So I was wondering if you guys would like short chapters and more updates or long chapters with lesser updates. Keep me informed. And here goes your next chapter. Sorry about the last cliffhanger, hehe. Please review! Flames are accepted!
You came to me,
At the right time;
You came to me,
In the right way.
-Frederick Douglas Harper
Chapter 2 I'm Alive!
My eyes opened to a bright, white light. I was in an unfamiliar room, a white room. The wall beside me was covered in long vertical blinds; over my head, the glaring lights blinded me. I was propped up on a hard, uneven bed — a bed with rails. The pillows were flat and lumpy. There was an annoying beeping sound somewhere close by. I hoped that meant I was still alive. Death shouldn't be this uncomfortable. My hands were all twisted up with clear tubes, and something was taped across my face, under my nose. I lifted my hand to rip it off.
"Oh, baby, you don't." Warm and slightly wrinkled hands caught my hand, and I turned my head to see my mother, looking all pale and haggard, but her face was glowing, and her leafy green eyes sparkling with tears
"Oh dear...I'm just so...you're eyes finally...you're awake..." She silently sobbed into her hands and had to take long, deep breaths to compose herself. I choked a sob as I realised how stressed she was because of me.
"Mom, I'm so sorry." I said in a dry whisper, willing my eyes to tear up.
"Shhhhhhh...everything is alright now." She shushed me. "I'll need to call in the doctor."
She kissed my hand and walked out of the room. A minute later, she reappeared with a doctor and a nurse who examined me.
"How do you feel?" the doctor asked me.
"Sore, and thirsty." I answered truthfully. "How long have I been out? And how badly am I...hurt?"
The doctor looked at my mother who nodded and then answered. "Thirteen hours, with bruised ribs and a hairline fracture to your skull."
"And what about the other guy? Is he here too?" I asked, frowning.
"There was no one else, dear." Mom stroked my hair.
"And I wasn't reported of such." The doctor said frowning. "You're exhausted, and you need to rest and recover. Such accidents leads to a hazy confusion in reality and visions."
I blinked back in confusion. What the hell was going on? I could almost swear that I'd seen somebody. With flaming hair...or was it flaming red hair? I couldn't remember. And I think I even saw another me, lying unconscious. That's it. I've lost it. My head was probably damaged too. Also, they'd used quite an ample amount of drugs on me. And thus, in the reminiscence of that particular fact, I felt my eyelids droop, as I fell into a dreamless sleep.
Everything is numb and heavy: limbs, head, eyelids, nothing will move. My eyes and mouth are resolutely shut, unwilling to open, leaving me blind and mute and dull. As I surface from the fog, consciousness hovers, a seductive siren just out of reach. Sounds become whispers. I tried to make out the hushes into words.
"...want to live..."
"...when will...let...leave..."
"Mommy..."
"...hurts..."
"...hurts so much...my leg..."
What are these voices? I jerked awake, and slowly moved my limbs heavy with drugs, to sit up.
"I can't breathe..."
"It hurts...I just want to go away..."
"...Its hopeless..."
The clock ticked dramatically as I closed my eyes to concentrate more clearly.
"You can hear the voices from beyond the Veil?"
"Arrgh!"
I jumped wildly as my mouth dropped open. A tall guy, who could be in his late teens or early twenties leaned against the window sill, wearing a cowboy's costume, the hat in his hands. I guess he was really handsome, with a glowing gold-like face, but I wasn't paying much attention to his face as compared to his hairs. For, unlike a normal sane person's hair, his hairs were flames, literally. Oh. My. God.
"YOU'RE HAIR'S ON FIRE!" I yelled and ended up coughing because of a dry throat. My mind was free of all coherent thoughts as I finally registered that this was real.
"I guess you're okay, if you can shout like that."
I blinked. I certainly had seen him before. Arguably, it would seem otherwise, for his looks were something similar to unforgettable. Hang on! Actually I have! I was right. It really had been this guy earlier with the accident!
"You're that guy..." I trailed, still dazed. "And you're burning..."
"Thanks for yesterday!" the boy on fire winked at me, grinning. Huh? "I didn't really need any help avoiding that bus, but you're the first human to ever save me."
He's nuts. Who does he thinks he is? Striding into my room unannounced and it's unlikely that he's not human. Duh. "W-who are you?" I asked, flaggerbasted.
