The sorting
Disclaimer: Like the previous chapters I own nothing. Summery: More musings and a talking hat.R&R
Poke, poke, poke, ugh little sister's can be so annoying sometimes. Opening my eyes a crack I look into the dark brown eyes of my four year old sister Teresa who is currently sitting on my chest and poking my cheek. Carefully sitting up, so as not to knock the child to the floor I stretch before turning my full attention on the little girl currently residing on my lap.
"Is there something I can help you with Resa?" I smirk at her scowl; she hates being called nicknames, that's for waking me up so rudely.
"Mum says for you to get up, you and Aenias need to get ready for school." Teresa held her chin high feeling smug that she was mother's messenger.
I feel myself sigh and rub my eyes poking my sister in the stomach, suggesting that she go wake Aenias up and see how he likes it. To my disappointment Aenias was already awake and in better humor than I was at the moment. Finding that Teresa was heavy for a four year old I had to poke her until she got off my lap and let me get dressed.
Mother was waiting for us in the living room for us when I came in, holding Teresa's hand and an expectant slightly nervous look on her face. I knew how worried she was about the sorting; giving mother a hug and a kiss good morning seemed to allay her fears somewhat, though she still kept glancing at Aenias and me as if to reassure her that we were still there. After tonight Aenias and I would no longer be living with our parents, but in house dorms. If mother was this anxious with us, I knew she would be a nervous wreck when it was Teresa's turn at the hat.
Father met us at the door of the Great Hall a scowl on his face, he was always a little grumpy just before the students came back, though this year was a little different since two of his children would be students after tonight. He touched mother's cheek gently showing his support which seemed to help her deal with what was going to happen tonight, something tells me that everything will be alright on their end.
We sat down at the round table for the last truly peaceful meal that we would have until next summer rolled around. Aunt Minerva gave us a small smile and a nod before continuing her quiet conversation with Remus. The crush that I had always had on Remus Lupin has turned into a genuine friendship though I still find him attractive I no longer day dream as I had as a child, to the relief of all involved.
Harry Potter sat on the other side of Aunt Minerva, he was officially becoming the new Transfiguration teacher as of this year instead of the teacher's aid he had been for four years. As we all ate breakfast I kept feeling eyes watching me from Harry's direction but every time I looked up he was talking with Aunt Minerva or Felix Flitwick, shaking off that odd feeling I finished breakfast and excused myself to make sure that I had all my supplies, apparently a habit I had gotten from mother.
I felt nervous though I tried to hide it everyone seemed to sense it and I got an occasional pat on the back from one of the professors or a cheek caress from my father. Despite the support of my parents and the staff the only way I found to ease the nerves was one last look at the picture albums, and like so many times when I was a child I allowed myself to get lost in the memories created by the pictures until lunch time rolled around and I forced myself to eat knowing that we wouldn't eat again until the welcoming feast later tonight.
Shrugging on the school robes I look in the mirror trying to tuck a wayward brown lock of hair behind my ear, though not as frizzy as my mother's hair was at this age it was still a trial trying to control it, hence the reason I have always had it short. Somehow mother convinced me that I should try growing it out, you know for something new, now on the night that I was about to become a Hogwarts student my hair was just past my shoulders and refusing to stay down completely. Finally giving up on my hair I placed a headband on my head to keep the brown curls out of my face.
Glancing over at Aenias I am again reminded of how much he looks like father, already he was well on his way to being a tall person though admittedly his body wasn't as rail thin as father's had been at that age, according to the one picture we actually had of that time. Noticing my watching my twin turned to me and smiled slightly his black eyes showing his excitement. I wish I were as brave as him he feared nothing much less a simple sorting ceremony.
I on the other hand am not so fortunate truthfully I am shaking in my shoes, excited by the prospect of finally learning magic, but scared at what might happen tonight. I suppose I am a lot like father in the fact that I don't get along with a great many people, it has always been hard for me to make friends outside of family and the teachers, shy I suppose that is what I am.
