Authors note: Thank you to everyone who favorited my story and a special thank you to percabethbooklion for their review. By the way I LOVE REVIEWS! Of course, I do not own harry potter all I can lay claim to are Gemini Aries Alec and any other characters I make up on my own. This story will be updated periodically. I am a full-time college student with a job and a family so please know I do intend to finish it. Although reviews will definitely lend me incentive. Feel free to leave reviews about things you want to see. Please enjoy my next chapter:
Chapter 4
The sorting feast started off the same way it always did. The old hat yodeling off its song and the little first years scrambling to see what houses they would call their own. Alec was mainly tuning it all out if he was honest. There were only two names he was listening for. Gemini, even though he knew without a doubt that she was going to be a Slytherin with him, and Scorpius who honestly was going to be a wild card. Scorpius was probably most like Hufflepuff because he was very easy going and loyal to a fault. He would never go out of his way to harm another human being, but he would definitely protect his friends till the bitter end. Still, Alec held on to the hope that maybe his best friend would be with him.
Scorpius was trying so hard not to shake but he was terrified and unsure what he wanted. Gemini was still beside him but only because she refused to get in alphabetical order. She glanced over at him and grabbed his hand.
"It's going to be alright Scor. No matter what house you get in we'll still be friends. Well I mean unless you're a badger that is," She teased with a smile that reached all the way to her eyes.
"Oh, so the badgers aren't good enough for you? What if you become a badger yourself Mini?" Scorpius shot back playfully.
"Never gunna happen. I've been Slytherin since the day I was born. Or at least that's how my mom tells it." Gemini stated proudly while puffing out her chest a little. Scorpius felt a sharp tug in his chest because it seemed everyone he befriended or who was important to him was going to Slytherin.
"You know I wish I could be as sure as you. I've been told that I have to be Slytherin by my mother since I was old enough to understand what that meant. Hell, probably before that," He chuckled humorlessly.
Gemini sent him a small sad smile and tightened her grip on his hand and said, "You can always ask the Sorting hat for whatever house you want. It worked for my uncle Harry so who knows it may even work for you." With those final words Professor Flitwick approached and forced Gemini to her appropriate place much to both parties' distress.
Gemini's words echoed in his head and Scorpius wondered if maybe he shouldn't just ask the hat to place him in Slytherin. Honestly, with his father's reputation, it might be the safest option for him. With a deep sigh he decided to see where Gemini was placed first. For some reason he felt this strong urge to look after her and protect her. It almost seemed like he had some kind of kinship with her. Well, whatever it was he knew he wanted to be there for her if she ever needed him. Her own brother might as well bleed red and gold for how Gryffindor he seemed so someone needed to look after Gem when he couldn't and why couldn't that someone be him?
Aries let out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding when his sister was escorted back to his side. There was something unsettling about Scorpius and Aries didn't like how close his sister was getting to ex-deatheater's children. That had to be it. Gem looked slightly upset at being forced to her proper place in line.
"Hey Gemi, are you excited? In just a little bit we'll be full Hogwarts students with houses and everything!" Aries tried to force as much enthusiasm into his voice as possible even as he fought of the slight feeling of dread at being separated from his twin for a whole school year.
"Oh, Aries you know that we will always be there for each other, right? Even when we're in different houses, which is bound to happen, you're my brother. Nothing could ever change that. I love you, you dumdum," She finished the statement by dragging him into a strong meaningful hug. Gemini found herself fighting back a few tears as the thought of her brother not being a quick call or dart away, but she reminded herself that she would still see him daily.
"Yeah I know but its still going to be so different. I mean even when we went to different classes I always had the evening to catch up with you and have you help me with my homework," He mentioned slightly trying to remind her of her promise to still help him with his homework.
"I already promised to help you stay caught up in all your courses and you better not anticipate me to do it all for you like I did in our math classes," She stated with a playful tone. Aries nodded eagerly because honestly, he was going to need all the help he could get. He put the pro in procrastination and Gemini has always been the only one who could get him to settle down and do the work more the 20 minutes before it was do.
"-Aries Granger," Headmistress McGonagall's voice called out quickly separating the two siblings. With one final whispered goodbye, Aries headed towards the stool.
Before the hat had even touched his head, it cried out, "GRIFFYNDOR!" and the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. James even jumped to his feet throwing his fists into the air with a whoop of glee. Aries headed sheepishly towards his new classmates barely able to hold in his own joyous cry. Despite everyone saying he was a true Gryffindor the hat responding so quickly had quelled any remaining doubt.
