A.N: I know I'm a day late but I do apologise. There's a bit of a time skip in this chapter, but overall warnings; canon divergence and au. Luna is a year older, and her and Hermione both have different sortings. Enjoy!

B.E.

Parseltongue

§Severus speak§

~MindSpeak~

~Secret Speech~

XxX

Belladora woke up later than usual; her hair was ragged, and her face had sleep marks upon it. But she felt well rested. She looked to the bottom of her bed and saw that there was a note. "When you wake, please come to the informal breakfast room. Narcissa."

She dressed comfortable, a simple baby pink silk dress. It flowed like second skin and was warmed throughout. On her way out of the door she slipped on her plimsoles and walked at a fast pace to the breakfast room.

She opened the door to find everyone, but Draco already seated. To the back of the room, near the fire place was a tree. Underneath she saw mounds of presents and she had to physically stop herself for vibrating as she sat down next to her Aunt.

"Good morning, auntie. Uncle Lucius. Severus. You all look well this morning. Apart from you Thomas, why do you look so tired?"

Thomas didn't in fact look tired, she was just teasing, and he saw so by the smile on her face. ~You must be getting old, Thomas. Might need more sleep, in future. ~

Thomas looked affronted, and spoke aloud, "I am not old!" Belladora laughed, and her good mood shone across everyone else. They all smiled and turned when the door opened to reveal Draco. He all but raced towards the table, intent on opening presents. "Is it time yet, mother?" He said impatiently, and Severus tapped him on the head with his wand for lack of decorum. However, Severus was smiling. Narcissa nodded and waved her wand, "Me first."

In front of everyone landed a lilac wrapped present. Belladora looked shocked at hers and waved her hands to remove the adhesive holding the paper together. She then folded the paper and placed it to the side. Inside she found the most beautiful pair of gloves, with a matching robe. It was heavy, and of thick material. It shimmered in a cream colour, with silver fur around the hem. She looked up to see that Severus got an engraved box, filled with preserved rare ingredients inside. He met her eyes, and excitement poured from them. Draco had a new trunk, and when he opened it, it was filled with books from the archaic times. Thomas thanked her, and gave her a respectful nod before placing the Phoenix tears around his next. For her husband, she got the beautiful archaic cane and he exchanged his old one for it.

Next Lucius waved his wand, and a silver wrapped present lay in front of her. Now she was truly shocked. She looked towards the Malfoy Lord, and he stared back at her. She waved her hand, and her presents unwrapped in the same way as before. In front of her laid a box, and inside was a ring. A ring with the Malfoy crest on. She gasped, and nearly knocked over her chair as she stood.

"This is the Malfoy Heiress ring. Why are you giving it to me?"

She was confused. She looked towards her father, and then towards the Malfoys. They all seemed incredibly pleased, smiling even, and when Lucius replied she nearly gaped.

"You are apart of our family, Belladora. It is time it became official. Your father, and mother shall stay the same. You will just have the Malfoy name."

She stared down at the ring. As all things Malfoy, it was silver, and a blue crest was engraved on it. Her family, as she now called them, looked away as she put it on her finger, the opposite of where her heiress ring sat. She soon became overwhelmed, but she pushed it to the back of her mind to deal with later, as family magic ran through her.

A glow rose up and settled at her forehead manifesting in a small blonde streak going through her hair. She thanked the Malfoy lord, as her present seemed minute in comparison.

Another present appeared in front of her, this time in red paper. The script on the tag said her fathers name, and she unwrapped it. Inside was a book, a small old book that she had never seen before but knew of. It was a book on parsel magic.

"I figured, Belladora, that once we get your core cleansed, it could be something we learn together."

From Severus she got a small gift. To others it would seem like nothing, but to her it was the world. A pocket size portrait of her mother sat staring back at her, she smiled and waved, before laughing at something off camera. Beside it laid a locket. She thanked him profusely and realised that it was her turn for gifts. She waved her hand, and dark green presents jumped to their respectful owners.

