This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter characters were created and owned by J.K. Rowling, and I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter. The story I am telling here is not purported or believed to be part of J.K. Rowling's story canon. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line. I am grateful to J.K. for her wonderful stories about Hogwarts, for without her books, my story would not exist. Original characters, however, are owned by myself.
Chapter 3:
The Feast:
The Great Hall was loud, full of chatter among students old and new. The new prospective students eager to get sorted into their houses. The older students taking bets for which new student will end up in what house. Headmistress McGonagall stood from her seat at the middle of the faculty table as the first years approached, the new students stopping at the steps that were before the table. She cleared her throat once and then again a second time causing the Great Hall to fall silent.
"Welcome back students, and to our first years, welcome to Hogwarts. I have a few start of term announcements; for our first years- and as a reminder to all students- the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden. Also, Firenze, would like to remind everyone that while the Centaurs are peaceful now that is not a reason to seek them out." McGonagall stopped and sat back down in her seat then nodded to Professor Neville Longbottom to begin the sorting.
Professor Longbottom cleared his throat and looked around at the first year students. "Right, now when I call your name you will come up and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head where you'll then be sorted into your houses." Professor Longbottom gestured to a hat that was sitting on an old wooden stool then began to read from the scroll in his hand. Student after student walked to the Sorting Hat and got sorted into their houses. Most jumping for glee, as other students in the house cheered and gave a round of applause.
Professor Longbottom paused staring at the scroll before stiffening and calling out a name that caused the Great Hall to fall into silence for the second time that night.
"Avalon Carrow", Professor Longbottom's voice was tight and short, like the name itself made him uncomfortable. The other teachers began talking among themselves as a small girl timidly walked up the stairs and sat down on the stool. The other students staring almost like they were in a trance, afraid to break the tension that had befell the Great Hall. As Professor Longbottom went to put the sorting hat onto Avalon's head another first year, a rather tall girl with short dark hair yelled out- "But she's a Death Eater's child!". Another chimed in, this time a boy with- "Yeah! Both of her parents served the Dark Lord!" Like that a flame was ignited in the students- nobody wanted to be sorted into whatever house she belonged to.
Avalon frowned and squirmed in her seat. Sure her parents were Death Eaters, but that didn't make her one, did it? The question sat in Avalon's mind the longer she sat there. The Dark Lord was dead, didn't they understand that? Even if her parents wanted her to become like them, there was nobody left to serve anyway. Avalon just wished that they'd get on with it, being the center of attention was not on her list of things to do today.
Professor McGonagall scowled and rose from her seat. "Silence!," the word pierced through the ears of every human body in the Great Hall, everyone stopping to look toward their Headmistress. "That is enough, every young witch and wizard deserves an education, regardless of who their family members are." With her statement she looked at Professor Longbottom, "Well Neville, get on with it, don't keep the dear girl waiting." Professor Longbottom placed the ancient Sorting Hat on the girl's head.
"Another Carrow I see. Hmm.. difficult, you have yet to discover who you are. A strong mind you have Ravenclaw can help you with that. Oh? What's this? Not too brave but you seek to prove everyone wrong, a hunger to prove yourself and become the best witch." the Sorting Hat pondered for a moment, fishing around in Avalon's head before yelling out. "Slytherin!"
The girl let out a sigh of relief, anything but Gryffindor, she would have been slaughtered if placed there. Avalon stood heading over to her new house's table. There was no great applause or shouts of congratulations- only groans and mutters of how Slytherin was becoming tainted, again. Avalon sat and tried to introduce herself but her fellow housemates scowled and turned away, eager to forget that the young girl existed. Avalon watched the rest of the students get sorted, a few names jumped out at her at being from well known families. James Potter was sorted into Gryffindor. Opal Longbottom and Mica Scamander, Hufflepuff. Avalon recognized them as the group that had started shouting when her name was called, she frowned and committed their faces to memory.
Avalon sat in silence during the Start of Term Feast. She enjoyed the selection of various meats, including but not limited to; roast beef, chicken, and pork chops. For dessert, there were blocks of assorted ice cream, apple pies, chocolate eclairs and rice pudding. Avalon took her time to eat and enjoy the selection of foods and used her silence to carefully observe her surroundings. The Slytherin table was on the far right of the Great Hall which meant that she could see the rest of the students and the faculty with ease if she sat with her back facing the wall. Her housemates didn't seem to mind her presence, even if they weren't exactly happy about the Sorting Hat's decision, which meant she could, to an extent, stay under the radar for now.
To my reviewers:
Thank you for your criticism!
In regards to my pairing of Neville and Luna, I have always shipped them together and ships die hard. I'm sorry if my choice doesn't seem right to you, but to me, it seems perfect.
I have only planned so far, two Death Eater kids. As for the why/how. It is not stated if all of the death eaters went to Azkaban straight after the battle of Hogwarts, or if any defected during the battle. I'm taking creative liberties here to say that it's possible that some escaped/defected or claimed to be under the Imperius Curse (like most of them did during the first war) and got away with it. (Also if Voldy can have a child with Bellatrix I'm going out on a limb and saying some Death Eaters had kids.)
As for affording Hogwarts. Hagrid got expelled from Hogwarts because Tom Riddle got him expelled, not because he was poor. The Weasley's were not rich by any standard and they got by fine. I don't think you can pinpoint one's magical ability by genetics. Look at Hermione, her parents were Muggles and she was the best witch of their class. Or Tom, his father was a Muggle and his mother had little to no magical talent. You can't put one's own magical ability on who their parents are. The Carrow's are a pure-blood family, one of the sacred Twenty-Eight. I have a hard time believing that a) all of the Carrows were Death Eaters and b) they had no money at all. Let's not forget about Flora and Hestia Carrow who were part of the Slug Club, or the Carrow that served Grindlewald. There is talent in the family if I wanted to argue that magical talent is genetic. There are no "tiny local school's", Hogwarts serves all of the UK and sends a letter to any child with magical talent, so it's entirely plausible that Avalon would end up at Hogwarts.