Chapter 3-Conflict of Blood and Bearing
A/N: A large thank you to Tris, you are the best friend a girl could have. And thank you to all of those who have followed her wonderful advice and reviewed by story.
"Now remember Sadie, stir counter-clockwise."
Sadie gave him an exasperated look. "Remus, I /know/. And besides, you're not supposed to help me."
Remus sighed. "I know, but its one week until you go off to Hogwarts. You want to go with a reputation for good grades, don't you?"
"Uh, yah. But these are _exams_. So bug off."
Remus glared at her playfully. But he did "bug off" as requested. Sadie thought her cold cure or Pepper-Up Potion turned out rather well. Remus had had the sniffles all week so he decided to use it as the exam. When she was done, he got a glass and gulped some down. Smoke immediately began billowing out of his ears and he stopped sniffling on the spot. He beamed at Sadie, who was trying to decide if she should laugh at him or cough at the smoke, and jubilantly exclaimed, "Perfect!"
***
Sadie had never been so nervous or excited in her life. It was five minutes until Remus would arrive with her ticket for the Hogwarts Express. Then they would go to King's Cross, a train station in Britain, and then go to Platform 9 ¾. Sadie couldn't sit still.
She heard a pop from just outside the front door. "He's HERE!!!" she called as she made a beeline to the door. She could hardly contain herself as he handed her the ticket. "Let's go!" she pleaded.
Shaking his head amusedly, he followed her to the living room where Keith and Janet were standing.
"We wanted to see you off," Janet explained.
Sadie gave each of them an uneasy hug and turned to Remus. "Ready?"
He nodded. "This time we'll go to Diagon Alley," he informed her, handing her the familiar cloth bag. She took it, and with one last sad little wave at her soon-to-be-former guardians, Sadie left her old life forever.
The two wended their way through Muggle London to the train station. Sadie didn't know what she would have done if Remus hadn't been there. Sadie reflected on this as they wended their way through the crowded station. He was actually a lot like a dad to her, or an uncle or big brother. He acted a lot like a big kid sometimes anyway. Sadie laughed to herself as she remembered one lesson when they were transfiguring piglets into whoopee cushions, "just for the fun of it", he had said. Not soon enough, they reached the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. With a deep breath and a nudge from Remus, Sadie closed her eyes and stepped through. When she opened her eyes on the other side, she was filled with awe. A large crimson train was before her, with lots of young people like herself with their guardians bustling about. Remus joined her promptly and grinned. "Nice to be back."
"Remus!" shouted a young man with messy black hair across the room. He jogged up to Remus and gave him a hearty handshake.
"Harry! Nice to see you again!"
The boy he called Harry faltered when he saw Sadie. He smiled almost shyly and turned to Remus. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Remus laughed lightly. "Sadie Riddle, meet Harry Potter. Harry's the kid I told you about. Harry, Sadie has been transferred to Hogwarts."
Sadie blushed as she shook Harry's hand. "Hi."
Harry, when he heard her name, had a concerned look on his face, or so it looked, Sadie wasn't sure. "Hi. Do you know anyone around here? I could introduce you."
"That would be great, thanks."
Harry nodded toward the trolley she was pulling. "Want me to get that?"
"Oh, you don't have to-"
"I insist."
Remus pulled Sadie aside. "This is where I leave you. I'll try to be at your Sorting, and I'll be visiting every so often. Have fun," said he, holding out his hand. Sadie ignored it entirely and gave him a hug. She waved as he walked back through the barrier. Then she turned to Harry. He ran his fingers through his hair, unconsciously exposing the lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
"C'mon, let's get your stuff to the train."
"Ok," she said, looking for a moment at his scar, "Thanks, by the way."
Harry nodded, loading the last of her things, "Oh, no problem, I was gl-"
"EMMA?" Sadie exclaimed; Harry was suddenly shoved out of her focus. She ran up to her friend, who had just become visible in the crowd.
"Oh my goodness!!!!! Sadie! I didn't know you were coming to Hogwarts!"
