Two girls were walking down a street in their neighborhood. Both were pale as snow, dressed in shorts and t-shirts. They were eight, and the daughters of two ex-Death Eaters. Their parents had left Voldemort after they realized he wasn't coming back after he was defeated by the little baby Harry Potter. They had given up hope unlike so many others. Now, their parents were still worried he might come back, and that they would be punished for abandoning him.
The taller of the two girls had long black hair and bright blue eyes. The shorter had long white-blonde hair with gray eyes. They could easily change their appearance though. Their mother was a Metamorphmagus, and they had inheirted the power. That one thing made their parents know they were to be witches and part of their half-blood family.
They turned a corner and walked onto the street they lived on. Their house sat on the very end, large and white brick with ivy crawling up the sides of it. They kept walking and something felt odlly off about the mid-summer day. No children were running outside and even the stray cats were hidden. They shrugged it off and kept walking. Finally, they got home, and saw a tall black-clothed figure through the window. They opened the door and moved into the hallway, the tall person was unable to see them. When they saw his robes, they realized he was another Death Eater.
"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted and a jet of green light shot from his wand. Their parents fell to the ground, dead. The figure dissolved into black smoke and it soon disappeared entirely.
"Mom, Dad!" the gilrs shouted and rushed to their parents' sides. The taller shook their mother and pulled her wand out from her pocket. The shorter one grabbed their father's wand. As soon as they had them, more Death Eaters appeared, pointing wands at them.
"If you come to work for the Dark Lord, you'll be safe," one hissed at them from behind a mask.
"Hell, no!" shouted the taller of the two.
"Where did you get that nasty mouth?" one asked.
"Mom and Dad," she said with a grin.
The Death Eater shook his head. They started to close in on the girls. The two glanced at each other and then shot towards them. They threw themselves under the legs of two Death Eaters, and slid into a wall. They jumped up as the Death Eaters turned. They ran up the stairs and into their room.
The shorter one locked the door and the taller threw a backpack at her. They rummaged around in their drawers, pulling out jeans, t-shirts, pants, and whatever else they would need. The taller was by the window when the door burst open. Death Eaters swarmed in. The taller girl looked around. She noticed the window and punched it with her fist. The glass broke, but cut her hand.
"Evangeline, jump!" she shouted at her sister. Her sister hurled herself over the bed and grabbed her sister's hand. They jumped through the window, shattering more glass and getting more cuts, as the Death Eaters reached out to grab them. They started to spill from the window like the black smoke of a fire.
The girls ran into the woods that ran around their house. They panted and pushed branches from their faces while trying not to trip over tree's roots. The blonde one's foot got caught in a hole, and she fell over earning herself a mouthful of dirt.
"VIOLET!" Evangeline screamed. Violet spun around and saw a Death Eater grab her sister around the neck and start to pull her away. Violet dashed towards the Death Eater and kicked him in the nose. He reached up to see if he was bleeding, but in the process let go of Evangline.
Violet and Evnagline dashed through the woods, coming to a clearing. Violet spun her head and saw that they were still on her tail. They cut through a neighbor's yards jumping over plants, and dodging dogs. They were starting to tire, but didn't stop. Violet got an idea as they were running through a pathway through the woods down to a beach they had spent many birthdays and weekends at. She quickly ripped off two pieces of bamboo and gave one to her sister.
"JUMP!" she screamed then plunged into the icy water below. Her sister followed. Evangline followed her sister's steps as they let the water flow them up close to the surface. She jutted the piece of bamboo into her mouth which poked out of the water. The girls stayed there in the water, trying not to give themselves away.
"They drowned themselves?" a Death Eater asked in disbelief.
"The brats deserved it," one snarled.
"I quite agree," another snuffled, "Now we have more half-bloods out of the way." Though, one Death Eater seemed to disagree with the others. He pulled down his hood showing a shower of long silvery white hair.
"I think we should check the waters," he said, "For all we know, those brats could have used magic..."