Narcissa gasped at the material of her cloak, and thanked her profusely when she told her that it changes every season; Lucius' eyes widened at the crystal decanter and expensive fine whiskey; her father inhaled sharply at the two blades, and the charcoal holster that glinted in the light. Severus placed his present to the side, as he hadn't opened the rest of them; only Narcissa's. Draco however, laughed softly at his present, and thanked her, before placing his gift in front of her. She opened it and inside laid a small silver band. Similar to the one around Draco's wrist.

"They communicate with each other, you touch the band and think a message, and the message scrolls across the band." Draco explained, and she laughed as she received his message. ~Happy Yule.~

They all went their separate ways after breakfast, as they had to put their gifts away; but as she entered her bedroom, she saw another note upon her duvet. At the side, a small box. The note read: 'Bella, please take the matching earring. It is something we have in common, as languages are one of our interests, and plus if you ever need anything, I am merely a thought away'. She opened the box, and as said laid the matching earring to Severus'. Smiling, she called Missy and asked her to pierce her ear; she did so without complaint and soon she had piercing.

It was time to pack after that, as later on tonight they were returning home. She spent the rest of her day reading, eating dinner with her family, and writing a letter to both of her new friends. She asked them how their Yule was, and if they would like to come to Avery Manor for tea. Soon it was time to leave, and they were gathered in the flooing room. She hugged Draco and bowed to Lucius. "I shall see you later, Brother mine. Uncle Lucius, I hope you well and that I'll see you soon." She then glided towards Narcissa and hugged her tightly. "I shall miss you, Auntie. Please write to me?" Narcissa place a hand on her head and promised. With some final good byes, they exited through the Floo.

XxX

Belladora didn't have enough time. She realised as she reminisced over what had happened at Yule. Now she sat months later with Luna and Pansy in her sunroom.

"We start Hogwarts soon."

Belladora spoke, stirring her tea with a wave of her wand and a muttered spell. Pansy sighed, "Well be ahead of our classes, with all the training the boys have put us through."

She looked morosely at her tea, while Luna barely blinked at hers and waved her hand to stir it.

"Can you believe how fast these months have flew, Bella?"

Luna's voice stroked against their ears and seemed to calm their inner turmoil. Belladora agreed with her. As soon as they had gotten back from the Malfoys, training started the next day. She soon invited Draco, Pansy and Luna to join her in training and they became so in tune. When duelling, they could not go against each other, as they could read one another like they could their reflection. Everyone of them was now able to cast 1st year spells with their wands, and some could cast silently, their potions were perfect, and they knew up to second year charms.

"Do you have all of your things ready, Bella?" Pansy asked, ever the minder.

She always made sure that everyone was ready for the next day. However, it wasn't necessary for Bella. Ever since getting her core cleansed, her memory had been better than ever. She replied anyway, finding it endearing.

"Yes, Pansy. Are your clothes set out ready for tomorrow, and the rest packed?" She stroked Samael, who was laid around her neck. He hadn't grown much, still small enough to wrap around her wrist. The girls nodded their affirmative, and she breathed. Hogwarts.

"Now that its time to go, I don't want to. All those rules and restrictions, finding time to do anything for My ladyship is going to be hard."

They both nodded, and Luna started to hum. The tension drained out of Bella's body and she smiled at Luna in thanks. Pansy stood, and the other stood to follow.

"We best double check our trunks, and then go and see the boys before we settle down."

They checked their trunks for the third time, and then quietly wandered down to the music room. Inside sat Severus, reading a potions journal. Draped in a silk black tunic, and his robe over the back of his chair, he looked regal. He ran his hand through his hair, forgetting that it was tied in a bun resulting in it falling out. It had gotten longer over these months, as he decided to grow it out past his shoulders. He waved his hand and it pulled itself into a bun again.

Belladora cleared her throat delicately, and Severus turned to them, smiling.

"I hope everyone is packed, and ready to go."

Belladora smiled, and nodded walking towards an open chair in front of him.