Sadie laughed out of sheer bliss. "I got transferred! I didn't know you would be at Hogwarts either!"
"This is so totally awesome!!!"
"I know!"
"Oh my gosh!"
"How did the rest of your summer go?"
"It was such a drag! It would have been so much better if I had known you were coming!"
Sadie laughed and climbed aboard the train. They continued chatting and laughing as they looked for an empty compartment. They finally found one half ways through the train. They barely had a chance to sit down before there was a knock at the compartment door. It was opened before they had a chance to answer and a blonde-haired boy with two gorilla-looking boys gathered their persons in the doorway.
The blonde one gave Sadie a sickening-sweet simile. "Hi there. I haven't seen you around." he drawled.
Sadie was surprised at his lack of tact. "I would expect not, I was just transferred. I'm Sadie."
"Draco Malfoy. They," he said, gesturing to his minions, "are Crabbe and Goyle."
Sadie nodded at them. "Nice to meet you all." Then she heard a welcome voice behind them. It was Harry. "Who are you bothering now, Malfoy?"
Malfoy turned around and sneered. "What's it to you, Potty?"
"Hi Harry!" called Sadie. Then she turned to Draco. "You'll excuse us won't you? Thanks. It was nice meeting you."
Draco nodded numbly and cast a menacing glare at Harry as he left. Sadie happened to glance at Emma, who was giving the same look to Draco as Draco was to Harry.
"Problem?" Sadie asked.
"I hate him. Everybody does. Unless they're in Slytherin." She glared as she spoke.
Harry, hearing the last sentence, nodded darkly, but then brightened up considerably as he beckoned to someone outside the door. A tall, lanky, red-haired boy and a shortish girl with bushy brown hair appeared beside him. "Sadie, I'd like you to meet Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Sadie just transferred to Hogwarts."
Hermione and Ron smiled brightly. "Nice to meet you," they said together.
Hermione sat down next to Emma. "I've seen you around, haven't I? Emma, right?"
Emma nodded warmly. Then Hermione turned to Sadie. "So how do you like it here?"
"It's pretty cool. There are so many cute British guys!! Way more than in the U.S."
Upon hearing this extremely girlie talk, Ron and Harry turned to each other and started talking extremely boyish talk.Quidditch of course. Time went by quickly on the way to Hogwarts. Sadie could tell she had been inducted into a clique. And she couldn't ask for better.
They got off the train and got onto gloomy-looking carriages. The ride in them was uneventful except that Rosy, or so Sadie's tarantula had been christened, escaped from her cage (the lid wasn't on tight) and decided to give everyone a surprise introduction.
The carriages lead straight up to the huge doors of Hogwarts' Castle. Sadie was astonished by the sheer size of the place. They got inside and Sadie got her first glimpse. In the Entrance Hall there was a huge staircase, dozens of torches, and a high, high ceiling. Sadie saw a dark- haired, shrewd-looking woman ushering a large group of what looked like 12 year olds into a room off to the side. After a minute she came out again and walked directly up to Sadie.
"Miss Riddle?" Sadie faltered under her critical gaze. "Y-e-es?"
"Come with me please."
Sadie looked confusedly at Emma and Harry, who were not much help, as they gave her equally puzzled looks.
Sadie joined the younger kids in the room. They were all shuffling around looking extremely nervous. Sadie didn't like to look at them. The woman that brought her faced her and leaned towards her.
"I am Professor McGonagall. Since you are being transferred you need to be Sorted..."
"Oh!" Sadie lit up. So that was all! "I already know."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow at her and then shrugged. "Alright." Then she walked out of a side door in the room, all the little people trailing behind her. Sadie made her way to the last spot in line. As they filed through the door, Sadie had to gasp. She had never seen such an awesome looking place. There were four long tables decked with gold dishes, candles suspended in midair above the tables, and a starry ceiling.which Remus had told her was enchanted to look like the sky outside. It was cooler than she thought it would be. In the back of the room was a raised table filled with adults in various shaded robes. At the left end of one table was Remus, cheerily looking around. Sadie caught his eye and waved, which he returned. Sadie couldn't help but notice that more pairs of eyes than normal were following her. Great.
