Disclaimer 2: The title of this story, and the song lyrics that will proceed each chapter, are not mine (although I really wish I could claim them). They belong to a fabulous band which tours the folk festivals in Australia, called Jigzag. The lyrics I'm starting with are actually from a different song, which is called "Ordinary Mystery". Both of these are great songs, and if you visit you can listen to some mp3's of their work and maybe even buy their CD (no, I don't make any money off promoting them but if they make money then they might come to Melbourne more often).
Pronunciation Note: For those of you who haven't read my other story, Seona is a gaelic name and is pronounced SHOW-nah or SHORNA, depending on how thick your accent is. :)
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Chapter 1 - The Sorting
A shining path that stretches on into the distance...
She had sat by herself in the train, not willing to socialise much until she
was sure of what would be happening. Curled up in the corner of one compartment,
nose buried in a thick book, the strangely luminous grey eyes that had turned
their gaze on anyone who tried to engage her in conversation were enough to
ensure she was left alone. Besides, if they were like the students at her old
school, it was unlikely they would understand her excitement at being here -
on her way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the last two years
of her schooling.
Now she stood in a small chamber with a mob of first year students, having been told by the forbidding witch in the green robes that she would be 'Sorted' along with the rest before she took her place. The doors to the great hall were opening now, and she filed in along with the rest. The hall was fascinating enough in itself, with the enchanted ceiling and floating candles and the ghosts sitting around the four long tables along with the students. Her gaze was fixed on the teachers' table, however, scanning along the faces that sat there. She reached the end, scanned back again, and felt her shoulders sag slightly. He wasn't there. She was sure she couldn't have mistaken him. But she trusted the Headmaster, whose response to her rather cheeky letter had been polite and understanding, so she tried to put it behind her and pay attention to what was going on.
After all, there was an empty chair...
She couldn't help feeling that no one was likely to notice that one of the group now assembling along the front of the hall wasn't eleven years old. Quite a bit older than eleven, in fact. She didn't stand all that much higher than those who flanked her, and she suppressed a grin as she tuned in to what the witch in green was saying.
"... a student from Australia's Ensbrook Magical Academy, who will be joining our sixth-year students. If Miss Seona MacGinty will please step forward, we will then proceed with the sorting of the first years as normal."
Stepping to the front of the group, Seona saw that there was a stool with a very battered hat sitting on it. She was vaguely aware that some sort of rhyme had been recited about sorting while she was busy with her own thoughts, and she silently chided herself for possibly missing something important. Still, it was obvious from the way the Professor was holding the hat off the seat that she was expected to sit down and wear the hat.
She sat, trying not to look at the sea of faces all staring at her. The hat was placed on her head, neatly solving this dilemma as it fell down over her eyes. No one made clothes for small people, she thought with some resignation.
So, where to put you? The voice whispered into her ear, making her jump slightly. Intelligent, with a thirst for knowledge, but something's not quite right...
She frowned. Was this freaky hat looking inside her head? Would it find out her secret? Just pick a house and have done with it! she thought frantically. Put me somewhere were I can find friends.
Friends, eh? She got the feeling that the hat was laughing at her. People who will accept you... In that case, GRYFFINDOR!
She was startled by the sound of applause and the hat was whisked away. Apparently, that last word had been loud enough for the whole room to hear. And she guessed that the table of wildly clapping and cheering students was the Gryffindor table. Wishing she'd read up on more of the culture of the English school, she made her way over to them and slid onto the bench beside a rather attractive girl with slightly frizzy brown curls. The girl held out her hand and smiled.
"I'm Hermione," she said over the noise of the next round of sorting. "I'm in sixth year too, so if you need someone to hang around with, show you the way to classes, that sort of thing then..." She trailed off, possibly a result of the rather intense stare that she had just met.
The expression softened as Seona smiled and took the proffered hand. "I'd like that. Thanks Hermione." She was cut short at that point, as the sorting finished and the Headmaster rose to address the school. Every head turned with interest to the front, and quiet fell across the room.
"I have very few messages for you all this year," Dumbledore began. "The first, as always, is a reminder that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits to all students. The second is something to lay your mind at rest. Professor Snape, despite his absence here tonight, will be joining us for another year as Potions Master."
Seona's face brightened at this news, but she heard a number of muffled groans from around the room. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling, as if he knew that this news hadn't delighted everybody. She didn't listen to the rest of his address, however, too happy that it was confirmed that he would be teaching still. After all, it had been the reason she requested a transfer.
Once the address was finished, food appeared on the plates and everyone began to eat. Introductions began as well, and soon Seona was involved in a discussion of the vagaries of the school building itself with Hermione and the two boys sitting opposite her. She knew immediately who the dark-haired one was, and tried not to stare as they talked. He probably had to put up with that a lot, so no need to act just like the masses. It was a fun evening, though, and when they finally led the way to Gryffindor Tower and showed her the dorm room where the sixth year girls slept, she felt like she had finally found a place she could belong.
