IMPORTANT: In this story, Lily Evans is a half blood and is sorted into Slytherin with Snape.
Btw, the timeline concerning Malfoy, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Alice and Frank Longbottom, as well as the others like Antonin Dolohov, Corban Yaxley etc as students is a little confusing. But I really enjoy their characters so I'm putting them in my story as well as incorporating other familiar characters who haven't been sorted in canon.
Edited: Jan. 11, 2019
James and Remus were heading back to their compartment inside the Hogwarts Express. The two had already donned their robes and James began his yearly tradition of hexing innocent students much to the disapproval of Remus, however, the latter also participated in.
"We've searched every compartment known to man in this train, Prongs. I think it's time to stop," Remus grumbled. He was a little exhausted due to James' continuous pestering.
"I'm telling you, Moony. I'm not giving up," James responded as he opened the door of their compartment. If only they hadn't run into the pointed face, blond albino, Lucius Malfoy. A Slytherin seventh year prefect. He should have known the greasy git, Snivellus, ratted them out. How James would've love to hex the living shite out of them. He would of course, once they reach Hogwarts.
"It's about bloody time you two showed up," Sirius complained as his long legs were resting on the opposite seat next to Peter. The two were also wearing their robes.
"We would've arrived here sooner if you sorry sods actually helped," James replied, pointing a finger at Sirius and Peter while he and Remus took a seat.
Sirius eyed James incredulously and his voice started rising. "I'd rather run my fingers through the greasy slime Snivellus calls hair than waste my time looking for some stuck-up, high maintenance…" He tried thinking of a proper word to describe Callista. "–banshee, that Godric knows might not even be going to our school!"
"I personally think a banshee would die of happiness to have her looks," James said matter-of-factly, ignoring Sirius' rising temper next to him.
"What's got Pads all worked up?" Peter wondered as he began opening a box of chocolate frogs.
"A girl," Remus spoke, stealing a piece of chocolate frog from Peter and popping it in his mouth.
"Figures," Peter muttered as Remus handed him the collectible card from the chocolate and picked up his book.
"Not in the way you expect it, Wormtail." Remus grimaced as he remembered their failed encounter with Callista. "She wasn't too fond of Sirius."
" 'Not too fond', Moony? Shall I remind you that that girl happened to hex me?!" Sirius diverted his growing temper to Remus.
"Pretty amazing too the way she casted that nonverbal stinging jinx at you," Remus said, unfazed while he continued to read his book.
"Plus she also screamed at you and called your as you say, 'remarkably handsome face', repulsive," James chimed in. It was funny to see Sirius all worked up over a girl.
"I don't think you need to constantly remind me of what she said about me, James," Sirius retorted. The nerve of that girl to mock his appearance just because she looked a little bit better than the other girls. If there was one thing he was proud to inherit from his family, it would have to be his looks and she was just too blind not to see it.
"A first time for everything," Peter laughed.
Sirius frowned at him and exhaled noisily. "Thank Merlin, I will never see her again." He slouched back and folded his arms.
This made Remus contemplate as he registered Sirius' words. "I think she might also be a student here. We did see her with Dumbledore."
"Wouldn't that be wonderful? Something to look forward to this year." James stretched his arms and placed it behind his head. He really had a good feeling that he would be seeing Callista soon.
"I didn't have the chance to tell you mates..." Remus placed his book down. "I actually met her at Flourish and Blotts. I've been saving up for Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard. A book we need for our fifth year and it turns out it was the last copy. We picked it up at the same time and I gave it to her since we kept tugging back and forth–"
Remus was not done speaking when Sirius cut him off in sheer indignation. "Shite, Moony! You shouldn't have fallen for her tricks! She's a conniving, manipulative fox! It's every man for himself! You should've gotten the book for yourself!"
"Calm down, Padfoot! You're gonna blow up my bloody eardrums!" Peter protested and covered his ears from Sirius' outbursts.
"To be honest, I didn't know what came over me. I'm not talking about the book, although…" Remus scratched the back of his neck and blushed. "I stared at her, like a bloody fool with my eyes wide and my mouth open." And he groaned at the thought. "I think it lasted for a full five minutes. I know this may sound odd, but I couldn't pull away. Something about her drew me in and she gave me this unsettling feeling. Like a drug… you know it can kill you but you still want it."
