The Noble One

"Willow!" Willow giggled as she hid behind her father's cloak in his closet. He would never find her here, he never could find her anywhere she hid. She loved her father very much, he always made her laugh. She didn't know who her mother was, she had died when Willow was really little, or so her father had told her.

Willow was giggling when suddenly a shooting pain filled her, she had the sensation of burning hands placed on her face. Her father found her for the first time, but she didn't care as pain laced throughout her body, and scream flowed out of her. Her father held her, but nothing he could do would stop her pain. As he apparated her to the hospital the pain disappeared, but Willow felt empty. She didn't feel like speaking, she didn't feel like smiling, she didn't even feel like moving. And so she lay there. She heard the whispers from the doctors, they mentioned a curse.

Eventually Willow regained her former happiness and her father took her home. Neither mentioned what had happened and Willow was always wondering what kind of curse could hurt her like that. Then she got her letter. She was so excited, but when she ran to her father, he looked upset.

"Why are you upset Daddy?"

"Oh pumpkin." He pulled her into his lap. "It's just I am sad that you are going to go away!"

"Oh..."

He kissed her forehead. "But that is ok, you get to learn to be a Witch!"

"Yay!" Willow threw her hands around her father's neck. Than hugging him tightly said, "I love you Daddy."

"I love you too."


The next day, he took her to Diagon Alley to buy her books. When they went into Flourish and Blotts there was a long line of women crowding the door. Apparently someone named Lockhart was signing books. Her father laughed, and had her sit outside the door as he got her books. While she was waiting, a young boy with very blonde hair, followed by a large man with same hair, exited bumping into her. The young boy looked at her, "sorry." Was all he muttered before he was off. Next a large group of people exited, a large amount of them were red haired, except two. A boy and a girl. Then her father came out and handed her her books.

"Looks like Lockhart is going to be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"Oh."

"Now let's get you a wand."

"Ok!"


They walked hand and hand, swinging their arms as they pushed her cart to the platform. Willow couldn't help but keep glancing at her sleeping owl. It was a beautiful Barn Owl. It was almost pure white, but the brown wings had so many colors. Dilys is what she decided to name her. Suddenly she spotted the platform entrance. She started to skip a little more as she walked, and their hands swung a little harsher. Her father laughed but walked a little faster.

All of a sudden they were saying goodbye. Her suitcase and owl tucked into a compartment that only had one other boy. Willow kissed her father's cheek. "I will send Dilys with letters all the time!"

He kissed the top of her head. "You better. Do well in school, ok?"

"Ok Daddy." Then the train whistle blew and Willow climbed on the train. She pulled down the window and waved until she couldn't see her father anymore. Willow felt like crying but no tears fell, so instead she pulled out Hogwarts: A History and began to read it. Her father had mentioned Hogwarts before, had even told her about Albus Dumbledore, but she didn't know much. She was so engrossed in her book she almost missed the announcement saying they were close to the school. She quickly changed, and felt very nervous.

When they got off the train, a huge man was calling them over. Willow could barely see his face around all the hair, and Willow felt herself staring at him. The boy who had been in her compartment leaned over to whisper. "That is Hagrid. I heard about him from my brother. He is half-giant!"

"Really?" The two of them walked near each other, and when they neared the boats quickly slid into one together. A red headed girl and another boy joined them. The red headed girl looked familiar but Willow was quickly distracted when the boats began to move and then she could see the castle.

"Wow!"

The other three all added their agreements. Hagrid called for them to duck and they did, avoiding an overhang as they floated under a hill. Suddenly they were in an underground cavern. The exited the boats and Hagrid walked up to a large door. He knocked and moments later an older woman appeared. Willow had heard about her from her father, this was Professor McGonagall. She led them past a door where the rest of the school was, as obvious by the noise and they entered a room.

Professor McGonagall turned and spoke them, mentioning houses, and points. But Willow could hardly pay attention as her eyes wandered around the room that felt oddly familiar. But before she could figure out why it did, Professor McGonagall exited the room.

The boy from the train turned to her. "Hi! My name is Felton. Chris Felton."

"Hi, my name is Spenkin, Willow Spenkin."

"Well Spenkin..."

"You can call me Willow." Willow interrupted. "I don't like being called by Spenkin."

