Hi, guys! This story takes place during the Order Of the Pheonix. Anyways, Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Well, barely.
The scarlet steam blew off the train and Ara felt the train beginning to move. Carefully, she made her way between rushing students. Everything was in such disarray, her head was beginning to hurt. Up ahead, she saw an open compartment door and caught of view of an empty seat. Getting fed up, she pushed some people out of her way like she owned the train and quickly got into the compartment. Inside were two girls, sitting with poise and elegance.
"Hi. Do you mind if I sit here?" she asked. One of them shook her head while the other continued reading.
"I'm Mariah." The first one said, "Mariah Kay."
"Ara Lupus." Ara said, shaking her hand.
"This is Alice." Alice truly did look like the Alice from "Alice in Wonderland" with blond curls and sparkling blue eyes, protected by rimless glasses. Alice looked up and gave me a small smile.
"I haven't seen you around, are you a transfer?" she asked
"Yeah, I transferred from Apollo's School of Magic." Ara said.
"Oh. Why'd you transfer? You're from Ireland, I assume?" Mariah asked, noticing her accent
"Half Scottish, half Irish. I transferred because my school got attacked. My parents didn't think it was safe anymore. And Hogwarts sounds pretty safe." I said, thinking back to the night I woke up to the flames.
"Attacked? By whom?" Alice asked, frowning
"Voldemort." Ara said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. The word was followed my gasps.
"But… he's gone." Mariah said, as if Ara was stupid.
"He's back. A few months ago? Harry Potter?" Ara said. How could they not know? They went to the same school as the boy who saw him return. And after all, he was more powerful in Britain. Mariah laughed.
"Apparently, that was a lie. He was just making that up." She said. Ara nodded, while thinking 'Why? Why would he make something like that up? He's telling the truth, I know it.' But she knew better then to say anything.
"What house do you think you'll be in?" Alice asked
"House?" Ara was bewildered. They lived in houses?
"Hogwarts is divided into four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Gryffindors are the brave, yet dumb ones. Hufflepuffs are the nicest, honestly. Ravenclaws are the smartest. And Slytherin are apparently the evil ones who will suck out your soul." Alice explained in a bored voice.
"What house are you guys in?"
"Slytherin." They said together, grinning.
"Okay. Should I be scared?"
"Not really. If you do end up in Slytherin, you'll have to grow an extra hard skin over night." Mariah said bitterly.
"Huh?"
"Everyone hates Slytherins. It doesn't matter if you're not that bad, you're a Slytherin, there must be something wrong with you. Most evil witches or wizards are from Slytherin, you see. If you're sorted into Slytherin, you'll be shot glares, blamed, even most of the teachers will hate you. That's what you get for being in the Dark Lords house."
"Huh?" Ara repeated dumbly. Mariah and Alice then explained everything to her, about Hogwarts, teachers, founders, even Voldemort's role in making Slytherin the most hated house.
By the time the train jolted to a stop, Ara's mind was exploding with information.
Mariah looked at poor Ara, her green eyes wide. She sincerely hoped this poor girl would not be in Slytherin. She didn't think she could handle it.
They got off the train and instead of hearing Hagrid's voice, Mariah heard Grubbly-Plank. They finally got rid of that half giant? Mariah had nothing personal against Hagrid, but in true honesty, he was not the best teacher. True, his classes were easy, with a fight erupting between Potter and Malfoy every few minutes to keep the students entertained. But when the exams came round, you had no idea what to do, because you had no idea what to study.
"Threstles." Ara breathed.
"Read your Care for Magical Creatures book?" Alice asked. Ara nodded, not taking her eyes off of the creatures.
"Who've you seen die?" Alice asked
"My friends. My sister. I've lost count." Ara said with an impassive expression.
"If it's any consolation, I saw my parents die." Alice said. Ara nodded her sympathies and turned to Mariah.
"I can't see them."
"Lucky you."
They mounted the carriages and Ara began to grow nervous. What house would she be in? What if they didn't like her? Such stupid insecurities…
The huge doors opened and Ara's mouth fell open. It was magnificent.
"Woah."
"Miss Lupus?" a stern voice brought her out of her awe. She looked up to see a witch with green robes looking down at her. Being short had its downside.
"Yes?" Ara said uncertainly.
"If you will come with me."
Ara looked at Mariah and Alice and they nodded. She didn't know why she trusted them. Maybe because they had been so honest with her. Ara followed the witch to a small room. In the room, in a stool, sat an ancient look hat.
"Sit." She ordered, picking up the hat. Ara sat down, feeling childish.
The witch set the hat on her head.
"Hmmm"
Ara jerked, shocked.
"Don't worry, child. Yes, I'm a talking Hat. Now, now, where to put you? I see intelligence. Yes, lots of intelligence. Perhaps Ravenclaw? No, there's secrecy. You hide your true feelings. You're a good disguiser. Manipulator. Loyal to a fault. Courage is there, but overshadowed by logic. Best you be in SLYTHERIN!"
It shouted out the last word. The elder witch looked down at Ara. She tapped Ara's robes with her wand and a badge with a serpent on it appeared on Ara's robes.
"I'm Professor McGonagall and I'll be your Transfiguration teacher." She said. Ara nodded.
