okay next chapter in a week at the latest hope the twins are in character.


September, 1989

"Val, see you at Christmas then," Draco said as we said our goodbyes. I wasn't use to being away from my cousin. Growing up together does that to you I guess, and I was nervous about going to Hogwarts. What if no one liked me? What if I was a loner? What if. . . Calm down I told myself.

"Valeria you better go find a compartment before they're all taken," my aunt said as she gave me a reassuring smile, the one that said "I am a pureblood therefore better than you."

Giving them a half-hearted smile I waved and I ran off to go find Topher, a friend of mine that I'd made at some party of my uncles and spent most of the parties with since we met. He was spazzy , intelligent, and worse of all, knew it.

I soon realized I didn't have any clue how to find him. Ugh why couldn't I already know some locator spell? I should have planned this out better. Like made plans on how to find each other earlier. As I continued my search, I would search and was prepared to search the whole train if I had too, I crashed into some redhead.

"I'm so sorry," I uttered while getting up and thinking about jumping off the train. Ugh why did I have to crash into someone on not even the first day.

"It's okay," he replied, "I'm Fred Weasley."

Ew, it was a blood traitor. Mother had told me all about them. Red hair, poor, and muggle lovers. Ugh.

"Well I'm Valeria Black," I said in the smuggest tone I could muster after having knocked him down.

Catching on to my tone and the last name he haughtily replied, "killed anyone lately?"

I can't even believe he just said that. That Weasley. I opened my mouth to retort but was at a loss for words. Seeing Topher out of the corner of my eye I stalked off not bothering with the Weasley.

Topher moved aside to let me in the compartment and shut the door before asking, "what was that about?"

"Nothing of importance," I offered glancing at the other two students in the compartment.

"Oh right. Val, this is Hannah Bram," he pointed to a copper skinned girl, "and that is Jaime Ivashkov." He pointed to the lanky blonde.

"So how does an Asian end up with a name like Hannah Bram," I ask.

Topher hits my arm, "Val, play nice"

"It's okay," Hannah says, "mums from Burma and dad's a brit. I got the looks from her even if the names not really Burmese. Not that I've ever been there."

"So what house you recon you'll end up in," Jaime asks.

"I'm hoping for Ravenclaw, intelligence and all," Topher says.

"I'm going to be in Slytherin," I reply.

"Sound very sure about that," utters Hannah.

"My whole family has, except for my father," I mutter the last part.

"Well I don't care what house I'm in. All this house nonsense breeds intolerance," Hannah preaches.

"Well I'm hoping for Gryffindor but my mum recons I'll end up in Hufflepuff," Jaime shares.

"Why would anyone want to be in Gryffindor," I ask

"See this is what I'm talking about, Intolerance," Hannah says

"This is why I can't bring you anywhere," adds Topher.

I smack his arm in response.

We fall into an easy conversation after that for the rest of the train ride and my initial anxiety lessens. Maybe I won't have trouble making friends after all.

We buy some candy, who needs actual food, when the trolley passes by.

Topher and Hannah don't shut up about chocolate frogs for an hour as Jaime and I roll our eyes.

We both take turns with Bertie Botts every flavor beans. Something about not knowing was thrilling.

We changed into our robes as soon as we finished eating. Jaime confessed he wanted to be on his houses Quidditch and their conversation resumes.

Once we all get off the train the first years are herded to a group of boat by a mountain of a man. I get into a boat with Topher, Jaime, and Hannah.

We collectively gasp as the boat moves by itself toward the castle. I feel a sort of heart wrenching pride as it finally sinks in that I'm finally here. I'm going to be a witch. I can't help the smile that lights up my face. Topher catches my look and grins back. No word need to be said.


Upon arrival into the great hall all the anxiety comes flooding back. What if I'm not in Slytherin? What would my uncle do? What if they won't want me anymore?

Get a grip on yourself. I think of my mother. Of what she would say if she saw me panicking about nothing. Make her proud. Hold your head high I order myself. I cling to this thought as my names called by Professor McGonagall.

The great hall silences as I walk up. I catch some of the whispers, about how I'm Sirius' daughter. About the dark lord. About my murderous adoptive mother. About the Potters.

I keep my chin up and bite my lip. I don't care what they think I chant in my head. My eyes water slightly. I don't care. If I say it enough time I'll believe it.

I sit on the stool as the sorting hat is placed on my head.

"Oh how interesting. Such potential to be reached and loyal to boot, still a brave heart. Yes you'd be good in Slytherin, but you'd be great in Gryffindor. Yes, I know. Guess I'd better make that Gryffindor!"

No. No I can't be in Gryffindor. What will my family say? What will they do too me?

I'm too shocked too notice anything as my body goes into autopilot and sits me down at the Gryffindor table.

I'm not in Slytherin. Why am I not in Slytherin?

