Annabeth Chapter 4
Chapter 4, Year 1
Annabeth eventually got to walk and explore around the castle. Oh, Filch loved that. He and Annabeth had created a mutual hatred towards each other. It didn't help that Filch could never find her. Or that he had no reason to hate her. She didn't think she was that messy. She always cleaned up after herself and everything.
Filch and McGonagall expected her to go to the astronomy tower. Or try to sneak outside since Pomphrey wouldn't allow her to; claiming she could fall and hurt herself. Although Annabeth did neither of those things; instead she spent her time sitting and talking with her professors. Especially her Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures Professors. She had met all her professors, even Trelawney, but not her Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.
She wouldn't let any of her Professors tell her what house they were in; she wouldn't even let McGonagall explained all the houses to her. She wanted her house to be hers because she belonged in that house not because of others advice.
The Potions Master Professor Slughorn, the Slytherin head, expected her to be in Slytherin because she was always sneaking off. Some expected her to be in Hufflepuff because she is very fair to all the teachers giving them each almost the same amount of time to explain their classes and talk. But Most others expected her to be in Gryffindor because of how brave she was or Ravenclaw because Annabeth was so curious about everything. Like how she wanted to know everything about everything or how she asks so many questions. McGonagall didn't know which house Annabeth was going to be in; but she knew she would do great in anyone she got.
Other then talking to her Professors Annabeth also spent some time cooking with the house elves in the kitchens. The elves adored her, even some of the rude house elves loved it when she came down.
Eventually summer ended and the day is September 1, which meant that all of the other Hogwarts students would arrive and school would start. The problem? Annabeth was nowhere to be found.
Professor McGonagall had been searching the castle for Annabeth since morning. She knew nothing could have happened to her; Annabeth was too smart for that. Plus yesterday they had gotten her a wand from Ollivanders. Not that she knew how to use it. The Professor didn't want to but she knew she would have to. "Filch," she called walking over to his office.
"Yes, Headmaster," Argus Filch asked unkindly coming out of his office seconds before McGonagall would have to barge in there herself.
"I need you to find Ms. Hawthorne." The Professor explained hurriedly. She was expected to meet the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, Rubeus Hagrid, at the front doors in minutes. And she was on the other side of the castle!
Filch chuckled darkly with a crazed look in his eye, "Oh, I'll find her alright," He said before he started running oddly down the hallway in the direction of the Ravenclaw tower. The Professor didn't give a second thought before running, well walking briskly, over to the front doors. She knew that if she could trust Filch on anything it was that he would find the student she needed. He knew the castle better than she did!
She finally got to the doors by the great hall and was already very tired. "I'm too old for this," she mumbled to herself. She could hear the din of all the excited upperclassmen when she walked down a last flight of stairs towards the front doors.
She got there just in time because Hagrid had just started knocking. She adjusted herself hoping she didn't look sweaty and disheveled. That would be a horrible first impression of a headmistress. Albus would never let the stu- a knock again cutting off her thoughts.
She opened the door and saw the familiar sight of Hagrid with first years behind him. She caught eyes with a certain curly red head standing next to a tan skinned girl with black curly hair and a raven haired boy with green eyes that had an uncanny resemblance to his father. She realized that with her mind clouded with thoughts about Annabeth she had totally forgot to owl the Potter/Weasleys about the new school year like she had every other.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said with a warm smile but he looked anxious about something. "Did you find her yet?"
"No," McGonagall sighed, "But Filch is on it."
"Oh," Hagrid sighed, "Would you like me to help?" Hagrid asked hopefully.
Professor McGonagall allowed herself a small smile. "That's all right. You're needed in the great hall," The gatekeeper/Care of Magical Creatures Professor was always a sign to the students to quiet down for the new comers.
The Professor waited until Hagrid was out of sight before she let the first years through the doors into the castle and started leading them to the doors of the great hall. McGonagall started walking slower than usual to buy Filch more time to find Annabeth. She was really getting anxious about the whole thing. Yes the Professor knew that Annabeth probably just drifted off like she did most of the time, truth be told McGonagall almost flewed the aurors the first time Annabeth drifted off just for her to come back in the nick of time and explain herself, but the Professor was very concerned about how Annabeth might feel missing her sorting and having to do it alone in the headmasters office tonight.
She bet Annabeth already felt out of place but coming in without the rest of her class would most likely make her feel worst.
Once they finally got to the closed door of the great hall McGonagall stopped and turned around to see all the first years looking up expectantly at her, like every year had done before. She looked around the crowd seeing the familiar faces of the Potter/Weasleys children as well as other former students children plus many whom she could not identify.
