They spent most of the morning doing paperwork, and decided her name to be Bonnie Tanon. Bonnie further explained the importance of why she had to hide herself not only for her twin brother's sake but for her own life. She wasn't exactly ever fond of her abusive parents. McGonagall after her worried look promised that everything she said was confidential until the other professors were on a need to know basis.
Her parents cherished her brother, where she was more of a meal ticket to more magic. Her brother Scott always loved her, and cherished her, no matter what. They were twins after all. McGonagall promised to keep her hidden as long as she could. She then went on to explain how the school system worked here rather than in America. She realized she wasn't prepared at all, but thankfully it was Friday and tomorrow she could go into Hogsmeade, the closest town, to get what she needed.
Just before McGonagall placed the sorting hat, which was making lots of snide comments at the moment, on her head, Professor Snape walked in.
"Ah, Severus perfect timing. Everything is order; we were just about to see what house she would fall into." McGonagall stated and Snape merely waved with his hand to proceed. Although, Bonnie could just barely see the hint of curiosity in his eyes. The hat was placed on her head and it felt like her brain was being massaged.
"Ah, right then, right." He murmured, "Quite intelligent I see a thirst for knowledge, but with the loyalty and love that harbors deep inside you. A passionate soul who puts her soul into everything; also cunning and quite devious with a deep rooted anger you suppress. Bravery to stand up for those who are too weak or defenseless. I never thought the day would come." The sorting hat finished and McGonagall looked at Snape who then both looked at the sorting hat on her head.
"What day is that sorting hat?" McGonagall asked.
"The day I could not place a student into one particular house. A difficult one this girl is, she embodies enough of each house that placing her in any house would not be right." The sorting hat was taking off her head by McGonagall and placed back on his perch. Snape was about to speak when the hat spoke once more.
"However, I believe the mate she is looking for lies in the Slytherin house."
"Slytherin it is!" Bonnie said and made her way to the door when Snape stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. She knew by his expression he could feel the coldness of her skin through her thin shirt.
"Where exactly do you think you're going?"
"It's lunchtime? Don't give me that look; I didn't eat for seven days. I ate all Professor McGonagall's biscuits already." Bonnie said but with Snape's pointed look, she turned around and sat back down in the chair. She was too hungry to argue.
"Seeing as your mate is in Slytherin according to the sorting hat, I think it is safer for you to reside in that house. Severus is head of Slytherin house so he will show you to your room, and I will announce you to the school at lunch. There is still another hour and a half before classes end for lunch. As a matter for your wand less magic, will you need extra training to control your new found powers?" McGonagall asked and she thought about it. She was already use to having a trainer at school but she knew his methods by heart.
"Of course the wee lass does. Look at her, she might as well yell from the rooftops that she makes oh what's his name look like a wee babay." A Scottish man said from the painting in the Headmistresses office. Bonnie instantly grinned ear to ear knowing that thick scottish accent anywhere.
"Sir Lander of Donegal, I thought you were supposed to be in your painting in my trunk?" Bonnie questioned with a laugh at the outraged face of the man whose painting was just invaded.
"This," pointing to the painting, "Is Sir Lander; his family had the full blooded veela who survived a similar curse. The family gave me the book and the painting. Apparently he was very annoying, but I find he's just as insightful as the book. He wrote it after all."
"Oy, no kissin' to try and make up; see where you get after shrinking people in paintings. Anyways, if she takes me outside, I can give her a run for her money. I'll make sure those powers of hers stay put. Hey, no snickering now, don't you make me get out of this painting you rascal you." Bonnie tried to hold back her snickers, and even McGonagall looked amused.
"So really, he's the perfect choice as an instructor. He can also follow me around in the paintings to make sure I don't lose control." Sir Lander looked high and mighty at the compliment Bonnie gave him, much to Snape's distain.
"I suppose we could try it. I want daily check-ups with Poppy, until you've found your mate. I believe we have covered everything we have needed to cover. Severus will show you to your room now. The house elf's will place your robes on your bed for you as well." At Bonnie's confused look Snape clarified for McGonagall.
"Your robes are your uniform that you will wear during classes. Go wait downstairs for a moment." Bonnie nodded and walked down the stone steps as Snape swiftly walked over to McGonagall's desk.
"Are you sure we can trust this girl?"
