Chapter Four: The Dragon and the Lions
The girl's voice was timid, almost nervous. She was tall with hazel eyes and a pale complexion. Her hair was long reaching almost all the way down her back and was a blondish brown. I noticed a nasty scar on her throat, as if someone had used dark magic to jinx her. Beside her was an even taller first year. Standing probably around six foot, four inches this girl had striking green eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail and was light brown. Then my eyes zoomed in on her shoulder-bared by the camisole she was wearing. A lightning scar. Almost an exact replica of Harry Potter's from his forehead.
I smiled and nodded. "Of course you can sit with us. " Cloretta looked up from her Witch Weekly. Always the social one she stood up and helped them get their trunks in the compartments above. Extending her hand she grinned at the girls. "Hi, I'm Cloretta Black. This is my sister Ali, and Jane Lupin-our friend. Who are you?" she asked as they settled in. The taller girl beamed.
"Samantha. Samantha Potter. And this is my cousin, Adalinia Potter. Of course Addie is frequently used as her nickname." Then she narrowed her eyes taking in Cloretta's freshly manicured nails and designer bag. "Mind you, if you call me Samantha I'll rip you to shreds. Sam will do just find. Not nearly as girly." I could already tell I liked her. She spoke with confidence, rambled a bit, but not afraid to speak up. She seemed on the opposite side of the spectrum of her cousin. Addie was quietly looking at us. I was betting on her being one of those precise and to the point girls. A real bookworm.
I refocused on what Sam was now saying. "And my mum was a real brilliant witch, but she and Dad are both dead now. Everyone knows that story." I blinked.
"Wait. Did you say your last name was Potter?" I gasped.
Sam looked at me like I was stupid. "Yes, duh, of course I did. I'm the daughter of Lily and James Potter, the twin sister of the Boy-Who-Lived. What crap. The only reason he is alive is because Mum stepped in front of him. If Voldemort had gone for my crib first I'd be the Almighty Chosen One." She grinned at me. "Sorry if I didn't make that clear. My cousin here is on my dad's side. His brother's daughter. Addie's mum was a Squib, so I doubt you would know her." I gaped.
Cloretta beat me to it. "Oh My God! You're Adalinia! The poor little girl who lost her parents when she wasn't even a year." 'Real smooth Clorry' I thought. Addie frowned quickly, but then nodded. "Yes, I'm Thomas and Sarah Potter's daughter. "
It didn't take long for us to begun to get along over some butterbeer and Chocolate Frogs. Addie was just as I predicted, although talkative when she was comfortable, was the shyer more bookwormish one. Sam could be blunt and was eager to be heading back to Hogwarts.
"I grew up there you see. Dumbledore decided it would be best not to force me on my aunt too, so I've grown up a way from Harry. Gosh, he thinks I've been living in some orphanage! No offense Addie."
"None taken." Addie winked. Same continued. "Anyway, Uncle Albus decided to raise me in Hogwarts, so I know the castle pretty well, and I've seen loads of Quidditch games. It was a right bit of fun. This summer Uncle Albus heard Addie had inherited the magic from her Dad, so he had me take her around Diagon Alley. We've spent the past two and a half weeks roaming the streets."
I choked on my Pumpkin Pasties, my face turning blue as I gasped for air. Sam gave me a hard thump on my back. When I could breathe again I asked. "Did you just call Headmaster Dumbledore, Uncle Albus?" Ali's eyes shot up.
Sam popped a light blue Bertie Botts Bean into her mouth. "Yeah, He raised me. I know almost all the teachers pretty well, Uncle Al, is a lot easier for a two year old to say than Headmaster Dumbledore. He did say though that I must refer to all the teachers as Professor from now on. It's going to be weird, being one of their students."
Suddenly someone knocked on the compartment's door. Clorry pulled it open. A boy with slicked back, pale blonde hair stepped in. His face was pale and his gray eyes scanned us quickly. When he didn't speak Sam butted in. "And you are who?"
The boy came to his senses. "Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius and Narcissa. I suppose you've heard of our family."
"Loads." I muttered under my breath. Addie snickered.
His eyes flickered over me. "Ahhh, yes Remus Lupin's daughter. What a shame. I heard you mother might have gotten somewhere in life if she had actually married someone in her social class." My hands curled into fists. I was ready to knock him out, but he continued speaking in a lofty tone. "I heard the Black daughters were in here. As you know we're related and I'd love to get to know my cousins."
Addie wrinkled her nose as if detecting something foul. Cloretta's eyes widened a bit, but she stretched out her hand. "Cloretta Black, nice to meet you. This is my sister—"
"Alianora." Ali was acting odd, smiling shyly at Draco. For a second I could've sworn she batted her eyelashes. When Draco, smiled back, her cheeks flushed.
