1 Hogwarts letter and the sorting ceremony

25th November 1969

Kingsley Shacklebolt was playing football in the back alleys of London with some mates early in the morning so the police wouldn't tell them off again. Where else were they to play? They had parks but no ten year old boy would be caught playing anywhere near 'babies'. Anyway, parents of toddlers were apt to glare at 'big boys' who dared play 'dangerous games' near their precious babies The streets served as a good pitch. And like all boys, they enjoyed the safe act of rebellion.

Kingsley was taking his turn as goalie at one end of the alley when an owl flew overhead. The now eleven year old boy just caught sight of it as he was reaching his hands up to catch the football. It was heading towards his block of flats! Kingsley missed the ball causing his team to groan loudly at him.

"I've got to get home!" he called, already running out of the alley. Kingsley didn't hear the complaints of his friends now that they were one man short. He didn't care, especially if that was what he thought it was.

Kingsley skidded around corners, bumping into many people heading off for a day of work. He didn't care; he was nearly at the block of flats where his family lived.

Climbing up the stairs to his flat (The lift had broke again) with a big grin on his face, Kingsley could hardly contain his excitement. He burst through the door, knocking over Hayden, his seven year old brother.

"Has it come? Has it come?" demanded Kingsley, his dark eyes roving over to his parents.

Ken Shacklebolt, his father was beaming proudly at his son. He was a wizard and was immensely proud that his eldest was one as well.

Prudence, his mother and a muggle, handed him a heavy official looking envelope. It was made of parchment, Kingsley noted with some excitement.

Mr K. Shacklebolt

Shared Bedroom

Mortimer Street

London

Greater London

He tore it open quickly and read out the most important sentence out of the whole letter, "Dear Mr Kingsley Shacklebolt, we are pleased to inform you that have been awarded a place in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

"Well done, son!" congratulated Ken, pulling his work hat on his head and rummaging in his pocket. He handing his son a coin.

Kingsley looked down at it in amazement. It was two whole crowns, half a pound!

"Dad?" he breathed in amazement.

"That's for getting into Hogwarts and for becoming eleven," Ken informed his tall, lanky son solemnly with twinkling eyes. "Spend it well."

Kingsley nodded in happiness; this was the best birthday ever!

"We'll have to make a trip to Diagon Alley soon," said Prue happily, she always liked to shop much to the chagrin of her husband and sons.

14th June 1970

Frank Longbottom was sleeping peacefully when something soft and fuzzy landed on his head. The young boy blearily opened his eyes only to see a lot of feathers.

"Wha-?" he mumbled and felt something on his nose. "Ah-choo!"

The feathers were suddenly no longer in his line of vision. He then heard an indignant hoot. Feeling curious, despite the fact he was just awake, Frank sat himself up and stared across the room. His eyes locked with the amber eyes of a tawny owl. He jumped, definitely not expecting to have an owl wake him up.

"Huh?" Frank asked stupidly, he glanced at his clock. It read 06:00, it was way too early.

The owl ruffled its feathers importantly, fluttered its wings and dropped an envelope in his lap. He stared blankly at it. It was made of very heavy, official looking parchment and was written on in emerald green ink.

Mr F. Longbottom

Heir's Suite

Longbottom Manor

Just outside Preston

Lancashire

He blinked at the envelope and his brain slowly caught up with his vision. This was his Hogwarts letter! The very thing all eleven year old witches and witches dreamed of!

Frank was just about to jump out of bed and run downstairs to inform his parents that his letter had finally come when he remembered who and what he was. Pureblood heirs did not act like plebeians. They had style and knew how to act correctly.

Sighing somewhat sadly Frank wrapped his blankets around him again. He didn't know whether to be glad that he had remembered that or not. He knew that he had to act like the noble heir to the Longbottom name like he was but sometimes he wished he didn't have to keep up such appearances. His parents weren't that strict like some families, cough, cough, The Blacks, but they did expect him to act a certain way in certain places.

