As Always, Lions and Serpents
A Story by UndeniablyMe
A/n: Well, here I am with an update, and it hasn't been too long has it? :) Actually, for me, this is what we'd call a very early update. Usually I don't get around to my updates for three weeks at least. You should all feel extremely spoiled now shouldn't you? :)
Okay, enough of my chatter. See you at the bottom!
-UndeniablyMe ;)
Chapter Two: Choices and Consequences
To say that Rose Nymphadora Weasley was nervous would be quite an understatement; she was downright petrified. Her palms were sweaty, her knees were shaking and she could hardly walk straight, let alone negotiate a rocky path down a hill in the moonlight. She staggered next to Hagrid, taking nearly four steps for every one of his, her speech pattern becoming more and more hurried and her voice higher with each step.
"And Dad says that I better make it into Gryffindor, or I'll be disowned from the family but I'm pretty sure he was kidding. Well, I hope he was kidding. I mean, it'd be awful to be disowned, but especially by Dad. I mean, not that he would, and not that it'd be a bad thing to not be in Gryffindor, it's just that—OW!"
Hagrid smiled slightly as the redheaded girl tripped spectacularly over a protruding tree root and suppressed a chuckle as he helped the anxious girl find her footing again. Without so much as taking a breath Rose thanked him and then was off again, talking faster than a speeding broomstick.
"And did you know that Godric Gryffindor--"
Albus tuned his cousin out easily and walked on Hagrid's other side, preferring to stay quiet and listen to his cousin jabber on about something or other she read in Hogwarts, A History, covertly watching Scorpius Malfoy out of the corner of his eye.
Albus still wasn't sure what to make of the Malfoy boy, as he had come to think of him in his head, though he had proved so far that he was nothing like Albus would have thought he'd been. Scorpius was as different from the Malfoy image he had created in his head—one with an upturned nose, sneering pointed features and an ego to match even that of Uncle Percy's—as could have ever been possible.
Of course, Scorpius had the usual white blonde hair and pointed features of a Malfoy and already on more then one occasion Albus had heard him give a sneer worthy of the image he'd conjured in his head. But even that, Albus had to admit to himself, had been balanced by a quiet confidence and certain humbleness that Albus couldn't fathom. What was it that made Scorpius so… so… different from what a Malfoy should have been? And could other people see the difference like he, Albus Potter, could?
Yet, with the way people treated Scorpius Malfoy, Albus was sure that they could not. It made him prickle with indignation too, because Scorpius was certainly not his father just as much as Albus was not his father. It was all very confusing, but Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter were more alike then Albus cared to admit. And what Scorpius had said about proving people wrong about Slytherin had been such an interesting point… What would it be like to make history, change what people thought about something, just like his father had done…?
For a moment Albus seriously debated if being put in Slytherin would be such an awful thing. He wiped the thought quickly from his mind, envisioning his uncles' looks of horror and his very favorite uncle, Uncle Ron, saying, "Blimey Al. And I thought you were alright." And, despite the irrefutable fact that their families had never gotten along, Albus certainly didn't hate Scorpius Malfoy, but did that make them friends? He wasn't sure… A Potter and a Malfoy, friends? Was that even possible? What would Rose say? And, even worse, what would James say...?
"You'll be ge'in yer firs' look a' the castle in a momen'," Hagrid's voice rang through the clear night air, pulling Albus from his thoughts. Next to him Scorpius stumbled on a nearly invisible tree root and Albus's hand grabbed his shoulder to stop him from falling.
"Thanks," the blonde boy mumbled.
"Don't mention it," Albus said.
They walked in silence for a moment and then… They turned the corner where they got a full view of the lake and the grand castle that was Hogwarts across it. Albus's mouth dropped open, Rose gasped and even Scorpius, who usually had good control over his facial expressions, gave an awestruck look. How could he not when he had seen the spectacle that greeted him?