"Severus you saw her yourself. That girl has gone through enough turmoil already. She had to leave everything behind just to give herself a chance to live. Hogwarts welcomes any child that should deserve it. I will curse Merlin before I turn away that poor child." Snape pressed his lips into a fine line at McGonagall's words. He gave a nod in understanding before turning and leaving her office. He found Bonnie leading against the corridor wall, eyes closed, and completely relaxed. She opened her eyes at Snape's arrival. Snape motioned for her to follow him and so she did. Snape had a long stride with his robes billowing behind him again. She admired the castle, but made sure to remember where she was going. She then became very thankful she had a picturesque memory. The actual castle itself seemed to glow with magic. She ignored the whispers of the portraits as she walked by. They arrived at a portrait of a man who looked like he was in Medieval England.
"Hydrus," The portrait opened and Snape stepped in. "Remember the password, if you don't, you will be sleeping in the corridor." Bonnie nodded walking in after Snape only to stare at the lavish setting in front of her.
"Oh la la, fancy living room," Bonnie commented walking over and laying on one of the cool leather couches.
"This is a common room, not a living room." Snape drawled looking mildly amused.
"A common room; Interesting name for a large room with couches," She murmured before standing up. "Let me guess, common room is where you socialize, and study."
"Glad you caught on. Come along I'll show you to your room." Snape whirled around exasperated and opened her door with a key. "In Slytherin house, make sure you always lock your door with your key. If you use a locking charm anyone will be able to get into your quarters. This is the head girl's room, which will be yours. Don't forget this is your room. I don't wish to have the head boy waking me up because you accidentally walked into his quarters. Your trunk is here as well as your robes." Snape carefully folded his robes around him as he spoke. Bonnie listened but un-locked her truck with a swipe of her hand and pulled out a large portrait of Sir Lander. He wasn't back in his portrait so she waved a hand at the portrait and it hung itself on the wall next to the door leading into the bathroom. Snape watched as she took her robes into the bathroom to change. He walked over and peered into her open trunk. He pulled some of her clothes realized the entire bottom of her trunk was filled with potions and potion ingredients of all kinds. He kneeled down and sorted through the vials and jars, Fluxweed, Moon flower petals, Dragon Saliva, Aconite, and Mandrake Root. The list went on and on but what surprised him was the amount of rare ingredients she had in her possession.
"I see you found my potion stash." Bonnie said walking out of the bathroom attempting to figure out her tie. Snape quickly stood and dropped her clothes realizing he had just been caught snooping in his new students things. Bonnie chuckled and waved him off. "Don't worry about it. I had a feeling you were skeptical of me so I left my trunk open. Figured it's better to trust you so I might earn your trust in return. I hate ties, why do we have to wear these things?" Snape quirked an eyebrow at her answer and she noticed any form of guilt immediately washed away by her incompetence to tie her tie. She continued to fiddle with it until Snape slapped her hands away and did it for her.
"How is it you came by most of these ingredients?" Snape asked after he finished with her tie. She tucked it under her sweater, and pulled the collar down.
"Thank you." Bonnie said after he fixed her tie. "Honestly, I either bribed someone to get them for her, with my parents' money, or I got them myself." She snorted as she began fixing her hair. "Probably why I fell in the forest and not in front of my mate like I thought I would." Snape gave her a sharp nod and she locked her room after they both left and proceeded to the non-frozen hospital wing.
"Ah, Ms. Tanon, come take a seat." She sat down on the bed next to a boy with round glasses, untidy black hair, and stellar green eyes. She smirked after seeing his bloody nose.
"Mister Potter, fighting with Mister Malfoy again? You're just like your father." Snape folded his arms as he sneered at the boy who was now sitting up and didn't look all too pleased of seeing Snape. Madame Pomfrey did her spells ensuring Bonnie was okay and took Severus over to the other corner of the room.
"So who won?" She asked the boy next to her. He jumped slightly at the voice and turned to the girl.
"What?"
"The fight, who won? Unless you got a bloody nose by face planting into a door." The boy snickered, and a smile formed on his lips.
"I don't think either of us won honestly." Bonnie got up and held her hand out to the boy.
"I'm Bonnie Tanon, American Exchange Student." She said smoothly, the boys eyes flicked to her tie, but shook her hand with a smile nonetheless.
"I'm Harry Potter, welcome to Hogwarts. You're freezing." He stated after letting go of her hand. She leaned back on the bed and shrugged.
"Low blood pressure, that's why I have to check in with Madame Pomfrey, she's worried I'll pass out and die or something; Want me to fix your nose?" The boy shrugged and she walked over to him taking off his glasses and set them aside. She placed her thumbs gently on either side of his nose, her fingers lying gently on his cheeks. She felt him shiver from the cold and popped his nose back into place before getting out a small tub of a green gel. She massaged it into his nose and did a spell to heal his nose completely. She placed his glasses back on his face and wiggled his nose experimentally.