It wasn't as if the Hogwarts letter was going to be a surprise anyway. Frank had been doing large pieces of accidental magic from when he was five years old, which was sort of early for an average wizard. His parents had been so proud when he had made his tie tie itself around his lampshade when they were preparing for a Pureblood Party.

It was all a load of rubbish was Frank's last conscious thought as he drifted off into the land of dreams again.

20th June 1970

The African family wove their way through Diagon Alley. Thankfully it wasn't quite the summer holidays left so there weren't many people there.

"Why couldn't we have gotten my uniform and robes months ago, when we got my books," complained Kingsley. It was such a fine day today; he could be getting into all sorts of mischief with his mates.

Prue tutted lightly and glanced at the list she had made. "I told you, King; you've shot up like a weed since Christmas. What would the point have been in me spending good money on something you never got the chance to wear?"

Kingsley sent a grumble at her in reply. Hayden was eagerly drinking in the sights of Diagon Alley like only a soon-to-be eight year old could. Kingsley had to grudgingly admit that he was still amazed at the wonders that were in wizard shops.

Ken had gone up to Gringotts, the wizarding bank, and would meet them at the Robe Shop.

"Why can't I go?" whined Hayden for the umpteenth time since Kingsley had received his Hogwarts letter.

"You're too young," replied Prue impatiently, looking all around her. "Where did your father say was Madame Malkin's again?"

Kingsley shrugged unhelpfully, the longer he stayed away from any clothes shop the better.

"Ah, here it is," his mother exclaimed cheerfully, she always did enjoy shopping. Kingsley swore she thought that he and Hayden were dress up dolls sometimes.

Kingsley's eyes followed his mother's pointing finger to see a swinging sign declaring the shop to be 'Madame Malkin's-Robes for all occasions!' Groaning, he followed his mother into the dreaded shop. Hayden was grinning, thankful that he didn't have to get any new clothes today.

'Ding' the bell over the door announced their presence. An old woman shuffled out of a back room and approached them.

"Hogwarts?" she croaked, Prue nodded. "Betsy! Fetch the tape measure and robes," she called hoarsely.

A young girl about Kingsley's age ran out, her dirty blonde hair tied into two tight braids with rose ribbons.

"My granddaughter," the old woman, who must be Madame Malkin, explained. "Off to Hogwarts this year, leaving me alone."

"Sophie's gon' help, Gran," said the girl, Betsy, while she handed him a robe.

Madame Malkin sniffed, "Whole lot of good your air head of a sister will be. Up on the stool lad, I don't got all day!"

Kingsley hopped onto the stool and pulled on the oversized robes. They were so long that they hit the floor! The school robes felt very heavy, Kingsley had never worn robes before, and his father had always preferred the Muggle style of dressing.

"You need shirts and stuff as well?" Madame Malkin enquired gruffly.

"Yes," replied Prue. "But not shoes. We'll be getting those in the Muggle world."

Madame Malkin screwed up her face in displeasure and muttered, "Muggle shoes. Wizard ones not good enough, eh?" She then cuffed the young girl, who was arranging other robes on a nearby rack, around the back of the head. "Betsy! Didn't I want the tape measure?"

"Sorry Gran," Betsy said not at all contritely, scurrying over to the counter.

She pulled a face behind the old woman's back making Kingsley chuckle. He got a poke from a pin for his trouble. Betsy handed the sought tape measure over and Madame Malkin tapped it once with her wand and it was soon zooming all around him measuring him everywhere. It measured around his waist, between his waist and feet and even the distance between his shoulder and elbow!

"How many robes?" snapped Madam Malkin at Prue. Prue consulted her shopping list which had all the prices of everything plus how much money they had to spend.

"Just the one, thanks," said Prue, anxiously looking out to the street for dad.

"Come back in half and hour. Pay half now." The old woman said once she grabbed the errant tape measure which was now measuring the distance between him and the ceiling.

Luckily enough Ken strode through the doors. "All finished?" he asked cheerfully, he must have had a pint in the Leaky Cauldron and caught up with some mates.

