"They look terrified," Charlotte observed as the first-years dragged their feet into the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall striding ahead of them with her usual air of authority.
"There's Ron," George whispered. "Oh, and Harry's in front of him."
"Who's Harry?" Lee asked.
"Why does Ron look so scared?" Charlotte queried.
"I told him that he'd have to wrestle a troll," Fred said with his signature devious grin, which Charlotte had grown knowing. That was one difference between the Weasley twins that only Charlotte knew - when they'd been particularly evil, Fred gave a wide grin while George gave a little side smirk.
"Believed us as well, the gullible kid," George added.
"Who's Harry?" Lee asked again.
"The two of you are 'orrible gits," Charlotte giggled.
"Who's Harry?" Lee asked once more.
"Ooh, McGonagall has the hat out," George whispered excitedly.
"Come on, Ron," Fred breathed almost silently. "You can get Gryffindor."
"Who's Harry?" Lee whispered sharply, leaning forwards on the table.
Lee sat back quickly when the Sorting Hat began to sing:
"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 the 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 folk 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!"
The Hall erupted into a chorus of clapping and cheers as the fraying Hat sang his new song. Charlotte looked over to Ron and saw him relax a little before whispering in Harry's ear.
"I reckon that's better than last year's song," Fred said to Charlotte among the noise.
"He's had a year to write it; of course it's better."
"So, who's Harry?"
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," McGonagall instructed; this caused Lee to sigh in defeat. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of the line. She wandered nervously over to the stool and sat on it, placing the hat on her head with shaking hands and grabbing on to the edge of the stool as the brim fell over eyes. There was a moment of silence.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted.
The Hall broke into applause and there was a loud cheer from the Hufflepuff table on the right, the ghost of the Fat Friar waving her over.
"Bones, Susan," was called next.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted again, and Susan scuttled off quickly and sat next to Hannah, who'd made room on the bench for her.
"Boot, Terry" and "Brocklehurst, Mandy" both went to Ravenclaw and were greeted rather formally by the Prefects with several handshakes.
"Brown, Lavender!" Professor McGonagall called next.
A seemingly shy girl skipped up to the stool with her blonde curls bouncing behind her, and plopped on to the stool, setting the hat on her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted.
"Our first firstie!" Nearly Headless Nick greeted as everyone at the Gryffindor table clapped and cheered Lavender. The twins catcalled.
"Honestly, Fred, shut up," Charlotte scolded, smacking his arm.
"Crabbe, Vincent" joined Slytherin while "Finch-Fletchley, Justin" went to Hufflepuff and "Goyle, Gregory" joined Crabbe on the Slytherin table. Three more Gryffindors joined the table of red - "Finnigan, Seamus", "Granger, Hermione" and "Longbottom, Neville". Poor Neville fell on his way to the stool, and in his haste to run to the Gryffindors, he left the hat on his head.
"Malfoy, Draco!" McGonagall called.
"Malfoy," Charlotte and the twins groaned quietly. Mr Weasley had told his family and Charlotte of the many adventures he'd had searching Malfoy Manor and how they weren't very pleasant people at all.
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat screamed after barely touching the boy's platinum blond hair.
"Nott, Theodore" and "Parkinson, Pansy" joined the Malfoy boy at the Slytherin table while a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil" were separated - Parvati joined Gryffindor whereas Padma went with the Ravenclaws.
"Potter, Harry!" McGonagall shouted.
The Hall broke into a chorus of whispers like little hissing fires.
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?"
"That's who Harry is," Lee said. "How d'you know him already?"
As the boy sat on the stool and the hat fell over his eyes, everybody craned to get a better look at him. A silence fell across the room.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted.
Harry took off the hat and shakily made his may towards the table as he received the loudest cheer the Hall had heard. Percy stood up and shook his hand vigorously and everyone else at the table stood to give him a pat on the back.
