Her wand turned out to be absolutely beautiful. It was on the smaller side as wands go, but she was not very tall to begin with. While her brother continued to shoot up, Primrose seemed to be cursed to stay short. Her wand was Vinewood, with the handle containing a beautiful moonstone jewel wrapped around elegantly like twisting roots before tapering off into the rest of the wand. There were small etchings on the wand, making it seem like flowers were beginning to sprout around her wand.
Mr. Ollivander ended up using no less than 3 hairs from the ones she brought. One from the male, one from a mare, and one of all gold from one of the foals. She wasn't sure what it meant, but her wand felt wonderful in her hands, very much unlike the other wands she had tried previously.
Now that the time had come, the Malfoys stood beside the bright red engine of the Hogwarts Express. Children were running around, greeting friends or holding onto younger siblings and parents. Some were already in their uniforms while others were wearing either muggle clothing or every day robes. Abraxas sneered at a group of children with bright red hair before focusing on his own children. Lucius had put on his robes, making sure his prefect badge was perfectly placed.
Primrose had decided not to put on her robes just yet, as she didn't want to seem too eager. Besides, she knew where she would go. Her family was always in Slytherin, and she wasn't about to break that streak now. Unfortunately, that also meant being near Sirius Black all year long for the next 7 years, but she could hold her own.
They both said gave their father all their love and farewells before joining the masses on the train.
"Prim, do you want me to sit with you before I head to the prefect meeting" Lucius asked, looking both proud to be able to show his sister around and nervous to leave his baby sister without someone there to guard her.
"Luci, I'll be alright. I'll probably just look for Jamie and join his compartment. If he becomes too rambunctious then I shall seek you out, I promise." Primrose responded.
Lucius sighed before hugging his sister and whispering in her ear "Please don't let anyone else hear you call me that. I only like it when you call me that. It would feel wrong to have someone else say it."
Primrose whispered back "I know the feeling brother. Now go, I shall be fine." She pulled back from the hug smiling up at her brother. Lucius left after that, leaving Prim to find her godbrother.
After searching through the various compartments, she found James sitting with Sirius Black and another boy she did not recognize.
"Jamie! How are you? I feel like I barely spent any time at all at your home with Aunt Dorea and Uncle Charlus!" Prim said before plopping down in front of James, next to the rat faced boy she didn't recognize.
"Well, sister dearest you decided to be a book worm all summer again, resulting in me having to practice flying instead. I vow to be on the Gryffindor team as the youngest player!" He announced quite proudly, standing up from his seat thrusting his closed fist in the air in victory and determination.
Primrose just laughed good heartedly at her godbrother, causing his ego to deflate some.
"Well dearest brother I am positive that you will at least get into Gryffindor" she said happily.
Then there was a disgruntled huff from besides James, forcing Primrose to face the bane of her existence.
"Hello Heir Black." She said drolly.
"Hello stuck up book worm, here to break my nose again?"
"Oh, why would I do that without mother dearest here to defend you?"
"You want a mother? You can have her."
"No thank you, I have Aunt Dorea. She's the best mum in the world" prim said while smiling towards James.
"It's true, my mum is the best" James said back happily, completely ignoring the fighting his two friends had going on.
"E-e-excuse me b-but who are you?" said the timid rat faced boy next to her. She turned towards him, taking in his face.
He seemed thin, almost too thin. He had sandy colored hair that was cut short, unlike Sirius and James' hair which was distinctly unkempt. He made her stomach hurt, but she didn't know why.
"My name is Lady Primrose Malfoy of the House of Malfoy. I am also James potter's god sister. Unfortunately, I am also this mongrel's god sister too" she announced before pointing towards Sirius with her chin.
"You are lucky to be my god sister. Otherwise, I would have made sure father banned you from the house after the first chaotic step you took into it" Sirius stated back angrily.
Choosing to ignore Sirius, she faced the other boy again.
"I'm sorry, but I did not catch your name."
"O-oh! My name is P-peter. Peter Pettigrew."
"It was a pleasure meeting you Pettigrew. Jamie, I am going to find another compartment. Good luck on getting Gryffindor, although I highly doubt you'll need it. Sirius, have fun in Slytherin" Primrose sneered toward Sirius before leaving the compartment.
She walked through the isle looking for an empty compartment, but it seemed that they had all been taken. She decided to sit with a boy who was alone reading a book. He seemed shocked to have someone join his compartment.
"H-hello. Do you need this seat? I can leave if you like" he stammered out.
Primrose looked towards him before sitting directly across from his seat. He had light blonde hair, green eyes, a few scars on his face, but more than anything he seemed pale.