"Pretty much," replied Kingsley, shrugging off the robes in relief as Prue parted with some money.

Ken clapped him on the back, making him fall off the stool. "Good! Just got your Potions stuff and wand to get and we may have some change for an ice cream."

"Yay!" chorused Kingsley and Hayden, rushing impatiently to the door.

The Potions ingredients didn't take anywhere near as long to buy. Kingsley was fascinated with the serpent eyes and the shimmering dragon scales. What on earth could you make with all of this?

Finally the best part of the whole shopping trip had come, his was getting his wand! He couldn't get it during the first shopping trip because his parents hadn't saved up enough money.

The small family entered the odd shop. Hayden sneezed, his asthma acting up because of all the dust in the place. Kingsley felt as if he had to stay quiet, like he was in a library. There were boxes piled everywhere. He looked closely at them to see what was inside but there were no labels. He was just about to lift the lid off one box when a voice came from the shadows.

"Ah, new customers!" said an old yet wise voice. "Kenneth Kingsley, 10 ¼ inches, cedar with a dragon heart string!"

Kingsley saw his father nod apprehensively in the direction which the voice was coming from.

Suddenly an old man appeared right in front of him. Where did he come from? The man had these weird silvery eyes as if they could see right inside your head. It was rather creepy and Kingsley couldn't help but stare.

"Kingsley's turn today, Ollivander," announced Ken, pushing Kingsley forwards.

Ollivander nodded, looked at him for a moment and suddenly he wasn't in front of him any more but halfway up a ladder gathering boxes!

"Try this, Dogwood, 11 inches exactly, griffin wing feather," and a wand was shoved into his hand. Kingsley didn't feel a tingling as his dad had described when recounting his Hogwarts memories. It was just a cold bit of wood in his hand.

"No, no. That's obviously not it. How about Elm, 9 ½ inches with snake venom."

The wand let off with a terrific bang but nothing else happened. It felt wrong in Kingsley's hand, as if it didn't want to work with him.

"Nearly there," Ollivander muttered. "What shall it be?" he shook a few boxes and handed one to Kingsley. "This ought to be it…"

A tingle of heat ran through his finger tips and all the way up his arm. A beam of blue light shone from the wand. Was this his?

Hayden and Prue clapped appreciatively while Kenneth just beamed proudly.

"That's the one!" said Ollivander, his odd eyes lighting up. "Rigid elm, 9 inches with the tail hair of a female unicorn which I must say is odd. This wand is for those who pay attention to detail. That will be five galleons!"

4th July 1970

Frank tried his hardest not to look too bored as he and his mother finally left Madame Malkin's. He knew appearances were important and all that but what boy wants to hang around in a clothes shop all day? He definitely didn't. Frank shot a look of longing at the Quality Quidditch Supplies Shop but followed his mother obediently to Ollivander's. Yes, he was excited about finally getting his own wand but what boy dislikes Quidditch?

"Come, Frank," commanded Augusta, readjusting her vulture hat (which privately freaked Frank out a bit) and strode purposely towards the dingy wand shop.

If he didn't know what type of shop this was, Frank wouldn't have been at all interested in the dusty boxes but he knew that it contained the very thing all young witches and wizards longed to get. If their head house elf, Moppy, came in here she would have to be restrained so she wouldn't clean it.

"Ahhh, Augusta Longbottom, twelve inches of the most rigid Fir with a Unicorn hair. Who have we here?" a man asked them, he'd just appeared in front of them, how did he do that?

Augusta gave the bald man a curt nod. "Ollivander. This is Frank Longbottom, my son and heir to the Ancient House of Longbottom."

Ollivander turned his gaze onto Frank. He thought he felt a slight brush on his Occulemency shield but he could have imagined it because it was gone before it fully registered with him.

"Ah, I should have known,"

Augusta was getting impatient and it showed in her tone when replying, "Yes, yes. Can we?"

"But of course. Let's get started." The odd man disappeared behind a row of shelves and came back almost a second later carrying a pile of boxes.

"Try this, thirteen inch, laurel with a griffin feather core. Very springy."

