A Promise Kept - Chapter 4 - A Taste of Freedom

A Taste of Freedom

To Lily,

I hope this finds you well.

As ever, it warms me to receive a letter from you, and there is no need for you to explain your reasoning for wishing to keep Harry away from Britain. Even now, the remnants of the last war still stain the country, and with the influx of students arriving this year, I expect it will only become worse.

I cannot fathom why Lucius would bribe himself into the position of being a governor, but I will remain quiet on the matter.

It would never do for me to draw unwarranted attention to myself from him and his ilk.

Regardless, I hope that you are well, and if there is anything I can do for you, you need only name it.

I still look forward to the day that we might finish the work we scarcely began during your time here, but I will wait with as much patience as enthusiasm.

Yours always,

Filius

She smiled as she folded the letter and added it to the box of dozens of others she had received from her former professor over the years. Filius was one of few people she had stayed in contact with from Britain.

With Marlene McKinnon having been killed during the war, and Alice in her current state, Lily had no friends she had attended Hogwarts with to write to.

Sometimes, she would write to Petunia, but the replies she received were curt and short.

The woman had never been able to let go of the bitterness she felt towards Lily for leaving to attend the castle.

Even so, they were still sisters, and all the family Lily had left besides Harry.

She deflated as she looked out of the window to see her son reading one of his school textbooks with his wand in hand.

He had not let it out of his sight since he’d received it only a month prior, and even slept with it in the holster Sirius had gifted him from the Black family vault.

The enchantments on it were exceptional, though Lily was reluctant for Harry to have anything from that particular part of his family.

The Blacks were not known for their tolerance or kindly magic and should any attempt to take Harry’s wand from him, the consequences would be most unpleasant.

‘As my heir and for his safety, it is an additional measure in place to ensure his safety.’

Lily had not been able to argue with that, even if the magic she had gleaned from it was something she would not delve into herself. Nonetheless, there was nothing she wouldn’t do to ensure Harry’s safety.

She knew that she could often be overbearing and overprotective, but it wasn’t something she could help. She worried for the future, for what her son would inevitably have to endure, and Harry’s willingness to confront whatever was in front of him.

Were he to attend Hogwarts, she suspected he would’ve been sorted into Gryffindor, just as she and James had been, but Sirius did not believe so.

‘He reminds me a lot of my grandfather in many ways. He is as cunning as he is courageous, and that’s not a bad thing. He will need that, Lily.’

Hearing Hary being compared to the rather infamous Arcturus Black was not quite what she wanted, and it was easy to be drawn into Harry’s more concerning traits because of it, but then Lily was reminded of just how sweet and caring her son was.

He became only more so the older he grew; something that could be seen by the way he treated the animals on the land, and even Sirius and Lily herself.

She would not deny that Harry had quite the temper on him, was perhaps a little too adventurous for her liking, and willing to fight when provoked, but through all of it, he had the very best of intentions, and that was what mattered.

“Why can’t I just fly to the school?” Harry asked as he entered the kitchen.

Lily quirked an eyebrow at her son.

“Because it is more than two thousand miles away.”

Harry frowned as he counted on his fingers and shook his head.

“It would take me more than twenty hours to get there from here.”

Lily laughed at his crestfallen expression and patted the seat next to her.

“Don’t pretend you wouldn’t do it if I allowed you to,” she sighed. “You know, you’re just like your father in some ways. He loved flying and was attached to his broom for most of his time at Hogwarts.”

“Sirius said he was a brilliant Quidditch player.”

Lily nodded.

“I never understood the appeal. Maybe it’s because I was never such a good flier, but yes, your father was incredible. Even I could appreciate that. I just wished he wouldn’t messing his hair intentionally to make it look like he just got off his broom,” she added amusedly, ruffling the protesting Harry’s.

“You thought he was an idiot.”

“Oh, he was an idiot, but he was my idiot, and the bravest, kindest man I knew. He wasn’t perfect, Harry, far from it, but the good always made up for the bad with him.”

“You married him.”

“And there is not a day that I regret it. Things were not always easy for us, and there were certainly times I could’ve strangled James Potter, but that name you carry, that is something to proud of. I really wish you could’ve known him and your grandparents so you could understand just how incredible that side of your family was.”

