Chapter 1
Sansa clamped her eyes shut, braced herself and took a sure step through the wall. Her body thrummed as the magic washed over her. She opened her eyes slowly and looked out, eyes wide as she admired the grandeur of the station. The sheer number of witches and wizards in one place creating a subtle buzz of energy in the atmosphere. All of them rushing about getting items and creatures, strange and wonderful on the train.
She then took in the train itself. A huge burnished steam train, classy, old and rustic. Ever reliable and just as magical as the thought of returning to Hogwarts. She moved through the crowds following Robb and Jon who had been designated the task of getting everybody's trunk on safely. Arya and her mother followed a few paces behind and trailing along after them was Bran and Rickon. Their father at the rear gently ushering Rickon forward in the right direction whenever he stopped to stare at the variety of pets about to be carried onto the train.
Sansa made a beeline for a gap in the masses so she could stand and observe the bustling. She had always loved watching people. The way they interacted with each other, with those they know and love and how it differentiated with their interaction (or lack of) with strangers. Sansa was particularly fond of examining people's eyes. They were an open gateway into most wizards darkest thoughts and emotions and having the ability to read them was like having the key to their desires in your grasp. Ned spotted her and walked over. "You ready for another year Sansa?" He asked amiably, wrapping his arm over her shoulders, pulling her close.
Sansa lent into her father's side. "Yeah, definitely."
Ned grinned down at her and squeezed her shoulder. "Be careful. Actually study this year, don't just spend your days with Margaery thinking about the pretty boys. Stay safe. Take care of your sister and I'll be expecting a letter at least once a week. Ok?" Sansa murmured non committedly, her eyes following the back of Loras Tyrell, a 7th year wander through the crowds of students and hop onto the train.
"Sansa" Her father sharply regained her attention.
Sansa rolled her eyes "Yes Dad. Don't worry, I remember."
"Good" he grunted affectionately. He gazed at his daughter, so like her mother, her auburn hair tied in a loose plait off her left shoulder. Her eyes deep and intelligent. She was beautiful. Tall and graceful, long over the period of awkwardness that comes with the height and gangly limbs of a teenager. She is almost a woman grown, he mused.
His expression sobered and he anxiously looked around, beckoning for Sansa to come closer he stooped down to her level. "Listen Sansa, this is very important but you must keep a level head," he talked quickly in a low undertone, so quiet Sansa strained to hear him "Now I know we haven't told you much about the rebellion, and I know you need answers but you mustn't write anything in your letters. If something happens we'll get in touch." He stared intently at her, his grey eyes boring into her own Tully blue "Do you understand Sansa? Because I can't promise you that everything will be okay. Something's coming Sansa and I don't know if I can protect you from it. You'll get your answers but we must only contact through face to face meetings and fire"
Fear and panic flitted across her face, she was mildly aware of the rising tension between the great houses, the joint Baratheon and Lannister reign at the ministry was causing some unease in the common wizards. The Government wasn't running smoothly and the conflict was building. It had started with small incidents of violence, wizards jumping muggles had always been a problem, but the attacks were increasing in severity and occurrence. Sansa hadn't questioned anything however. She didn't take much interest in politics, she found more joy in reading tales of heroism and Dragons.
Childish stories she knew but all great stories are laced with truth.
Her father however knew much, much more. She opened her mouth, a crease forming above her eyebrows as she frowned questioningly. However a subtle shake of her father's head and a meaningful look to the right drew her attention to a sinister group of wizards to their left.
She kept silent. A sickening feeling of dread and worry forming in the pit of her stomach. Heavy and thick.
Sansa flung herself into his arms, "Stay safe Dad. I love you. Make sure the hearth burns hot in 5 days time". She murmured in his ear. He hugged her back, pressing her into his chest. "The fire will always be burning," He whispered "I love you too." She drew back and looked over to her mother.
Cat was hugging Arya, swaying back and forth, chanting words of encouragement into her sisters ears. It was Arya's first year at Hogwarts and she was terrified. She shouldn't worry so much Sansa thought bitterly. Arya would never disappoint her parents as much as she had.
The rest of the Starks had been appointed to Gryffindor. Robb, Uncle Brandon and Benjen, her mother and father before them. Jon however, was in Ravenclaw. Her parents had been startled when they received the news, but after a while they had relaxed as Jon although in a new house and different to the rest of the family remained a true stark. Loyal to his family and the north. In truth he had flourished In Ravenclaw, becoming best friends with a timid boy, Sam Tarly, he had indulged in learning the tricks and strategies behind all the battles ever fought in recorded lore. Sansa knew that he trained with his friends Grenn and Pyp from Hufflepuff in secret duels in the Forbidden Forrest.
However, it hadn't even crossed their minds that Sansa would be placed in another house. Let alone Slytherin. Her family had been shocked and shamed. A stark in Slytherin was unheard of. Sansa in the minds of many became a stain to the great name of the Starks.
Even now on in her 5th Year Sansa still felt guilty knowing her robes were slashed with emerald and not ruby. No. Arya had nothing to fear. There was no way she could mess up more than Sansa. A loud screeching whistle cut through her thoughts and she snapped back to the present.
Her mother's eyes darted up to meet her own. She reached out and gestured frantically "Sansa, come here, quickly!" Sansa crossed over, arms outstretched. Cat wrapped her other arm around Sansa and held her two daughters close. "I love you both, so much more than you can comprehend," Her voice was brittle, the lump in her throat suffocating her words. "Always remember that. Always." She whispered. Sansa's heart sputtered. Suddenly this seemed more like a last goodbye. Her eyes stung and she furiously blinked away tears. She refused to draw attention to them.
"LAST CALL!" The shout echoed throughout the station and was met with a frenzy of movement and noise. Sansa and Arya were ushered onto the train, around them farewells being yelled from the train to the station and back again. Sansa's eyes latched onto her parents. Smiling and waving them off. Robb and Jon stood behind her, their presence calm and reassuring. In front of her, pressed tightly against the window, Arya was violently rubbing her eyes rid of tears. Sansa placed a warm hand on her shoulder soothingly. Returning her gaze to her parents she concentrated on sealing the image of them both, smiling and happy, Rickon clinging to her father's leg and Bran jumping up and down, his dusty mop of hair bouncing erratically, in her memory.
God knows when she'll see them again. IF she'll see them again. She shuddered, a feeble attempt to rid herself of the morbid thoughts. Instead she focused on the gentle chug of the train as it slowly dragged its way out of the station. She strained to keep her family in her line of sight, until the train passed round a curve and a blast of piping hot steam blocked her view.
AN-
Hello! Thank you so much for using your time to read this considerably sketchy piece of writing. This is my first ever Fanfic and reviews and tips would be a huge help. Depending on how well this is received and whether or not anybody actually likes this, I'll keep writing.