Gryffindor Golf
Chapter 2 of 2
dmf1984A/N: This story disregards all of HBP and DH (years 6 and 7 of canon). What if someone born on the 29th of February only aged a year on that exact date? "Brian" celebrated his 12th birthday on 29 February 2008.
Chapter 02/??
Gryffindor Golf
Professor Minerva McGonagall needn't have worried over the Sorting Hat's placement of her son in Gryffindor House. On the rare second Sorting Ceremony that Sunday evening, he and three other late-arriving students learned of their House assignments. In fact, each House at Hogwarts gained a far more international flair that night: an American, a Nigerian, an Albanian and an Argentine rounded out the foursome of newly Sorted students.
There was not a moment's hesitation when she placed the shabby-looking magical hat upon his head; it shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" with unmistakable enthusiasm. McGonagall chanced a look up to the head table and saw Dumbledore joining in the applause as the rowdy young people welcomed Brian to their table; Minerva could tell that the elder wizard was pleased when he gave her a tiny salute with his wine goblet.
Gabriel Unegbu, a tall, handsome Nigerian boy, was placed in Ravenclaw; Tandi Hysaj, a delicately-featured Albanian girl, in Hufflepuff; and, though there was more of an indecisive delay from the Sorting Hat, Argentine Leilia Barberis was sorted to Slytherin House. She practically dwarfed her classmates when she joined Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle at the end table.
Dumbledore was leaning over to congratulate Professor Sprout on her new student when Minerva returned to the staff table. He turned to McGonagall and whispered: "Happy now, dearest?" He couldn't help teasing her at every opportunity, but he knew she was overjoyed at the homecoming of their son. If the truth be told, so was he.
She took a sip of her tea. "Very. And I had absolutely nothing to do with it," she whispered back. Dumbledore knew beyond all doubt that she was to be believed; he felt, and heard, her sigh of happiness at his right shoulder. "Brian is so handsome in his school robes, Albus."
His eyes twinkled at her with affection. "Thank you, my love," he said quietly, knowing that he was going to get a smack later for that one. Even at their ages, they could still flirt with one another, and had actually gotten quite good at being subtle about it with decades of practice. Though she turned from him to speak to Professor Flitwick seated at her right, Minerva snuck a hand under the tablecloth and squeezed Dumbledore's upper thigh. To her immense pleasure, Albus jumped guiltily and covered it by shifting his chair. She heard him groan softly and knew she had excited him; it sounded like he was clearing his throat, but she knew him well enough to know what it really meant.
Much later that evening, after the second Sorting dinner, he returned the favor in their private quarters and reminded her just how much he appreciated that Minerva McGonagall had agreed to be his wife. Not that they needed it, but seeing Brian again reminded them of how much, and for how long, they had truly loved each other.
-/-/-/-/-/-
The month of September at Hogwarts shone crisp and cool, and Brian joined his first-year classmates in having the time of their lives. Busy times they were: with no less than seven courses, and an introduction to broomstick flying, there were numerous lessons and assignments to work through.
Monday through Thursday mornings were scheduled for Gryffindor first-year students in Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall (first period), followed by Charms with Professor Flitwick (second period). Friday mornings were a bit of a challenge since they had Double Potions with Professor Snape and were scheduled with Slytherin first years at the same time. Not many of the young Gryffindor lions would claim this course as their favorite: the Potions master was also head of Slytherin House and favored his own pupils above all others.
By the time the noonday bell sounded, all of the students were ready for a break; there was only so much information that you could cram into your brain before your body started complaining. It took Brian and his classmates a few days to become accustomed to the manner with which their food arrived to the long table, but after that, no one startled the way they had on the first dinner night. They even grew accustomed to the company of the castle's ghosts: Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington was the Gryffindor ghost, and he often joined them at mealtimes and in study hall. Following the older students' lead, Brian made sure that he addressed him as "Sir Nicholas" and not "Nearly Headless Nick." Ghosts had feelings too.