Frank cautiously took the offered wand and gave it a wave (he had been instructed on what to do before he even left the house). Nothing happened.

"No, no, should have known. Maybe Silver lime and Snake venom will work,"

This wand caused a window to crack, which was fixed by a wave of Ollivander's own wand. The next five didn't work either, the last being snatched from his very hand almost as soon as he took it.

Ollivander seemed to be happy, strange, strange man.

"This is a pliable eleven inch cedar with a phoenix feather core, "

This was the one. The wand felt like it belonged in his hand, perfect.

"This is for those who are courageous and have the need and strength to do what is right. Use it well," was Ollivander's parting words.

10th July 1970

You have been invited to the Annual Longbottom Summer Gathering.

Floo Address: Longbottom Manor Entrance Room

Date: 25th August

Please send you acceptance/refusal by owl before the 20th August

Thank You

Facta non verba

11th July 1970

James,

Are you coming to the 'Gathering'? You better. I do not want to spend the whole day making small talk with Lucius Malfoy! Mum's gone and invited the Lestrange's this year. So you've got to help. Didn't you say Catherine had some bother with a Lestrange? Robert or something?

I've got all my Hogwarts stuff. Diagon Alley has never been so fascinating! It's odd how something so normal can be so amazing. It's like I was a muggleborn. Mum and dad have informed me that I have to read at least the first chapter of each text book before I go off. Apparently there is no way the heir of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom will enter Hogwarts knowing absolutely nothing of his classes. I have an honour to uphold.

How has your summer been going? Did you go to Ireland? We didn't do much, visited my Aunt. Tried to mingle with cousins, never want to do that again. They're all so childish.

Would it be possible for you to come over for a day or so? I'm honestly very bored.

Yours sincerely,

Frank Longbottom

Facta non verba

15th July 1970

Frankie!

Haven't heard from you in ages, mate. Think you're too good for likes of me now that you're heading off to Hogwarts? Be warned, I'm only a year behind!

I don't know if we're going or not. You know my parents hate going. Most people your mum invites always look down on us. Why can't more families like the Prewetts or McKinnon's go? Those families are brilliant! Gideon and Fabian are great laughs! Lucius Malfoy is going, the pasty skinned idiot? If he's there I don't know if I want to go.

The bloke who was bothering Cathy in Hogwarts is called Rabastian Lestrange but her mum had taught her a wicked hex to keep him away. It switches your kneecaps around! I've been staying out of her way for the past couple of days just in case she figures out that I was the one who tie dyed her sheets…..

We went to Ireland and had a good time. Though we did too much 'scenic walking' in my opinion.

Not sure if I can come round. I'll check. Apparently I need to get new dress robes. Now that I'm ten I have to get heir's robes now, fun. I don't want to spend an hour colour picking and fabric choosing, save me!

Your friend,

James

1st September 1970

10:30

Kingsley had arrived early at the train station, one of the perks of living in London. He was glad that he had found a carriage all to himself. His mum hadn't been able to hang around on the station. She had work to get to. It felt odd being in a normal looking uniform to go to a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All he had to do was stick his robes on when he got closer to the school.

He hadn't wanted to mention to anyone how nervous he felt, Hayden thought he was happy to go to Hogwarts and couldn't wait to get there. Well, it was true but one more day with his family wouldn't have hurt. And what if he didn't make any friends? Kingsley had left a bunch behind, boys he had practically grown up with.

"Can I sit here?" a voice asked him, startling him out of his thoughts.

Looking up he saw the girl who was Madame Malkin's granddaughter, only this time her plaits were fastened with first year ribbons (which, like the ties, were grey and black).

"Hey, I know you!" said the girl. "You went to my Gran's shop. Well most people come to the shop. But still! My name's Elizabeth Malkin, what's yours?"

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, nice to meet you Elizabeth," Kingsley replied and shook her outstretched hand

Elizabeth scrunched up her nose. "Don't call me that, I prefer Elsie."

"Your Gran called you Betsy," Kingsley pointed out, remembering something.

