A Witch's Parchment: Hello, guys. This is the chapter two of Spell Caught, and to those who have reviewed and liked this story, a huge thank you! Especially to, Moste-Potente-4ever! Such an amazing girl, she is! Anyway, I'm no brit, okay? But, I tried my best to make this fic sounds like one, because I know there are a lot of people annoyed when the characters are British, and yet they don't seem to speak like one.
So, about the title of this chapter, I got it from the song Ghost by Ella Henderson. It's an awesome song, and maybe you should listen to that song while reading. Oh, and about grammatical errors, um... I've ranted too much, just read chapter two and enjoy!
— Jamie
A Disclaimer: I am not the person who gave birth to the whole Harry Potter world! J.K did!
— 2 — Tried Hiding Another You
— 4314 hours earlier—
The journey to Hogwarts was partly an exciting and a sleepy one. Students often roamed around the corridors when the first two hours stroke. Others began making friends, and the two remained alone in their own compartment.
Sure, Rose and Albus spent their time there eating chocolate frogs, fighting over the Harry Potter card ("But, he's my father!" Albus protested. "Yes, but that doesn't mean you have to take the only Harry Potter card since the day I started collecting cards!") but the two liked the tranquil atmosphere until—
"Do you mind if I join you? My 'friends' kicked me out." Rather than waiting for a reply, the girl sat with an annoyed grunt and laid her trunk on the floor. The new person in the group was intimidating. Not only was she tall and tan, she also has strong grey eyes and curly blonde hair. Whatever happened to blondes being bimbos was burnt into ashes the second she stalked in.
"Alexandra Townsend's my name. You can call me 'Alex' or whatever you want." She said, her attention more focused on the sweets than the two who remained silent and were deciding whether they liked the company or not.
Rose Weasley was okay with her. She seemed a bit… unsettling, but that was maybe because her friends ditched her. Suddenly, she was overwhelmed with compassion and sympathy.
"Hello, Alexandra. I am Rose Weasley." She introduced. "What do you… mean by your friends ditching you?"
"Well, don't you get it?" Alexandra snapped. She was annoyed by Rose's slow intake of information. "They don't like me, they ditched me. Period. The End."
There was another moment of awkward silence.
Rose couldn't think the idea of someone that awful… But then, she remembered someone…
Alexandra rolled her eyes at Rose, and the pair of grey eyes fell on Albus, who had a book propped open on his lap, and his messy hair covered his nervous eyes.
"And, you are?"
Albus was still looking at his book, his eyes unfocused, and was clearly thinking of something else.
Rose nudged Albus right shoulder.
"Look here, nerdie. You are?" Alexandra said as she examined her nails.
"Albus. Albus Potter."
Alexandra glanced at Albus, her eyes shone with curiosity. She was aware of the Boy Who Lived, which was also known as Harry Potter, and now, here was Albus Potter, the second born of the legendary hero.
Albus sighed, knowing the glint in her eyes a little too well. He closed his book (The Burnt Willow—the second book of the Dragon Tales Series— by Sarah Heartstring, Rose's limited edition copy.) and shifted in his seat.
The moment Albus closed his book, Alexandra liked him already. Not only that he gives respect to the person he was talking to, but he seemed to be an extremely nice boy.
"I'm sorry. You said you're Alexandra Townsend, aren't you?" Albus questioned.
Alexandra propped her elbows on her knees and nodded.
"I never heard of that surname around he—"
"I'm a Muggle. Or a 'Mudblood' as what my 'friends' called me."
Rose gasped in astonishment. Mudblood? Of all the words they can use to insult Alexandra, 'Mudblood' was what they chose?!
Albus remained calm, but his lips were pressed into a thin line, his eyebrows furrowed. He knew about the second wizarding war, and Voldemort's side was defeated… But, they were still teaching children how to be extremely racist about the whole blood issue.
Rose eyed Alexandra with sympathy and concern, the third time she did that day. On the first day of school, and already thrown out by Purebloods. But, she also admired Alexandra's strong will. If Rose was called a Mudblood, she would probably be crying right at the moment.
"I don't need your sympathy. I can deal with myself, thank you very much." Alexandra drawled.
Although Alexandra was annoyed with Rose, she decided to know more about her instead of judging her.
The Weasley family was also famous in the wizarding world. Not only because Hermione Granger- Weasley and Ron Weasley were Harry Potter's best mates; but because the Weasleys made a name for themselves.
The once poor family became a family who lived in Grindlewart village, the sophisticated village near Godric Hollow, where Harry Potter and his family resided.
Hermione Weasley became the Senior Personnel in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement— the same department where Arthur Weasley worked. Ron Weasley became an Auror and the head correspondent of Life and Wizard Protection Agency— an agency where they create things used for protection and also distributed wizard guards from all over the world.
Of course, George Weasley was the owner of the very famous joke shop of his— and had around 500 branches from all over the world. (But, having 500 branches from all over the world gets tiring, because he keeps on apparating.)
Whilst the Potter family wasn't really a Weasley one, they were still intertwined.
Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the one who finished Voldemort, son of James Potter— one of the greatest Auror and Chaser— and Lily Evans Potter— the most brilliant girl in all of Hogwarts in her time, and exceptionally brave, too; for she once dueled Lord Voldemort with all the knowledge she knew about spells. Harry Potter followed his father's footsteps (however, he was the youngest seeker and Quidditch player in the last century), and although the wizarding world wanted him to be the Minister of Magic, he wanted to spend a lot of time with his family and chose to be the Head Auror, instead.
