Victoria
I brushed back my brown locks while looking in my bedroom mirror for the last time before departing into my new school as a sixth year. Lifeless sapphire eyes stared back at me. Spending the last 10 years in America has done its toll trying to stay away from the Dark Lord. I turned my back to the mirror and walked down the stairs of the cold manor to where my Mother and Father were seated while eating their breakfast. I sat down at the opposite end of the table and placed some toast and jam on my plate as I listened to my Mother lecture me again about the upcoming train ride to the new school.
"…Slytherin is the most prominent house in Hogwarts, after all. Father and I both attended it proudly, as shall you, Victoria…" She continued drowning in her own meaningless words while I nibbled on my food in front of me. The one good thing about leaving the manor was that I wouldn't have to listen to my mother continue to nag me about her silly beliefs in blood purity and loyalty to Voldemort. I was stuck here all the time if I wasn't the Female American Academy for Witches. I took a small sip of my tea and my Father stood up.
"Come on, Victoria. It's time to leave." He summoned my trunk and owl while I grabbed his arm and a familiar tugging at my navel took over and within seconds we arrived in front of a sleek red train. I observed happy children kissing their parents goodbye and Mothers stifling in their tears. As I ignored a small longing for that kind of love, I was pulled back into reality as my father started talking.
"Oh look, here come the Blacks." I looked forward and saw two middle aged parents that had and elegant presence to them standing behind a young man who seemed to be younger than myself. They walked to us and my Father began to speak,
"Orion, Walburga." He said with a curt nod as they returned the gesture.
"How nice to see you again, Premus. How long has it been? Eight years? Ten?" Asked Orion. The Blacks, now I remember. They are another famous pureblood family that we associated ourselves with before we went to America.
"This is my daughter, Victoria. You must remember her from our gatherings before we left." Father introduced me and I reluctantly gave a tight lipped smile and nodded to them. Walburga introduced the young man before her as Regulus. I lifted my hand to shake his and he quickly lifted it up to press a kiss against my knuckles. I instantly dropped my hand back down trying to resist the urge to wipe it on my jacket. As the two adults continued with their conversations, I felt another pair of eyes staring at me. I looked around and made eye contact with a young handsome man with blue-grey eyes. He didn't make any move to look away so I took the initiative to turn my head back towards Regulas and his parents. Looking closely, I could see that they were the same eyes as the boy who was staring at me. But before I could confirm my thoughts, the boy was gone.
"…I'm sure Regulus would be happy to help Victoria onto the train." I heard Walburga say. I looked up to expectant eyes of my Father and Orion. Dad was shooting me a look and I quickly responded,
"Yes, that would be wonderful." I tried to smile but it only came out as a grimace. I can't stand being around these people. At the same moment I thought I saw a small weight fall off of my Dad's shoulders. He pulled my trunk towards me and pulled me into a still embrace.
"Don't embarrass our family name, Victoria." He muttered into my ear. I shut my eyes, counting down seconds until I could leave his arms. I barely got up to three seconds before he released me from his grip. I step back a few as the adults before us retreat and apparated away into thin air. Out the corner of my eyes, I saw Regulus grab both our trunks and hauled them on the train. While he started rolling them down the hall, I stopped him and took it from his hands.
"I think I can manage from here," I took my owl, Ophelia into my right hand and my trunk in the other.
"You sure?" came his smooth velvet voice. I nodded stiffly and thanked him for lifting my trunk to the train as we both parted ways. I started walking down the corridor to find an empty compartment to sit in. I had to walk all the way to the end of the train before I came across an empty room. I tried to lift my luggage onto the shelf above intended for them to be placed there. I put Ophelia on the seat and went back to trying to lift my suitcase. It took me about five tries before I finally shoved the thing up there.
Huffing, I sat down on the seats and grabbed my bag and giving Ophelia a couple of owl treats. I pulled out Wuthering Heights from my bag. I tried to keep these books hidden from my family as much as possible to escape their wrath from reading muggle literature. I had just began the books when I heard a masculine voice shout out
"Oy, James! I found an empty room!" I silently prayed that this guy wasn't going to open the door. My prayers weren't answered when the door slid open and a handsome boy with beautiful eyes walked in. The same eyes that I saw staring at me from across the platform. I placed my book in my lap as another boy with messy hair and glasses barged in and threw himself in the seat across from me.
"Finally, Padfoot! I was starting to think that—oh hello!" James seemed to finally notice that I was sitting here and swiftly sat upright.
"I don't think I've seen you here before." He lifted a hand to ruffle his hair and grinned gleefully. I bookmarked my novel and looked back up at the pair of boys.
"You haven't." I simply responded and stood up to leave. The blue eyed boy stopped me from leaving by leaning against the doorframe
"Now love, if you are a new student here, then what better way to get yourself acquainted with us four!" He smiled wolfishly. At that exact time, two other boys stumbled into the compartment. One had a charming face that was covered in faint scars, while the last one had a round face and thin blonde hair. I looked back up at the quartet and sat back down in my seat. The newcomers seemed to notice me as well and the former spoke up.
