Ok so its been quite a while since I last updated. It took me ages to write this chapter (stupid flighty plot bunnies) and then I was moving back to uni and haven't had internet for the last week and a bit. However here it is at last, its the longest chapter I've written to date and I would really like to know what you think, (makes puppy eyes) Anyway here it is.

The bookshop in Diagon Alley was packed with witches and wizards, so Henry Blackhart had taken one look at the crowd and swiftly disappeared towards The Leaky Cauldron, leaving Sylvia to fetch her schoolbooks alone. Squeezing away from the counter with her armfuls of books, Sylvia saw that the way out was now completely blocked by a family of redheads. Glancing around she spotted a staircase leading to the upper floor of the shop and decided it would be easier to wait for the excitement around Gilderoy Lockhart to die down. Trusting that her uncle would not miss her whilst he had ample access to firewhisky, the young witch slipped up the darkened staircase to the almost deserted second floor. Just as she emerged she heard an enthusiastic shout from the front of the shop.

"It can't be Harry Potter!"

Glancing over the railing Sylvia was able to see down into the crowd below. A young wizard, about her age with jet-black hair, was being dragged forwards by the blonde man in pale blue robes. Curious to see The-Boy-Who-Lived, Sylvia moved around to get a better view. As she did so a pale boy, with silver-blonde hair and a scowl on his face pushed past as he swept down the stairs, knocking her pile of books over. She span round to confront the boy but he had already disappeared. Returning her attention to the scene below Sylvia saw Potter trying to slip away, but instead he was being firmly clasped to Lockhart's side.

"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

"Well that explains the book list for this year." Sylvia muttered to herself, "We've got an egotistical pretty-boy teaching us how to defend ourselves." She found her gaze drifting back to Harry Potter. Growing up in the wizarding world Sylvia had of course heard all the stories, although with her family they had not been in the most flattering light. He looked ordinary enough as far as she could see, his eyes were emerald green and his dark hair fell messily across his forehead hiding the lightning scar she knew was there. Just as she turned away Sylvia spotted the blonde boy again, he was talking to Potter and the people he seemed to be with, the redhead family from earlier, but the blonde did not seem to be a welcome companion. Something niggled at the back of Sylvia's mind, the blonde seemed familiar but she had met so few wizards her age that she would surely have remembered him. Her mystery was solved when the children's fathers joined the group, Lucius Malfoy standing as arrogantly as ever. She had seen him at the house on a few occasions when he had had business with Uncle Henry. So the boy had to be Draco, Sylvia's grandmother had mentioned him before, as an example of how a pure blood wizard should behave, in one of her lectures.

Sylvia was too far away to catch the words of the conversation but it had clearly struck a nerve with the redhead. He suddenly lunged at Lucius Malfoy, sending his daughter's cauldron flying and a shelf of books tumbling to the floor. The crowd scattered as the two men began an all out brawl and Sylvia was very glad of the safety of the floor above. The fight only stopped when a huge, hairy man came over and grabbed both men by the scruff of their necks and physically pulled them apart. Shaking himself free Malfoy made some parting comment before dumping a book back in the girl's cauldron and sweeping from the shop, his son following with an identical look of disgust at being involved with the incident. 'Well,' thought Sylvia, 'The Malfoys are clearlya fine example of pure bloods.' Her heart sank at the thought of returning home but she knew she had kept her uncle waiting long enough. Gathering her books she left the shop and made her way down the twisting streets of Diagon Alley.

The train whistled as it pulled out of the station, smoke billowing from the engine carriage. Sylvia settled back against the cushioned compartment wall as the Hogwarts express picked up speed, her nose buried in 'The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 2' It had been an uneventful remainder of the summer at the Blackhart house and even at her parting there had been little more than a nod and reminder to "uphold the family honor". Sylvia looked up as the compartment door slid open, there were three timid looking girls standing in the doorway, all still dragging their trunks behind them.

"Do you mind if we sit with you?" The one at the front of the trio asked. "It's really hard to find seats." Sylvia nodded and put her book down to help the girls stow the bulky trunks overhead. Despite having been looking forward to meeting other witches her age, Sylvia now found herself at a loss for what to say and found herself studying the other girls instead. The girl who had spoken had dark, slightly curled, hair falling to just below her shoulders and looked a little taller than the other two, closer to Sylvia's own height. The girl on her right had pale blue eyes and blonde hair that was cropped to neatly frame her face. The other had dark skin and black hair that ran down her back in an intricate braid.