"I know what you mean," James told him.
"No Prongs, you don't," Remus argued. "And don't you tell me she's a Veela, Wormy. Because I can tell she's not," he added to Peter who was about to say something.
"I do," James repeated. His face was unreadeable as he adjusted his glasses. Remus' description felt uncannily similar to his own when he had encountered her. The sensation was strangely delicious but at the same time it felt really dangerous. It was as if he were a timid prey lured into the clutches of a murderous, seductive, intelligent predator.
"What?" Sirius asked. He didn't know where this discussion was heading.
"I felt it too," James simply said.
"You mean?" Remus was in disbelief.
"Yes." James met Remus' shocked eyes. "In some ways, something about her doesn't feel human."
There was a moment of silence.
"What a bunch of rubbish," Sirius unexpectedly scoffed. "Anyway, can we please stop talking about her? I'm kind of looking forward to my welcome-back-to-school snog with Meadowes and I would like to stay in a good mood before it happens." He brushed away the bizarre turn of conversation and effectively changed the topic.
Callista was lounging in Dumbledore's chair. Her legs were dangling from the armchair as she swayed back and forth from under her school robes. She was at the Headmaster's Office which belonged to the current headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. It was a large and beautiful circular room.
Callista's eyes surveyed a number of curious silver instruments that stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. She also saw the walls filled with portraits and paintings of previous headmasters and headmistresses, whom they all looked to be asleep. Though, what caught her attention was a beautiful bird with crimson feathers on its body; its claws, tail, and beak gleamed of gold. The bird was sitting proud on his perch.
She carefully approached the bird, awed by its beauty and majesty. The bird sensed her presence, though it did not attack her. Instead, it bowed its head in recognition. Slowly, her fingers reached out to stroke its soft feathers.
"I see Fawkes has taken a liking to you," Dumbledore said as he entered the room.
"Fawkes? What a beautiful name." Callista continued to stroke Fawkes.
"A phoenix is a highly intelligent bird, extremely loyal and courageous. Therefore, it's not easy winning its trust, but Fawkes seems to be forming a bond with you." Dumbledore smiled.
"Thank you, Fawkes," Callista said wholeheartedly as she looked in the phoenix's black eyes. The bird chirped in response.
"The students are already filling in the Great Hall. I suggest we make our way there as the Sorting Ceremony will begin." Dumbledore ushered her out of his office.
Callista's heart began strumming rapidly in her chest due to anxiety as she and Dumbledore descended the spiral staircase.
She firmly grasped the new wand she had gotten from Mr. Ollivander two days after her disastrous encounter with the Marauders. It was vine wood, 11 ¾ inches in length with a phoenix feather core. She never had a wand before, but her new wand felt good in her hand.
She also vividly remembered her Uncle Raphael earlier that day before she had arrived with Dumbledore in the castle grounds. He was practically begging her to ride the Hogwarts Express with the students in the hopes of her to adjust well to her new environment and even make friends. He wanted her to at least experience a normal childhood, away from her troubled past. She adamantly refused her uncle's annoying persuasions and suggested she apparated with Dumbledore to the castle grounds. She laughed when she thought her uncle popped a vein whilst trying to control his temper.
She couldn't risk the idea of seeing the three boys on the train because she knew for certain they were also students here and she would very much like to keep her first school year in peace, quiet, and away from them.
All of the students gathered in the Great Hall to witness the Sorting ceremony held every year before the start of the term feast. Each of them took a seat at their respective house tables.
James sat next to Peter while Sirius and Remus took the opposite seats in front of them. He quickly scanned the room filled with clueless and excited first years who were lining up in front of Professor McGonagall, waiting to be sorted. His unwavering optimism of spotting Callista was still intact even if he hadn't seen her yet.
"Bridgestone… Camille," McGonagall announced and a short, young girl with braids shyly made her way to the front of the stage and sat on the stool as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat bellowed and soon, applause from the Ravenclaw table was heard as they welcomed a new addition to their house.