Harry nodded thoughtfully.

“I’m the last of them.”

“For now,” Lily agreed, “but there’s nothing stopping you from having a dozen children when you’re older to make those numbers up.”

Harry grimaced and Lily laughed at his expression.

“I’m not talking about that with you.”

“Well, someone needs to talk to you about it, Harry,” Lily pointed out. “You will be going to a boarding school with lots of girls, and one day, you might find yourself interested in them.”

“Mum, I’m eleven,” Harry groaned. “Besides, Sirius already spoke to me.”

“Is that so?”

Harry nodded as a mischievous grin tugged at his lips.

“He told me to make sure I find all of the quiet places I won’t be disturbed, make sure I’m safe, and deny everything if I’m caught.”

Lily could only shake her head in response, silently promising herself that she would have words with the boys’ godfather when he returned home.

“You should never listen to Sirius Black when it comes to girls, Harry,” she urged.

“Why not, he’s had lots of girlfriends?”

“If you can call them that,” Lily huffed.

“What would you call them?”

He looked at her with an innocence that Lily was not convinced by, and she knew a trap when she saw one.

“Get ready for lunch,” she instructed, ignoring the triumphant grin the boy shot her.

Yes, her son would undoubtedly be trouble in more ways than one, and though she was quite worried about him leaving for school, Lily was confident Harry was indeed smart enough not to get himself hurt or into too much trouble, though the latter was not solely dependent on him, after all.

(Break)

He’d long given up hoping that the meetings of the Wizengamot would prove to be a good use of his time.

For the most part, they consisted of overly privileged men and women who had no idea what it was like to live in the real world outside of their estates, struggling to simply feed your family as a working man, or being anything less than spoiled.

Sirius could not profess to be much different, but he’d been friends with Remus, Peter, and many others who’d not been afforded such luxury, and he knew that sitting amongst his peers, debating the regulation size of brass cauldrons, was not at the forefront of the minds of the common witch or wizard.

Even so, he listened as the damned fools blustered about costs of materials and production, shaking his head in relief as Dumbledore began tapping his gavel to signal the end of yet another meeting where nothing was achieved.

Politics, it seemed, was as dull and ineffective as he’d always believed it to be, and he wondered how such an impatient man as his grandfather endured it.

Perhaps Arcturus Black had found a way to fall asleep without being noticed; something Sirius intended to look into.

Still, he was only required to be here three or four times a year unless an emergency meeting was called, which was rare indeed.

Having no intention to linger and exchange small talk, he shot a glare towards those he was seated nearest as a reminder that he despised them and made his way towards the door, only to see Albus walking towards him.

However, it was the grinning Cornelius Fudge that reached him first, sporting a stupid grin that Sirius would happily curse off of his face.

Fudge was no idiot, knew how to play to the crowd and posture himself up well enough to give an air of confidence, but it was the company he kept that proved him a foe in Sirius’s eyes.

Lucius and Nott had been the first two to pucker up to the new Minister of Magic when he’d been appointed almost a decade ago after Bagnold had resigned, and Fudge, much like his predecessor had decided to take the easy way out of the difficult situation that was the aftermath of the war.

How many truly believed the likes of Malfoy were victims of the Imperius Curse, Sirius didn’t know, but the lawyer representing the richest of Voldemort’s followers had shed enough doubt to see them walk away from their misdeeds all but unscathed.

“Ah, Lord Black, I was hoping to have a word with you,” Fudge declared, stopping in front of Sirius with Lucius, Nott, and half a dozen Aurors acting as the Minister’s guard.

“About?”

“Well, it is my understanding that your godson is of age to attend school. I was hoping to be granted an audience with him, to welcome and assure him of his years ahead.”

“That won’t be necessary, Minister,” Sirius said dismissively. “My heir will not be schooled in Britain.”

The look of horror Fudge wore was almost worth having to have endured the last several hours in these chambers, and he gaped like a fish out of water.

“H-Harry Potter will not be schooled at Hogwarts?”

Sirius knew what the man wanted.

Fudge wanted the opportunity to pose for Harry to boost his own public image, and Lucius wanted to meet the boy that had seen the apparent end to his master.

“I am sure there are many that will be disappointed,” Lucius said, barely concealing a smirk.

