Something is happening to Grace,first year 's stubborn, willful, and defiant, but she is also alone and , really. With a heartbreaking past,and an uncertain future Grace is thrown head first into a world she never knew existe
New Story :D Yay! I hoe you all like this. For all My Emma Wade readers, I highly apologize for not updating. I have a frightening case of writers block, and so I am trying to clear it up by writing this. I have the plot for this story clearly laid out, so I shouldn't suffer the same with this story. Fear not!
Chapter 1, Empty Bliss
Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can top 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 chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a steady mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your 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!
Students were called up to the small stool, and a hat was put upon their head. Sometimes it would shout out an answer right away, and other it took longer.
"Silverman, Grace" My heart jumped as I heard the headmaster call my name loudly. Breathe, just breathe. I told myself as I forced my feet to carry me forward, and up to the little stool.
"No need to be nervous now, dear." A professor told me as I took the seat.
"Ready now?" I nodded my head in assent and she placed the old hat on my head.
Now, now, now. Who do we have here? Grace Silverman. Where to put you, where to put you, the Hat muttered at me. I jumped a little when I heard the voice in my head. Just breathe. Perfectly normal.
Ha. Nervous, are we now? Hmmm, a bit unconfident, but you do put up a good face don't you? Yes, yes, I see. Stubborn, willful, defiant, and yet...afraid. But where to put you...Gryffindor is not for you. Neither Hufflepuff. You are quite intelligent, but...no. You need things...
Like what? I wondered to myself silently.
A home. You need a home.
My heart dropped into my stomach as the Hat said that. I already have a home.
Mmmm...I see. SLYTHERIN!
I jumped out of the seat as quickly as possible, almost knocking the stool over. My face heated with embarrassment. The Professor took the Sorting Hat off of my head as I scrambled down and walked in the direction of the applauding table. I paused for a moment, looking for a place to sit. They all eyed me as the applause died down, and I raised my chin and stood straight as if to challenge them. I could tell this was going to be an important moment. An older boy raised an eyebrow at me and nodded once.
I felt a knot loosen itself in my stomach. I'm glad I got that over with, I thought as two students parted so there was room for me to sit.
I sat down, smoothing my skirt over my knees, ankles crossed, and my back straight. The girl sitting to my left turned and offered her hand to me.
"Hello, my name's Aaliyah, I'm a second year. Welcome to Slytherin." I returned her smile with one of my own, and shook her hand lightly.
"First year."I replied, she nodded once, and turned away to talk to another girl.
Sighing slightly, I examined my surroundings. There were boys and girls sitting along the long table, there didn't seem to be any particular order to the seating. They all look rather nice. I thought with relief. I didn't feel like having to mess with someone just yet. There were five other first years, scattered around the table. Two girls, and three boys. Everyone around me were either talking to each other or listening to the Headmaster ramble on about the Care Of Magical Creatures' teachers' pets.
"...and so, please, be careful when entering the grounds near Hagrid's hut. And with that said, let the feast begin!" He said with a wide sweep of his arms, eyes twinkling. Holy crap, I thought as a feast spread itself out on the table in front of me. Quickly everyone reached forward and began to serve themselves, and I followed the suit, placing a roll and a small amount of chicken on my plate with a side of salad.
I watched everyone around me as I ate my dinner in silence. Better to observe before jumping in. I want to test the waters, not drown. A boy with short, chocolate colored hair turned and looked in my direction. I tensed immediately.
"Hey!" He said loudly, and I raised an eyebrow at him in response. "Hey, what's you're name, girl?"
"Grace."
He gave a short, barking laugh, "No, stupid. Your family name." Stupid? Really? I sighed, "Silverman. Grace Silverman."
"Huh." Was all he said before turning around, ending the conversation.
No one else spoke to me for the rest of dinner, and when it ended everyone stood up and began to exit the great hall, walking slowly. Since I had no idea where I was going, I just followed the crowd.
"Slytherin first years!" I heard a girls' voice shout out over the crowded noise. "Over hear please!" I followed the voice to all tall girl with flaming red hair. There were two other girls, and three boys as well.
"Now, please follow me girls, and boys please follow Greg." A tall dark haired boy nodded and the boys branched off into another group. "I'll explain everything. My name is Sasha, and I'm a Prefect. Now, if you girls have any trouble what so ever you may come to me for advice, help, or guidance. Our Head Of House, Professor Snape, will give all of the rules once we enter the common room." Sasha walked briskly, and I had to break into a half walk half jog to keep up with her; but I wasn't going to complain.
"Our common room is in the dungeons, same place that the Potions Class is held. It can get rather cold down there" She said with a slight glance back at us, "so I hope you all brought something warm to wear at night." She slowed down a bit when she saw us struggling to keep pace with her.