"What are you reading?" Luna said as she sat down at Belladora's feet. Pansy shuddered at the thought and chose a chair at the side of her.

"I am reading about poisons; and how to counteract them. Someone developed a time delayed potion that acts like the muggle cyanide drug. I wish to counteract it."

Belladora held out her hand for the magazine, all the while playing with Luna's hair.

"This is interesting, May I be a part of it, Severus?" She asked while handing the magazine back. He was about to nod, when Luna appeared in front of him, conjuring a small bouquet of flowers with her. The arrangement went as so; Jamaican forget-me-nots, garden chervils, sycamores, and American cowslips. Belladora smiled, remembering the first time Luna had done such a thing.

~ Flashback ~

Severus and Tom were sat in the drawing room, caught up in an enriched conversation. It was a few weeks after Yule, and Pansy and Luna were here. They all wandered into the drawing room, Belladora taking the seat across from Severus, and Pansy taking the one on her left. However, Luna stood swaying from foot to foot, as though in a predicament.

"Little Luna, sit where ever you wish." At Belladora's insistence, Luna curled up at her feet. Everyone in the room blinked at her, and Pansy looked outraged.

"Your dress, Luna!" She said, scandalised. But Luna paid no mind. She hummed, and her tones galloped around the room, bringing an upbeat to the conversation.

This went on for a little while, before she stood and wandered in front of the dark lord. Both Pansy and Belladora paid little attention towards this, as she did it all the time, but the dark lord was shocked. She then conjured a small set of flowers, and sat on his chair arm, arranging them in his hair. By the time she was finished, the dark lord had a very colourful flower crown. Peruvian heliotropes, lemon blossoms, mezereon, white carnations and flax to name a few. Belladora laughed delightedly, as Luna was always the one to figure things out.

Tom was very confused, until he pushed at the strange witches shields and saw that she was faking the airiness about her. There was intelligence, and observance in her. He smiled and nodded. "Thank you, my dear."

Pansy looked confused as Luna stood, and curtsied low for Tom, before she gasped, and rushed to join.

"Pansy, I would like you to meet my father; the dark lord."

Luna then turn to Severus who already had his wand out, now pointing it at her threateningly.

"You shall not put any flowers in my hair, Miss Lovegood." Luna sighed and sat on the ground to weave together his flower crown.

"But Severus, the horned snorkels want you to have this crown."

Luna said in an airy voice and Belladora glared at Severus until he allowed her to put it on his head.

"Little Luna speaks in the language of flowers, Severus. She gave to Thomas flowers to show her devotion to his cause, a desire to serve in it at a later date, something about fate that only Luna understands, and endearment." Belladora looked at his head and laughed as she saw the ring of flowers.

"To you she gives flowers of fascination, health, friendship and maternal affection."

Belladora said, laughing at his disturbed face. Luna came and sat back at her feet, humming slowly to a tune only she could hear.

~ Present ~

Now Severus accepted the flowers with a smile and turned to answer her.

"Yes, you both may help, however only I shall test it. Thank you, Luna." Belladora smiled, as Luna returned to her regular position. She would miss this dynamic. Sitting, at peace with herself, around friends and companions with Severus and her father. She would definitely miss it.

The next morning shone. Early, the girls were up, and dressed slowly as they had nothing to do for another 3 hours until 11 o'clock. They all had an image to portray, and so dressed in their best dresses.

Belladora dressed in a floor length, flowing closed robe. It was in a dark navy blue, with sleeves that connected to her ring finger. At the shoulders ran a baby pink line, down her back.the rob was only closed at the torso though, and flared open dramatically while she walked, so underneath she wore white skintight slacks with baby pink accents; her shoes, as always matched perfectly.

Pansy tried to match her, with a cream closed robe that opened up to show dark navy-blue slacks. Luna had worn the opposite of Belladora, by accident; baby pink floor length dress, with dark blue accents running down her back.

