The Next Generation

The twins and Ione were heading along the length of the train looking for a semi empty car, the chances of getting a totally empty one was very small. Rave lead the way elbowing people with a good-natured smile trying to get through. Though they hardly noticed it the twins had arranged it so that Ione was in the middle and thus the most protected. The young veela was slight and looked delicate although she could be quite dangerous when she wanted. A voice from up ahead caught their attention.

“Did you hear the rumors about the changes that are going to happen this year?” An older boy asked he was maybe a fifth or sixth year. Vera paused looking him over; the only indication of his house was the crest on his robes plus the green and silver tie. A few years ago Harry had abolished the dress code of those god awful black robes, students could now wear any color robes they wanted, modest shirts, the only school requirement was the house crest and a respectively colored tie. She waved at Rave and looked back at the older boy,

“You mean about the houses?” she asked him. The Slytherin looked at her with appraising ice blue eyes and nodded.

“Yeah there have been rumors flying around for years that Headmaster Snape wants to add a house.” He said looking curiously at her, and then his eyes lit up as Rave came to stand beside her. When they were together the likeness was unmistakable.

“Your Headmaster Snape’s children aren’t you?” he asked turning those icy eyes on Rave. The younger boy shivered inexplicably. Something jolted down his spine causing his magic to jolt slightly in response. Vera gave him a curious look.

-What’s wrong with you? – She asked through their link. She obviously hadn’t felt it which made him slightly nervous. As twins they practically lived as one person in two bodies, it was very rare for one of them to have a singularly experience. He shrugged it off and the impending thought that his sister might be separated from him soon.

“Yes we are.” He replied addressing the strange Slytherin, looking him over carefully. He felt nothing from this boy. Rave had inherited his papa’s powers of the spirit despite not being an Ander and could feel a person’s intent. Their essence in a way like Ione practically glowed with innocence and her veela blood was visible to him. However he got nothing from this boy, which meant he either had supreme mental prowess or he was a creature that Rave had never encountered. Vera had begun discussing the rumors while her brother looked over the strange boy. He looked normal enough, red-brown hair, ice blue eyes; his eyes were unique but not that unusual. He was an athletic build, Rave would bet he was a quidditch player, tall somewhere around five foot eight he would bet. Nothing spectacularly strange about him yet he still sent chills down Rave’s spine. The younger boy tried to shake it off and listen in.

“…They say that the Headmaster wants to add a house because he feels that Hogwarts sorts too early, that the students should have a year or two to know themselves before they are told who they are.” The boy was saying. Rave remembered this argument he and Vera had listened in during one of Papa’s meetings where he summoned the Founders and debated what he was planning to do with Hogwarts. The founders however had been adamant that there should be and always will be sorting and four houses at Hogwarts.

“Father would be rather cross if papa didn’t sort us. Right Rave that would ruin their bet.” Vera commented with a smile earning a chuckle from her twin and cousin.

“Bet?” the boy asked looking curious. Rave grinned widely,

“Papa bet Father that I would be sorted into Slytherin and Vera would be sorted into Ravenclaw – And Father bet that we’d both be sorted into Slytherin.” He began and Vera finished. The boy gave a small laugh and a quirky smile.

“It’s sort of strange to think of the Headmaster as a parent, or well in any setting outside Hogwarts.” He said. Some of the other students who’d been listening nodded.

“It’s the opposite for us. It’ll be strange to see him as a teacher instead of papa.” Vera replied with a shrug looking at the boy, “You know our names but you haven’t introduced yourself yet.” She pointed out, tired of giving him the opportunity.

“Oh, my apologies how rude of me, I’m Itzal Yates. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He said standing to make an elaborate bow. Ione looked at him surprise; she’d taken a seat and was watching the twins establish their presence.

“Yates is a very old pureblood line. They haven’t been out in the public eye in years.” She commented in her soft wispy voice. Watching him as he looked her over,

“True, how would you know that Ms…?” he replied steadily.

“Weasley, Ione Weasley. My father has copies of the pureblood lines.” She replied not rising to shake his hand. He nodded in understanding. She continued looking at him though, as if searching for a sign of something eventually she shrugged and resumed idly reading the first year spell book. She and the twins could perform quite a few spells already but she wanted to be prepared. Rave resolved to ask her what she’d been looking for once they had a moment alone; neither twin had been able to establish a like with the young veela. After discussing it with their parents they resolved that it was her veela side denying anyone else that close and intimacy until she had a mate.