"Yes, well I hope I'm not intruding- "
"Too late." Sam said pretending not to see him. His pleasant smile slid off his face.
"Well, I was wondering if you ladies wanted to join me, with some others. I have to say it's a fairly private gathering and only those…. Deserving will be invited." Draco avoided looking at me, Sam, or Addie.
Ali jumped to her feet. "I'll come. It would be nice to meet a few other people. I'll meet you all at the boats." She got up and followed Draco out.
"Wonderful Alianora. What about you Cloretta?" he asked.
Cloretta looked up from Witch Weekly a small smile on her face. "Oh well as I tempted as I am, I pass this time Draco." She spoke coolly. As Ali followed Draco down the hall I remembered Dad's warning about Dark wizarding families. He had mentioned Lucius Malfoy as a strong supporter of Voldemort.
"Right power-hungry that family is. They hate those of impure birth, thinking they shame the wizarding world. Anyone who dares to marry something as awful as a half-breed or a Muggle can be assured to never be welcomed by them again. They hang with only those of the purest blood. Don't trust them. The Malfoys are always up to no good…."
"FIRST-YEARS THIS WAY! FOLLOW ME!" bellowed a large man with a wild tangle of black hair. "My name's Hagrid and I am the groundskeeper. I'll be taking you up to Hogwarts by boat. Professor McGonagall will be then speaking with you about the ceremony." Sam, Addie, Cloretta, and I were keeping an eye out for Ali, but so far she seemed to still be with Draco. Hurrying toward the boats we found out just how many new first-years there are this year.
A lot of the conversation swirling around involved Sam's brother. "Harry Potter, he is here this year. First year."
"Suppose we'll have classes with him? I hope so."
"I've heard he was raised by a bunch of Muggles."
"Didn't even know about magic!"
"No way! He had to know who he was!"
Addie was laughing. "Sam if they figure out how closely related you are to him, you'll have plenty of girls dying to be your friends. No worries about popularity. "
"Addie, you know, I've talked to Dumbledore and we've agreed keeping my relationship with Harry on the down low. I have never even met my own brother. The last thing I need is to suddenly be buddy-buddy with him." Sam fixed her hair, as we entered the castle. Cloretta was about to speak, but Ali turned up.
"Sorry Draco has some interesting ideas, and I felt rude to just walk away-"
"First-years! We are about to go over some rules. I want complete silence during the Sorting. Don't be nervous every person in that room has gone through the exact same process. The Sorting Hat knows what it is doing and will place you where you need to go. The four houses are: Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Gryffindor. When I call you, you shall proceed to the stool, and sit while the Sorting Hat makes it decisions. Is that clear?" spoke a tall witch with her hair pulled back in a tight bun. All of us nodded. "Very well, I'm Minerva McGonagall, and I manage the first-years. Your Heads of House and I are looking forward to teaching you. Follow me. "
We all hurried through the great oak doors in a pack. All of us strained to stay in the middle away from prying eyes. I was jostled along and was somewhere in the middle when we reached the front of the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall, unrolled a long scroll. "Hannah Abbot?" she called out. A timid looking girl walked up the steps and took her place on the stool. The Sorting Hat called out immediately "HUFFLEPUFF!"
And so the next hour continued with each of us being sorted. I was surprised when both Cloretta and Ali got a cry of "GRYFFINDOR!" When it finally came to me and McGonagall, called out "Lupin, Jane." I felt sick to my stomach. Walking up the steps I felt all eyes on me, and I wondered why I didn't slip when walking. Taking my seat on the stool the old hat was lowered onto my head.
"Ahhh the daughter of Remus and Violet. Interesting, interesting….. Your father has such courage and it shows in you. Great determination and loyalty. Certainly. Yet, your mother a pure descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw yourself. Perhaps you belong somewhere, where we can test your great mind? Make you the top of your class; let you truly pursue your academic opportunities. Surely you have just as much talent as Mrs. Lupin. Hmmm, but so strong is your father in your heart. Oh well then… " The Sorting Hat muttered. I was lost. Which house would I be put in? How much longer would they let me sit there until the Hat finally made a decision? " GRYIFFINDOR!!!!"
I grinned and walked down the steps to sit with Ali and Cloretta. A bunch of smiling students surged around to greet me. I watched the rest of the Sorting with a lighter heart. I saw Ali was a little put out when Draco Malfoy went to join the Slytherin Table, but he waved to her later on. The most anticipated moment came with the Ps. Adalinia first came to us, then Harry-who was greeted with a loud roar, and Samantha came last. I sat among my friends grinning. We'd all become part of Gryffindor. We were Godric's Lions.
A/N:
