Spoiler: show
Harry looked up in awe at the ceiling as he and the rest of the First Years entered the Hall. He heard one of the other students mention that it was enchanted to show the sky outside. However it was done, it was amazing. Maybe one of the Professors knew how it was done.
Professor McGonagall led the line of First Years to a stop at the head of the room. She placed a frayed, patched, ugly hat on a three-legged stool. Just as Harry was wondering what was going on, the Hat began singing.
After the song ended, Harry breathed out a sigh of relief. He hadn’t really believed it when Fred and George told him that he would have to fight off a giant, he knew they were joking, they were self-admitted pranksters, but they had been so convincing…
The Sorting started with the A’s and Harry watched as the line of students dwindled down as each one was Sorted into their new House. Each student was cheered by their new Housemates, though Harry found it interesting that each student spent a different amount of time under the Hat.
After Sally-Anne Perks traipsed off to Hufflepuff, McGonagall called out, “Potter, Harry!”
Whispers broke out all over the hall, and Harry ignored them. He’d had people whisper about his presence for years (not everybody believed Bruce had taken in Dick and him out of the kindness of his heart), he wouldn’t let a bunch of schoolchildren get to him.
As the Hat slipped down over his eyes, he heard a voice buzz in his ears. “Very interesting, very interesting indeed. Quite the extracurricular activities you’ve involved yourself in.” Harry tried to engage some of the mental defenses Batman had taught him. “Ohoho, singing a song won’t be enough to keep me out, Mr. Potter. But don’t worry, I am bound to keep the secrets I find secret.
“But where to begin? You’re more than brave enough for Gryffindor, but that’s not the case for you. And you may have Slytherin’s own cunning and ruthlessness, but if I put you there, you’d either be dead or running the house inside a week. I’m tempted to put you in there just to see what happens, but no.”
“Just put me where I can learn. Where I can make a difference.”
“If learning is what you desire, Ravenclaw will help you along your path, but if you want to make a difference, there’s only one place for you. You’ll find what you’re looking for in HUFFLEPUFF!”
The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers and McGonagall gave him a little push in that direction. Harry walked over to the table and was met with handshakes and backslaps and congratulations. He was plopped down in the middle of the rest of the First Years and watched as the last few students were Sorted.
Finally, after Blaise Zabini was sent into Slytherin, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up and smiled out at the students. “Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!”
Harry stared at the Headmaster as he sat back down. “Well, that was unusual.”
“Oh, not so unusual. I hear that the Headmaster before Dumbledore used to make these big long speeches and it took forever for the food to be served,” the girl sitting next to Harry said. “Eat up.”
Harry looked back at the table, and where the dishes had been empty before, it was now covered in all sorts of foods; if you went hungry here, it was your own fault.
The presentation could use a little work, but Harry was pretty sure that was just due to years of living with Alfred’s high standards.
Most of the conversation was light and sparse as everyone fell upon their food, eating until they were stuffed. After the dessert arrived, conversation picked up.
“So it was a huge surprise when we found out I was a wizard. My parents had me down for Eton, but we decided in the end that I’d come here. I’m glad of it, to be honest. Learning magic sounds like the best, doesn’t it?” Justin Finch-Fletchley asked.
“Of course it’s the best, and even more so cause you’re at Hogwarts,” Ernie Macmillan agreed. “Don’t you agree, Susan?”
Susan Bones nodded. “Auntie Amelia wouldn’t have me anywhere else. Said Hogwarts is the best place to get an education in Europe.”
Hannah Abbot shrugged. “My parents had a big row over whether they were going to send me here or to Beauxbatons. Said it would be easier with all the business they do in France, but Daddy said he wanted me to have the same education he got. I think Mommy’s still upset with him.”
“Of course he wanted to send you here, it’s the best school around. Beauxbatons is second rate at best compared to Hogwarts,” Zacharias Smith said arrogantly.
“I’m just worried I won’t be able to do any of this,” Sally-Anne Perks murmured. “I know Professor Flitwick said I was a witch, but it’s just so unbelievable…”
“You’ll do fine,” Leanne Spinks reassured her new Housemate. “Muggleborns come to Hogwarts every year, and they all do just fine. You won’t be any different.”
“And if you do have a few problems, we’ll be right there to help you,” Megan Jones added. “We’re Hufflepuff, we’ve got to stick together.”
“What about you, Harry?” Susan asked. “You’ve been awfully quiet over there.”
“It’s just a lot to take in, I think,” Harry said.
“Well, where have you been for the past decade?” Zacharias probed. “Nobody seems to know what happened to you after you beat You-Know-Who.”
“I went to live with my family on my mom’s side, and stayed with them until I was seven. They ended up getting killed when we were on a business trip to America, and after that I was taken in by Bruce Wayne.”