"Lucius, please, those girls were underaged," a wizard said, "Their parents wands wouldn't work for them well anyway. Forget it, they're dead. Now let's go back and report to the Dark Lord."
Then, just as quickly as they had piled out of the girl's houses, they disappeared.
Violet didn't hear any voices. She decided to take a risk and pop her head out of the water. She looked around. There was no one there. She pulled her sister up to the surface.
"What were Death Eaters doing at our home?" she asked shivering as they climbed out of the water.
"I'm not sure," Violet murmered, "But I do know we need to find shelter. Now c'mon. You still have Dad's wand? Good. We might need these, even if we are underaged."
TWO YEARS LATER
The two were now ten, and were walking along the bank of the lake they had thrown themselves into to save their lives from Death Eaters two years before. They had changed their appearance, Violet having electric blue hair with side bangs and dark purple eyes, and Evangline having given herself midnight blue hair that fell to her shoulders and dark purple eyes as well.
Two stray dogs followed them. One was larger and covered in long gray fur. The other was much shorter with bristly black fur. Their pink tongues hung out the side of their open mouths.
"I'm hungry," Violet said.
"Same," Evnagline said, sitting on the edge of the lake, the water lapping gently at her bare and tough feet.
Violet plopped down next to her, laying on her back and looking up at the evening sky, which had turned pink and orange. She closed her eyes and Evangline looked out at the water.
Suddenly, it got colder. Dark, angry clouds rolled across the sky out of no where. The water turned dark and the waves lapped harder at the edge of the lake. The dogs ran off, one of them yelping. Violet sat up.
"What's happening?" she said as she felt dispair and hoplessness wash over her.
"I dunno," Evnagline sighed, feeling the same as Violet.
They both started to lose hope, like all happiness was being sucked from the world. They both heard the Killing Curse muttered over and over again in their heads, and the sound of their parents' dead bodies hitting the floor.
Five creatures emerged from the woods surronding them. One glided over the lake, and it turned to ice. The creatures were dressed in long black cloaks and floated off the ground. One had a hand sticking from outside the cloak. It looked like a skeleton with dead flesh clinging to it. It looked rotten, and like it had been dunked in a lake.
They came closer to the twins, who had jumped up and were backing away. Violet had wrapped her arms around herself. Evangeline hung close to her sister. One shot towards them, and gripped Violet. It held her still and she screamed as it lowered its cloaked head towards her. Two others came towards Violet. The last two went towards Evangeline.
As it seemed life was over and pointless, and the horrible creatures were inches away from sucking their last happy memories from them they heard a shout from the woods in front of them, but bloacked from view from the creatures.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" they heard the voice ring clear in the awful silence. The things released the girls, and they dropped to the ground. The things flew quickly away, and Violet looked up. A large silvery doe was stampeding towards them. That was the last thing she saw before blacking out, along with Evangeline.
They awoke slowly, without opening their eyes, on comfortable beds in a room they didn't know. They were surrounded by shelves filled with books. Vioelt and Evangeline were wrapped in white sheets. Violet slowly opened her eyes and saw a man with a huge hooked nose, curtains of greasy black hair and black eyes looking down at her. He was dressed in black robes.
"Who are you?" she said sitting up. Evangeline still had her eyes closed.
"Severus Snape, I knew your parents," he said. "They named me your godfather when you were born."
"You knew Mum and Dad?" Evangeline said, sitting up. The man named Severus Snape looked over at her.
"Yes, they were great people," he said.
"Where are we?" Violet asked.
"My house," he said turning his attention back to Violet. He reached into a pocket in his robes. He pulled out a chocolate bar. "Here, eat this. It helps."
Violet and Evangeline each took a piece and ate it. A warm feeling spread through their veins.
"Oh, and these arrived," Snape said and handed each girl a letter. Violet and Evangeline ripped the letters open. They each read them quickly.
"Huh?" Evangline said.
"So, we're going to magic school now?" Violet asked.
"Yes," Snape replied. "When you feel better, I'll take you to Diagon Alley and we'll get your school stuff. In the mean time, get some sleep and I'll make dinner."