"Well, I'm Michelle Roseburn, who are you guys." The taller girl piped up, trying to get a conversation going.

"Lisa Newton." Said the blonde quietly.

"Rachel Mordin" Added the other. Realizing that they were waiting for her to speak Sylvia closed her book again.

"Sylvia Blackhart." Michelle gave a small start.

"A Blackhart, I didn't know they had any children of Hogwarts age." Sylvia sighed internally, she had hoped she might at least get through the train journey without an interrogation about her family. She shifted uncomfortably and Michelle seemed to realize that it wasn't a good subject to bring up. Casting around for a different topic her eyes alighted on the closed book in Sylvia's lap. "Oh, are you a second year. That makes me feel a bit stupid. I thought after first year I would have at least seen all of the rest of my year but I don't recognize you at all." Sylvia brightened at the chance to discuss the school.

"I'm only starting this year but I'm at the right age for second year so Hogwarts is letting me go straight in, as long as I've done the background work. So what'll happen once we get there tonight?"

Michelle straightened up in her seat, looking pleased at being asked for advice. "Well on the first night there's the welcome feast, all the first years get sorted into houses depending on their personal traits. Hufflepuff are supposed to be loyal and Ravenclaw is for all the brainiacs. Gryffindor are loyal too but tend to be a bit more adventurous, and finally Slytherin is supposed to be for those who are cunning." She quickly listed off. "But every house has gained a kind of, stereotypical reputation, Hufflepuff are wimps, Ravenclaws are snobs, Gryffindor are reckless and Slytherin are manipulative and dark." A scowl crossed Michelle's face as she finished. When she saw the scared looks on the others faces she hurriedly amended her last comment. "But not all Slytherins are dark, really, some of us are good friends with the other houses." Now that she looked more closely Sylvia noticed a green emblem with a silver snake stitched into Michelle's robes. The others, Lisa and Rachel, had plain robes on so they had to be first years. The two older girls kept chatting away comfortably as the train sped north but after a while Lisa slipped out, Rachel followed her muttering something about finding other first years. Just as they disappeared from sight Sylvia heard Lisa squeak in fright as a boys voice growled at her. Three boys came into the compartment, two large, broad lumps with cropped hair and a smaller blonde boy who she recognized as Draco Malfoy.

"Hey, Roseburn, have you seen Potter?" Malfoy snapped at her. Turning her attention from the window Michelle answered curtly.

"What makes you think I want to get involved in your petty little squabbles Malfoy?" One of the boys lurking behind started to crack his knuckles. With an exasperated sigh Michelle looked at Malfoy directly, "No, I haven't. Now do you mind..." But from the word 'no' Malfoy's attention had drifted over to Sylvia.

"That blonde brat said you were a Blackhart. I'm Draco Malfoy, my father..."
"I'm well aware of who your father is Malfoy." Sylvia interrupted. She noticed Draco's chest swelling, he seemed to be taking it as a great compliment. With a smirk Sylvia decided to cut him down to size. "Yes, he put on quite a show in Diagon Alley the other day, very dignified." Draco's face immediately turned into a scowl.

"He was attacked by that family of blood-traitors, and you should speak with more respect. You wouldn't want to make an enemy of me, just ask your pathetic friend here." With a final dark glare around the compartment Draco swept out followed by his goons.

"What was all that about?" Sylvia wondered aloud. Looking back at her new friend it was clear that Michelle's mood had nosedived.

"You should be careful around Malfoy. He… he doesn't like to lose face." She hesitated before continuing, "I stood up to him last year when he was picking on a half-blood and won when he tried to duel me. It didn't take him long to send Crabbe and Goyle after me." Her voice tailed off and she looked away. Sylvia assumed that the two bouncers behind Malfoy had been Crabbe and Goyle, so it didn't take much to guess what had happened. Sorry she had asked, Sylvia returned to her book and the two kept to themselves for the rest of the journey.