His wolfish grin widened. "I'm a god."
Meanwhile, I'd reached for the telephone on my side table. "Hello? Police? There's a weird guy in a cowboy costume who says he's a God—"
"Wait wait wait!" he snatched the receiver from my hands and plucked out the wires, much to my horror. "I'm the genuine bonafide member of the gods!"
"They're hospital's property, you idiot! They're going to charge me!" I growled, glaring daggers at him, resisting my urge to fly out smack him.
"Doesn't matter, I merely plugged it out." He said, waving off my accusation. "I'm Helios, the god of Sun. Though I'd prefer to be called Helia."
"The god Helios?" I asked tentatively. He nodded eagerly. "Never heard of him." I said bluntly.
'Helia' blanched, and clutched his chest dramatically, as if I'd just stabbed his heart. Talk about overacting. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, I'm just a stray god, as I'm a Titan. It's usually the Olympians who rake all the fame." He said composing himself. "But you just watch...I'll soon be known far and wide. The god everyone bows and pleads to. And one day, I will stand at this land as the highest, major god!" Helia said dramatically moving his arms along, as if hosting a reality show.
The T.V in my room switched on, on its own accord and I heard the famous applause. His eyes glittered, and I could almost see the air around him sparkle with is torch-head. He was cackling to himself, probably fantasizing of some crappy god-thingy. Upon noticing my blank stare, he coughed and composed himself. Finally acting the age, huh? I thought wryly.
"I can't stick around long, with all these phantoms. I just came to check up on you." Helia said as he opened one of the bars of chocolate I'd been sent as a get well soon present.
"Hey! Those are MINE!" I exclaimed angrily.
"What's your name?" Helia asked me, his mouth full of chocolate. Where did his manners go? And he's supposedly a god. I snorted.
"Reyna...Reyna White." I answered, eyeing him testily.
"Well, now that I made sure you're okay, we're even!" Helia said, walking back to the window, and opened it. Cool night breeze welcomed us.
"Huh?" I blinked as he got on the sill. "Wai-"
"See ya!" he waved, as he jumped out of it, leaving me all flustered with confusion.
Suddenly, my body felt heavy and my mind groggy, as I felt my eyelids droop again. My vision blurred as I fell back into my bed. I can't stay awake...He...lia...Those burning eyes like molten gold were the last thing I remembered.
If I knew magic could do wonders, this was certainly not what I imagined. I was discharged from the hospital in a week. Meanwhile, my mother had written to Professor Vector who visited me with someone known as a "Healer". In the midst of drinking vials of coloured, pungent potions (which probably killed my little taste buds), and a few murmurs of unrecognisable words (rather spells), I was healed. I had no idea how they did this, but it certainly expanded my imagination of possibilities regarding magic. Of course, we'd had the Healer after I was discharged as no one wished for anything suspicious from the muggles. I can't believe I was a muggle too! Or almost lived like one. I was not done with strange occurrences yet. Often, I'd feel drowsiness cloud my head, with my body screaming out the exhaustion.
Everything felt same, normal, but I didn't. I felt like something was missing, a great chasm between the accident and me waking up. I couldn't remember it very well. But how could it be? I wasn't on drugs anymore and the magical Healer had done his job pretty well. I frowned as I was reminded of how much it had cost Mother. I didn't want to pile more obscure issues to her already burdened shoulders. I knew who was responsible for it. It was some guy, but the memory had somehow blurred, and I couldn't even remember his face. I'd spend hours mulling over the matter, and end up with a mild headache. I tried to turn my focus on Hogwarts instead, checking out my new books. It was as if I was suddenly going to an alien world. The books were unlike anything I'd imagined. I hope I'd enjoy my time at my new school, I thought as I caressed my new polished wooden wand. Just two more days to go.
I was on my way home from the park, when I heard them again. The whisperings. While reading my new History of Magic book, I'd fallen asleep, to wake up and find that it was dusk, and the park was almost deserted. Damn! Mom must have been home too! I decided to follow these voices, curiosity overtaking my uneasiness. I gave an involuntary shudder as the voices grew louder. I closed my eyes to concentrate. I felt like something was closing on me. Fast. My eyes opened to reveal a disfigured hound charging at me with long tentacles issuing from is round, gaping mouth. For once, I stood still, too shocked to move. Fear seemed to have clogged my mind rooting me to the spot. My heart was pounding in chest as I willed mu muscles to move. I dove to my left as a flaming arrow hit the beast square in the eye.
