"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall."
Hagrid announced, gesturing to the wide-eyed group of children.
"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House."
Professor McGonagall introduced herself with a string of impressive titles, instantly commanding respect and awe from the young witches and wizards, one she had their full attention she turned to the gamekeeper.
This person who welcomed new students was a stern-looking witch wearing square-rimmed glasses.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
To the nervous young witches and wizards, Professor McGonagall came across as strict and unapproachable. As she turned and began walking deeper into the castle, they hurried after her.
Naturally, her serious demeanor quickly silenced their chatter. No one even dared to breathe, as if they were mice who'd just spotted a cat.
She pulled the door wide, entrance hall was so big. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like ones at Gringotts, ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Lucifer could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right, rest of the school must already be here---but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall.
They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
"The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses."
"The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts."
"You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house's common room."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
"Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points."
Her gaze suddenly sharpened like the edge of a blade, "Let me make this very clear, although I am the Head of Gryffindor House, I will show 'no' favouritism. If I catch anyone breaking the rules, not only will I not go easy on you, I'll make sure the punishment is twice as sever."
The first years froze like deer in headlights. Some of those who had been hoping to end up in Gryffindor, were now silently reconsidering. 'This House Head.... is terrifying!'
But for most of them like Hermione, their biggest concern remained the mysterious Sorting Ceremony.
"At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair. Lucifer was trying to straighten his tie but Hermione got irritated so she corrected it herself with a roll of her eyes, oblivious to the stares she was getting.
"You've got a strand of hair - n
there..." Lucifer said to Hermione as she was busy doing his tie, "Here..." he reached and carefully took it away from her face.
"Thanks," She said blushing furiously, hearing some giggling behind her.
New students from wizarding families had been raised on tales about how frightening the ceremony was likely exaggerated over generations.
Meanwhile, Muggle-borns were completely clueless about what to expect, and the unknown alone was enough to terrify them.
Some had already started imagining themselves failing the test, standing alone in hall as all four houses rejected them. One poor kid even felt his nose sting as he held back tears.
Lucifer happened to glance at the girl who tidied him, was muttering something under her breath. Her voice was so quiet, if not for him being special, he wouldn't make out a single word as Hermione reviewed lines from book she'd read.
Professor McGonagall noticed the growing fear on these young faces. Her usual stern expression softened slightly, a brief flicker of amusement in her eyes.
Still, as a responsible and fair professor who cared deeply for all her students, she chose to offer them some reassurance:
"There's no need to worry. From the moment you received your acceptance letters, you've been part of this school. The Sorting Ceremony only helps place you in the house that suits you best. You have nothing to be afraid of...."
"Think of this school as your home. And what kind of home would ever abandon its children?"
Her gentle words had an immediate calming effect. The tension in the air eased, and many of the young witches and wizards began to breathe more steadily. However, there's always one clever clogs in every group.
Not far from Lucifer, a blond-haired boy suddenly lit up as if he'd just had a revelation, "Professor McGonagall, did you say the school is our home?"
"Of course, young man," McGonagall confirmed with a nod.
The boy's expression changed in an instant, turning haughty and demanding, "Then what are we waiting for? I'm starving. Can't we eat 'first' and sort 'after'?"
McGonagall's face turned stony.
"You may think this is your home, but that does not mean the rules change just for you. After the Sorting, I'll be deducting five points from whatever house you end up in!"
"Wait-what?! Professor, you tricked me!"
"..."
"I shall return when we are ready for you, Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber.
"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" It was Harry who asked Ron.
"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."
Getting excited, Lucifer cracked his knuckles and back muscles hoping to get into a battle position---causing some weird noises which were giving butterflies in Hermione's stomach.
....He hadn't expected something like this but the moment they arrived, looked around and saw that everyone else looked terrified.
No one was talking much except Hermione, again whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learned and wondering which one she'd need.
Then something happened that made Lucifer and other First Years jump about a foot in the air---several people behind him even screamed.
"What the --?"
He gasped. So did the people around him, about twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years.
They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk was saying: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance--"
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost -- I say, what are you all doing here?"
A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.
Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"
A few people nodded mutely.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "My old house, you know."
After seeing this incredible thing, Lucifer couldn't help make a pondering question to no one in particular, "How are these people still here? Did they decide not to pass on to the next world or their Reapers just messed up their jobs....?"
Bloody baron the Slytherin ghost who heard him replied, "Oh, they did come for us, but we all ignored their sweet nothings and chose to stay here!"
"Right..."
Hermione looked at the ghost suspiciously.
"Move along now, The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall, "Now, form a line," She told the first years, "and follow me."
....Lucifer had seen many weird things in his long life but never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of students were sitting.
These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At top of the hall was another long table where teachers were grasping cups.
Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with teachers behind them.
The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among students, ghosts shone misty silver.
Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Lucifer looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars, he remembered reading about all of this in 'Hogwarts: A History.' It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that Great Hall didn't open on to the heavens.
Returning students were already seated, and eagerly awaiting the start of term-feast.
He looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth -- and the 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 your 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
Where those of wit and learning,
You'll make your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means
Will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin 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 whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.
"So we've just got to try on the hat! I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."
Harry smiled weakly.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment, "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
"Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moments pause--
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
The table on right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. Lucifer saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her, his sigh was barely audible, "What a lovely girl..." but someone nearby had been paying close attention to him.
"???" Hermione. 'Is that his type....?'
The girl from Abbott family? She looked like she came straight out of some countryside village!'
She glanced at Hannah, then back at Lucifer, who was watching the Sorting intently, and found herself momentarily dazed even more so after seeing living and breathing ghosts.
Truthfully, Lucifer was also zoning out, wondering which house he himself would be placed in. 'Anything but Gryffindor', he thought, cause it felt like he would be constantly monitored if he went there, judging from Dumbledore's attempt to subtly probe inside his mind just now? when their gazes met.
Besides, Neville's words were right, Gryffindor was a magnet for chaos and trouble, he wasn't good at dealing with "human babies", that sort of environment just didn't suit him, it would be good if atmosphere was quiet.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat again, and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.
"Brocklehurst, Mandy" went to Ravenclaw too, but "Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded with cheers.
"Bulstrode, Millicent" then became a Slytherin.
Hermione was tightly holding onto her friend's robes, messing up the ironing as names after names were quickly gone from their sides.
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Sometimes, Lucifer noticed, the hat shouted out the house at once, but at others it took a little while to decide.
"Finnigan, Seamus," sandy-haired boy next to Harry in the line, sat on stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor.
"Granger, Hermione!"

Hermione instantly began muttering to herself, "Just be calm, okay relax," as she walked towards the four-legged stool with the wise, old hat.
Lucifer heard as she went and told her through mouthing, "You've got this, don't worry," in a loud whisper, making it easy to make out even using lip-sing. She turned around and smiled sweetly at him. Then sat down, closing her eyes and..
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione stood up and walked to
designated table which rounded up in applause. Lucifer gave her a thumbs from where he waited as she passed and 'Well done' to go with it.
....Meanwhile Ron groaned clearly not happy, Lucifer almost hit him in the back for complaining. No one was going to mistreat his new human friend on his watch.
When Neville was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The hat took a long time to decide with him.
It finally shouted...
"GRYFFINDOR," he ran off still wearing it, and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to McGonagall.
"Malfoy, Draco."
Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called. The hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!"
He went to join his friends, looking pleased with himself as Slytherin table burst into loud applause, this level of enthusiasm hadn't been shown for any of the earlier students.
There weren't many people left now.
"Moon"
"Nott"
"Parkinson"
"Greengrass"
Then a pair of twin girls,
"Patil" and "Patil"
"Perks, Sally-Anne" and then it was finally his turn----
"Potter, Harry!"