The lake was a smooth inky black, concealing jealously the fantastical world that Albus had been told dwelled below. It reflected the stars and clouds above so that it looked like a giant looking glass for the sky to preen itself in, twinkling at its own imposing and fantastic reflection. The trees retreated back a short way back from the shoreline, leaving a graceful sweep of rocks and dirt to ring the motionless lake. The path extended down, right into the depths of the lake and Albus fancied that, if one could have kept going, the path would have gone all the way to the bottom of the lake.
"Watch yer step there Rosie!" a beaming Hagrid said, catching a breathless and slightly agitated Rose as she tripped on a loose stone and nearly toppled into the lake. "Wouldn' wan' to be all wet for the sorting feast, would you now?"
Rose gave a grimace as if to say, "Don't remind me."
On the shore closest to them, twenty little boats bobbed, creating small ripples that fanned out through the still water and disappeared somewhere near the middle. But across the lake on the farthest shore and, reflected on the lake's edge, was the real treat; a sight that Albus had been dreaming of for eleven years. Hogwarts.
It rose up, perched precariously on the outcropping of a large mountain and was surrounded completely by forest, save where the lake met its shores and where the main gates, located on the south side, were thrown open and admitting horseless drawn carriages. It was hewn from beautiful white stone, weathered by the many years it had seen so that it was almost gray, and many turrets and outcroppings sprang up from the main structure, looking like unexpected growths that had popped up sometime during the many centuries. The castle's many windows were lighted with flickering fires, making the many lit windows twinkle from every level in a welcoming way.
Rose was enraptured.
"It's beautiful," she said softly, sighing deeply. Hagrid grinned at her.
"Same thin' yer mum said when she was here," he said, and then, to the whole group, "Alrigh' no more then four to a boat. Go on!"
And the little party of first years all scurried into a boat, Rose and Albus choosing the one closest to Hagrid and Scorpius clambering in after them. A perky brunette who immediately introduced herself as Adalyn Hunt climbed in to make their boat complete and hit it off immediately with Rose. They both liked to talk a lot it seemed.
"Everyone in? Alrigh', onward!" The little boats obeyed and glided forward at a steady pace, creating long smooth ripples in the black water.
Albus and Scorpius were mostly silent, preferring to listen to Rose and Adalyn excitedly swapping information on what they knew about Hogwarts and what house they'd like to go to—("I think Ravenclaw sounds fascinating!" Adalyn said excitedly.)—and all together filling up the otherwise silent night.
"You know, I never did ask you. What house do you want to go to?" Scorpius said in an undertone to Albus, though his unusual gray eyes never were taken off of the castle.
Albus was slightly taken aback, still not used to the abrupt and somewhat alarming questions Scorpius both asked and answered with unembarrassed ease.
"Er… well, my older brother's in Gryffindor," he said, turning back to the lake and dipping his fingers in the icy water. "My whole family was in Gryffindor to tell you the truth, and you know it wouldn't be too bad to get in there… Though, it would be annoying to follow in James's footsteps and put up with him all the time…"
He trailed off and Scorpius looked amused. For the first time since it had come into view Scorpius took his eyes off of the imposing castle and turned them on Albus.
"You don't want to be a Gryffindor." It wasn't a question.
"I didn't say that," Albus said quickly. Scorpius smirked.
"You actually did a wonderful job of saying a lot and managing to say absolutely nothing."
But Scorpius seemed to see that this was a sore subject for Albus and didn't push it any longer, leaving Albus with the thoughts that had been bothering him ever since he'd gotten his letter. Which house did he want to be a part of…?
Certainly not Hufflepuff, he thought dismissively. True, in the past Hufflepuff had been the joke of the school and where all the 'duffers'—according to Uncle Ron—got put, but in the Battle of Hogwarts the Hufflepuffs had proven their loyalty and stayed beside their friends to fight. In fact, it would be quite an honor to go to Hufflepuff. His older cousin Lucy was a proud member where dwelt the loyal at heart and unafraid of toil, but he knew that Hufflepuff was not the place for him. Though loyal he may be the idea of Hufflepuff had never tempted him.
