The next two days were filled with frantic packing and arguing of who got the owl this term. This meant that Melody enjoyed peaceful long hours alone for she was all packed. She spent most of her time in the backyard reading, thinking about Ennis, and trying not to think about where she was going. On the last night, Melody looked through her bag and made sure everything was in place. She undid a black handkerchief that was nestled inside her clothes. A purple choker with a diamond on it, a Foe glass ball, and a ring with serpents on it was inside the handkerchief. Melody remembered Narcissa giving it to her.
"It will hide all dark objects inside it." She quoted before taking out her wand.
No, her mother's wand. This wand was not hers. It obeyed a dead woman who was better left forgotten.
"I hope I can make some use of you. I don't have enough money to get a new one," Melody told the wand angrily before stuffing it back in her bag along with the handkerchief filled with her treasures.
The next morning they apparated into King's Cross and shoved the six children into the platform. They gave a good pat on the shoulder to the older ones and sent the rest on their way before the train left.
The older brothers and sisters went off to their friend's compartment. But before Melody could get very far Veronica tightly grabbed her wrist and whispered: "Behave Little Bella."
Veronica left her to dig up the emotions she was holding back.
Melody searched for a compartment with the ginger as the hopelessness crushed her. Her tears begin brimming despite her efforts to hold them back. Melody found an empty compartment and closed the door.
After a couple of minutes, she regained her composure and waited for the train to start moving.
"Excuse me but is this compartment taken?"
Melody saw a blond girl at the compartments entrance and shook her head.
"No, you can sit there."
"Thank you."
They sat in silence and Melody decided it was her turn to break the ice.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Iris."
"I like your name. My names Melody."
"Cool,"
Again an awkward silence braced the room.
"Do know anything about Hogwarts?"
"Nope, my mom thought it was best if I discovered everything by myself. I'm a half-blood. Do you know anything?"
Melody tried to remember what her cousins told her.
"I believe you get sorted into one of four different houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. The headmistress is Minerva McGonagall. There's a Whomping Willow on the school grounds and something about house elves..."
"What's a house Elf?" Iris inquired scooting closer to Melody.
"A house elf is a little servant that is inherited by pureblood families. They are very sweet and love to do chores." Melody looked back fondly on her own house elf Seppy who played with her when she was a baby.
"I wish I could see one."
"Maybe one day."
"What house do you think you're going in?"
"Me? Eh, I don't know. But I think you'd be in Ravenclaw."
"Really?! What does that mean?"
"It's the clever house."
"Thanks, Melody, I think you would be in a Gryffindor!"
"Why?"
"It sounds like a really cool house. Is it not?"
"Well, Gryffindor is the brave house. I'm not very brave."
"I bet you are."
Melody looked up in surprise at the smiling girl as she looked out the window to the countryside.
"I bet you'll be the bravest Gryffindor ever." She continued still looking dreamily out the window.
"No, you're thinking of Harry Potter. He's pretty brave."
"Who?"
"Harry Potter," A male voice answered at the compartment door.
It was Ennis; his unmistakable green eyes sparkled as he flashed a smile at the two young girls.
"Ennis! I didn't see you but I saved a compartment."
"Thank you, Melody, and who are you?"
"Iris Bodehimes. Please to meet you."
"Likewise, Iris. So why are we talking about Harry Potter?"
Melody blushed furiously but thankfully Iris answered him.
"Melody was trying to enlighten me on who he was."
"Oh, well that could take a while."
The trolley witch came by with food and Iris got three pumpkin pastries, three chocolate frogs, and a small assortment of candy.
"I've got all day," Iris cheerfully said as she passed around the sweets.
Ennis told the tale about the first war, the boy who lived, and the second war. It was a glossed over history, so Ennis didn't discuss the individual death eaters for which Melody was grateful. After the story, they taught all they knew about Hogwarts, magical creatures, and chocolate frogs to Iris. In return, they learned a few things about the Muggle world.
Melody laughed at both of their stories. She hadn't laughed in a while, it was nice.
Soon they had to change into their school robes.
The fear of Hogwarts and the sorting had finally caught up to her. When the train slowed to a shuddering stop Melody began to shake uncontrollably.
"Hey, are you ok?" Iris asked concerned
Melody breathed in and nodded her head even though she felt like throwing up. Iris held Melody's still trembling hands and helped her stand up and walk out to the platform.
"First years this way! Come on, first years this way!" A gruff but not unfriendly voice called out to the littles. The rest of the school left for the carriages. Many of them were eyeing the Thestrals that pulled the carriages.
"Alright, each of you gets into groups a three. One boat per group." The giant instructed them. Melody, Iris, and Ennis all got into a boat and gasped when they saw the castle.
The castle was beautiful. Restored to its former glory after the war the flames burned even brighter and the moon shone down a silvery pathway.
Melody looked up at the great hall and smiled. Maybe this place could become home after all.
