Finding what isn't Lost
Chapter 2
The Sorting Hat was yanked from Freda's head and the small girl shakily got to her feet. The teacher that had removed the Hat indicated that she should make her way over to the table under the green banner where most of the table was cheering – even if they did look a little confused. Whispering broke out as she sat down next, to another first year girl with black pigtails, oriental-looking eyes and a long pointed nose, but they were silenced as the sorting continued. Freda sat frozen in her chair until finally the sorting finished and the headmaster stood.
Headmaster McSamet had became head of the school after old Professor McGonagall had retired. Before that he had been the Defence against the Dark Arts professor since the war had finished. Quirky but dedicated to his students, Professor McSamet was known for the exciting way he ran the school.
"Welcome to our new students and, of course, to our older friends welcome back. Just a few announcements this term; Mr Filch and his apprentice, Mr Jenkins, asked me to remind you all that the Forbidden Forest is just as forbidden as it's name implies. Also their list of contraband items has been put up in the common rooms of each house and also on the door to Mr Filch's office. There may be other announcements but for now we should have dinner. Dig in!"
A glorious feast appeared spread across each table like magic and the hall filled with the excited chatter of hundreds of teenagers.
"So Slytherin house got the oldest potter eh?" The brown haired girl asked Freda.
"Seems that way, doesn't it?" Freda smirked.
If these snobs were going to be bitchy towards her she was going to give them a run for their millions. The other girl smiled – a true smile.
"Adeliade Channing-Lee though I'm better known as Adie. My family has been sorted only to Slytherin for six generations."
The two girls shook hands.
"Freda Molly Potter, occasionally known as Fi and as far as I know no one in my family has been in Slytherin before me."
Dinner ended and Adie linked arms with Freda and they followed the tall blond prefect down to the Slytherin common room with the rest of the first years. Their escort didn't seem all that interested in the little ones and they were soon sent to bed. Sleep grabbed a hold of Freda quickly and she fell into a deep and dreamless world.
A cold splash of water woke Freda and she gasped into the darkness. She could hear similar screams of shock and surprise from the other girls in her dormitory. Before she could ask what was going on she was yanked from her bed by an older girl and each first year was pushed and pulled down the stairs to the common room.
"Stand here." A seventh year ordered and the first years were forced to line up with their backs to the fire facing all the other students in the house.
Another seventh year marched up and down in front of him.
"So you are this year's newest batch of Slytherins?" He spat at their feet making the entire line of eleven year old boys and girls jump. "You hardly look worthy of such a house. However, we shall give you the chance to prove yourselves with a few simple tasks. You must complete at least two of the three tasks. Those who succeed will reap the benefits of being a fully fledged member of this noble house. Those who fail will be shunned for the rest of their time in this house – that means for seven years failures will have to endure being alone, helpless and hopeless. Do I make myself clear?"
The first years mumbled their assent.
"He asked if he made himself clear!"
"Yes!"
"Good." The seventh year Slytherin smirked. "First you must each earn a total of fifty house points in the first week. You will all manage that will you not?"
"Yes sir!"
"Second each of you will have to take your turn fetching food from the kitchens after midnight. The kitchens are hidden behind the painting of a bowl of fruit – the one that was pointed out to you as we made our way down here – and you have to tickle the pear. I am rather partial to apple tarts myself." He chuckled slightly. "It would do you all good to get a nice big selection for us to eat." He turned to the other Slytherins. "Who shall we send tonight?"
"The Potter girl can do it." A third year suggested.
Freda gulped audibly – she would have to pass Filch's office and her uncle's had been telling her stories about his punishments for years.
"Yes, you will go after we're done here." The boy in charge told her. "The final task is perhaps the hardest." The room was filled with laughter as the older students remembered what was coming. "Making sure that it is daytime and you are being watched by a fifth year Slytherin or older you must fly as high as you dare and purposely fall from your broom."
"Couldn't we die?" A wide eyed first year boy asked.
"How Slytherin are you?" The older boy growled at him. Then he turned to Freda. "It's time for you to go little Potterette. Bring us back something nice, won't you?"
Frightened and shaking Freda slipped out of the house alone. It was very dark.
"Well Freda, congratulations – you're fucked!" she muttered as she set off down the corridor.
So next chapter is the tasks. Who will manage and who will fail?
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