"The boys and girls dormitories are separate, and are off limits to the opposite sex. Trust me, we will know if you breach that rule. So do not do it, or there will be consequences. Each year level has a separate bathroom, to give more privacy, but you three will be sharing one. It is connected to your dormitory. I know, of course, how girls can be when sharing a bathroom, so I suggest you all talk to one another and try to work out some sort of schedule. There are two shower stalls, and since there are only three of you that should not be a problem. If you have 'female needs'" She glanced back again and snorted in amusement as we all blushed, "then the nessacary items are under the sink." We're eleven. I don't think any of us have 'female needs' just yet. I thought in slight amusement.
"Now, here is our common room." She approached a rather large portrait of a grimacing old man and said, "Trickle Leaves". The portrait swung open to reveal a large doorway leading to the common room, where all the older students were already standing, or lounging on the couches and chairs.
Stepping through the door I looked around in wonder. The room was decorated in Slytherin green and silver, and was half hard wood floor, and half plush carpeting. A large fireplace lay at one side of the room, with various tables and book shelves near it, and on the other side were couches and chairs. In the back of the room there were two curving staircases, each leading to a different door.
Just as we reached the rest of the students, a tall man came in, his robes billowing around him.
"Welcome to Slytherin first years, and welcome back to the rest of you." He turned toward myself and the rest of the first years, the boys had joined back up with us. "In this house we have rules, more rules then some of the other houses, but then, it is all for the good of it."
"You will be in bed, and stay there when curfew hits. There will be now midnight wanderings, and no staying up until all hours finishing school work that should have been done before bed. If you are ill, whether it is in the middle of the night, or during the day, you will either come to myself, one of your Prefects, or directly to Madam Pomfrey. You hide a sickness from me,and there will be consequences. I expect you all to behave like proper human beings at meal times, and to be respectful of all of you Professors. Fighting is prohibited." His gaze wandered over all of us, studying each of us in turn.
"The last rule, no doubt the most important, is that Slytherin is a family. When you have no where else to go, you can find a home here." My mind floated back to what the Sorting Hat had said to me earlier, You need a home. Is this what that barmy hate ment? And without further comment, Professor Snape turned sharply and stroad away.
"Well!"Sasha exclaimed, "Why don't you all go up to your rooms. Girls on the right, boys on the left. Girls your room is on the second level up." And with that she left us standing there, walking away to reunite with her classmates.
Heaving a sigh I marched forward to the staircase, the other two girls following behind me. I climbed the stairs steadily, until I came to the second floor, and opened the door to our room.
Three beds were set a bit apart from each other, with a trunk at the end of each. Bed coverings were folded in a neat pile at the top of each bed on the pillows, waiting to be made.
"So..." I looked back as I walked over to the bed with my trunk and began to make the bed up.
"What are your names?"
"I'm Laura Holmes." Said the blonde haired girl cheerfully.
"I'm Trinity Varce." The other girl stated coldly, turning away.
"Erm, well I'm Grace Silverman." This is highly awkward. I thought to myself with a grimace.
"Well, I'm from Yorkshire. Live with my Mum and Dad there, and I have a dog, oh and by the way I have a cat, she's around here somewhere I'm sure. I hope you don't mind. Her name is Miss Kitty. I know, cute, right? So anyway, I'm from yorkshire, and I'm a pureblood, of course. And-"
"Can you just, like, shut up?" Trinity asked in a strained voice, Laura's jaw dropped in shock.
"How rude! I don't want to talk to you anyway, if your so rude."She replied in a little huff. Trinity just rolled her eyes and continued to unpack her trunk. This is going to be fun. A bunch of arguing girls. Woo whoo. Well, still it's an improvement I suppose.
"Do you mind if I use this wardrobe?" I asked, pointing to the large cabinet between Laura's bed and my own.
"Oh sure, go ahead. But is it alright if we share? I mean I don't mind at all, but I mean-" I cut her off, smiling slightly.
"Yeah, it's fine." She blushed a little, and looked down at he feet.
"Sorry about that. I ramble when I get nervous. It's a thing."
"We noticed." Trinity muttered across the room.
"Ha, it's alright. We all have then, this is mine." I said as I pulled out a stuffed owl.
"I can hardly sleep with out her" I admitted sheepishly. The mood in the room lightened immensely after that was said, and we all finished unpacking in a comfortable silence.
"So, now what?" Laura asked in a bored voice.
"Erm...well I was going to read..."I trailed off as I pulled a book off of the small shelf by my bed.
"Ohhhh, but I wanna get to know each other!" She replied, bouncing on he bed slightly. I never thought there were such...perky, people in Slytherin.
Trinity gave a loud sigh from her bed, "Well, why don't you ask your questions. I have a feeling you won't stop pestering us until you do."