Snape left the room and closed the door behind him. The twins looked at each other.
"Do you think we'll get new wands, instead of using mom and dad's?" Violet aksed her sister.
"Oooh, I hope so!" Evangeline said smiling, "I wonder what house we'll be sorted into."
"That's a stupid question," Violet said, "Mum And dad we're both in Slytherin. We're bound to follow their footsteps."
Evangeline grinned. "Imagine what it'd be like to be in Hufflepuff?"
Both girls made gagging noises, then followed up with giggles.
"Funny we've never heard of Snape," Violet said slowly.
"He said they were good people though," Evangeline replied.
"But still -" Violet started, but the door swung open.
"Dinner is ready," Snape said then turned on his heels and walked away, his cloak billowing behind himself.
"Well he's feeding us, he can't be too bad," Violet said and followed Snape. Evangeline jumped from the bed and followed her sister. She was smart, she'd know what to do.
After dinner, the girls followed Snape into downtown London.
"What happened your parents?" he asked as they stepped into a pub called the Leaky Cauldron.
Neither Violet nor Evangeline answered as they walked through the pub. Snape waited for them to answer as they stepped into a little area surrounded by bricks with a lone rubbish tin in the corner.
"Well?" he said, looking down at the girls.
"They're dead," Violet whispered, looking down at the ground.
"Killed by a Death Eater," Evangeline added.
"Oh," Snape said. He sounded upset. "Th-that's horrible."
"Yeah," Violet said softly.
Snape patted them on the shoulders and then pulled his wand out. He tapped a few bricks and the wall started to move and spin. Soon, it formed an archway. They stepped through it and the wall reformed to become solid again. There were long cobbled streets that twisted and turned every which way. A huge stack of cauldrons of every size sat outside a shop. Cauldrons - All Sizes - Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver - Self-Stirring - Collapsibe, a sign hanging over them said.
"We'll get two of those later," Snape said. "But for now, let's get some money for you two."
"But we have some," Violet said, pulling some Muggle money out of her pockets.
"That money won't work here," Snape said. Violet and Evangeline looked at each other in a confused manner, but then hurried after Snape.
There was so much to take along the street as they followed Snape up the cobbled street: people in robes and funny hats, shops, and the things sitting outside them.
One shop held owls of all colors in cages in the windows. A sign said: Eyelops Owl Emporium - Twany, Screech, barn, Brown and Snowy. There were a group of small boys standing outside a shop talking about a broom. A "Nimbus Two Thousand" they heard them call it. Another shop sold robes, another sold telescopes and strange silver instruments, windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels' eyes, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, globes of the moon .
"Snape!" one wizard called to them.
"Not now!" he barked and the wizard looked away.
"Who was he?" Evangeline asked.
"An annoying dunderhead," Snape replied. "Anyway, here we are."
They had stopped infront of a snowy white building that dwarfed everything else on the street. They walked up the steps and past the watchful eye of a goblin. They were now facing two doors, but didn't stop to read the words engraved. "Just know, you'd be mad to break in." Snape muttered and pushed two more doors open. The girls stared down a large marble hall with many tables and desks. Some sat on the stools weighing coins while others while others examined stones through eyeglasses which made their eyes appear ten times larger than they normally were.
He approached one of the grumpiest looking goblins of them all.
"I would like to withdraw some money from my vault," Snape said and placed a key on the goblin's desk.
"Very well. Griphook will take you there."
The three followed the goblin named Griphook into a stony area. Train tracks were lying on the ground. Griphook whistled, then a small cart came rolling down the track and stopped right in front of them. They clambered on, then the cart took off. The girls clung to the edges of the cart and were reminded of a roller coaster which twisted and turned. They grinned at the memory, while Snape glared ahead.
The cart suddenly stopped in front of vault three hundred and eighty seven. The goblin opened the door. Snape stepped quickly inside, retrived some money, then they clambered back into the cart and rode back to the entrance of the bank.