“Do you know what’s going on with the houses then little Snapes?” Itzal asked resuming their broken conversation. The twins shook their heads in unison.

“Nope Papa always said that his work at Hogwarts was too much like business and should be kept away from home.” Vera said shrugging her shoulders. That was how the rest of the ride progressed; people coming up to them and asking questions or just wanting to get a look at them. Vera and Rave played the part, both acting somewhat pretentious but being friendly at the same time. They enjoyed the little bit of fame, though secretly after all the stories they’d heard from their Papa they were glad that it was only a small taste. Ione mostly ignored everyone unless a question was directed to her that was just how the little veela was. All three of them were excited once they arrived though.

“See you soon little ones. Good luck with whatever house you are placed in.” said Itzal waving to them and looking right at Rave for a moment, once again causing that strange spike in his magic. Ignoring the strange older boy all three friends hopped in a boat to begin their progression up to the castle. Once inside they looked all around. Taking in the house tables and the magical ceilings, the trio had heard many a story about the school of course but nothing compared to actually being there. They stood waiting looking at the stood with the sorting hat and glancing at the head table.

“Welcome to Hogwarts new and old!” Greeted Harry beaming at his students, “Usually I would take the side stage to the sorting at this moment but I have a few announcements to make.” He continued growing more serious, “First of all I would like to dispel the rumors floating around about the houses. I will not be adding another house but there will be some changes in the way the first and second years are arranged. First years will be sorted as always but instead of staying in the dorms with only their house mates all first years have an entirely new wing that is also accessible by second years. This new wing is connected to each specific house’s common room so you are not isolated or forced to do anything but sleep in the new wing. It is also a safe environment from house rivalries. After all there is no need for them. First years will also all be wearing black and silver ties, so until you get to know them or memorize your houses first years there will be no discrimination. Before you remember the badges that are required for every student I’ve added a new one for the first years, you’ll find out what soon enough.” He paused letting this new information sink in.

“Now I’m sure some of you are thinking what about the sorting? Well each student will be sorted but the sorting hat and I have come to an agreement so that only the student and a charmed piece of paper will know the student’s house, and of course their house heads. I am well aware that house loyalties will develop regardless and I’m not trying to stem that. What this change is trying to accomplish is promoting friendship before you judge someone solely on their house. One more thing,” he said with a dramatic wave the tables and the students sitting at them rearranged to be formed in a gigantic circle with two broken ends to sit on the inside as well.

“Students are encouraged to sit wherever and with whomever they wish.” He concluded with a smile and sat back down, “Let the sorting commence!”

(Insert witty sorting hat song here…I’m not creative enough to think of one and I haven’t any of the books with me to copy one. -.-)

Professor McGonagall appeared holding the list of first years; the Professor had fought for her right to remain a teacher although she was no longer deputy headmistress.

“When I call your name you come over and put on the hat. It’s that simple.” McGonagall said stiffly and began to read.

“Abel, Hayden.” A small boy stumbled forward and placed the hat over his dirty blond hair. The boy seemed to listen silently to the hat and then took it off and stood looking a little unsure. A few older students’s waved him over and made a spot. It certainly was less dramatic when their houses weren’t announced but it did seem to promote more openness. McGonagall continued with a pinched look on her face.

“Angelhunt, Unisia.” She called and a shy looking girl walked forward her little wolf ears lying flat against her red-pink hair. Vera looked at her curiously; ‘Angelhunt must be one of the kelikan clans that have chosen to ally with papa then, if they trust him enough to send one of their pups here.’ She thought watching there girl accept an open seat.

“Hyde, Darien.” This boy didn’t look unsure of himself at all. He stalked up to the hat and put it on smiling. Vera was surprised to see a small glance of pointed canine teeth in that smile. So the list progressed; Ikin, Kyler a gentle looking boy who bravely made his way to the hat. Jacklyn Velez an empty headed blond girl whom Vera instantly disliked though she couldn’t give reason to why. Maestri, Oria another girl with intelligent hazel eyes and dark olive skin, she Vera decided was worth talking to at least. Rowe, Mason a boy who had dreaming gray eyes but astute observation, she caught him looking at every last detail in the great hall.

