At Hogwarts, Dumbledore gently escorted Chalyn into the Great Hall, where the first years had just been sorted. He took her up to the front and stood behind his podium.

"Such a fine sight to see all of you here tonight. But before we begin this wonderful feast, I have one final matter which needs settling. It seems as though Igor Karkaroff has rid himself of one of his students. We will now sort her into our own school so that she may continue her studies. Professor McGonagall, if you would please?"

McGonagall stepped up again and gestured for Chalyn to sit on the stool. She did so and the Sorting Hat was placed atop her head.

"What? We're not done yet? I was sure…ah well, another won't hurt. But what is this? You are not such a young one are you? Oh young, yes, but not an immature one. You seem to be…a daughter of Durmstrang! Ah…Igor getting rid of his pupils now, is he?"

"N-no…just me."

"Ah well, don't take it too hard. Now then, where to put you? You've the qualities of a Gryffindor, the bravery…yes no doubt. But you'd do well in Slytherin too. But what's this? You seem to have qualities searched for in Ravenclaws…but I'm afraid Hufflepuff is just not for you."

"I don't care; just don't put me in with Harry Potter. I don't want to be made a fool of next time he get's himself into trouble."

"Ah…well if you're going to let a little thing like that get in the way then I'm afraid you haven't got the loyalty of a Gryffindor. Better be…SLYTHERIN!"

McGonagall lifted the hat from Chalyn's head and she stood, nervous in front of all the people staring at her.

"Congratulations, my dear. Right over there."

Dumbledore gestured at the Slytherin table, where everyone was clapping. As she sat down, Draco extended a hand and she shook it, along with everyone else. Dumbledore finished his speech and the feast began. Chalyn ate her fill and talked with her house, meeting everyone and learning. Although she felt uneasy, the constant chatter made her feel at home. When the feast was over, everyone went to their common rooms. Chalyn stayed with Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy, since they seemed to know what they were doing more and were in her "year" [fifth]. She quickly noticed two things. One, that Draco was in charge. Two, that Crabbe and Goyle had no balls.

In the dungeon common room, the five sat around on comfortable green couches and chairs. Chalyn sat alone, despite an invite to sit next to Crabbe. Short fat boys had never really crossed her mind as attractive. Pansy looked at her with distaste before snuggling up against Draco. Not noticing this, the blonde boy spoke to her.

"Is it true what they say then?"

"Hm?"

"Do Durmstrang wands work better?"

"I don't think so. It depends on the wand really, what it's made of."

"I see. And yours?"

"Oak and Dragon's breath. Made for dueling." Chalyn held it out for him to see. The gesture was returned.

"Ah…yours is a dueling wand too. I can tell; the wood is stronger, harder." the wands were returned to their owners. Pansy piped up.

"You don't have much of an accent."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What I said. Last year everyone from Durmstrang had accents and all. Why don't you?"

"Er…I'm not from…well…I came from a different place before Durmstrang."

"What's that mean?"

"I…I originally came from the States. But my family wouldn't have me because…they wouldn't have me so Igor came and took me. He was like a father to me."

Pansy was unfazed by the tears that threatened to brim over. "So you're a mud-blood, is that it?"

"N-no. I'm…pure."

"So why wouldn't your family keep you then?"

"Pansy, don't pry. Can't you see she's said all she's going to say? It's her first night here and I think she misses Durmstrang. I would too; I almost went there but Mum wouldn't hear of it. Now then…"

"I want an answer."

"All in good time."

"Now."

Even Draco was silenced by Pansy's tone. Crabbe and Goyle nervously shifted in their seats as Chalyn lowered her head. Then she whispered: "I'm a bastard. My mother was married to a muggle and wanted one pure-blood. But I had to be banished. You think it's a great shame to be muggle-born or half and half? Try being pure at the cost of never knowing your parents. Try wishing everyday that you were half-bred or even muggle-born just so you could know your parents."

Pansy was stunned into silence. The thought had never occurred to her. After all, adultery was rarely practiced in wizarding families; they were more honorable than that. Draco lost some of the smugness from his face and Crabbe and Goyle were stilled. Chalyn cleared her throat after a few minutes of silence and Pansy leaned forward and touched her arm. Then everyone got up and went into their dorms. Pansy loaned Chalyn a nightgown and took her Durmstrang robes.

"I can transfigure these into Hogwarts robes if you like. Or you can just borrow a set of mine."

"Transfigure them. I'll order some later. I probably need a lot of things don't I?"

"Don't worry. We should have the same classes, or at least the basic ones will be the same. You can borrow some of my things. Other than that, ask other Slytherin. But stay away from Gryffindors. I stay away from everyone else, but especially Gryffindors."

"Why?"

"Harry Potter. The "boy-who-lived". Frankly I don't care if he defeated the Dark Lord. He's just an annoying prat. Snakes and Lions don't mix. Remember that."

Chalyn nodded her head and snuggled into her bed. Pansy quickly transfigured her robes and laid them out for her. Then she too went to bed for the night.