Disclaimer: As always, I don't own anything, it all belongs to Ms. Rowling. Blah, blah, blah.
Summary: Kat goes to Hogwarts, hoping for a new lease on life.
Pairings: Snape/Kat
Spoilers: None refer to prologue.
Chapter One
Sitting on the train, in a private compartment, Kat was immersed in her memories. A new look, a new school, she was being given a chance to start over. The country side looked peaceful, everyone she'd met so far had been very nice. She examined the robes that were her new uniform, and she started to wonder if she would be able to find peace at this Hogwarts.
"Really Ron, you are the densest boy I have ever met." A light female voice filtered in from the hallway.
"Come on 'Mione, you have to admit that it was funny." The boy responded.
The voices faded away, but that brief interruption had proven to make Kat realize just how lonely she was. But the practical side of her brain told her that it was too soon for human interaction, that she'd need a little more time before opening up and making friends. Her thoughts scattered when a tall man with hanging black hair strode into her compartment. His shaded black eyes swept over her in a scathing glance. She didn't quail.
"This compartment is private and occupied." Kat's voice was cold and impersonal, startling the man.
"Students aren't allowed to have private compartments."
"I have special permission."
"For what? To protect you from germs?" The man's voice dripped with disgust.
"To protect them from me."
Kat's voice brooked no argument, her eyes glowing golden with anger. The man locked gazes with her, but looked away first. Mumbling angrily he stormed from her compartment, slamming the door behind him. Kat locked it and put a warning spell on it to keep anyone else from barging in. She prayed that she wouldn't have to deal with him much. She deeply regretted not making a better first impression, but he'd treated her like a piece of shit and she had instinctively responded in kind.
Sighing, she settled back in her seat and curled up for a nap. It seemed mere seconds after she'd closed her eyes that she was awakened by the cacophony of sound made by students disembarking. She gathered her things slowly to insure that she was the last one off the train.
"Firs' years! Firs' years follow me!"
Pretty sure that she didn't count, Kat turned to where everyone else seemed to be heading. To her amazement, they were piling into ornate looking carriages drawn by the most amazing looking creatures.
"Thestral's." She said with a sigh. Year's ago she'd learned that not everyone saw these creatures as she did; sleek black stallions with silky fur and dragon wings of the purest red. It didn't bother her though, she was used to seeing things differently.
"You see them, don't you?" A shy voice sounded behind her, catching her off guard.
"Yes, I can see them." Kat hoped her voice didn't betray the fear she felt. No one was usually able to sneak up on her like that.
"I'm Neville, do you want to…" The boy stopped short, fear clouding his eyes.
"Found yourself a new friend, eh Nevvie? Have you told her how inept you are?" A boy with platinum blonde hair asked insultingly as on of the bigger boys shoved Neville away.
"N..n…no." Neville looked ashamed.
"Actually, I've found nothing lacking in his mental capacity. In fact, he was just asking me a very intelligent question." Kat may not have known the boy, but she immediately disliked this blonde one.
"Neville? Intelligent? You must be kidding me."
The three boys started laughing and Neville turned a deeper shade of red. Kat's back stiffened, she couldn't stand to see people treated like dirt. Bewitching their trunks to follow her, she walked over and grabbed Neville by the arm. Sending an icy glare at the still laughing trio, Kat started to move away.
"Come Neville, we'll continue our discussion in the carriage. I don't like associating with trash."
The boys straightened immediately.
"Hey, watch what you're saying! We're not trash."
"Really? Could've fooled me." Kat tossed this last remark over her shoulder like a slap in the face. The boys looked stunned. Kat smirked at their comments as she practically dragged Neville over to the carriages.
"Which one are you sitting in?"
"Th..th..that one."
Neville pointed to one that had three students congregating around it. As they neared, Kat recognized the girl's voice as the one that she'd heard walking by her compartment.
"Neville, where have you been? We were starting to worry." The girl asked in a semi-concerned voice.
"I was talking to her." Neville gestured to Kat.
"Who's she?" The red head asked rudely.
"My name is Kat, and Neville asked if I wanted to ride with him."
"He did?" The three sounded shocked.