Elsie shuddered. "Yeah, I know. She's awful old-fashioned."

"Don't you like your Gran?" asked Kingsley, Madame Malkin didn't appear to be the warmest of people, certainly nothing like most grandmothers

"She's alright. Can't complain really. She's all me an' my sisters have. Without her we could be all split up or in the Ministry Orphanage," she answered ruefully.

Finding a talking point (he wasn't used to speaking with girls) he began talking. "I have I younger brother, he's eight. How many sisters do you have?"

"Four, no parents, like you've probably guessed by now. I'm the oldest. Sophie's nine, Linda's eight, Karen's six and Little Fay is three. She's the baby."

"Wow, that's a lot of people," commented Kingsley, where did they all stay?

Elsie shrugged. "They're family. So what house do you think you'll be in?"

10:55

Frank was relieved to finally get on the train. This was a moment he would keep forever. The sight of the gleaming scarlet train was enough to excite everyone. He made his way carefully through the crowd of people, taking care not to jostle his trunk and eagle owl, Regio.

"Have a good time, son" his father told him before shaking his hand warmly.

"Do well in school and write at least once a week," added his mother and gave him a brief hug, which surprised Frank, she wasn't really a demonstrative person.

Frank promised his parents that he would do well and said his goodbyes. His father helped him on board with his heavy trunk and then cast a feather light charm on it so he could heave it onto the luggage rack himself once he found a carriage.

He trailed down the train, looking for someone he knew. Frank knew a fair amount of the second and third year purebloods but he either didn't like them or didn't want to seem like he couldn't make his own friends. Jacqueline Potter walked past, gave him a friendly nod and waved to girl with long curly, red hair in a Slytherin uniform.

Eventually he found a carriage with only two people in it. They were first years as well, he could tell by the ties. There was a dark skinned boy and a fair haired girl, who had a fuzzy ginger ball of fluff on her lap.

"Would I be able to sit in here?" Frank asked politely.

"Of course!" chirped the girl. "We won't mind. The more of us the merrier! My name's Elizabeth Malkin, but like I told Kingsley here, I prefer Elsie! I can't wait to get to Hogwarts, I've been seeing people get ready for years now it's finally my turn. My sisters are all so jealous."

Frank barely kept track of the girl's rapid fire monologue and blurted out the first thing that registered in his mind. "Malkin? Any relative of Madame Malkin in Diagon Alley?"

"She's my Gran, I saw you there weeks ago. Not very social are you?"

The other boy rolled his eyes at the girl and held out his hand for him to shake, "Kingsley Shacklebolt."

"Frank Longbottom, heir to my House, pureblood," he replied formally

"Halfblood," said Kingsley, pointing at himself. "What are you Elsie?"

The girl began to ramble again; she sure liked to talk a lot. "I'm not sure. My dad was a pureblood but mum was a half-blood to muggleborn parents. What does that make me?"

This was going to be a long trip

17:05

The train had finally stopped, Kingsley was nearly at Hogwarts! He couldn't wait to see it; all his dad's pictures didn't have any good shots of the actual castle.

He clambered out of the train, following Frank Longbottom. He hoped he could be friends with him. It seemed like there were even more people on this station. Flipping heck and he thought London during rush hour was bad. It was nothing to squeezing hundreds of children together with all sorts of luggage.

It was a fun journey, the three of them were hopefully becoming good friends, though he was a bit unsure about Elsie, she was a girl but she was alright.

"First years, first years! Over 'ere!" called a giant of a man.

"That's Hagrid, the Gamekeeper," Frank informed him.

"You're massive!" exclaimed Elsie causing him and Frank to groan.

Hagrid just beamed at her and motioned them towards the boats. "No more than four ter a boat," he told them. Elsie dragged both of them into the nearest one, making it rock precariously. Kingsley was nervous; he'd never been in a boat before.

Another girl clambered into the boat with them. She had long brown hair with a snooty expression.

"My name is Leila Lestrange," she proclaimed haughtily. "Who are you?"

