Chapter3: New Beginnings
At dinner that night news had already traveled around the school about the three new arrivals and the students and teachers waited anxiously for the sorting to begin. Dumbledore stood and started to speak.
"I am sure most of you already know that we have two new students coming into the third year class and a new addition to the Hospital staff." Seren stood for a moment then sat down beside Hagrid. "Miss. Seren Chantrez will be assisting Madame Pomphrey in the hospital wing and her son and daughter will be joining the students. Professor McGonagall, if you will please." McGonagall was ready near a small chair with the sorting hat already in her hand. The doors to the hall opened and two people made their way to McGonagall. Everyone studied the two teenagers as they walked by the tables. They both wore simple black robes.
The girl had wavy jet black hair that fell down to her knees. She had deep brown eyes that looked almost black and small delicate features set off by stunning full, dark red lips that were twisted into a slight scowl. Under her robe she was wearing a very tight black turtleneck that accented her budding bosom and a long black skirt that clung to her long shapely legs and stopped at her ankles. Simple black open toe dress shoes showed that her toe nails, as well as fingernails were coated in a glossy black polish. The only color that could be seen anywhere on her was the bright green ribbon twisted into a small braid that was carelessly placed on the left side of her head. She almost strutted with an air of confidence and her eyes never left her mother's face.
Her brother also had wavy jet black hair but his was cut short and close to his scalp, almost making the wave in his hair unnoticeable. His eyes were bright blue-green and his features were more pronounced than his twin. He wasn't big, but he had a muscular build as if he had spent a lot of time working out. He wore a simple dark blue sweater and black pants with comfortable black shoes. His hands stayed in his pockets while he walked and he glanced around the room while holding a blank almost bored expression on his face. The two of them came to a stop at the bottom of the steps leading to the chair beside McGonagall.
"Siri Chantrez," McGonagall began. "Please have a seat so that you may be sorted." Siri sat in the chair and smirked as the hat came down and touched her head.
"Hmmmmm..." The hat began to speak. "Such talent I see. Always putting yourself first. And a pureblood... Not bad at heart... But not too good either. Let me see." Siri rolled her eyes and tapped her foot. "Alright, impatient fool. Slytherin!" Cheers erupted from the Slytherin table but for some reason Snape wasn't all that happy to have his daughter in that particular house. Remus closed his eyes and shook his head while Seren simply nodded and smiled when Siri looked back at her before heading to the Slytherin table.
"Caden Chantrez please have a seat." Cade sighed as he took his hands out of his pockets and made his way to the chair. Just before sitting he glanced at his mother. When the hat touched his head he tensed slightly.
"Ah, another pureblood, but so much difference in here. Bravely fighting on behalf of others. Such a caring heart... Maybe too caring... I know where to put you. Gryffindor!" Everyone from the Gryffindor table stood and applauded loudly. Cade stood and looked at his mother confused. His face asked why he hadn't been put with his sister. His mother simply shrugged and smiled. He smiled back and walked to the Gryffindor table.
The food appeared and everyone began eating. At the Slytherin table Siri was being questioned by Millicent.
"So, your a Chantrez huh. Did you know your grandfather was a famous deatheater?" Malfoy who was sitting beside Millicent cocked his head towards Siri who was across from him.
"Yes." She took a bite out of her chicken.
"I'm Millicent Bullstrode. This is Pansy Parkinson." She pointed to the pug-faced girl on her right. Pansy nodded a hello. "Do those names mean anything to you?"
"Would you be insulted if I said no?" Siri asked. Malfoy smirked. This girl was smart.
"Well, considering you've been gone for twelve years, how could they be?" Malfoy spoke up. Pansy giggled.
"I guess I'm not insulted then." Millicent shrugged. "You are somewhat of a mystery though. Like... Who is your father?"
"He is a teacher here."
"Which one?" Malfoy asked.
"The Potions Master."
"Snape?" Malfoy and Millicent asked in unison.
"Yes."
"I'll bet you're glad you are a Slytherin." Pansy spoke up.
"Why?" Her eyebrows twisted in confusion.
"He is the head of our house!" Pansy exclaimed.
"Ah." She said, her voice not excited in the least bit.