Laura gave a slight frown at Trinity's words, but when I told her to go ahead she brightened considerably.
"Ok! Well. Did you guys bring an animal with you? Like I said before, I have a cat."
"I brought an owl."
"I didn't bring a pet." I told her. I kind of wish I had, though. Could have picked one up in Diagon Alley...oh well.
"Huh. Well. What do you guys think of our Head of House? I think he seems kind of scary." Is this girl for real?
"He seems alright." A girl of few words, Trinity.
"I think he'll be a bit strict. But he also seems to have our best interests in mind, and wants to keep us well. I think Slytherin is a really close knit House." A home...
"Yeah, I think so too. We get our schedules tomorrow, did you know?" She continued on, not waiting for an answer. "I can't wait to start classes tomorrow morning."
A grunt was Trinity's oh so articulate response.
I just sighed.
"Are you guys home sick? Do you miss your family? I miss my Mum..." She trailed off, a look of loneliness flashing across her face.
"Not really. I'm glad to get out of my house, to many people. I have three brothers and two sisters. All younger."
"That must be awful, Trinity! I can't imagine living so many younger children. What about you Grace?"
Do I miss my family? Do I? I asked myself in silence."No." A good safe answer. And the truth.
"Oh, well then." Laura hopped off of her bed, "I'm going to go down to the common room, maybe I'll meet some more friends, would you like to come with?" she asked, looking form myself to Trinity.
Trinity shook her head silently. I found myself standing up book in hand, and Laura's face brightened.
"I'll go. Might as well get it over with, right?" I brushed my light brown hair back with my hand, and smoothed my bangs.I had hung my robes up earlier, and so i was only wearing the school issued skirt, white stockings, and a white shirt. I shivered in the cool air, but elected not to bring a sweater with me. I would have to get used to it eventually.
"Right, come on!" She began to scamper forward, then stopped abruptly.
"Wait. Do I look ok?" I surveyed her skeptically, taking her question seriously. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and she was wearing a black sweater over a long sleeved white shirt, with her school skirt and stockings.
"You look fine," I told her truthfully. I stepped out of the doorway and walked beside her down the staircase, chin held high, back straight, and adopting an air of pure confidence.
I stepped off the stairs lightly and made my way to the fireplace and settled myself on a chair in front of it, with my feet tucked under me. Hopefully Laura won't mind that I'm not 'mingling' with her. At least everyone can see me, get their stares in, and leave me alone tomorrow. I opened my book and began reading.
'counter-jinxes are not named properly, because that "counter-jinx" is a term simply used to make jinxes seem more acceptable. Jinxes are not at acceptable and the witch or wizard who uses a jinx to get out of trouble to to cause trouble should not be considered a true witch to wizard. The jinx is not a type of magic that should be used in sophisticated wizardry circles.'
I snorted quietly. Any magic can come in handy in some situations, does't matter if it's a hex or a curse. You use what you have.
"As much as I value widening the breadth of your knowledge, Miss. Silverman, it is ten minutes until curfew and i suggest that you get up to your room and get ready for bed" I looked up in surprise to see Professor snap staring down at me with a raised eyebrow. I raised one of my own in response.
"Alright then. Thank you, sir, for warning me. I don't want to be breaking any rules on my first night here, do I?"
"No, you certainly do not. What were you reading, if I may ask?"
I held the book up for him see.
"Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard" He read. "A bit advanced for you, I'd say."
"I have to disagree, sir." I replied, not about to let this man belittle my intelligence.
"Indeed. Well, off to bed with you. I expect you to be fully awake for classes tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir." I replied and began walking away. I saw something come by my face and flinched instinctively, stopping.
"Miss. Silverman, please take your book with you."He said handing me my book, and eyeing me curiously.
"Thank you, sir. Good night, sir." He nodded once and walked away from me, in the direction of an older student who seemed to have dozed off while reading.
I walked slowly up the stairs and to my room and changed into long pants and a t-shirt. I'll take a shower in the morning. I thought with a yawn as I settled down into my covers.
I'm so glad I'm finally here...even if Laura is a bit barmy. I chuckled softly into my pillow. I hope classes will go alright in the morning, I really am very nervous. Good thing I can hide that. Some people pick up on nervousness like sharks do blood. Then they go in for the kill.
A home. That's what the Sorting Hat said I needed. I wonder how much it knows. I wonder how much Professor Snape knows. I tensed, then relaxed slightly. Nothing. He knows nothing.
I reached down and lightly brushed my fingers over a large dark bruise that I knew was on my upper thigh. Wincing, I pulled my hand away. Much better here.
So, what do you think? Love? Hate? Could be better? etc? Well, I hope you all liked it :)
Night! Oh, and review please, if you don't mind!