“I expect there will be,” Sirius said with a shrug, “but do not worry, he will take his seat among us soon enough. From what I can gather, he has many ideas and is kept well informed of what these meetings entail.”

“And I for one look forward to hearing them,” Albus broke in as he reached them. “I did tell you, Minister, that your request would be of little use to you, and Harry seeking his education elsewhere is his prerogative.”

“It is for the best,” Sirius said gruffly. “Harry is very keen to meet those that are the reason he is without a father but placing him in a school with their children would be a terrible idea. He is a Potter through and through but raised to be the next Lord Black. Any provocation from anyone would result in a most unpleasant beginning of relations of those that will one day work together in this very room. What I can assure you all of is that Harry is thriving, is exceedingly well educated and will undoubtedly be prepared when he chooses to return to Britain.”

“He will return then?” Lucius asked with a frown.

“Perhaps as the Lord Potter and Black should I see fit to vacate my seat when the time comes,” Sirius replied thoughtfully, offering Lucius a promising smile. “Give my best to Narcissa, Lord Malfoy. Good day.”

He did not miss the narrowing of the man’s eyes, but Lucius knew better than to say anything to offend Sirius, who had hoped beyond hope the man would dare to do such.

Nothing would give him more pleasure than ripping the man’s throat out for all he’d done during the war, and perhaps one day, he would get the chance.

Most in Britain may be willing to let what had happened during the war lie, but Sirius knew Harry well enough to know that his godson was not one of them.

One way or another, he would see to it that justice was done, and there was nothing any could say or do to stop him.

It was not lost on the Lord Black that since Harry had received his wand, he had done little else but work on his magic and would continue to do so in the coming weeks, months, and years.

Britain would not know what had hit it when he inevitably decided to return, and though Sirius would be right behind his godson all the way, he was more than content to watch as Harry changed the layout of the country.

Even now, those here still spoke of him, still revered him for what had happened that Halloween night, and there would be many who would stand by him for what he’d managed as just little more than a babe.

Sirius left the Wizengamot chambers lighter than when he’d entered them, satisfied he’d been able to deny the Minister and cause Lucius more than a little discomfort.

Maybe he had spoken a little out of turn, but he believed in it wholeheartedly.

When Harry did make his way back to Britain, he would do so to face anything he might be confronted with.

(Britain)

He watched as the majestic creature approached, just as he always did when he spotted Harry making his way towards the herd from the house.

Aurelius had been quite standoffish with him when he’d first found him, but Harry had persevered with the baby griffin, had been nipped more than a few times for his troubles, but had earned his trust; something he was now deeply grateful for.

Were Aurelius to take exception to him now, he would not live much longer to regret it.

The griffin towered over him, his golden eyes, matching beak and claws as sharp as ever.

“Hello, boy,” Harry greeted him scratching Aurelius between the eyes.

The griffin chuffed contentedly, and Harry beamed as he reached into his sleeve.

“I have something to show you.”

Removing his wand, Aurelius eyed it for a moment before standing on his hind legs, flapping his wings and cawing jubilantly, eliciting a chuckle from the boy.

“Now I will always have a piece of you with me,” said affectionately, resting his head against the beak of his first and most trusted friend.

“Easy boy,” Harry urged as Sirius approached and Aurelius began to fidget.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like the man, he was just wary of anyone who wasn’t Harry, something his godfather was not ignorant of, and he kept his distance.

“It’s time for me to go.”

Aurelius huffed irritably as he shook his head, and Harry drew his wand to calm him.

For the past month, he had spent much of his time with the griffin, reassuring him as best he could with the knowledge that he wouldn’t be around for him as much.

“You’ll be with me,” he murmured, allowing Aurelius to sniff the wand, “but I have something very important I need you to do for me. I need you to protect her when I am not here,” he requested, nodding towards Lily. “She and Sirius are the two most important people to me, and I trust you, old friend.”

Aurelius met his gaze and chuffed sadly.

Harry swallowed the lump that formed in his throat.

“Don’t do that,” he pleaded. “I’ll miss you, but your place is here with the herd and with my mum. I need you to do this for me.”

Of course, Aurelius could not answer him, but Harry knew he had gotten through to the creature.