Ginevra Weasley, had once became a chaser in a famous Quidditch team (Note: Puddlemere United) but resigned and stayed home as a housewife to take care of James, Albus and Lily.
In short, the Weasley and the Potter families were the role models of success to other families.
The next two hours went by with no arguments whatsoever. Alexandra found out that Rose was a lot nicer and smarter than she thought. Who wouldn't be impressed when an eleven year old girl performed a fourth- year spell?
Rose and Albus found out that Alexandra was only in a very bad mood when she became an untouchable a whilst back. Alexandra Townsend was a girl filled with a good sense of humour and determination.
The three easily became friends, and together they ate their sweets.
"So, Quidditch houses?" Alexandra said, opening a pack of Licorice Wands. "I'd like to be in Gryffindor, or in Ravenclaw. Just not in Slytherin or Hufflepuff."
"Not in Slytherin?" Rose glanced at Albus. "Why ever not?"
"Why ever not?!" Alexandra exclaimed, her mouth filled with sweets. "Evil people came from there. Don't you know that?"
Albus hung his head in shame.
Rose, sensing the disappointment felt by Albus, said, "Yes, I do know that. But, not because the majority of the Slytherins is evil doesn't mean the whole bunch is. What about their good traits, too?"
"Really?" Albus muttered quietly.
"Oh yes," Rose nodded. "Slytherins are determined. They focus on their goals, and never give up until they reached perfection. They are independent, and realistic and charming… don't you think so, Albus?"
Albus had a small smile in his lips.
"Maybe… I still don't know about the charming part, though. "
Rose laughed.
Alexandra didn't think that Slytherins are charming. Cunning? Yes. Rude? Yes. Vile? ? No.
Alexandra envied Rose and Albus. That she knew when she first saw the two of them laughing with tears in their eyes. They were very comfortable around each other, and they the best of friends, even if they were already cousins.
Alexandra looked down at her wand. The thing was… She was not a Muggle. Her father was a Squib— a wizard without almost any magic inside him. Her mother was a Muggle who barely knew about the wizarding world. She was the first child of the family, and they used to be four; but, they were only three now… One less in the family.
Alexandra always loved the idea of being close to someone who would understand her, and never judge her parents for the way they are.
Her uncle was a Slytherin, and so was her aunt. Her cousins were Ravenclaws and Slytherins, too. And, even if the war has ended, they were still against Squibs and half-bloods and Muggles.
That was why she disliked Slytherins so much. That was why she was envious of Rose and Albus' s friendship. Because, she never had one as strong as what they had.
With a deep sigh, she looked up and saw Albus telling a story about the time when his father rode the Hippogriff for the first time.
"And then, Draco Malfoy was all 'Oh, rubbish. I can do that, too!' So he approached Buckbeak and said, 'I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you? You great ugly brute!'"
"Oh, no. He didn't? " Rose said, her mouth was stretched into a big smile. She knew what was coming.
"Oh, but he did. What he didn't know was—"
"They never liked to be insulted." Albus and Rose said in unison.
"So he kicked Draco, didn't he?" Rose mused.
"Yes."
Alexandra laughed.
"He's as dumb as Rita Skeeter." Alexandra mused.
Albus and Rose looked at each other, for they both knew the story about Hermione Granger and Rita Skeeter. The three laughed so hard, they can barely breathe.
After the laughter, Rose asked, "Was he hurt?"
Alexandra glared at Rose whilst Albus raised his eyebrows.
"Who cares? It a good story, that's all it is." Alexandra answered.
Rose was shocked by Alexandra's apathy. Even though she didn't show it, she still felt disappointed about how people treat him.
She only asked that because of a certain Malfoy…
"I would be going to the restroom, okay?" Rose stood up, and waited for the reply.
Albus merely nodded and smiled at Rose, whilst Alexandra flashed Rose a thumbs up, since she can't speak due to the chocolate chip biscuit her mother baked for her.
The corridor was empty in the sixth train car. There weren't any first- years around and only sixth or seventh years were in the train car.
The set- up might be unsettling and lonely for others, but not to Scorpius Malfoy.
'Scorpius, never befriend people who would betray you.'
'Scorpius, do what your heart tells you.'
'Astoria...'
'But, what if he likes someone—'
'He wouldn't like 'someone' until I said so.'
'Draco… He needs his friends.'
'… Yes, but only his friends. I don't need another thing to worry about.'
The conversation echoed in his mind as open his eyes to look outside the window and saw the countryside. It was probably around 5: 30 pm in Muggle time, when a boy with long hair entered the room and asked, "May I sit here? My friends are twats. They said they wanted to be in Hufflepuff, or worse, in Gryffindor. Wankers."
Scorpius nodded to the couch in front of him.
He parked his trunk by the door, and sat down, snuggling beside the window.
Silence.
"You're not much of a talker, are you?" The boy asked.
Scorpius was annoyed a little. Yes, he wasn't a talker. Was that supposed to be illegal?
He nodded, and glanced out of the window, again.
"Why are you alone? Don't you have friends? I am Grant Yaxley, by the way—"
Just as he was about to finish his sentence, a prefect strolled by and asked if everything was okay.
"Why are you here? In this train car, I mean." The prefect— a girl with black hair tied in a ponytail— asked again.
"Dunno, ask the white man." Grant said, his finger absent-mindedly twirling his wand with his middle finger.
