Chapter 2

The Sorting Hat

"Here, let me help you, Milly." Regulus said, calling me by my nickname as he grabbed my hand and helped me out of the small, cramped and rocky boat. Regulus and I were the only people who were allowed to call each other nicknames. My daddy called me 'his baby girl', but Regulus was the only one who properly shortened my name. Plus, my daddy is actually allowed to tell me to do anything and I have to obey, but he doesn't do that often.

"Thank you, Reg." I said quietly, before glowering at the boat and attempting to shake the pins and needles out of my right leg, which had red marks on the skin from where it had rested against the harsh wood on the boat. "Those boats are horrible. How can Dumbledore allow such monstrosities?"

"I think the question is really how did my mother allow me to come here? I mean, there is nothing amazing here, is there? All it is is old brick and stone with a bit of eroded wood." Regulus said, as I gave him a hurt look. Nothing amazing here? Nice to know he cares so much about his future wife. Regulus caught my look, before he realised what he said. "I mean," he rushed to correct it, "I know you are here, Milly, you make this place a whole lot prettier and amazing. Slytherin will never be the same after you enter it. I mean, look at it this way, you've already made enemies for yourself."

I grinned smugly, as Cressida and Caroline came each side of me and linked our arms. "And did you see the look on that mudbloods face when you glared at her?" Cressida said, laughing delicately, and grinning at me. "She looked petrified, Amelia. I would have felt sorry for her if she wasn't such a waste of space. I heard she's a Gryffindor. I mean, what sort of Gryffindor can't stand up to a first year when they're in their third? However, I must say I am glad it wasn't me who had those eyes on when you were angry. Seriously, Amelia, you can give anyone the chills when you get upset."

"Oh, I so agree, Cress. I mean," Caroline giggled and leaned closer to me. "Who wouldn't be scared of your eyes when you get angry. They turn to ice. It will be interesting seeing Regulus up against you when you two fight once you are wedded. Make sure you tell me about it in great detail, it will give me blackmail against him for once."

"Fight? Us? Never." Regulus stated pompously with a hint of jest tone, tilting his head down at Caroline. "No wife of mine would ever argue against me."

"Is that so, Mister Black?" I raised an eyebrow at him, defiant. Regulus gulped and shook his head quickly, as I flicked one of my long honey blonde curls over my shoulder. The girls chuckled at my obvious prideful and smug actions, as March laughed loudly, his laugh resembling close to a donkey's cry.

"Yes, someone is so enamoured." March teased, jokingly punching his best friends arm. "You'll have trouble controlling that one, Regulus."

"Oh, shush, March." Regulus commanded teasingly as we walked up the path to the entrance to Hogwarts. "You don't know what you're talking about." I continued to gossip with Cressida and Caroline while Regulus and March followed behind us. Once at the entrance of the school, a strict, middle aged looking lady, dressed in a fine green ensemble, walked forward and waited for us to quieten down a little more.

"All of you, listen at once. Now, quiet down. Move closer, you lot." The lady said sternly, looking at us with a close eye. Waiting for us to quieten down. "Now, I am Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house. You will all be sorted into four different houses. These houses are such as: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Good luck to all of you and follow me."

March and Regulus shared a cheeky grin as the whispered something between themselves which I couldn't hear. The group of students in my year all went after Professor McGonagall as we entered the Great Hall. I looked up and saw millions of lit candles floating up in the air, as the night sky stared down at us. My peers were all whispering between themselves in awe as the looked around. I caught Narcissa's eye as she sat at the Slytherin table. She smiled warmly at me, before it suddenly disappeared from her face when she lost eye contact with me to glare at something. I looked over my shoulder and saw at the end of her glare was Sirius, who was pointedly ignoring it and whispering to James. The two boys both shared a laugh and James patted Sirius fondly on the back, before turning to look down the table to where Lily was sitting with the same round faced girl from earlier. However, this time, they were joined with a skinny brunette girl, as well as a dirty blonde haired girl. They seemed to be chatting animatedly, as Lily looked up the table to catch James' eye. He winked at her, causing Lily to roll her eyes and turn back to the girls who were chuckling at something.