“Thank you,” he whispered sincerely. “I will be back before you know it.”

Harry placed a kiss on the griffin’s head before he stood, and Aurelius followed suit, accompanying him to where his mother and Sirius were waiting for him.

Lily Potter had always been wary of the griffin.

It wasn’t that Aurelius disliked her, but he was protective over Harry, even against those he need not be.

Not that he’d ever harmed either his mother or Sirius, but he’d certainly let his displeasure be known whenever they’d told him off over the years.

“That’s far enough, you,” Sirius warned.

Aurelius narrowed his eyes at the man, and Harry grinned as he rested a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s alright, boy,” he comforted. “Remember what I said.”

Aurelius chuffed before heading back towards the herd, and Sirius breathed a sigh of relief.

“Will he behave when you’re not here?”

“He will,” Harry promised.

“Good, now, we have your portkey, and it will activate in around five minutes. Do you have your trunk?”

“I have everything,” Harry assured him, patting his pocket.

Before Sirius could say anything else, Lily swept Harry up into her arms.

“Oh, Mum,” he groaned as she kissed him on the cheek.

The woman did not relent, all but squeezing the life out of him, and Harry allowed her the moment she needed. He knew she was finding it difficult, that she would undoubtedly spend every moment he was away worrying about him, but it was something he needed to do.

He was ready for his own adventures in life to begin, for just a little freedom so that he might see just how he will fare away from the over-protectiveness of his mother.

He understood.

After all they had been through together, he truly did, and finally going to school was what he needed so that he could fulfil the promise he’d made to her, and that his mother could learn not to worry about him so much.

“I will be fine, Mum,” he promised.

She nodded, though it was unconvincing.

“Just, stay out of trouble, Harry.”

“You know I can’t promise that.”

“Will you try?”

Harry released a dep sigh as he nodded.

“I will try.”

For what good it would do, he didn’t know, but as Sirius took hold of them both and they were whisked away from the safety of their home, Harry readied himself for what was to come, whatever that may be when starting life at a magical school.

(Break)

He paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, grimacing as he felt the anger of his master pulsing through him. Quirinus Quirrell had never intended to follow the Dark Lord, had lived through the horror of the last war that plagued Britain, but having visited Albania and being found, he could not deny that the man he shared his body with had the most compelling vision for the future.

“We could always find the boy at Ilvermorny.”

“Do not be so foolish, Quirrell. It is one thing to be at Hogwarts where my very magic and blood helped form the foundations, but to attempt to break into another school I know nothing of…”

“You managed to get into Gringotts, and no one thought that was possible.”

“Breaking into a single vault is not the same as breaching the defences of a school charged with protecting students from all over the world, and from the most prominent of families. The magic is unknown, and we cannot risk being discovered. No, we must focus our efforts here, for now. Potter can wait.”

“The stone.”

“The Stone, Quirrell. It is the best way for me to return to full strength.”

(Break)

“Mum, I will be fine,” Harry protested as Lily attempted to fix his unruly hair.

“I’m more worried about me,” the woman huffed as her efforts continued in vain. “Honestly, I’m sure your father’s family were cursed to have hair like this.”

“Why do you think one of them invented the Sleekeazy’s?” Sirius asked amusedly.

“That is a Potter invention?”

“One of many,” Sirius answered. “Come on, Lily, leave the boy be. He doesn’t need a reputation for being a mummy’s boy.”

She rolled her eyes as she relented, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s not so far from the school from here, just an hour ride in the carriages.”

“Then you should get going,” Sirius urged reluctantly.

Harry nodded before embracing the man tightly.

“Everything will be fine,” Sirius assured him.

“I won’t be,” Lily muttered as she pulled her son into her arms.

“Yes, you will.”

“I’m not so sure.”

Harry gave the woman a kiss on the cheek.

“I will write every evening before bed, and you know exactly where I am.”

“But not what you’re up to.”

“There is that,” Harry replied with a grin, waving at the woman innocently as he made his way towards one of the nearby carriages.

His mother narrowed her eyes at him, and Harry laughed as he hurried on his way. He certainly wouldn’t put it past his mother to chase him down to give him a final warning to behave.

