Chapter 2: Slytherin

Jill closed her eyes, breathing only slightly. It was because she had already seen things she didn't ever want to see. That's probably something that happens after receiving training from your professor.

First of all, she didn't even want to hold a wand in her hand. A piece of wood couldn't have any function, she thought. Said piece of wood caused Kolem's grey hair to turn green though, and he wasn't as amused as Jill was; who then insisted that being able to turn hair green was enough for self-defence. Kolem, whom seemed short on time, gave her a bunch of books so she could further study the topic and tried adding them into Jill's suitcase that, sadly, had to let go of her stuffed dinosaur in return. Now Jill was the one who didn't seem too amused but Kolem couldn't take care of that, instead, he forced her to touch this weird boot type of thing and on an instant, they flew through time and space, landing somewhere on a hill. While Kolem smiled when he looked around the scene, Jill was fighting the urge to throw up.

"What..what..was that?"
"A portal. You'll get used to it. Now come on." He pulled her along, towards this building that Jill could only describe as "humongously huge". She knew, once Kolem stopped in front of this castle, that she wouldn't be able to get out very soon. Things just got serious. This wasn't a dream. It was reality. The aura that school gave off wasn't comforting either, it was terrifying and scary. The sky was dark and cloudy, she could see some black creatures flying around and they reminded her of what she always pictured demons to look like. Kolem told her that she shouldn't get too close to them. That they would attack if they felt something evil in her. And that they would soak out the least bit of happiness within.

"I have to go now. I can't go inside with you. Find the office, give Severus Snape this document that I fixed for you and…stick to what I told you. Good luck. I will visit in January." He hugged her once more and Jill, now realizing that she is alone and only with a spell on her hand to turn hair green, will probably not last for a day. Maybe then he would realize that she wasn't the type of girl to act a heroine. With the sounds of thunder from the sky, she jumped and hurried into the castle. Everything was so huge, how would she even find this Snake guy? No. Snape. What was his name? Ah…

Right now, the young woman has walked through the hallways. Her black, wavy hair bounced up and down as she went on ahead. She was wearing a black dress that reached a little under her knees and black stockings - getting looks from a few students that passed by. Once again, Jill inhaled deeply and turned her face away when a black figure with an odd, white mask walked past her. Through the corner of her eyes she could see that it wasn't only one person. They were many. Jill let her senses take over, closing her eyes to concentrate on the sounds. The group of black robes stomped down in a simultaneous marching. When Jill opened her eyes again, she noticed slight dots on her forearms. Goosebumps.

"Come inside Miss Ogriv." she could hear a faint voice behind the door she was going to knock on. Raising an eyebrow, she stepped inside. Trying not to look around. It would prove that she is actually quite insecure at the moment and Kolem warned her about seeming lost. He is one to talk! She tilted her chin up a little – to look at a rather pale faced man with chin-length black hair. He was wearing a black coat and it seemed like everything about him was black. His rather highlighted nose wrinkled up a little when he spoke, Jill wondered if that's simply a quirk or if she should have spent 5 minutes longer under the shower, however decided it being a quirk when she noticed he also wrinkled up his nose when he glanced to the other figures in the room.

"Sit." he demanded simply. Jill did as she had been told and pulled down her dress a bit and sat down on the red-pillowed chair. Her eyes wandered to the four other people that were standing in the distance behind, as she now learned, Severus Snape.

One of the other people had very long, light blond, almost silver hair. He tilted up his nose, carrying his head high. Next to him stood a woman with a mixture of black and blonde hair, her blue eyes pierced through Jill while Snape kept reading the document that he received. At the other side of the room, there was a boy about her age. Maybe a year older. His hair was also very light blond and he kept throwing up a black little figure from one hand to the other.

And there was this other woman…that Jill almost didn't notice because she was standing in the corner, the shadows hiding most of her body to be noticed. She probably wouldn't have noticed her at all if it weren't for the strange cackle that scurried out from her directions. She moved out of the shadows and her intimidating aura was the first thing Jill noticed about her. A woman in her mid 40ies or so, as Jill guessed, with wild, black and curly hair, thick red lips, dark eyes and a controlled posture.

"So that's the new one yes, Severus?" she asked and had an odd sound to her voice. It was a mixture of cheery and snotty. She couldn't find out what it was but she felt her dark eyes beaming into her soul almost.

"Yes. It is, Bella." he answered and glanced at her as if he felt mocked. She just looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a faint smirk on her face, then flipped her hair back and watched.

"So you are from Polariacus. Aren't you?" he continued his questions, still holding the document in his hands.
"That's true." Jill said. Lying. He didn't seem to notice though. Instead, he looked at her again.
"Tell me. How come you are interested in Hogwarts so suddenly?"

"I have been interested in it but I wasn't able to visit a school for witchcraft and wizardry. Now that Hogwarts changed its curriculum and allows courses for above 17 year olds, I thought I would give it a try and learn more. Polariacus is a small village. My parents moved there because it's quiet and because they thought they could raise their child without any interference of magic but…once I've learned that I'm a witch, I felt like I have been robbed of my true origin and so I came here." She said, inwardly check marking everything that Kolem told her to say.

Meanwhile, she could feel some stares at her. It actually happened that everyone of them stared. Did it sound stupid? Glancing to her left, she noticed red lips cocking up into a grin. Jill gulped when the black haired woman seemed to notice that Jill felt uncomfortable.

"It's true. While I'm the new headmaster, we allow adult education; starting at the age of 17 up to 27. It's very uncommon that we accept someone to start in the middle of the year, however. Mr. Kolem explained to me, in this letter, that you are eager to learn and catch up."

Kolem! That idiot!