The girl turned to Scorpius.
"No seats left."
"Okay… Oh, and we're nearing Hogwarts. Make sure you wore your robes before we stop near Hogsmeade."
"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Grant said. It was obvious that he didn't care about the conversation enough to actually respond properly.
The prefect glanced at Grant suspiciously.
'Yes,' Scorpius thought. 'I don't like him, too.'
Scorpius grabbed his robes from inside his trunk, and folded his blanket and placed it into the trunk. He was closing it when Grant said, "Those rubbish prefects. A Gryffindor, too. Anyway, I'm going to the find the trolley."
And he left without Scorpius' answer.
He was removing the top button of his robe when someone knocked on the compartment door. He turned his head and expected Grant to barge in, but instead, he saw a girl around his age.
It was that Rose girl his dad was talking about. He narrowed his eyes with distrust.
"Hello," Rose muttered. She looked down at her shoes, and awkwardly arranged something on her back. "Um, I'm sorry if I am—"
"Hello." Scorpius' answer was curt. He continued doing his button business when he heard her clear her throat. He was about to look at her again, but decided against it.
"Scorpius, I—" Rose tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat again. "I am Rose. Rose Weasley. And, er , I'm sorry about a while ago."
'Just say sorry. Besides, he got the compartment, first. We just barged in and threw him out.' She winced at the thought. What would her mother say to her when she knew about her lack of manners? 'Right. I should really go apologise.'
She was in her torturing herself internally when she bumped into something hard.
Jumping, she saw an old lady pushing a cart filled with sweets.
"I'm sorry!" She instinctively brought out her hands. The old lady beamed at her and said, "It's alright, dear. Anything for you, perhaps?"
"I, uh…" Rose shyly looked at all the contents of the cart, but she didn't find any treacle tarts. Sighing, she found a strange sort of cake shaped like a cauldron and bought two.
"I'd like these… Cauldron sort, please."
The old lady beamed at her and said, "Nine knuts, dear."
"Thank you, Madame—" Rose asked out of respect.
"Oh," The old lady giggled and gave Rose the two cakes. "Nobody called me Madame before. Madame Forte will do, dear."
"Well, thank you, Madame Forte."
Madame Forte pushed her cart in the opposite direction from where Rose was heading.
"But, before you go dear," She called out. "I have an advice for you."
Rose listened, curious about what the old lady was talking about.
"I saw that, the li'l feud with that fine boy. Now, apologise to the poor boy, will you? " Madame Forte giggled as Rose paled. She, then, patted the girl's shoulder and knocked on the door of compartment beside them that occupied three fourth years.
She swore she heard her mother's voice saying those words, instead of Madame's.
Sighing, she held the cakes in her hand, gingerly cradling them in her hands.
Yes, she wasn't that type of person who would go around insulting people, but she wasn't the type of person who would go for a one-on-one confrontation, either.
"Why did I mention his name like a curse, again?" She muttered. Her conscience was killing her.
'Just apologise, lower your pride a little.' Pride? She scoffed.
'Fine, you may not value your pride like any normal wizard or witch does, but it is not an excuse to not apologise to the poor boy.' Hermione's voice echoed in her mind.
"Mum…Shut up." Grumbling, she started looking for the said boy.
"What?" Scorpius asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Rose blushed. She bit her lip, and brought out the two Cauldron cakes she bought a while ago.
"I'm sorry," Rose breathed. "Like, really sorry. I— We didn't mean to…"
And the boy tuned her out.
'She should really stop apologising. She already said the bloody word thrice, or four times!' He thought.
"So… I'm really sorry…" Rose held out her hands and he saw two sweets.
Scorpius focused on the cakes that she was holding.
"I don't want it. You can keep it, but thanks, anyway."
Rose was literally stuck in the middle of two choices. She fiddled with the cauldron cakes. Sighing, she knew now that she really hated choosing. She was exceptionally troubled.
Scorpius told her to go, so the guy might dislike her, a lot.
But then, he looked so lonely, and a few apology cakes would probably help, right? She just wanted to show how sorry she was….
Scorpius eyed Rose on the edge of his vision. She was quite a petite girl. Rose had a wild red curly hair, and her eyes were brown, the color of a dried leaf when the fall came. She was already wearing her robes. She's such a little goody-two-shoes.
These were what Scorpius saw in her profile. He was amused at the difficulty she was experiencing. He only told her to go away— that was all. There was nothing hard about that. In fact, he can't wrap his head around Rose. She was strange, almost comical. This girl just acted like she hated him, and now, here she was apologising like a little baby.
His eyes drifted to her hands. They were holding two small boxes of Cauldron cakes. He barely ate sweets because his father didn't want him to have his son's teeth decaying. But sometimes, his mother would be back home with the ingredients of the sweets and bakes them. So, he liked the cakes— in fact, it was his favourite.
'Be careful of that family over there, Scorpius, you heard me? Especially that little red-haired Rose over there.'
'Oh, Draco… Don't make the two compete against each other, silly. It's only his first day.'
'Just… Just, I want you to never keep your guard down, alright?'
'Yes, Father.'
"Uh..." Rose bit her lip.
'Think, Rose, think.' She thought. 'Heart over head? Or, head over heart? Head over heart of heart over head? What?'
Rose was standing awkwardly, trying her best to decide. She would probably take another five minutes of deciding if it weren't for the huge guy walking to the compartment. 'Screw this. Give, then!'