When the name "Harry Potter" was called, entire hall seemed to hold its breaths everyone was waiting to hear the result. As he stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?" After a few minutes, the hat seemed to make up its mind and yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry took off the hat and walked shakily toward Gryffindor table, he seemed so relieved to have been chosen, and hardly noticed that he was getting the loudest cheer yet.
Meanwhile, Slytherin table was deathly silent. A few students watched Potter with unreadable expressions, their lips moving as if whispering things only they could hear.
The Prefect of Gryffindor however got up and shook his hand vigorously, while a set of twins yelled, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
It was in a tense and strange atmosphere Professor McGonagall read out the next name with a serious expression.
"Morningstar, Lucifer."
As soon as she called out his name the atmosphere became heavy and cold.
...Scorching eyes landed on a boy that could be seen walking up to the chair with hands in pocket, for everyone else the name sounded utterly ordinary---nothing worth nothing.
Reaching the chair for him, Lucifer sat down with his right leg over his left and his right elbow on armrest and face resting on his fist.
The boy opened his eyes and almost everyone gulped at the sight, cause of being looking similar to that of a "king" resting on his throne.

....For professor's at the staff table, there was an uncanny feeling in their gut that made it hard to swallow down, oppressive nerves of bowing---it was like a thuderclap in the middle of a quiet night.
'What's going on?! Everyone could see his cold gaze as he observed in Great hall, sending shivers down their spine as if being unraveled thread by thread. Then when finally professor McGonagall was about to put the hat on the boy, she could swear on Merlin's silky stockings, that it hadn't even touched his hair yet when it shrieked---like someone choking by the brim.
"SLYTHERIN! A born Slytherin!"
McGonagall was stunned, Snape's face turned grave, a muggle-born? Dumbledore said nothing.
And, Lucifer... was dumbfounded. Sitting high up on the stool, he looked out across the half full of craning necks, utterly blank, especially Hermione's who looked about ready to cry at any given moment.
He wasn't a pure-blood. He wasn't even a half-blood, Lucifer had long since discarded thirst for power, Sorting Hat didn't even look into his inner thoughts since they were concealed, and it still dumped him into Slytherin without a thought.
'Was this... fate? Was this inescapable curse of being Fallen one?' Just as Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to suggest Lucifer take over the seat, the boy, in front of everyone, yanked hat back down over his head.
"Let's talk," Lucifer said in his mind.
'Hmm? Sorting's already over, little wizard. What do you want to discuss?' the hat whispered.
"You hadn't even touched my head just now... You must have announced Potter's result by mistake, right? He's the Boy Who Lived, the last heir of the Potters, pure-blooded, and powerful. He 'fits' Slytherin perfectly."
In a bid to fix the mess, Lucifer threw Harry Potter under the bus without hesitation, didn't even care if Dumbledore would corner him for a "chat" later, since he looked so eager to rack over his thoughts.
'Absolutely not.' The hat sounded annoyed, 'Morningstar, don't question my expertise. I've never made a mistake--not once. I might be old, but I'm still sharp. Slytherin is your proper house.'
"Why on earth might I ask?"
The Sorting Hat, absorbing his frantic denial to be evil, responded in a chirpier tone.
'The thirst to be the best, that stubborn will to achieve your goals, and that ancient, untamed magic running in your veins---even more pure than Salazar or Godric. If Salazar were alive, he'd be begging on his knees to take you as his apprentice.'
'A born Slytherin, really? Since when? This bloody hat is slandering me! I wasn't born to be evil, these human---' Lucifer thought privately.
"Consider students' preferences, then? I insist on going to either Ravenclaw or even bloody Gryffindor'!"
'Request denied,' the hat replied cheerfully.
'Now stop wasting my time. I've got other young witches and wizards to sort. If you're that sentimental, come see me in Dumbledore's office later. I charge a few Galleons per chat.'
