The meal passed with friendly conversation. Although there was some initial teasing from James, the older boy soon became distracted as a pretty third year Ravenclaw girl, Ashlesha Rigel, came bounding up to him, Louis and Alphie to ask how their summers had been. Conall had been talking to a fellow Gryffindor, so he did not get wrapped up in the conversation, but Persephone was sitting next to James and appeared rather put out by being ignored completely by Ashlesha. Albus observed Rose talking rather animatedly with Effie and Polly. No doubt they were discussing their impending studies, judging from Effie’s rather overwhelmed expression. Albus himself spent most of the time talking to Frank and Una. He found the latter to be a bit of a know-it-all without actually knowing nearly as much as his cousin, Rose. He occasionally caught Frank’s eye whenever she said something slightly haughty and was met with a look that said ‘just ignore her.’
After they were all well-filled, there came a voice that Albus was rather familiar with. “First years, if you could come to the front of the Hall, your Prefects will escort you up to your common rooms,” Dominique commanded bossily.
She flicked some long strawberry-blonde hair out of her eyes and was gesticulating importantly to the direction in which they should go. She cast her two younger cousins a smile as they filed past her before following behind them in step with a sixth year Prefect. Albus was vaguely surprised that Victoire was not joining them, but Dominique informed them that she would be patrolling the rest of the castle in the meantime. The rest of the Gryffindors were grouped behind them, nattering away as if they had never left. They were being overseen by the sixth year and seventh year Prefects who were more accustomed to dealing with the, at times, troublesome mob of Gryffindors.
Another house assembled next to them and Albus glanced over to inspect them. The green lapels and insignia gave them away as Slytherins. Albus and Rose were the closest to them and they were both met with the same mixture of curiosity and disdain they were projecting. He noticed Scorpius Malfoy closest to them, surveying them with a look of mild amusement. Albus was surprised as he heard Rose speak up, a touch hostile, from his right.
“Something funny, Malfoy?” Scorpius raised his eyebrows and smirked a little. He shrugged his shoulders and gestured to the crowd of Gryffindors.
“It’s nice to see the Weasleys’ mission to take over Hogwarts is going well,” Scorpius remarked sardonically. The girl next to him, Morgana Lark, turned to watch the exchange with mild interest. Rose scowled briefly and then twisted her face into a sarcastic smile.
“When we do, I know who will be at the top of our expulsion list,” she retorted with mock sweetness. Scorpius was about to respond when the Prefects swung open the doors of the Great Hall and began ushering them through. Behind Albus, he could hear Dominique desperately attempting to keep their cousin Fred and his friend Alaric Kane in line. Her fellow Prefect and boyfriend, Gawain Knight, confiscated a handful of Dungbombs from James, Louis, Alphie and Conall. Persephone looked on with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.
Albus focused his attention away from his troublesome relatives and back onto the building itself. The changing staircases troubled Albus and he never thought he would get the hang of it, not to mention the fact that there were trick stairs that you could trap your foot in. Cliona Finnigan already had to be wrenched from one by their Housemaster. Neville Longbottom was the Head of House for Gryffindor and as they approached the portrait of the Fat Lady and the entrance to Gryffindor, he paused and turned to the first years at the front of the crowd, surveying them kindly.
“Now, here is the portrait hole for Gryffindor. To enter, you shall need a password, which changes every term. This term it is ‘gillyweed.’ I know they can be difficult to remember at first, but try your best, and it helps to have a friend with you.” As he went to walk through the now open passage, he turned back with a slightly concerned expression.
“Whatever you do, though, just don’t write them down. If you misplaced it...well, you just don’t know who could pick it up.” He appeared rather uneasy as he said this and Albus had a feeling he was speaking from personal experience.
They all filtered through the passage into the main Gryffindor common room. Albus’ first impression was that he could really imagine spending his evenings here. There was a large fire as the focal point and comfortable sofas and chairs faced it with tables to sit with friends towards the edges of the room. A tapestry of memorable Gryffindor alumni hung above the fire place. A few familiar names were on there: Professor Weylin, Minerva McGonagall, Oliver Wood, former Puddlemere United player, now their coach, and a few other Quidditch players as well as the lead singer from The Howling Harpies. Godric Gryffindor took a prominent place at the top of the tapestry. Just beneath him was his namesake, Albus Dumbledore, his father, Harry Potter and his aunt and uncle, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Albus felt a certain sense of pride as he stared up at that but his thoughts were interrupted by Neville explaining further rules to the new students.
“Now I know you probably want to get back to your dormitories and unpack or see them for the first time if you’re new to Hogwarts, but I just have a couple more notices and I’ll let you go. I’d just like to reiterate Weylin’s point of not sneaking out at night, I know it just sounds like us being boring, but it’s for your own safety, believe me.” Albus smiled, he knew that Neville had been out on night-time wanderings with his father and he also knew that it had not ended well.