"I'm just going to leave this here, okay?" Rose places the two Cauldron cakes on the seat beside Scorpius who was trying his best not to show any emotion.
"Right, um… See you!" Rose said, as she turned around and rushed off.
"Hey, White man. You're not going to wear your robes, aren't— Cauldron cakes!" Rose heard the huge first year boy said. She was walking slowly, her left ear trained towards the direction of the compartment.
In the process of eavesdropping, she just realised another thing that she should be good at— staring at where you would go whilst walking— because right at that moment, she tripped.
"Eh?!"Rose exclaimed.
"Can I have it? Oh, rubbish. Pass me one, will you?" She heard.
There was no reply from Scorpius.
Sighing, Rose stood up and stalked away from the door of the compartment when she heard a faint 'No.'
Looking back, she thought she saw Scorpius holding the cakes, but that must've been her imagination.
She went back to her friends, her mind still drifting around— recounting on what had happened.
"We better wear our robes. The Gryffindor prefect passed a whilst ago and said we're approaching." Albus said. He was looking for his robes in his trunk whilst Alexandra was doing the same thing. Rose… She was already wearing hers.
The three helped each other with the trunks. Finally, Rose conjured a spell to make them float a feet from the ground and made them follow the trio.
"First years, 'ere! First years!" A giant voice said.
Rose and Albus stared at each other and said, "Hagrid!"
The two ran off laughing, beckoning for Alexandra to follow them.
"Albus! Rose! Excited for yer new year, eh?" Hagrid cheerily said, grunting as he helped the three get on the boat.
"And, who might ye be?" Alexandra flushed.
"I am Alexandra Townsend, sir." She stammered.
"Ah…" Hagrid replied, nodding casually.
"She's our friend." Rose smiled, slinging her right arm around Alexandra's left.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, then, for the three of ye!"
The three were chatting animatedly when they heard a voice saying, "Do you mind if I come with you?"
The three looked up, laughter still etched in their faces, but they certainly weren't laughing anymore when they saw the person who asked.
"Of course, we do—" Rose elbowed Albus.
"We don't." Rose smiled. "Um… Scorpius Malfoy, Albus Potter. Albus Potter, Scorpius Malfoy."
The two nodded at each other, their eyes assessing.
"And, Alexandra Townsend, Scorpius Malfoy. Scorpius Malfoy, Alexandra Townsend."
Alexandra suspiciously extended her hand out, and Scorpius stared at it for a whilst, when he realised that Alexandra wanted to do the 'Muggle handshake'.
So, he awkwardly grasped Alexandra's hand and didn't know what to do with it. He knew his grandfather would start shouting at him for holding hands with 'such lowly creatures', but somehow, he felt free. What his grandfather didn't know can't hurt him.
Although… What would his father and mother say?
It looked ridiculous. A boy and a girl staring at the joint hands of two people who would less likely wanted to be friends with each other— it was not the sight you would see everyday.
The boat rocked lazily through the lake, and two meters away, a pair of twins raised their hands for a high- five. Five meters away, four teenagers were laughing loudly.
Rose broke her gaze at the hands and sheepishly looked up. Albus had his head cocked to his left shoulder, his hands playing with his wand. She tensed— looking at Albus's face again, but much to Rose's surprise, he was smirking.
Albus? Albus and smirking?
Rose shook her head, a smile forming her lips.
"Uh," Scorpius pulled his hand, but Alexandra was holding his hand too hard.
"Shake." Alexandra said. He looked up, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Um…" Alexandra startled the group with her laughter. "Not that way, you dolt."
Apparently, Scorpius was swinging it from right to left. Albus and Rose were staring blankly at Alexandra.
"What?" Rose asked.
"You don't know how to shake hands? What, have you been living in an invisible world, or something?"
No one laughed.
Frowning, Alexandra muttered, "Tough crowd."
Scorpius quickly disentangled his hand from Alexandra's and rubbed the nape of his neck, embarrassed.
"Wow, LOOK!" Rose, Albus, Scorpius and Alexandra faced a girl with blonde hair who was in the boat five feet away from them. She was pointing towards behind them, and the four decided to look at what she was pointing.
A huge castle made out of stone was perched at the top of a very high mountain. The blinking lights seen from the windows were like stars in the vast evening sky. The towers were so high they can barely see the flags, and they saw a small opening into the mountain, the walls beside it were filled with hanging ivy.
"I'd mind the heads, if I were yeh." Hagrid shouted. The curtain divided and led the boats to a wide opening of a cave. The students were awestruck with wonder.
Silently, the boats moved in two lines through the tunnel. Everyone was silent, enjoying the little amusement park theme- sort of ride.
The eleven-year-olds were beaming when the huge doors were opened and the tall ceiling, the staircases and the warm atmosphere welcomed them.
"Lovely place," Alexandra said.
Albus and Rose nodded. The two had, at least, visited Hogwarts for the fifth time; but, it was still different to actually live in the castle.
However, the fun didn't last. There was a plump woman around the age of her late 70s was waiting for them, a frown was on her face. She had short curly hair, her clothes were all grey, and she had a ridiculous hat made out of what looked like a dirty pink material.
But what struck the most was her uncanny resemblance to a toad.
"What are you staring at, dears?" She sneered. "Cat got your tongue?"
"More like a toad," Rose mumbled to Albus, but with the uncomfortable silence surrounding them, a few students heard her.
Albus, Alexandra, Scorpius and the blonde girl a whilst ago had to physically restrain themselves from laughing too much.
"First years, er, Ms. Dolores Umbridge… Will escort you to the Great Hall."
Hagrid cheerily waved goodbye to the horrified students.
"Right, don't expect me to be nice to you, you cakes. Do you understand?" They nodded, whilst Rose crossed her arms in front of her chest.
The old woman complained loudly when they climbed a steep staircase. The paintings were either laughing or glaring at her, and the two women in paintings kept on saying rude things to her.
But what set off Dolores' s patience was when a ghost with red hair and twinkling brown eyes came howling a welcome song.
"Oh—! Ms. 'dear' Dolores! How's the Umbitch—er, I mean— Umbridge going?"
Albus and Rose were literally gasping for breath, trying their best to stop laughing. The eleven-years-old laughed so much, tears were in their eyes.
"Uncle-Uncle Fred!" The two blurted.
"Hello, Rosie and Albus! Is Ms. Weensy Dolores screaming her toadly face off?" The crowd laughed.
"Fred! Get out of here, you dirty blood-traitor!"
"Blah, blah, blah. As soon as I get you out of here. You're making this place sounds worse than George's armpit."
"DO YOU RECKON I LIKE BEING HERE! THAT MCGONAGALL CAT TEACHER OF YOURS. THAT LOWLY CAT, ALWAYS STICKING HER NOSE TO OTHER—"
"Someone called?" The first years turned around and saw an old lady, her salt-and-pepper hair tucked in a bun under a witch's hat. Her green, black and gold robe fluttered smoothly around her. Her body was poised in a stern manner, her head held high and her eyes narrowed. The spectacles around her eyes gleamed menacingly. "What was that, Dolores?"
"Nothing, professor."
The first years didn't know where to look. An old man came and halted at attention. Fred was smirking by the ceiling.
"What is it, Minerva?"
Headmistress McGonagall didn't address his presence; but instead, she was staring at Dolores with such contempt in her eyes.
"Go to the Great Hall, first years."
— 4311 hours earlier —
Music filled their ears, the warmth of the dining hall washed over them, and applause was heard from everywhere. Rose felt herself stiffen.
Albus was calm, his eyes trained ahead. He barely saw the lights from above, and he barely saw those people judging him. All he saw was the stool in front of everyone. This is it. His destiny was about to be determined.
Alexandra was smiling. 'I won't be a Slytherin. Me, a Slytherin? I won't be one.'
She held her head high, but she felt the eyes of everyone around her. 'I can't be.'
Scorpius... It was evident to everyone around that he was Draco Malfoy's son, Lucius Malfoy—a Death Eater's grandson. A Pureblood. At that time, when you are related to a death eater, it was as if you are the death eater.
But, he didn't care. He shouldn't.
And, Rose. Rose was nervous.
This was her first day. Another first day. But, this will be different. She felt it. Or, if it wasn't—she'll make it different.
"Everyone, this is Rose Nymphadora Weasley. Go ahead, say hi."
"Hello." Rose, who was eight years old, wore a yellow dress with green leaves that looked like a belt. She had her hands tucked inside the pockets of her dress.
"What was your name again?" A big, burly boy with brown curly hair snarled. "Nymphadora? Rose? What kind of name is that?"
Those children who weren't listening were now silent, their eyes staring curiously at Rose.
Laughing, the boy whirled around and said in a whiny voice, "Aww, little flower. Ow, Mummy! I touched the pickle, owie!"
"Children—" The teacher started. "—be quiet."
"Rosie, dosey, got her hair in a pony. What happened to it, huh?"
"Children—!" The teacher kneeled down in front of Rose. "I'm sorry… They're always like that, Rose. Won't you sit down there near the window?"
Rose looked down.
'Just… listen to the teacher, okay?'
'But, Mummy—'
'You'll be fine. You're the abominable Rose Weasley, no one can even defeat you in chess, right?'
'Mum—'
'Hey. You'll be fine. I thought you everything you know, woman.'
'Your Mum's right.' Ron appeared behind Hermione, hugging her from behind. ''Slay 'em!' That is your motto, right? Together with Albus, eh?'
Rose giggled.
'Now,' Ron went around Hermione. 'if someone bullied my little Rose, tell me or your Mummy or your Uncle Harry about this big ol' bully, okay?'
"Hello," Rose went beside a girl with long flowing locks of hair. She had a huge bow in her head, so big it was a half of her head. Her eyes were the unnatural shade of blue, and instead of a pair of earrings, she only had one earring that looked suspiciously a lot like a banana peeling.
"Hi, Rose. You have such a nice name." She whispered. "Don't you think the Garkyles like the sunlight?"
"Thank yo—The what?"
"Garkyles. You know those fluttering noises you hear at night? Those are Garkyles."
"Oh, crickets, you mean?"
"No. Garkyles."
"So, they are different from crickets?"
"Yes," she nodded. "That's what Mum told me."
"Oh… Your Mum must be smart." Rose expected the girl to answer her, but instead:
"Garkyles, those are the fluttering noises at night. Do they like sunlight? Or, the rain?"
"Well, are they heard when it's daylight?"
The girl looked at Rose and said, "Let's see. Maybe we'll see them."
Rose liked the girl already. Garkyles— they might be crickets, but this girl has an imagination. She didn't care about what other people think. She didn't care if she was wrong or right. She didn't care if it would danger her. And, she was the nicest person in the group. The strangest, too, but Rose was a strange girl, so it didn't really matter.