"Fine, Hufflepuff then! Look---I'm Muggle-born, kind-hearted, and love making friends. I'm basically the poster child for Hufflepuff!"
There was a pause. Then, Sorting hat spoke again, gentler this time, almost like it was trying to comfort him.
'Child, you can lack many things in life---but never self-awareness. Please... accept who you really are.'
'Stupid hat. One day I'm going to stitch that cursed mouth shut,' Lucifer fumed, as he gritted his teeth to reveal some of his surface level thoughts, letting mental shields down somewhat to get a proper sorting for desperate measure, for some godly reason now he couldn't accept his defeat of boring down into Slytherin.
'Huh, what's this? Astonishing... Those protective barriers.... You're the most powerful Occlumens I have ever encountered, from the time I was created by the Four founders....'
'Why didn't you do it from the start....? You are really much more difficult than Harry Potter was... in fact, I'm not sure I've ever seen someone so suited to every House... where, oh where do I put you?' The Sorting Hat changed wording as to not blame itself for its prior decision, and pride of making an error.
"If it's still Slytherin then...I guess it really doesn't matter..."
'Does it not? I can see it right here in your head. The Granger girl, your friend, you want to be in the same House as her, do you not?'
The Hat was painfully right.
"... Yes... Yes I do, Adrian, was it?"
'You probed me... then I guess there is only one place for you to go.' The moment it's name escaped Lucifer's slips, the Sorting Hat caught the emotion and bellowed out loudly to silent room even more so than before,
"GRYFFINDOR!! GRYFFINDOR!"
"LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR BELONGS TO GRYFFINDOR'!"
Before he could say his thanks, Professor McGonagall pulled the hat off his head before it's house changed again, she felt like stealing someone else's bright child, there was a glint in her eyes, on being able to teach the descendant of Merlin, "Morningstar, Sorting Ceremony is over. If you still have concerns being a 'Lion,' you may bring them up later."
Lucifer forced a smile at getting engrossed, and taking so much time, it wasn't like him to throw a tantrum over, and gave a small bow.
At first no one applauded, cause of the second sorting, everyone was still reeling from the hat-wearing repeat scene and changes in answers. 'Maybe he just wanted to feel more involved....'
Or 'As a muggleborn, it's normal to panic, and not accept being a Slytherin...'
The yound students exchanged confused glances. Then Hermione Granger caught on, flashing a dazzling smile and clapping enthusiastically, others at Gryffindor table slowly followed suit.
"T-That was amazing!"
"That was so cool! Did Sorting Hat messed up earlier?"
"No way, I haven't ever seen or heard about two house changes!"
Amid the loud whispers, Lucifer slid into the seat next to her, who beamed at him while he got some wary and complicated glances from where the table went on, as if an enemy had come to their side---there were even praying sighs of relief for him.
Curious, cold, even hostile---
----Admiration while others were friendly. But, he was still praised for what he did, especially for showing bravery to put on the Hat again, which two red-heads explained to others for values of being Gryffindor'.
"I didn't expect you to be sorted into Slytherin!" Hermione whispered in a tone of worry, but borderline excited nonetheless, with a little tinge of pink on cheeks. As she embraced him tightly from the side, even slightly longer than her grandfather would have approved, "But, I just knew you would join us. This is perfect--we'll get to take all our classes together."
The little witch had a sinking feeling that after commotion from earlier, Gryffindors might not be happy with him, so she was trying to comfort him.
Comfort Lucifer, it was almost adorable. "Yeah. I didn't expect it either," He replied flatly, soul weary, didn't want to deal with annoying insects every second of the day.
"Right, well um... still congrats!"
Soon after, the final few students were sorted. The last one was Blaise Zabini, who was also placed in Slytherin.
______________
"We need to talk." Snape mulled over the scene from earlier, his suspicion growing stronger the more he thought about it.
That Lucifer Morningstar---could he be some product of Voldemort's reincarnation through dark magic?