"Whoops, it looks mad now."
I was gawking as Helia stood no more than a foot away from me holding a golden bow. The creature gave a roar and one of its long tentacles caught hold of my legs and yanked me towards its wide mouth. I screamed, spitting out dirt, trying to catch a hold on something desperately...anything. But alas, my luck, as usual, seemed to have failed me, but I let my instincts gear up.
"JUNGLE SAVAGE!" I yelled as I kicked the monster hard in the (seemingly) face, the adrenaline surging rapidly through me.
The beast recoiled from my blow and let go of my legs, and I fell down hard on my butt. Helia gaped at me, as the monster still seemed to be whimpering.
"What're you waiting for? Get rid of it!" I yelled at the gawking god.
"You're wish is granted, ma belle." Helia winked at me and summoned an arrow.
My eyes widened as I saw Helia charging up with another shot. Wow. The next second he was in front of me, shielding me from that beast. He murmured something in a strange language and his arrow begun to glow, with blue tongues of flames encircling around him. His eyes hardened as he let go of the strained arrow, which shot forward with such a blinding light that I had to close my eyes.
"Hey, it's over now." Helia said, pulling my hands away from my eyes. I didn't realise I was still shivering. His bow was gone.
Eyes wide I stared at the 'god' for a good long minute. "W-what was that...?"
Helia sighed, as he offered his hand to help me up. I eyed them sceptically. Recounting the past events, this guy was nothing but trouble.
"Oi! Wait up!" I called after Helia as he started to walk away. "I have a lot of questions to ask you, you know. You just suddenly ran off on me last time. No dodging my questions this time, I want straight answers."
Helia raised his eyebrows. "Uh-that's alright and all, but your soul—er—it slipped out. Again."
"WHAT?" I flustered up.
"If you want your body, it's right over there." I looked to where he was pointing to see my body lying lifelessly at the place where I'd first spotted the beast. What the hell!
"What! How's this possible? What happened? Does this mean I'm dead?" I shrieked. I was freaking out and Helia gave me an exasperated look.
"Not exactly dead. It's more like your body's taking a nap." Helia said. "And calm down, you're voice is soon to bleed my ears out."
I felt a wave of drowsiness sweep over me as the reality blacked out.
Helia looked up the cloudy sky. This was going to be a long, stormy night. He felt the girl stir and turn her head to the other side, as he gave her a piggy-back ride. To be honest, this girl never ceased to surprise him. First thing was noticing him, and she saved him. No matter how rude or badass she might let on, she was kind. And he'd seen the way she'd tackled that Phantom. Pretty strong for a human. But weird too. He remembered, how she freaked out after the Phantom was girl stirred again. He felt her lift her head up from his shoulders.
"HEY! LEMME DOWN YOU CREEP!" Reyna shrieked, squirming away from his grasp as she hit his back. How annoying! Fine! Fine! There you go, Helia thought wryly as he let go of her.
"Hey!" Reyna cried indignantly, as she hit the ground. Helia narrowed his eyes at her. She sure is strong, he thought, massaging his shoulders.
"Creep." Reyna muttered, as she got up.
"I'm not a creep! I'm a god!" Helia retorted, massaging his shoulders. This girl's certainly stronger than she looks.
"Ah, yes! About that!" Reyna growled. "Why am I out of my body?"
"Nah, not now. You fell back in." Helia said nonchantly.
"Huh? What do you mean? Was it all a dream?" Reyna frowned as she mused out loud. "What's going on with me? I don't—I don't understand any of this."
"It must be the result of the accident." Helia contemplated, more to himself. "It's the near shore, where the living reside, in the veil. And there's the far shore, beyond the veil. Somehow or the other, you're wound up in the divide between them."
"Beyond the...veil?" Reyna trailed, eyeing him with a perplexed look.
"Yeah, it's something what you humans like to call—the afterlife, I guess." Helia said. Reyna gasped, her eyes widening. "See, you're still technically alive, but you're also a Phantom."
"What's a Phantom?" Reyna asked in a raspy voice.
"Basically they're incarnations of emotions and energy. They possess people and cause a lot of trouble."
