Disclaimer modification: I had said that only Segev was my own last time, but actually his family is mine, too. They probably won't show up again, however. I am going to be introducing new first years and the traditional new DADA teacher; these are also my own. Everything else (unless I've missed still more) is J.K. Rowling's.
Chapter 2
As the Sorting Hat was placed on his head and slipped over his eyes, Segev spoke a short phrase under his breath. The Hat sat there, trying to read the boy's mind to see where he should go, and found nothing. No thoughts, emotions, or ambitions. Finally, it spoke mentally, hoping that it wouldn't have to admit that it couldn't place this child (at least, it was fairly certain that it hadn't been placed on an inanimate object). "Is there anybody home? You need to think about something for me to place you."
Finally, the Hat got something. A single line of thought, still not the deluge of images that it was used to. "You read minds, do you?"
The Hat responded, "Yes! How else am I supposed to place you students in the appropriate houses?"
"If you see what is in my mind, you will keep it a secret. You will not tell anyone."
The Hat almost laughed; it had never met such a shy boy. "I just determine where you should go. I don't reveal your secrets to the world." A feeling of consent came through to the Hat just before it got the deluge of images it was expecting. Then again, what it saw wasn't at all what it had expected. "Let's see, you would fit into one of two houses: Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Your wit is equally balanced with your ambition... hmm..., this could be tricky."
"What is the difference between the Houses?" demanded the human.
"Ravenclaw would help you learn, and one as knowledgeable as you would do well there. Slytherin is the House that would help you with your ambitions; they have fewer scruples and get things done."
"Hat, you will not tell anyone what you have seen. I would go to Slytherin."
The Hat would have shivered if it had been alive. Nervously, it spoke aloud: "S-Slytherin?"
Taking the Hat off his head, Segev strode over to the Slytherin table and sat down. Sitting down in an empty space near the other first years, he calmly nodded to accept the greetings of his new House. He ignored the comments coming from a familiar fifth year about mudbloods tainting House Slytherin.
Finally, Wyvern, Gretle was placed in Slytherin and the Sorting was finished. She came went to the seat across from Segev. With an arrogant toss of her raven black hair, she sat down. "So, you're the boy who drove off Peeves. What kind of magic was that? --Shut up, Malfoy!" that last was directed towards the aformentioned fifth year, who had steadliy been getting louder. At her condescending tone, he went even paler than usual with anger. The two big boys on either side of the pale one called Malfoy stood up angrily, but Malfoy pulled them back down, and said something quietly that Segev couldn't hear over he noise in the hall.
The girl turned back to him. "Well? How did you do it?"
Segev looked at her, then seemed to come to a decision. "It was my recorder. Blowing through it with all holes open drives away undead."
Gretle could barely hear him over the noise of the crowd. She reached across the table to touch the recorder, which was hanging from a red cord around Segev's neck. "Where did you get such a wonderful toy?
Segev grabbed her hand an inch away from the instrument. In an expressionless voice, he responded, "I had it when my parents found me on their doorstep. I recomend that you leave it alone."
When he released her hand, Gretle sat slowly back down. Realizing what had been bothering her about his speech, she changed the subject. "You're American?" At his perfunctory nod, she elaborated her question, "Why are you going to Hogwarts, and not Salem?" He just looked at her. "Salem is the school for witchcraft and wizardry in America," she prompted.
Again, he seemed to come to a decision before speaking, "Two years ago, my father was transferred to England."
There conversation ended there as the old man, Dumbledore, began speaking again. "Before we eat, I have a few words to give you. Here they are!" With a flourish of his wand, he send five slips of paper floating about the room. One landed in front of someone at each House table; two landed at Slytherin.
Gretle got one of them. "Periwinkle?" she read, a look of annoyed puzzlement on her face. The boy next to her grabbed it from her, looked at it, and tossed it on the table. "My father said that the Headmaster here was a little wierd," he said with a dissmissive shrug.
At the High Table, Dumbldore said, "Now that that's done, let's eat!" The plates in front of everyone filled up with food, and everyone began eating. During the meal, Segev learned from the conversations taking place that the boy who had taken the word from Gretle was named Darius Snape, and that his father's cousin was the Potions teacher and the head of their House. On Gretle's other side was a girl named Alice Garvonna, a blond and blue-eyed thing that Segev thought might have been pretty if she didn't act so falsely shy. She kept giggling at the stupidest things and making doe-eyes at Malfoy--who didn't notice at all.
To either side of Segev were a set of twins: Jason and Jessica Orm. Though they must have been fraternal (since one was male and the other female), it couldn't be determined by looking at them; they were identical. Their brown hair was pulled back in identical single pony tails held in place by leather thongs, their expressions were the same look of mischief mixed with superiority, their voices were indistinguishable and they spoke in unison or counterpoint--one completing the other's sentences, their gestures and mannerisms were the same, and they even moved in unison when engaged in similar activities, such as eating. The unnerving effect that this had on others seemed to amuse them greatly.
When everyone had eaten, the plates cleared themselves and the old man stood up again. "We have a few start-of-term notices for you. First of all, first years should note the name of the Forbidden Forest on the grounds; they are not to go there. Secondly, there is to be no use of magic in the halls between classes. Thirdly, Quidditch trials will be held during the thrid week of classes this year. Finally, I would like to welcome Professor Nagisa to our staff. She will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." A tall, pretty Japanese woman stood up and bowed. One of the professors, who looked like Daruis, glared at her. Both she and Dumbledore sat down, and then four of the other teachers stood up and walked towards the House tables.
The one that looked like Darius walked over to the Slytherins. He must have been Snape. He spoke quietly, "Come, now, it is time to go to Slytherin Tower." With that, he turned away, leading the children after him.
AN: Yeah, I know it's short, but I wanted to get something posted and couldn't come up with any more. I actually had written another half page worth, but it was really bad, everyone was OOC, even Segev. I would welcome any ideas for events or plot lines from reviewers. I know Segev, but I'm at a loss for what to do for story. So, review and tell me what you think about what I've done and where it should go. Thank you.