"No, that's alright. I don't bite, I promise" Primrose jokes. This just made the boy even more pale. Primrose decided to continue on.
"My name is Lady Primrose Malfoy, of the House of Malfoy. I have an older brother named Lucius who's a 5th year prefect. What's your name?"
The boy looked at her through his wide green eyes before closing them, taking a deep breath, and started to answer her question.
"My name is Remus Lupin. My father works in the Ministry with your father, I think."
"Creature regulations, right?" she asked, happy that he had finally talked to her.
"Y-yes. He works specifically with the werewolf population."
They spoke for what felt like several minutes before the question of house choices came up.
"I want to be in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw" Remus said before continuing. "I love to learn, but I'm most excited for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I'll most likely go to Slytherin with my brother. My whole family has been there. I see no reason to rock the boat. Plus, I missed him so much during the school year. I'm not about to let us be separated now that I'm finally old enough to join him!"
Remus got quiet at that, which worried Primrose.
"Remus… would you not be my friend if I got into Slytherin?" she asked quietly. She had hopped he wasn't prejudice already. Jamie made fun of her goals to be in Slytherin, but she knew Aunt Dorea had been in Slytherin as well so he had no real room to talk.
Her question startled Remus back into reality.
"Oh! No, nothing like that. I just always wondered what it would be like to have a sibling. I'm an only child."
Primrose grasped his hand before giving it a squeeze. "Well, I am your friend. Its not the same as a sibling, but my God brothers are also on this train, James Potter and Sirius Black. I'm sure Jamie would love to be your friend if you both get into the same house. Sirius will most likely go to Slytherin though. His whole family had gone there."
"Thank you. I'm not that good…at making friends."
"Well, we tend to be stubborn people. I have a feeling that you will be too."
They continued to talk as the train passed by. Eventually, Lucius joined them briefly before hugging his sister and doing his rounds. He greeted Remus after being introduced, but left it at that.
The intercom on the train announced that they would be arriving soon, prompting Remus to go to the water closet to change and allowing Primrose to change within their compartment. Her father had bought her the best of robes, with acromantula silk for the inside lining. Her skirts were pressed as were her blouses and ties, although her stripped tie currently wasn't colored with any house affiliation.
The exited the train, leaving their luggage for the house elves to take to their dorms once they had been sorted. Primrose decided to drag Remus with her towards Jamie so that they could all ride in the same boat. Unfortunately, that also meant riding with Sirius, but that was alright. Peter had been forced to ride in a separate boat as only four children were to sit per boat.
The boats moved on their own through the lake and underneath the vines and flowers of the overhanging trees. Primrose felt like the pieces of nature that brushed up against her cheek were welcoming her to Hogwarts. It felt incredible. After breaking through the canopy of trees, the stars were visible shinning brightly. For once, Jamie and Sirius were not acting crazy. She was half afraid that they would have rocked the boat or pushed her into the water in the case of Sirius. Thankfully, Remus seemed to have been keeping them in check. Thank goodness! Maybe this was a sign that they were meant to be friends.
As the boats docked in front of a large staircase that seemed to wind up to the front door. They all followed their guide up onto the front steps waiting to be welcomed into the school. Some of the other first years seemed anxious, while others appeared focused. Someone had been passing around that the first years had to fight a beast before they were sorted, but Primrose doubted that was true. How could they accept muggleborns if they had to fight some beast without magic?
At that moment, Professor McGonagall stepped out from inside the school before closing the large double doors behind her. She cleared her throat to get everyone's attention.
"Good evening First Years. Welcome to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. For the next seven years you shall call this place your home away from home. Some of you may continue to feel like it is even after you graduate. You are about to be sorted into the four separate houses we have at this school. The houses will become your family. You shall eat, sleep, learn, and knowing students most likely cause trouble and mayhem together. You will gain points for your accomplishments, and lose points for disobeying the rules. At the end of the year, we will award the House Cup to the house with the most points. The houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
She paused, adding to the seriousness of what they were all about to enter.
"Smarten yourselves up!" She said, before three knocks came from behind the door.
"I believe they are ready for you. Come along now."
The doors opened as if by magic, and Primrose got her very first look into the Great Hall. Her brother had refused to draw what it looked like, saying he would never have been able to do it justice. She had to think he was right at this moment. The ceiling was enchanted to appear as the night sky, with candles of all sizes bobbing up and down while lite. There were four massive tables surrounded by students waiting for the sorting ceremony. At the front of the room was a podium of sorts, a small stool in front of it with an old battered hat resting on top. The teachers all sat at a horizontally placed long table behind the podium. Someone seemed to be part giant she noticed, as well as someone who must have been part Goblin.