With a final sigh I turned away from the mirror, this is the best I could do, and went to give my fair wells to my parents, though I would see them in class now, I would no longer be staying with them except for holidays.
Teresa actually gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek before informing me that if I ever got scared during a storm that she would keep her fireplace open. This made me laugh and give her an affectionate poke in the side before I went to mother who had tears in her eyes and promised that I would be on my best behavior and that I would watch over Aenias if we ended up in the same house.
Finally I approached father who wore a solemn expression obviously affected by mother's emotions, he kissed my forehead and made me promise to come to him if I needed anything, even just to talk, I nodded and gave him a hug knowing that tomorrow I would meet the Greasy Git that every first year feared in potions. Finally I pulled away from my father and we made our way together to the great hall where we met Harry who was waiting for the first years to arrive. My parents gave us one last kiss apiece before going into the Great Hall where the other students waited for the sorting to begin.
Standing beside Harry I pondered on what was about to happen for the hundredth time today, I must have been twitching nervously because suddenly I felt Harry's hand on my shoulder and his soft voice spoke quietly for my ears alone.
"Relax 'Leny, you'll do fine, who knows maybe you'll follow your mum's footsteps and become a Gryffindor." He smiled at me those startlingly green eyes sparkling down at me, there was something in his eyes that I couldn't identify but for some reason it made me more nervous though I managed to hide it behind a small smile and nod.
I didn't have time to explain to him my doubts on following mother's footsteps because the other first years were coming up the steps speaking quietly. Aenias and I took our places with the rest of the first years as Harry explained to us what was about to happen, I been told this same speech several times so allowed myself to zone out until we began moving into the great hall.
I discovered something interesting while I was walking into the Great hall with the other first years, I don't like being the focus of so many eyes. I felt Aenias take my hand and give me a comforting smile; I don't know what I would do without his calm presence. I lined up with the other first years and we waited until our names were called, one by one the others were called up and the sorting hat was placed on their heads before they went to whichever house that was most appropriate to them.
Harry continued reading names with a small smile to each student seeming to sense their discomfort at being the center of attention. It seemed forever until they got the S's.
"Snape, Aenias" Harry called out. My brother gave me a wink and approached the sorting hat head held high, when it was placed on his head it took a moment for the hat to decide until finally it shouted out "Gryffindor!" I glanced up at Father who looked as shocked as he could then he scowled at the smug look that Aunt Minerva and mother both wore, if I hadn't been as nervous as I was I probably would have laughed, as it was, it was finally my turn.
"Snape, Helene" Harry looked directly at me as if compelling me towards the hat. Slowly I made my way to the stool feeling everyone's eyes on me my breath hitching slightly as I met Harry's dark green eyes that unreadable look was there again. Carefully I sat down and felt the hat placed on my head.
"Little nervous are we? Do not worry, this is fairly painless, now lets see what we have here, Great intellect, from both sides I see, great power, hmm not quite a Slytherin, but not a Gryffindor either and certainly not a Hufflepuff, how unusual. Well the only thing I can see you in of course is."
"Ravenclaw!"
I felt the hat removed from my head and I was propelled lightly to the Ravenclaw table that was applauding me welcoming me to their house. I felt numb with shock looking up at the head table seeing my mother beaming a tea in her eyes. Father looked from the Gryffindor table where his son sat then to the Ravenclaw table where I sat and sighed obviously a little disappointed that neither of us were in his house. Mother noticed his look and whispered something in his ear and he nodded looking less disappointed.
I did not really notice what Aunt Minerva announced after the sorting had come to an end, I had heard the same thing almost every Welcome feast and again zoned out until I realized that the food had appeared. Several of the first years had gasped at the sudden appearance of food but soon their hunger overcame their surprise. I took food onto my plate quietly not looking to either side of me, as I said it was hard for me to get to know other people.
"Hello, you're the potion master's daughter aren't you?" A male voice to my left spoke looking up I saw another first year with gray blue eyes and pale hair his head was tilted birdlike. I nodded faintly watching him unconsciously tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear.
He smiled at me and I felt a strange lurch near my stomach, he was cute, and I felt myself become shy.