"Bloody hell, how'd you do that," He asked feeling his nose which now didn't hurt anymore, like it was never broken.
"I use to do kickboxing so I would break my nose often. I am an expert at fixing broken noses." They laughed and he started putting on his uniform.
"I'll remember that." They both laughed and Harry spoke again "So you're in Slytherin?" Bonnie nodded as she looked down at her colors in her tie.
"Technically yes, the sorting hat didn't want to place me because I apparently embody enough of each house. We put all the names in a hat and picked one out." She didn't like lying, but she didn't exactly have a choice either.
"Well that's a first. Well it was nice to meet you; I have to run to class, I hope to see you around." He waved, grabbed this bag and rushed out the door after getting a firm talking to by Pomfrey.
"Before either of you two ask, yes I actually do kick box and have broken my nose numerous times." Bonnie said as the two professors came over to question her. Snape held out his hand and she dropped the tub of green gel into his palm. He looked at it and smelled it.
"What is this concoction? I've never used this." Snape asked curiously.
"I'd hope not I made it myself. I call it my miracle balm. It can heal minor cuts and it fuses into your skin ridding away pain. The spell was to fuse the broken bone in his nose." Snape almost looked impressed and handed the tub back to her.
"Well you seem fine to my spells deary, lunch won't be for another hour, would you like to stay here?" Pomfrey asked but an idea sparked Bonnie's mind making her stand up straight.
"Actually can I go see the guy who brought me in from the forest? I wanted to thank him for you know, saving me and all." Pomfrey smiled at her words while Snape merely groaned with a roll of his eyes.
"I can find my own way Professor Snape; just point me in the right direction. I could use a little fresh air anyways." Pomfrey thought about for a moment before she spoke up.
"I do suppose that will be alright. However, I want to see you in the Great Hall for dinner." Then she gave her directions where she could find Hagrid's hut.
Bonnie sighed contently as she walked out doors and smelled the fresh rain that had fallen. It was a lot colder here than it was in California in early November. She looked at the sky as the clouds slowly dissipated. I guess Sir Lander was right about how I always make it rain when I'm upset. She thought as she made her way down the stone steps to the small hut in the distance. A small frown poised itself on her lips. How was she supposed to find her mate? Sure she all but had the book memorized, but she had god only knows how many possible guys to go through. She could find him if he used magic which was the most definite way. She could find him by smell, which only she could smell, it would be what attracted her like love potion Amortentia.
She could always do it by touch, but groping every guy would be more awkward than anything. Ever since her parents told her everything about the curse, and since she found out their dark purposes, she got use to the idea of dying. Death didn't frighten her anymore, but that didn't mean she wouldn't fight to stay alive. She wouldn't be in friggen' England if that were the case. She blew out a heavy sigh and stared at the scenery, it was truly beautiful here. She was very lucky that the Headmistress didn't kick her out to fend for herself. Though she figured the centaurs would take her in. She looked human, but she was anything but human now. What was it they say the curse turned you into? Some kind of magical being with veela blood. I know I'm still a witch, just a special one? She shook the question from her mind as she neared Hagrid's hut. She knocked on the door and heard rustling on the inside.
"I'm comin'," Hagrid called out and opened the door and brightened when he saw Bonnie standing on his porch.
"Well look at ya, good tah see yur' up an' about." Hagrid said as he stepped out from his house and they both took up sitting on the large boulders outside his hut.
"Thank you, it feels good to be alive." At Hagrid's expression she quickly explained everything like she did to Snape, McGonagall, and Pomfrey when she first awakened.
"So wha' 'appens now?" Hagrid asked as he began carving a flute out of wood.
"I need to find my mate or I die. I really would love to punch who ever created this curse. It's all, do this or die. Do that or die." Bonnie stated mundanely getting Hagrid to laugh heartedly.
"I'm gla' you'll be alrigh'. Don' worry, you'll fit in mighty fine 'ere at 'ogwarts." She smiled brightly at his words. She never really fit in anywhere because most people in the US believed her family was royalty so she was always being stared at, being photographed; it was very pestering.
"Thank you Hagrid," Then she heard the sound of hooves pounding against the earth, she immediately stood up and smiled. She ran into the forest to meet them. Bonnie bowed low when she was face to face with Magorian, Bane and another centaur she did not know the name of. Hagrid followed her in, but kept his distance politely.