And more names were being called out from McGonagall's long scroll but there was still no sight of Callista.
"Flounder… Elijah"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Lowell…Marie"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Sebold…Christopher"
"SLYTHERIN!"
And with that, the ceremony was finished.
James sighed and realized it was a mistake. He would not be seeing her. His hazel eyes drifted to the front of the hall where he saw Professor Dumbledore make his way to the stage and whisper something to Professor McGonagall.
The older witch nodded and joined herself to the table where the other professors sat.
Dumbledore with a twinkle in his old blue eyes declared happily, "To our new students, welcome, to our old students and fellow faculty members, welcome back! Before we start the feast, there is someone I'd like to introduce to you all…" He gestured with his hands a new, unfamiliar face that elegantly made her way to the front and stood next to Dumbledore.
"Fucking Merlin! I knew it! She's bloody here!" James furiously whispered while excitedly gripping Peter by the collar of his robes. Sirius' mouth just tightened in a thin line as he shook his head in disapproval toward James.
"Settle down, Prongs. You'll snap Wormtail's head off," Remus tried to keep his voice low from across the table. "Besides, didn't we already deduce the possibility of her being here?"
Callista felt vulnerable and uneasy as hundreds of eyes stared at her and watched her every movement. She also felt the stares coming from the three familiar boys especially the one with the unruly hair and round spectacles who couldn't contain his excitement. She didn't want any of them to think she was intimidated. No, because she never showed weakness. Callista lifted her chin high and proud, carrying herself with an air of dignity, poise, and grace. An act that can only be executed by one of the truly old and noble houses of the ancient, pureblooded families in the wizarding world.
She met the students' incoming gazes equally and confidently as Dumbledore continued introducing her, "This is Miss Callista Dione Shafiq. A pureblooded witch from the noble House of Shafiq. Her father, Leonardo Shafiq, was a good friend of mine who fought during the Global Wizarding War, aiding in my triumphant defeat against the dark wizard, Grindelwald. Her mother, Dione Shafiq, was also a talented witch. I am her guardian and I would like you all to please welcome her." With that, he ended his speech.
The students and faculty members gave their applause. Professor Slughorn looked positively pleased from his seat.
"It looks like you've got some stiff competition, Zabini," Antonin Dolohov, a seventh year from the Slytherin table made a snide remark as he watched Dumbledore personally placed the Sorting Hat on Callista.
Eleanor Zabini, was a sixth year student sitting across from Dolohov. She was famously known for her beauty and nothing else. "What are you implying, Dolohov? Are you trying to say that girl is better looking than me?" She spat in absolute revulsion.
Callista was nervous as Dumbledore placed the Sorting Hat on her head but it was replaced with shock when she heard the hat speak to her. "My, my Callista Dione Shafiq... never in my long life have I witnessed such a very unsettling and depressing history coming from a young girl like you."
"Then, stop reading my mind!" She irritably snapped back at the hat.
"Feisty little witch, aren't you?" The hat laughed. "Your troubles and experiences molded your very traits today. Such as being conniving, manipulative, intuitive. The list goes on and on... Slytherin will suit your ambitions well."
"I refuse to be sorted to the House that nearly wiped my family name from existence," Callista argued with the hat. Flashbacks from her parents' deaths and Raphael's continuous suffering flooded her mind.
"What's this? Is it revenge I sense from you? Mixed with reckless bravery and courage to fight for what you believe in? Do you think Gryffindor is a better match for you?" The hat asked her.
"It doesn't matter. Just sort me anywhere but Slytherin," she grumbled in impatience to the hat.
Rabastan Lestrange, a fourth year fellow Slytherin watched as the hat was deciding unceremoniously slow in which house to sort Callista and asked, "Wasn't her father Leonardo Shafiq killed by the Dark Lord's followers when he fled to Italy?"
"She seems rather peculiar," Lily Evans, a Slytherin student said with morbid fascination. She was a pretty, fiery redheaded witch with beautiful, green eyes.
Bellatrix Black, who was seating next to Lestrange did not hide her complete distaste. "What a disgrace to the pureblood name. She's obviously a blood traitor like my pathetic cousin, Sirius."