"Hello, my name is Remus Lupin. I'm a Gryffindor prefect and a sixth year. You must be the new student that Dumbledore had mentioned to us." He introduced himself politely while sticking out his hand and I shook it.
"Victoria Foster. I'm also a sixth year." I sat back down and the questioning from the first two boys started to pile in.
"Isn't Foster like a really old pureblood name?" inquired James. I pulled my book back into my lap and responded "I believe so,"
"What are you doing reading a muggle book then?" Asked the boy with blue eyes said next to me while draping a tender arm around my shoulders. I closed my eyes annoyed
"I'm not sure what your pureblood stereotypes are here in London, but some apples do fall far from the tree." He seemed taken aback as he was silent after a moment
"You should know that more than anyone, Sirius." James quietly whispered to his friend. We all continued to awkwardly stare at each other before Remus broke the ice.
"How long have you been in America? You're accent is mixed." I was pleasantly surprised at his question. Most people couldn't even tell that my accent was different. I met his kind brown eyes which were dramatically different from those of my Mother and Father. Taking a moment, I saw that all of the boys had warmer features than everyone I was around in America.
"10 years." I said softly. Sirius still had his arm on me and I was starting to get uncomfortable. I went back to reading when at that moment the boy with watery blue eyes asked what house I would like to be placed in.
"My parents want me to be in Slytherin." I briskly responded. Our entire tree went to the same house and I was expected to do no different.
"Slytherin-" sneered Sirius, "… is where every bad witch or wizard was placed. You don't want to be stuck there with all wizarding prats and arses. Any house will be better than there." I know he's right. I've seen historical references of everyone who was in Slytherin. I can't admit it to these boys I just met, but something about them seems to tell me that they are more than what meets they eyes.
"I guess we'll see in a few hours," I smiled softly at the boys "I assume that you're all in Gryffindor?" James proudly stuck out his chest and thumped it a few times.
"Where dwell the brave at heart," Chimed Sirius next to me. I turned to look at him, as he was staring back at me with his crystal blue eyes. I looked away and hoped I wasn't turning red. His arm was still slouched around my shoulders, I noted. I grabbed my book once again and started reading.
Later during the train ride, the boys were playing Exploding Snap when one of the cards blew up in all four of their faces, leaving them bewildered for a split second. I lowered my face into the book and tried to hide my giggles. Unfortunately for me, they seemed to notice.
"I knew that I would be able to get a laugh out of you, Foster!" Sirius rejoiced and came to my side and started tickling my sides. I swatted his arms away and continued to silently laugh.
"James, grab her feet! Foster, I won't stop until I hear your lovely laugh!" James pulled my shoes off and started scratching the soles of them. After a few minutes of struggling, I finally gave in and let out a resounding laugh as my legs were fighting James' strong arms. Sirius started to slow down and he eventually released my torso.
"There is it, Foster." I grinned up at him from the floor and blew my long bangs out of my eyes. I stood up and straightened up my clothes. Suddenly, the compartment door opened up revealing a gorgeous redhead with pretty green eyes.
"Evans! How nice to see you again! How was your summer?" James prodded and ruffled his dark locks once again. The girl rolled her eyes and ignored him
"We will be arriving at Hogwarts in 30 minutes. I would advise you all to change into your school robes before then," She then turned to me with the much different expression "—oh you must be the new student, Victoria, isn't it? My name is Lily Evans. Here, let me bring you to my compartment so you can change." I smiled at her and followed her out from the room.
"Was Potter and Black bothering you before the term even started?" she inquired.
"Well, they actually were very friendly with me to be honest." I replied as she held the sliding door open for me to go through. There were two girls already seated there and pulling their robes on their bodies.
"This is Marlene McKinnon," A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes waved "—and Alice Prewett," who had short brown hair to her shoulders.
"Ladies, this is Victoria Foster. She's a new transfer student from America who will be attending Hogwarts this year." Lily introduced me to her friends.
"Nice to meet you, Victoria. I'm sure you will love Hogwarts more than your old school. Plus, the guys are a lot cuter." Marlene winked at me and I looked away while pulling my skirt and shirt on. In the back of my mind, I started comparing how much more welcoming everyone was here compared to the people I was surrounded by in California. I shuddered at the thought of staying there another year and Lily noticed
"You alright?" She asked worried.
"Just nervous about the sorting ceremony. My parents both want me to be in Slytherin like they were. They are very narrow minded people so they're just putting excess pressure on me." I said on edge worried that she would pry some more, but to my relief, did not. Molly just smiled reassuringly and squeezed my shoulder. The train suddenly lurched forward and almost sent me flying to the seat opposite me. We all stood up and I made a move to grab my luggage as Marlene stopped me.
"Don't worry about that. It'll be ready for you when you get to your dorm." I nodded and followed the crowd outside the train while a deep loud voice was shouting over all the chatter.
"Firs' years an' transfer students this way!" He bellowed. Lily whispered to me quickly
"That's Hagrid. He's pretty cool. Just follow him that way." I nodded and she grinned broadly
"See you soon!" and with that, she was gone. I felt a poke in my side and saw Sirius smirking down at me.
