A/N : So this is the start of the few chapters we have been looking forward to particularly. They are finally at Hogwarts! As usual, thanks for reading.
Scarlett POV:
The train finally arrived at hogwarts. All the students rushed out of the train. We were at the front where we were greeted by Hagrid.
"All first years follow me!" Hagrid shouted making me go temporarily deaf in the process.
I was holding my brothers hand (don't judge it's a reassuring thing) and we made our way to an inky black lake, with boats and lanterns on it. As I looked up to find my breath was taken away. There standing on the hill was the school and it was magnificent. The golden glow giving of through the windows made the whole place shine.
"Hogwarts School …" I began to say before Sherlock interrupted.
"Of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Sherlock stated matter-of-factly.
Then us 4 (as well as Ariella and my phoenixes that refused to move from our shoulders) jump into a boat and we make our way to our new school.
Hogwarts.
Now we were waking up these giant stone stairs, to see a women dressed in green and black robes with a black pointy hat atop her head. For some reason I wanted that hat. Ariella looked at me funny, clearly trying not to laugh. Oops. She must have heard that. Sherlock looked at her strangely too. I'm guessing that she thought it to him as a few moments later he had a small smile on his face. For Sherlock it was very rare for him to laugh, so everyone clearly found it funny. Suddenly, the stern woman spoke.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking and you will loose points. At the end of the year, the houses with the most points is awarded the house cup." She paused, about to speak when Neville Longbottom lunged forward.
"Trevor!" He exclaimed. "Sorry." He mumbled as he caught sight of Professor's face. She regained her composure as Neville stood back in the line, clutching Trevor.
"The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily." She turned briskly, back into the large hall behind her.
"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter, and Scarlett Potter, have come to Hogwarts." Draco sneered, particularly as he said Scarlett's name. He seemed to dislike me already.
There were mumbles amongst all the students gathered behind us. "Potter? Harry and Scarlett Potter."
"This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. And that some of the members of particular families are a disgrace to our kind and there name." He said looking to Sherlock and I, standing close to Scarlett and Harry. "You don't want to making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He continued holding his hand out sharply for Harry to take.
"I think my sister and I can tell the wrong sort for ourselves thanks." Harry said confidently, emphasising sister.
"We're ready for you. Follow me. Except you two" the professor returned, pointing to me and Ariella. Great first day and I'm already in trouble. Ariella shot a panicked look to Sherlock and I saw her visibly tighten her grip on his hand, her other wrapped around my empty hand quickly.
"I assure you Miss Holmes that you have nothing to worry about. You either Miss Potter." She looked at us, slightly sympathetically. She turned to the rest of the first years. "Well, come along then." She turned around and walked through the oak doors.
Sherlock wrapped his arms around Ariella tightly, her head buried in his chest. I turned to Harry and hugged him. He hugged me back, I could tell he was scared. While Sherlock was clearly the strong one out of him and Ariella, I was the strongest out of Harry and I.
"You'll be fine. I will see you soon." I said, kissing him on the cheek. He nodded as he walked in with the rest of the students. Sherlock was still hugging Ariella as they had there own hushed conversation.
"Sherlock, you need to go in." I said softly to them. He looked conflicted. I said nothing but nodded and put my arm around Ariella awkwardly with her head still in Sherlock's chest. He kissed the top of her head and walked into the hall wordlessly. Ariella looked at me tears streaking down her cheeks.
"You ok?" I asked sympathy lacing my voice and giving her another hug. She nodded, but it was obvious she was lying.
"No you're not. Come here." I pulled her into my chest.
"What's going on? I have read all the books and never heard of anything like this happening... ever." She sobbed.
"I don't know… OW! Your bird just pecked me!" I exclaimed causing her to giggle, well at least she is happier now. The Professor from before came back out.
"Girls. You two will need to sit at the back of the hall, once the feast starts and the sorting has finished you will be taken up to the headmaster's office by myself, the headmaster, and the heads of the other three houses."