“Secondly, boys are not permitted to visit the girls’ dormitories at any time. You’ll find out what happens if you try. Girls are permitted to enter the boys dormitories if they wish “ don’t moan at me, that’s just how it is.” The groans that came from some of the students weren’t for the fact that the boys could not visit the girls, but that the girls could potentially come into the boys rooms. “Apart from that, I think you’re good to go. Just don’t set your rooms on fire or anything.” The students began to laugh; only Effie and Professor Longbottom maintained sombre expressions.
“That’s not a joke. That happened a couple of years ago. Boys’ dormitories are up the stairs to the left. Girls’ are the same, but the staircase on your right. Good night all!” With that dismissal from Neville, Albus and Frank, who managed to dodge a hug from his father and older sister Clara, named for her maternal grandmother, began walking towards their dormitories. As the girls and boys branched off, they bade goodnight to Rose, Cliona, Effie and Polly before climbing up the staircase to meet their new home.
Many of the older years had remained downstairs in the Common room, catching up after the long summer holiday, but Albus really wanted to inspect his room, and properly meet his fellow first years. When he and Frank entered, the first thing that struck him was how beautiful the four-poster mahogany beds were with their rich scarlet hangings. They each had a small bedside table and a wardrobe to the side of that. At the end of their beds were their trunks which had been delivered up to their rooms. One of the boys had a pet long-haired tabby cat which was curled at the bottom of his bed, purring noisily. As long as it didn’t scratch, Albus didn’t mind.
Shortly after they entered, three other boys came in who Albus vaguely recognised as Alecsander, Tobias and Theron. Albus approached them amiably with his hand outstretched. “Hello, I’m Albus Potter, and this is Frank Longbottom, how are you doing?” He shook the taller boy’s hand first. He had shaggy sandy blond hair and a puckish grin. The next was slightly shorter but just as stocky with dark brown hair that hung to his chin and had very pale green eyes, almost like opals. Finally, the last boy was darker in skin tone with black hair and hazel eyes. He was quite handsome but unkempt, he too smiled back at them and replied.
“Hey, I’m Theron Ryder, and this is Alecsander “ sorry “ Xander “ Haskell.” He gestured to the tallest boy first and then to the opal-eyed one. “And this is Tobias Tarne.” He turned to Frank briefly. “Wait, Longbottom, like our Housemaster?” Frank reddened at this. This was part of the Hogwarts experience that Frank was dreading: having a parent as a teacher. Albus didn’t know which put more pressure on, having a parent who was always there, or having a parent who was the most famous wizard of his generation.
“Yup, one in the same. He’s my dad,” Frank added with faint embarrassment. There was a reddish tinge to his ears which emphasised this. Theron nodded in comprehension while Xander snickered gleefully saying in soft Welsh tones:
“I bet he’ll let you get away with murder then.” Frank shook his head resentfully, negating Alecsander’s comments.
“Nah, just means he’ll be keeping an even more annoyingly close eye on me and will just be more aware if I put even a toe out of line.” Theron grimaced and patted him on the shoulder, an act that Frank seemed to feel was rather premature for their friendship as he flinched slightly when he did so.
“Bad luck mate, my parents are Muggles so they won’t notice if I get into trouble.” He smiled happily at this before turning to Albus. “And we all know who your parents are. Well, I didn’t until recently.” He held up a book in his hand that read ‘Hogwarts: A Revised History’ and Albus knew exactly what he meant as it was what Effie had been talking about on the train on the way over. “Had to read up you see: my dad, the solicitor, and my mum, the clerk, didn’t know too much about the great Harry Potter.” Albus gritted his teeth slightly and nodded. It wasn’t like he wasn’t proud of his parents; he just didn’t want to be necessarily defined by his father’s glory.
“My mum’s a Muggle too,” piped up Tobias, “but my dad’s a wizard. He works in the same department as your dad, Albus. He’s an Auror too. Andreas Tarne? You probably haven’t heard of him...he’s no Harry Potter!” Tobias smiled at this but Albus couldn’t return it. He couldn’t believe how quickly the topic of conversation had swayed in this direction.
In an effort to change the topic he turned to Alecsander. “How about your family? Any professors, Aurors or lawyers?” Albus knew his question sounded tense, but he ignored this and merely concentrated on the tall scruffy haired boy as he awaited his answer. However, it was not the one that Albus expected by any means.
“Well, my dad’s a wizard and my mum was a witch. I say was...she died when I was four. My dad worked in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I say worked, because he’s currently in Azkaban. I live with my aunt which is all right I suppose. Oh “ and my best friend “ apart from my cat Nemea - is a Muggle who I couldn’t even tell about all this.” There was a sort of stunned silence following that confession, each of their faces frozen in the same position as when Albus had first asked the question, praying for the ability to reverse time so that he hadn’t.
However, something very unexpected and altogether relieving happened: Alecsander began to laugh, his watering eyes surveying each of their faces. Albus tried to stop himself, but he began to laugh with him, and the others followed suit. Theron paused between chuckles to ask: “Was that really true, or were you just messing with us?”