"Hi, I'm Daken Malfoy, my dad knew your dad when he was at school." Daken struck out his hand and I carefully took it still feeling shy he smiled again and I felt burning on my cheeks which meant I was blushing.
"Helene Snape" I told him quietly watching him from under my eyelashes, glancing up at the head table I saw my mother giving me a funny little smile I had to look away from her before I felt more embarrassed and on my way to look back at Daken my eyes caught Harry's he was still watching me that unreadable look still clear in his eyes and I found a shiver go down my spine forcing me to look away completely. Daken frowned in concern touching my shoulder lightly.
"You alright Helene?" His voice was soft and oddly enough I took comfort from it and managed to give him a smile reassuring him that I was fine, just a little cold. He sensed that that hadn't been the full truth but didn't push me and we ate in silence for a moment enjoying the white noise that the other students caused.
After the meal had been eaten and we had been dismissed to follow our Prefects Daken walked beside me, he was shorter than Aenias, though still slightly taller than I am. We didn't talk, found that we really didn't need to, in the short time since we met at dinner we were comfortable in each other's presence. When we finally got to our house Common room Daken touched my arm to stop me from going up yet and shyly asked me if I wanted to walk with him to class, so we at least knew someone.
I smiled and nodded just as shyly telling him I would like that, before I turned to go up the stairs to my dorm that little smile still on my face. As I got ready for bed I thought on what had happened tonight and sighed, I had found a friend on my first night as a student, there was hope for me yet. I drifted to sleep content in the knowledge that I wasn't as alone as I thought I might be this was a good sign of things to come.
Author's note: Aw another part done, I am really starting to enjoy this, and it seems that people like what they read so I am going to continue this story, not sure how many parts I will end up with but I'll finish it eventually. Again I would like to thank my Reviewers, I love you guys for that thanks a lot, and it's nice to know that I am actually being read. Any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions would be welcome just press the little purple/blue review button at the bottom of this page to tell me your thoughts, and until the next chapter good reading to all. (
Disclaimer: Like the previous chapters I own nothing. Summery: More musings and a talking hat.R&R
Poke, poke, poke, ugh little sister's can be so annoying sometimes. Opening my eyes a crack I look into the dark brown eyes of my four year old sister Teresa who is currently sitting on my chest and poking my cheek. Carefully sitting up, so as not to knock the child to the floor I stretch before turning my full attention on the little girl currently residing on my lap.
"Is there something I can help you with Resa?" I smirk at her scowl; she hates being called nicknames, that's for waking me up so rudely.
"Mum says for you to get up, you and Aenias need to get ready for school." Teresa held her chin high feeling smug that she was mother's messenger.
I feel myself sigh and rub my eyes poking my sister in the stomach, suggesting that she go wake Aenias up and see how he likes it. To my disappointment Aenias was already awake and in better humor than I was at the moment. Finding that Teresa was heavy for a four year old I had to poke her until she got off my lap and let me get dressed.
Mother was waiting for us in the living room for us when I came in, holding Teresa's hand and an expectant slightly nervous look on her face. I knew how worried she was about the sorting; giving mother a hug and a kiss good morning seemed to allay her fears somewhat, though she still kept glancing at Aenias and me as if to reassure her that we were still there. After tonight Aenias and I would no longer be living with our parents, but in house dorms. If mother was this anxious with us, I knew she would be a nervous wreck when it was Teresa's turn at the hat.
Father met us at the door of the Great Hall a scowl on his face, he was always a little grumpy just before the students came back, though this year was a little different since two of his children would be students after tonight. He touched mother's cheek gently showing his support which seemed to help her deal with what was going to happen tonight, something tells me that everything will be alright on their end.
We sat down at the round table for the last truly peaceful meal that we would have until next summer rolled around. Aunt Minerva gave us a small smile and a nod before continuing her quiet conversation with Remus. The crush that I had always had on Remus Lupin has turned into a genuine friendship though I still find him attractive I no longer day dream as I had as a child, to the relief of all involved.