I nodded and took Ariella's hand as we walked into the hall and sat in the first available seats. We were seated next to an boy with a red and gold tie, who looked around Sherlock's age maybe a year or two older.
"Greg Lestrade. Shouldn't you two be up there?" The boy introduced, pointing to where the first years stood.
"Well, we were told by the Professor to sit at the back of the hall. We are not sure why but yeah. I expect we are only here for the sorting as our brothers are being sorted too." I said then I looked to the head table where all the teachers were sat, although the Professor from before was standing up holding a list behind a stool with a hat on.
"It's even more beautiful than I thought it would be." I heard Ariella say quietly from next to me. I looked at her confused and she pointed up.
"Wow." I breathed at the sight of the incredible sight.
"So, which ones are your brothers?" Greg asked from next to us.
"Oh. The tall, curly dark haired boy is Ariella's brother and the short, messy black haired boy is mine." I responded. It was easy to tell who I was talking about as they were stood next to each other at the back. Sherlock stood taller above all the other first years, although not by much for some of them, and Harry looked like a Hobbit next to Sherlock and was the shortest first year, although again, not by much.
During this, Dumbledore had spoken, although I only caught the last few words. To my shock and slight horror, the sorting hat's brim opened.
Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
Once the song had finished all of the older students and the teachers started clapping, with all of the first years gradually joining in as we got over our shock.
"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger." Mcgonagall called.
Hermione started muttering under her breath, although we could see her lips moving but not hear anything, we were too far away. The sorting hat was clearly talking to her although no one could hear anything before it called out. "Gryffindor!"
The whole of the table we were sitting at erupted into applause. I immediately realised that we were sitting at the Gryffindor table.
"Draco Malfoy." Mcgonagall called, once the cheering had died down.
Unlike Hermione, where the hat was clearly deliberating what to do, the hat barely touched Draco's heavily gelled hair before shouting out. "Slytherin."
Molly Hooper was next and was quickly placed in Hufflepuff, before it was Sherlock's turn. He walked confidently up to the stool and sat down. The hat sat on his head for a few moments but seemed very sure when it called out "Ravenclaw!"
Many more students passed by until it was Neville, Harry and another boy stood there.
"Harry Potter." Mcgonagall called, and I saw my brother walk nervously up to the stool. The whole hall had started to whisper at this point about the boy who lived, and wondering where I was (you reader should of seen the look on there faces when they thought I had disappeared). Greg looked at me in shock.
"You never said you were Scarlett Potter?" Greg said shocked.
"You never asked." I simply stated, smirking. He smirked back. I could see us becoming good friends.
"Why is it taking so long? No-one else took this long!" I whispered slightly panicked for my brother.
"It takes a while sometimes. One girl last year was on the stool for at least 5 minutes." Greg said reassuringly. Ariella was still sat next to me in silence. The only sign of happiness, or even life, had been when Sherlock was sorted.
"Gryffindor!" The hat shouted causing the whole table to shout and scream for my brother. Ok if this is what fame is like, I don't want it.
I called to him in my head and told him that I was at the end of the table. He looked down the table to me and smiled, I waved slightly, causing the people around me to look slightly confused. Someone clearly realised who I was and soon the whole hall was buzzing, trying to catch sight of me.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore shouted, standing up. I was silently thanking him in my head.
'Not so nice is it?' I heard in my head. I glared down the table at Harry.
"John Watson." Mcgonagall continued, calling the unknown boy. The hat touched his head for no more than ten seconds before it shouted, "Gryffindor." He came over to the table, now cheering for him and sat next to Harry.
Neville was last and he practically ran up to the stool, I had never seen anyone so relieved to have been called, he was even more relieved when Gryffindor was released from the hat's brim.
The professor sat at the head table and tapped her glass "Your attention, please." she called to all the celebrating students.
"Let the feast… begin." send a rather old looking professor 'I'm guessing he's the headmaster' I thought.
'He is.' Ariella thought simply.
'What's his name and the one with that hat I want?'
'Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall.' She was clearly still anxious about later as she was answering my questions as simply as possible.
All of a sudden the Headmaster and Mcgonagall (as well as 3 other teachers) came our way.
"Professor Dumbledore? I was wondering why Scarlett and Ariella weren't sorted with their brothers and the other first years? They were panicking about it a bit, Ariella particularly." Greg asked standing up.
"Mr Lestrade, I assure you that you will find out soon enough. If Miss Holmes and Miss Potter, could come with us now, we will sort everything out with them and then I am sure they will be able to tell you another time." The Headmaster said kindly.
"Come on Aria." I said to the nervous girl next to me offering her my hand. "We will see you soon Greg."
We followed the professor's until we got to an odd looking staircase. It had an eagle gargoyle on the front and statues either side, but the stairs lead to nowhere.
"Smarties." McGonagall said, clearly amused at the password choice. The stairs started twisting round revealing an entrance. The stairs started to spin up into an upwards spiral. 'I love magic'
The stairs eventually came to a stop by a door, that Dumbledore opened. I'm taking a guess and saying that this is his office, and it's massive!
"Professor McGonagall, if you would floo call Mr Holmes." Dumbledore said to McGonagall.
She nodded and stuck her head in the fireplace. I looked at her in shock and slight panic. Her head was in a fire!
"Er, Professor? Is that not slightly… a bit… dangerous?" I asked concerned. Ariella giggled shortly.
"It's a wizarding way of communicating and travelling. In this case communicating. She is calling either my brother or father, I'm guessing bearing in mind Professor Dumbledore said to call Mr Holmes. Probably Mycroft, unless he needs to contact my guardian, but then it would be both my parents." Ariella said smartly.
"Well Miss Potter, Miss Holmes, let me introduce you two the four heads of houses." he said gesturing to the other three Professors and Mcgonagall whose head was still in the fire. "Professor Flitwick, head of Ravenclaw." He motioned to a tiny Professor.
'He's even shorter than you Ariella.' I thought smirking. She gave me a stern look and I instantly changed my face to one of innocence.
"Professor Sprout, head of Hufflepuff." He motioned to a kindly woman who smiled and waved.
"Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house." He motioned to a slightly scary looking Professor wearing black and a cold expression.
"And you have met Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor." He motioned to the woman, pulling her head out of the fire. She smiled kindly, although on her stern face, it didn't quite work.
A noise came from the fireplace and all of a sudden Mycroft stepped out of the fireplace. Ariella ran to him seeking comfort and wrapped her arms around his waist. He put his arms around her instinctively, although in his outfit, and his face that clearly said business, it looked out of place and awkward.
"Albus, Minerva didn't say much. Why is my sister here? And Miss Potter? Why have you called me here?" Mycroft said prising Ariella away from him, she had tears running down her face again. "Ariella? What is wrong dear sister?" He said, clearly concerned for her wellbeing. She just shook her head. He put his arm around Ariella and looked back at Dumbledore, giving him a look that clearly said 'explain'.
"I was alerted as soon as Miss Holmes and Miss Potter stepped on the Hogwarts Express. It seems that they have something to do with the founders. We are not quite sure, but this crystal appeared on my desk the moment both girls were on the train." He handed Mycroft a crystal, he took it in the hand not around his sister, his umbrella now leaning against the desk.
The crystal was multicoloured, with each corner of the crystal a different colour. They were red, green, yellow and blue.
The crystal flew up into the air as soon as Mycroft took it, and 4 ghostly beings emerged from it. There were two women and two men, all of which had an air of importance. One of the women looked soft and kind, she had an aura of reassurance around her, she looked at Ariella, clearly as concerned as Mycroft was. The other woman looked stern but friendly. One of the men looked excited, like a child on christmas, he looked like if he could he would be bouncing and squealing like a teenaged girl. The other man looked stern and despairingly kept glancing at the other man. He had a look on his face as if to say 'do you see what I have to deal with?'.
"I am Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and I am Headmaster of Hogwarts. Now, what is your interest in the two girls you see before you."