The rest of the group all gasped in shock at Harry’s blunt admittance of what happened. “Oh, Harry, I’m so sorry,” Sally said as she grabbed onto his hand.
“Don’t worry, I’m pretty much over it. It happened four years ago, and Bruce has been a great help.”
“Wait a second. You don’t mean The Bruce Wayne, do you? Head of Wayne Enterprises?” Justin asked.
“I just call him Bruce, but yeah, that’s him.”
“Who is he?” Ernie asked, looking irritated that he’s in the dark on something.
“He’s only the head of one of the biggest companies in the world, and one of the richest men on the planet,” Justin explained breathlessly. “I mean, I always thought my family was well-off, but Bruce Wayne is on another level altogether.”
“Is this true?” Zacharias demanded.
Harry shrugged. “I think Lex Luthor is still richer, but Bruce isn’t a corrupt jerk with no morals who will sacrifice anything for another dollar.”
Sally reddened. “Hey, my mom works for LexTech London!”
“And I’m sure she’s a good person. But trust me, Lex Luthor is corrupt, no matter what his publicist says.”
There was an awkward silence as no one was quite sure how to react to that, then Ernie asked Susan about how her family was doing, and the subject was neatly changed.
0oOo0
Harry brushed off his robes as he was led into the Hufflepuff Common Room. It was full of plants, some singing and dancing, and there were plenty of comfy-looking armchairs and sofas. As the rest of the First Years found their way into a rough circle, the Prefect who led them to the Common Room started talking.
“Congratulations! I’m Prefect Gabriel Truman, and I’m delighted to welcome you to Hufflepuff House. Our emblem is the badger, an animal that is often underestimated, because it lives quietly until attacked, but which, when provoked, can fight off animals much larger than itself, including wolves.”
Harry listened as Gabriel went on to explain Hufflepuff’s history, naming famous Hufflepuffs from years past, though the names didn’t mean much to Harry. Then he went into what was expected of them as members of Hufflepuff, and that if they needed help with anything, they just had to ask.
“Now then, it’s getting late, and I’m sure you’re all exhausted from today’s long journey. Get to bed, and be ready for things to start in the morning.”
Harry followed Gabriel as he showed them the way to the boy’s dormitory. “Remember, the boys you’re sharing your dorm with will be with you for the rest of your time here at Hogwarts, so I suggest you make friends with each other. Nothing’s worse than having to sleep in the same room as someone you don’t get along with.”
All the First Years nodded, but rather than stay up half the night talking and getting to know one another, they all fell asleep almost the instant they chose their bed.
Professor McGonagall led the line of First Years to a stop at the head of the room. She placed a frayed, patched, ugly hat on a three-legged stool. Just as Harry was wondering what was going on, the Hat began singing.
After the song ended, Harry breathed out a sigh of relief. He hadn’t really believed it when Fred and George told him that he would have to fight off a giant, he knew they were joking, they were self-admitted pranksters, but they had been so convincing…
The Sorting started with the A’s and Harry watched as the line of students dwindled down as each one was Sorted into their new House. Each student was cheered by their new Housemates, though Harry found it interesting that each student spent a different amount of time under the Hat.
After Sally-Anne Perks traipsed off to Hufflepuff, McGonagall called out, “Potter, Harry!”
Whispers broke out all over the hall, and Harry ignored them. He’d had people whisper about his presence for years (not everybody believed Bruce had taken in Dick and him out of the kindness of his heart), he wouldn’t let a bunch of schoolchildren get to him.
As the Hat slipped down over his eyes, he heard a voice buzz in his ears. “Very interesting, very interesting indeed. Quite the extracurricular activities you’ve involved yourself in.” Harry tried to engage some of the mental defenses Batman had taught him. “Ohoho, singing a song won’t be enough to keep me out, Mr. Potter. But don’t worry, I am bound to keep the secrets I find secret.
“But where to begin? You’re more than brave enough for Gryffindor, but that’s not the case for you. And you may have Slytherin’s own cunning and ruthlessness, but if I put you there, you’d either be dead or running the house inside a week. I’m tempted to put you in there just to see what happens, but no.”
“Just put me where I can learn. Where I can make a difference.”
“If learning is what you desire, Ravenclaw will help you along your path, but if you want to make a difference, there’s only one place for you. You’ll find what you’re looking for in HUFFLEPUFF!”
The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers and McGonagall gave him a little push in that direction. Harry walked over to the table and was met with handshakes and backslaps and congratulations. He was plopped down in the middle of the rest of the First Years and watched as the last few students were Sorted.
Finally, after Blaise Zabini was sent into Slytherin, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up and smiled out at the students. “Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!”
Harry stared at the Headmaster as he sat back down. “Well, that was unusual.”
“Oh, not so unusual. I hear that the Headmaster before Dumbledore used to make these big long speeches and it took forever for the food to be served,” the girl sitting next to Harry said. “Eat up.”