They exited then stepped back out into the sunlight. Snape didn't say where he was taking them, but they soon figured it out when they approached a store called Madam Mikam's Robes for All Occasions- they were getting their school uniforms. Snape opened the door and a small jingling bell announced their arrival.
Standing in the shop was a squat smiling witch. A boy with a pale pointed face and grey eyes was looking curiously at the boy to is right. He was small and skinny with dark messy black hair, bright green eyes hidden behind round glasses, and some sort of scar on his foreead, but his hair was hiding it. Standing on the left side of the boy was a tall man with the pale boy's same eyes and hair, only it reached his shoulders. He had been tapping his walking stick against the floor impatently, but looked up at the new arrival.
"Severus!" he said.
"Lucius," Snape replied.
"When did you get kids? And who did you marry? And why weren't we invited to the wedding?" Lucius baggered.
"One, these aren't my kids, they're my godkids. Two, I'm not married. And three, if I did have a wedding, you would be invited!" Snape replied curtly.
"Doesn't he look slightly familar?" Violet whispered.
"Yeah," Evangline whispered back. "But I can't place him."
"Hey, look!" Violet whispered and pointed over to the blonde boy. "He's cute!"
"Yes he is!" Evangeline said.
"Girls," they heard the boy with black hair mutter.
"Okay, you two," Snape said. "Stop staring at Draco Malfoy and let's find your school robes."
Violet rolled her eyes from behind Snape as they got fitted into their black robes and cloaks. When they were done, Evangeline started complaining.
"I'm bored!" she said loudly as they walked down the street.
"Hush, child," Snape said as they turned a corner. They walked a little ways and then came across the wand shop. Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lay on a dusty purple cushion in the shop window. Snape walked towards the door.
Vioelt and Evangeline followed. The shop looked like a libraby, but instead of books, boxes with wands filled the shelves. It was dark inside. An old man was standing before them, his wide pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.
"Hello, Severus!" he greeted them. "Did you -"
"No! I do not have children of my own!" Snape shouted at the old man. "They're my god children!"
"Severus," Violet siad, tugging on his robes. "Are we annoying? Do you not like us?"
"Oh, god," he groaned.
"Oh, gee, love you too," Vioelt said and glared up at him.
"That's not what I meant," he said.
"Suuuuurreeee," Violet said.
"Okay, well, I do believe you are in need of wands?" the old man said. "Oh, and I am Ollivander, and I remember every wand I ever sold!" he boasted proudly.
"Oh, really?" Evageline said. "Then what was the first wand you ever sold made out of and who was it sold to?"
"Uh," Ollivander said.
"Liar!" Violet proclaimed. "You lied to -"
"Hush," Snape said. "You'll get us kicked out!"
"Sorry," Violet and Evangeline shrugged.
"Well, a wand is a very special thing to a wizard. It's made out of wood and the core is made out of either a pheonix feather, unicorn hair or dragon heart string. Not one wand is alike," Ollivander said nervously, as if hoping the girls wouldn't yell at him again. "What arm is your wand arm?"
"I dunno," Violet said. "When I had my mom's wand, I held it my right hand."
"I guess I use my left hand," Evangeline said.
"Okay, arms out," he said. The girls fheld out their arms and he began to measure them from shoulder to finger, wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, around the head, and between the nostrils.
"How is this important for the wand I'm going to have?" Violet asked.
"It just is!" Ollivander snapped.
"Well then," Violet said.
He ran back into the dark depths of the shop and came out holding a box. He handed it to Violet, who pulled it out.
"Made of cherry and unicorn hair, thirteen inches," Ollivander said. Vioelt picked it up. "Wave it!"
Violet flicked her wrist, and a something in the back part of the shop shattered. She quickly handed him the wand back.
"That wasn't the right one," he said and left, and came back with another one.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Violet asked as she picked it up. It was made of African Padauk, ten inches and bones and skulls were etched into it.
"I don't know these things! The wand choses the witch!" Ollivander snapped. Violet flicked her wrist and whatever it was in the back of the shop fixed itself. "You've found your wand," Ollivander said. "Dragon heart string works well with you."