Monday through Thursday afternoons saw the Gryffindor first years concentrating on Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Quirrell, a nervous sort of wizard who always wore an odd purple turban wrapped around his head. As a Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor of some renown, he also smelled strongly of garlic; it was said that vampires all over Europe would love to chance a meeting with him to, well, "repay" what he'd done to some of their brethren in the past.
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, they finished their classes for the day with Professor Sprout in greenhouse one and Herbology. Monday and Wednesday, their last class of the day was History of Magic with Professor Binns, the only ghost instructor at Hogwarts. Fortunately or not, this period was ideal for a bit of a nap as he droned on and on (and on) about this or that Goblin war. It was a good thing too, since Gryffindors were scheduled for Wednesday Astronomy at midnight with Professor Sinistra, a pale witch who rarely came down from her tower in the daytime. She was stern but fair, and most students liked her courses.
Brian fit in well with his classmates; some were from Muggle families, some were from so-called "pure-blood" wizarding families, and some were from families that fell in between. As both McGonagall and Dumbledore quietly noted, he seemed to be making friends and struggling along just as the other students did in trying to acquaint themselves with the magical world. Within the first two weeks, he was just as swamped as they were in homework: rolls and rolls of parchment needed to complete essays, research papers and worksheets which were assigned to them. And who was it that seemed to give out the most homework? It was neck and neck between Professors Snape and McGonagall, but at least he included his own Slytherin students in the suffering.
Rollins labored under enormous books checked out from the library, often helping Hermione or Neville or one of the others in his year to carry some of them back to the Gryffindor common room. Other than his distinctly American way of speaking, there was nothing extraordinary that really set him apart from the pack; his homework and his handwriting were nothing special. His parents worried illogically about this, Minerva more than Albus, but Dumbledore explained this to himself as her "mother-hen" tendency. Of course, he never actually said this aloud; she'd probably not like the joke.
That is, until Harry Potter started training as the youngest Quidditch Seeker in centuries. While some students were practicing their broomstick flying under the supervision of Madam Hooch (she offered extra sessions after each group of first years had met in the first week of school), Brian was swimming the lake that lay adjacent to the school grounds. While other students were practicing their wand skills or reading volumes upon volumes of wizarding history, Brian was befriending the giant squid which lived in the lake. In short, if it was daylight and free time, he was in the lake, as much at home in the water as he was on land. He reckoned he could write essays when it was too dark to swim.
A few of the other students (even some who were not in the first year) tried to go for a dip when he did, but they soon discovered two very important things. One, that they were nowhere near as strong a swimmer as he; and two that the water was really, really cold. Whenever someone asked Brian about this, he just shrugged and laughed in his self-deprecating way, saying that he was used to cold water from back home in Maine. All he ever wore on these excursions was an old pair of blue swim trunks, borrowed from one of his dorm-mates.
He seemed to have no reason to fear the merpeople or the grindylows either. Once, when a pack of grindylows got too close and nearly had his swim trunks off, half of them were soundly thrashed by the giant squid. Just remember: grindylows aren't too bright.
It was customary for Hogwarts faculty to gather together on a late Friday afternoon, once a month, for cocktails, camaraderie and gossip. The staff conference room had a nice balcony overlooking the lake, and Dumbledore arranged for light snacks and drinks to be served while they enjoyed the sunset before dinner in the Great Hall. There was no theme for the gathering, and neither was attendance required, but nearly the entire faculty made it a point to show up and at least speak to the Headmaster for five minutes. Some of them genuinely liked each other and had worked together since their own student days. A few of them had to work on their social skills and temporarily declare no hostilities during the "second Friday truces."
On this particular Friday, the second one in September, Hagrid joined the party and found himself on the balcony with Professor Sprout discussing bird life of Great Britain. Both armed, so to speak, with Omnioculars, they were scanning the near shore for any new species to add to their respective life lists.
"Oh, look!" exclaimed Hagrid to his birding partner. "Go, laddie! Go!"
She misunderstood his enthusiasm and tried to find the bird in the direction he was searching. "A new one, Hagrid?"