It was with a frown that he began looking for a carriage amongst the dozens upon dozens of children his own age milling around at the foot of Mount Greylock.

Harry had never been to Massachusetts, had barely set foot outside of Texas since leaving Britain, but it was certainly different here to what he was used to, and he expected it would only become more foreign.

There would be no isolation, no griffins, and no uninterrupted days of doing whatever it was he wished to.

No, although Harry was eager to begin his education, he did not want it to come at the expense of all he knew and held dear.

“Lost?”

He turned towards where the voice had come from to be greeted by a beaming girl, her thick, black hair tied in an elaborate braid and large hazel eyes full of mirth.

“Much like everyone else here,” Harry said with a shrug.

The girl laughed and stepped aside in the doorway of the carriage she was in.

“You can join us, if you’d like.”

Harry saw no reason not to, and as he entered, he found himself being looked upon by four other girls and only one boy who looked to be more nervous than him.

“Did this lot drag you in here too?”

The boy nodded.

“We did not drag him in here,” the girl who’d greeted Harry protested. “He was already in here.”

“So, you invaded his carriage?”

The girl nodded thoughtfully.

“I suppose we did.”

“It’s fine,” the boy sighed, his accent distinctly southern. “Better than being alone.”

“Where are you from?” the girl asked.

“Virginia. I grew up on a farm with Mom and Pop down there.”

“And you?”

“British, but grew up in Texas.”

“You don’t sound like you did.”

Harry shrugged.

“I grew up on a ranch with just my mother and godfather.”

The girl frowned but didn’t press him further.

“I was born in Rochina in Brazil, and my father managed to save enough money to bring us here when I was four,” she explained. “He now has his own landscaping business in Washington.”

Harry nodded appreciatively.

The more she spoke, the more he could hear that her accent wasn’t entirely American. It flitted between that and something he could only describe as a little more exotic.

“He must work really hard.”

“He does,” she said proudly. “It came as a surprise to him when he learned I was a witch.”

“And you all know each other?” Harry asked, gesturing towards the others.

“No, we just met. We don’t even know each other’s names yet.”

“Wendell Green,” the boy introduced himself.

“Marisa Alves-Souza,” the Brazilian followed.

Harry nodded as he looked towards the next girl, a diminutive blonde.

“Maggie Archer,” she said quietly.

“As in Elizabeth Archer?” one of the other girls asked, her eyes widening.

Maggie nodded.

“Who is Elizabeth Archer?” Harry questioned.

“Only the best Quodpot player in the country! Oh, sorry, I’m Olivia Parker,” she added sheepishly. “My father is the Head of the Department of Magical Sports at MACUSA. We’re both big fans of Quodpot.”

“Parker,” Harry murmured. “Your family is…”

“A part of the government,” Olivia confirmed, “and not just for sports.”

Harry nodded.

It was one of several names Sirius had ensured he was familiar with in America.

“Wow, Elizabeth Archer,” Olivia whispered.

Maggie shook her head.

“She’s just Lizzie to me.”

Olivia offered her an apologetic look before she turned to one of the other girls with ashy blonde hair and high cheekbones. Her eyes were a brilliant blue, and she sat up straight, almost stiffly.

“Isabelle Moreau,” she introduced herself. “I’m from France.”

She said nothing else, and she struck Harry as someone who was quite shy and reserved.

“What about you?” Wendell asked, nodding towards him.

“Harry Potter.”

The others all turned towards Isabelle as she choked, her eyes widening quite comically.

“I’ve heard that name,” Wendell mused aloud.

“Me too,” Olivia murmured.

“I haven’t,” Marisa said confusedly.

“Damn, you’re the boy that survived the killing curse!” Maggie interjected excitedly. “What was his name again… Voldemort! That’s it. He tried to kill you and you survived.”

“I feel like I am missing something,” Marisa huffed, her gaze flitting between the others.

“Harry Potter,” Isabelle said in just a whisper as she pointed towards him. “He is famous across the world for surviving what no one else has. He is also the next Lord Potter of Great Britain, and the heir of the Black family.”

“How do you know that?” Harry asked.

Isabelle shrugged, a knowing grin tugging at her lips.

“I have family in government too,” she said dismissively. “Even in France, you are very famous. My uncle says that Britain almost lost the war and that he would’ve come to France next. Thank you, Harry Potter.”

