, curtseying politely to the teacher as more rapid nodding came from the Slytherin table. “And another five points for calling my students names.” The hook-nosed teacher barked. Apple Bloom glowered at him. “Five more points. Do you wish to continue your insolence?” “Wow. You must be Professor Snape. Cheery fellow aren’t you. Remind me to brew you some Ailhotsy Draught. Hmm, that might not be enough. Some Induced Euphoria Elixir might work but afraid I’m a little young to be making that. I could try though or Madam Pomfrey might have some.” Apple Bloom said innocently. Every student looked at her like she was mad. No one in their right mind stood up to Snape unless they had a death wish. Most the teachers were trying to hold back giggles but failing miserably. Red in the face Snape roared “Ten points for sarcasm and you’ll be joining me for detention tomorrow in the dungeons where we shall see where your cockiness gets you. I expect you to bring your cauldron.” Apple Bloom sat back down refusing the urge to stick her tongue out at the horrible teacher. She didn’t want to lose her house even more points. As she placed her head in her arms and groaned another voice called out across the hall. “Thank you for that delightful piece of after dinner entertainment. Forty points shall be awarded to Hufflepuff for your demonstration.” Turning she saw the headmaster smiling at her with a glint in his eyes. “Now, I feel it is time for some desert. Alka, Fidmong, Whomp.” He chanted as the remains of the feast disappeared to be replaced by an array of puddings just as Sweetie and Scootaloo were returning to the table to see Apple Bloom being mobbed by a hoard of their fellow housemates as their friend attempted to devour an apple pie. “Huh, wonder what we missed?” Scootaloo stated to Sweetie as they tried to push their way through the crowd to the table and their friend. Snape grumbled cross armed in his chair. * The girls yawned as the last of the puddings disappeared and Dumbledore rose once again to address the school. “Two further announcements.” The headmaster proclaimed. “Mr Filch has asked me to remind you all that magic should not be used between classes in the corridors. Secondly, on behalf of Madam Hooch. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. Furthermore, first years. Your Heads of House will meet you in your common rooms to pass you your timetables before bed and answer any lingering questions you may have. Now, before we go to bed let us sing the school song!” he bellowed. Many of the smiles on the teachers faces suddenly became very strained. * Despite their drooping heads the girls had managed to make it back to their common room, which was located near the kitchens in the basement. After stopping in front of a stack of barrels and watching intently as their prefect demonstrated exactly what they would need to do to gain entrance or suffer the embarrassing fate of being doused in vinegar, they found themselves crawling through a passageway into a large, low-ceilinged circular room decorated with all kinds of flora, magical and non-magical. Small circular windows were situated high up in the walls whilst comfy looking sofas were dotted all over the place and the portrait of a cheery, portly witch hung above a cosy fireplace. To the girls it looked like the perfect place to call home for the next seven years. In amongst all this beauty the small little witch with grey hair they had seen with Molly Weasley on their first day in Britain stood with the biggest smile on her face imaginable. The girls instantly liked her. “Welcome, welcome, don’t be shy young ones. It is so good to have so many new additions to my house. Oh, but where are my manners. I am Professor Pomona Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff. Now I won’t deny we haven’t won the House Cup since 68 and our Quidditch team haven’t won the cup for even longer. “Don’t worry Professor Sprout. Me and my Nimbus 2000 will rectify that and give you something to cheer about.” Scootaloo dropped her robes and darted into the air and despite the low ceiling managing to impressively do a few corkscrews, barrel rolls and loop de loops before coming to a perfect landing in front of the other students to a massive cheer. “Yeah, we’ll make you proud Professor Sprout.” Susan cried. “Hufflepuff forever.” Shouted Apple Bloom. “We’ll turn the tide for you.” Megan Jones commented “Hufflepuff will be number one.” Sally-Anne yelled. “Pomona, Pomona, Pomona.” The chant started and soon, wondering what all the commotion was about every Hufflepuff student was cheering and chanting for their Head of House. A tear rolled down Pomona’s cheek. No matter how much the members of other houses, including the ghosts, teased her, she really couldn’t ask for anymore from her students. Soon though she realised that the students really did need to be getting to their dorms and decided to call a halt to the current proceedings. “Thank you. Thank you all. Settle down please.” She called and slowly the crescendo of noise died down so she was able to speak to them all. “You really are the best students any Head of House could ever ask for, but we must all really be getting some sleep. First years, please collect a timetable from the table. Miss Prewett, you have a slightly different one so please collect it from me, thank you.” As the majority of students retreated to their dormitories for the night, the first years eagerly grabbed their timetables wondering what they’d contain. Scootaloo looked at hers intriguingly. “Now. You may notice that there are a number of free periods on your timetables. Don’t think that this means you’ll have time to relax or skive off. Let me warn