Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling
Chapter Four
When the world around me finally returned to general normality, I gathered my nerves and walked into the now very different looking office. The room shape was the same and the back wall was still covered in portraits of prior headmasters, but it lacked the warmth. The color scheme was rather neutral and all the chairs looked rather uncomfortable. I finally walked over near the desk, so Headmaster Dippet could see me.
"Who are you?" he asked, rather taken aback as he happened to glance up from a document of some sort.
"Josephine Farley, Headmaster—if you do not know of me, I presume my parents' prior attempts at correspondence were lost in the post. I attended Beauxbatons for the last six years, but my parents recently moved to England for safety reasons, and they deemed it far more convenient for me to attend Hogwarts. I have with me a letter that explains the situation further and will dictate the classes of which I would like to take this year," I replied, with the usual smile and demeanor I only used for Farley gatherings. "I take it you find it all in order?" I questioned as he read through the letter, nodding ever so often.
"Yes, quite; you seem to be a very knowledgeable witch that would be a credit to this school. Are you aware of the sorting process of this school?"
"I've heard stories from relatives," I answered politely.
"Well then, would you wish to be sorted now or at the Welcoming Feast in the Great Hall?"
"Now, please," I answered quickly. I was not the self-conscious type, but I did not like that much attention. I far preferred to sit and watch from a better vantage point.
"Alright; I'll just get the sorting hat," the old man announced. As he slowly stood from his desk, I thought his long white beard would never end. He wasn't as boney as Albus, but he still seemed far frailer; I could very easily see why he would soon be leaving the school. I sat down in a nearby grey chair that was as uncomfortable as it had looked.
Dippet finally managed to locate the hat and levitate it off a shelf. "Now, Miss Farley, keep in mind all the houses are perfectly good in their own way," he said before placing the hat on my head, so it covered my eyes.
"Farley is it?" asked the familiar voice of the hat within my head.
"Yes; which house do you choose?"
"I can see there are things in your mind you don't wish me to look at; occlumency, eh? You would make a good Ravenclaw, you know. You have a thirst for knowledge, but wait, ah, there's what I was searching for. Better be, SLYTHERIN."
I smiled slightly, before carefully taking the hat off and handing it to Headmaster Dippet. He seemed happy as well; if I was correct, I thought I remembered a book saying Dippet had been in Slytherin as well.
"Wonderful, I'll personally escort you to the Great Hall as the students will be entering in a matter of moments; I'll have your trunk taken to the correct room. Would you mind if I announced your arrival before the feast? Such things do not often occur at Hogwarts; although, with the war, nothing seems strange anymore. Don't you agree?"
"Quite, and yes, that would be fine."
The five minutes it took to get to the Great Hall were silent. I didn't wish to be questioned further and Headmaster Dippet seemed to have something on his mind. I was smart and took on an awestruck expression as were stepped into the giant room where all the meals at Hogwarts took place. It was rather miraculous the first time one walked in. The ceiling showed a storm complete with intimidating grey clouds and the occasional strike of lightning. I smiled to myself—I had always loved storms, the sounds of thunder and rain calmed me. I walked over to the far left table with the familiar serpent banner over it and took a seat on the end nearest the teachers' table. It had been my spot for seven years, and I wasn't about to change that.
I was tracing a crack in the table's ancient wood when the students began to funnel into the hall. From the look of everything, it seemed in nearly 50 years little had changed, besides hairstyles. I was given the curious stare every so often but nothing terribly obtrusive—that was a characteristic of Slytherins; we almost always had a good sense of self-preservation.
I was ignored as a group of perhaps third years came and sat in the area surrounding me. I was rather glad for it though. I was going to be introduced anyway, so it saved me the trouble. I clapped politely when each first year Slytherin took a place at the table; I also took the opportunity to look down the table at my peers. There were definitely Blacks and Malfoys—they were always easy to spot, but I couldn't place the majority. I could feel a scowl coming to my face as my eyes landed on my grandfather in his sixth year. He seemed a bit more put together than I remembered in my younger years, but the resemblance was definitely there; his curly black hair was controlled into waves and his grey eyes shone with enthusiasm as he talked to a blond girl who sat across from him: she was probably a Crossage or a Blishwick, both of whom were notorious families of flirts.
I turned to face Headmaster Dippet as he stood to address the student body, "Welcome students, new and returning, to what is sure to be another great year. I remind you that the Forbidden Forest is, as always, forbidden and that Mr. Pringle will be looking for contraband goods for which a punishment is inevitable; if you need referencing for whether or not you have said goods, check his office. Now, I am very pleased to announce that we have a transfer student with is this year. Miss Josephine Farley will be finishing the last year of her educational career with those in Slytherin house. Please make her feel welcome. Now, I believe, it is time to feast. I wish you all best of luck in the coming year," he finished with a smile before sitting once more.