"Then why didn't you get a wand with one in the first place?" Violet asked.
"Violet, hush!" Snape order, pulling her away from Ollivander. "Just be quiet and hold your wand."
"Where's the-"
Snape gave her a warning look and she glared at him.
"You're turn," Ollivander said, holding out a wand box to Evageline. She took it and flicked the wand. Three boxes flew off the shelf. She handed it back. Ollivander hurried off and came back with a new wand. It didn't work either. Four wands later, they found the right one. It was made of oak with a pheonix tail feather core, ten inches and rose petals carved delicately onto the sides of it.
"Perfect!" Evageline said.
"You're paying extra for torture induced by children," Ollivander said to Snape.
"What the hell? That's rubbish!" Snape said loudly.
Violet glanced at Evangeline and then they watched Snape hand over more gold than he wanted to, glaring at Ollivander the entire time. Snape shooed them out of the shop and then led them down the streets to get their animals.
"I want a cat," Violet said.
"And I want an owl," Evangeline said.
"Okay, let's go find them," Snape said, still annoyed with the girls.
Evangeline got a brown screech owl and Violet got a black cat. Violet wanted a bat, but that was against school policy. They got their school books, cauldrens, potion making things, and whatever else they really wanted to have or needed, except a broom. He took the girls back home and gave them more chocolate.
"When are we going to Hogwarts?" Violet asked as she pulled blankets around herself.
"On September first," Snape said as he handed Evangeline a glass of warm milk.
"Thanks," she said. Snape nodded.
"That'll be forever," Violet said. "It's still early August."
"Oh, hush and get some sleep,'" Snape said as he left the room, closing the door behind him.
"I like him," Violet said to Evangeline.
"Yeah, when he''s not mad at us, he's not bad," Evangeline nodded.
"Well, good night," Vioelt said and rolled onto her side, her back to Evangeline.
One Month Later
"Girls! Get up!" Snape shouted from downstairs. "We're going to be late, and Minevra already wants me to be there early, so that means I won't be taking the train with you!"
"We're getting up!" Violet screamed from her bed where she had her arm covering her face.
"Move faster then!" Snape shouted.
Violet and Evangeline got out of bed. They pulled on jeans and t-shirts and then grabbed their trunks and animals and thumped donstairs with them, yawning and stretching.
"Where's breakfest?" Evnagline asked as the walked into the kitchen.
Snape pointed at the counter. Two plates of eggs, bacon and toast were sitting there. They grabbed them at ate. Snape handed them pumpkin juice halfway through. He looked at his watch.
"Move! We're going to be even later!" he shouted. He held out his arms.
"What?" Violet said.
"Grab hold of my arms and your things and keep a very, very tight hold," Snape said.
"Oh," Violet said. Violet and Evangeline grabbed their bags with a tight hold and then latched onto Snape's arms. "Okay, we're ready!"
There was a 'pop' and then darkness and they felt like they were being compressed into the smallest box ever and that they were going to suffocate. Then, they were standing in an alley next to King Cross station.
"What the heck?" Violet said.
"It's called Apparating," Snape said. "And now I have to go again."
There was a 'pop' and Snape was gone.
"What the hell?" Violet shouted. "Where do we go? Why does he leave us? This is an outrage!"
"I don't know," Evanglien said. "Now come on."
She grabbed her trunk and the cage of her owl and Violet did the same. They walked inside and the hustle and bustle of the train station reached their senses. Trains were everywhere, people were everywhere, trunks and trolleys were everywhere. They eached grabbed a trolley and put their things on it.
"Um, where's Platform Nine and Three Quarters?" Violet asked Evangeline.
"I don't know," she said.
"Hey, look!" Violet said and pointed.
A group of red-headed people and a little black haired boy were walked with trunks and cages with animals inside. They followed after the group.
"Not to worry," a plump lady with flaming red hair said as they approached. "All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go on before Ron."