The hat then begun to sing, which she had not been expecting. It rhymed very well about each house and how they must stick together. It was all very entertaining. Primrose wondered if the hat had worked all year on his song for the following year.
Professor McGonagall had stopped them safter they had all entered through the double doors before moving to stand next to the stool and singing hat. She pulled a list from her pocked that unraveled down to the floor.
"Now, when I call your name you will take a seat on the stool. I shall place the sorting hat on your head where you will then be placed in your new house. "
She began calling names. Primrose zoned out until she felt Sirius pinch her arm slightly.
"Ow! What was that for you jerk?" she whispered at him angrily.
"I refuse to be in Slytherin with you for the next seven years, so why don't you be a pretty doll and go somewhere else huh?" Sirius whispered at her, trying to convince her.
"Nice try, but I am not going anywhere else but Slytherin. You however should try for Gryffindor. Could you imagine your mother's face when she finds out? You may very well kill her with news like that. Your real wish would finally come true" She replied, firm but whispering conspiratorially back at him.
"You know what Doll? You make an excellent point. Just wait and watch for the magic to happen." Sirius said before turning back to the sorting process.
"Sirius Black!" The professor called out finally, allowing Sirius to saunter up to the stool before plopping the sorting hat on his head himself.
It was quiet for several moments, but Sirius appeared as if he was fighting internally somehow with the hat. Eventually it came to a decision that shocked the whole room.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Nobody in the room made a sound until the Gryffindor table started to roar and clap with pride.
He actually managed to do it Primrose thought to herself.
Eventually Remus also sorted into Gryffindor, causing Primrose to throw two thumbs up at Remus for getting his wish. He smiled shyly back at her before sitting next to Sirius.
"Primrose Malfoy!" the professor finally called. Primrose slowly but determinedly approached the stool before sitting down on it as elegantly as an 11 year old could manage, tucking one foot behind the ankle of the other. The hat was placed on her head and everything went dark.
That's when she heard it. A voice. And older gruff sounding voice.
"My my my, what do we have here? Someone who is and is not what they seem. How unique. Not rare, but interesting all the same. I see how ambitious you have been, learning far ahead of your peers. Animagus training already? I see something is holding you back from your form, but never fear. It'll happen right when its supposed to.
Lets see….ambition, courage, firm on your convictions, but not willingly ready to throw yourself into them publically. Hmmm… Ravenclaw would be good for you, but I fear you would be bored there. Not so many high flying Ravens there this year."
Primrose thought to herself "Slytherin, please sir. I want to be close to and support my brother. My youngest God brother will most likely get Slytherin and will need guidance as his other brother got" but the hat interrupted her.
"Ahh yes. The young and impetuous Sirius Black. That boy was always going to be a lion. I'll tell you a secret dear child. Slytherin and Gryffindor are very similar. Two sides of the same coin even. Do not allow yourself to be discouraged by anyone's sorting."
After that parting comment, the sorting hat finally made a decision.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Lucius and the rest of the table clapped proudly at their newest snake. She promptly sat at the first-year end of the table, but flashed her brother a big smile at having joined him finally.
James was called up, but was placed in Gryffindor before the hat even touched his head. Figures she thought to herself. Her god brother was all goodness and bravery. Peter also got Gryffindor, but she had stopped paying attention to the sorting. Eventually, the last person was sorted and the headmaster moved to speak at the podium. The stool and hat were removed by Professor McGonagall as he approached to speak.
"Good evening students! My name is Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. I have been the headmaster of this wonderful school for many years now. When I look at all the young bright new faces here tonight, I remember my own sorting. But enough of an old man's reminiscing. Please enjoy what you are most looking forward to, the feast!"
With that, the tables magically appeared laden with bowls and plates full of food and drink. Some of the other first years started to speak amongst themselves, but Primrose remained quiet. She grabbed some of the salad options as well as roast potatoes and glazed carrots. She wasn't that fond of eating meat a it hurt her stomach.
She noticed a rather pale looking for with poorly kept black hair and second-hand robes sitting not too far from her. She moved her plate to sit across from him, switching with a boy named Parkinson. He smiled shyly at her after switching. She smiled back before turning towards the lanky boy.
"Hello, my name is Lady Primrose Malfoy, of the House of Malfoy. I think from the sorting your name was Severus?" She started.
The boy just looked at her with black blank eyes before nodding slowly. "Snape."
"Severus Snape. That sounds like the perfect name for Slytherin. It's like Salazar Slytherin." Primrose replied happily.