She stood and placed a kiss on his cheek, and Harry could only shake his head.

“I didn’t do anything,” he sighed. “I was just a baby. If anything, it was my mother and father that did something.”

“Oh,” Isabelle gasped. “I forgot about your father…”

Harry waved the girl off.

“It’s fine,” he assured her. “He did what anyone would do for their family. I will never forget that.”

The others fell silent, seemingly feeling rather awkward after that particular exchange, though Marisa remained quite clueless to what they had discussed, much to Harry’s relief.

“What house do you think you’ll be in, Harry?” she asked.

Not knowing who he was, she did not hesitate to engage him in conversation whilst the others continued to look at him in a mixture of awe curiosity, and sadness; something he hoped would wear off soon.

“I don’t know,” he answered honestly.

It was something he’d been pondering since he’d read about the house of Ilvermorny, and how students were selected for each.

He certainly fancied himself as something of an explorer, and even a scholar, but maybe the totems used at the school would somehow know more about him than he did himself.

Until he stood before them and they reacted, he wasn’t sure where he found himself in the coming hours.

“Is it true we have to duel to decide what house we will be in?” Marisa asked nervously.

“No,” Harry chuckled. ” There are four totems, one for each house, and you stand in the middle of them. Usually, only one will react to you, but some people get more than one.”

“What about all four?”

“The last person who had all four want them was Seraphina Picquery,” Harry explained. “It’s very rare for that to happen. It’s rare to get two react to you let alone all four.”

Marisa nodded her understanding.

“It will all be explained to us,” Harry comforted.

The girl smiled as she finally took a seat between Olivia and Isabelle.

“I’m nervous,” Isabelle admitted.

“Why didn’t you go to Beauxbatons?” Harry asked.

Isabelle shrugged.

“I wanted to do something different to the rest of my family. It was either Hogwarts or here. Why aren’t you at Hogwarts?”

“I suppose for the same reason you’re here, not that I was given much of a choice. If my mother had allowed it, I probably would be there now, but she doesn’t want me in Britain.”

“Because of how famous you are.”

“And how many enemies I have,” Harry chuckled.

“Enemies?”

“Not everyone who followed Voldemort were locked away.”

“Now I really feel like I am missing something,” Marisa huffed.

“I have a book you can borrow,” Isabelle offered. “You’ll learn all you need to from that.”

Marisa nodded appreciatively, shuddering as it had become slowly colder as they’d ascended further up the mountain.

Fortunately, their journey towards the school did not last much longer, and as the carriage came to a halt, they stepped out onto what seemed to be a large section of the mountain having been flattened out for the purpose of arrivals.

“Now what?” Marisa asked as the carriages left them, driving directly through one of the large sides of protruding rocks.

“I’m guessing we wait,” Wendell answered with a shrug.

It was only a few moments later that the entire mountain began to tremble, and in the very same spot the carriages had entered, a large archway formed, opening in the wake of a brilliant white light.

“That was so cool,” Marisa said excitedly as five people emerged, three women and two men.

In the very centre was a middle-aged wizard, smiling welcomingly, his warm brown eyes setting the first-year students at ease.

“Please, come closer,” he urged.

They did so, and the man held out his arms.

“Good evening all,” he greeted them. “My name is Professor Fontaine, Headmaster of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I expect you are all quite nervous, as am I. This is my first year of being in charge of the school, but much like you, I have excellent peers that will assist me when I need it. Come, I will lead you into the main lobby out of the cold where I will explain how the evening will progress.”

The other professors said nothing, and the students followed, with many whispering excitedly amongst themselves.

Ilvermorny was indeed impressive.

Much like Sirius had described Hogwarts, Ilvermorny was an enormous castle in its own right with a tall central tower that stretched towards the sky.

In the middle of it was a large, stain-glass window, but from so far down, Harry couldn’t quite make out what it depicted.

Surrounding the castle itself was rolling green fields stretched as far as the eye could see, and in the distance, a thick fog, blocking out the outside world.

Professor Fontaine led them along the pathway towards the castle and up a set of stairs into a large room.