"You go THROUGH the barrier?" Evandgeline said in disbelief.
"Yes," the lady said aknowledging the girl's presences "Are you new to Hogwarts this year?"
"Uh, yeah," Violet said. "Did you hear what I said about going through the barrier?" she said.
"Yeah, start with a run," Evangeline said.
"Good, good," she replied as one of the red haired boys disapeared into the walls.
"Go on dears," she said smiling. Violet went first, then Evangeline. They passed through the barrier with success. They faced a large scarlet engine with steam billowing out into the blue sky. The platform was crowded with people, (mostly children) and a sign overheard read 10: 55.
"We probably want to get a seat," Evangeline nodded as they walked by they noticed a group of children crowded around a young boy with dreadlocks.
"Gran, I lost my toad!" a voice shouted through all the confusion.
"Oh, Neville," a voice sighed.
The girls walked around the compartments hoping to find a seat. Even though there were many children outside, it was still difficult because many had asked others to save them seats. Violet finally opened up a door and saw the same boy she had seen at the clothing shop.
"Evangeline, its that cute boy!" she whispered. Evangeline smiled and both girls popped their heads into the compartment, eager for a success.
"Are those seats taken?" Evangeline asked.
"Pure-bloods?" he asked in a bored drawing voice.
"Uhh-"
"Yeah!" Violet said, "Yes we are purebloods," she knew she was lying, but at the moment, she didn't care.
"Then no, they are not taken," he replied. The girls placed their luggage in the corner of the compartment then took seats on opposite sides of the boy.
"I'm Malfoy," he said, "Draco Malfoy. And this is Crabbe and Goyle," he motioned towards the two chubby kids sitting in front of him. The girls didn't bother with hellos.
"I'm Violet," Violet said directed towards Draco.
"And I'm Evangeline," said Evangeline, "Violet's twin."
Suddenly, the train started to move and they were speeding down the rails to Hogwarts. A couple minutes passed in silence.
"So what house do you hope to get in?" Violet asked.
"Slytherin," he replied, "You?"
"Slytherin," the girls replied with a grin. Suddenly, the compartment door burst open and standing there was a girl with short black hair and big brown eyes.
"Draco!" she wailed, "You were supposed to save me a seat!"
"Oh really?" Draco said with an eyeroll, "I forgot."
"Draco you-"
"Pansy?" Draco said, "You wouldn't want my father to hear about you nagging me, now would you?"
Pansy's eyes widened.
"N-no Dr-"
"Then go find another compartment," Draco said.
Pansy looked dazed for a second, but left with a swift shut of the door.
"Crabbe, Goyle I think we ought to pay Harry a visit," Draco smirked standing up.
"See ya when you get back," Violet said with a shrug.
The boys left and then Violet and Evangline were alone. A few minutes later, the door slid open, and it wasn't Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. A girl with thick, bushy brown hair and slight buck teeth was standing in the doorway.
"Have you seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost one," she said looking around the room.
"A toad? Nope," Evangeline said shaking her head.
"Well if you see one, come-" there was croaking beneath the seat.
The girls glanced at each other then looked down at the floor. A large frog popped into view brushing against their legs. They jumped up into feetle positions.
"TREVOR!" a boy's voice screamed and a small boy appeared into the room and scooped up the frog. The girls glanced at each other in disgust. They slowly lowered their legs to the ground.
"You might want to put your cloaks on," said the girl, "I suspect we'll be arriving soon."
Then she closed the door.
"Who was that kid?" Violet asked. Evangeline shrugged.
"I don't know. But I do know we should change into our robes," Evangeline said.
Soon, the train came to a stop. The boys had come back looking angry.
"What happened?" Violet had asked.
"Stupid Potter," Draco muttered, "He-"
But before he could finish, a voice rang over on the intercom.
"We will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately," the voice said.
Now they were outside staring over a dark sea, the moon's light glittering on its surface. Stars were scattered across the sky giving light to the sky. They were standing on a small platform shivering in the wind.
