CHAPTER 3

It was now September 1st, 1990. Aquila had finished packing her trunk and was now sitting on her bed holding an old photograph from her old life. It showed her and a young Minerva laughing and hugging, they were so care-free. She sighed and held it to her chest not hearing her door open. "I miss you, Min." She whispered.

Narcissa gently opened her daughters door and watched in silence as she saw the back of the picture frame and knew which photograph it was. "Quil?" Her voice soft as to not startle the girl. "It's almost time to go." She added as she sat down next to her daughter. "You will see her tonight, but remember you have to call her Professor McGonagall." She reminded softly before she continued. "Are you sure you want to go to school as a Black? I know you dislike Malfoy since you look like my great aunt, but are you sure?" She questioned only haven taken her daughter to the ministry the week before to change her last name.

Aquila rested her head on her mothers shoulder as she held the picture. "It's going to be hard, I have only ever known her as Minerva, Min or Minnie." The dark haired girl looked back at the photograph. "And I'm sure, mother. She knows me as Aquila Ursula Black.. I can't go back to Hogwarts as Aquila Druella Malfoy, I need to go back as Aquila Druella Black. She will figure it out." The girl sighed and put the picture in her shoulder bag. "I promise to owl once I'm sorted, but I know I will be in Slytherin with all the other idiots like last time." She teased knowing her mother disliked when she called all Slytherins idiots.

"What did you say, Aquila?" Her mothers tone now had a hint of amusement. "We Slytherins are not idiots, maybe except for your father and Goyle." She started to tickle her daughter until the girl gave up. "Alright." She said straightening her robes. "We are leaving in 10 minutes, your father had to work. It'll be just you, Draco and myself." She told her before exiting the room.

Aquila sat there for a few moments, a house elf took her trunk to the door and she slipped her bag over the shoulder. "I guess this is it." She whispered looking around her room. She left and closed the door behind her, meeting her mother and brother by the door.

They soon arrived at Kings Cross, Aquila was about to head to the trin when her mother grabbed her shoulders gently. "Now remember, it's been almost 40 years. My aunt said she was never the same again. Be gentle." She told her daughter as she heard her son snicker.

Aquila turned her younger brother and pushed him gently. She knew he didn't know what was going on or why there were always things that were said between the lines. "Before you say anything you know nothing about, Draco." She warned before hugging her mother. "I'll be careful." She promised before heading off to the train.

It was now dark and the first years had just gotten out of their boats and were heading into the castle. The others were looking around wide-eyed, while Aquila calmly followed Hagrid to the staircase where they were greeted by Professor McGonagall, this caused Aquila to hide behind a few other students not wanting to be seen yet, she wanted to see the look on her old friends face when she reads the names during sorting.

Luckily the young witch didn't have to wait long, six people before her were sorted she was in her own little world remembering the first time she was sorted. "Black, Aquila!" McGonagall called causing the girl to snap out of her daydream. She slowly walked up to the front, she saw Poppy's face, she couldn't read her expression, her gazed went to Albus who seemed to offer a half smile. Now she turned to look up at Minerva, she saw shock in her eyes, but her face didn't show it. The first year sat down on the stool and Minerva placed the hat on her head.

'Welcome back, Miss Black.' The hat spoke to her inside her head, he would always keep secrets. 'Last time you were a stall between Slytherin and Ravenclaw, now you get to chose.' The hat offered causing Aquila to think, her father would hate for her to be anywhere other than Slytherin, but she knew she wouldn't fit in there.

'It's good to hear you again, old friend.' Aquila responded in her head, her face not giving away any emotions. 'Father will hate me for a while.' She told the hat before closing her eyes. She knew the hate would know what to do next so she just waited.

"Well, what do we have here. The brain of a bright witch, a heart that is willing to die for love." The hate started it's little speech about how she was going to be sorted. She noticed Professor McGonagall shifting her feet a few times, the script was similar to her old one. "You have the pride of any Slytherin, and yet you are loyal to a fault. Where should we put you." The hat questioned, the Great Hall now becoming silent as everyone sat waiting. It was extremely rare to get a hat stall between two houses, much more rare to get all four houses. "Your top 3 houses would be Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor." The hat announced at this point Aquila froze, eyes still closed not wanting to see Minerva's reaction. 'For your safety at home.' The hat told Aquila privately before opening his mouth. "SLYTHERIN!" It yelled causing Minerva to take it off the girls head. Aquila quickly made her way to the Slytherin table, her back facing the wall so that she could glance up at the professors as they spoke during dinner.