Sorted Chapter 1 by Erin O'Dell

Golden sunlight shone through the elaborate stained-glass window and onto Cliodne's sleeping form. Instinctively, she pulled the satin periwinkle covers over her head. She drifted back to sleep as her fellow fifth year's stirred and started to dress themselves for breakfast and morning classes. Cliodne, however, remained in bed and tried to get in a few more minutes of sleep before getting up. She snuggled her silk pillow and started to drift back into sleep.

"Cliodne? C'est matin," a quiet voice said to the satin lump. When no response was made, the girl slowly lifted the blanket to reveal Cliodne's pale face. Cliodne opened her eyes and sighed in defeat. She groaned in dismay and flung back the covers. Walking over to the mirror, she noticed the girl looked very concerned. Cliodne smiled sweetly at her and told her she would see her at breakfast. The girl smiled back and quickly ran out of the room.

Cliodne dressed in her uniform, pulling her white blouse over her messy blonde hair. She then donned her thigh length blue skirt and pulled on her pantyhose, making her legs havea sheen to them. Cliodne then slipped on her charcoal black Oxford shoes and tied the strings in neat little bows. She threw on her blue blazer and tied her pale blue ascot around her dainty neck. Cliodne put on her hat, checked herself in the mirror, grabbed her bag and headed out of the room.

While walking, her heels clicked on the marble floor and she glanced out the tall windows as she passed them. The post carriage was here this morning. She picked up her walking pace, catching up to some third year students on their way to the dining hall. She silently hoped that there was a letter for her from Hogwarts somewhere in there.

She entered the dining hall and sat in her usual spot. The hall was abuzz with mixed conversation in English and French. She removed the blue wool hat from her head and sat it on her lap. Hats were not permitted to be worn during meals, as doing so is considered rude. She slipped her bag under the table and when she sat back up, felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Tu me semblez belle ce matin," Cliodne smiled and turned to hug her friend. He sat next to her and pushed his messy black hair out of his eyes.

"Franz, you tease!," she giggled, "How did you sleep?" Franz groaned and put his head down on the table, causing Cliodne to giggle even more. He lifted his head and gazed at her with grey eyes. A smile crossed his lips and he leaned towards her, so close to Cliodne she could feel his breath on her cheek and smell the fragrance of his cologne.

"Concerned are we, ma chère? I knew you cared," the tone was playful, yet there was something in his voice that Cliodne couldn't quite place. She smirked at him and gently shoved him away. He laughed and smiled at her with a smile so handsome; Cliodne felt her cheeks turn hot. Before he could notice, the doors flung open and every student at L'Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons rose in respect for their headmistress.

Olympe Maxime strode in wearing black robes emblazoned with periwinkle satin. She was followed in by her fellow teachers, also clad in black. She went to the silver podium in front of the faculty's table and motioned for her students to sit. She smiled and gazed around the hall, hundreds of students smiling back. In her hands, she held a small letter and a small box, and Cliodne wondered what was inside.

"Bonjour, mes chers étudiants! Today is a very special day at Beauxbâtons. A special and sad day to all," she lifted the hand containing the letter, "for in this letter, lies a new life, a new future, and a new school for one of our students," she peered over her glasses towards Cliodne and smiled. Cliodne felt her heart stop. This was it, her last day in France. The long awaited day had finally arrived.

"Would Mademoiselle Cliodne Inès Costello come forward, s'il vous plaît?" the giant woman's voice was strained as she spoke. At first, Cliodne couldn't move, but after Franz touched her hand and nodded, she rose. All eyes were on her as she clicked down the center aisle towards the beaming woman. The letter was placed in her hands and as she read it she felt tears swell in her eyes.

Dear Ms. Costello,

We are very pleased to inform you, that your requested transfer from Beauxbâtons Academy of Magic to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been accepted. You are scheduled for you special sorting ceremony the evening of November third.

You will assume fifth year level classes and will be required to take the O.W.L.S exams at the end of the school year. Books, supplies, and a uniform have already been purchased by your sister. She speaks very highly of you and your abilities and we are excited to be receiving you here.

Enclosed is a checklist of required items for fifth years so you may see to it that you have everything you need upon your arrival. Have a safe journey to Scotland, and welcome to Hogwarts.

Sincerely,
Prof. Minerva McGonagall

She smiled a little as she read the letter; Dariah was such a wonderful sister. She was a 7th year in the house, Ravenclaw. Her entire family had attended Hogwarts and also had been sorted into Ravenclaw. Cliodne had attended Beauxbâtons because of all of the things happening over there. However, her parents had decided that it was time she returned to England and attend school with her sister.

Madame Maxime smiled at her with glossy eyes, and was apparent she was trying not to cry. She embraced Cliodne so tight; Cliodne thought her bones might snap. She returned the hug and wiped some tears from her eyes. As they broke the embrace, a loud clap was heard from the center aisle. Cliodne turned to see her dearest Franz, tears staining his lovely face. Slowly, the other students began to stand and clap as well. Soon enough, the entire hall was applauding her and she couldn't help but laugh.

A small man was standing next to Madame Maxime, and cleared his throat. The headmistress nodded to him and turned back to Cliodne, handing her the small box as well.

"Your carriage awaits you, ma chère. Farewell, and good luck," she gestured to the small man and smiled. Cliodne took the man's arm and headed down towards the hall's doors. As she passed Franz, she stopped and flung her arms around his neck. He placed a hand on the back of her head and around her waist in a warm embrace.

"Alors, c'est au revoir?" her voice cracked as she spoke into his neck. Franz held her tighter and Cliodne felt a tear fall on her face.

"Oui, mon amour, this is goodbye," he pulled back and stared into her blue eyes. He swallowed hard and wiped a tear from his eye. "I will never forget you," his soft lips met hers for a heartbeat. Then he stepped back as the small man led her out the door. Cliodne turned back to her best friend and mouthed simply, "Nor will I."

She sat in the warm carriage as it flew over grassy hills and thick forests. Her Egyptian Mau, Kisa lay curled in a ball next to her. The cat purred softly as Cliodne stroked her head. Kisa stretched closer to Cliodne's thigh, nuzzling her dress with her head. Cliodne smiled at her as she covered her with a small blanket.

She reached to move her bag so she would have more leg room, and a tiny blue box fell out of it. The box from Madam Maxime! She picked it up curiously. After examining the box, she opened it. Instantly she had felt tears in her eyes. Inside was a small photo album, containing five photographs, one of her and Franz the first day of every school year. She touched his smiling photograph and remembered the small kiss he gave her before she had left.

She wiped away some tears and gazed out the carriage window. The sight she saw was one to behold. She saw a magnificent castle with tall towers and lights from just about every window. There it was; Hogwarts. It was more beautiful than she had imagined and in her awe, forgot the warm feeling of Franz's lips on her own.

"There you are, miss! Hogwarts castle, your new home!"

Yes; home.