"Firs' years! Firs' years!" a voice called from the distance. Lamps were bobbing in the distance. A large hairy man came into view. He was taller than any other man they had ever seen, and was wider than a normal human. "C'mon follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" The children followed him down a steep narrow path. The sides were so dark, the girls assumed it as thick with trees.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight O' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "Jus' round this bend!"
There was a loud "ooh!" from the group. The narrow path suddenly opened up to a large lake. Perched atop of a couple of mountains was a vast castle with lots of towers and turrents. The windows were sparkling in the dark sky and a flag flapped in the wind. The girls couldn't tell the design, but knew there was at least four animals etched onto the cloth.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, ponting to a dock.
Boats were chained there, floating in the water. Violet and Evangeline hopped in a boat with Malfoy so Crabbe and Goyle had to fight to get the last seat. Goyle got it, so Crabbe had to find another boat. The boats were cut from the docks and floated towards the castle. They glided across the smooth lake in the dead on night. Everyone was silent, staring up at the large castle.
"Heads down!" Hagrid yelled. Everyone ducked beaneath a sheet of ivy covering a large crumbling bridge. The boats carried them through a narrow tunnel which seemed to be taking them beneath the castle. They soon reached an underground harbor where they unloaded onto rocks and pebbles.
"Look at it!" Evangeline whispered, "It's beautiful!"
They walked onto damp grass and up flights of stone stairs.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" Hagrid asked the boy. He nodded quickly clutching his toad tighter between his hands. Hagrid reached a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door. The door was opened by an old looking witch with her hair in a tight bun and square glasses. She led them into a room.
"I am Professor McGonagall," she said, "And thank you Hagrid, you may leave now."
She pulled the door open wide. The entrance was so big, you could have fit a large house inside. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches, the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase led them to the upper floors. The girls could hear hundreds of thousdands of voices coming from a doorway to the right. But McGonagall led them into a small chamber off the hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, "But before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. Here, your house will be like your family. You will have classes with them, sleep with them, and earn and lose house points together. The four houses are Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff. Each house has its own deep and important history. I hope all of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Ceremony will take place in a few minutes, so I hope you smarten yourselves up," she glared at a few students. "I shall return when I am ready for you. Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber. Violet and Evangeline glanced at each other. They had been one of the kids she had glared at. Probably because of their oddly colored hair. She sure seemed to stand out among the other students.
"So how do we get sorted into our houses?" Violet asked.
"Mother says you have to wear some hideous hat," Draco replied.
Violet raised an eyebrow. Magic people were weird... Suddenly, about twenty ghosts streamed into the room.
"Awesome!" Violet shrieked while others screamed in fear.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, "About to be sorted I suppose?"
Some students nodded. Violet glanced over at a ghost covered in silver blood.
"Follow me," a voice said sternly. All the ghosts seemed to melt into the walls, "The ceremony's about to start, and form a line!"
The children scurried into place. They followed McGonagall to two double doors that led into the Great Hall. The place was lit with a thousand candles that were floating in the air above four tables. Many people were seated, staring at the arrival of students. The tables were dressed in white table cloths, accesorized with golden goblets and plates. The girls looked up and saw a starry sky as the ceiling. They heard the brown headed girl whispering that it was enchanted. McGonagall walked up ahead of the students and placed an old wooden stool in front of the students. She disapeared for a while, then came back with a frayed and dirty hat. For a while, everything was silent. Then the hat twitched and ripped open. Then it started to sing:
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty, But don't judge on by what you see, I'll eat myself if you can find a better hat then me. You can keep your bowlers black, your top hats sleek and tall, For I'm the Sorting Hat and I can cap them all. There's nothing hidden in your head the Sorting Hat can't see, So try me on and I will tell you where you ought to be. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring nerve and chivarly set Gryffindors apart; You migt belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal, those faithful Hufflepuffs and true and unafriad of toil; Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, I've you've a ready mind, where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin where you'll make real friends, those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands, (though I have none) For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole house broke into applause when the hat finished. When they quieted, McGonall spoke.