"We got Potter! We got Potter!" Fred, Charlotte, George and Lee yelled.
Finally, "Weasley, Ronald" was called up to the stool. He was green by now and the twins and Charlotte crossed their fingers under the table.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Ron ran straight to the table and collapsed on to the bench next Harry.
"Yes, Ron!" Charlotte cheered.
"Well done, Ron, excellent," Percy said pompously as "Zabini, Blaise" was sorted into Slytherin.
As McGonagall rolled up her scroll and removed the stool and the hat, Dumbledore rose to his feet. He beamed at the students with his arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more to see them all there.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!"
The food appeared on the table and the twins had already filled their plates before Charlotte even turned around.
"You'd think your mother starved you the way you're piling on the food there," she laughed.
"I's jus' so 'ood," George said with a mouthful of potatoes.
"No food fights this year, you four," Nearly Headless Nick told them as he breezed past.
"I think you need to tell Professor Lupin that too," Lee said. "She seemed rather into it."
"You'll find out why soon enough," Nick muttered as he went to hover by the first-years.
"Weird," Charlotte said, shaking her head and returning to her plate of food. "So have you heard? Professor Quirrell is teaching the first-years Defence Against the Dark Arts this year."
"Only the first-years?" Fred asked, to which Charlotte nodded. "So we still have your mum teaching us?"
"Yup," Charlotte answered.
"Thank Merlin for that!" George breathed. "Y'know, we could get away with murder in her class."
"Only because she's known you since forever."
"Not because you love us to pieces and told her to be nice to us?" Lee grinned.
"Definitely not," Charlotte smiled innocently.
"Nick's going to scare the first-years off before they even get to the common room, now," Fred stated, pointing to the ghost who had pulled his nearly decapitated head to one side.
"I bet that Granger girl said something about how it's impossible to be nearly headless," Lee said. "She seems the type."
"Just eat your food, Jordan," Charlotte ordered. "There's no need to be horrible about her on her first day."
"Whatever you say, Lupin."
"Speaking of Lupins, do you know why she actually lets us get away with murder?" Fred asked.
"I don't know," Charlotte shrugged, "but don't ask her that. She doesn't sit well with murder."
"We guessed that," George said. "Her brother is in Azkaban for it."
"Mum doesn't believe he did it though," Charlotte added. "She said that he was living with her and Dad in my grandparents' old house after they died. If he wanted to kill all of his best friends, he could've done it there and then."
"But he killed Peter Pettigrew and told Voldemort where the Potters were staying," Lee said. "Who does that?"
"There's a reason he's Harry's godfather," Charlotte pondered.
"Is he?" George asked.
"Yeah, I think Mum's his godmother too."
"Really?" Fred asked.
"I can't be sure; I'll have to ask her," Charlotte said as she ate the final forkful of vegetables and took a slice of cake.
"Would that make you and Harry god-siblings?" Lee wondered.
"Is that even a thing?"
"It is now," George said. "Lots, you're such a slow eater."
"I like to actually taste my food," was the muffled reply as she ate the last chunk of her cake.
Just as she swallowed, the food at the tables disappeared and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The Hall fell silent.
"Ahem - just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.
"First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."
The Headmaster's twinkling eyes landed in the direction of the four troublemakers.
"I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.
"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 does not wish to die a very painful death."
"Wonder what's there," Fred whispered to Charlotte.
"Let's have a look some night," Charlotte replied.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore cried.
The teacher gave his wand a little flick and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself snake-like into words.
"Everyone pick their favourite tune," Dumbledore instructed, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed:
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing, Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest, And learn until our brains all rot."
Everyone finished at different times, Charlotte being one of the first to finish her jazz-style rendition. At last, only Fred and George were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand, and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.
"Ah, music," he sighed, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
Percy called for all the first-years to follow him and after he left the room, the other Gryffindor students followed the other Gryffindor Prefects. Walking in the opposite direction to the exit of the Hall was Charlotte, who made her way to the teachers' table.