“Snape, Raveal.” McGonagall called and he stepped forward with a quick glance up at the head table. Green eyes met green for a fraction of a second, Rave stepped on. He wasn’t afraid of some stupid hat! He sat down and waited,

“Ah the second generation, welcome to Hogwarts little master.” Whispered a voice in his mind, “No where to put you? Shall you follow your Fathers footsteps? Your Papa’s? Or make tracks of your own? The choice is yours in SLYTHERIN!” although the hat didn’t call out the house aloud it certainly felt like it did to Rave. He took of the hat and headed to the open spot next to Itzal whose icy eyes glowed in the light of the great Hall. Harry sat up at the head table looking at the list of students and their houses so far and smiled, Severus owed him a galleon so far.

“Snape, Vera.” McGonagall’s dry voice called out and she stepped forward. There was no fear in her clever black eyes, and she merely winked sneakily at her papa.

“Welcome to Hogwarts little mistress,” whispered the hat’s voice giving her the same greeting as her brother. “I see that you don’t want to be separated, but it is a part of growing up my dear. You do have a clever mind my dear however I think that you belong among the snakes, a house full of knowledge will do you know good but your snakes will provide the constant challenge that you need. SLYTHERIN it is!” it finished and she grinned triumphantly.

-Papa owes Father three galleons. – She said to Rave through the link as she made her way to sit next to her twin. Itzal greeted her but didn’t ask her house, nor had he asked it of Rave. The twins watched as their cousin was sorted and she regally made her way to them, signing with her hands in their secret sign language, they’d developed it since they couldn’t establish a link with her and some things were never safe to say aloud. She’d gotten into Slytherin as well. Vera signed back that so had they and remarked that Ione’s Dad, Ron, was going to turn permanently red when he found out his princess was a snake. Of course he really wouldn’t but it was fun to imagine. Another girl, Erica Woods, was sorted but they paid her little mind. The next and final name caught Rave’s attention though,

“Yates, Sterling.” McGonagall said while rolling up the parchment. The boy was obviously Itzal’s younger brother; he had the same red-brown hair and unnerving eyes although the younger had grayer eyes that gave off a stronger impression of unnaturalness because they were far closer to white. Rave couldn’t feel anything from this boy either which lead him to believe that there was something about the brothers; it was rather rare for a first year to have such mental skills to hide their aura from him.

“Your brother?” Vera asked although she really didn’t need the affirmative nod Itzal gave, “Why wasn’t he with you on the train then?” she asked this time actually curious. The older boy, who Rave confirmed to be a sixth year by a closer inspection of the badge on his robe the red outer ring indicated year, smiled coolly.

“He has friends among the second years; he’ll sit over here though. If only to tell me his house.” He replied and true to his prediction the other boy was headed over. He took a seat between Rave and his older brother with a greeting smile directed at them. Before he could speak though Harry had stood up and cleared his throat,

“Welcome again to all our new students, good luck in your classes and have a good meal!” he said before sitting down to a filled table. All conversation drained away as food was distributed and empty stomachs filled. Harry watched them all with a joyful heart, only slightly sore that he’d lost the bet to his spouse.

A/N: Holy wow huh. Loooong chappie. ANYWAY, I wanted to point something out, this story has strayed from the land of fan fiction and will be OC infested. I can’t really use story characters where they don’t fit now can I? SO if you don’t like that I will take no offence just go on your merry way. Mk? Alright… now I thought there was something else I wanted to say but I can’t remember now so I guess it wasn’t that important. =P
Someone asked for a list of the children so here it is with their age at the moment and birthdays.

Harry/Severus
Vera & Raveal (11) 02/14/99
Zachary (9) 03/28/01
Epiphany (8) 05/01/02
Shaelyn (7) 06/06/03
Gabriel (5) 12/25/05
Leon & Noel (3) 01/3/07
Fiamett (1) 07/04/09

Ron/Draco
Ione (11) 06/30/99
Reuben (7) 05/21/03

Ron/Az
Twyla (9) 11/05/01
Camryn (7) 08/30/03
Lewin (3) 04/10/07

Hermione/Naji
Aric (7) 10/15/02