“The other students are already here,” he explained, nodding towards a large set of double doors. “They are eagerly awaiting your arrival, so best not to keep them waiting. Now, when we enter, I will lead you to the front of our Great Hall. One by one, you will be called forward to stand before our school totems, each representing one of our four houses; The thunderbird for the soul and adventurers among you.”

Opening his hand, he blew into it, and a loud screeching fille the air as an effigy of the creature took to the sky.

“The Wampus for the body and the warrior.”

Harry turned as he heard what appeared to be something between a deep growling and a purr and watched as the shadow of a large cat pounced across the length of the far wall before vanishing.

“The Horned Serpent for the mind, the scholars.”

‘Some very keen minds…’

Harry frowned as the voice spoke, the sibilance in the words drawn out.

“And the Pukwudgie, for those the heart and healers,” Fontaine finished.

Harry scarcely paid attention to the humanoid shadow that appeared, his mind fixed on the voice he’d heard.

No other seemed to have heard what he had, but he did not say anything.

Hearing things in the magical world that no other did was not a good thing, after all.

“What is a Pukwudgie, or a Wampus for that matter?” Marisa asked as they were led into the hall.

“Unless you have to fight one, I wouldn’t worry,” Harry answered.

The girl frowned at him as he grinned, though his amusement all but evaporated as he realised that hundreds of pairs of eyes were on him.

There had to be close to four thousand other students already seated along four tables that stretched the length of the Great Hall.

Harry had never been with so many people in his life, and it was a little overwhelming.

Still, their sole focus was not on him, not yet, at least.

Out of six others he’d been in the carriage with, five had heard his name, which meant that too many here would likely know it too.

He shook his head, wishing the ground would swallow him up, but remembered what his mother had said to him.

‘They might know your name, Harry, but they do not know you. When they see that you are just like them, what happened will not matter so much.’

Her words brought him some comfort, and as Professor Fontaine took his place at the front of the hall, he cleared his throat loudly as he placed the tip of his wand to the side of his neck.

“Welcome back to you all,” he began. “Now, before we enjoy our feast, there is the matter of sorting our new intakes for the year. For those of you that do not know, there are four houses here at Ilvermorny, Wampus, Thunderbird, Pukwudgie, and Horned Serpent,” he explained gesturing to the four tables respectively, and then the large totems placed in front of the long staff table. “When your name is called, you will step onto the Gordian Knot, and the totem or totems that wish for you to join them will make themselves known. If more than one totem does so, then you are welcome to choose which offer to accept. Now, shall we begin?”

The students already seated at the tables began talking animatedly amongst themselves, evidently looking forward to what was to come as Professor Fontaine unrolled a long sheet of parchment.

“Albert Abel,” he called.

One of the first years stepped nervously onto the Gordian Knot and peered up at the four totems. After only a moment of waiting the Pukwudgie, something of a humanoid creature raised the arrow it held in its right hand.

The table the second from the right erupted into cheers, and the blushing Albert Abel hurried towards them where he was greeted enthusiastically by his new housemates.

Four other students followed his lead, two being sorted into the Pukwudgies and one into Thunderbird and Horned Serpent respectively.

“Marisa Alves-Souza,” Professor Fontaine called.

“Good luck,” Harry offered as the girl released a deep breath, smiling at him weakly before she took her place on the Gordian Knot.

Almost immediately, the Thunderbird began to flap its wings, and Marisa took her spot at the table amongst her new peers. She waved at Harry enthusiastically, and he returned the gesture before watching more of the new arrivals being sorted.

Maggie found herself quickly accepted by the Thunderbird when her name was called, and both Wendell and Isabelle were sorted into the Pukwudgies, followed by each of the three houses receiving several others.

It did not escape Harry that out of the dozens sorted when more than half had stepped onto the knot, only eight had been chosen by the Wampus.

Observing the table, he noticed that it was considerably less populated than the others, and as the sorting continued, only two more first years made their way to the table.

“Olivia Parker.”

The brunette stepped forward and stood proudly in front of the totems to await their evaluation of her.

Given her prominent name, she garnered much interest from the onlookers, but she did not seem to be surprised when the Wampus roared its approval.

She offered the creature a respectful bow and grinned at Harry as she passed him by on her way to the smaller of the four tables on the right-hand side of the hall.

