Harry quickly shook his head, "No, I'm not with Durmstrang or Beauxbatons. I'm Ares Flamel, I'm a transfer student."
McGonagall's eyes widened momentarily, either at the last name, or the new student's knowledge of the arrival of the two guest schools, but quickly composed herself. "Oh! Yes, of course Mr. Flamel. You need to be sorted and I assumed you would come across the lake like all the first years. I'm headed to get them now if you'll accompany them, you can join me."
Harry sighed a little bit, so much for hoping he could be sorted privately. However, knowing the professor as he did, he knew there was little hope of convincing McGonagall to allow him to be sorted privately, especially if Dumbledore hadn't approved it. So Harry merely nodded, "Of course, Professor McGonagall."
Minerva raised an eyebrow at him, wondering if someone had pointed her out to him, but shrugged and turned to walk toward the entrance. They were quiet for several moments, in which she was surprised the teen did not ask about the sorting, he merely seemed content to walk next to her. When it became clear he wasn't going to ask her questions Minerva began to ask questions of her own. "Professor Dumbledore was most surprised when Nicholas contacted him about your enrollment."
Harry merely shrugged. "They were relatively undecided until recently. And this is only a trial experience. If the school doesn't suit me, I'm able to withdraw and transfer to another institution, or return to private schooling."
Minerva frowned as she regarded Harry thoughtfully, "I'm surprised your parents didn't enroll you when you were twelve. That's the standard practice."
Harry could almost see the lines, as she fished for information. "They researched schools thoroughly. After looking at all the options, they thought that remaining homeschooled would be better for me. I had already started my education at that point. They saw no reason to take me back to basics. As it is, I'm still relatively advanced in comparison to others in my age group. We think. Truth be told, they still weren't sure about sending me here; they had some educational and safety concerns."
Minerva looked surprised at that. "Hogwarts is the finest magical institution in the world. The education is unparalleled and it's very safe."
Harry raised an eyebrow at that statement, though he kept his tone placid. "Let's just say that I have my doubts about that Professor."
Minerva scowled at that, but any rebuttal she would have been able to make was cut off as they arrived at the entrance to where the first years awaited. She looked at all of the first years and began to give a speech about Houses and family.
Harry completely tuned her out so that he wasn't tempted to interrupt her. He remembered the same speech given to him as a first year... "Yeah. Houses are like family. If family will turn on you whenever it's convenient, or beneficial to them, or whenever rumors paint you in a bad light, or at the slightest misstep, or when it's popular to do so, or… Then again… given my experience with the Dursley's I guess I can't say she's wrong. Maybe the houses really are like family."
He purposefully moved his mind to something else so that his temper wouldn't rise. Looking around at the first years, Harry repressed a brief smile. He could see that Dennis Creevey was dripping wet from head to toe, and shivering a little bit, but still smiling wide as he tried to look everywhere at once.
When McGonagall spoke with a short "Follow me." after a short moment to glare at Dennis, she turned to lead them into the feast, Harry scowled at her back. Of course she hadn't done anything about Dennis being soaked to the bone and dripping wet.
He turned to follow her, but at the same time flicked his holly and phoenix feather wand into his hand and then deliberately muttered as he cast several drying charms on the soaking boy. Harry hadn't believed it was possible for the boy's smile to get any wider, but it did as he grinned at Harry with a bright "Thanks!"
Harry almost envied the boy for a moment. Dennis had just let a complete stranger cast spells on him. If someone had tried that on Harry, Harry probably would have banished them halfway across the room before they'd finished the first wand swish, and without bothering to stop to think.
Minerva glanced back, seeing him drying Dennis off but did not say anything else. Harry merely nodded in acknowledgement to Dennis' thanks. He had no desire to become a target for the hero-worship of either Creevy boy. Especially since all it had gotten them in the last world was an early grave and broken-hearted-parents.
They strode into the hall. Harry spared a glance for the ceiling, which was dark and seem to be filled with storm clouds. He made sure all the first years went before him, and came in at the back of the group. Harry kept his face placid as he could feel eyes on him from all over the hall. He purposefully didn't turn to look at the tables, not wanting to seem like he was staring back, instead he looked at all of the professors at the front table. He let himself inspect them all in turn while McGonagall began to call the names of the first years.
Harry picked out the familiar, not noting any major changes. Professor Flitwick still attentive and excited, his goblin features highlighted in the candlelight, and his white hair poking out at odd angles. He was enthusiastically clapping for each of the students, though he did so extra loudly for any that ended up in Ravenclaw. Rubeus Hagrid was sitting down next to the diminutive professor with a friendly smile on his face. Harry had never found out exactly what had happened to his first friend in his old world. He merely was told that Hagrid was killed during the battle of Hogwarts.
Further down the table Severus Snape sat watching each sorting with an impassive expression, every so often letting his eyes pass over the group. He clapped each time the hat announced someone was headed for Slytherin. As was his norm, Snape dressed all in black. Harry's eyes met his for a moment, and Snape's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise before returning back to his blank expression. Harry was grateful that Snape made no attempt to scan his mind, even briefly. That would have been very painful for Snape and Harry was sure the results would have been noticeable to everyone in the hall.
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