They both giggled over how they got it from the same store in wizarding Paris. They walked in harmony, towards Draco's room where Luna knocked. He opened his door several minutes later, with his hair slicked back, black slacks and a green turtle neck.

Belladora scrunched her nose, and Pansy said for her, "I really wish you wouldn't do that to your hair Draco." He shrugged her off though and walked with them down the corridor.

Arriving at the drawing room, they scattered across the room. Draco and Pansy sat over a transfiguration textbook, writing out their thoughts and changes to different spells. Luna had lowered herself into the window seat, with a book on ancient runes. Next her floated a journal and a quill scribbling away. Belladora sat running her fingers across the piano, and they stayed that way for the next two hours. Belladora had just finished her next song when Severus interrupted her.

"It is time."

They all stood synchronised and headed towards the floo room. The elves had fetched their trunks down, and they were ready to floo over to the platform. Her group stepped out onto an empty platform, as it was half ten.

There were no bustling family's, just a scarlet steam train and a sign over head that said Hogwarts express, eleven o'clock. Smoke drifted over head, and they turned to see Severus and her father step through the floo.

Instantly their masks fell as they saw it was empty at this time, and the four of them rushed to say their good byes before people started to trickle in.

"Please write to me, Thomas. I know I'll miss you, and you would be awful bored with out me."

She said, with a small amount of teasing. She smiled as he pulled her in to a hug, before whispering.

"I am in your head my dear, you will never be lonely."

She knew that was true, but she still wanted him to write. She moved on to say her good byes to the professor, switching with the others as they curtsied and bowed to the dark lord; Luna just blinked and walked forward to hug the man.

Belladora laughed. Luna had no tact. She conjured a flower and placed it in his hair all the while placing a similar one in hers. Oleander for her, as a 'beware I am not all that I seem'. A daisy for him, 'farewell.'

They turn once again, in formation; Draco by her side, Pansy to his right and Luna to her left. They stepped on to the train and chose a compartment to the back. They had shrunken their trunks down, and so all the had to do was sit and wait. She watched as her boys apparated away and turned to her company. They were all emerged in books, and she laughed as she had never seen eleven-year olds with such studious tendencies.

Soon the platform was bustling with people, and she spotted the Potter Heir. He was dressed slightly better, with cotton robes instead of muggle rags, but he still didn't match up to his status. She sneered, but otherwise kept her face blank. Their etiquette training had taught them that emotion was a pathway to weakness, and they should not show it otherwise in private.

"Look there. That is the Potter Heir." Draco sneered, but as she thought Pansy and Luna pointed out his state of dress.

"Do not feel sorry for him, Little Luna. He uses his fame as a way to gain popularity, and when that doesn't work, he milks his less than ideal background." She spoke softly, without care. Both girls sneered as they watched him interact with two red heads. Draco gave a small glance towards the trio, and his face turned malicious.

"Already, the Blood-traitors are corrupting." Belladora subtly kicked him in the leg, and he straightened his face out immediately.

It was ten to eleven, and so the train started to fill-up and soon they had other Heirs stopping by to introduce themselves and say hello. Once everyone had boarded, and a screeching voice had finished shouting "Ron!", the train set off towards the school.

The first part of the journey was uninterrupted, and they all could talk, read, and play without judgement. But about three hours later, the wards that Luna had put up at the beginning of the journey rang, and they straighten at once; Pureblood masks went up, and Luna's airy persona came back up just as the door slammed open.

A bossy voice rang around the compartment, "Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one."

Draco sneered at the bushy-haired, bucked teeth girl at their door, but one glance to Bella shut him up.

"I'm sorry, but has anyone taught you about wizard culture?" Belladora asked, sweetly.

The witch looked confused, and then intrigued as she shook her head.

"No, what is it? Is there a book you can buy? Is it important for hog-?"

But Belladora had heard enough. She silenced her with a hand and turned to the Longbottom heir. The witch looked put off but kept quiet as she spoke.