They made their way to the Great Hall. When they entered, people started whispering. Ara was confused. Were they whispering about her? The people had bright, hopeful faces which fell in disappointment when she made her way to the Slytherin table.
"Miss Ara Lupus, Slytherin House." McGonagall said. There was luke warm applause from the rest of the tables. But the Slytherins smiled and welcomed her. She spotted Mariah and Alice.
Sitting beside them, she said "Hey!"
"You made it into Slytherin." Alice said, giving a laugh
"I pity you." Mariah said, but she was also grinning.
"Come on. How bad could it be? What were you guys talking about?" Ara asked, wanting to get off the subject of how hard it is to be a Slytherin.
"The new Prefect. Draco Malfoy." She pointed at a boy not far away from us. Ara's breathe caught in her throat.
"He's cute." She whispered. Mariah laughed.
"He is. But don't even think about it." She warned
"Why not?" Ara pouted.
"First, he's an asshole. Seriously. Secondly, he's a Malfoy, so he thinks he's all superior. Third? See that girl beside him? That's Pansy Parkinson. His unofficial girlfriend. You even indicate you like him, she'll tear you down."
"Okay…" Ara said, taken aback. Yeeash…
"Anyway, First Year sorting is beginning." Alice said, shushing us.
I looked up to see the stool and the Hat on it. It opened it mouth… and of all things, began to sing.
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
ʹTogether we will build and teach!ʹ
The four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might some day be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, ʹWeʹll teach just those
Whose ancestry is purest.ʹ
Said Ravenclaw, ʹWeʹll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest.ʹ
Said Gryffindor, ʹWeʹll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name,ʹ
Said Hufflepuff, Til teach the lot,
And treat them just the same.ʹ
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light,
For each of the four founders had
A house in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure‐blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with dueling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into houses
Because that is what Iʹm for,
But this year Iʹll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that itʹs wrong,
Though / must fulfil my duty
And must quarter everv year
Still I wonder whether Sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or weʹll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you…
Let the Sorting now begin.
The song was followed by applause, as though the students were not sure what to do. Maybe this was not the message they were used it. It was a good message, that they should unite. The idea of Houses was still not sitting well with Ara.
McGonagall started calling out names of first years and they were sorted.
Then food just popped out of nowhere. Ara was used to this, atleast.
After the feast, she felt content and thought that maybe it wouldn't be that bad here.
Albus Dumbledore got up to make a speech and Ara was not sure what to expect. His eyes twinkled kindly but he was one of the greatest wizards of all time.
ʹWell, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, 1 beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start‐of‐term notices,ʹ said Dumbledore. ʹFirst‐years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out‐of‐bounds to students ‐ and a few of our older students ought to know by now, too.ʹ
ʹMr Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the lour‐hundred‐and‐sixty‐second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr Filchʹs office door.
ʹWe have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly‐Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.ʹ
"What do you think of the pink one?" Alice asked, smirking. I looked at Umbridge. Ugh
"Looks like a proud bitch." Ara replied
"She needs to find herself a new color." Mariah added with disgust.
"Try outs for the Quidditch teams will take place on-" Dumbledore was cut off by Umbridge, who was on her feet.
"Ahm, ahm." She cleared her throat. Ara almost burst into laughter and several students were throwing her bewildered looks. Mariah bit her lip, trying to stop her self from giggling.
"You've got to be kidding me." Alice whispered.
Professor Dumbledore backed away, looking as though he wanted nothing more then to hear what Umbridge had to say. McGonagall's lips were a thin line.
Thank you, Headmaster,ʹ Professor Umbridge simpered, ʹfor those kind words of welcome.
Alice secretly tried to gag. Other Slytherins were looking at Umbridge like they had never quite seen a creature like her.
ʹWell, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!ʹ She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. ʹAnd to see such happy little faces looking up at me!ʹ
"I'd like to point out that I'm 15." A girl across Ara muttered, to low for Umbridge, but loud enough for the Slytherins surrounding her to smirk.
ʹI am very much looking forward to getting to know you all and Iʹm sure weʹll be very good friends!ʹ Umbridge said. Many students were literally hiding their faces.
The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the wizarding community must be passed down the generations lest we lose them tor ever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching.ʹ she said, her voice now dull and boring, slowly lulling Ara into near slumber.
Every headmaster and headmistress o( Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, lor without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progressʹs sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation…ʺ
Soon, students lost interest.
"Please tell me it's not usually like this." Ara groaned.
"Nah. Normally, Dumbledore says something, and we all go to bed. THIS creature is not usually here." Mariah said.
ʹ… because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognised as errors of judgement. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited.ʹ
She sat down and honestly, even the staff seemed shit bored of her.
Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating,ʹ he said, bowing to her. ʹNow, as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held…ʺ
Finally, they were dismissed. Ara made her way to the Slytherin Common Room with Mariah and Alice. When she entered, her eyes widened.
It was elegance at it's highest.
"What, when Slytherin furnished this place, was it no expense spared?" she asked.
"Something like that. Even though Slytherin was a bitch sometimes, he was good to his students." Alice said.
"You are going to be in our dorm. This girl left, 7th year, and now we have an empty bed." Mariah said, linking her arm with Ara's. Ara smiled.
"Lovely."
Bed sounded amazing right then.
Sooo? Should I continue? Review!