"What's so enthralling?" Regulus whispered to me, but I shrugged and smiled at him, before going back to paying attention to where I was walking. The large group of first years stopped at the front of the hall, Regulus, March, Cressida, Caroline and I near the front of the group, with only a few rows in front of us. "When I call your name," Professor McGonagall said clearly, "I want you to come forward, sit on the chair and the sorting hat will be placed on your head. You will be sorted and will leave to go and sit at your house table. Understood?" she didn't wait for the answer, before she called the first name. "Anderson, Julie."

A girl who looked like she was about to die of fright walked forward, her two long, dark haired plaits on either side of her head swayed as she walked. She appeared amazed by what she was seeing and while she headed up, she tried to look around at the scene. She seemed surprised that Professor McGonagall was going to place a hat on her head and that the hat could tell her what house she would be in. I had heard of this type of magic before and Narcissa had pre-warned me how you are sorted at Hogwarts. Beside Regulus, March grinned maliciously, as he leaned forward and whispered into my ear in a self-satisfied tone. "Mudblood."

"Merlin, I know. Trust me, I can smell the foul blood from anywhere." I mumbled back, as Cressida and Caroline giggled and subtly high-fived me.

"Good one, Amelia." Cressida cheered softly. I looked over my shoulder at Regulus, who winked at me. Smiling back, I turned to look at the woman who called out a new name after the Mudblood had been named a Hufflepuff. No surprise there. A few more names were called out, before "Black, Regulus." was said.

"Good luck, Regulus." We all whispered, to him, as he smirked. I know he is going to be in Slytherin, after all, he is the perfect Black. The hat was on his head for less than a second before it shouted out "SLYTHERIN."

We all clapped politely, as I jokingly blew a kiss to Regulus, who smiled and strutted to the Slytherin table, beaming at the obvious envious looks from the first year boys after my blown kiss. "Wow, your man is the going to be the Slytherin prince, by the looks of it." Cressida said to me, as we giggled and watched him sit down with a group of seventh and sixth years.

"Of course, a Wanderwood would never marry another person who was bellow perfect." I responded with, as Cressida laughed and jokingly pinched me softly, before paying attention at the front when March's name was called. March trotted up to the front, before sitting on the stool. He was on the stool for a little longer than Regulus, but less than fifteen seconds when the hat shouted out "SLYTHERIN."

March took the hat off and went to sit down beside Regulus, who shook his hand fondly. I smiled and waited as more names were called until it was Caroline who was called up. Caroline made her face neutral as she sway up to the front, her silver-blonde hair flowing behind her as she trotted up the steps and gracefully sat down on the seat, ignoring everyone as the hat was placed on her head. Less than ten seconds later, the hat screamed out, "SLYTHERIN."

Caroline waited for Professor McGonagall to remove the hat, before walking to the Slytherin table, as the middle-aged witch called out, "Morrison, Cressida." Cressida grinned and practically sprinted up, barely able to keep her cool. Some students could see differences between the sisters, despite being completely identical, with slender figures and silvery hair, Caroline appeared a lot more cold and locked off then bubbly and giggly Cressida.

Cressida sat on the stool, as the hat was placed on her head. I stood, watching and waiting, as the hat seemed to be taking its time. My nails digging into my arms, while impatience took over. What was taking the hat so long? Just say 'Slytherin' and let us move on. Cressida started biting her lip, as her green eyes locked with mine. I nodded, as if to say 'hurry up'. She noted it, as the hat finally announced. "SLYTHERIN."

Thank Merlin that is over now. I just have to wait for a few more minutes for my name. Hopefully there will be no more Cressida's who required what felt like a billion minutes just to get one word out of a hat. After having to listen to more and more names being called, finally, "Wanderwood, Amelia." was called. Despite waiting for this moment for most of my life, I felt my heart leap in fear, as I slowly made my way forward. Professor McGonagall nodded at me in greeting as I sat on the seat, which was warm and slightly dank from all the sweat the others before me had perspired. I winced inwardly at the thought, as the hat was placed on my head. It better not mess up my hair.