At the same time over at the Gryffindor table Cade had found himself seated in between Hermione and Ron across from Harry and Neville.
"So, Caden, I heard you were home schooled." Hermione was saying. "I'll bet you're glad to be around others your age. I'm surprised though. Your twin is in our rival house."
"From what I know from reading Hogwarts, A History, she should be in Slytherin. She will fit in perfectly, I'm not worried."
"You've read Hogwarts, A History?" Hermione spoke excitedly.
"Yes. I thought I should know something about the school."
"Well, let me be the first to welcome you to Gryffindor." She smiled and cocked her head slightly. Ron cleared his throat and Hermione's head snapped back up. "That's Ron Weasley." She pointed at Ron. "This is Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom. And I'm Hermione Granger."
"Nice to meet all of you. Everyone just calls me Cade." He turned his attention to Neville. "Did you know my mom is your God-mother?" He turned to Harry. "And your parents were my God-Parents?" Harry and Neville were both taken aback by this information. "So that makes all of us God-brothers."
"Isn't that sweet." Hermione spoke trying to push her way back into the conversation. Ron rolled his eyes. "Your mom and her great disappearing act is pretty famous. A lot of wizards thought she was dead. I never knew she had children though."
"Hardly anyone knew." Cade's eyes darkened. "Mom had to keep us a secret from everyone including our father. He left mom before we were born. No one could know about us because mom was afraid we would get hurt. The deatheaters wanted her to join but she wouldn't. Then we had to go into hiding."
"Does your father know about you now?" Hermione asked.
"Mom told him earlier today."
"Do you know who he is?"
"I always have. And I have always hated him for abandoning Mom and breaking her heart. She was a Gryffindor too. My father was a Slytherin. I guess Siri is more like him and I'm like Mom. I don't think I can face him without wanting to hit him for what he did to Mom. I guess I have to though. He is my teacher now."
"Your father is a professor here?" Ron finally spoke.
"He teaches Potions. Luckily that's something I excel at so I can show him up." Cade spoke bitterly.
"That's why she went looking for him." Neville spoke out loud but was really talking to himself. "To tell him the truth."
"If I have it my way, he will never speak to Mom again." Cade made a fist.
It was then that Cade locked eyes with Siri. His love and protectiveness of his sister was obvious to everyone. They both knew that just because their houses were rivals, didn't mean that they themselves would be rivals. They were very different from each other but that didn't mean they didn't take care of each other. Cade smiled at Siri and she smiled back and gave him a slight wave letting him know that she was okay. Cade was book smart, but Siri was people smart. She knew how to blend in and fade out of certain situations.
"Well, you can't protect Snape from your sister I'm afraid." Harry said causing Cade to face him.
"What do you mean?" He said suddenly worried.
"Snape is the head of her house." Harry said reluctantly. Cade's fist tightened.
Later that night the twins settled into their respective houses and got further acquainted with the students in their year. Siri noticed that Malfoy paid particular attention to her, and Pansy seemed quite jealous of this fact. Siri found the whole situation amusing and developed a plan that would give her something to do in her spare time that would be fun.
Cade spent most of the night trying to figure a way to keep Snape away from his Mom and sister. He knew most of his classes were with Slytherin, including Potions, but he couldn't watch Siri every minute of the day. He paced the common room for two hours before finally retiring to bed.
The next morning Cade and Siri had to go to Hogsmeade with their Mom to buy all of their school supplies. Neville offered to go with them to show them where they could get their supplies. The first stop was Gringotts where Seren still had quite a large sum of money stored away. She emptied the vault of more than enough money to buy what they needed and headed back down to the main lobby where the children waited. As she made her way back to them she took time to note of how different her twins really might seem to anyone who didn't know them.
Siri stood dressed in a tight black silk blouse that had a ruffled low V neckline with a long silk skirt that had a slit on both sides up to her knees with the same shoes she had worn yesterday. A small silver pendant in the shape of a dragon, a birthday present from Seren (the Chantrez family crest), was on a short silver chain around her neck. (Cade had one also but almost never wore it. Siri never took hers off.) Her black hair had several tiny braids in it with silver ribbons twisted into them. The look on her face was one of boredom and impatience.
Cade on the other hand was wearing a crimson sweater and light brown pants. He talked excitedly with Neville who was dressed in his school uniform. Cade smiled when he saw his Mom approaching them. But suddenly, Seren stopped and her eyes grew wide. Cade followed his mother's gaze and his eyes rested on a man who looked about his mom's age. He had long platinum blond hair and a large nose that had a scowl under it. Cade thought the man looked like an ass. Siri silently agreed.
Seren rushed to Cade's side and put a protective hand on both her children's shoulders. Siri looked at the man coldly as he walked slowly toward them. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Neville grimace and run a hand nervously through his already messed up hair and her eyebrows shot up.
"Seren, my dear, I had heard you had returned to us here in the civilized world." The man spoke when he got closer to the group. "You still look as radiant as ever." Seren almost blushed. She was wearing a rather flattering dark green dress and black robe. A green ribbon was entwined in a large braid that fell down the middle of her back. She also wore a silver dragon pendant.
"Thank you Lucious." It was clear that she was only speaking out of politeness. Lucious eyed the children and took note of the different badges on their uniform robes.
"A Slytherin and a Gryffindor. I see your twins are as different as their parents." Seren's eyebrows rose. "Oh, yes, I know who their father is. It seems as though you are the talk of the town this morning. I'm sure all of wizard kind will know by this afternoon." How could everyone know? Seren thought to herself. As if reading her thoughts Lucious spoke up. "I suppose it might have something to do with certain people having big mouths. Once someone tells another person something, it's already being passed around."
"I suppose you are one of those mouths." Cade spoke up glaring at the man.
"You should teach your children some manners Chantrez. It would do them some good." He spoke through half clenched teeth.
"As it would others, Lucious." Siri smirked at her mother's words. Now she knew where she got her sharp tongue from. She had always assumed it was her father. Now she knew better. Neville held back a laugh. "Well, we really must be going. Have a pleasant morning Lucious." She hurried the children out of the lobby. Once outside they all started laughing.
"Who was that?" Cade asked between laughs.
"Lucious Malfoy. I went to school with him. He was in Slytherin with your father."
"His son Draco is in third year in Slytherin. Now I know where Draco gets the scowl." Siri said with a smile. Neville frowned at Draco's name. Siri took note and smiled wider. This is getting better by the minute! She thought to herself.
Soon Seren and the children found themselves at a small pub enjoying lunch and laughter. Seren told the kids stories of how she and her friends got in and out of trouble at Hogwarts. Neville was entranced by the stories of his parents. He sat and listened in awe as Seren told him how his parents met and fell in love while at school. He felt himself getting closer and closer to Seren and the twins. He found that Siri wasn't at all what he thought she was. She was actually quite nice and friendly. He could tell she was cunning and knew how to get what she wanted. But at the same time, she did care for others. He noticed right away that almost 80 of what she said came out sounding sarcastic but only 50 of it was actually meant to be sarcastic.
Cade had a good sense of humor, but he was more serious than his twin. They were both easy-going like their mother, but Cade was a bit more on the intense side. Cade was the talker and Siri mostly just listened and observed, occasionally sliding in a comment or two. Neville came to the odd conclusion that they both had and equal share of traits from their parents. They were very alike yet at the same time, complete opposites. It left Neville feeling slightly confused but not enough to bother him. At the end of the afternoon they rode in a carriage back to Hogwarts.
That night Cade made his way to Gryffindor tower with Neville at his side. They stopped behind a big group of students. Cade heard Ron say something about Neville forgetting the password and looked up. The painting had been slashed. He knew that it meant that someone was trying to get into the Tower without the password. After the Fat Lady had told everyone Sirius Black had tried to break in, Cade felt suddenly confused. He remembered all the times his mother had told him about her distant cousin who was more like a brother to her. He didn't think that the man he had heard about all his life and the man the Dementors were searching for could possibly be the same man. All the students were led to the Great Hall and Cade became suddenly aware that it was a full moon tonight. He knew that somewhere out there was Lupin, running around as a werewolf. Cade didn't sleep that night. Somehow he knew he wasn't the only one.