Rose smiled at the girl and nodded.
The next day of school went like that. Teasing, bullying, pushing and shoving… But, that didn't matter to her. At least she had Lykaxel. At least she learned a lot of things— ideal or real.
But, it went a lot worse when Lykaxel stopped going to school. Her parents had decided to go away for a few years in this odd village, and since no one would take care of Lykaxel and her twin brothers, the three would be going with their parents.
"You'll remember me, would you? Just like how Tumblebees remember Tweedledumns, right?"
"I will. I wouldn't want to forget you. Tweedletees together, are we?"
"Yes. Yes, tweedletees. That we are."
Rose laughed and gave Lykaxel a hug. She was never a physical type of person, but this wouldn't stop her from hugging her and crying. In the short time that the two shared, Rose felt happiness.
The next two years in the Muggle school was a living hell for her. Rose never told her parents or to anyone except for Albus. Rose never bothered to tell them because they had enough problems of their own. Besides, they can't do anything about it. Rose promised to Lykaxel that she would wait for her. So, saying that she was being bullied for her hair, and her height, and her name or that she was weird.
She kept her promise, even if she was being hurt. She never showed who she really was to anyone, but to Lykaxel and to Albus— and she would like to keep it that way. The less people would know, the less people can hurt her. All she had to do was to shield herself.
So, she kept to herself.
She would let others shadow her, but as long as no one can see what she really was underneath... She will be fine.
They all piled in front of the staff table and the houses. The Sorting was a very important ceremony where a student will be sorted to four different houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. The student will be taking classes with their house members or sit with them in lunch period. Their points will add up to their House points and if any rule- breaking occurs, there will be deduction from their House points.
The students whisper among themselves as they waited for the Headmistress to come. There was quite a small fight going on in between two Slytherins, a Ravenclaw, James Potter and William Wood. The fight somehow included a transfigured shoe, a broken wand and a wounded person. The students started playing bets on who would win, when McGonagall came and made a full body-bind on the five.
"Now," the old lady cleared her throat. "Welcome to Hogwarts, first- years. You will undergo a very important ceremony. The Sorting Hat will be placed on your heads, and it will determine which your House will be. You will perform this ceremony in front of the whole school."
"The whole school?" Alexandra stammered. She looked at the hat and asked, "How would the hat know which house will be fit?"
"George told me that they hold this test, or something. I don't know." Albus nonchalantly said.
Rose heard the exchange between Alexandra and her cousin.
Frowning, she said to herself, 'I'll be fine. I always do.'
Why didn't her mother and father say anything about it? Or any of her cousins?
'Mum, what is the sorting again? How does it goes?'
Rose asked, her head in between the two front seats of the Muggle car the Ministry let the family borrow.
'Rose, we told you about this before. You are going to enter Hogwarts and learn everything first hand. You know about that, right?'
Rose knew it was a hopeless case, but she was determined.
'Dad—'
'I am out of that topic, please don't kill me.' Ron, who always wanted to tell his children about the Sorting ceremony, stuttered. His eyes looked at Rose through the mirror and winked.
Hugo was suddenly interested in the conversation.
'Mum,' he said.
'Yes, Hugo?'
'You are literally the worst control freak I've encountered since Grandmum.'
The three in the car laughed, whilst Hermione grumbled.
The Potter family and the Weasley family agreed that the 1st years wouldn't know anything about what they will encounter to Hogwarts just for the sake of enjoying Hogwarts' finest delicacies.
"They… A test?" She said, having herself snapped out of her daydreaming. Of all the activities that can start a year— does it really have to be a test of wits?
Sure, she can be such a nerd sometimes, but that didn't mean that she liked dealing with facts or tests. Crossing her arms, she looked up to the ceiling and sighed. The ceiling was bewitched into what the sky outside looked like so she can freely point out the stars and the constellations.
She started doing just that when screams filling the Great Hall. About thirty ghosts drifted through the back wall and greeted. Milky white and translucent, the ghosts expressions varied from angry to pleased.
A fat ghost shrieked, "The name of the Lord is more important than this sorcery you're speaking of!"
"Oh, dear Delilah, we talked about this before." a long nosed ghost replied, his voice sad and depressing.
"Welcome, New Students!" A ghost proclaimed. "I hope to see you in Hufflepuff! So that, lots of you wouldn't cause any trouble for our poor Umbridge here."
The crowd shifted in their seats and stared at Dolores Umbridge, who was petting Mrs. Norris III.
She was sniffing, her mouth shut as if it was glued and a huge bottle of cough drops was on the table Argus Filch and she shared.
"Bloody hell," muttered a ghost who had ruffles around his neck. "Poor lady, there. Good thing Sir Fred here pissed the woman off that she almost turned mad with craziness."
Fred feigned his crying.
"Bless your soul, Fred." A beautiful ghost lady with a necklace filled with rubies across her neck, said, her eyes narrowing. "That woman. Did you know—"
"Please, noble ladies and gentlemen, the Sorting is about to begin."
And then, Professor Neville stepped forward and placed an old, frayed hat, the crease in between the point and the hole opened wide.
The first years gasped.
I am older than what you may think,
But never ever underestimate.
The four founders made me— a wise old cap!
But, I will eat myself if you find anything wiser than me!
The sorting begins for a new year in Hogwarts;
After the ages of darkness, here is your home standing tall;
Through the years of odd euphoria and broken hearts,
Let me tell this malevolent story to all.
