Chapter 1- Second Place
The excitement was almost tangible. You could practically taste the fear and hope laid thick in the air. The hall was filled with fidgeting eleven year olds wearing cloaks they hadn't grown into yet. There was still room to fill, years to grow, strength to build.
"Malfoy, Verre." The name filled every nick and crack in the Hall. But no one moved forward. The whispers rippled through the crowd like a pebble that falls into the water.
"Miss Malfoy?"
There was no question about what house this girl would fall under. Slytherin. The name hissed with the curve of your tongue. They all knew what she was, but where was she?
Finally McGonagall dove into the crowd and tugged on the arm of a small wincing girl. She had black hair and long dark eyelashes. She was slammed onto the stool. She hunched over and held her head in her hands. Everyone stared. Was she crying? What was wrong with her? This is the most defining moment in a witch's life and she was…disgraceful.
The clocks in all of their heads ticked annoyingly, raising speed until the alarms sprung to life. Something was wrong. Malfoys were never ashamed, their heads held up high, overly proud.
One girl could hear. One girl was close enough to see the curved white hot scar on her forehead. It tightened in pain. One girl knew, but she did not understand.
Please…Please don't. I have to be…He'll kill me!
Slytherin.
But it wasn't first. It was only second place, just like her… Desire. Heart. Life.