"Well met, Heir Longbottom. I'm sure you already know, but this is Heir Malfoy, Heiress Parkinson, and Heiress Lovegood. I am Heiress Avery, it's a pleasure." She said in a crisp voice and stood to curtsy.

He looked nervously at her, but bowed back and said in a small voice, "Well received, Heiress Avery."

She then turned to the witch who was watching everything with keen eyes.

"This is a simple rule, that above all others should be remembered. This is the standard greeting if you are an heir, or heiress."

The witch in front of her looked as if she wanted to take notes and ran her hands over her pockets to find something. Belladora stopped her and asked for the witch's name.

"My name is Hermione Granger." She said fidgeting softly under Bella's gaze.

"Any relation to the Dagworth-Grangers?" Asked Pansy in a monotone voice. Hermione shook her head and sighed.

"I'm Muggleborn, if that's what you're asking."

Belladora turned but placed a hand on Hermione's elbow to let her know she hadn't dismissed her.

"What is your toads name, Heir Longbottom?"

He scrunched up his face at the title, and spoke shyly, "Trevor".

Waving her hand, the toad came swooping down the train, and through the open door. Neville thanked her profusely before exiting to go back to his compartment.

She turned back to Hermione and invited her to sit down. She could feel the witch's power, raging underneath her skin. Untrained but powerful. This was a witch to have on your side. She touched her silver band around her wrist subtly and sent Draco a message. He looked at his wrist watch, which was on the same wrist as his band, and read ~No complaints, she is powerful. Worthy.~

She led Hermione to a seat, all the while correcting her posture with her magic. It would be no problem having to hold this everyday, but she hoped the girl was a quick learner.

"There are several things you must know about this world, my dear. And I am willing to teach you, but I will also give you books to read. Is this reasonable for you?" Hermione looked scandalised at the thought of turning down more books, and graciously accepted her request. Soon, Bella had a piece of parchment and quill floating while she spoke to the new witch in the room.

"You will have to learn wizarding etiquette, as it is much different to muggles." Luna spoke softly, and Pansy said afterwards, "Of course, and there's the Occlumency training, which Bella will give you a book on." Draco piped up, intrigued by the notion of teaching this new girl a few things. "How to speak, and when to speak. What is acceptable in open society." Hermione was thankful that Belladora was already taking notes, but went to interrupt Bella, and before she could be told that she could not.

"But how did you know I was going to interrupt? I had just thought of it." Belladora chuckled softly, face carefully blank but welcoming.

"That is another thing you will be learning, the grasps of Legillmency. Now speak child, you look ready to burst."

Hermione breathed a sigh as she spoke, "How do you do that?", pointing towards the floating parchment.

Belladora smiled, "That is wandless magic. The same magic that is holding your posture up."

Next came the importance of appearance, which Draco brought up, and he moved to play with her hair. "May I?" He said, while motioning towards his wand. She looked cautious, but curious and so agreed. In seconds, her hair had flattened down from her lion's mane, and settled into thick, luxurious curls that cascaded down her back. She gasped softly and marvelled at the touch of silky-smooth hair. He promised to teach her before moving on to her uniform.

"I'm sorry to ask, but are you poor?" Belladora sighed. "Have some tact, Draco."

But Hermione only laughed. "The woman in the store said these were standard uniforms," She looked down at herself, and nearly sneered, "but no, I am not poor."

Belladora laughed at her face and moved to resize her trunk. She pulled a silken pearly dress that reached the calf's, along its wrist length sleeve ran a small trail of lace in Slytherin green. And a simple black silk uniform open robe.

She shooed Draco out into the hall and turned Hermione.

"This should meet your needs, it's acromantula silk."

Hermione changed right away, and soon she looked the part of a Pureblood. She ran her hands over her skirt, before a pair of ivory slips were placed at her feet. She slipped them on, just as Draco entered again. He looked her up and down, before nodding.

"Now you look presentable. Fit for an heiress title." Hermione smiled, but then it shuttered. She eyed them all suspiciously, and asked "Why are you all being so nice to me?"