"Welcome to Hogwarts." She said wishing Annabeth could be here to experience this. "The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are at Hogwarts, your house will be like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of the house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
"There are four houses. Gryffindor. Slytherin. Hufflepuff. And Ravenclaw. Each house has it's own noble history and each has outstanding witches and wizards. While at Hogwarts your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule breaking will lose you points. At the end of the year the house with the most points will earn the house cup; a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whatever house becomes yours." She finished knowing she made some mistakes in her usual speech.
McGonagall turned around and opened the door for the new students hoping Annabeth would be able to get there soon. All the first years, as usual were very hesitant but curious and awed by the magnificent Great Hall. McGonagall silently brought them to the front and picked up a scroll filled with names.
"Let's Begin," she said softly but it echoed in the silent Great Hall. She looked over her glasses and called out the first name.
"Samuel Allison," a shaky boy with light brown hair walked up and sat on the stool. The hat chuckled and called "Hufflepuff!" The Boy clambered off the stool and went over to the Hufflepuff table followed by many cheers. Next McGonagall called a scrawny girl named "Erin Andra," who got sorted into Slytherin. Then "Sarah Bentley," who was sorted into Hufflepuff. Now "Peter Darcy," a Ravenclaw.
By now Professor McGonagall was very worried but she didn't have to much longer because as she was calling "Joseph Edvine" Argus Filch stormed through the doors practically dragging a protesting disheveled Annabeth towards McGonagall. McGonagall was outraged; not only by how Filch was dragging the girl but by the triumphant look on his face.
The Great Hall went silent as all anyone could hear were Annabeths cries of protest. Filch finally got to the front but was still holding Annabeth who had went silent by now. "Headmistress," Argus said, "I got her," he sounded like he expected to be rewarded.
"Argus," McGonagall said sickly walking down from the small platform she was on, "You will never- NEVER- man handle another student ever. Do you understand?" He had slackened his grip on Annabeth who had got out easily but waited until the Professor said she could go with the other fist years.
"Yes Headmistress," Filch said trying to act like he'd been shamed. The Professor nodded knowing he would never change.
"Are you alright?" the Professor asked rounding on Annabeth.
"Yeah, just lost track of time. Sorry." Annabeth said smiling. While the students and other Professors watched this exchange.
"It's fine," the Professor sighed pulling out her wand and wordlessly fixed Annabeths robes and grey stockings for her. Annabeth refused to wear the socks and skirt claiming she would rather wear pants so they agreed that the stocking and a skirt would work just fine.
Eventually the sorting started up again and "Joseph Edvine" was sorted into Slytherin, followed up by two Gryffindors "Jessica Finnigan" and "Amelia Flynn," They both sat next to each other at the table and started talking.
"Annabeth Hawthorne," Professor McGonagall yelled abruptly silencing the cheers. Annabeth walked up to the stool and when she sat down the hat covered her eyes but she could still see the ankles of the other first years waiting to be sorted.
"Hm," a gruff voice said in her ear, "Smart mind, yes. A yearn for learning, no doubt. Loyal and just. Cunning, very cunning but brave. Foolishly brave. But where to put you?" It said. Annabeth didn't think she was supposed to talk; not that she would know what to say. She had no idea what the hat was talking about. When McGonagall wanted to explain the sorting process to her and the houses she refused to listen. Claiming she wanted to find out for herself; she wished she accepted the help now. The hat sat on her head pondering for some time before it addressed Annabeth.
"You have equal skills in all houses. But I cannot see into the depths of your mind. You have it blocked off to me somehow. Open it up and I will make my decision." The hat commanded.
Annabeth had been taught from a very young age to never open up her mind to anyone. She didn't want to start now; but for her own reasons this time, not Seth's. "What do you want to know? I can tell you." Annabeth tried.
"I need to go into your mind to make sure I have the truth." The hat said louder.
"No," Annabeth whispered annoyed. She didn't want to open up her mind for anyone. Much less a talking hat.
"Hm," the Hat mumbled before calling out a shrill, "Gryffindor!"
Also I know that I made a mistake with Albus' age (OR THE WHOLE NEXT GENERATION) and how he was supposed to be born 6 years after the battle but I kinda mindlessly moved up all their ages so instead of Ginny and Harry starting a family after Hogwarts they had James in the beginning of Harrys' seventh year and Ginny was 6 months pregnant with Albus in the final battle. Sorry about the mix-up and how many flaws are in it but for the purpose of this story I need it to be like this. Thx for understanding!
-ExpoWriting025