Harry looked back at the table, and where the dishes had been empty before, it was now covered in all sorts of foods; if you went hungry here, it was your own fault.
The presentation could use a little work, but Harry was pretty sure that was just due to years of living with Alfred’s high standards.
Most of the conversation was light and sparse as everyone fell upon their food, eating until they were stuffed. After the dessert arrived, conversation picked up.
“So it was a huge surprise when we found out I was a wizard. My parents had me down for Eton, but we decided in the end that I’d come here. I’m glad of it, to be honest. Learning magic sounds like the best, doesn’t it?” Justin Finch-Fletchley asked.
“Of course it’s the best, and even more so cause you’re at Hogwarts,” Ernie Macmillan agreed. “Don’t you agree, Susan?”
Susan Bones nodded. “Auntie Amelia wouldn’t have me anywhere else. Said Hogwarts is the best place to get an education in Europe.”
Hannah Abbot shrugged. “My parents had a big row over whether they were going to send me here or to Beauxbatons. Said it would be easier with all the business they do in France, but Daddy said he wanted me to have the same education he got. I think Mommy’s still upset with him.”
“Of course he wanted to send you here, it’s the best school around. Beauxbatons is second rate at best compared to Hogwarts,” Zacharias Smith said arrogantly.
“I’m just worried I won’t be able to do any of this,” Sally-Anne Perks murmured. “I know Professor Flitwick said I was a witch, but it’s just so unbelievable…”
“You’ll do fine,” Leanne Spinks reassured her new Housemate. “Muggleborns come to Hogwarts every year, and they all do just fine. You won’t be any different.”
“And if you do have a few problems, we’ll be right there to help you,” Megan Jones added. “We’re Hufflepuff, we’ve got to stick together.”
“What about you, Harry?” Susan asked. “You’ve been awfully quiet over there.”
“It’s just a lot to take in, I think,” Harry said.
“Well, where have you been for the past decade?” Zacharias probed. “Nobody seems to know what happened to you after you beat You-Know-Who.”
“I went to live with my family on my mom’s side, and stayed with them until I was seven. They ended up getting killed when we were on a business trip to America, and after that I was taken in by Bruce Wayne.”
The rest of the group all gasped in shock at Harry’s blunt admittance of what happened. “Oh, Harry, I’m so sorry,” Sally said as she grabbed onto his hand.
“Don’t worry, I’m pretty much over it. It happened four years ago, and Bruce has been a great help.”
“Wait a second. You don’t mean The Bruce Wayne, do you? Head of Wayne Enterprises?” Justin asked.
“I just call him Bruce, but yeah, that’s him.”
“Who is he?” Ernie asked, looking irritated that he’s in the dark on something.
“He’s only the head of one of the biggest companies in the world, and one of the richest men on the planet,” Justin explained breathlessly. “I mean, I always thought my family was well-off, but Bruce Wayne is on another level altogether.”
“Is this true?” Zacharias demanded.
Harry shrugged. “I think Lex Luthor is still richer, but Bruce isn’t a corrupt jerk with no morals who will sacrifice anything for another dollar.”
Sally reddened. “Hey, my mom works for LexTech London!”
“And I’m sure she’s a good person. But trust me, Lex Luthor is corrupt, no matter what his publicist says.”
There was an awkward silence as no one was quite sure how to react to that, then Ernie asked Susan about how her family was doing, and the subject was neatly changed.
0oOo0
Harry brushed off his robes as he was led into the Hufflepuff Common Room. It was full of plants, some singing and dancing, and there were plenty of comfy-looking armchairs and sofas. As the rest of the First Years found their way into a rough circle, the Prefect who led them to the Common Room started talking.
“Congratulations! I’m Prefect Gabriel Truman, and I’m delighted to welcome you to Hufflepuff House. Our emblem is the badger, an animal that is often underestimated, because it lives quietly until attacked, but which, when provoked, can fight off animals much larger than itself, including wolves.”
Harry listened as Gabriel went on to explain Hufflepuff’s history, naming famous Hufflepuffs from years past, though the names didn’t mean much to Harry. Then he went into what was expected of them as members of Hufflepuff, and that if they needed help with anything, they just had to ask.
“Now then, it’s getting late, and I’m sure you’re all exhausted from today’s long journey. Get to bed, and be ready for things to start in the morning.”
Harry followed Gabriel as he showed them the way to the boy’s dormitory. “Remember, the boys you’re sharing your dorm with will be with you for the rest of your time here at Hogwarts, so I suggest you make friends with each other. Nothing’s worse than having to sleep in the same room as someone you don’t get along with.”
All the First Years nodded, but rather than stay up half the night talking and getting to know one another, they all fell asleep almost the instant they chose their bed.