"Welcome to the winner's circle Aries. Hope you're ready to pull some legendary pranks this year," James whispered to him as he drew him into a warm, yet manly, brotherly embrace. Aries grinned from ear to ear as he turned to watch his sister's sorting.
Gemini laughed lightly at the Gryffindor's response to her brother and vice versa. She gracefully glided towards the stool hoping her own sorting would go as smoothly. As much as she had stated that she was going to be Slytherin she was still slightly hesitant. House acceptance had come along way but how was the Slytherin house going to take to her birth status. She was still unsure where she even stood if she was honest. Her mother was a muggle born but she was also a witch. One of the smartest witches of her age. Then there was her father and Merlin only knew who that was. Her mom never answered any questions about her father. The most she would ever say was he didn't want to be involved so he never would be.
The walk to the stool seemed to last forever with all the thoughts clouding her brain but finally she sat gently on the stool and took a deep breath as the hat was lowered to her head.
'Hmm you are an interesting one. Unlike your brother you are not simply one house or another. I haven't had a puzzle like you in many years. With all your brains Ravenclaw would be very lucky to have you but I don't feel that's where your heart lies," The hat grumbled in her mind.
'Could I truly belong in Slytherin?' She anxiously thought hoping that the hat may have the answers.
'Yes, Slytherin would definitely fit with your devious and vindictive streak. There will be many struggles if you go down that path, yes, many potentially deadly struggles. Will you be able to manage them? I guess we will see,' and after those disturbing words it bellowed "Slytherin!"
The great hall seemed to echo that word because of how deathly quiet it was. Gemini fought to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. They didn't want her. They hated her! She struggled not to entomb her face in her hands. Finally, the sound of a single person clapping came from the Slytherin table. Gemini searched to find the person who was being welcoming to her.
Alec quick wound his way around his fellow dumbstruck Slytherin housemates. He was disgusted by their behavior. So, what if she had a muggle-born for a mother, Gemini was one of them. His clapping encouraged some of the other younger Slytherins to join in so he could stop and hold out his hand. The look of utter disbelief on Gemini's face cut him straight to the core and he vowed then and there that if anyone had a problem with her, they were going to definitely have a dangerous problem with him.
Her had shook ever so slightly as she placed it in him and he tightened his grip as he drew her into his side and whispered, "Don't let them see you falter. You have more to offer in your pinky then most of them have in their whole body."
Gemini closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath and when she opened them again it was like an icy mask had settled across her features. She was cunning and sure of her choice. The rest of her house be damned if they didn't believe she belonged because she had at least one friend who wouldn't leave her side.
The sorting continued on with much more vigor and Gemini made sure to clap ridiculously loud for every single student much to the chagrin of her housemate who had decided to give her a wide berth. Well, aside for Alec who chose to join her in her ridiculousness, much to her enjoyment.
Eventually it was Scorpius's turn and now he knew exactly where he belonged. He strode forward with purpose and without any hesitation. The hat was deposited on his head and he started chanting his choice as loud as he could.
'Boy you don't need to chant so loud. I swear its almost too loud for me to read your mind. Do you really wish to be there so much? Its not the best match for you. You are extremely intelligent despite this act of childishness and Ravenclaw could definitely use a brain like yours. No? Fine stick with your inane choice, just stop yelling.' With a deep sigh the hat cried out "Slytherin!"
This time it seemed like the whole of the upper classmen of Slytherin were on their feet cheering much like Gryffindor were for Aries. The response caused a deep pit of acidic rage to form in his gut. Still he could see Gemini and Alec cheering and clapping with all the rest. Scorpius forced his way through all the students who wanted to shake his hand and congratulated him, without giving any of them a single glance of acknowledgement, till he reached Gemini who happily threw her arms around him.
"Oh Scor! I am so happy that I have both of you with me!" Gemini barely managed to suppress her girly squeal of delight. Alec clapped him on the shoulder with a bright knowing smile. Scorpius wanted to protect Gemini just like he did. Well one thing was for sure, Scor's mother wasn't going to be sending a howler tomorrow.
The rest of the sorting continued on as expected with Albus ending up with Aries in Gryffindor, to no one's surprise, a feeling of calm had settled across the great hall. But as everyone knows it never stays calm for long.
"I still can't believe that your sister is cuddling up with those snakes. Did you see what Zabini did? He's probably just acting all chivalrous to get to us and doesn't even give on iota about her. Disgusting," James scoffed shaking his head.
"I don't know James we didn't exactly help her out with all that," Aries murmured fighting down the harsh wave of guilt that was rising in his chest.