“Harry James Potter.”

It was as though a silencing charm had been cast on the entirety of the hall, and it wasn’t until Harry stepped forward that it ended.

Many of the gathered students stood at their tables to get a better look at him, and Harry felt distinctly discomforted by the sudden attention.

“Is it really him?”

“No, it must be another Potter.”

“Another Potter with the same name?”

He shut out the voices as he approached, and even Professor Fontaine eyed him with interest.

Harry paid him no heed as he approached the Gordian Knot, stilling as barely a toe touched it and the Wampus roared.

It startled Harry, but much less so as his foot came to rest on the revered symbol of the school and both the Thunderbird and Horned Serpent reacted to him just as positively, which only served to increase the whispering and pointing of the other students.

The only totem that remained idle was the Pukwudgie, and Harry nodded.

He was not inclined towards healing, nor had he even considered it beyond the conversation he’d shared with Sirius when he’d read about Ilvermorny itself.

Nonetheless, he did not expect to find himself in such a situation as he faced now.

“Is it similar to how Hogwarts students are sorted?” Harry asked curiously.

“Not so much. At Hogwarts, they use the Sorting Hat who decides what house you are in.”

“A hat?”

“One that was personally enchanted by the Founders of the school, but not infallible.”

“What does that mean?”

Sirius chuckled.

“Well, your mother was sorted into Gryffindor, and never doubt her bravery, Harry, but she always embodied more of a Ravenclaw spirit. She was studious, and always thirsted for knowledge, everything a Ravenclaw should be, but that doesn’t make her any less brave than we know.”

“I think I understand.”

“I was a Gryffindor, and maybe I have courage, but these past years, I have had to use my cunning more than bravery, so maybe I would be a Slytherin. What I am saying is that people change, especially from being eleven into adulthood.”

Harry nodded.

“What house do you think I would be in?”

“At Hogwarts?”

“Both.”

Sirius frowned as he pondered the question.

“Well, you are brave. Only someone brave would approach a griffin as you did, even if Aurelius was just a babe. You can be quite cunning yourself when you’re sneaking around, but you are also very loyal to those you care for. You inherited your mother’s thirst for knowledge, but that could just be that you’ve always been encouraged to read and learn things for yourself. Truthfully, I wouldn’t want to bet where the hat would place you.”

“What about Ilvermorny?”

“Do you fancy yourself to be a Healer?”

“Not really.”

“No, but as I already pointed out, you are rather studious, and there is no denying that you have a hunger for adventure. The amount of times I have had to cover for you whilst you go flying a little too far when your curiosity gets the better of you.”

“What about a warrior?”

Sirius offered him a smile.

“Being a warrior is in your blood, Harry. Your grandfather Charlus fought against Grindelwald, and so did his father, William, who died during that conflict. You can trawl through your family history and find great and respected warriors.”

“That doesn’t mean I will be.”

“It doesn’t, but I have seen you fight and train in your classes, Harry. You enjoy the conflict, just as any magical duellist or Auror I have ever met. I think you know where it is you should be, but only the totems can you tell where you belong, but remember, it doesn’t define who you are, not when you are yet to know yourself what you are truly made of. I certainly didn’t at that age, and I still don’t know.”

“Mr Potter, it seems you have a choice to make,” Professor Fontaine spoke, pulling Harry from his thoughts.

Harry nodded as he considered his options, but Sirius had been right.

He already knew where he should be.

Harry was an adventurer, but every adventure he’d ever envisioned in his mind had involved getting justice for his mother, pursuing his enemies to keep her safe from them.

He certainly enjoyed his reading, adored learning about the magic he could wield, but most recently in particular, he had been reading in a certain way, with particular goals in mind.

He wanted to use magic to fulfil the promise he’d made to his mother, to never see her experience the same fear the night that Voldemort had come for them, to be ready to face all enemies when he inevitably had to.

Yes, Harry Potter was already something of an adventurer, and of a scholar in his own way, but what he wasn’t yet and what he wanted to be was different to both, and he evidently could be according to the totem that reacted to him first.

With a respectful nod of acknowledgement to both the Thunderbird and Horned Serpent, it was the Wampus he bowed to before heading towards the less-filled table, amongst further whispers of his peers.