"So the beast we fought earlier, was a Phantom?"
"That's right."
Reyna screamed and held her head in her hands. "You mean now I'm like that thing?"
"Er, no, not exactly like it." Helia said thoughtfully, holding his chin, trying to ignore Reyna's ear-splitting screams, which suddenly stopped. "Actually, I'd describe you as someone on the fence."
"And that means what? All this is way over my head!"
Helia chuckled. "Well, for one thing, you probably lose your body a lot."
"And how do I make that stop?" Reyna asked pursing her lips.
"You can't. It's just the way you are now. Accept it and face the truth." Helia said in an admonishing tone.
"Accept it? I can't live like this! It's not fair! Turn me back!"
Helia cringed as she held him by his collar. Man, talk about boisterous! "You should get home. It's too late."
Reyna nodded miserably. Helia contemplated her. She was right. She didn't deserve this. She was a pure soul. Her spirit hadn't been corrupted yet, like the Phantom they'd fought off. This was going to be tough...
I was different. I felt different. Learning the truth certainly didn't do me any good. Of course everything was normal except for my 'instant snooze attack' as Susan likes to call it. But it has also made me see much more that what could 'normally' be seen. I could spot them easily, now that I knew they existed. The Phantoms were everywhere, in all possible forms, from a miniscule insect to a giant cloud, feeding off the people's weaknesses, contaminating their happiness. They are completely deprived of life. The only ones who can see them, are young children and animals, and of course, the unfortunate ones lingering on the divide. An example? Me!
On 1st of September, I was up and ready by 6:30. The train leaves at eleven. I sighed, as I checked my luggage again. Phoenix, my new owl hooted as I put his cage in the living room. I named him after my hometown, Phoenix, back in Arizona. I decided I might as well read something, and started on my now worn out copy of Nancy Drew novel. I'd quite a lot of volumes collected, which now sits proudly on my shelf along with my new Sherlock Holmes collection gifted by Mom on 11th of July, my birthday. I like mysteries, but I'd rather read about them than to go searching for one, though it wouldn't hurt to have one, once in a while. But today, I couldn't concentrate. My mind was buzzing and butterflies fluttered like mad in my belly. Thinking about my new school makes life a lot more exciting.
Finally, after a long wait, we reached King's Cross station. I was to go by Platform number 9 ¾. All the three of us were frowning, and Susan chewed her lips, looking around as if expecting a new Platform to suddenly break through. And there I saw them. A family of four, striding with an air of elegance and superiority. Something about them was foreboding, but I didn't care as long as they could help me get to the Platform, for, the elder son, who happened to look around my age, was pushing a trunk identical to mine, with an owl's cage perched on the top. Bingo!
"Hey, Mom, I think I know how I'm gonna get to the platform." I said, my gaze still locked on the family.
Mom followed my gaze and smiled. "Yes. And looks like you're going to have a friend as well."
"I think I can go by myself now, Mom. It's okay. The train leaves in ten minutes anyways. It won't make much of a difference." I said, reassuringly.
"But I wanna see the platform!" Susan said indignantly.
"Its okay, Susie dear. We will be receiving her at the end of the term anyways." Mom said, with a twinkle in her eyes. She kissed the top of my head like only a mother would, as she wrapped her arms around me. I bit back tears, knowing that I really was going to miss this for a while. "You're a strong girl, my baby. I know you're going to do well."
"I will, Mom." I said in a thick voice. Susan was already flushed with teary eyes. I hugged my little sister graciously. She'd been holding my hand tightly all the time. I didn't need her to tell me how much she was going to miss me, or the other way around. "I can't ask you not to trouble Mom, though. You're the quiet one here."
Susan half-smiled. "Promise you'll write to me?"
"Of course! I'll account every detail."
"Everyday?"
"Now, don't get too ahead, sis. You're not my journal."
"You don't even own any. Duh."
"As a matter of fact I just got one, from the old bookstore beside Leaky Cauldron. I think it's going to be quite an eventful year." I said, more to myself. "I should get going, I don't wanna lose my only hope."
"Take care Reyna." Mom said, smiling warmly at me before leaving with Susan.