But then, perhaps Ravenclaw? This was dismissed as quickly as the thought of Hufflepuff. Truly, there was nothing wrong with that house either, as Ravenclaw had turned out many, many talented and gifted witches and wizards throughout the age and was the home to his cousins Victoire and Dominique. But Rose would be more of a shoe-in for Ravenclaw then he would. Studying really wasn't his sort of thing, nor was learning around the clock. So it would either be Gryffindor or Slytherin…
These musing thoughts carried him all the way into the Great Hall where, with one awestruck look at the ebony black sky in which stars had been liberally streaked across in breath taking constellations, the sorting was to begin. His thoughts, distracted momentarily with the beautiful spectacle above—("It's enchanted to look that way!" Rose said knowledgably. "I read about it in that book my mum gave me, Hogwarts, A History.")—could not be altogether redirected. The dread that was seeping through his mind was like a faucet that had been forgotten to turn off, dripping insistently no matter what he did. Drip…drip… Gryffindor… Slytherin… Gryffindor… Slytherin…drip…
But what if I am in Slytherin? Albus thought worriedly, wishing that he would have thought to question his father more in depth when he had the chance. What if I do go to that house?
Then Slytherin will have gained a great student, won't it have? A voice that sounded suspiciously like his father's sounded in his mind, allaying his fears once more, though not quite managing to diminish them altogether. It'll be alright Al, no matter what house. You'll make us proud.
You'll make us proud… That thought, coupled with the encouraging thumbs up from James and the answering grins from all of his other cousins around the Great Hall, gave him courage and he stumbled forward with all the rest of the first years. He took his place, standing in front of the staff table, and waited. It felt as if a huge weight had dropped into his stomach.
Professor Longbottom gave a huge wink when he saw Albus and Rose standing next to each other, both of them shivering like leaves, and stood the four legged stool in front of them. The knot seemed to tighten more at the sight of what was on the stool.
Albus had heard of the Hogwarts Sorting hat, had heard how his own father had pulled a sword out of it in his second year, but this had not been what he was expecting. There, on the four legged stool, sat a very dirty, very careworn, and very ugly hat. The years had, quite obviously, not been very kind to the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and Albus could hardly imagine a sword being pulled out of something like that.
As if it mattered in the end what Albus thought, though. The hat opened at the brim—as it had done for countless years—and began to sing.
I am the Hogwarts sorting hat
I am more then meets the eye
I see into your pretty heads
There is nothing you can hide
For centuries I have sat upon this stool
Passed judgment on where you belong
I shall find your place amongst your peers
I have never yet been wrong
It may be to humble Hufflepuff you go
Where the truest of friends do dwell
If you are loyal and unyielding to the end
In dear Hufflepuff you'll do well
Those fierce and gentle black badgers
Always know what is required
A friend in Hufflepuff is a friend indeed
Never a better, more trustworthy, one acquired
Or maybe it is to witty Ravenclaw
You'll go with your head held high
Those clever Ravenclaws are set apart
It is for perfection that they strive
In Ravenclaw you'll grow and learn
In the nest of the bronze raven,
A world of intellect and simple beauty,
There you will find a safe haven
But if not there, perhaps to bold Gryffindor
Where dwell the fearless gold-hearted lions
Brave beyond those ever known before
And there their true value lie-in
A Gryffindor would do anything
To help their brethren and friends
When dark times hang over and around us
Our blazing Gryffindors see us to the end
But if not to all those you belong,
Then perhaps it is to that left last?
Cunning Slytherin, the silver serpent,
Bound by things now past
If to Slytherin you find your place
A word of advice I have for you
It is not what was that shapes you
No, ambitious ones, it is what you do
Now remember, those who are new and old,
All those who hear my song
I have, and will, sort you where you are
I know where you belong
For I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
I am more then meets the eye
Come place me on your pretty head
There is nothing you can hide
The hat gave a little bow, signaling that it was done, and the hall burst into applause. Though, admittedly, much of it was spattered with incredulous and somewhat dubious looks around the hall. The hat had, in years before, come out with quite a few things that most had deemed strange but this was something else entirely.