"Come on Aries it's not like us standing up and clapping for her would've helped with her housemates. Seriously it would've made everything a hell of a lot worse," James stated with finality and Aries wished he could believe him but when he glanced over to catch his sister's eye, she met him with an icy glare that chilled him to his core.
"Just listen to James Aries he's never steered us wrong," Albus chimed in gazing at his brother as if everything he said was pure genius. Aries wished that he could be so sure.
"Your brother is staring at you again, in case you were wondering," Alec pointed out trying to get Gemini to drop this icy shield she had settled into after the sorting was completed.
"Good for him. I could care less if his eyes dried out from lack of blinking at this very moment," She replied succinctly turning back to her food. Scorpius started to ruffle his eyebrows in concern and made eye contact with Alec over Gemini's bowed head and they had one of those best friend conversations that had no need for external communication.
'What should we do, this isn't her.' Alec sent. 'Yea, but what can we do?' Scorpius replied then he saw Aries gazing wistfully at his sister guilt apparent in his hazel eyes and an idea popped into his head. 'You know what would really make her feel better? Or at the very least break this ice wall,' Scorpius tilted his head towards Aries. 'No way! Are you crazy that would never work!' Alec's eye practically screamed. 'Would you rather deal with this? Potentially all semester?' Scorpius replied gesturing towards Gemini who was currently moving her food around but not taking a single bite. 'Fine! But can it wait till I finish my food? I don't want to lose my appetite and that table is definitely off putting,' Alec glanced at the Gryffindors table with a scowl.
"So Zabini Malfoy are you sure you wouldn't rather sit with real Slytherins instead of the family reject? I mean her own family didn't even cheer for her. Guess she's just a disappointment to everyone who meets her," Sam Goyal, 3rd year Slytherin, chuckled at his own joke and a few other older Slytherins joined in while the younger ones just averted their gaze.
"I'm surprised you even know what a true Slytherin even is Goyal. Didn't the hat try to put you in with the puff heads? Guess your daddy's money is still good for some things," Zabini sneered while leveling the older boy with a withering glare that had cowed many more fearsome foes. Half the table seemed to be holding their breath.
"Please tell me I misheard you Zabini because it sounded like you just insulted me and that is a very stupid thing to do. So, I am going to give you one chance, and only one, to take back what you just said," Goyal growled leveling Alec with his own meager attempt at a fearsome glare.
"Wow. People must be really scared of you if you have to give people the chance to insult you again, Goyal was it? I would've just punched the offending party if it was me. Although I understand if a second year like Alec seems more intimidating that doing so would be very hard for you to manage," Gemini's icy voice and cruel words seemed to captivate everyone at the table.
Goyal's mouth started to flop open and shut as if he was trying to find his next words and failing terribly. Alec glanced over his shoulder at Gemini who still hadn't even glanced up from her plate. She was something else.
"Like you would know anything. You and your sullied blood don't belong any where near the noble Slytherin house. Everyone knows your mother is just a whore who doesn't have any idea who your father is," Goyal finally snarled spittle fly from his mouth as he encroached upon her. Alec started to rise so he could knock this fucker flat on his face but the second he moved a hand on his shoulder forced him back down. He glanced towards Gemini to find her standing at her full 5' 2" with a hand on both Scorpius and his shoulder.
"Wow Goyal I find it surprising that you would bring up my parentage and lack of a father considering the fact that your own mother was, and still is, nothing more the Mr. Goyal's whore while he was, and still is, with his wife. Does he even acknowledge you beyond a monthly stipend for you care? At least I can say that while I've never met my father, I can guarantee my mother isn't someone's background whore," Gemini's knowledge seemed to shock the whole house and most of them had some begrudging respect growing towards her.
Goyal's face was turning a truly interesting shade of boysenberry as he was being bested in a word battle with a 1st year. Although, it was Goyal it still was something. Goyal tightened his ham hands into tight fists so hard that his arms started to quiver. His control snapped and his arm swung towards Gemini's face and both Alec and Scorpius moved to intercept him. The whole hall heard the crack of flesh meeting flesh and whipped around to see what happened. Lying flat on the ground was an unconscious Sam Goyal with a bright red mark marring his cheek. Looming over him was another student.
Quickly the Professors stated sending off their houses as Head Mistress McGonagall strode over to the group with an air of fury so intense it seemed to whip around her. "You will all follow me this instance. Madam Pomphrey please see to Mr. Goyal's care and when he is up please have him sent to me immediately," with those final words McGonagall turned with a flurry of robes and headed of towards her office with the trouble making group following close behind. Oh, how she hated to write to parents so early in the term.
Authors question: Who do you think punched Sam? Will Draco have to come to Hogwarts? R&R Lots of love Jatzogirl