The first years climbed the stone steps to the great hall with excited whispers floating around. Melody still felt like throwing up but Iris's comforting hand pulling her along eased the feeling. At the top of the stairs a stern looking woman with brown eyes, silver hair, and a long red robe looked over the first years.
"I am Professor Threnody and head of Gryffindor house. Before you go and join your classmates you will be sorted into your houses. There is a Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Your house will be like your family, good grades and kind acts will earn you points. Any rule breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the house cup. Please wait out here until I call for you."
Melody held her hand to her mouth, the comforting presence of Iris's hand worn out. She sunk to the floor and tried to cover her head with her hood even more.
"Melody what's wrong?" Iris began rubbing her back and called over Ennis.
"I can't go out there. I just can't." Melody choked back sobs and she felt dizzy.
"Melody! What's wrong Iris?" Ennis asked.
"She doesn't want to go out there."
"Melody, it's ok. It will only last a minute then you can disappear into the crowd. You can forget it ever happened but you can't give up now!"
"We'll be here after and we'll still remain friends, no matter what house," Melody looked up to Iris's confident grin and picked herself up.
"Ok, your right. I can't give up now."
Her little break down had gone almost unnoticed amongst the other children but for extra measure, she pulled her hood over all her strands of hair. Leaving just one out to play with.
Professor Threnody opened the doors. Silence came from the first years.
"We are ready for you."
Melody took a deep breath and walked into the Great Hall.
It was beautiful, from the enchanted ceiling to the stone floors. The polished wood tables gleamed with silver and gold plates and at the end, the sorting hat stood ready on a wooden stool.
The first years crowded around a ten-foot circle that at the center stood the hat.
Professor Threnody pulled out a list of names and began reading them. There were many Gryffindor's, a few Hufflepuffs, one Slytherin, and two Ravenclaws. Then Iris's name was called.
"Iris Bodehimes,"
Iris gave a final squeeze to Melody's hand and walked over to the stool. The sorting hat was placed on her head, one second, two seconds...
"Ravenclaw!" The sorting hat announced to a relieved Iris and a welcoming Ravenclaw house.
After a few more names Ennis's was said.
"Ennis Golbrea,"
Ennis ran up and happily shoved the sorting hat on his head.
"Slytherin!" The sorting hat announced and Ennis jogged over before giving Melody a quick thumbs up.
Melody nodded still stiff from fear. Only a few more empty seats and only one in Gryffindor.
Maybe I'll be in Hufflepuff, she thought hopefully.
More names, more houses, but still an empty Gryffindor seat. Melody began chewing her fingers.
Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Slytherin, Ravenclaw but no Gryffindor.
One by one the students left to sit at their tables until only Melody and two boys remained.
She pulled the hood as far over her face as possible.
The last student got sorted.
Then it happened. The one thing she was dreading, terrified of it happened in front of the entire school. Her mouth went dry.
Professor Threnody cleared her throat,
"Bellatrix Lestrange,"
Gasps of horror swept through the houses, the dreaded whispers began, even a few of the professors stood up. Melody began to shake.
Professor Threnody quickly realized her mistake and sputtered, "Oh goodness, um, is there a Lestrange here?"
Almost against her will, Melody raised her shaking hand very slowly. The professor nodded curtly and stiffened as Melody walked to the stool.
It took for centuries to walk up to the stool. And she could feel the thousands of eyes burning into the back of her skull. The whispers swarmed around her like angry bees. She climbed up and faced the crowd with her head still berried in her hood.
"Ahem," Threnody coughed,
Melody looked up.
The hood, she mouthed before turning away.
Melody as if in a daze pulled off her hood and let her curly untamable black hair come out since leaving the manor. The whispers only grew louder and louder. Then the hat slid over her head and silenced the outside world.
Hmm, interesting. A Lestrange, oh my yes. Very soon, some would say too soon but I think you're ready. The sorting hats sly voice purred in her ear.
Ready for what? She asked the hat.
Ready for what's coming, but I don't think Hufflepuff will suit you, my dear. No, far too much bravery and less loyalty. Ravenclaw wouldn't work your skills are not meant for cleverness but Slytherin...
No, no not Slytherin.
By why not? You have an extended family in Slytherin. They will welcome you with open arms. Maybe...
No, I am not my mother.
Very well. I see you have a quest. A quest to right wrongs and prove you are not her. Isn't that right?
Yes,
Well, then my dear I'm afraid it's, "Gryffindor!" The sorting hat announced to a silent hall.
The hat was taken off her head but before she could even take one step:
"Murderer!" A lone student yelled across the hall. And as if she had been waiting for it, Headmistress McGonagall burst out of her chair and shouted:
"Mr. Harthmore! I will see you in detention!"
Melody, still in her dazed state, covered her head even though there was no point and walked slowly to the Gryffindor table.
The only problem was that there was one seat left, and it was right next to Harry Potter.