Disclaimer: You know the score. You know 'em, I don't own 'em.
It was dark and rather chilly when the Hogwarts Express gradually slowed to a halt at Hogsmede station. When the doors opened, the other years grabbed their things and jumped down to reach the carriages that pulled themselves. The first years hung back. A booming voice then sounded over the hubbub of talking students.
'Firs' years this way!' it called through the chill air.
A few of the braver students approached the towering figure calling to them. Four to be precise. One tall boy with glasses and messy black hair, another tall boy who had the makings of a very handsome man, a slightly shorter boy with small scars on his face and a midget of a boy with ratty features. They were overly too friendly with the gamekeeper, Hagrid, and they were to be avoided at all costs. There wasn't really much chance that they could be Slytherins. They cared too much about others. Not that Slytherins didn't care. They just looked to themselves more than others. It was just the way they were, and what moulded them.
The trip across the lake proved to be very uneventful. As the students walked through a torch lit passage, towards the steps, Severus and Siri were approached by a young looking girl with fair hair and blue eyes. She looked very scared, but the twins were the only people she knew the names of.
'Ummm…..hi' she stammered.
'Hi' said Siri. 'Did you want something?'
'I…I wa…I was just wondering, if we're in the same house, if we can…sit together?'
The twins were silent. Adrenaline rushed though Maia as she waited for their answer. She didn't get one. Siri just shrugged, looked at her brother and walked off. Severus, on the other hand, tilted his head slightly, looked her up and down, and then, with a small smile, nodded once. Maia took this as an answer, and followed him down the hall.
Waiting at the top of the stairs, looking like a bird of prey, was Professor McGonagall. In her hands were the Sorting Hat and the rickety three legged stool.
'Quiet please' she called over the babbling fist years. 'Now, when these doors open, you will follow me to the front of the hall, where you will be sorted alphabetically into your houses'
Just at that moment, the doors to the great hall opened, and the rest of the students proceeded to stare at the new additions to the school as they walked the length of the hall, towards the staff table.
A few students were then sorted, one of them being Sirius Black, who was now seated at the Gryffindor table. It was Maia's turn. She walked nervously up to the stool, sat down heavily, and placed the hat on her head.
'Good evening Maia' said a voice in her head.
She shuddered.
'I can see that you're somewhat shy, but you have hidden cunning, and if you feel brave enough, you have quite a mischievous personality. You can be quite cheeky if you want to'
'Ok, I think I know all that. I mean, it is me you're talking to here'
'Oh I think I know where to put you' he said with a chuckle.
'Well that's a good start' she said.
The hat graciously ignored this remark. It was used to cheeky first years, and had seen many in it's time.
'Slytherin!' It called out to the hall.
The Slytherin table clapped politely. Many of the other first years were sorted, and four more Slytherins joined the table, including Severus and Siri. After they'd been sorted they found seats next to Maia. The feast passed in silence, but when it was time to go to bed, Maia walked close to Siri, and chose a bed near her in the dorm room. Siri didn't mind a bit. Maia was the opposite of her, in looks and personality. While Maia was fair and pale, Siri's hair was black, her eyes dark and her face slightly tanned.
'I think I could be friends with this girl' she thought to herself. 'She's ever so quiet, and rather mysterious'
'I like Siri' thought Maia 'she isn't pressing me to speak, but I think I could anyway'
'Where do you live?' She asked her new friend.
'East London. Spinners End. Sev and I hate it there. What about you?'
'I live in Mayfair' Maia replied.
'Classy. I'd love to live in Mayfair. Loads of posh people to prank'
At that moment, a translucent figure wafted vaguely through the wall into the dormitory. The figure was of a tall girl, rather thin, with a silver hole in her stomach, and shining innards, wriggling within. The very sight of her made Maia nauseous.
'Hi' said the ghost absently. All the other girls were asleep. 'I'm Talia' Talia wafted through the opposite wall, leaving Maia and Siri in hysterical giggles.
'What was all that about?' said Siri, in between snorts and hiccups.
'I have no idea. Mum told me to watch out for the ghosts' replied Maia, gasping for breath. 'We should probably go to sleep' she added, stifling a yawn.
'Oh God don't do that you'll set me off. You're probably right. Night, Maia'
'Night, Siri'
The two were asleep within seconds of lying down. It was going to be an interesting life for both of them from now on.
THERE YOU GO. CHAPTER 2. R&R PLEASE.