"Mum," she said when she stood opposite the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"Charlotte," (y/n) replied.
"Am I right in thinking that you're Harry Potter's godmother?"
"Yes," (y/n) answered after a long pause. "So that means I want you to look after him."
"I'm sure he can look after himself, Mum. I mean, he's already defeated Vol-"
"Charlotte!" (y/n) warned.
"It's only a name."
"I don't care, I don't want to hear it."
"Fine," Charlotte sighed, turning around to walk away. "Wait!"
"Yes?"
"What's the password for the common room?"
"Caput Draconis."
"Thanks, Mum!" Charlotte called as she ran out of the Hall.
"Any time!"
"P-Professor L-Lupin," a voice beside (y/n) stuttered.
"Ah, Professor Quirrell!"
"You s-s-said you w-wanted to speak t-t-t-to me?"
"Yes, I understand you want to teach the first-years," (y/n) said.
"Y-yes," Quirrell replied.
"If you don't mind, I'll be observing your first lesson with the students to see if you're capable of teaching," (y/n) explained. "Dumbledore's orders."
"Of c-course," Quirrell said. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Professor!"
"Mrs Lupin," a soft voice called.
"Professor Dumbledore, Sir."
"Have you spoken to -"
"All done and dusted," (y/n) replied.
"Wonderful," Dumbledore smiled. "And how's Remus, may I ask?"
"He's all right. He went for another job interview today so I'm expecting an owl anytime soon."
"Good good. And Charlotte?"
"As lively as ever."
☆•★•☆
"George, Lee, Fred! George, Lee, Fred!" Charlotte repeated rapidly as she jumped over the back of the common room sofa and landed on the seat in between Lee and George.
"Yes?" they all asked.
"So, Mum is Harry's godmother and I have to look after him because of that."
"Brilliant!" Fred exclaimed. "That means we get to look after him too!"
"I've never seen you more thrilled," Charlotte laughed.
"Oh, I have," said an unamused voice from the corner of the room.
"You would've, Percy," George answered.
"Always there to better everyone else," Fred added. "Seen me more thrilled, heading towards being the 'best Prefect the school's seen', better robes than all of us. Is there anything you're not better than everyone in?"
"Quidditch," Charlotte said. "Charlie's the best at that."
"Who ended up chasing dragons," Percy furthered.
"Better than a Ministry job," Lee said.
"Why don't you lot go to bed; it's your first day of lessons tomorrow and you wouldn't want to be late," Percy told them.
"We have Herbology," George said. "Professor Sprout loves us almost as much as the Mandrakes so she'd understand why we're late."
"And I have Defence first and I'm sure Professor Lupin won't mind if I'm late either," Charlotte said.
"Not that we're going to be late, of course," Fred stated.
"We'll be up and at it by five o'clock," Lee explained.
"Just go and sleep," Percy sighed.
"What if I read a book?" Charlotte asked.
"Then you'll be quiet and I won't mind."
"I have a new one that I've almost finished - I have about one chapter left," Charlotte said, running up to her dorm room.
She opened the door with a slam and ran to her bed and jumped on it.
"Woah, easy tiger!" Katie exclaimed.
Katie Bell and Charlotte were the only female Gryffindors in second-year. They were good friends but with Charlotte always spending time with Fred, George and Lee, and Katie having grown up with Marietta Edgecombe - a Ravenclaw in their year - the two didn't consider themselves as best friends.
"Percy said I could stay downstairs if I read a book and stayed quiet," Charlotte explained.
"He's taking this Prefect thing very seriously."
"When I said in my letter to you that he'd mentioned it about one-hundred-and-forty times, that was only for the week I spent at the Burrow," Charlotte said.
"Poor Fred and George."
"I know, and as soon as they mention wanting to try out for Beaters, he tells them to shut up and to stop going on about it."