The Snape boy seemed to just ignore her at that point. Primrose looked around to find a pretty redheaded girl staring at her looking nervous. She waved at the girl who returned the wave with a small smile.
"I think the red headed girl in Gryffindor misses you." That got the boy's attention.
"Leave her alone."
That confused Primrose. "Why? I was just waving at her. Is she not nice or something?" which seemed to confuse the boy in return.
"…no, she just isn't a pureblood like you. She doesn't need any extra issues here."
"Oh… Well, next time you go to see her why not take me along? I'd love to make more friends. What's her name?"
"…Lily."
"I can't wait to meet her" Prim said happily. They continued their meal in mostly silence, but that didn't seem to bother either of them. After the welcoming feast had finished, the prefects gathered up their baby ducklings to show them to their new dorms. She was thrilled that her brother was one of the two prefects that had decided to show them the ropes. He smiled down at her before announcing to the rest of the first years. The female Prefect was Gemina Bulstrode. She didn't seem like she was thrilled with baby sitting the new students, but so is the life of responsibility.
After they got to what seemed like another deserted hallway in the bowels of the castle Lucius stopped the herd.
"Now, do not let any other house know of this location. This is the portal to our dorms. Each house has their own portal or portrait or some other defensive mechanism. The passwords change often and shall be posted on the board inside. Check before leaving in the mornings to see if the password has changed. Never write it down or leave it out. We are not Hufflepuffs. The password for this week is Serpensortia."
After Lucius stated the password, the wall seemed to dissolve to reveal a dark entry way. Everyone entered the dorm common room to see that the entire house had occupied the room and couches. It was all dark leather, dark wood, and had an odd green tint. She looked towards what appeared to be a window only to find that they were underneath the lake. She couldn't believe her eyes!
Then the door opened again to reveal a rather large and portly man with fine robes had entered the common room.
"First years, gather round!" the older man stated.
"Welcome to Slytherin. My name is Professor Slughorn. I will be your head of house as well as your potions professor. We only have a few rules in this house so pay attention.
Rule number 1. I do not mind what happens within the common room as long as it stays within the common room. Those who take their issues public will be punished.
Rule number 2. Do not get caught. We are the house of cunning. Do not let petty rivalries force your hand. Sit back. Watch. Plan! If you get caught or exposed, I can only do so much to protect you.
Rule number 3. We are the house of ambition. Therefore, keeping your grades up is a requirement to this house. If you make anything below Exceeds Expectations will earn you a one-way ticket into mandatory tutoring. Each year has a tutoring club set up by either someone in their class or with a class higher.
Rule number 4. Do not let your parent's politics here. Learn, practice, and create your own connections in this safe environment. Once you are finished with your education, you should be more than ready to begin politicking.
Finally, rule number 5." Professor Slughorn stopped at that, taking in the eyes of each of his new charges.
He began shortly after. "Rule number 5 is to never stop being curious. Curiosity is how we find out more about not only yourself but our world. Never let anyone or anything stop you from learning and growing. Now, time to get settled in for the night! Be awake by 6am sharp to get ready for breakfast at 7! First years shall be escorted by the 5th year prefects. Do not be late.
To those of you who are returning, welcome back! I look forward to seeing you all in class, including you Mr. Pucey. Do try to be more attentive this year. Your father has already provided several cauldrons just in case we have any more mishaps this year. "
The common room snickered at the professor's words, before dispersing to do their own evening rituals. Primrose quickly ran up to her brother before hugging him tightly.
"Hello little flower, mind telling me why you were such a hat stall hmm?" Lucius asked, teasing Primrose.
"It didn't happen on purpose Luci! It just was very… chatty. I think he's lonely wherever they keep him during the year."
"Well, you have officially become the biggest hat stall in our family that I can recall" he continued to tease. "Now, go on up and claim the best bed like the princess you are. Try to get one by the window. I see your other classmates have yet to go up to claim their bed. Best hurry little flower and goodnight."
Primrose said goodnight before carefully walking to her dorm. She didn't want to trigger a rush of girls running to claim their beds. Once she found the dorm room for the 1st years, she opened the door. The beds were draped in the silver and green of their house colors hanging from dark wooden frames in a circular pattern. She ended up choosing a bed between two windows, thankful for the evening light. It seemed soothing to her. Her trunk appeared before her bed, so she started to put away her belongings and changed into her pajamas. She settled into her bed before closing the curtains, giving herself privacy. She was exceedingly tired, and decided that maybe sleeping would be best. She put her wand to wake her up at 5:45 before placing her wand under her pillow.
She had finally come to Hogwarts.