"When I call your name you will put the hat on to be sorted. ABBOT, HANNAH!"
A girl with pigtails and a slightly pink face approached.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat screamed after a minute of sitting on her head. A few more students were sorted, then Draco's name was called. The hat barely touched his head when it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Draco joined his fellow Slytherin's, looking very pleased with himself.
Many people (a very large amount of people later), Evangeline was called.
"Willow, Evangeline," McGonagall said.
"A Willow! That's one of the Death Eaters," an excited whisper filled the hall.
Evangeline skipped up to the stool and put the hat on her head.
"Oh another Willow?" the hat said. "Slytherin!"
Evangeline skipped off to the Slytherin table and sat next to Draco.
"Willow, Violet," McGonagall called.
Violet stepped out of line and then sat on the stool. She pulled the hat on, and it screamed.
"You're a horrible child!" it shouted.
"Oh, gee, thanks," Violet said.
"You seem much like you parents!" it shouted. It started to screamed loudly.
"I think it's broken," Violet said over the screams as she looked at McGonagall.
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat finally shouted. Violet pulled it off, and the hat was silent instantly except for saying, "Dear lord, she's got a strange mind..."
Violet walked off, smirking as everyone stared at her.
"She'll become the youngest Death Eater ever," she heard a Hufflepuff whisper. She glared at them and bared her teeth and kept walking.
Up at the elevated table, Snape was banging his head on it. Evangeline smiled and waved at him when he looked up. "Yup-that's-my-sis-and-I'm-proud-of-it!" her smile seemed to say. Once the sorting was done, an elderly man stepped up towards a podium.
"That's Dumbledore!" a voice whispered.
"Welcome to a new year of Hogwarts!" he said his eyes shining, "I would like to say a few words. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddmeant! Tweak! Thank you!"
"The man's mad," Draco muttered, "Would you guys like some steak?"
The girls looked down at their plates open mouthed. The plates were full of food!
"Now this is what I call a feast!" Violet said and started to fill her plate up with as much food as possible. The deserts disappeared, much to the chagrin of Violet and Evangeline, and Dumbledore got to his feet. The hall fell silent, even the quiet laughter coming froma few Ravenclaws.
"Ahem - just a few more words no that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-terms notices to give you.
"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Flich, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.
"Qidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch."
Violet and Evangeline achanged a confused look.
"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone ho does not wish to die a very painful death."
A few laughs filled the hall, but only a few.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Violet noticed that the teachers, except for Snape, had rather fixed smiles. Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if was trying to get a fly off the tip of it, and a long golden ribbon flew out of the wand. The ribbon rose high above the tables, and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bit of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Everyone in the hall finished at separate times. At last, two Weasley brothers finished singing the song at a slow funeral march. Dumbledore conducted their last few lines, and when they finsihed, he was one who clapped loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
The Slytherin first years followed their prefect, walking off to the dungeons deep in the school. The prefect turned many corners and the first years followed after him, trying to memorize the pattern of turns and corridors. The prefect paused in front a damp, bare stone wall.
"Salazaar," the prefect said. The bare wall slid open to reveal the common room behind it.
The common room was long, and a low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire crackled under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in high-backed chairs. The prefect led them into it. They all crowded around him.
"Okay, see those doors?" he said poiting at the very end where there were two doors. "Left side, that's the boys, right side, that's for the girls. Uh, if you PAID ATTENTION," he glared at a few giggling and whispering girls behind Violet and Evangeline, "at the feast, then you know the rules about Hogwarts. Okay, stop staring and BEAT IT!"
The girls walked off towards the doors, waved at Draco, and found their room. Their trunks were all there, and so were their pets. Evangeline let out her little owl and Violet pulled out her long balck cat. They claimed their beds and sat upon them. They spent it talking with their roomates for a little while. They found out they hated Pansy Parkinson, and didn't mind the other two. They changed after an hour and slipped into bed. Violet's cat curled over her stomach and Evangline's owl was off wherever it wanted to be.