"She stood up for me….to Draco."
"The rude blonde one, with the greasy hair." Kat clarified, receiving three appraising looks.
"Really? How interesting. Let's continue the introductions in the carriage, we're holding everything up." The girl, 'Mione Kat remembered, urged, making everyone aware that they were the last few not in carriages. Kat turned to load their luggage, but they had disappeared. Not wanting to appear inexperienced, Kat made it look like she was surveying her surroundings before entering the carriage.
"So you're new, huh?" The black haired boy asked quietly. "Where're you from?"
"I transferred from my coven's school in America. They didn't have a strong enough Potions curriculum for my tastes."
"Snape'll be ecstatic. By the way, I'm Ron, that's Hermione, and Harry."
"Nice to meet you." Kat was starting to like these kids, though she was still kind of wary about making friends.
"So, you're transferring as a 7th year?" Hermione asked.
"Basically, but my studies at home were a lot more extensive then what you have here. From what I remember, the only classes I have to take are Potion's and Arithmancy. Then I'll be able to start my apprenticeship."
"You've studied Arithmancy, and you still want to study it?" Ron asked incredulously. Hermione seemed to perk up at this. Kat filed away the assumption that she was probably top of the class.
"Yes, because I was raised to believe that the more you know, the stronger your basis for further strengthening your power."
This seemed to trigger an explosion and Hermione started excitedly discussing many different aspects of magic, which Kat wholeheartedly enjoyed. They continued talking on the walk up to the castle. Upon entering, Kat was called over to the side by a teacher.
"I'm Professor McGonagall. You are to wait by the edge of the teachers platform until I call your name, then you'll be sorted into a House. You will then report to the Headmaster after the feast. Understand?"
"Yes Professor."
Nerves gripped Kat's insides as she followed the Professor into a huge dining hall. There were four large tables, obviously divided into the different House's McGonagall was talking about. On a raised platform at the very end was a long table, presumably the staff table. And sitting in the center was an ancient looking wizard with a long white beard the Kat identified as Dumbledore. Kat stood off to the side as the first years were lead into the room. Silence reigned as Dumbledore stood up to speak.
"Welcome to another fine year at Hogwarts. I am pleased to welcome back all the old staff, including Professor Remus Lupin, back for a second year as your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." There was wild applause at this announcement. Kat figured he must have been a favorite. "Also, I am pleased to welcome a new student who is joining us from America. She is to complete her 7th year here with us and hopefully we'll all make her feel at home. Let the sorting begin!"
McGonagall placed a stool and a tattered old hat in front of the platform. The hat came to life and started to sing. insert hat song here
"Halliwell, Katharina."
Kat took a deep breath and walked towards the stool. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, waiting to see where she'd end up. Kat wished she'd been told what to expect, but she figured that all she had to do was put the hat on her head. She sat down and did just that, completely unsure of herself.
"Hmm, pureblood.. very powerful. Could be good in Gryffindor, but I sense you like your privacy, and a little inner turmoil, so…"
It took Kat a second to realize that the voice in her head was the Sorting hat talking to her.
"SLYTHERIN!!!" The hat shouted, causing a loud round of cheering a clapping from one of the tables. Kat saw that Draco was sitting at the table, and decided to sit as far away from him as possible. Sliding into the seat at the very end of the table, Kat effectively walled herself off from her housemates. She sat quietly listening to the rest of the Sorting, and clapped with everyone when Dumbledore stood to speak again.
"As always, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden, no students are allowed to enter. The list of banned items is hanging outside of Mr.Filch's office. As I have never been one for long speeches, let the feast begin!"
Dumbledore sat down and everyone started piling food on their plates. Kat saw that it would be easy to stay a vegetarian, but there seemed to be a lack of carbonated drinks. Not to be deterred, Kat poured herself a glass of whatever juice there was and transfigured it into Mountain Dew. She held a polite conversation with one of the new first years, all the while wondering what Dumbledore wanted to talk to her about.
Maybe he's just interested in helping me settle. Maybe.
What's going to happen? Just what does Dumbledore want to talk about? To find out, I must receive at least 5 reviews. Ta ta!