Ah, Miss Wanderwood, I jumped slightly, unable to stop my surprise as the hat merely chuckled and continued talking. You are very cunning and ambitious. Engaged to young Regulus Black, I see? You two will do well together. I smirked at that. You bet we'll do well together, we're two of the best pureblood heirs from the wealthiest pureblood families, no one could do better than us. Proud of your bloodline, I see. Pure blood runs through your veins. You are very brave though, as well as bold, but you can be cold to those who you believe do not deserve your loyalty or time. Surprisingly, Miss Wanderwood, even though your traits scream Slytherin, you have very similar characteristics to a Gryffindor. I gasped, feeling the hat laugh quietly. Do not worry, you will be best in – "SLYTHERIN!"

I smiled a little as the Slytherin table burst into applause. Quick to hand Professor McGonagall her hat back, I stood up, discreetly smooth my school skirt before walking down the stairs and towards the Slytherin table. Many students from the house whispered their hellos and congratulations to me as I nodded and continued to walk down to where Regulus was sitting, across from the Morrison twins and March on one side of him, a spare seat on the other. Girls stared enviously as I sat next to him. They looked at me darkly, before going back to giving him dreamy looks. Well, that won't do. Purposely placing my hand on his shoulder, I sat down beside him and kissed his cheek. I might not like him romantically, but I am so making sure those girls know he is taken and that they're shouldn't bother wishing and longing for what they are never going to get. Regulus kissed my cheek in return as we settled down. Cressida and Caroline giggled at our territorial acts, while March merely simpered.

Regulus leaned closer to me, his warm breath against my ear as he whispered. "Good job, Milly. You did amazingly well." I smiled a genuine smile at him, which left my face as fast as it came when I turned to look back at the stage, where only a few people were left, as their names were called quickly.

Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, stood up and smiled warmly at us. Dressed in long blue robes with moons embroidered on it, he looked at us through his half-moon spectacles and cleared his throat. "Welcome to Hogwarts to those who are new and welcome back to our previous students. I'd like to clear up a few rules before you start dinner. The Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students." His blue eyes darted to Sirius and James with two of their friends, resting there for a few moments. "Those who are found breaking that rule will be serving detention with Mr Filch." A young looking man with oily brown hair that reached his shoulders and a pointed nose smirk. I suppose that is 'Mr Flich'. "And lastly, all students must be in their house rooms by curfew. That is all. Enjoy your dinner and I wish you all the best of luck for this year, and many to come." As Dumbledore sat down, applause roared from the Gryffindor table, mainly Regulus' brother and his buffoon of a friend.

"So Amelia," Cressida said, as she helped herself to mashed potatoes. "Did you see the looks the boys were giving you? Especially when you blew Regulus a kiss!"

"Of course I did, Cress." I said, spooning peas onto my plate. "They're at not the least bit discreet with their leering. I thought their parents would have taught them better then to openly eye a young woman like a piece of meat." I paused and looked up at the twins who were listening closely, waiting for me to finish. "Obviously my expectations are higher than most of the students here."

"I bet many are waiting for you to grow a little more." Caroline said softly, as she took a slowly mouthful of roasted beef. I waited for her to continue, as she chewed and swallowed. "Then they won't feel as guilty to perverting on a young first year."

"Oh trust me, Caroline. Nobody is going to be perverting on Amelia." Regulus said sternly, as he sipped on the pumpkin juice in his goblet.

"And don't you know it." March chuckled, taking a gulp of tomato soup and dipping some toast in it before shoving the toast into his mouth. The twins and I winced as soups dripped onto the table and Regulus passed him a napkin. March mumbled his thanks as he dabbed his mouth.

"And just what is that suppose to mean, March?" I snapped, turning to stare at the paling boy, who realised who he had said such a thing to.

"Ah, n-n-nothing Amelia." he stuttered, leaning away from me as I nodded stringently.

"That's what I thought." I muttered, before delicately blowing on my peas to cool them. Taking a bit, I wrinkled my nose in distaste. The house elves at home cook better than this trash.

"Not as good as normal, hey Milly?" Regulus said to me, softly so the others couldn't hear.

"No, definitely not as good as home." I raised my head to look around the Great Hall with more depth, surveying students and the night sky. This is nothing like home. Home is the smell of expensive wooden furniture polish and my mother's lavender perfume and the smell of old books in my father's study. This is definitely not home. Regulus must have felt the mixed emotions in me, as he reached down under my table and grabbed my hand.

He squeezed it firmly and smiled at me, before saying. "Don't worry, Milly, we can take on this school together." And not for the first time and definitely not the last, I felt safe in Regulus' presence.