He chuckled. "Nope, not exactly, Perfessor. The Yank has just about reached the other side of the lake this time." The Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts fell easily into using the student-given nickname for Brian. Not original, sure, but descriptive enough to suffice; and he was the only American at Hogwarts.
"My stars," said Professor Sprout. "I've heard some of the students talking about this. Apparently Brian set himself a high goal right from the start of term. A few of my Hufflepuffs are hoping to work up to just getting in and getting wet." She giggled at the thought.
McGonagall just heard "Brian" and "lake," and was out on the balcony in a flash, rushing from the hors d'oeuvres table inside. She hid the worried look in her eyes by asking to borrow a set of Omnioculars. Sure enough, there he was; her son's arms angling out of the water in a powerful crawl stroke followed by a graceful glide. It seemed effortless. Moments later, as she and several others (who had by now conjured up their own viewers) watched with bated breath, he waded out and sat on the far bank of the lake. Minerva zoomed in as much as she could across the mile or so distance and froze the view frame on his smile of triumph. Professor Flitwick and one or two of the others burst out into spontaneous applause.
Dumbledore laughed, delighted. "Well done, boy! Well done." He had moved quietly to McGonagall's side and elbowed her gently in the ribs. She ignored him, but he heard her sudden gasp as Brian dove back in and started across again. Below them on the near shore, a dozen or more student spectators were still cheering and cat-calling to him across the lake. Fred and George Weasley had somehow conjured up small brass air horns apiece and were blowing them raucously.
"Huh, not much rest for the trip back," commented Hagrid, taking a sip from his huge tankard of ale.
"I hope, Headmaster, that you are not considering a special award for this feat," said Snape waspishly. "Provided that he survives, of course."
Albus turned to look at his Potions master, still smiling benignly. "Not at all, Severus. I certainly couldn't do it. In fact, I don't think it's ever been done without magic." He fervently hoped that Minerva wouldn't give herself away by clawing the man's eyes out for speaking so ill of her child.
Flitwick sniggered from the deckchair he was standing on, contentedly tasting his cocktail. "Without magic? No, thank you." Several around him chuckled and raised their glasses, including Professor Binns (his ghostly goblet had nothing in it, but a toast is a toast).
Snape inclined his head slightly, a tight non-smile upon his lips. "I meant no harm to Mr. Rollins, clearly. What I should have said is that his time might be better spent on his studies. His spectators might consider the same."
McGonagall forced a sardonic chuckle. "The lake is not out of bounds, Professor Snape, and the students of my House seem to make the most of their recreation." Professors Sprout and Hooch shared a glance of raised eyebrows at this concession by their old schoolmate. She'd justifiably earned a reputation as a very studious witch, both as a student and as a teacher.
"Besides," added Dumbledore lightly, "Mr. Rollins was raised by Muggles and does not yet know of our... amusements." He laughed again and returned to his Omnioculars as Snape quietly went back inside.
"It is as you say," Snape finished, sotto voce.
For the faculty spectators who remained on the balcony, the next quarter hour was spent watching Brian and making quiet comments to each other, remarking on his swimming style or on his persistence (or both). Some of them even found themselves muttering encouragements to him, not that he could hear.
Hagrid, taking up the role of commentator, spoke more loudly as Brian got closer to the near shore. "Here we are, Yankee. Nearly home." He paused dramatically as the water behind the swimmer began to churn, tiny waves splashing here and there. "Uh oh. Grindylows."
"Come on," muttered McGonagall, urging him to the finish. Most of those who heard mistakenly thought she was concerned as his Head of House. Albus knew better.
As they watched, Brian kicked harder once or twice and nearly faltered. Someone on the shore screamed as they probably saw the grindylows trying to distract him from his goal by tugging on his feet or legs. And then, just as suddenly, a giant tentacle swept from below the water and not fewer than five grindylows flew through the air and landed high in a tree. The students cheered, turning in surprise when they heard the faculty above them doing the same. Brian reached the bank and waded out of the water, breathing hard but grinning, gratefully taking a wool blanket from one of his comrades. They could see him give Fred a surprised look before he courteously waved up to the faculty who were viewing from the balcony.