The Dark Lord was known by many as the killer of our heroes
And he made a world for himself that was filled with sorrows.
He was smart, he was cunning, though he was never right.
For he saw love as just another plight.
I sang a song before and advised all to stay humble
But praises for him, some still mumbled;
Unity and love was the answer to his downfall
And to Azkaban, his supporters followed.
There once was a boy named Harry Potter
And Lord Voldemort killed his parents who had barely uttered.
But, he used his mother's love as a shield against You- Know- Who
Then the Horcruxes were destroyed, and the Deathly Hollows, too.
But the war would be lost if it weren't for the four houses
Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin
Each has an animal that symbolizes
So I'll describe the houses where you might be in.
Gryffindors, the daring, the brave and the courageous.
Maroon and gold— those are their colours.
Although I am older and stinker than your grandfather's pumpkin juice,
Believe me when I say, "Aye! The Gryffindors— their hearts beat loudly like a lion's roar!"
Hufflepuffs, the kind, the loyal and hardworking.
Never let their neatness keep you unguarded
For they are different, though they might call the evil some things.
Yellow and wood, the colours of the warranted.
Ravenclaws, the blue and bronze eagles that soar far above,
Where the knowledge and wisdom they have aren't average.
Wit and learning are what they are known best,
So never upset them, for their revenge is nasty and rather wicked.
Last, but not always the least, the pride of the green and silver Slytherins
Where they are cunning and blunt-headed
And these aren't exactly the qualities of the mean
But, vision and goals they have and those they use to achieve their ends.
Alas, after the wars and bloodsheds, still put me on your heads.
So that I may decide where you may go.
For I can read your soul and you can never hide—
Any secrets? Nah, I am the Sorting Hat, though.
The Sorting Hat bowed as everyone clapped. James Potter, who shamelessly stepped on the bench, shouted, "Harry Potter is the coolest dad, ever!" And then, the boy turned to a fifth year beside him and said, "Five Galleons, mate."
The fifth year was embarrassed by the attention. He reluctantly handed his Galleons to an enthusiastic James.
The Grand Hall burst into laughter.
"As I was saying," Headmistress McGonagall cleared her throat, looking at the cheering boy over her spectacles. "Thank you, Sorting Hat, for the beautiful song. Now, please start the ceremony."
Trembling, Rose looked around wildly whilst Professor Neville Longbottom started calling for names.
"Adelte, John."
A boy with blonde locks and a nose too big for his face shakily started climbing through the small stairs and held the Sorting Hat whilst he sat down. Then, he placed the hat on his head, and it covered his face. There was silence over the Hall until the Sorting Hat announced— "GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table cheered, whistled and howled whilst the Slytherin table booed. Even after the war, there was still the feud between the two houses.
"Bones, Eva!" A mousey girl stepped out of line and placed the hat on her head as she sat down on the stool.
"Hmm… HUFFLEPUFF! "
The Hufflepuff applauded, happy for the first Hufflepuff.
"Finch-Fletchley Jonathan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The said house cheered.
The Ravenclaw clapped with grace. They looked like royalties next to the Gryffindors who were... howling.
The Slytherin house didn't like their odds of having students.
"Lake, Donna!"… "GRYFFINDOR!"… "Merryland, Geena!"… "HUFFLEPUFF!"… "Oaker, Riley!" … "HUFFLEPUFF!"… "Quill, Peter!" … "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Scamander, Lorcan!"… "RAVENCLAW!"… "Scamander, Lysander!"… "RAVENCLAW!"
The Slytherins started booing for every student until…
"Malfoy, Scorpius! "
The Slytherins shut up, whilst everyone looked up, eyes shining with interest.
"Scorpius Malfoy… Ah, I know where you will do well… I remember your father—" the Sorting Hat paused. "You're not your father? Oh, yes. The taste of wanting to prove yourself right. Oh well, you said so… SLYTHERIN! "
The students clapped politely. Scorpius Malfoy was a Slytherin, but he wasn't his father. That was enough to say that maybe, this kid had more than what surnames carry.
The Slytherin table howled and banged their fists on the table.
Professor McGonagall looked like she would hex the aforementioned house for being noisy and for their lack of manners.
A few names were called. There was the blonde girl a whilst ago who was called for Gryffindor, two twins— one in Ravenclaw and the other one in Hufflepuff, a Mcmillan one to Gryffindor.
By now, the Slytherins were bored and started throwing things to each other when— "Potter, Albus!"
Rose looked up, and she heard the whole Hall went unusually quiet. Albus, with an ease, picked up the Hat and sat down on the stool. He calmly placed the Hat on his head.
"Ahh, a Potter," The Sorting Hat said. "I remember your dad saying— what?"
Albus tensed, his fingers turning white as he clutched for his stool.
"That house? Oh… Gryffindor can do you good, then. But all this ability... Hmm, yes, I agree. Your father said it is fine? Oh… But, not a bad mind…Fine then, SLYTHERIN!"
There was general shock that went through the whole crowd.
Potter? A Slytherin? What kind of comical joke was Fate pulling?
The Slytherin table didn't howl for once, the Hufflepuff table clapped politely, and they can't quite process what just happened because they were too confused. The Ravenclaws whispered among themselves, whilst the Gryffindor table was unusually calm.
James Potter hated it. Who are they to do that to his brother? Although he was upset that Albus wasn't a Gryffindor, he still loved Albus enough to stand up on his bench and shouted, "THAT'S MY BROTHER! SLAYING WITH STYLE! GO ALBUS!"