I pursed my lips as I looked around for that family. They looked kind of aristocratic. I finally spotted them nearing a barrier. The mother had a look of disgust tattered all over her face. Her blonde hair piled neatly into an ornate, old fashioned bun. Her husband, on the other hand, had a poker face, but his eyes had the haughty look, which both his sons shared. They were all dressed in well-tailored robes and I, in particular, with my second-hand robes, looked quite shabby as I approached them. The woman eyed me coldly with her steely grey eyes, her mouth pressed in a thin line, as if to refrain from speaking ill. I caught myself from recoiling from her rancid behaviour. My eyes widened as I saw a black raven perched on her shoulders. It was quite translucent as compared to the surroundings. It was a Phantom. Shit.
"Excuse me, umm, could you please tell me how to—er—get to the platform?" I tried to make my words sound as smooth as possible. Susan's voice rang in my ears "black crows and ravens are bad omen." I hoped that's not true.
The woman was now officially ignoring me, as she turned to look at a passing train. Come on lady! Who're you kidding? Weren't you just giving me those weird looks all my way here? The Phantom cawed and the woman's nose scrunched up in disgust. The boy with the trunk seemed to have noticed his mother's distress. I suppose he might as well say something unkind. To my surprised, the boy grinned, at once receiving displeased looks from his parents, which only made his grin wider.
"Sure. Come with me." He said, beckoning me to follow him. "Oh, its okay, I can go from here." He said turning to his family. His mother was scowling profusely. Whoops. Someone's going to be spanked at Christmas.
"I'm new to all this...magical stuffs." I said. "I'm Reyna White, by the way."
"Sirius Black." He said, amused. "Wasn't as surprised with my letter though. My whole family's full of wizards and witches."
"Oh. Nice." I said, sounding surprised. How must it be to have a wizarding life? "So how do you get to the platform?"
"Through platform barriers." Said Sirius. "I'll have this one, between 9 and 10, and you can have the other one, between 8 and 9."
"Oh, thank you so much! I guess I'll see you around!" I chirped happily. He gave a lopsided grin and I thought he muttered something under his breath. Ah, never-mind that! My eyes widened as I saw a purple puff-ball perched over his head. Another Phantom? Really? This family's so weird! All affected by these parasites.
I took a deep breath as I readied myself for the run. I had to crash in a barrier. Of course I wouldn't really crash. This magical system of transport is really getting on my nerves. I closed my eyes and broke into a run, with my heart pounding madly against my ribs. This is crazy! My stomach gave an unpleasant nerve and I barely had time to register it before—
BAM!
My world split apart as I stood at a distance, staring at my body, dozing off lifelessly over my trunk which was split open. Phoenix was cawing like mad, flipping his wing indignantly. Of course he could see both me and my body. I looked up at the clock to see 10:55. I was ready to cry. It would take ages to pack all the stuff back, oh why hadn't I taken upon Mom's offer to wait! And I was not even in my own damn body! I couldn't even ask anybody for help.
"—late on your first day! Honestly James!"
I looked up to see another wizarding family, this time, of three—a wizened couple with a boy around my age. This has to be it. I'm not leaving them until they tell me where the platform is. I walked back to my body and willed myself to fall back in. To my surprise, I opened my eyes, to see that I was back. My body was sore, but I'll live. I got up and looked around for that family. I breathed a sigh of relief as they were coming my way.
"Oh dear! Did you crash in the wrong barrier?" the woman said, aghast. She looked around stealthily, and I saw the tip of her wand poke outside her pocket. At once, my scattered belongings fell back into the trunk as the boy's father set it up right along with Phoenix's cage. Something told me that this family was different than the Blacks.
"I was told that we get to the Platform through the barriers." I said miserably.
James snorted.
His father was kinder. "As a matter of fact, we do, but only through the one between 9 and 10. That's how its 9 ¾."
I blinked stupidly. How come I'd not realised that?
"Come on now, dear, don't be too hard on yourself. You're journey has barely begun." The woman said, her hazel eyes twinkling. "I'm Euphemia Potter, and this is my husband, Fleamont. James has just begun his first year too."
I looked at James who was purposefully avoiding my gaze. His mother's gaze hardened and he snarled a whisper. "She's a girl!"
Fleamont sighed. "Hurry up or we really might miss the train."
I scrunched close my eyes, my knuckled white as I clutched the handle. I felt a hand on my shoulder as Fleamont held the hand along with me and we crossed the barrier together. Wow. He's kind.
