A Rose in the Wind A Rose in the Wind

Ch 2. Sorting Things Out

The 2 weeks flew by quickly and Aurelia kept to herself mostly. She made lesson plans and studied in the library and occasionally slipped out at night unseen. She rarely saw the other professors and was very independent. Sometimes she would run into Snape and he would make some comment under his breath and she would do the same. Mostly she ignored him. His attitude didn't seem to bother her much. It was like she silently understood his bitterness and didn't hold it against him. Ok, so a little part of her wished he could be a bit nicer. He could at least try to smile once in a while. It would make him look his age at least.

That night was the Sorting Ceremony and the dinner. Tonight she would find out which house she would be the assistant head of. She really didn't have a preference of house, though she knew she absolutely did NOT want to be a Hufflepuff. They were just too....too.....something. Sitting at her place at the Teacher's table Professor McGongall leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"That's Harry Potter."
She pointed to the Gryffindor table at the boy.
Aurelia nodded. He looked like a nice young man and he seemed to have a lot of friends.
"That is Hermoine Granger. Excellent student."
Aurelia nodded through McGongall's introductions of everyone. The Weasleys, Draco, Ginny.
Then Dumbledore stood and the sorting hat was brought out. All of the new first years took their turn putting the old hat on their heads.
"Hathaway, Carolynn."
"Ravenclaw!"
The names went on forever and Aurelia began to get annoyed. Finally the last first year was done and Dumbledore motioned her over.
"This is our newest Professor. She is your Defense Against Dark Arts teacher and will also be an assistant head of one of your houses. The sorting hat will tell us which house she belongs in."
Dumbledore smiled at her and she stood there as the hat was placed on her head.

It whispered to her.
"Well well. Im sorry. You have a very sad past madame. You have a coldness in your heart."
She thought back at it.
"How do you know that?"
"I know everything. But you have definite leadership qualities and a stern wit and a warm conscience. One might say Gryffindor but I think you are needed elsewhere. So I say....."

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted.

The Slytherins looked at her and nodded. They weren't disappointed. She looked dark and mysterious to them so they had no complaint. So what if her clothes were tight. The boys didn't seem to mind.
Snape on the other hand had his mouth on the floor.
*Her? In MY house? Oh no...*
Aurelia looked in his direction and saw him in his shock. She grinned an evil smile and was suddenly a bit happy. This meant she got to mess with him.
Dumbledore spoke then.
"Well, the hat has chosen and you are now Assistant head of Slytherin. Now let us eat!"

She sat and took her place by McGongall and began to eat when Draco Malfoy was suddenly in front of her.
"May I help you?"
"Well, I wanted to welcome you to our house."
"Well thank you mister Malfoy."
He nodded and turned back to the Slytherin table.

Snape couldn't believe what he was seeing. The Slytherins were ok with her. How? He cringed at the thought of having to at least listen to her now. Well, he would just have to find something about her for them to hate. He finished his meal and got up. Before leaving he spoke low into her ear.

"Just because you are in my house does NOT mean I approve of you."
"Well I believe its OUR house now and that doesn't mean I approve of YOU either."
At the word our he seemed to cringe a bit. Then he returned to his quarters as everyone else began to leave.

This was going to be an interesting year, she thought.