The Sorting ended up being exactly how Remus described it, with the exception of Sadie's own Sorting, considering he didn't know what to expect and therefore didn't bother trying to speculate a description at all.
McGonagall had finished the first years and turned to Dumbledore. He stood up and raised his hand for attention. Sadie noted that everyone looked surprised. She supposed they didn't get transfers very often. Once Dumbledore was sure he had everyone's attention, he gestured Sadie to come to the front, obviously so everyone could see her. Sadie's stomach dropped to the floor as she smiled weakly at the some 200 curious eyes gazing at her.
"This year we have the pleasure," said Dumbledore, smiling around the room, "of taking a new scholar into our ranks. I would like you to meet Sadie Riddle," a ripple of whispers went through the crowd but stopped abruptly as Dumbledore raised his hand again, "who has transferred here from the United States. I would ask that you treat her as though she has always been here. Professor McGonagall?"
McGonagall turned to Sadie and beckoned her toward the stool with the hat on it that the others had previously used. Sadie timidly approached it and pulled on the tattered hat.
Oh really.how very interesting.quite a conflict. whispered a small voice in her ear.
Um.hi, she thought in response.
Hello. Do you have any preferences as to which house? You aren't especially brave.you are very loyal to your friends but not enough not to stick up for what you believe in.overall your characteristics suggest Ravenclaw.
So what's the problem?
Your bloodline strongly suggests Slytherin.
Sadie snorted. I would prefer not.I'd go with Ravenclaw.
Are you sure?
If it's that or Slytherin, very much so. That Draco kid is annoying.
Sadie wasn't sure, but she thought she heard the Hat laugh before calling out RAVENCLAW!
Sadie took off the Hat and climbed down from the stool. Emma, at the far end of one of the middle tables, was signaling feverishly to the spot beside her. Sadie took a deep breath and scurried to sit down.
"Three cheers for Sadie!" cried Emma with a grin.
Sadie looked daggers at her and then gave her a crooked smile. "Don't you think I've have enough attention for today?"
Emma laughed and turned to her plate. Dumbledore, seeing that Sadie was safely seated, waved his arms placidly and declared "Tea Stel!"
Much to Sadie's delight, the golden dishware around her filled with piles of unimaginably tantalizing-looking food. Sadie didn't realize how hungry she was until that moment and afterwards wondered if she would ever be hungry again. Upon completing the meal, the plates were magically restored to their original gleam and the students got up and left for their rooms. Sadie shuffled behind Emma, attempting to pay attention to where they were going to find it again. Left turn, first door on the right, end of the hall right turn, up the staircase, middle door.Sadie gave up after a bit; the heavy meal was slowing her thought process. Not soon enough, they reached a large tapestry of a forest scene. An older girl at the front of the group announced to it, "hippogriff's beak!" The tapestry melted away, exposing a large door. The girl opened it and walked inside.
"Girls on the left, boys on the right. Hope you like it here, you'll be hanging around for a while."
It was a well-furnished room with plush, navy blue armchairs and a large fire in the hearth, merrily crackling. There were bronze sculptures of proud-looking birds on either side of the fireplace and elaborate portraits of stately figures adorning the walls. In various places around the room were golden-brown, low tables with wooden benches to match. Sadie knew she would enjoy her stay here immensely.
Emma tapped her on the shoulder and nodded towards the door labeled "GIRLS". "C'mon, let's go to bed," she entreated, yawning loudly. Sadie smiled sleepily and nodded. The girls' door didn't lead to a bedroom, but to a hallway, with seven numbered doors. Emma went directly to door five and opened it, revealing a comfortable-looking place with high iron beds and prim nightstands to match. Each bed had a trunk at the end of it and Sadie could see Rosy's transport cage on top of the farthest one. The bunks had blue bedding, the same shade as the couches in the Common room.
"Welcome home," smiled Emma.