Rose Weasley hated all of this tension. So what if Albus was a Slytherin? He was still the same quiet, logical and sensible Albus, right? Rose gripped her wand inside her robes, her eyes fuming with anger.
She looked like she would hex the five meter radius around her to oblivion.
So when James Potter stood up and shouted, "THAT'S MY BROTHER! SLAYING WITH STYLE! GO ALBUS!" Rose looked like she would cry with tears of joy. She felt so proud of James and how he stood up for Albus.
Speaking of Albus, he was still sitting on his chair, stunned at James' s proclamation.
"He's almost exactly like his old namesake, ya know?" the Sorting Hat said.
"GO ALBUS!" Rose stuttered. She can barely move her tongue when everyone stared at her.
'Stop speaking,' she thought. 'Oh, my God. Stop speaking now, shut up. This is embarrassing.'
But, no. Albus needs support now. What was wrong with supporting, right?
"SLAY 'EM ALL!" she shouted. If there was anything she can use to encourage him, it would be their motto.
The people were either staring, or rolling their eyes. But when Victoire, Fred Weasley II, Molly Weasley, Dominique and Louis stood up and started shouting encouragements, the students and teachers looked at them with happy eyes. They were all applauding, and Albus never felt alone and judged anymore.
'These children,' Professor McGonagall thought 'Only those people can make these kinds of children.'
Laughing, Albus removed the hat from his head and started towards the Slytherin table where the students glared and observed him. He sat near the front, and the students voluntarily made a space for him to sit on.
Moving on, Professor Neville, who was smiling widely called for names.
"Torrent, Katrine"… "RAVENCLAW!"… "Townsend, Alexandra!"
It wasn't the unusual silence for all, but to Rose, it was one. To others, the silence they can hear was the typical silence of an unknown girl in the wizarding world.
Alexandra had her eyes wide open the whole time, unnerving yet nervous. Rose made an eye contact with Alexandra and Rose smiled her biggest smile.
"RAVENCLAW!"
Alexandra sighed, relief washing over her. She stood up and carried herself with pride.
'I am not a Slytherin. I am a Ravenclaw.' She thought.
"Valley, Alia!" A girl with straight hair and an anxious face came forward… "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Weasley, Rose!" She didn't feel nervous. Maybe she was, but she felt numb. Her hands were shaking and they were freezing. She felt dazed when she sat down on the stool, and felt the Hat on her head.
It was like the calm before the storm for her. Only then did she feel the situation weighing on her. Her eyes scanned through the whole Hall, looking for encouraging smiles— mostly from the Gryffindor table, but she saw Albus. Sometimes, Albus was the only one who can calm her.
But, then beside him, he saw Scorpius.
"Aah… Fine boy, isn't he?"
"Wh- What?"
The Sorting Hat chuckled. "You can't hide anything from me, child."
Rose blushed, her face as red as her hair. The Sorting Hat suspected her of taking a liking on Scorpius. She was just staring, that was all!
"Although, I wouldn't doubt if this relationship actually works. Those two, your parents. All they done was quarrel and bicker and yet they ended up with each other."
Rose looked like she would faint. Didn't the Hat realise that everyone can hear him?
"Oh, pardon me, dear. This is once in a lifetime opportunity, after all."
'Yes, once in a lifetime and I am greatly embarrassed. Just shut—' She thought, but she realised that she sounded rude, so instead, 'Please proceed to the ceremony. Please, please, please.'
"Believe me, a lot of people are ruder than you. Now, hmm… "
Rose stared down at her fingers or at the brim of the Hat. She wondered whether the Hat was being cleansed. She started wondering a lot of things, but she stopped herself. Not here. Not in front of everyone.
"Hufflepuff would be proud to have you… With all this kindness and the sense of seeing good in others… Yes, Hufflepuff would do you good... But, what is this? Imagination and intellect from your mother… Ravenclaw would be a good choice for you, too…"
She didn't really care where to go, but she wanted to be a Gryffindor because it was where her parents were. But, a different house would be okay, too. As long as she was aloud to be read books and write and dream, she will be fine.
At first, she disliked Slytherin. But, her cousin was there, and he may be needed someone with him.
"But, courage to be different… So much determination and willpower to be different… Gryffindor would love to have you."
'Gryffindor? Would I regret it?'
"Oh, child. Don't ask me."
'What trait does me good?' She wondered. 'Then, place me in that house.'
"Ah… well then… GRYFFINDOR!"
Sighing, she smiled and her eyes found the table of people standing and cheering. She looked for her cousins and they were in the middle, but she was too shy to walk all the way to the middle, so instead, she sat in front. Alone.
She was in her daydreams when she heard the last three students being sorted.
"Yaxley, Grant!"… "SLYTHERIN!"… "Zabini, Anthony!"… "SLYTHERIN!" and "Zuniga, Bella!"… "HUFFLEPUFF! "
After the announcement of names, Professor Neville immediately went to the staff table and drank three glasses of water.
Everyone laughed at him— but not because of pity or because they underestimate him. It was because this happened every year, and it was sort-of entertaining to watch.
Footnote: Just joking, it's no footnote, really. I just want to say that I posted a Next Generation one-shot entitled Hear Me Out. Um, if you wanted to read something because you're bored, then please read this one-shot! Thanks! Oh, and the Sorting Hat song was made by my cousin! Don't you think it's awesome?
— Jamie