Harry Potter sat on the other side of Aunt Minerva, he was officially becoming the new Transfiguration teacher as of this year instead of the teacher's aid he had been for four years. As we all ate breakfast I kept feeling eyes watching me from Harry's direction but every time I looked up he was talking with Aunt Minerva or Felix Flitwick, shaking off that odd feeling I finished breakfast and excused myself to make sure that I had all my supplies, apparently a habit I had gotten from mother.
I felt nervous though I tried to hide it everyone seemed to sense it and I got an occasional pat on the back from one of the professors or a cheek caress from my father. Despite the support of my parents and the staff the only way I found to ease the nerves was one last look at the picture albums, and like so many times when I was a child I allowed myself to get lost in the memories created by the pictures until lunch time rolled around and I forced myself to eat knowing that we wouldn't eat again until the welcoming feast later tonight.
Shrugging on the school robes I look in the mirror trying to tuck a wayward brown lock of hair behind my ear, though not as frizzy as my mother's hair was at this age it was still a trial trying to control it, hence the reason I have always had it short. Somehow mother convinced me that I should try growing it out, you know for something new, now on the night that I was about to become a Hogwarts student my hair was just past my shoulders and refusing to stay down completely. Finally giving up on my hair I placed a headband on my head to keep the brown curls out of my face.
Glancing over at Aenias I am again reminded of how much he looks like father, already he was well on his way to being a tall person though admittedly his body wasn't as rail thin as father's had been at that age, according to the one picture we actually had of that time. Noticing my watching my twin turned to me and smiled slightly his black eyes showing his excitement. I wish I were as brave as him he feared nothing much less a simple sorting ceremony.
I on the other hand am not so fortunate truthfully I am shaking in my shoes, excited by the prospect of finally learning magic, but scared at what might happen tonight. I suppose I am a lot like father in the fact that I don't get along with a great many people, it has always been hard for me to make friends outside of family and the teachers, shy I suppose that is what I am.
With a final sigh I turned away from the mirror, this is the best I could do, and went to give my fair wells to my parents, though I would see them in class now, I would no longer be staying with them except for holidays.
Teresa actually gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek before informing me that if I ever got scared during a storm that she would keep her fireplace open. This made me laugh and give her an affectionate poke in the side before I went to mother who had tears in her eyes and promised that I would be on my best behavior and that I would watch over Aenias if we ended up in the same house.
Finally I approached father who wore a solemn expression obviously affected by mother's emotions, he kissed my forehead and made me promise to come to him if I needed anything, even just to talk, I nodded and gave him a hug knowing that tomorrow I would meet the Greasy Git that every first year feared in potions. Finally I pulled away from my father and we made our way together to the great hall where we met Harry who was waiting for the first years to arrive. My parents gave us one last kiss apiece before going into the Great Hall where the other students waited for the sorting to begin.
Standing beside Harry I pondered on what was about to happen for the hundredth time today, I must have been twitching nervously because suddenly I felt Harry's hand on my shoulder and his soft voice spoke quietly for my ears alone.
"Relax 'Leny, you'll do fine, who knows maybe you'll follow your mum's footsteps and become a Gryffindor." He smiled at me those startlingly green eyes sparkling down at me, there was something in his eyes that I couldn't identify but for some reason it made me more nervous though I managed to hide it behind a small smile and nod.
I didn't have time to explain to him my doubts on following mother's footsteps because the other first years were coming up the steps speaking quietly. Aenias and I took our places with the rest of the first years as Harry explained to us what was about to happen, I been told this same speech several times so allowed myself to zone out until we began moving into the great hall.
I discovered something interesting while I was walking into the Great hall with the other first years, I don't like being the focus of so many eyes. I felt Aenias take my hand and give me a comforting smile; I don't know what I would do without his calm presence. I lined up with the other first years and we waited until our names were called, one by one the others were called up and the sorting hat was placed on their heads before they went to whichever house that was most appropriate to them.
Harry continued reading names with a small smile to each student seeming to sense their discomfort at being the center of attention. It seemed forever until they got the S's.
