Potions class seemed pretty foreboding. Professor Snape gave a chilling look of disgust to the first years.
"Undoubtedly, you all think that this is an unimportant class. However, potions are the most difficult and essential part of magic. This leads me to give you one warning: pay attention as if your life depended on it, one day it might." The professor's voice was hollow with disinterest.
The rest of the class passed full of minor meltdowns. Another first year, I think his name was Neville, managed to melt his cauldron. The rest of the day passed with much fewer problems. It was just like the first day at any of the many Muggle schools I went to while I was in foster care. Each professor would explain his/her rules, expectations, and reasons why this was the most important class. It all sort of blended together.
By the last class of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Quirrel, I hadn't spoken more then twelve words. And then by then end of D.A.D.A., it had only been seventeen words. The last five were mumbled to Quirrel, "Clyde IS a girl's name."
I dropped my book bag off at the Slytherin common room and headed towards dinner. This became my habit for the next couple of months. There was never a day when I spoke over a hundred words, and most of them would be spell incantations.
Halloween pushed itself forwards and I found myself being pulled to the feast. Alana, another first year in Slytherin, was looking me dead in the eye, "You have to come." Her voice was even and serious, "This is, like, super important! You're only going to be here for seven years! Puh-lease!" Alana's voice had strayed from the serious into the whining, but she won me over.
"Okay, but this better be an amazing feast." The sentence broke through the hundred words for the day.
"Eeek!" Alana gave a little shriek, "I'm happy you're coming!" I wasn't exactly sure why she was so happy about me coming. But it might have had something to do with the fact that I never stopped her from spilling her life's confessions to me during classes. Honestly, I just didn't have the courage to tell her to shut up. My fear of dislike from others had finally come in handy.
At the feast, it occurred to me that Alana was almost as invisible as I am. For the first time Alana asked about me, compared to her normal rattling about the hundreds of minor issues going on in her life. "Well? What's your story?"
"Um. . . Well I grew up in the U.S.," There was a slight gasp from Alana at this, but I continued; "I got bounced around from foster home to foster home. Then an owl came. Now I'm here." Alana opened her mouth to question me some more, but before she could speak the D.A.D.A professor burst through the door.
"Th-There's a tr-t-troll in the scho-school. Just th-ouh-thought you-you'd like to kn-know." He immediately fainted. The school administrators jumped into action. Within an instant students were being ushered out of the great hall. Hundreds of students pushed through the doors, trying to secure safety for themselves. I couldn't force myself past the crowds, and I fell to the end of the group. No one seemed to notice.
With no one noticing where I was, I somehow ended up near the girl's bathroom. Harry Potter and two other Gryffindors (I'm pretty sure their names were Ron and Hermione…) burst out of the bathroom. More teachers gathered around the small room, I slid behind a pillar to hide. Professor Snape's cold and un-endearing voice could be heard from my hiding spot. As usual he was describing how despicable Potter was. I decided that this might be the best time to slip away.
As quietly as possible, I slipped through the hallway. I don't blame Snape for hating that Star-Kid-Potter. From what I've heard he is always seeking glory and attention. The other Slytherins also seemed to think lowly of him. Although I was raised by Muggles, I had still heard about his incredible story. It was an undeniable fact that the Wizarding world, and my happiness at Hogwarts, was all due to Harry Potter. Lately though, it seemed like he was only here to show off. Hearing stories from Draco, it almost sounded like Harry orchestrated every spot of trouble he was in so that he could escape it as a hero.
From the looks of things though, it seemed like Harry had just beaten the troll. Maybe Draco wasn't the all knowing authority on this one.
There was a split second when I wondered why I was sent to Slytherin. So far, I didn't really fit in. Most of my fellow Slytherins loved to talk about their ambitions, goals, and plans to succeed in life. I, to the contrary, have never really spoken. To anyone. Tonight's conversation with Alana seemed to be the longest I've had all year.
I walked into the Slytherin common room, and gazed up at the banner with the Slytherin seal. With luck, the Sorting Hat's magic wouldn't be wrong this time.
A/N: This is my first fan fiction. I'm hoping that it will turn out well. Either way, please review! Even if you didn't like the story, I want to know why. Thanks!
-Clyde Anna