Belladora smirked. Finally, she was acting like a Slytherin. "You are a powerful witch," she started, "you are capable of much more than you think," Pansy continued, "we wish to teach you how to use it, without other people taking advantage of it first." Luna finished.

Hermione relaxed minutely, but still noticed Luna's subtle slip. "So, you're taking advantage of me first?" She enquired.

Belladora smiled, "We are Slytherins, my dear. Does it bother you?"

Hermione hummed, and shrugged. "It bothers me a little."

So Belladora offered her something to ease her. "If a book held every answer, and every helpful reference, would you want to read it before the next person grabs it?" Hermione thought to herself for a while, as she sat at the side of Draco.

"I suppose so."

They talked for the rest of the journey, some of it about wizarding culture and other trivial things. Belladora lent Hermione the respecting books, and in the final hours spent on the train, they read.

A small voice rang throughout the train alerting them of five minutes until the end of their journey. They packed away their things, and as the train stopped, donned their cloaks. They walked as one, making sure Hermione was in the middle so they could speak to her when needed.

"Don't worry, Hermione. There will be four days before school starts. That's plenty of time to teach you etiquette. You will learn fast." Belladora said, pushing her magic to correct Hermione's walking posture.

Together they exited the train, and a loud voice shouted out above the bustling of students.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?"

A big hairy face came into their view, and disgust rolled off Draco in buckets.

"Apparently, the Potter Heir has made another friend." And she and her friends watched as Hermione stopped herself from asking a question. Belladora smiled proudly and moved with the other first years.

They walked for while; the passed Hogsmead station, and around a bend before the giant mentioned hogwarts. They finally saw the towering school, standing in righteous glory, and Hermione barely contained her gasp.

Soon they arrived at a lake, when the giant spoke again. "Four t' a boat! No mor' then four!" Draco wordlessly slipped away to sit with heir Zabini and two lumbering males that she couldn't make out.

The lake was unsteady, and Bella swore she saw something beneath the surface but the sight of hogwarts distracted her. They arrived at the docks and were led towards a grand door. The giant knocked twice, and it opened on its own to reveal a stern looking witch.

"Tha' firs' years prof'ssor McGonagall."

The stern witch looked over them tepidly and thanked the giant.

"If you would all follow me."

It wasn't a request, as the statement would have suggested; every student walked through the door way, and up a grand set of stairs. She turned and stopped them from entering the doors behind her. A stern voice ricocheted off the flagged stone floors, and the fire lit lanterns created shadows across her face as it moved.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, first years. No dallying now, straighten up." She commanded silence with every word and soon had the attention of at least 100 excited 11-year olds.

"The start of term feast will soon begin, but before that you will need to be sorted in to your houses. The sorting ceremony is a particularly momentous time, as it will pick your place among these walls, and give you a new family. You spend your free time with them, you will eat with them and you will learn with them. Your triumphs will earn house points, and any rule breaking shall lose you points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points shall be rewarded the house cup. It is a great honour to receive such a thing. I hope each of you will be a credit to which ever house you are placed in.

"The houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The sorting ceremony will begin shortly, I suggest you smarted yourselves up as much as you can."

Her eyes lingered upon the crowd, pointedly looking upon a small group of boys surrounding the Potter Heir. Then she turned and walked away.

Draco started talking immediately, "I bet all, but Hermione and Luna go to Slytherin. 5 galleons." He spoke with a smirk.

Belladora shook her head with a cold smile, "Absolutely not! Luna is every bit a Slytherin as you are."

Hermione was about to pipe up when the Potter Heir traipsed in front of them. She picked up a strand of her hair, as did Luna aiming to look uninterested.

"I see you're still hanging around with snakes, Bella." He said smugly. His band of fans laughed, and a girl tittered beside him.

"You do not have the privilege of my first name, not to mention a nickname. I suggest you don't use it."

Belladora's eyes flickered, her iridescent iris fluctuating between black and white, but the boy paid no heed to her rage. He turned on Hermione.

"I haven't seen you before, what did they do? Kidnap you?" He laughed along with his crowd, but Hermione just shook her head.

"No, they did not, may I help you?"

"You must know of me! I'm the boy-who-lived!" He said proudly. But Hermione just nonchalantly waved her hand,

"Your point?"

The gangly lad looks disheartened before he held his hand out, "The names Harry Potter, and I think you'd better start hanging out with me, if you don't want to end up in Slytherin."

Belladora internally bristled but watched proudly as Hermione's face remained unchanged. Her legs were subtly shaking, but magic fixed that quickly. Hermione's confidence went up, and with it she curtsied before standing and maintaining eye contact. Mimicking Belladora in the train, she spoke softly.

"Well met, Heir Potter. My name is Hermione Granger, it is a pleasure to meet you. Thank for your kind offer, but I'm going to have to decline."

Potter looked confused, and then he turned red. But before he could shout, a scroll landed on his shoulder. Professor McGonagall had returned. "Now, form a line," she said as the children moved to comply, "and follow me."

Belladora's group moved as one, and she slowed down to step beside Hermione.

"You did well, my dear. You'll be a Slytherin yet." She weaved her arm through Hermione's and pushed back her shoulders as several eyes stared down at them. Hermione's head had looked up to the ceiling, and they both said at the same time, "it's bewitched."

Hermione turned to Bella and smiled, before continuing, "to look like the night sky. I read about it, in 'Hogwarts; A History." Belladora chuckled behind a delicate hand. "As did I."

She subtly reached up to touch her earring and thought out to Severus.

§There's a bet going on, 5 galleons on all of us but Luna going to Slytherin. §

Severus met her eye from the head table, before flickering to look down at his snakes.

§5 galleons on all of you going to Slytherin. Who is the witch on your arm? §

She looked around the room, before running her eyes over the head table slowly.

§Hermione Granger, Muggleborn. However, I have decided to teach her. She is fit for Slytherin. You know I like changing history. §

They ended the conversation there, as Severus' laugh echoed through her ear. She tuned in on the others conversation, before they were stopped at a podium.

A small, raggedy stool was placed in the middle, with a ratty brown hat on top. Her group sneered at having to put such a thing on their heads, and blanked as it started to sing. Luna put her hands over her ears and started to hum softly to her self.

Belladora thought the same and wished she could forget the song as it ended. So, this was how they were sorted. A ratty hat divided them. The hall burst into an unwelcome applause as it stopped. She heard a Weasley shout something about wrestling a troll, but she felt Tom stroking at her consciousness.

~I did not wish to miss your sorting, my dear. ~ She left it at that, as she had already missed the first two peoples sorting, and concentrated.

"Boot, Terry" — "RAVENCLAW"

"Brocklehurst, Mandy" — "RAVENCLAW"

Lavender Brown became the first Gryffindor, and Millicent Bulstrode went to Slytherin first. Finally; "Granger, Hermione." Hermione physically shuttered, before Belladora's magic supported her.

She stalked up to the stool and sat primly in the edge. The hat was placed upon silky, brown hair, and all they could do was wait. Belladora waited anxiously as she took a while. The rip opened in conclusion, shouting "SLYTHERIN!"

Hermione looked terrified, but a stroke of Bella's magic had her walking to the steadily clapping table. She sat opposite Millicent, which was a good move as it started off Belladora's hierarchy well. Luna was called next and skipped her way up to the hat. She placed a flower on its brim and placed it on her head; the hat called out Slytherin moments later. She stalked past McGonagall, chittering as she went, but the air turned cold as the professor vanished the flower.

Luna's face never changed, but there was a definitely chill in her eyes as she sat next to Hermione.

Draco's name came up after several other sortings, and he swagged up to the stool. The hat barely touched his hair before it shouted, "SLYTHERIN" and he made his way to sit next to Luna.

