Himeko Sorano: Slytherin
By: Felidae Silvestris
The Idea
Himeko Sorano sighed as she cut through the throngs of witches and wizards crowding Diagon Alley. She came every year, it seemed, to be among people who appeared her own age and lament the very fact that they had somewhere to be in a month's time.
They laughed, met their friends, and gathered together school supplies. The youngest, aged 10 or 11, came dashing gleefully out of Ollivander's clutching their very first wands. Their parents beamed proudly in their wake.
Himeko envied them. Not being a witch came with disadvantages. Sure, her mother and her aunts had long since taught her how to use her powers. She did not, and never had, needed a wand. But she sort of wanted one. And she wanted to go to that Hogwarts all the little witches and wizards babbled about.
"So why don't you?" asked a voice from behind her.
Himeko started and blushed – She hadn't meant to say the thought aloud. She turned to see a tall, bearded wizard with half-moon spectacles perched on his crooked nose. "I'm too old to start Hogwarts," she told him. "And besides, it isn't as if they'll just let me in."
The man smiled, his eyes sparkling. "I don't suppose you've tried writing to the Headmaster and asking, have you?"
"Well no. But if I'd been meant to go to Hogwarts, I would have gotten a letter when I was 11."
"How long ago was that?" he asked, looking her over.
"39 years ago." Himeko told him the truth, fully expecting him not to believe her.
"I see," he said simply, not even raising an eyebrow. "Might I ask, then, why you want to come to Hogwarts?"
Come to? Himeko wondered briefly at the phrasing. "Mostly because I'm bored. And also… it looks like it might be fun."
The old man smiled again. "That it is, that it is. Might I suggest, my dear, that you write to the Hogwarts Headmaster and tell him of your interest. The Headmaster 39 years ago is no longer with us, you see. I think you might find the current Headmaster more… open minded, shall we say.
"Now, as much as I would enjoy continuing our chat, I have other business to attend to. I look forward to your letter." He winked and was gone a moment later.
Himeko stood, rooted to the spot, staring at the place the man had disapparated from. He looks forward to my letter? That… that… was Albus Dumbledore?
Himeko spent the entire next afternoon drafting her letter to Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She sent it off with her owl, Alice, just as the sun was setting.
Himeko felt giddy. She bounced around her room, relieved to be well on her way to relief from boredom.
Little did she know, she was in for a very long wait…
Author's Note: Yes, meetings with Dumbledore in the street would be mobbed with people. No, I did not care to write about those people. Yes, Dumbledore is taking somewhat special interest in more than one student next year.