He seemed to be a satisfactory headmaster, but he lacked the sincerity that Albus had always had. I decided to think on it later and began eating the wonderful food that now surrounded me. After a while, however, I became slightly annoyed at the noise that surrounded me. Slytherin table was usually relatively subdued, but the Ravenclaw table, for whatever reason, was incredibly chatty. It gave me a fairly painful, throbbing headache. I wished I could leave, but realized I would have to wait for the first years and follow them or somehow manage to gather an acquaintance, seeing as I would have to feign not knowing where the common room was. I was quite happy, to say the least, when my saving grace appeared.
The girl I had seen earlier speaking with my grandfather walked over and shook my hand, "I'm very pleased to meet you, Josephine. I'm Daralis Blishwick; I'm the seventh year prefect, so if you need any help, feel free to ask."
I plastered the kindest smile I could muster onto my face and spoke sweetly, "Thank you, Daralis. It's so nice to meet you as well. While you mention it, unfortunately, I've got a rather horrid headache, and I really haven't the slightest clue where the common room is. Could you enlighten me?"
"Well, I have to stay here to direct the first years, but would you mind if I gave you directions? I know the school is so large, but I assure you I give splendid directions," she suggested brightly.
I accepted in a polite manner, but wondered what exactly the girl was playing at. Certainly, there were nice Slytherins who could be very personable, but we were all about ambition—I merely hoped that she sought my friendship due to my prominent name and not for darker reasons. She certainly was making a large effort. The only way I could tell she wasn't genuine was the right side of her "welcoming" smile that twitched every so often—that and, of course, the lack of emotion in her eyes, but I had learned that didn't necessarily mean insincerity. Some people, especially Slytherins, got to the point where they had to shield their eyes of emotion so constantly that they simply forgot how to show it. However, in Miss Blishwick's case, I doubted that was the case.
"Thank you so much for your help," I said after she had finished what I'm sure was a very long and detailed set of directions. All in all, I decided I didn't exactly like the girl, but I decided we might as well be acquaintances. She could help me not only meet Tom Riddle, but allow me to learn more about my grandfather's situation as well.
I was glad for the silence that surrounded me on my way to the Slytherin common room. I was a little saddened as the portrait of Ruthel seemed to not notice my presence; it was strange considering I'd greeted the painting at least once every day during my school years. It was merely another reminder that this was not the Hogwarts I was familiar with. I realized with a scowl as I encountered the wall that led into the common room that I should have listened to Blishwick for I couldn't remember the password for the life of me.
However, this was not life ending, considering the Slytherin passwords were never terribly difficult to guess. "Salazar, pureblood, heritage, mudblood, ambition," I listed boredly. I smirked as the wall opened smoothly.
"Impressive, Miss Farley."
As I stepped into the common room, I had to do all in my power to prevent myself from jumping. I hadn't even the slightest notion that someone was following me. I turned abruptly and found myself facing the boy whose picture I had so often looked up in the library—his voice was just as silky as I had imagined. Certainly, I had wanted to meet him, but on my own terms: I hated being caught off guard.
I assumed my manners and polite smile, "And you are?"
"Tom Riddle, head boy. I must admit to overhearing your conversation with Daralis and took note that she neglected to tell you the password. I came to assist you, but apparently it was unneeded," he explained with formality, charm, and a smile just as well practiced as my own. Yet, knowing better, I could still tell beneath all that he was suspicious—he was critical of my means.
"I'm sorry you had to follow me. You see I've heard many stories of Hogwarts from my family—many of whom were in Slytherin. I had a few guesses as to what the password would be. Not to say I do not enjoy your company, but don't you have first years to direct?" I asked, staring into his eyes that were an even darker shade of grey than my own as I did all I could to avoid an abrasive tone. I was determined to make a good impression.
"Daralis will be able to manage until the students get to the common room. Where did you conduct your first six years of study?" he asked curiously. If I didn't know for a fact he was being insincere, I would have believed him. He had control and nerve; I would give him that.
"Beauxbatons; I'm glad to be going to Hogwarts, though. I always did far prefer English. I hope my accent is good," I replied innocently.
"Quite good; however, you could work on your "th's." If you have any trouble writing to the level of everyone else at first, I'm sure you'll catch up soon," he answered with plenty of false sincerity.
I could feel myself starting to bristle. "Not up to level?" If he thought that, he was an idiot. Of course, he was most likely doing that considering I had a brilliant accent and sounded quite as if I already knew that. "Very funny, Riddle. I've had an English tutor since I was five. I took my OWLs in both French and English; I'm sure I'll manage," I reassured, lying with skill I'd worked years to gather.
"I was merely joking, Farley. Now, I believe I hear Daralis and the first years approaching. If you seek to escape the noise for that headache of yours, the girls' dormitory is down the left corridor. You'll be in the last room on the right. It was nice to make your acquaintance," he stated, his manner never flickering for a moment.
