CHAPTER 2
THE SWORD OF MYSTERY
Every student of Hogwarts piled into the Great Hall, waiting for all of the first years to be sorted. Once all of the second years and up had been seated, and the first years [also, Rin] stood waiting. Professor Mcgonagall, one of the teachers, came into the hall holding a tattered and worn looking hat, covered with patches. Professor Mcgonagall set it on a stool so all of the tables could see. Everyone watched and waited, then the hat started to sing. Rin was too nervous to listen to what the hat had to say. She turned around and looked at everyone's faces. Realizing, soon, that the song was over, Rin stopped fidgeting.
After the song, everyone broke into an applause. Soon, everyone was being sorted. First in line was a young girl named Angena, Marcie! who became [after a split second] a Then followed Alins, Lyna! Bordock, Norma and Belsen, Holander who went to the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff tables. After Corman, Nysal! and Daalin, Comman [both Ravenclaw] came Serpens, Rin She shakily stepped up to the stool, and shoved the hat onto her head. Hello, you are new to Hogwarts aren't you? said the hat into her head. Rin thought back. Ravenclaw would be good for you..but I think that I should put you into.. SLYTHERIN! The hat screamed, and everyone [except the Slytherins] had shocked looks on their faces.
Rin happily walked over to the Slytherin table. A Ravenclaw girl stopped her on her way and bent over. Didn't you know that this house has created the most Dark Wizards than any other? The girl whispered. Rin looked puzzled. I..I'm just glad that I got into any house at all! I was afraid that I'd just sit there... and the hat would say that It was all a mistake... Rin laughed. The Ravenclaw girl gave a very unconvincing laugh. Why do you think you're in Slytherin of all places? The girl asked. Probably because Rin fell into a whisper We were taught loads of Dark Arts at Durmstrang. Professor Karkaroff sure knows a lot about the Dark Arts himself. I would have been in Gryffindor besides that. she answered, and walked away, smirking. She then started to laugh. Her laugh was high and a hint of coldness was in it. The Ravenclaw girl glared behind her back, and sat back down.
Rin reached the Slytherin table, where she sat next to Draco Malfoy. [Who had conveniently' saved her a seat] Draco smirked at Harry and Ron with an I-was-right, you-were-wrong' look on his face. Harry glared back. Of all the nerve Ron said, and turned back to his table. Professor Dumbledore looked upon all of the students and, as the last first years were sorted, smiled. The first years were all seated, and Dumbledore began to talk. Girls and Boys, Ladies and Gentlemen Dumbledore said. I know that we are all very hungry, and eager to feast. So, now, I have one last thing to say before we eat this wonderful meal...EAT UP! He cried, and everyone's plates were instantly filled.
Rin looked down at her plate, as the food appeared, and smiled. She started to feast on a piece of steak, when Draco spoke. You're Rin, right? He said in his low, drawling voice. Rin looked up and put down her fork. She swallowed what she was chewing, and looked at him. Yeah, I am. And you are...? She asked him in her calm voice. Draco Malfoy He replied. You may have heard of my father, Lucius Malfoy. Draco said in an voice that made him sound like he was trying to talk importantly. Ah yes, on the Ministry of Magic, right? Rin smiled. So..uh, what is Durmstrang like? I was going to be sent there. Draco said, and picked up a forkfull of mashed patatoes. Shoving the potatoes into his mouth, he looked at Rin. Rin looked up at the ceiling, which was bewitched to look like the real sky, [and was filled with a stars] and replied. Well, I learned a lot there, and I miss it... but I actually think Hogwarts feels a bit...warmer. At Durmstrang, it's so very cold. I'm not just talking about the temperature... we don't have Defense Against Dark Arts at all, like I have heard there is here. We do have a Dark Arts class. Rin said. Draco looked at her with a puzzled expression What's bad about that? I'd think it would be enjoyable learning about how to do the Dark- Draco started. Rin, however cut him off. Oh, no! It's QUITE scary. Creepy, too. We learn how to do many scary curses. Rin shivered, and went very pale. Her hand fell into the vegetables. She said The Dark Arts is REALLY of scary, but yet.. cool in a way. I enjoyed my Dark Arts lessons sometimes. Rin looked at the ceiling again, and sighed. But, it will be good to learn how to fend it off!
Rin smiled at Draco. Who is the head of the houses, by the way? She asked him. Draco looked at the teacher's table, and shoved a large piece of meat into his mouth. He chewed, swallowed, and looked at Rin. Well, Professor Snape, the guy with shoulder-length black hair at the staff table, is head of the Slytherin house. Draco said. Rin grinned He certainly looks happy. She said in a mutter. Draco nodded, Yeah, he is really harsh to the other houses, but, luckily he favors us, the Slytherins. Especially the really mean ones. Oh? Like, for instance, you? Rin laughed her strangely high-pitched and very unconvincing laugh.
Rin looked across the Slytherin table, and saw a girl glaring harshly at her. When she looked at her the Slytherin girl looked back What do YOU want? Why are you even IN Slytherin? She said coldly. You don't deserve to be here. Go back to Durmstrang. At this, Rin jumped up from her seat, and thrust her hands on the table. What's it to you? Stay out of my business! Who are you anyways? The girl answered My name is Pansy Parkinson, and I say you get out of here NOW, and go back to where you come from! She said in disgust. Rin glared harshly at the girl. Well, PANSY....leave me alone, or Rin's voice dropped to a deadly whisper Pansy didn't seem frightened. She put her hand into the pocket of her robes, and brought out a wand. Rin, with a wicked gleam in her eyes, ripped the small sword that was dangling on a string from her neck. The small sword had a stone in it, and the stone was glowing a deep red color. Pansy looked at the sword What-what IS that? Rin smirked. It's a charm I inherited from my mother. Supposedly it holds an unusual power, that it absorbed from the Dark Arts. It's said that only the holder can find the power, and use it for the owner's wishes. I haven't found that power, yet... would you like to HELP me? Pansy threw a nasty look at Rin, and put her wand down. You SHOULDN'T have that wretched thing here. Anyways, stop trying to make friends with people that do not want to make friends with you She shot a look at Draco, and turned back to Rin. Especially when you're not wanted h- But, her words were cut off by Draco slamming his fist on the table. Shut UP, Pansy! I don't see WHY you care if I talk to her! It's not every day that we get students from Durmstrang. He said, and added, blushing furiously I'm just TALKING to the girl. Do you HAVE to eavesdrop? Draco ended his sentence with a very wicked glare at Pansy. She closed her mouth, made a mad look at Draco, and turned to her friends to start jabbering.
Draco rolled his eyes, and yawned. By the looks of them, everyone was tired. Rin yawned also, and her eyes started to droop. Almost immediatley, all of the plates were cleaned, and Dumbledore told everyone that they were now excused, to go to their house dormitories. Rin had absolutely no idea where the Slytherin common room was located. She looked puzzled, but Draco tapped her on her shoulder. Are you about ready to leave? I'm going right now..and I don't suppose you'd know where the Slytherin dorm rooms are? I'll show you Draco said in his low, drawling voice. Crabbe and Goyle walked next to him and Rin. A few minutes later, they stopped at a wall. A boy came behind then wearing a badge with the letter on it. he said, and a sliding panel slid open in the wall. Rin, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and the prefect all walked into the common room. The prefect directed Rin in the way of the girl's dormitory. Rin said and left. Almost immediatley, as she sat down on her bed, she fell asleep, exhausted.