"Snape, Aenias" Harry called out. My brother gave me a wink and approached the sorting hat head held high, when it was placed on his head it took a moment for the hat to decide until finally it shouted out "Gryffindor!" I glanced up at Father who looked as shocked as he could then he scowled at the smug look that Aunt Minerva and mother both wore, if I hadn't been as nervous as I was I probably would have laughed, as it was, it was finally my turn.
"Snape, Helene" Harry looked directly at me as if compelling me towards the hat. Slowly I made my way to the stool feeling everyone's eyes on me my breath hitching slightly as I met Harry's dark green eyes that unreadable look was there again. Carefully I sat down and felt the hat placed on my head.
"Little nervous are we? Do not worry, this is fairly painless, now lets see what we have here, Great intellect, from both sides I see, great power, hmm not quite a Slytherin, but not a Gryffindor either and certainly not a Hufflepuff, how unusual. Well the only thing I can see you in of course is."
"Ravenclaw!"
I felt the hat removed from my head and I was propelled lightly to the Ravenclaw table that was applauding me welcoming me to their house. I felt numb with shock looking up at the head table seeing my mother beaming a tea in her eyes. Father looked from the Gryffindor table where his son sat then to the Ravenclaw table where I sat and sighed obviously a little disappointed that neither of us were in his house. Mother noticed his look and whispered something in his ear and he nodded looking less disappointed.
I did not really notice what Aunt Minerva announced after the sorting had come to an end, I had heard the same thing almost every Welcome feast and again zoned out until I realized that the food had appeared. Several of the first years had gasped at the sudden appearance of food but soon their hunger overcame their surprise. I took food onto my plate quietly not looking to either side of me, as I said it was hard for me to get to know other people.
"Hello, you're the potion master's daughter aren't you?" A male voice to my left spoke looking up I saw another first year with gray blue eyes and pale hair his head was tilted birdlike. I nodded faintly watching him unconsciously tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear.
He smiled at me and I felt a strange lurch near my stomach, he was cute, and I felt myself become shy.
"Hi, I'm Daken Malfoy, my dad knew your dad when he was at school." Daken struck out his hand and I carefully took it still feeling shy he smiled again and I felt burning on my cheeks which meant I was blushing.
"Helene Snape" I told him quietly watching him from under my eyelashes, glancing up at the head table I saw my mother giving me a funny little smile I had to look away from her before I felt more embarrassed and on my way to look back at Daken my eyes caught Harry's he was still watching me that unreadable look still clear in his eyes and I found a shiver go down my spine forcing me to look away completely. Daken frowned in concern touching my shoulder lightly.
"You alright Helene?" His voice was soft and oddly enough I took comfort from it and managed to give him a smile reassuring him that I was fine, just a little cold. He sensed that that hadn't been the full truth but didn't push me and we ate in silence for a moment enjoying the white noise that the other students caused.
After the meal had been eaten and we had been dismissed to follow our Prefects Daken walked beside me, he was shorter than Aenias, though still slightly taller than I am. We didn't talk, found that we really didn't need to, in the short time since we met at dinner we were comfortable in each other's presence. When we finally got to our house Common room Daken touched my arm to stop me from going up yet and shyly asked me if I wanted to walk with him to class, so we at least knew someone.
I smiled and nodded just as shyly telling him I would like that, before I turned to go up the stairs to my dorm that little smile still on my face. As I got ready for bed I thought on what had happened tonight and sighed, I had found a friend on my first night as a student, there was hope for me yet. I drifted to sleep content in the knowledge that I wasn't as alone as I thought I might be this was a good sign of things to come.
Author's note: Aw another part done, I am really starting to enjoy this, and it seems that people like what they read so I am going to continue this story, not sure how many parts I will end up with but I'll finish it eventually. Again I would like to thank my Reviewers, I love you guys for that thanks a lot, and it's nice to know that I am actually being read. Any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions would be welcome just press the little purple/blue review button at the bottom of this page to tell me your thoughts, and until the next chapter good reading to all. (