"Oh. Well Willow, do you know what we are waiting for?"

"No..."

Professor McGonagall reappeared. "Get in a straight line and follow me."

They all got into the line and Willow found herself behind the red-headed girl with Felton behind her. She looked up at the ceiling and instead found a beautiful star filled sky. She had read something about an enchantment being on the ceiling. Suddenly she tripped a little, and Felton steadied her. Then they were near the high table. Professor McGonagall sat a stool in front of them and placed a hat on top of it. An expectant hush fell over the room, and everyone stared at the hat, so Willow did too. Then suddenly, a seam like a mouth appeared and the hat began to sing.

I am a hat,

That much is true.

But the question now is,

What are you?

.

Is your heart strong as steel;

or as soft as a feather?

Does it crave for wonderful things;

or is it lifeless as tanned leather?

.

The answer lies deep within,

The interior of your head.

We could always rip it out,

Although I will read it instead.

.

If you dare to put me on;

Your qualities I'll see.

And from this I will deduce,

How great you can be.

.

If you are the noble one,

who would die for his friend.

Loves a little mischief,

But is true to the very end.

.

Always tries your hardest,

But tries again some more:

I know the perfect house for you,

It's name is Gryffindor.

.

If you are a loyal one,

But choice your friends with care:

Craves a little fame and glory,

So there is nothing you wouldn't dare,

.

And if you are a little tricky,

I know a place you will fit in.

Remember to tread carefully;

You'll be in Slytherin.

.

If you love to search all day,

Just for an explanation.

Loyal to your cause and friends;

And hate to cause a separation.

.

You love to examine everything,

And discover every flaw.

Your best of friends, I do declare,

May be in Ravenclaw.

.

And the sweetest of them all;

You love to play outside.

You too are loyal but not too fierce,

(Though it's not as though you've tried.)

.

You love to laugh, don't fear to cry;

Your heart is always on your cuff.

Then do not fear, my dearest friend,

You'll love to be in Hufflepuff.

.

Four great houses,

And many more of you.

If I was a human,

I don't know what I'd do.

.

But since I am the Sorting Hat,

I will do what I know well.

I will sort you into a House,

Where you will get on swell.

.

And now, you first-years,

Your time is drawing near.

Listen to your teachers,

And there is nothing you need fear.

Clapping erupted throughout the entire hall. Willow joined in, impressed with the hat. She heard someone whispering that the hat came up with it's own songs throughout the year. She clapped a little harder impressed.

Professor McGonagall nodded her head at the hat, and then unrolled a long scroll. "Cassandra Arnot." A young girl skipped up the stairs. Professor McGonagall place the hat on her head, and moments later the hat called out "Gryffindor." A table behind them cheered and Willow turned around. She noticed everyone greeting the new member but there was one girl who wasn't cheering. She was sitting near a pair of red headed boys who were cheering but kept glancing at an empty space next to the girl. Two seats were empty. Willow was curious but turned around when she heard "John Aster."

Willow was distracted by another empty seat as the hat called out "Hufflepuff!" This seat was at the head table. It was one of the edges. Willow couldn't help wondering why someone would be missing from the table. Felton nudged her. She glance at him just as Professor McGonagall called out "Chris Felton." He gave her a nervous grin before sitting on the stool. There was a pause and then the hat called out, "Slytherin."

Felton grinned at her and Willow grinned back. He then jogged over to the table cheering. As Willow watched she noticed the blonde hair boy from sitting at that table, quietly clapping for Felton. The ceremony continued and Willow found herself looking up at the high table. She was watching Dumbledore. She knew him from her chocolate frog cards, but the worried frown on his face was something she had never seen. Then he caught her eye, and Dumbledore smiled at her. Willow blushed and looked down.

Then all of a sudden she heard "Willow Spenkin." Gulping she slowly walked up to the stool. As she sat the hat was placed on her head. A voice filled her mind. "Fascinating mind you have here." Willow whipped her head to the left and then realized it was the hat talking. Willow could feel a disconcerting sensation, as though it was digging in her thoughts.

"Stop."

"You can feel that hmm?" The sensation continued for a moment. "You have an important memory stored in here... Hmm. You would do well in all four houses. But I think you will do the best in...

"Gryffindor!"