Home.
A/N: A large thank you to Tris, you are the best friend a girl could have. And thank you to all of those who have followed her wonderful advice and reviewed by story.
"Now remember Sadie, stir counter-clockwise."
Sadie gave him an exasperated look. "Remus, I /know/. And besides, you're not supposed to help me."
Remus sighed. "I know, but its one week until you go off to Hogwarts. You want to go with a reputation for good grades, don't you?"
"Uh, yah. But these are _exams_. So bug off."
Remus glared at her playfully. But he did "bug off" as requested. Sadie thought her cold cure or Pepper-Up Potion turned out rather well. Remus had had the sniffles all week so he decided to use it as the exam. When she was done, he got a glass and gulped some down. Smoke immediately began billowing out of his ears and he stopped sniffling on the spot. He beamed at Sadie, who was trying to decide if she should laugh at him or cough at the smoke, and jubilantly exclaimed, "Perfect!"
***
Sadie had never been so nervous or excited in her life. It was five minutes until Remus would arrive with her ticket for the Hogwarts Express. Then they would go to King's Cross, a train station in Britain, and then go to Platform 9 ¾. Sadie couldn't sit still.
She heard a pop from just outside the front door. "He's HERE!!!" she called as she made a beeline to the door. She could hardly contain herself as he handed her the ticket. "Let's go!" she pleaded.
Shaking his head amusedly, he followed her to the living room where Keith and Janet were standing.
"We wanted to see you off," Janet explained.
Sadie gave each of them an uneasy hug and turned to Remus. "Ready?"
He nodded. "This time we'll go to Diagon Alley," he informed her, handing her the familiar cloth bag. She took it, and with one last sad little wave at her soon-to-be-former guardians, Sadie left her old life forever.
The two wended their way through Muggle London to the train station. Sadie didn't know what she would have done if Remus hadn't been there. Sadie reflected on this as they wended their way through the crowded station. He was actually a lot like a dad to her, or an uncle or big brother. He acted a lot like a big kid sometimes anyway. Sadie laughed to herself as she remembered one lesson when they were transfiguring piglets into whoopee cushions, "just for the fun of it", he had said. Not soon enough, they reached the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. With a deep breath and a nudge from Remus, Sadie closed her eyes and stepped through. When she opened her eyes on the other side, she was filled with awe. A large crimson train was before her, with lots of young people like herself with their guardians bustling about. Remus joined her promptly and grinned. "Nice to be back."
"Remus!" shouted a young man with messy black hair across the room. He jogged up to Remus and gave him a hearty handshake.
"Harry! Nice to see you again!"
The boy he called Harry faltered when he saw Sadie. He smiled almost shyly and turned to Remus. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Remus laughed lightly. "Sadie Riddle, meet Harry Potter. Harry's the kid I told you about. Harry, Sadie has been transferred to Hogwarts."
Sadie blushed as she shook Harry's hand. "Hi."
Harry, when he heard her name, had a concerned look on his face, or so it looked, Sadie wasn't sure. "Hi. Do you know anyone around here? I could introduce you."
"That would be great, thanks."
Harry nodded toward the trolley she was pulling. "Want me to get that?"
"Oh, you don't have to-"
"I insist."
Remus pulled Sadie aside. "This is where I leave you. I'll try to be at your Sorting, and I'll be visiting every so often. Have fun," said he, holding out his hand. Sadie ignored it entirely and gave him a hug. She waved as he walked back through the barrier. Then she turned to Harry. He ran his fingers through his hair, unconsciously exposing the lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
"C'mon, let's get your stuff to the train."
"Ok," she said, looking for a moment at his scar, "Thanks, by the way."
Harry nodded, loading the last of her things, "Oh, no problem, I was gl-"
"EMMA?" Sadie exclaimed; Harry was suddenly shoved out of her focus. She ran up to her friend, who had just become visible in the crowd.
"Oh my goodness!!!!! Sadie! I didn't know you were coming to Hogwarts!"