The Sorting Hat's speed didn't necessarily reflect a wizard's potential, but it certainly revealed a glimpse into a young wizard's personality and inner thoughts.
And Snape had never seen a student sorted into Slytherin that fast. Honestly, unless Salazar Slytherin himself had returned from the grave, he doubted it could've gone any quicker.
What did that mean?
It meant Lucifer Morningstar was astonishingly compatible with Slytherin House, so devious enough to get himself re-sorted into the den of lions, changing Sorting Hat's decision which was unheard of.
Such a manipulator, even as the Head of Slytherin, Snape didn't see that as an entirely good thing.
....Yet Albus Dumbledore didn't seem to care. As soon as Blaise Zabini took his seat, the headmaster got to his feet and beamed at all of his students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there at the Castle.
"Welcome!" His voice boomed loudly.
"Welcome, to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words, and they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" He gave everyone a brief once over, "Thank you!" Then sat back down to an eruption of applause and cheer.
"What did that even mean?" Hermione was utterly baffled, she hadn't understood a word, so why was everyone clapping?
"I told you his photo looked odd. That's an age problem."
"Honestly? Just the fact that he ended his speech with those random words is applause--worthy," One of the twins George, replied dryly to newcomer's whisper.
"He's the most powerful Wizard in the world, I think he's earned the right to be a little odd."
No sooner had Fred spoken to Slytherin turned Gryffindor boy, all of the plates and goblets were magically filled with food and drink, respectively.
Roast lamb, lamb chops, golden fries, creamy mashed potatoes, rich gravy stew, velvety cream of mushroom soup, garlic bread, lamb-filled pastries---delicious scents wafted up in a tantalizing wave, calling every young witch and wizard to dig in.
Lucifer didn't hold back. He grabbed a few ribs and wings from the nearest platter, ladled himself a full bowl of cream of mushroom soup, and began to feast---after all, his snacks were long gone, and they were never enough to actually fill you up.
People said Britain was a culinary wasteland full of questionable food, but Hogwarts meals---barring usual fish and chips were more like traditional Scottish home-cooking.
They leaned heavily on meat stewed in broth with butter and spices.
There were even touches of French cuisine. The cream of mushroom soup, for instance, was a classic French dish. As long as the ingredients were fresh and the cooks didn't get too experimental, it was hard to go wrong.
"That does look good," Lucifer heard a ghostly voice say a little ways down the table. He looked and saw that a Ghost was looking at Harry cutting into his steak.
"Can't you eat too?" Harry had asked the Ghost.
Lucifer thought that was a rather silly question, "I haven't eaten in nearly five hundred years," said the Ghost sadly. "I don't need to, of course, but one does miss it..." he was more sad than a moment ago, before rebounding into cheeriness.
"Oh, I don't believe I've yet introduced, have I? I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, at your service! I am the Resident Ghost of Gryffindor Tower."
"Wait, I know who you are!" Lucifer heard Ron say excitedly, "My brothers told me about you! You're Nearly Headless Nick!"
"I would prefer it if you called me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-" Sir Nick never got to finish his sentence.
"Nearly Headless?" He heard Seamus ask, sitting near Ron, "How can you be Nearly Headless?"
Nick looked like someone had just ruffled his feathers the wrong way.
This clearly wasn't going how he wanted to, so he decided to give them what they wanted, "Like this," his voice was irritable.
He grabbed the hair on top of his head, leaned forward and pulled it to the side, revealing that his head was still attached, but only by some skin and muscle.
Lucifer looked at Hermione, who looked like she lost her appetite, "Bad time to say that it looks like an execution gone wrong?"
She looked over and glared at him, "Right... sorry..." he looked away, but saw out of the corner of his eye that she began to eat again, but slowly.
Lucifer looked back at Nick and saw that he had a pleased look on his face at the shocked look of the First Year Gryffindor students, then his focus wandered on the teacher's table, mainly Headmaster who seemed unhinged. But he could he's powerful.