"Thank you, sir." I could simply smile in gratitude.
"I thought my wife made it clear of no formalities." He said with a grin. It made him look years younger. "Watch out for my son though. He tends to get trouble more often."
I silently wondered if he was comparing to his own mischief in early days and jumped as the train gave a loud horn. Finally, I was in a compartment with James, as his parents made sure we shared one. He didn't seem particularly interested in initiating a conversation. There was a red-headed girl sitting near the window. She seemed a first year as well. I couldn't see her face as she was looking out of the window. I snuggled up in the corner opposite to her and continued with my copy of Nancy Drew. The door of the compartment opened and I gasped in horror. It was that little demon. Sirius Black. I scowled at him as he shuffled in, instantly warming up to James, who gave an easy grin. The hypocrite! Nostrils flaring, I returned back to my book. I didn't want to ruin my journey anymore because of this git.
The door opened once again. Oh bother, another guy! What's with them? Can't a girl read in peace? A tall, thin, gangly-looking guy entered with a rather long nose and prominent black hair. He silently took the seat in front of the red head, beside Sirius. The red head glanced at him.
"I don't want to talk to you." Whoops. Trouble in paradise, I guess. Who needs books when you have an all live-action soap opera in front of you?
"Why not?" the boy asked.
"Tuney h-hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore." The girl said in a constricted voice. I felt sympathetic, still wondering who "Tuney" might be.
"So what?"
Both I and the girl narrowed eyes at the boy. Honestly! Talk about apathy!
"So she's my sister!" My glare intensity flared up even more. I'm certainly not fond of boys at all.
"She's only a —" But whatever he was going to say remained a mystery. The girl was buy wiping her tears away and didn't seemed to notice this.
"But we're going!" he said, unable to suppress the exhilaration in his voice. "This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!"
She nodded, mopping her eyes, but in spite of herself, she half smiled.
"You'd better be in Slytherin," the boy said.
"What's Slytherin?" I couldn't help myself.
"One of the four houses at Hogwarts." The girl replied kindly. She was pretty, and had the most startling bright green eyes. I couldn't help warming myself up to her. "I'm Lily Evans. I'm a muggle-born too. So it's okay, really, not-knowing."
"I'm Reyna White. How do you know all this about the school?"
"I wouldn't' have, if not for Severus. Ah, this is Severus Snape, by the way." Lily said, pointing to the boy beside Sirius.
I nodded at him. "What's so special about Slytherin?"
"Who wants to be in Slytherin?" James asked looking up at the three of us? "I think I'd leave. Wouldn't you?" He looked at Sirius, whose look darkened.
"My whole family have been in Slytherin," he said.
"Blimey," said James, "and I thought you seemed all right!"
Sirius grinned. "Maybe I'll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you've got the choice?"
James lifted an invisible sword. " 'Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!' Like my dad."
Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him.
"Got a problem with that?"
"No," said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. "If you'd
rather be brawny than brainy —"
"Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" interjected
Sirius.
James roared with laughter. Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked
from James to Sirius in dislike. I simply stared blankly, looking from one to another. What the hell were they on about?
"Come on, Severus, let's find another compartment."
"Oooooo . . ."
James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice; James tried to trip Snape as he passed.
"See ya, Snivellus!" James called, as the compartment door slammed. . . .
I blinked. Whoops...shouldn't have asked about Slytherin I guess. But curiosity got the better of me. "Umm...what is Slytherin about?"
"It's the house where the darkest wizards belong. The one to choose only the pure bloods." James said trying to make his voice sound spooky. I gave him a bleak look. Nice try though.
"Why make a house, when you know they're all bad? I mean, they do teach them magic, right?" I made a point.
"Not all are bad. But it has produced the largest number of dark wizards." Sirius said tartly.
"And what about Gryffindor, your favourite?"
James and Sirius laughed.
"That's a funny way to describe it. It's called preference, White." Sirius said. "Every house has its own list of characteristics."
"Aren't they all the same then? If they want a particular type?" I said nonchantly. The boys blinked, as if considering this.
"Nah, Hufflepuff takes them all." Sirius said. Bloody hypocrite. What's Hufflepuff about now?