"Well, he's one to talk," Katie scoffed. "Speaking of Quidditch, do you reckon I should try out for Chaser?"
"Go for it, girl!" Charlotte encouraged. "I've heard Oliver Wood is the new Captain and he seems lovely from what I've heard."
"And good-looking," Katie added dreamily.
"Honestly, Katie, you've been here one year and you already fancy one of the fifth-years!" Charlotte exclaimed, standing up from her bed after finding her book.
"I don't fancy him, he's just rather attractive," Katie said sheepishly.
"Y'know, there's a Muggle storybook Dad gave me -"
"You and your Muggle stories."
"Dad's mum was a Welsh Muggle, I have a lot of them," Charlotte clarified. "Anyways, there's a Muggle storybook about a girl who fell in love with a much older boy who was the captain of the rugby team."
"What's rugby?"
"It's like Quidittch except there's no brooms or a Snitch, and the Bludgers are people trying to tackle you."
"Sounds violent," Katie said with a concerned expression.
"It is, I've watched a game or two with Dad," Charlotte said, smiling at the memories. "Well, I'm off to make sure the boys are behaving. See you later!"
"Bye!"
As she walked down the stairs, Charlotte turned to the page of the beginning of the last chapter in the book and began reading.
"Percy, don't," she heard one of the twins say. It was probably Fred as it was said quite firmly.
"I'm writing a letter to Mother, I might as well mention it," was the reply Charlotte heard Percy give.
"What's going on 'ere?" Charlotte asked as she swaggered into the common room.
"Percy wants to write to Mum and tell her about Ron getting into Gryffindor," Fred started.
"And we're trying to tell him to leave Ron tell her himself," George finished.
"But I'm writing to her now, why can't I just mention it?" Percy said.
"Let Ron tell her, Percy," Charlotte said. "Do you know how proud he is? And if one of his brothers had already told her before he got the chance, do you know how disappointed he'd be?"
"All right," Percy sighed.
"Honestly, does a twelve-year-old have to referee between a fifteen-year-old and two thirteen-year-olds?"
"I guess so," Lee shrugged. "But how many times do you have to start a sentence with honestly?"
"As many as I need to," Charlotte replied, throwing herself on to the sofa next to Lee.
"Whatcha reading?" Fred asked, squeezing between her and Lee.
"It's terrible really," the girl replied sheepishly. "It's a typical muggle storyline - girl meets boy, girl becomes best friends with boy, girl realises she's in love with boy, girl finds out boy has loved her all along, girl and boy get married."
"Sounds cute," George said, sitting on the floor in front of the crackling fire.
"Dad gave it to me, said it reminded him of how him and Mum came to be," Charlotte said. "He said he read it the year they got together as well."
"Trying to get inspiration are we?" Fred asked, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Charlotte face planted the pages of her book and sighed inwardly. "No, Freddie," she said with a fake smile. "Funny joke though, best I've heard all year."
George burst into laughter as Lee tried to stifle a giggle. Over in the corner, still hunched over his writing, Percy snorted.
Fred laughed shortly.
"Can I read my book now?" Charlotte asked with her little smirk.
"If you must," Fred said.
There was a few minutes of quiet as Percy scratched away at his parchment, writing a letter home, and Lee, George and Fred talked quietly among themselves. Percy left after a while to run to the owlery before curfew.
"Done!" Charlotte finally said, snapping her book shut.
"Off to bed then?" George asked.
"Indeed," Charlotte replied, standing from the sofa. "Night, boys."
"Night, Lottie," they chorused as she gave them a group hug.
"See you in the morning!"
"Love you!" she heard Fred call - she could almost hear the smirk in his voice.
"Love you too, Freddie," she replied, shaking her head to her herself. "Honestly."
✪~✪~✪
I'm surprised none of you have named those stars or anything yet.
Anyway, hope you like this chapter (the longest I've ever written to date, I'm well chuffed) and let me know if there's something I should change or include!
Word count: 3314