"I hope I'll see you at our table in a few minutes." He winked at me and I started at his retreating figure before running after Hagrid and the short eleven year olds who came up to my elbows. There was a boat that had an empty seat in it so I decided to sit down with the kids already seated. When the boats started to move, I soaked in the ancient glory of the magnificent castle. After a few minutes, the boats seemed to stop and Hagrid started giving out directions again
"Come on! Don't stop, unless ye' wanna get bit by somethin' poisonous!" Several first years jumped up in shock and ran up to catch up with the front of the line. The gates of the castle opened up revealing a grand staircase and huge double doors. Everyone came face to face with a stern looking women with greying hair.
"Hello, I am Professor McGonagall who teaches Transfiguration here at Hogwarts. In a few moments, you will be sorted into different houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. They all contribute unique assets to the individuals who are in their houses which brings me to house points…" She started to drag on with information when after five minutes, the doors opened and we all followed her down the Great Hall. Looking up, I could see candles charmed so they float near the ceiling and students sitting at four different tables with an implicit rivalry between all of them. As I passed one table, I heard a low whistle and turned to see Sirius sitting there with Remus giving an amused scowl next to him. I vigorously turned my head away from the lot at stood in a hoard of small first years who made me feel like everyone's eyes were on me as I stood up like a sore thumb among the adolescents.
McGonagall unrolled a long scroll of parchment and a shabby looking hat in her other hand above a stool.
"Adams, Cory!" A dark skinned boy walked to the stool and the hat immediately cried out "Hufflepuff!" Startling me at the process of the sorting. I would have to do this before the entire school? Name after name was called until I was the only one left. I could softly hear whispers starting to build up as my name was called,
"Foster, Victoria!" the mummers started to die down as I walked up to the stool and the hat was dropped on my head,
"Aren't you a peculiar one?" a quiet voice said in my ear, making me go rigid
"Your mind is very ripe…Yes, there hasn't been one like yours in many years. Lots of wit, yes but also a part of you is clever and cunning." I winced at this as the hat continued,
"Oh but a family tradition to live up to, Eh? It would do you some good if I just through you in Slytherin…" I exhaled and sighed. He was right, I would just go through a lot less trouble if I went where my parents want me to be placed it.
"But it seems that you would do well somewhere else… Yes, yes, you are a courageous one indeed, Miss. Foster. There seems to be a much better place for someone's mind as developed as yours...Yes you would do well in Slytherin but your soul is to undamaged to end up there. " My eyes shot open at this and my heart started to hammer. No… this wasn't going to happen. No, the hat isn't going to do what I think it's going to do. Oh no please—
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat was lifted up from my head and I saw that every person in the hall was looking at me before the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and yells. I looked over to where the teachers were seated and saw Dumbledore looking at me with a small twinkle in his eyes. I numbly walked over to the table and Lily pulled me down next to her.
"That was the longest sorting I have ever seen! It was nearly five minutes! What was the hat even thinking for that long?" She grilled as food appeared before my eyes. I placed chicken and spinach on my plate as a lump formed in my throat. What were my parents going to say? They surly had some sort of pureblood connections here. Father seemed cozy with the Blacks. What was the boy's name? Regulus? I looked around for where he could be sitting and sure enough I saw him with other boys who looked like a stick was up their arse. He looked towards me for a second and there was something hidden beneath his eyes, but I couldn't pinpoint it. He looked away before I could even blink. I started pushing my food around my plate and suddenly lost my appetite. Maybe I will go up to Dumbledore and ask to be resorted. Oh how will Mother and Father react! I put my fork down and took a sip of pumpkin juice, trying not to gag at my anxiety. A weight was slid down next to me as Sirius pulled his plate next to me and James came down to talk to Lily.
"If it makes you feel better, my family wanted me to be put in Slytherin too." He whispered so just I could hear. I looked up at him and was slightly shocked. He seemed so content being here with his friends… so happy. He acted as if he didn't even say anything while he was shoving mashed potatoes down his throat. Seeing Sirius so carefree and relaxed seemed to give me my appetite and I started spooning in some food to my mouth.
"The worst that can happen is that they would send a howler." He lightly chuckled. I wasn't amused. My parents have given me more than enough and I couldn't even repay them my being sorted into their approved house. Gryffindor was definitely the biggest rival of Slytherin! I stopped eating and spoke up,
"It's not funny." I said seriously. He looked back up at me and sighed
"Look, Foster," Sirius said and turned to me "—the hat is pretty clear on where he puts people in their houses. If you weren't meant to end up with green and silver, then let it be. Besides, you already have Lils' on your side." He grinned at me and started wolfing down food.
Soon enough, dinner was over and I managed to get a little bit of food into my stomach. We were lead to a portrait of an overweight women who tried singing. We were informed that this week's password was 'Chocolate frogs' (odd password in my opinion). I followed Lily to our dorm and saw my trunk and brand new Gryffindor attire on a bed near a window. I barely changed into my pajamas before instantly falling asleep on the warm covers.
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