Sadie laughed out of sheer bliss. "I got transferred! I didn't know you would be at Hogwarts either!"
"This is so totally awesome!!!"
"I know!"
"Oh my gosh!"
"How did the rest of your summer go?"
"It was such a drag! It would have been so much better if I had known you were coming!"
Sadie laughed and climbed aboard the train. They continued chatting and laughing as they looked for an empty compartment. They finally found one half ways through the train. They barely had a chance to sit down before there was a knock at the compartment door. It was opened before they had a chance to answer and a blonde-haired boy with two gorilla-looking boys gathered their persons in the doorway.
The blonde one gave Sadie a sickening-sweet simile. "Hi there. I haven't seen you around." he drawled.
Sadie was surprised at his lack of tact. "I would expect not, I was just transferred. I'm Sadie."
"Draco Malfoy. They," he said, gesturing to his minions, "are Crabbe and Goyle."
Sadie nodded at them. "Nice to meet you all." Then she heard a welcome voice behind them. It was Harry. "Who are you bothering now, Malfoy?"
Malfoy turned around and sneered. "What's it to you, Potty?"
"Hi Harry!" called Sadie. Then she turned to Draco. "You'll excuse us won't you? Thanks. It was nice meeting you."
Draco nodded numbly and cast a menacing glare at Harry as he left. Sadie happened to glance at Emma, who was giving the same look to Draco as Draco was to Harry.
"Problem?" Sadie asked.
"I hate him. Everybody does. Unless they're in Slytherin." She glared as she spoke.
Harry, hearing the last sentence, nodded darkly, but then brightened up considerably as he beckoned to someone outside the door. A tall, lanky, red-haired boy and a shortish girl with bushy brown hair appeared beside him. "Sadie, I'd like you to meet Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Sadie just transferred to Hogwarts."
Hermione and Ron smiled brightly. "Nice to meet you," they said together.
Hermione sat down next to Emma. "I've seen you around, haven't I? Emma, right?"
Emma nodded warmly. Then Hermione turned to Sadie. "So how do you like it here?"
"It's pretty cool. There are so many cute British guys!! Way more than in the U.S."
Upon hearing this extremely girlie talk, Ron and Harry turned to each other and started talking extremely boyish talk.Quidditch of course. Time went by quickly on the way to Hogwarts. Sadie could tell she had been inducted into a clique. And she couldn't ask for better.
They got off the train and got onto gloomy-looking carriages. The ride in them was uneventful except that Rosy, or so Sadie's tarantula had been christened, escaped from her cage (the lid wasn't on tight) and decided to give everyone a surprise introduction.
The carriages lead straight up to the huge doors of Hogwarts' Castle. Sadie was astonished by the sheer size of the place. They got inside and Sadie got her first glimpse. In the Entrance Hall there was a huge staircase, dozens of torches, and a high, high ceiling. Sadie saw a dark- haired, shrewd-looking woman ushering a large group of what looked like 12 year olds into a room off to the side. After a minute she came out again and walked directly up to Sadie.
"Miss Riddle?" Sadie faltered under her critical gaze. "Y-e-es?"
"Come with me please."
Sadie looked confusedly at Emma and Harry, who were not much help, as they gave her equally puzzled looks.
Sadie joined the younger kids in the room. They were all shuffling around looking extremely nervous. Sadie didn't like to look at them. The woman that brought her faced her and leaned towards her.
"I am Professor McGonagall. Since you are being transferred you need to be Sorted..."
"Oh!" Sadie lit up. So that was all! "I already know."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow at her and then shrugged. "Alright." Then she walked out of a side door in the room, all the little people trailing behind her. Sadie made her way to the last spot in line. As they filed through the door, Sadie had to gasp. She had never seen such an awesome looking place. There were four long tables decked with gold dishes, candles suspended in midair above the tables, and a starry ceiling.which Remus had told her was enchanted to look like the sky outside. It was cooler than she thought it would be. In the back of the room was a raised table filled with adults in various shaded robes. At the left end of one table was Remus, cheerily looking around. Sadie caught his eye and waved, which he returned. Sadie couldn't help but notice that more pairs of eyes than normal were following her. Great.