"Frank Longbottom," Frank said, raising Leila's hand to kiss her knuckles.

Kingsley waved from his position furthest away from her. "Kingsley Shacklebolt and this is Elsie Malkin." He didn't want Elsie to give this girl any bad impressions of them. He needn't have feared Elsie was glaring viciously at her.

"Finally, some proper company," Leila said to Frank, pointedly ignoring him and Elsie. "You would not believe them amount of mudbloods I came across."

Frank shifted uncomfortably on his seat.

17:30

They were just about to enter the Great Hall for their Sorting. Frank was glad; he had had enough of Leila Lestrange and all her prejudice ways. She was more annoying than that Malkin girl!

"Come," announced Professor McGonagall, reappearing with a scroll.

All first years were soon lined up in front of the Great Hall with hundreds of eyes upon them. It was slightly disconcerting.

The sorting hat was sitting on a three legged stool just in front of him. Frank stared curiously at it, what was everyone waiting for?

Suddenly the tear (or what Frank thought was a tear) opened and the hat began to sing!

I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I'm the best of all

I am here to sort you

So you can see where you may fall

It is early days at the moment

But I fear I must warn you

To stand together, tall and proud

Cause someone's trying to split us, who?

We are all very different

Red, blue, yellow and green

Woven together but still divided

Producing the finest magicals ever seen

You may belong in the Snake pit

Where they look for cunning and ambition

Dear old Salazar worked best with those

Who had pure dedication

The nest is were the wise roost

They have their wits about them

Rowena horded all the students

Who were creative gems

What about the lion's den?

Dare you enter there?

Godric would be most pleased

If you were courageous enough to bear

The badger's sett could be home

If you are just and true

Helga didn't discriminate

Wouldn't this be you?

So in which house do you belong?

You're bound to fit in one

So put me on your head already

And let's begin the fun!

Frank clapped along with everyone else; it was quite impressive for a hat to come up with a decent song like that. He was rubbish at such things, no ear for music at all.

"Alden Ethan"

HUFFLEPUFF

"Barnes Bethany"

SLYTHERIN

"Beckett Joseph"

HUFFLEPUFF

The ceiling was just as his parents described, perfectly showing the weather outside, the final rays of daylight sunk over the horizon. The Hall must be lit with a thousand candles, all twinkling overhead. The silver plates glinted as the candlelight flickered over them.

"Lestrange Leila"

SLYTHERIN

Frank sighed in relief, he knew that there was no way that he would be going to Slytherin, so it was all good.

"Little Lucinda"

GRYFFINDOR

"Longbottom Frank"

Frank took a deep calming breath and strode purposely towards the stool, head held high to hide his nerves.

Ah, you have brains Frank Longbottom.

Hello, Hat.

It's no fun doing this to purebloods, they know what to expect most of the time

….

Like I said before, you have plenty of brains but you aren't the most bookish of people. Ravenclaw would not suit you. You are loyal to those you are close to but how hard is it to get close to you? Hufflepuff may not help. Slytherin is a definite no-no so better be

GRYFFINDOR

17:45

"Malkin Elizabeth"

Elizabeth practically skipped up to the stool much to the amusement of those sitting at the end of the House tables.

HUFFLEPUFF

The hat screamed almost as soon as it hit her head. Soon it would be Kingsley's turn. He wiped his sweaty hands on his robes, anxiously yet eagerly awaiting his turn.

"Quigley Harold"

RAVENCLAW

"Ramsey Mabel"

GRYFFINDOR

"Rowan Jordan"

SLYTHERIN

"Royce Albert"

SLYTHERIN

"Scott Daniel"

GRYFINDOR

"Savage, Callum"

RAVENCLAW

"Shacklebolt, Kingsley"

If you asked him later Kingsley would swear that he didn't remember stumbling out of the line and to the stool. He did, however remember the Hat going over his eyes

Ah, I see wit and brains and eagerness to do the best you can.

Huh?

You always did try to do your best in school even if you had to look after your brother. I know where you belong…

RAVENCLAW!