"Magorian, Bane, I owe my life to you. I humbly thank you honorable centaurs for saving my life; I will be eternally indebted to you both." Magorian chuckled bowing as well, followed by the other two centaurs.
"Stand child, I see the curse has run its course through your veins." Bonnie stood and nodded pulled out a bag.
"Yes, it has, please accept these gifts as a token of my gratitude." She pulled out a large bow, and set of arrows which she gave to Bane. "This bow is carved with runes, and shall never break, and every arrow shall always hit its mark. I do not doubt they already do. The wood is sturdy and made from the bark of a willow." Bane took the gifts, a smile on his lips.
"Thank you Bonnie. For a once human, you are very considerate." The bowed to one another, and she pulled out a vial attached to a necklace.
"Magorian, I present you with juice from the moon flower. A single drop will cure any sickness, even if they are an inch from death. May you and your people live prosperously." Magorian took the gift placing it around his neck.
"A rare thing indeed is the moon flower. I will cherish it." They bowed and he held out his hand and she placed her icy fingers in his warm hand. "I see you still incomplete. The stars have foretold a prophecy about you child. You have many paths you can walk, but the prophecy can no longer be eluded." He let go of her hand and she looked away.
"I've heard it since I was old enough to recite it myself."
"Do not let fear consume your heart. Let the love of Venus flow through you. You are safe here."
"To fear the power that flurries in thine veins will extinguish thou'st soul in shrouded darkness from days past. The first born twin will cry upon the earth from the sky. The twin will die at the hand of thy father and mother as the harvest moon rises in the sky." Bonnie recited from memory looking solemn. She looked back at the centaurs with a smile and bowed once more.
"I have to go now, but thank you, for saving me, for everything."
"You are welcome into our territory; I sense the forest welcomes you as we do. Goodbye Bonnie." The centaurs left and Bonnie walked with Hagrid out of the forest and towards the castle. If Hagrid overheard the prophecy he didn't comment on it as they made idle chit chat. They went their separate ways and Bonnie walked towards the large double doors where she found Snape waiting for her. He opened his mouth to say something, when he thought better of it and shut his mouth again. She followed him into the Great Hall, all eyes on her, and sat at the very end of the Slytherin table where no one else was sitting. McGonagall stood tapping her spoon to her glass to get everyone's attention.
"I have a few announcements to make. First and foremost, the Hogsmeade trip is tomorrow and if you do not have a signed permission slip, you will be forced to stay here. To all of you who have been wondering about the mysterious girl whom Hagrid brought in, she was stabilized and taken to St. Mungo's for special care. We also get to welcome our first full time Exchange Student from America. Her name is Bonnie Tanon, and she has been sorted into Slytherin." Everyone turned to look at her and applause rang throughout the hall to greet her, especially from the Slytherin table. Bonnie looked up, still uncomfortable with all the attention when her blue eyes found green across the hall. Harry, the boy she met in the hospital wing waved at her and she tentatively waved back. Everyone settled down and the food appeared on the table. Her stomach growled reminding her of how hungry she was. She forced herself to eat decent with all eyes on her, but kept her eyes down on her plate.
Harry heard McGonagall announce Bonnie to the hall and watched as she shoulders tense from all the attention. He could relate to that feeling. When she looked up, and their eyes connected, he waved to her. He watched her shoulders relax slightly at recognizing someone.
"You know her Harry?" Ginny asked after watching their exchange.
"She's the one I told you about who fixed my nose." Harry said to his friends' curious expressions.
"She's the one you said the sorting hat couldn't put into a house?" Hermione questioned and Harry nodded and the food appeared and they all dug in.
"Stinks she was put into Slytherin with Malfoy that git. I bet she's going to turn into one of 'em soon." Ron said after piling the food on his plate.
"I don't think so, she seemed nice. Plus she has to have some Gryffindor in her if the sorting hat said she embodied every house." Harry defended and Ron didn't comment as he continued eating.
"Seems like she doesn't like the attention either." Hermione commented and everyone turned their gaze to Bonnie who refused to look up from her plate.
"Maybe we should invite her over here. I mean she doesn't know anyone besides Harry." Ginny offered making Harry smile and press a kiss to her hand. He was so very lucky to have such an understanding girlfriend like Ginny. A light blush creeped up on her cheeks and Ron groaned at seeing this.
"Maybe not anymore, looks like Zabini found the poor girl." They all looked to see Blaise Zabini sitting in front of the new girl.