"Well played, Squid. Well played," said Dumbledore, admiration in his voice. "That nickname sounds much better than Yank, don't you think?" He caught his wife watching him and he winked. All she could do was wink back, shaking her head in fond exasperation. As they looked on, Brian leaned down and patted the giant animal's tentacles, obviously having one more conversation before he left the lake for the day.
Above them all, the tower bell sounded, echoing across the water and bouncing off the mountain peaks on the other side. Albus held out his arm in a gallant gesture; Minerva on one side and Pomona Sprout on the other. "Ah," he said brightly to the two witches. "Dinner and a show."
TBC
A/N: rather weird, I know, but I needed a set-up for later! Honest.
Story Actions
To follow, favorite, like, and more either log in or create an account.
Leave a Review
Log in to leave a review.
Latest 25 Reviews for What if?
8 Reviews | 5.0/10 Average
How very interesting.... will there be more?
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
By the way, I absolutely love the way you write Albus and Minerva and how they interact with each other - perfection in my opinion!But.... I'm having difficulty with the only aging every leap year - does that mean he's going to be in each year at Hogwarts for 4 years? Starting to get a bit worried.... if he's 48 years old when he's only 11.... not understanding that bit, and I am guessing that since Harry, Neville and Hermione are all first years here as well - in 2008 - this is an alternate universe?
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Howdy and thanks very much!Yes, there is much more posted over at fanfiction.net (same title and I use my same author name). I'm up to chapter 30 or 31 over there (and currently working on more outlines that have me in the year for Chamber of Secrets...)My idea regarding the leap year aging is based, of all things, on "The Pirates of Penzance". When Brian celebrates his 12th birthday, he will actually be 48 years old. He is not aging as we think he should due, in part, to his magic.Anyway, that's my theory. Thanks again!
OMG I freaking LOVE this - I hope, PRAY that the date at the bottom of this posting isn't really from 2008 - does that mean this story has been abandoned????? *begs* Oh please.... do something with this! ITS TOO AWESOME!
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
I promise this is not abandoned! I have been posting much more regularly over at www.fanfiction.net.See you there?
I am sooo glad you are posting over here! A question dawned on me... Did Hagrid only collect Brian at the airport? Or did he go all the way to America to get him?I think I have said this before, I find this story so very interesting. I am so happy Minvera gets to teach her son. *sniff* I also like the attention to detail you paid about Sprout's and Minerva's hats, as well as Poppy's smoothing of the tiny wrinkle, tee hee. She strikes me as one who would pay very close attention to what goes on in the Hospital wing.,Stef
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Hiya Stef,No, Hagrid just had to go to Heathrow Airport; Brian's travel instructions were to arrive there, and then make his way from the International arrivals hall to Kings' Cross train station. Travel in London is pretty straightforward once you are familiar with the maps!Yeah, Poppy strikes me as someone who REALLY pays attention to stuff that goes on in her hospital wing.More adventures to come, and I am very glad to hear you are still enjoying the story as it develops so slowly.TTFN,Dianne
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Hiya Stef,No, Hagrid just had to go to Heathrow Airport; Brian's travel instructions were to arrive there, and then make his way from the International arrivals hall to Kings' Cross train station. Travel in London is pretty straightforward once you are familiar with the maps!Yeah, Poppy strikes me as someone who REALLY pays attention to stuff that goes on in her hospital wing.More adventures to come, and I am very glad to hear you are still enjoying the story as it develops so slowly.TTFN,Dianne
I am so happy that Brian was sorted into Gryffindor. I like your explaination of all their school work and the teachers. Poor Minerva, I imagine it is hard watching over him but not able, at the moment, to reveal her secret. Truly a mother-hen.(And I think it was smart for Albus not to share his little joke, ha ha.)That is some feat, swimming across the lake like that. For some reason, I started getting images of Phelps in my head, lol. Why is that?Awesome chapter, lady!Cheers,Stef
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Heh. Was there ever any doubt that he wouldn't be a hard-headed Gryffindor? Plus, you know I love scarlet and gold!I'm glad you liked the school schedule stuff. Rather an occupational hazard (ok, it's an OCD of mine), but I took JKRs foundation and built a calendar from it. She's well-known for an occasional lack of attention to details, but that is certainly forgivable in my mind.I wasn't thinking exactly of Phelps, but that fits, doesn't it? I loved the lake part of GoF; I love to swim; and, it seems a waste to omit all of that lovely scenery, even if the water truly is fah-reezing cold!Thanks very much for the review. This story is really growing on me and it is rather fun to write.
