Title: My life in Hogwarts: Year One 1/?
Author: Michael Wilson
Email: wyrdradio@yahoo.com
Rating: PG to R (for violence and language)
Disclaimer: Joss, Mutant Enemy, and a lot of other people own the characters from Buffy. J. K. Rowling owns the characters from Harry Potter. I get nothing by writing this except maybe some kind words of encouragement and a few cheers... at least I hope.
Spoilers: Buffy: None, Harry Potter: The first 4 books
Setting: It’s Xander and Willow at Hogwarts in with the 4th years.
Summary: After spending the summer with his new sister, Hermione, Xander and Willow will be going to Hogwarts with her and her friends. They’re both 14 and it is two years before the arrival of Buffy Summers on the Hellmouth. They are starting with the 4th year classes with Ginny, while Harry, Ron and Hermione are starting their 5th year.
Author's Notes: This is the sequel to “Magical Summer” my Buffy/Harry Potter crossover. " " as always means talking... while * * means thoughts.
Feedback: If you’re going to make constructive comments... then yes please, if you’re going to flame me... then no thank you.
Distribution: If you like it... please feel free to place it on your site... but please tell me first.
The Hogwarts Express came to a halt in the station with a sharp jolt and a loud hiss of steam. Xander Granger looked out the window of the compartment he was currently in and smiled at the view spread out before him of the place that sat just outside his new home for the year..
“Come on Xander, we have to get off the train now.”
Xander looked up and smiled at the red-haired girl before him. Ginny Weasley, his girlfriend, smiled at him with her hands on her hips and the fading sunlight shining through her hair. She was so pretty that it took his breath away sometimes. They had met when Xander had been taken to the home of the Order of the Phoenix along with his adopted sister, Hermione Granger, when rumor of a planned attack on them got out. Their meeting had been a most startling one, but it was one neither of them would ever forget.
“Coming Ginny.”
Xander got to his feet and straightened his robes. He was still getting used to the idea of wearing robes over his normal clothes. He smiled at her and took her hand then let her lead him off the train and outside.
“First years! First years over here!”
Xander looked over to his left for the source of the loud, rough voice and blinked in surprise at the hairy, mountain of a man off to the side.
“Whoa..”
Ginny looked in the direction Xander was looking and smiled warmly.
“It’s ok, Xander. That’s just Hagrid. He’s really nice. He‘s the groundskeeper and he teaches Care of Magical Creatures.”
Xander nodded.
“Do I go with him, since this is my first year here, or with you and the others?”
Ginny pondered the question for a moment then shrugged.
“I don’t know, really. I guess you maybe...”
Just then, Professor McGonagall appeared and waved them toward her.
“Mister Granger, Miss Rosenberg... over here please.”
Xander looked around and saw Willow behind him and off to the side a ways and smiled. He grinned at her as she tried to wade her way through a mass of younger students and then laughed when she growled at them, causing them to clear her a path. Blushing as red as her hair, she quickly ran to Xander’s side.
“Really, Willow. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Xander laughed as Willow glared at him and rolled her eyes.
“Come on now, we don’t want to keep the Professor waiting.”
Xander shook his head and walked over to the Professor. He could feel the eager energy radiating off of Willow and hoped she wouldn’t get too excited. Wouldn’t want a repeat of that one day in second grade.
“Calm down, Wills. Remember Mrs. Stevens and the accident?”
Willow’s eyes widened and she nodded, then frowned.
“You promised not to mention that ever again.”
Xander nodded.
“I know, but you looked close to doing it again.”
Willow blushed and nodded. She had been close. She was glad Xander was still able to tell things like that about her.
“Right now... the other students shall ride up in the carriages. I will be personally taking the two of you up to the castle. Once there, you will be sorted and then we shall work on getting you examined so as to know which classes to place you in for this year.”
Xander and Willow nodded as the woman turned and headed toward the castle.
“Follow me please.”
They moved along behind her as she walked up a cobblestone path that led off to the side... towards a large castle shrouded in mist.
“Wow... it’s amazing.”
Xander nodded. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life.
“Yeah... and we’re going to be living in it for a while. This should be fun.”