The Sorting ended up being exactly how Remus described it, with the exception of Sadie's own Sorting, considering he didn't know what to expect and therefore didn't bother trying to speculate a description at all.
McGonagall had finished the first years and turned to Dumbledore. He stood up and raised his hand for attention. Sadie noted that everyone looked surprised. She supposed they didn't get transfers very often. Once Dumbledore was sure he had everyone's attention, he gestured Sadie to come to the front, obviously so everyone could see her. Sadie's stomach dropped to the floor as she smiled weakly at the some 200 curious eyes gazing at her.
"This year we have the pleasure," said Dumbledore, smiling around the room, "of taking a new scholar into our ranks. I would like you to meet Sadie Riddle," a ripple of whispers went through the crowd but stopped abruptly as Dumbledore raised his hand again, "who has transferred here from the United States. I would ask that you treat her as though she has always been here. Professor McGonagall?"
McGonagall turned to Sadie and beckoned her toward the stool with the hat on it that the others had previously used. Sadie timidly approached it and pulled on the tattered hat.
Oh really.how very interesting.quite a conflict. whispered a small voice in her ear.
Um.hi, she thought in response.
Hello. Do you have any preferences as to which house? You aren't especially brave.you are very loyal to your friends but not enough not to stick up for what you believe in.overall your characteristics suggest Ravenclaw.
So what's the problem?
Your bloodline strongly suggests Slytherin.
Sadie snorted. I would prefer not.I'd go with Ravenclaw.
Are you sure?
If it's that or Slytherin, very much so. That Draco kid is annoying.
Sadie wasn't sure, but she thought she heard the Hat laugh before calling out RAVENCLAW!
Sadie took off the Hat and climbed down from the stool. Emma, at the far end of one of the middle tables, was signaling feverishly to the spot beside her. Sadie took a deep breath and scurried to sit down.
"Three cheers for Sadie!" cried Emma with a grin.
Sadie looked daggers at her and then gave her a crooked smile. "Don't you think I've have enough attention for today?"
Emma laughed and turned to her plate. Dumbledore, seeing that Sadie was safely seated, waved his arms placidly and declared "Tea Stel!"
Much to Sadie's delight, the golden dishware around her filled with piles of unimaginably tantalizing-looking food. Sadie didn't realize how hungry she was until that moment and afterwards wondered if she would ever be hungry again. Upon completing the meal, the plates were magically restored to their original gleam and the students got up and left for their rooms. Sadie shuffled behind Emma, attempting to pay attention to where they were going to find it again. Left turn, first door on the right, end of the hall right turn, up the staircase, middle door.Sadie gave up after a bit; the heavy meal was slowing her thought process. Not soon enough, they reached a large tapestry of a forest scene. An older girl at the front of the group announced to it, "hippogriff's beak!" The tapestry melted away, exposing a large door. The girl opened it and walked inside.
"Girls on the left, boys on the right. Hope you like it here, you'll be hanging around for a while."
It was a well-furnished room with plush, navy blue armchairs and a large fire in the hearth, merrily crackling. There were bronze sculptures of proud-looking birds on either side of the fireplace and elaborate portraits of stately figures adorning the walls. In various places around the room were golden-brown, low tables with wooden benches to match. Sadie knew she would enjoy her stay here immensely.
Emma tapped her on the shoulder and nodded towards the door labeled "GIRLS". "C'mon, let's go to bed," she entreated, yawning loudly. Sadie smiled sleepily and nodded. The girls' door didn't lead to a bedroom, but to a hallway, with seven numbered doors. Emma went directly to door five and opened it, revealing a comfortable-looking place with high iron beds and prim nightstands to match. Each bed had a trunk at the end of it and Sadie could see Rosy's transport cage on top of the farthest one. The bunks had blue bedding, the same shade as the couches in the Common room.
"Welcome home," smiled Emma.
Home.