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Heh. Was there ever any doubt that he wouldn't be a hard-headed Gryffindor? Plus, you know I love scarlet and gold!I'm glad you liked the school schedule stuff. Rather an occupational hazard (ok, it's an OCD of mine), but I took JKRs foundation and built a calendar from it. She's well-known for an occasional lack of attention to details, but that is certainly forgivable in my mind.I wasn't thinking exactly of Phelps, but that fits, doesn't it? I loved the lake part of GoF; I love to swim; and, it seems a waste to omit all of that lovely scenery, even if the water truly is fah-reezing cold!Thanks very much for the review. This story is really growing on me and it is rather fun to write.
I love the love your Albus and Minerva show each other. And Brian has the best of both of his parents. I can't wait to read how he takes the news. Another brilliant chapter. Well done.
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Thanks very much! I hope you continue to enjoy the story...it's a slowsky for sure.
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Thanks very much! I hope you continue to enjoy the story...it's a slowsky for sure.
Oh I love Albus and Minerva stories and they have a son on top of that. This is great. Oh man, I just had a thought, how are the other children going to react to this information, as well as Brian?
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
It will be a lengthy process for Brian to even find out, I should think. As for the other students (and faculty, etc.), it might not be a good idea to spread this type of news around.The bad guys might take advantage!Thanks very much for the review; further adventures are definitely planned.
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
It will be a lengthy process for Brian to even find out, I should think. As for the other students (and faculty, etc.), it might not be a good idea to spread this type of news around.The bad guys might take advantage!Thanks very much for the review; further adventures are definitely planned.
What a cute premiss! I noticed it on the list of new stories and it caught my eye! Very clever. I'm wondering though, is he eleven because he is born on leap year, so he did't actually age? That's so amazing! And I love his name... Brain... hehehehe... good idea! Shell~
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Hi Shell, and thanks very much! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the first bit as there's much more to come. We'll have to re-visit the aging pieces a little later, though. One of my cousins has a son named Brian Robert, so I love that name!Thanks again,Di
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
Hi Shell, and thanks very much! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the first bit as there's much more to come. We'll have to re-visit the aging pieces a little later, though. One of my cousins has a son named Brian Robert, so I love that name!Thanks again,Di
I'm kind of confused as to why Brian never noticed he was aging at a decelerated rate. I'm assuming the others in his foster home don't also share his birthday.
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
A very good question, which I hope we can re-visit in upcoming chapters. He doesn't know about the Feb 29th, but rather, celebrates his b-day on Feb 28th (there was a classmate at my college, years ago, who did the same thing!)Because his inherited magic is a wee bit different, maybe he just doesn't notice these mundane details... can't really say the same for those around him.Thanks very much for the review, and I hope additional chapters continue to be intriguing.
Response from dmf1984 (Author of What if?)
A very good question, which I hope we can re-visit in upcoming chapters. He doesn't know about the Feb 29th, but rather, celebrates his b-day on Feb 28th (there was a classmate at my college, years ago, who did the same thing!)Because his inherited magic is a wee bit different, maybe he just doesn't notice these mundane details... can't really say the same for those around him.Thanks very much for the review, and I hope additional chapters continue to be intriguing.