Author's Notes: I know, I know, it's been awhile since last update - but if
you're all good and give me nice reviews, I'll update more this weekend.
Seeing as I'll have little homework, as I'm taking final exams tomorrow and
the day after. Soon, my friends, this fic will be over and the Sixth Year
From Hell begins! MWAHAHAHAAAA!
Also note: this chapter is a bit darker than the previous ones. Ael is going Savage, and this means general nastiness for any nearby.
Chapter summary: Ael and Kat gain new instincts, and the girls (plus Khense) go off to Hogwarts for their first year, meeting a strange group of ickle firsties as they go. Also appearing are the famed Trio of Hogwarts (Harry, Hermione, and Ron) and others of their year.
Disclaimer: The Sorting Hat song belongs to me, as I spent quite a bit of sweat and tears trying to get it to rhyme and fit in with the rhythm. The Phillips family and Khense Nekire belong to Dark Jedi Princess, Ael Bolt and her family belong to myself, Christana Montgomery belongs to Kawaii Spinel Queen of Evil, Connemara belongs to Klanna, Zelgadis and Rezo Greywers belong to the people who own the anime "Slayers," James Howlett and Peter Parker belong to Marvel Comics (X-Men and Spider-Man, respectively). Anyone you recognize belongs to JK Rowling, and anyone else you don't belongs to some other RP-er or is a "filler" character created by Kat and/or myself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chapter Three - Teen Wolf
Five years later, nine-year-old Ael locked herself in her garden in Paddington Rec. Kat sat on the top of the brick wall, and Khense was literally up a tree.
Ael looked toward the horizon. "Won't be long now," she announced. "Moonrise in five...four...three...two...one..."
Right on cue, the first silver rays of moonlight crept across the well- manicured lawn, flowerbeds, and saplings, finally coming to rest on the young werewolf's skin. She shut her eyes tight against the pain of transformation as the sickening changes got underway.
Something was different. Not because Sheba was no longer with her, but something in the transformation itself. "Kat...something's wrong!" she tried to warn her friend, but all that emerged from her shifting throat was a ragged howl.
Luckily, Kat seemed to get the picture. "Khense, stay in the tree! She's gone Savage!"
Khense paled, let out a squeak, and scrambled further up the foliage.
Ael made the transition to werewolf, her vision going light red. She growled, sniffing at the air. The breeze carried the putrid scent of vampire flesh, but underlying it was the sweet aroma of human meat. She threw back her head and howled savagely, saliva dripping from her fangs. She charged at the wall, throwing her body against it and trying to reach the tantalizing flavour of human. She shrieked in fury at her inability to reach the succulent one, and began tearing her own flanks in rage.
Disgusting-smelling arms wrapped around her from behind, and she snarled at the vampire. The girl stubbornly held on as the werewolf tried to buck her off, and the beast snapped at sour fingers. Fangs tore flesh and scraped bone, but the vampire refused to let go. Claws tore deep furrows in the girl's side and legs, and still she clung to the powerful animal's back.
The werewolf let out an enraged howl, splitting the silence of the park and making the flowers shake. Khense squeaked again and climbed higher in his tree, trying to shut out the sounds of carnage from beneath him.
~~~~~~
Dawn broke, and with it the trio awoke. Ael and Kat, the walking wounded, both had to lean on Khense as the frightened boy led them back to Kat's house.
Mr. Phillips was stunned when he opened the door to see two thoroughly-torn- up girls and one panicked boy on the doorstep. He swept Kat off to her room, muttering something about vampiric healing and werewolf bites. Ael gave up trying to find a chair and just sat down against a wall, feeling dizzy and ill.
Mrs. Phillips appeared from nowhere and began binding up the werewolf's self-inflicted wounds, whispering reassurances in an unrecognizable language. Ael blinked up at her, struggling to speak. "Call my dad...send an owl...let him know."
~~~~~~
Needless to say, the consequences were not pretty. The Muggle newspaper displayed a front-page article about an apparent dog attack that had happened in Paddington Rec. Muggle policemen were baffled at the blood and signs of struggle, since the gates had been locked and pawprints were all over the garden. The Daily Prophet, on the other hand, claimed a renagade werewolf had escaped confinement and was terrorizing small children.
The personal effects weren't quite as dramatic. Kat healed, although it took several weeks. Ael was out like a light for two days, and had to wear bandages for a few more after that. Khense, on the other hand, almost had to go to a psychiatrist but talked his parents out of it.
A year later, Kat went through a vampire Awakening and the results were worse. Kat suffered Holy Water burns (thanks to Ael's quick thinking when her friend tried to escape), Khense once again was scared out of his mind for days, and Ael was quite shaken. The newspapers didn't pick up anything, to their extreme relief, but the wizarding neighbors found it quite suspicious.
Another year went by, and with it came two envelopes with emerald green ink, bearing a stamp with an H and four animals.
~~~~~~
Ael eyed the Hogwarts Express as she unloaded her trunk from the trolley. Finally, she was old enough to go to Hogwarts!
"Oh, I hope you'll be a Ravenclaw," Christopher was saying as he picked up Artoo's cage. "I can show you around the tower, and the classrooms, and all the trick steps-"
Ael tuned him out. It was Christopher's last year and he'd managed to earn Prefect status. For some reason, he found it exciting that Ael was finally a first-year (go figure).