But my question was soon answered as we entered the Great Hall, and the Sorting Hat sang a silly, but lovely song. I loved every bit of it. It was asking all the houses to get along well. Hogwarts had been a spectacular view from the ride in the tiny 'boatlings' as Sirius so graciously nicknamed it. And being actually inside the castle fulfilled all the magnificent imaginations. Especially the ceiling in Great Hall. Students were being called up for Sorting. Lily, James, Sirius were all in Gryffindor. Poor Snape. He was sorted into that Slytherin. Personally, even though I'd defended it in front of Sirius and James, I didn't feel quite right about this house. The blood status...? What's that got to do with magical skills? It simply strengthened my resolve to perform better than that house as I was sure I wouldn't be placed there. I liked the sound of Hufflepuff. At least it would mean I would be able to live off my years peacefully. Ugh, that sounds like somebody's great grandpa.
"White Reyna!"
Huh? That's me! I tripped over my foot and stumbled on my way to the stool. I could hear laughter but that seemed very far away as the hat obscured my vision.
Hello Mr. Hat. How are you? I thought dryly.
"Ah! How nice of you to ask me!" the hat said. "Well, it's been good long years since my Master wore me, but it's nice to sort these young kids, as my last servitude to my Master. Ahem—er—now back to you, Ms. White. Ah! You're kind, very kind, I can see ample amounts of bravery too! Courage to face the odds, the fierce lioness...and very loyal too..."
So...I'm a Gryffindor? I thought.
"You can be a Hufflepuff too. It'd help you rely on your hard work. Though I spot some lack of patience and tolerance, which would of course suit you better for Gryffindor."
So, it's more like a battle huh? I like the sound of it. Like Helen of troy. A fight to win me. I couldn't help my foolish grin.
The hat laughed. "Now, you're a funny little girl. I'll give you an offer: you decide."
What're you here for? I thought wryly.
"To show you the mirror." The hat cooed. "And I see, you've made your decision—HUFFLEPUFF!"
"That was a long one! I almost thought the hat died!" said a first year girl with bright red hairs framing a sweet face, as soon as I joined the applauding table. "I'm Karin McField."
"Reyna White, though you've just hear it I guess. And don't worry, the hat isn't gonna be dead any sooner than we are." I said, as Rachel Zeller joined us at the table.
The sorting was over. Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! "Thank you!" He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered.
Huh? I blinked. What was that? I turned to Karin. "Is he a bit..." I twirled my forefingers at the side of my head.
Rachel Zeller laughed. She had a black, shiny bob with round glasses shielding her vivid blue eyes. "He's weird I guess in person," she said looking uncertainly at the Headmaster. "but he's a genius! He's the best and only wizard, whom You-Know-Who's scared of."
I gave her an odd look. I could say the same about you as well! I mean, You-Know-Who? How am I supposed to know who's 'Who'.
"Now who's this guy?" I asked in an exasperated voice, though the lavish display of food had diverted my attention.
Rachel paled several shades..
"Er—we can talk later." I said as I bit into my piccalilli. Sour! I changed my meal course to roasted mushrooms instead.
"Hello there." A kind looking ghost smiled at us as he sat beside Rachel, who gave a sudden shudder. I almost knew why as I shook hands with the ghost, who called himself the Fat Friar.
Despite all the mishappenings, I grinned as we walked down the basement to our new Common Room. There was a wall of barrels and I looked carefully as the Prefect tapped the second last barrel in the middle of the second row was tapped in a sort of rhythm. Wow. This is super cool! The tunnel opened into a large, earthy and round, sitting room with a low ceiling full of cosy armchairs and plush couches near the fireplace. The air around the room was full of merriment and welcome. All the portraits in the room gave us a standing ovation as we entered, welcoming us. How nice!
I couldn't get myself to sleep that night. I gazed at the field of dandelions bathed in moonlight. Everything was so exhilarating. So what if I crashed into the wrong barrier and made an ass of myself in public? I'm at Hogwarts! I'm gonna learn magic! I sighed dreamily. I didn't want to wake up tomorrow to find it was all a strange dream.
A/N: How did you like it? I hope you didn't mind Reyna's comments on your favorite characters. Reyna barely knows them. And we're going first person! We're all too quick on judgments now, aren't we? I guess that makes our story even more...entertaining. (If we were characters of some fictional book read by an alien in some other dimension or galaxy; the thought both excites and nauseates me. Do you reckon it's weird?)