I nodded. "The same to you." I then turned around quickly and began to make my way to my room, immediately dropping the obnoxious smile that I hated holding for any period of time. I kicked my shoes off near the bed that had my luggage next to it and took a seat on the soft mattress. I amused myself by performing small transfigurations on the items on my end-table as I waited for my future dorm mates to enter.
I slowly raised my head as I heard the door begin to open. All three roommates entered at once. There was, of course, Daralis; an almost sickly-looking short girl with platinum hair (probably a Malfoy); and a final girl with dark hair knotted into an up do on the nape of her neck who was certainly beautiful but looked rather aloof.
Daralis came up to me first. "I hope your headache is better now, Josephine. This is Pompeia Malfoy and Druella Rosier. You'll most likely have at least one of us in all of your classes," she introduced. I smiled inwardly as I had been right about one being a Malfoy.
"Pleased to meet you both. What NEWTs are you all taking then?" I asked curiously.
Daralis, again, spoke first. Her constant need to be the center of attention was starting to get on my nerves. "I'm taking transfiguration, charms, and potions. I would take more, but I want a position in the Department of Communications in the Ministry and they don't require anything more."
"Herbology, potions, defense against the dark arts, charms, and transfiguration—the requirements for healers training. Even if I don't become one, I think the skills would be very helpful," explained Pompeia, with a welcoming smile. I had a feeling she was quite smart.
Druella waited a while longer before speaking, arrogance leaking from every word, "I don't really need to take anything, considering Cygnus Black and I are getting married at the end of this year, but I thought I might as well continue with charms and arithmancy; I have a skill for it. What are you taking, dear?"
"Defense against the dark arts, potions, charms, transfiguration, and history of magic. I aim to obtain a position in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and attain a position on the Wizengamot. There will be three open positions on the council the year after next," I recited, happy that I spent all those hours of reading the Wizengamot's records which included when members left and joined the council. I realized within a moment after speaking that I had perhaps left the barrier of antifeminism unaccounted for. From what I could recall, by 1945 there had only been two female members in the Wizengamot and both had written countless spell books and held a variety of leadership positions. My roommates seemed to be caught off guard by my statement.
Daralis, sensing the tension, sought to add a friendly atmosphere back the room by speaking quickly and with a tone even higher than usual, "That's a very high ambition, Josey."
"It's Josephine, and I usually prefer to just go by Farley," I replied sharply. Daralis and Pompeia would be easy to get along with, as I had already achieved some of their respect; Druella would be harder.
From Druella's next comment, I could tell my previous musing had indeed been very correct, "Now, Josephine, the Wizengamot is no place for women. You have to have an extensive knowledge of politics, and it's difficult to attain a place once you're over the age of forty, let alone 17 or 18. Not to mention, while the Farleys might have been on the council in years past, your cousin Gregory is the expected one to achieve a position; you've haven't any chance really. Look at it this way, you're not overwhelmingly plain; I'm sure with a sprucing up from the girls and me, in accordance with your name and wealth, you can quickly find a husband, and you needn't worry."
I had trouble thinking of what to say next. I didn't want to get on her disagreeable side because it wouldn't be beneficial for me, but I could feel a biting reply just pleading to come out. I decided, in the end, it would be far better for me to "look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't"—I was not well versed in muggle literature, but Macbeth had always been a favorite of mine.
"You make a good point, Druella. Why don't we make a deal? If after this sprucing and lessons, you can land me with a suitable match, I will carefully reconsider my career aspirations," I suggested with an innocent smile. I figured Druella had just enough arrogance and confidence in her skills that she wouldn't dare to refuse my offer.
"I do think we'll make quite good friends, Josephine: pretty, intelligent, and clever. I don't allow many people a Druella Black style reinvention. Now, it must be done tonight, so you can make an appropriate impression tomorrow. Unfortunately, every acceptable seventh and sixth year boy is either already preoccupied or literally engaged. I mean I could to free up Romulus Knott; he's quite handsome—oh don't give me that dejected look; I'm just kidding Pompeia, I'm not going to take away your precious 'Romy.' Oh, I've got it now; this'll really be a challenge. Tell me, Josephine, are you acquainted with our wonderful head boy?"
A/N: Sorry I didn't update sooner; my summer started not long ago, so I'm basically just enjoying doing absolutely nothing. Likewise, I start summer classes soon, so updates in the next couple weeks will be fairly infrequent. Anyway, thanks so much to ThePhantomismyLove for my first review! It made my day-wow, that sounds kind of sad...eh, anyhow, thanks a ton to everyone whose read, favorited, and followed the story so far! Have a wonderfully, fabulous day! (geez, that's a lot of exclamation marks...)