'...Power recognises power. No wonder he tried to check over me', However unless God himself came down, Lucifer would never lose to anyone, that' wasn't just his confidence but a stated fact, he perked up somewhat.
Abruptly looking up from his food, caused Hermione to think he was choking from eating too fast, she hurriedly handed him a glass of organe juice.
Lucifer took it with a nod of thanks.
"So, new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us win the House Championship this year? Gryffindor has never gone so long without winning. Slytherin has won the Cup six years in a row now, and the Bloody Baron is becoming quite unbearable. He is the Resident Ghost of Slytherin House."
After another ten minutes of eating, a lot of people stuffed to the brim, all of the food faded and was slowly replaced by desserts of all kinds.
Lucifer helped himself to a jam doughnut and a piece of apple pie, while Hermione grabbed some rice pudding for herself.
Everyone began to then talk about their families and how they were raised.
Harry wasn't interested in this kind of talk for obvious reasons, and asked Percy who was talking to Professor Quirrell, and he was told that it was Professor Snape, Potions Master.
He also heard Percy say that Snape was after Quirrell's job, since he knows a lot about the Dark Arts.
That somewhat intrigued Lucifer, not the Dark Arts, but the fact that Snape wanted it, but has yet to actually get it. If he wants it so bad, why doesn't Dumbledore just give it to him?
Lucifer glanced up at the staff table and saw the man, he had a hooked nose and looked like he was never happy for a moment of his life.
At last, the puddings too disappeared and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again, causing the Hall to fall silent, "Ahem--- just a few more words now that 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," Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of some students, or rather staring pointedly at the Gryffindor' table---more specifically.
.....When Lucifer matched their line of sight, it came to stop at a pair of identical twins, 'Oh, of course.'
Those two didn't seem the least bit chastised, but even winked and made faces at the Headmaster, which caused old man to chuckle despite himself.
"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."
....Lucifer was seriously curious as to what was on 3rd floor that was so dangerous.
"Well, that is all I had to say, it's bedtime. Off you trot!" The Headmaster said, clapping his hands as though that was the reason for everyone rising seconds later.
The Gryffindor first years followed Percy and a female student that Lucifer obviously didn't recognize.
As the tour carried on, Prefect Percy talked about rules and regulations of Hogwarts, and other such things. Currently, he was on topic of the house cup.
"---And at the end of the year, the Headmaster awards the cup to the house with the most points. Therefore you must be on your best behaviour at all times; Gryffindor has lost the cup to Slytherin six years in a row now so I won't have any of you costing us any points," Prefect Percy said seriously, and Hermione nodded, determined to do her part to ensure that her house won this year.
Lucifer raised a hand.
Prefect Percy spotted it after a moment and asked, "You have a question, Morningstar?"
"Uh, yeah, I do. What do we get if we win the cup?"
Hermione almost rolled her eyes. What a silly question.
"Excuse me?" Prefect Percy asked.
"I mean, is there an actual reward for winning the cup? Like do we get later curfews? Extra desserts at dinner? Maybe even access to the restricted section of the library? Is there an actual reward for this, or is it just about bragging rights? Wait, do we even get to keep the cup?"
"...." Prefect Percy. 'Stop talking already!' He was complaining crazily in his heart, and stuttered for a few moments, before finally pulling himself together, "Well, of course, winning the house cup is a reward in itself---"
"So bragging rights," Lucifer interrupted, "got it. Carry on, please. Sorry for interrupting."
Prefect Percy shot him, then Hermione (why?) a sour look then turned around and resumed walking, "Come along, everyone. We're almost at Gryffindor Tower."
"You shouldn't antagonize him, he's a prefect!" Hermione whispered harshly at Lucifer, after smacking sides of his visible thighs from behind and hoping no one saw that.
Parvati did though.
"Ow, I wasn't.." Lucifer denied as he rubbed the spot over, "Besides, doesn't it bother... you that we're being asked to compete for something pointless?"
"It's not pointless, Lucifer. It's meant to motivate students to obey school rules and try harder in their academics. It's quite ingenious actually."
"It also creates animosity between the four houses, not to mention puts anyone who loses points at risk of being ostracized by their housemates."
Hermione groaned in frustration. "Must you be so difficult?"
"How am I being-" He started to say, then stopped. "You know what? Let's just-let's not fight about it. How about we just agree to disagree?"
Hermione didn't want to agree to disagree, she wanted him to understand that she was right!
But he was also her best friend. And she didn't want to fight with him.
Also would it be wrong of her to not accept it? "Fine," Hermione agreed grudgingly, "Let's not fight about it."
Lucifer smiled at her, and she saw no trace of mischief in his dark black eyes. She smiled back. It was nice.
Hermione admitted to herself that maybe this agreeing to disagree thing wasn't so bad.
They climbed many staircases and went through many hidden doorways, surely there was an easier way to get to Gryffindor Tower, right?
When they came to a sudden halt, Lucifer opened his eyes widely, believing them to be there, but there was nothing to indicate they'd arrived at Gryffindor Tower yet.
A bundle of walking sticks were floating in mid-air ahead of them as Percy took a step towards them.
When he did so, they started throwing themselves at him, "Peeves," he whispered to them, "A poltergeist." He glanced around briefly before he raised his voice, "Peeves! Show yourself!"
A loud, ruse sound, like the air being let out of a balloon, answered back to him, "Do you want us to go to the Bloody Baron?" Percy threatened.
There was a pop sound and a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks, "Oooooooh!" He said with an evil cackle, "Ickle firsties! What fun!"
He swooped suddenly and they all ducked. Lucifer already hated Peeves, he didn't like this ghost, no rather it was a poltergeist.
"Go away, Peeves, or the Baron will hear about this, we mean it!" Barked the female Prefect, who Lucifer still didn't know the name of.
Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished, dropping the walking sticks on Neville's head.
They heard him zooming away, rattling some suits of armor as he passed through the rooms beyond.
"You'll want to watch out for Peeves," Percy said as they set off once more, "The Bloody Baron's the only one Peeves will ever listen to. It's an absolute shame that Dumbledore hasn't rid the castle of the annoying Poltergeist. And finally, here we are, Gryffindor Tower!"
At the very end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress, "Password?" She asked in a rather loud voice.
"Caput Draconis," said Percy. The portrait swung open to reveal a round hole in the wall, large enough for a giant to fit through, Lucifer thought.
They all scrambled through the hole and found themselves in the Common Room.
It was cozy looking and had several armchairs, two couches, a fireplace, and lots of books. Percy directed the boys to where their dormitory would be and the female Prefect, who finally introduced herself as Miranda Hopkins, directed the girls to theirs.
When they found their rooms, Lucifer wasn't surprised to see himself being bunked with the five other Gryffindor First years.
Harry, Ron, Neville, Seamus, and Dean. His stuff was on his bed and Rowena was sitting peacefully in her cage. While his cat, was lying on a small cushion near, sleeping peacefully.
....Very well behaved, what did Mazikeen do to them? Lucifer was really wondering how she trained both of his pets.
He also thought about Owelery section, wondering if there was a place for Rowena in to sleep outside of her cage at night, he knew how much she hated it.
"Hey, Rowena," Lucifer called out to her and she opened her eyes, head raising up and being tilted to the side as she looked at him, "You want out? Or are you content with staying in there?" Her response was her eyes closing and going back to sleep.
Lucifer gave a light chuckle and changed into his pajamas after he saw he could draw some curtains on his bed. He was just sitting on it, when heard Ron talking, "Great food, isn't it?" Assumed he was talking to Harry.
"Get off, Scabbers! He's chewing my sheets!"
Shaking his head, he decided to ignore them, focusing more on guarding his bed instead with self created charms for good safety measures, 'What would Maze be doing right now, I swear if anything weird happened to my pub....'