The next in her group to be sorted was Pansy, and with a little stall, went to Slytherin. The Potter heir came next, and she called bets amongst her friends. Draco's band warmed on her wrist

~Pansy and I bet a galleon on Hufflepuff, Hermione bets Gryffindor. Luna bet that he's a hat stall. ~

She replied with a bet to Gryffindor, just as Severus' voice rang in her ear.

§Gryffindor. §

His voice was oddly tight, and she looked at him only to see a blank shell. She sighed.

§Relax Severus, your hatred is showing too much. You need to calm down. §

She saw his shoulders unwind and resolutely returned her attention to the sorting.

Finally, the hat called out Gryffindor after a lengthy period in which Luna collected her money from the pile on the table. The boy swaggered over to the cheering table, make a huge scene out of it. Everyone wanted to shake his hand, and when "Weasley, Ronald." Followed, it was like a party.

"Slytherin-Avery, Belladora."

Her hands clasped in front of her to hide her shaking, she glided up to the chair. Gasps resounded throughout the room. She sat delicately on the chair, and as she felt Thomas stroke her mind softly in comfort, the hat was placed over her eyes.

"My goodness, what is this? Let me in childe!" The hats voice was whiny, and she lowered her shields minutely. Apparently, it was enough as he started dithering on about two souls. She encouraged him that it was just family magic, and he got on with her sorting.

"Very cunning, yes. Great power coils beneath your skin, greatness is in your bones. Friendships will be made, and family found in…"

"SLYTHERIN."

A predatory grin moved over her face as she stalked towards the slowly clapping Slytherins. She sat slowly at the other side of Hermione and cleared all emotion from her face. Zabini joined her moments later, and a frail, over dressed man stood at the front of the hall. He opened his arms wide, a simpered grin on his face.

"Welcome students! To another year at hogwarts! Before the feast, I would like to say a few words; Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

He then sat leisurely as food appeared before them.

Hermione turned to them smartly and said in a crisp voice, "He's mad." But Belladora shook her head. "He's not mad, dear. It's a façade."

She placed a small amount of food on her plate, well aware that she could have more if she wanted and watched as Hermione mimicked her.

A slimy voice coated her eardrums, and she looked towards it. A trollish, lanky boy was looking towards her with a sneer on his face.

"Slytherin-Avery? What did you have to pull to make that joke stand?" He laughed, but few around him joined. He focused again on the witch, only to blink at her changed appearance.

White tendrils slithered in the air around her, as her hair reacted immediately; her eyes stayed the same shifting colours though. She spoke softly,

"My full name is Belladora Lilith, the heiress to the houses Avery, Slytherin, Elphick, Riddle, Black, Gaunt and Malfoy. I have more influence than anyone on this table, and I could bring you to your knees. Now show some respect."

She turned to her food, not gifting the boy one more moment of her attention. She tuned into the conversation around her, as introductions were flying around the table. A girl with sharp features and long blond hair introduced herself as Lily Moon, beside her sat Daphne Greengrass. The two lumbering males from the boats introduced themselves, as "Crabbe" and "Goyle" although she could not for the life of her tell you who was who. Hermione was next, and she introduced her self. "Hermione Granger; it's a pleasure."

A tut came from Daphne, and she moved to rest her head on a hand, titling her head towards them.

"A muggle? In Slytherin? The standards of this school really have dropped."

She kept her face blank, as though she was bored, but her eyes showed disgust.

Belladora seethed, but as her hair was already white, it just coiled tighter.

"Unless you want a new addition, Heiress Greengrass, I suggest you be silent. Hermione is a wardress of the Avery line, and unless you wish for a blood feud, it is smart you remain silent." Daphne sneered at her but moved to face her plate; her finger stroked the scar on her face softly.

Once no one's attention was on them, Hermione turned to the shifting witch and questioned in an almost silent voice,

"What does that mean, I'm your ward?"

Bella nodded, and placed a hand on her arm. "It basically means that you're under my protection. However, until I challenge the queen that won't mean anything. You need to learn to protect yourself, and your things. As you know, people do not take kindly to muggle blood."

Hermione nodded, and with it the plates disappeared.