Regulus winced slightly as he heard his older brother's name. He tried not to show it as he felt Narcissa agreed with Bellatrix because she too added, "No wonder the hat placed her in the despicable House of brawn without brains."
They all heard the Sorting Hat screamed Gryffindor while thunderous roars and applause emanated from the Gryffindor table next to them.
Lucius Malfoy mused, "I believe her relative, Raphael Shafiq was once a Death Eater. My father said he was killed in battle serving the Dark Lord." He drummed his fingers across the table. His middle finger was fashioning a golden serpent ring adorned with magnificent green emeralds that was a precious Malfoy heirloom. "Shouldn't we help her decide where her allegiance lies?" He smiled malevolently at Corban Yaxley, Millard Avery, Osbert Mulciber, and Amyctus Carrow.
"I'd be glad to test her myself." Yaxley gripped his wand tightly as licked his lips, his eyes maliciously travelling all over Callista.
"Don't be selfish, Yaxley. Mulciber and I are here." Avery clearly wanted a piece of her. She was extraordinarily beautiful and he wanted to break her. To sink his fingers into her lovely, untainted flesh while she screamed and begged him for mercy.
"Actually, a ladies welcome from the Slytherins would be more befitting. Wouldn't you agree Bellatrix, Narcissa, and of course you too, Alecto?" Lucius raised his eyebrow at the three girls who responded with confident, arrogant grins on their faces.
"But, of course." Bellatrix's eyes drifted to Callista. A murderous smile on her face.
"What do you think, Snape?" Alecto found his lack of participation unusual.
"I think it's foolish," he said to her, while impatiently waiting for the feast to begin. Secretly, he was pleased Lily had no interest in participating with the girls.
The Slytherins knew that behind Lily's docile and feminine demeanor lies an extremely sadistic personality no one could ever imagine. This trait only manifested itself when something would catch her attention.
"What did you say?" Malfoy's tone hardened as all eyes bore into Severus Snape.
"In case it escaped your notice, it seems that Dumbledore has a close relationship with her. It'll be too soon to act. Executing a poor attempt will result in nothing but displeasing the Dark Lord," Snape answered with no hint of intimidation seen on his face.
"You never fail to surprise us, Snape." Amyctus smirked.
Callista's eyes widened and her heart was beating rapidly inside her chest again as she saw the genuine smiles, laughter, and cheers of the students from the Gryffindor table beckoning her to join them. She looked over at Dumbledore for reassurance and he gave her a small nod.
"Scoot over, Peter." James hurriedly pushed Peter from the seat while he tried to make room for Callista. She watched him in annoyance as he tried leaving her a generous space next to him so she sighed in defeat and sat herself in between the two boys.
"Hey, Shafiq. Congratulations on getting sorted to the best house Hogwarts has to offer!" James grabbed her soft hand and shook it vigorously. A wide smile was plastered on his face.
Callista simply stared at him. Her eyes focused on the hand James hadn't let go.
"Oh, you might have forgotten my name." James dejectedly thought as he ruffled his messy black hair and looked away.
"Sadly, I had the misfortune of remembering your name, Potter." She snatched her hand from him. "In case I felt the need to hex you," she mentally added to herself.
"Excellent!" James beamed at her, showing off his perfectly white teeth. "You've already met Remus Lupin." He pointed to Remus who gave her a small smile. "Sirius Black." In which Sirius gave no reaction or recognition to her presence but she didn't care at all.
"And the one next to you is, Peter Pettigrew," James finished as he introduced a short, chubby boy, with a round face and mousy brown hair.
"Oh joy. Are there any more of you I should be aware of?" Callista sarcastically commented. As if three mischievous boys were not enough for her.
Out of the blue, a female voice joined in the conversation. "Quit hogging her, Potter and introduce the lot of us will you," she muttered in mild rritation.
James laughed. "This is Alice King." He gestured to the girl who just spoke. "The one next to her is Frank Longbottom. On the opposite row are Mary McDonald and Marlene McKinnon, while on your right are Amelia Bones and Benjy Fenwick, both seventh years."
They all gave her a welcoming smile and Callista appreciated it. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said sincerely.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "So, she can be friendly with them," he mumbled under his breath.