I don't say a word or listen to the rest of the sorting, barely registering that Topher is sorted into Ravenclaw, Jaime into Hufflepuff, and Hannah into Gryffindor.

She sits next to me and says, "at least you know and have me."

I don't register the rest of the feast although for a second I there thought Professor Snape caught my eye but I might have imagined it. Who would want to associate with a Gryffindor?

Hannah drags me through the swarm of student as we walk to the common room elbowing student out of her way looking like a million galleons. Neither of us stopped to chat. Our only goal in mind was to get to out dormitory and sleep since we had classes tomorrow. I realized I would have two more dorm mates.

We walk into the four poster bedroom with both our stuff and greet our dorm mates, Kali Delhi and Angelina Johnson.

"So Black right?"

"Get all the jokes out because we are tired," Hannah proclaims.

"I like you," says Angelina.

"Yeah, and I make no promises not to hurt you," I say in a burst of confidence.

"Well you don't know any spells yet so I'll take my chances," grins Kali.

We talk for a bit more before getting ready to sleep and for tomorrow.


We wake up Hannah wakes up late and I'm late since I stayed to wake her. I guess this means we're friends. But anyways we are most definitely late. Like not even dressing late but we aren't getting any breakfast late.

"Hurry your butt up, we aren't gonna have time to eat at this pace," I whine again.

"Calm down. It's our first day; I doubt they'll do anything other than a warning."

We throw our robes on and I hand her book bag to her before flying down to the great hall. We grab a fruit each and go get our schedules. And should I be mad that she made us late because a peach won't cut it till lunch. "So we have herbology, flying lessons, and astronomy on Monday; Charms and Transfiguration on Tuesday; double potions on Wednesday; Charms and History on Thursday; Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts on Friday."

"Do we have any classes with the Ravenclaws," I ask between bites as we head outside to the green houses.

"Yeah, astronomy, history, and transfiguration. Why? Miss Topher already?"

"Just wondering," I say as we get inside just as class begins and the teacher gives us a warning look.

"See, I told you. Just warnings," Hannah grins.

I scoff but opt to ignore her as the Professor begins to talk or lecture rather. No hands on learning today. Or the week. Most of the week passes like that, in lectures about what we'll learn, rules, and so forth. First weeks suck.

Quickly we end up with more homework than we can think of. Our trio spends most afternoons in the library or outside before fall really sets in seeing as Topher is in Ravenclaw. Hannah suggests we start hanging out in the great hall once we get kicked out of the library for knocking a bookshelf down, we got detention for that one, but end up in empty classrooms instead. There's one on the fifth floor filled with old couches. Topher's favorite seems to be the one on the fourth floor teeming with books. While Hannah favors the one on the sixth floor filled with an assortment of nick knacks.

Learning magic turns out to be no-so magical. We've only waved our wands once and that was in charms. Everyone seems to hate potions, but I'd take potions over history any day. Astronomy is also a bore. It's just staring at planets and their movements. What use is that?

I've avoided telling my aunt and uncle about my house sorting, but eventually sent a school owl.

Hannah and I were walking into Gryffindor common room hearing laughter when Kali ran up to me and said, "I told them not to open it but they did anyways,"

"Told who not to open what," I asked.

"The Weasley twins-," I didn't hear the rest as I ran into the room.

"It's okay Valeria, I still care for you deeply even if you are in Gryffindor and have shamed our family," Fred read.

"Stop! That's mine! Give that here," I yelled. Everyone stopped laughing and stared at the three of us.

"Hello Black," George sneered.

"Give me my letter," I snapped.

"Oh this letter," Fred teased.

"Shut up and give that here," I said.

"Or you'll do what exactly. You don't belong here. And we all know it," said George

Something in me snapped. Maybe I'd rather be in Slytherin, but no one told me what I could or couldn't do. I shoved George Weasley off the table and taking advantage of Fred's shock I grabbed my letter and fled to my dormitory.

I didn't let the tears fall till I was under the covers. I knew they were right. I could feel the silent stares of the Gryfindors. The whispers as I passed, the occasional sneer my way. They didn't know me. But no one had really done anything outright. Still they were just voicing everyone's thoughts. No one had done anything.

After reading my letter I felt a little better though. They didn't hate me. They were disappointed and probably embarrassed, but they didn't hate me. At least Draco and Aunt Cissy didn't. No telling what my uncle and mother taught. Had they even told her yet, i hope so. That would meant i didn't have to tell her myself.

Hannah came in at some point to try and comfort me, but pretended to be asleep. Angelina and Kali also tried to comfort me but I continued to pretend. I didn't want to talk to anyone.

I waited till everyone else was asleep before getting up and wasting time doing homework to get my mind off tonight. I wasn't going to get much or any sleep.


okay to her it seems like bullying but keep this in perspective to the twins it would seem like slytherin/gryffindor rivalries cuz they think of her as an intruder and she shouldn't be in grffindor