He took Willow’s hand and felt her squeeze his comfortingly. They grinned at each other and walked on the rest of the way in silence...
*******
When they arrived at the castle, somehow ahead of the first year students, they walked inside and the Professor had them stand off to the side while they waited for the first years to arrive. When the did, about ten minutes later, they watched as the Professor got the younger students in line and then walked back over to them.
“Please get in line behind the other students and wait for me to call your names.”
Xander and Willow nodded and walked to the back of the line, noticing many curious expressions on the faces of the first years.
“Now, when I open these doors, you will step into the Great Hall and will wait while I call you, one by one, to be sorted. You will then step up to the front and sit in the chair. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and it will decide into which house you belong.”
The Professor opened the doors and marched inside... the first year students right behind her. Xander looked at Willow and smiled.
“Here we go...”
He took her hand and together they walked into the room.
******
“Valentine, Gregory.”
Xander looked at the small brown haired boy and smiled as he walked boldly up to the chair and sat down. They had been standing there for what felt like hours, but was probably only more like 10 or 15 minutes.
“RAVENCLAW!”
The boy smiled and ran over to the table of eager Ravenclaw students who welcomed him warmly. Xander smiled and wondered where he would end up. As he pondered, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore got to his feet and smiled.
“I would like to welcome all of the new students to Hogwarts. I am sure you will make us all proud.”
He paused for a moment then began again.
“As you can all see, we have two new older students as well. They are from America and will be placed according to testing that was done during the summer.”
Professor McGonagall nodded and motioned the two of them forward.
“Rosenberg, Willow.”
Willow grinned weakly at Xander and stepped forward. She walked up to the chair and sat down. The Professor placed the Sorting Hat on her head and stepped back. She fidgeted for a moment then heard a voice in her head.
*Hmmm... much to see here. You’re shy, but exceedingly intelligent. You have a warm and loving heart, but there is a fiery temper in here as well. You’re loyal to those you love and brave enough to stand up for them. You could be placed in any of the houses... but I think that you would do best in...*
“RAVENCLAW!”
Xander blinked in shock. He hadn’t been expecting that. The hat was removed and a slightly sad-looking Willow got up and walked over to the cheering table, her eyes locked on Xander’s the whole time. Xander nodded, understanding. They had hoped they’d be placed with the others.
“Granger, Alexander.”
A gasp passed among the students at hearing his name. Xander walked forward and sat down. As he felt the hat touch his head, he heard a mental gasp.
*Dear Lord! My boy... do you know who you are?!*
Xander blinked.
*I’m Alexander Lavelle Granger. I used to be Alexander Lavelle Harris, but Hermione’s mom and dad adopted me after mine were killed.*
The Sorting Hat shifted on Xander’s head.
*You are more than that, my boy, much more. Your life is in danger, as much if not more so than that of our young Harry Potter over there. You need each other, more than they know. I was going to place you in Hufflepuff, for your loyalty... but there is too much danger surrounding you. You need to be with Harry so the two of you can prepare and protect each other. Therefore I must place you in...*
“GRYFFINDOR!”
An explosion of cheering came from the Gryffindor table as the hat was removed and a stunned and pale Xander got to his feet. Shocked by the news, he walked quietly over to the table and sat down next to Ginny in a seat she had saved for him, hoping for the best.
“Xander... you ok?”
Xander looked up at his girlfriend and slowly shook his head.
“Ok... no, not by a long shot.”
Xander ignored the worried expression on Ginny’s face as he glanced a few seats down and caught Harry’s eye then leaned forward.
“Harry... we need to talk later.”
Harry raised an eyebrow and looked at Xander and saw a look of fear in the younger boy’s eyes. Something had definitely spooked him.
“Ok... we’ll talk tonight. Is it about...?”
Xander nodded.
“Yeah... the hat knows.”
Harry’s eyes widened with shock and he nodded.
“Right... I see. Later... we’ll talk later.”
Xander nodded and stared at the table before him. It was strange, he had not been there any more than an hour and already he was scared for his life. He wondered if the rest of the year could possibly get any worse...
End Part 1