you now that those who think they can just breeze through their first year at Hogwarts soon realise the error of their ways although not usually soon enough and they end up struggling to pass their first-year exams. I expect you to be spending those periods studying either in here or the Library.” Professor Sprout stated sternly. “Now as chance will have it, your first lesson will be Herbology tomorrow morning in the greenhouses out the back of the school. As such, rather than you getting lost on your first morning I’ll collect you from the Great Hall after breakfast tomorrow. I’ll also take this moment to inform you that you shall be sharing your lessons with the Gryffindors this year. A cheer went up around the room. “Better them than the Snakes. They looked like a mean bunch.” Wayne remarked. “Not after Apple Bloom put them in their place!” Ernest replied. “Probably be to scared to turn up to the lessons if we had to have them with them!” Susan quipped. “Yes, well please don’t go provoking any of the other houses further please. I’d hate for any of you to lose us any more points, especially in the first week.” Professor Sprout replied. “Now off to bed with the lot of you. I can see many of your eyelids are beginning to shut already. Due to the unexpected high number of girls this year, Miss Moon, Perks and Smith will be sharing with the three second year girls. Your trunks have already been brought in for you. Miss Fairweather if you’d please direct them to their sleeping quarters” Professor Sprout ended turning to leave and retire for the night herself. The first years were swiftly marshalled through the underground tunnels to their sleeping quarters, with each student having their own four poster bed with their trunk already in position at the end. Wally was thankfully snoozing under a wing as they entered. “Ooh, a parrot. That’s a unique pet. Especially one that looks like a pirate!” Hannah commented. “Please, don’t wake him, he has a terrible language problem, although unsurprising as Discord gave him to us.” Scootaloo sighed stripping down to get ready for bed. “Oh my word, I can’t wait to hear.” Hannah cut of suddenly upon seeing the image of a crystal ball with a lightning bolt in the middle of it on Scootaloo’s hip. “Woah. Sorry to look, but is that a tattoo on your hip?” “What?” Scootaloo looked at where Hannah was pointing before replying groggily. “Oh no, that’s just a cutie mark. When a pony in Equestria finds their special talent, the magic inside of them reveals itself in a picture of said talent on one’s flanks. I guess a human’s hips are the equivalent of that. Me and the girls have been trying to get ours for ages without success. I’d rather not recall the number of times we’ve ended up covered in tree…” Scootaloo’s voice trailed off as the realisation dawned on her and her eyes shot open. “3, 2, 1” Sweetie Belle deadpanned casting a silencing bubble around her friend with her wand as a thankfully now muffled cry erupted from her. “I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!!!!” “Wow, that was loud. It should be impossible for us to hear anything from her whilst she’s in there.” Sweetie stated impressed. “That’s all well and good Sugarcube and I know it’s a big thing, but I think I speak for all of us when I say we’re mightily tired right now. Is it possible we can celebrate in the morning over breakfast please?” Apple Bloom yawned, emphasising her point, whilst climbing into bed. The Half-Pegasus girl was darting around her prison in glee. “Oh yeah. It is kinda late”, she admitted, suddenly realising her own tiredness as her eyelids drooped once more. Sweetie dropped the bubble around her friend feeling that it was now safe to do so and headed to her own bed. “Night everyone.” “Night” all the other girls chorused. Scootaloo went to sleep that night happier than she’d ever been in her life before. * Meanwhile, across the school in Albus Dumbledore’s office a heated conversation was being held. “If the premonitions are to be taken seriously Albus, it is clear to me that there is a traitor amongst us who is aiding the Dark Lord and who has already infiltrated the school, either as a student or a member of the faculty. From the break in at Gringotts, it is almost certain that they are after the stone for one reason or another.” Professor McGonagall stated. “Agreed, but there is little we can do at this current time. Even with the few clues these premonitions have given us there are still too many people at Hogwarts to possibly work out who it is. Furthermore, the stone is adequately protected and even if anyone attempts to retrieve it, they will likely find their attempts futile or suffer enough resistance that we are able to confront them before they can get away with it. Finally, as Sybil mentioned previously, any attempt at altering the future could just as likely lead to a negative outcome as a positive one. If we act to soon the traitor could flee and wait for another time to catch us off guard. No, right now we simply must sit back and wait, whilst being on guard and prepared for the intruder to make their next move.” Albus replied. “Hmm. Although yet again I don’t like it, you make some valid points. Alright, we’ll wait. I wish you a good night Albus.” Minerva conceded before turning and departing the office. As soon as she’d departed Albus went to the floo in his office. Although it had been cryptic, combined with a snippet of information Hagrid had let slip he now had a pretty good idea of who this traitor was. It was time to play one of his cards. “Severus my dear friend. I’m guessing you are already aware what this conversation is going to be about and what I’m about to ask you to do.”