It's not that I felt I lacked the courage the Sorting Hat claimed I possessed. But because I had that courage, that I asked it to sort me into Slytherin, it's secondary choice for me.
Gryffindor was not the place for me, given the current circumstances surrounding the magical world at the moment. But I understood the importance of my staying within the confines of my familial circle. I am fiercely loyal to my family, and my only goal is to keep them safe from anything that could harm them, even though I am at risk of being exposed. That is my courage. Not to mention, had I gone to Gryffindor, I would never have been able to do that. They would have cut me off.
You see, I come from a very long line of pureblood witches and wizards; most of which were sorted into Slytherin. Those who were not were burnt off of the family tapestry.
My sister, Bellatrix, had been sorted into Slytherin the year before I arrived at Hogwarts, to the immense pleasure of our parents.
My younger sister, Andromeda, had been sorted into Hufflepuff the year after me. For this, my parents have punished her incessantly, with cruel jinxing and removing all evidence of her having lived within our home. She has taken to staying with friends over the break, after I suggested she would be better off there. I could tell my suggesting it hurt her, but it was for her safety. Although I must say, that I am not at all surprised. Andy had always been so pleasant and thoughtful with everyone she met. Not at all like the rest of our family.
For you see, we are form the most noble house of Black.
Proud supporters of the Dark Lord, and pureblood supremacy. For He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has "honoured' our family with his presence in our home numerous times.
Bellatrix – or Bella, as I call her – fancies herself to be in love with him. Which I find to be quite dreadful, mind you I would never say that to anyone aloud.
Speaking of love, had I not suggested that Andy stay with friends, she would never have met her current fiancé. Since he is a Muggle, my family burnt her off of the family tree. But, although I may not fully approve, I am not entirely upset, since I know that she is happy and that is all I had hoped for her.
I myself have met someone who I know my parents would undoubtedly approve of, since he holds the same values that they do, as well as being the single heir to a very wealthy estate. He is actually quite charming and sweet to me, although my sister and mother say that this is something entirely useless. I only hope we will be as happy as my sister clearly is.
I am a month away from completing my final year at Hogwarts, and a number of my friends have caught wind that Lucius is intending to propose to me, quite soon in fact. Since they are Slytherin and undoubtedly have the 'greatest' of ways in gaining information, I have no doubt that their information is correct or at least comes from a sliver of truth. I think I will accept him if he does propose, even though he has only begun courting me officially for the last 9 months. It would keep my family close, although I will miss darling Andy.
Slytherin may be my house out in the open, but Gryffindor is still my house in my heart. I only wonder if I will ever live up to the Sorting Hat's initial choice.
Only time will tell.
_x x x_