"Well then! Since the sorting ceremony is over, I'd suggest-"
"The sorting head will decide which house she belongs to, Bellatrix." Cooed Snape and got up. He walked towards a huge black cupboard. It wasn't until Jill turned her head to follow his actions that she realized the figures in the pictures were actually moving. Her eyes widened a little but she managed to keep herself calm before jumping in surprise. Snape, meanwhile, pulled out a scrunched, wrinkled and black hat with a face. His mouth moved slightly as he held its tip tightly.

"Oh Severus" he said with a coarse voice. A chuckle hidden between his words.
"Haven't seen you in so long! Now don't hold me that tight. You hurt me." the hat spoke and looked around.

"Bellatrix Lestrange! They let you out?" he asked tauntingly, faking a cheer. She smirked at the black cloth and crossed her legs. Leaning back with her torso, her hands rested on each side of her hips. She was sitting on the black table now.
"Better watch your mouth. Fabric burns easily." She spoke with narrowed eyes.

Jill couldn't help but wonder. Not knowing what would happen now. She tried to make any logical conclusion but nothing would enlighten her mind. Until the hat was sat on her head.

"Oh. What a great mind we have here. Such a great mind. With a brain like this you would do great at Ravenclaw. That's what I see. Though no! What can this be? Darker parts cloud your mind. Oh oh! Now I see! Now I see! A mind of conspiracy! You'd be best suited in Slytherin, that's where I'll sort you in!" he shouts out. Jill did not really know how to react. Slytherin? Okay, here I come. What's Slytherin anyway?

"Slytherin huh?" the younger boy with the blonde hair said and raised an eyebrow.

"Draco. Be a good boy and show her the quarter. You may introduce her to the things needed as well." Said the other man in the room.

"Yes Dad." Was answered, the young man walked towards Jill and looked at Severus whom walked up.
"This. Is your schedule. Your suitcase has already been brought to your room for you." Snape informed while handing out a letter. Jill checked it, but nodded as a thank you, then turned away to leave with the guy she now knew as Draco.

"So tell me. What's your name again?" He asked as they trotted ahead. She almost didn't hear his words while she was so busy examining the walls and all its details. Stony walls and stony hallways were lit up by torches. The smell of this building was odd because she wasn't used to the scent of carbon and fire that much. It didn't bother her nose though and she looked at him.

"My name is Jill. Jill Ogriv." she answered with a very calm voice. He couldn't help but stare at her a little and notice her female curves. Slightly blushing, he turned his face away. Not liking the fact that he just caught himself slightly admiring the dark haired girl. He walked down with Jill, an endless set of spiral stairs led them in the dungeon.

"This is the girl's area. Each house has a password. Our password has changed since Dum- I mean. Since Snape is the headmaster now. Don't tell anyone, nobody is allowed to enter our common room unless they are Slytherin. You will be able to tell by the robes we are wearing." he explained and stopped in front of a regular wall.

"You've got one more room mate. Slytherins share their room with one more person. She studies with us, too. We all share the same classes. There are other parts of the dungeon just for the regular students but this is our corridor. Say "passion to the dark". Go on and try it. Say those words. Then you can step inside."

Jill blinked a little. He was saying way too much to remember. But she sighed and nodded. "Alright" she said and spoke the words and watched the wall suddenly breaking down in all its bricks. Her eyes widened. She looked through the hole big enough to fit two people through, looking into a black pitch.
"Oh my! I'm sorry! I think I did it wrong" she exclaimed and stepped backwards and looked at him. He chuckled.

"No dummy. You didn't. Walk inside. Just watch." Jill then looked down to the bricks but did as she had been told, turning back around only to face a unimpaired wall again and shook her head at the fact, uttering "Magic.."

Once she was inside, she hesitantly stepped ahead. Each step she walked ahead was each fire that lit up. Candles were flying alongside the dark walls. Green candles - with green light. Also she noticed the floor was completely tiled black. She only perceived this because she could hear some clicks of shoes and for a second jumped because she thought it was someone coming. Then realized it was herself.
Silver and green curtains hung downside the really large windows that let in green light, she looked closely and noticed that…this dungeon seemed to be under the water, a sea maybe. A bit ahead she saw a large, black leather couch. It all seemed to be expensive - or at least looked like it. She couldn't help but wonder if all those things were actually trash just turned into fancy stuff by using a fancy spell.
But the most attention went to the huge snake hanging down the ceiling in a spiral. Fire came out of its mouth. It was clear the snake wasn't a living creature. It was made of light green and black porcelain, twinkling when the light broke into the diamond-studded eyes. Jill couldn't help but move her hand towards the fire the snake spat out. The fire wasn't hot at all, it was simply meant to be a light source without hurting anybody. So she turned around, her nose hitting the collarbone area of a person and she instantly backed away.

"Well hello there, You must be the new one everyone talks about." The girl said, her brown hair hanging down her scalp. She had a rather pudgy face - but Jill found her pretty anyways.

"My name is Pansy. Pansy Parkinson. I'm your room mate. Do you like the common room?"
She asked and looked around. Jill nodded, saying "It's amazing actually."

"Let me show you our room. It's simple, actually." And Pansy opened a door and she was right. The room was simple, yet elegant. It wasn't large but big enough for two dark brown beds and matching closets to fit in. All the bed covers were green and silver. Pansy pointed to a chair next to the bed.
"Here's your uniform. You have to wear it everyday when we go to class. And…just to inform you. Don't hang out with the rest."

"Who is the rest?"
"Gryffindor. Hufflepuff. And Ravenclaw. Those are the other houses. Trust me they're all considering themselves to be the best. Which they are not. Blood impurity. That speaks it all."

Jill raised an eyebrow. Now knowing Pansy and she aren't going to be friends at all.