Xander shook his head replying. “No, that was true, but if you could see your faces...priceless.” he choked out, before resuming his laughter.
The realisation curtailed their hysteria and their laughter eased off with some awkwardness. Albus did not quite know what to say. Thankfully, Theron did not seem to suffer with the same issue. “Mate, that is without a doubt, the most depressing story I’ve ever heard.” Xander nodded, still chortling at his own hardships.
“I know, right?” They all laughed shortly in response and smiled. Albus could tell the boy did not wish for pity, although it would take a heart of stone not to feel it.
To everyone’s relief, Tobias landed upon a change of topic. “So, does anybody know anyone else here? I vaguely know Elena Gara and Riordan Kendrick from Ravenclaw as they’re both family friends,” he explained quickly as his eyes moved between each of them. Theron and Xander both gave a shrug and a small shake of the head, indicating that they did not. Frank and Albus gave each other a furtive look and smiled.
“Frank and I are family friends and we also know Apollonia and Diana Thomas. I have a ridiculous number of cousins here, including Rose who’s in our year,” he smiled at this a little, “she’s a bit like me only cleverer “ I’m counting on her to get my homework done this year!” Albus quipped, although, the more he thought about it, the more likely that was to be the case. Theron smiled and appeared more at ease.
“Good, I’m going to need all the help I can get too!” he said slightly nervously but with a jovial smile on his face. Albus nodded in agreement. Even with a magical background, he was more than slightly nervous about what that year had in store for him.
“I know Una Macmillan through my mum “ she’s friends with Una’s dad,” Frank added and concentrated as if he was considering something. “She’s a bit of a stickler for the rules, but she’s alright,” he grinned a little and glanced at Albus, “a bit like Albus’ cousins: the Head Girl and one of the Prefects,” he said teasingly in Albus’ direction. Albus smirked at him and shrugged carelessly.
“Whatever, Frank “ your dad’s Housemaster, you definitely lose,” Albus pointed out and Frank rolled his eyes as the others laughed amicably together.
With the change in the tone of conversation, Albus became dimly aware of a sixth unoccupied bed, but the thought got brushed aside when they all crowded around Theron’s bed to inspect the various Muggle items he had brought from home. It wasn’t until they had all said goodnight to each other, changed into their pyjamas and begun to drift off into a pleasant slumber, that Albus could swear he heard the creak of floorboards under light feet, a pause somewhere very near him and then the groan of bed-springs as someone occupied the final bed. However, Albus’ head was already clouded by sleep and soon he was too far immersed into the world of dreams to know what he’d heard.
A dark haired girl smiled at him from across a river. She wanted him to cross the bridge to meet her. She was so beautiful, but there was a fragility to her that made her cold. It made him want to know more, however, and it gave him the urge to cross the bridge. He strode across it, further and further until he has crossed the halfway point of the rickety passage. However, she was still the same distance away. He reached the other side of the river, but still she was so far away. He ran to her, as fast as his legs could carry him, but this only increased the distance. He stopped, gasping for breath and realised that he could no longer see her. His eyes searched for hers desperately, though to no avail. She was lost; gone. He realised another thing: that he was completely alone and that darkness had fallen.
A shiver inched its way down his spine unpleasantly and his entire body tensed in anxiety. Scared, he turned back to cross to the other side where he felt safer. But the bridge was gone and there was no sanctuary left there for him. Breathing heavily and feeling hot tears sting his eyes, the boy turned again, but this time was engulfed in blackness as strong arms locked around him as he struggled to break free. He thrashed and kicked and pummelled with all his might in an effort to escape. It was pure instinct, for inside he was paralysed by dreadful fear.
The blackness was persistent though and would not release him. To resist began to pain him, but to stop would mean to give in. Suddenly the arms fixed him in place, making it impossible to move, as if the black thing was not using its full strength before. The boy wanted to cry out in agony but could not, only weep silently. This seemed to amuse his captor who emitted a low, cruel laugh from deep inside his hollow chest.
For the first time, the figure spoke menacingly: “Hold still, Potter, it’ll be over soon.” The boy didn’t know what would be over soon and never found out as the darkness which originally engulfed him, took him over completely until he could see nothing, only feel searing pain throughout his body. It was as if the very blood running through his veins was scalding him and every nerve ending had been stimulated. Down to the very ends of his toes he felt unadulterated agony and he longed for it to stop until he could feel nothing anymore “ numbness had overtaken him as the pain enveloped him fully.
This pain is what woke Albus Potter in the middle of the night to see a dark-haired, pale boy standing over him with a hard look fixed on his beautiful face.
Albus Potter and the Midnight Thief by Alice Mac
Chapter Notes: This chapter has been Beta-ed by the wonderful TheBlackSister (Alice) - thank you so much for all your help!
Chapter Endnotes:
Thanks for reading! The reasons for Xander's slightly flippant attitude towards his rather tough past become apparent in later chapters - in case you were wondering! Please tell me what you think - any feedback is more than welcome :)