"Ah, so the hat is a seer too," Scorpius mocked softly, barely moving his lips, so only Albus and Rose could hear him. "Brilliant."
Al suppressed a grin with difficulty and Rose, who was standing on Albus's other side, looked scandalized that Scorpius would even think of talking during the sorting ceremony.
"When I call your name you will come up here, I will place the sorting had on your head, and it will tell you where you belong." Professor Longbottom cleared his throat. "Arnold, Haley!"
The sorting had begun. Albus tried with all his might to focus on what it was that was going on in the sorting, but with each passing moment he delved deeper and deeper into his own thoughts, troubled. The hat's words, mingled with Scorpius's and his father's was swirling together in a confusing haze. Would Slytherin really be so bad…?
"Cadwallader, Dennis!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
It wasn't as if his father would be disappointed if Albus did go to Slytherin, but it wasn't exactly him that Albus was worried about. James was still there, grinning at the table of scarlet and gold, and letting James down would be the worse thing in the world.
"Finnegan, Sean!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
And there it was again; Gryffindor. It would be so much easier to just go to that house. His family was there and they would share a common room with squishy armchairs, warm crackling fires, talk and laughter... It would be so easy to be a Gryffindor... But was it what he wanted?
"Isaacs, Aurora!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
It would be easy to be a Ravenclaw too. Victoire was a Ravenclaw and if Rose wasn't a Gryffindor that was most certainly where she was going. You just had to do a lot of studying and be smart and... Albus's head just hurt to think about it, but there was no mistaking it. It would be easier than being a Slytherin...
"Kasely, Sonia!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Albus winced at the name of the house but tried not to dwell. Yes, any house would be easier then Slytherin, but maybe it was worth the challenge...? Sonia Kasely certainly thought so, obviously...
"Malfoy, Scorpius!" Could they already be to the M's? The thought made Albus's heart leap and he pulled himself back to reality, watching in acute anxiousness to see where the Malfoy boy would go. Was he serious about going to Slytherin? Would the hat agree...?
Scorpius looked pale in the candlelight—the first time that Albus had seen anything close to a look of fear pass over his features. It wasn't hard to see what caused the look though. A resounding hiss had gone around the hall at the mention of his name and more then a few faces shone with anger. If it hadn't been clear to Albus before just how much contempt the wizarding world held the Malfoys in, it was clear now. Even a few faces on the Slytherin table looked disgusted.
"Good luck!" Albus said, pushing the reluctant blonde boy forward. Scorpius didn't even seem to hear him, but stumbled forward and sat gingerly on the stool, as if scared that it would shock him.
The hat dropped over his head and blocked out all the many glaring faces staring up at him. For a moment it was a sweet release to have nothing but darkness surrounding him and his heart beat settled down until…
Ah, a Malfoy? Yes, I wondered when I'd be seeing you… the little voice was thoughtful.
Er… hullo… Scorpius answered, feeling silly. The hat chuckled.
You are very different from your family, very different, the hat remarked. Yet, similar in a way too, reminiscent of a certain Sirius Black… Where to put you…?
Slytherin, Scorpius thought firmly and without hesitation. I want to go to Slytherin.
Slytherin? The hat didn't seem surprised in the least, though Scorpius figured that was because he was looking inside his head.
I want to prove myself, Scorpius said. I want them to know that they were all wrong about me, about my family, about my… about my father.
The hat gave a little hum of concentration as if, somewhere unseen, a brain was turning over the possibilities. If you're sure… You know it'll not be easy to be in that house, especially with a name like yours.
Scorpius gripped the edges of his stool.
I'm sure, he answered firmly. I want to be in Slytherin.
The hat gave one last chuckle. You would do well in Gryffindor too, with that boldness in you, but if you insist…
The hat declared in a loud voice, "SLYTHERIN!"
