CHAPTER 6 - VISION AND COMMON ROOM

Nodding, the hat opened its mouth and shouted - "GRYFFINDOR!"

The students at the Gryffindor table cheered and clapped, it was not as big a celebration as that of the Hufflepuff, but still a respectable one.

After him, every student that wore the Hat with exception of those from Slytherin thanked him, because of his spell they had a more pleasant experience there.

Hermione, Harry, Ron, Neville and some other boy, all went to Gryffindor as well, one of the things that made Andrew sigh was how happy they were when they heard that Harry was sorted into Gryffindor, this made him remember of the time he was still attending a muggle school, his colleagues were so excited when they discovered that a famous soccer player would give a lecture there, that they made a big welcoming party.

Malfoy and his gang went to Slytherin, and a couple of students who he didn't know went to the other Houses.

As soon as Professor McGonagall took the Hat away, Dumbledore got up. Beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, attracting everyone's attention.

"Welcome!" he said. "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!"

He sat back down, and everyone applauded and cheered at his words, soon after, the dishes on the table were filled with mountains of fragrant and tasty food.

Andrew looked around and felt happy as he saw everyone talking and eating, he even forgot the situation with Malfoy and the others on the train.

However, the moment he was about to touch the food, his eyes went white and an icy aura spread with him as the center.

Noticing what was happening, the students all walked away from him for fear of the ice. Dumbledore seeing the scene immediately got up and approached in the blink of an eye. Behind him, was the man in black robes.

Everyone looking at the situation started to whisper.

"What's going on? Why did the headmaster and Snape approach him so suddenly?"

"I think it's because of the ice around him, how did it get here? Could it be a spell?"

As they tried to make sense out of the situation, in his mind, Andrew was seeing something weird.

Two boys and a girl were inside some kind of vault, they seemed to be covered in Ice, behind them was the corpse of some sort of knight. For some reason, he couldn't clearly hear their voices, the only thing he managed to hear before the vision ended was, "Hidden by a wall on the fifth floor."

However, another thing appeared in his head as soon as the vision ended, it was an old and kind of gentle voice.

"Boy, they never uncovered the truth, only the surface, you as my heir is the only one who can break the illusion and see the reality, you must find it, it is the only way, to prevent... and his army of shadows that sleep in the darkness of the abyss, also, remember my words. The cursed boy who tried to kill your friend when he was only a child, will indirectly fasten their awakening if he succeeds with his plan. Please! You must stop him at any cost!"

After those words, there was only... darkness.

When he woke up, he was in a white bed, it seemed to be the hospital wing, that his father told him.

The privacy screen was closed and he couldn't see behind it. However, he could hear footsteps approaching, as the sound became closer and closer, he clenched his hands and started to swear, he wasn't afraid, but concerned, concerned that whatever was behind the privacy screen was too much for him to handle, at some point he started to see ice spreading through the bedsheets!

And then... FLUSH!

Dumbledore and Snape opened the privacy screen, making Andrew sigh with relief. Even the ice he thought it was spreading around him disappeared, it was probably some sort of illusion.

"Are you alright, Mr. Jacobs?" Dumbledore asked with concern on his voice.

"Yes, Headmaster, and please, you can call me by my name." Replied Andrew.

"Hoho, then just call me, Dumbledore as well, no need to be so formal eh?"

"Enough with that." Said Snape, clearly angry, "Tell me what happened nephew! I don't want my sister worried over you!" Snape tried to make an excuse, but Andrew and Dumbledore could tell that he was truly worried.

Nodding, Andrew started to tell what he saw and heard, making Dumbledore and Snape frow.

"Are you sure this is all that happened? Did this ever happen before you came to Hogwarts?"

"Yes, I'm sure, and no — its the first time."

After reflecting for a moment, Dumbledore patted him on the back and said, "Don't think about it for now. I'm going to take you back to your dorm and explain some things along the way, will you keep us company, Snape?"

"No need to, it seems I need to write a letter to that incompetent brother-in-law of mine. I see you later, nephew."

"See you later, uncle."

Seeing that snape was gone, Dumbledore smiled at Andrew and said, "Let's go then."

As they walked through the school corridors, Dumbledore started to speak.

"Since you weren't present when I said the last words before dismissing everyone I shall tell you now."

"Note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. This also applies to older students, no magic should be used between classes in the corridors, and finally, 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."

"Eh? Why?" Asked Andrew confused with Dumbledore last words.

However, the man didn't say any other word on this subject, and with a mysterious smile on his face, he said.

"It's a pity that you missed Hogwarts song, don't worry, I'll send you a howler that I have used to record it so that you could appreciate it!"

Sighing Andrew just kept following the man as they climbed through the moving staircases.

As they arrived on the seventh floor, inside one of the portraits, a man wearing a knights armor called out to them.

"Hey you, the boy next to Dumbledore!"

Andrew and Dumbledore stopped to look behind them.

Dumbledore was the first to speak.

"To what do we owe this honor, Sir Cadogan?"

"Well, I just wanted to give the boy a piece of advice."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Cadogan, I read a lot about you." Said Andrew while admiring the man's heavy armor and two-handed sword.

"Boy, your ancestor was an extremely good man, he came from the same house as those dark lords, but I must say he could be considered the apex of the light. He was the only person I have ever seen with such ideals at that time, he sure was great, but greatness doesn't come in a single night, patience is the key, and remember If ever you have the need of a noble heart and steely sinew call upon Sir Cadogan."

"What? What ancestor?"

"Patience boy, the answer to your questions will eventually be revealed." After saying that, Sir Cadogan went back to 'sleep'.

"Such a wise man, HoHo, let's continue on our way." Dumbledore turned way from Sir Cadogan's portrait and continued to walk.

Soon, they arrived in front of a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" she said.

"Caput Draconis," said Dumbledore, and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall.

"See you soon, young Andrew, try not to have nightmares ... or visions." Dumbledore bid his farewells and left Andrew there.

Sighing the boy walked through the hole and watched as the portrait covered the entrance.

In front of him was Gryffindor common room, It is full of squashy armchairs, tables, and a bulletin board where school notices, ads, lost posters, etc. can be posted. It also is decorated in several shades of red, which is associated with the House, there are many windows that look out onto the grounds of the school, and a large fireplace dominates one wall. The mantle of the fireplace is adorned with a portrait of a lion. The fireplace is also connected to the Floo Network, but as it is extremely public except in the dead of night. The walls are decorated with scarlet tapestries that depict witches and wizards, but also various animals. There are also bookcases located in the room, filled with various novels.

Seating in the armchairs was Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Seeing them there, he was taken aback.

"Were you guys waiting for me the whole night?"

They looked at each other and replied.

"Well, if you consider 15 minutes the whole night, then yes." Said Ron, while trying to stop yawning.

"Wait, 15 minutes? so you are telling me that I only blacked out for what? half an hour?"

"Prety much, we decided to wait, because Dumbledore said you would awake soon." Said Hermione, who was looking at him with curiosity.

"Well, that was quick, alright everyone, let's go sleep, I'll tell you about it later when I'm more comfortable with the subject."

Everyone nodded and went back to their respective dormitory.

Each person beds were already decided, Andrew's bed stood next to the window where he had a nice view of the moon.

lying on his bed, he sighed and closed his eyes.