It was dark as the train arrived in Hogsmede station; Sylvia looked around, not sure what she was supposed to do now.

"Firs' years. Firs' years over here please." Boomed a loud voice, startling all the first years that hadn't expected to be met by such a massive, hairy man. Sylvia was behind him and could only see a huge, broad back covered by a moleskin overcoat, she suddenly recognized him as the one who had stopped the fight in Flourish and Blotts. She nervously tapped the man on the elbow, as he turned to her she saw two dark eyes, twinkling amongst his hair and felt much more at ease. There was no mistaking such kind eyes.

"Excuse me I'm Sylvia Blackhart, I'm joining as a second year and I was wondering if you knew..."
"Where yer supposed to go?" Hagrid finished for her. "Professor McGonagall mentioned ye', jus' head up to the castle wi' the older years an' she'll find ye' in the Entrance Hall." Sylvia nodded her thanks as Hagrid turned away to round up stray first years and hurried after Michelle. The two girls settled into one of the horseless carriages that were waiting for the students, two Hufflepuffs got in with them and the carriage lurched forwards and began to make its way up the winding track towards the castle above. As they drew up to the majestic double doors of Hogwarts Sylvia began to feel very nervous. The four students got out and the two Hufflepuffs scurried off into the waiting Great Hall, Michelle however hung back to help Sylvia.

"McGonagall he said, yeah?" She asked Sylvia, who was too worried now to do more than nod. Michelle looked around quickly before dragging her over to a witch who was standing on the stairs to the next floor.

"Miss Blackhart?" Asked the tall, stern-looking woman in green robes with a pointed green hat perched on her graying hair who had been surveying the crowd as they made their way through the Entrance Hall.

"Yes Professor." Said Sylvia, as she forced the words out of her suddenly tight throat. Professor McGonagall turned her head to Michelle.

"Thank you for your help Miss Roseburn, you may return to the Great Hall now. Follow me if you would Miss Blackhart." The witch said, before turning and heading down a corridor. They walked smartly through the castle, barely giving Sylvia time to wonder at the constantly moving stairs, the whispering doors and the curious portraits. They went into a small room that looked like some sort of office; Sylvia presumed it belonged to the professor. Books lined the walls and an ornate wooden desk stood in the centre with a high backed chair behind it and a smaller, less impressive chair, in front. Professor McGonagall motioned for Sylvia to take it before settling behind her desk.

"So, Miss Blackhart, I trust you have had no problems with the first year work that was assigned to you." Sylvia nodded, her nerves were receding now but they still lingered, fluttering around her stomach uncomfortably. "Since you arrived with Miss Roseburn I assume she has already told you a lot about the sorting process and the importance of the Hogwarts houses." Another nod. "Good, now as I tell all the first years, while you are at Hogwarts your house will be like your family, you will share you dorms and classes with your house, and your behavior can win or lose house points." As she spoke Professor McGonagall brought a tattered old wizards hat out from behind her desk. "This is the Hogwarts Sorting Hat." She explained. Sylvia could have sworn she saw the hat tip its point slightly in a bow. "Once you put it on it will sort you into a house and you will join your house table for the feast and the first years procession." The professor stood and walked around the table with the hat. Sylvia couldn't help closing her eyes as the hat was placed over her head; her nerves suddenly back again at full force. She jumped as a voice began to murmur in her ear.

"Hmmm. You're a tricky one to place, aren't you. Not a bad mind at all, and you would always stand up for what's important to you, no matter what came your way. A good heart as well, that's rare. Oh, but what's this. Your family line, that's very interesting." Sylvia froze where she sat. Had it seen all the way back, or did it just mean her Blackhart blood.

"Please not there." She thought franticly, "Anywhere else, just not there."

"Another one that doesn't want that house. I seem to get that a lot recently." The hat continued. "Normally I would allow that but I think you really should be there."

"No, please no."

"I'm sorry my dear but I think it will be very important for you to be there. You should be very proud by the way. For almost every student what matters most is which house will do the best for them, but you are very special. This choice is because of what you can do for your house, and I think, one day, for Hogwarts as a whole."

Sylvia just sat there, wishing the hat would put her somewhere else but her heart sank as it shouted out her house.

"SLYTHERIN"

So? How was it? 0.0 please let me know .