The answering cheer was interceded by hisses and boos from the other houses as well as a few nasty looks from a select group of Slytherins. A very angry glare from the Headmistress silenced the interruptions, but there was no mistaking the angry glowers being sent towards the Malfoy boy.
He went to Slytherin like he said he would, Albus thought, frowning slightly as Scorpius walked carefully over to the emerald green and silver table. He isn't afraid…
He pondered it over and over, the thought of Gryffindor and Slytherin swinging back and forth in his head like a pendulum. But which one?
And then, before he knew it the cry of, "Potter, Albus!" went up.
He froze, just as Scorpius had. He wasn't ready for this moment, he simply wasn't ready. He wanted to bolt from the Hall and get on a broom and never, never stop flying. But he didn't. Rose's warm hand on his shoulder pushing him forward out of line brought him back to it and he gave her a shaky smile. Finally, the time to be sorted had come.
You'll do fine, she seemed to be saying with her sapphire eyes.
We'll see, he answered with a stoic look in his own emerald ones.
But how was it that a walk that had taken everyone else took five short seconds, for him, seemed to take five hours? He felt the hall pressing in on him, James's excited grin from the table of scarlet and gold, and he sat uneasily down on the stool. What he would have given to be anywhere else but there at that very moment…
Professor Longbottom gave another encouraging smile and dropped the hat over his head. The hall disappeared and Albus was left staring into uneasy blackness.
Ah… A Potter-Weasley… a voice said softly in his ear, making him jump. Quite a legacy…
Albus couldn't repress a small grin. He was very proud of his family.
No, it would not do to put you in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, the little voice said bemusedly, reading Al's thought process easily, going through what he had only moments ago. You do not belong there. And yet, it leaves the two houses that you are torn between most… Slytherin and Gryffindor…You are most extraordinarily like your father. You have the renowned bravery of a Gryffindor and, yet, the ambitious drive of a Slytherin…
Dad was a Gryffindor, not a Slytherin, Albus thought firmly, almost rolling his eyes. The hat was not only old, but senile it seemed.
True as that is, your father would have done well in Slytherin, the hat said thoughtfully. Yes, very well indeed.
But he chose Gryffindor, Albus said, the thought that his father being a Slytherin giving him courage. And… I…
You don't know where you belong, the hat observed. Albus was sure that, if the hat had eyes, it would be rolling them back at him. Somehow Albus knew that the thought of senility hadn't slipped past the hat.
No, Albus admitted, clenching the side of the stool tightly. No, I don't.
Ah, but I do, the hat said in a sly little voice. And you had better be—
Wait! The hat paused and Albus took a deep breath, steeling himself to do what he was doing. I'm sorry, I just gotta know… Did you really mean it…? I mean, when you said my dad would have done well in Slytherin…
The hat was now slightly exasperated. Of course I meant it. Slytherin is not evil, Mr. Potter, they are simply ambitious and would do much to achieve their ends. They must learn to temper themselves, that is all.
Albus clenched his hands onto the stool tighter, aware that everyone in the hall was whispering now. How long had it been since he'd sat down…?
Okay… then, I guess… it's whatever you think… Al took a deep, slightly panicky, breath. No matter what the hat said he'd deal with it. He just wanted to get off that stool and anywhere, even Hufflepuff, was better than that stool.
If you're sure… the hat asked. Albus didn't conciously say anything but gave a little nod. And, finally...
"SLYTHERIN!"
Even the whispering stopped in response to this declaration. Al's heart dropped out of his throat and down into his stomach. What had he done?
A/n: Haha. How's that for a cliff hanger? I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, I know it's kind of slow, but 'tis necessary that we get all of the basics out of the way before anything else :) You have no idea how long that stupid sorting hat song took me. I am no poet and it took many long hours pondering the rhyme schemes of J.K. Rowling's own sorting hat songs to figuring out... :D But, in general, I'm quite happy with how it turned out.
Thanks for reading, I'll see you around next update! And don't be shy, leave me a review. Until then...
Mischeif managed!
-UndeniablyMe ;)