"I am Ro…"
"I am Godric Gryffindor, founder of Gryffindor house for the brave lions." The childlike man said, interrupting the stern woman.
"As as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. I am Rowena Ravenclaw and we are here because it was decided by magic that these two girls were our heirs." She said professionally.
"But there's only two of them!" McGonagall said.
"Well you see, they both share two houses and each have a house of their own. Now silence, so we can get on with this. Girls." He snapped his fingers pointing to a space in the middle of the office.
Ariella buried her head deeper into Mycroft's side, even more than she was before, and I moved to stand so I was partially hidden by McGonagall.
"We won't hurt you children." The kindly woman said softly. "Ignore Salazar, he's a bit grumpy." She stage whispered the last part. I heard Ariella giggle slightly, the sound muffled by Mycroft's side.
I moved aside slightly, and slowly walked up to Ariella. I looked up at Mycroft who gave the smallest of nods as I took Ariella's hand and pulled her slightly, out of Mycroft's grasp.
She whined slightly as we walked away from her brother and into the centre of a circle the four founders had made.
"Me first! Me first!" Gryffindor said bouncing. "Ariella Melody Grace Holmes, you have courage that many would see as overrated. You have the courage to stand up for your friends and those around you, although you need to learn to have the courage to be yourself, you will get there. Scarlett Lily Potter," Snape flinched slightly as he said my middle name, I looked at him oddly. "Do you mind professor. This is a beautiful moment. As I was Lily Potter, you hold bravery in a more traditional sense. You are brave, and will face any danger you are faced with gallantly, and you will face it." The professors flinched slightly ."Do… You… Mind. Beautiful moment. You will face it, and even though you may not always come out the victor, you will always come back stronger than ever. You both share the power of Gryffindor House. I, Godric Gryffindor decree this." A red ball of light flew out of his chest and split in two, going into Ariella and myself.
I felt myself and Ariella stumble back slightly.
"I shall go next." The kind woman said looking almost as excited as Gryffindor had. "Ariella Melody Grace Holmes, you have a fight for justice that not many can say that hold completely. You will fight for what is right, even if it doesn't benefit you, and even if it means getting you or your friends being punished. You are true of heart and mind and honest, although not to yourself." I'm sensing a theme here. Note to self, help Ariella with self-confidence. "Scarlett Lily Potter, you are loyal to a fault and will defend those you are faithful to with an iron fist. You trust easily and will become loyal quickly. This is something you will need to control, for you can't trust everyone or everything in life. You both share the power of Hufflepuff house. I, Helga Hufflepuff decree this." A ball of yellow light flew out of her chest and did the same as the red one.
"Do you mind Salazar?" The stern woman asked the stern man, who shook his head. "Ariella Melody Grace Holmes, you have a mind like no-other." I saw Mycroft look almost insulted before regaining his composure. "You are smart and intelligent, seeing things that others do not and have a memory everyone else could only dream of. You are witty, and can charm anyone you meet with your wit. Learning is where you will flourish, taking in everything without effort. You are creative, although you may have difficulty in imagining things without inspiration. You are a true Ravenclaw and hold all the power of Ravenclaw. I, Rowena Ravenclaw decree this." A ball of blue light emerged from Ravenclaw and flew towards a teary eyed Ariella. It flew to her chest and she collapsed. Mycroft flew towards her, but some invisible force kept him out of the circle. He looked like he was about to cry. "She will be fine, the power has just overwhelmed her." That didn't appear to calm Mycroft though so Slytherin started to speak.
"Scarlett Lily Potter, you are ambitious. Setting yourself goals that are unrealistic but that you are determined to reach. You are cunning, able to talk yourself out of any situation that you may find yourself in. You hold leadership, taking charge when others may be unable to do so. Protecting those you hold dear. You are resourceful, making something of nothing and using it to your advantage. You are a Slytherin if ever I saw one. I, Salazar Slytherin decree this." A green ball of light left his chest, and everything went black.