Ael picked up the cage containing Jewlz, her snowy owl. Ael loved snowy owls, and she knew that having a rare owl would let the reciever know exactly who the letter was from without seeing the signature.
"Come on, sis, I'll introduce you to the others," Christopher said, and bounded onto the train.
The first compartment contained a group of Ravenclaws whom Christopher introduced as Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst, Lisa Turpin, and Padma Patil. After she managed to seperate the dormmates, Ael got to meet Neville Longbottom and Dean Thomas of Gryffindor. Three unpleasant-looking Slytherins were pointed out to her as Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle.
The last compartment was the Ael had been waiting for. Inside was a girl with red hair, her older brother, a bushy-haired girl, and a bespectacled young man with raven hair.
"Hey guys," Christopher said, poking his head into the compartment. "I'm showing my sister Ael around. She's a first-year this year." He turned to Ael. "This is Ginny and Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter."
Ael didn't bother looking for the scar. She knew that untamed mane of his would hide it, and he probably got enough of that from other people anyway. Instead she gave them all a megawatt smile. "Nice to meet you all," she said truthfully. "I'm Ael Lytning Bolt."
Harry gave her an incredelous look. "That'd better not be a joke at my expense," he said cautiously.
"I swear, it's my real middle name," she said, holding up her hands mock- defensively. "My parents have an odd sense of humour." She paused for a moment. "Well, that and this," she added, and held up a hand. Electricity crackled around it, emanating from her fingers.
"Ah, that explains a lot," Hermione said, eyes lighting up. "So you're the werewolf I've heard so much about."
"Er...yeah, that's me." She let the electricity fade away. "It isn't all over the school already, is it?"
"No," Harry assured her. "It's just us and a few Ravenclaws. Your brother is very...talkative." Christopher looked offended, but Harry continued before he could object. "Besides, one of my dad's friends - the DADA teacher from my third year - is a werewolf too."
"I've heard about him," Ael agreed, pleased at the good attitude towards her kind. "Remus Lupin, right?"
"Exactly the one," Ron agreed.
"Which type was he?" The four Gryffindors all held blank stares, so she elaborated. "What type of lycanthrope?"
"He's a Type 2A," Hermione said, looking as if she wanted to smack herself in the face for not realizing what she meant sooner.
"Hmm, that's where we differ," Ael mused aloud. "I'm a Type 2B. Close but no cigar, ya know?"
Without due warning, a smirking blond vampire made her entrance. "There you are!"
Ael didn't bother turning around, since she recognized the voice - plus she smelled her friend ever since she'd gone through the barrier. "Hey, Kat."
"I've been looking all over for you! Where have you been?" Kat demanded, mock-offended. Khense, who was in the hallway behind her, sniggered a bit at the mother hen tone Kat had adopted.
"Right here, you know that."
"Well, come on then." She grabbed Ael by the ear and started dragging her away.
"Ouch!"
"Come on. We've got to find a compartment."
"See you guys at the feast, I guess." Christopher said, blinking.
"Okay. LET GO OF MY EAR!" Ael growled.
Kat gave her an amused look, but let go before Ael decided her hand was a chew toy. Khense looked around.
"I don't think there are any empty compartments," he ventured nervously.
Kat and Ael shared a knowing glance, then sighed and began looking for a compartment that didn't have too many people in it.
Towards the middle of the train, the trio came across such a compartment. Kat knocked on the sliding door.
"Come in!" a cheerful voice called.
Kat slid open the door. A girl with light blue eyes and mousy-brown, waist- length hair greeted them from the window seat. "Hiya!" the grinning girl said.
"Do you mind if we join you?" Ael asked. She sniffed the air slightly, and couldn't pick up even a whiff of fear or unfriendliness.
"Nope. Have a seat." Ael immediately took it upon herself to flop down on the nearest seat and kick her feet up to rest on the back it. Khense chuckled a bit at this as he and Kat sat down as well.
"My name's Christana Montgomery, but you can call me Chris," the new girl introduced herself.
"I'm Ael Lytning Bolt," Ael drawled, letting some of her old mideast- American accent come through. "Don't ask why; the parental units have an odd sense of humour."
"Didn't doubt it for a second."
"I'm Katrina Tariene Phillips, but you can call me Kat," Kat stated with a smile.
"Khense Denari Nekire," Khense said. "And before you ask, it's a Khemetic name." Chris blinked at him. "Egyptian," Khense clarified.
"Oh, I see. what's that around your neck?" She pointed to the scarab beetle pendant Khense had worn since the age of nine.
"Oh. this has been in my family for as long as we can remember," he said, holding it up. "None of us quite know what it does, only that we've had it since ancient times. My father gave it to me two years ago."
"Oh, cool!" Chris grinned. "So, you three are first-years?"
"Yep," Ael confirmed, nodding.
"So'm I. Know what House you'll be in?"
"No, but I have a sneaky suspicion it'll be Slytherin," Kat mused. "Both my parents were Slytherins, as were Khense's."
Chris nodded in comprehension, and glanced over at the other girl. "Ael? What about you?"
"You think I know?" she snorted. "My family House seems to be the Mutt. My Dad was a Hufflepuff, and my brother's a Ravenclaw, so I've got no idea which House I'll be in." She shrugged. "I don't really care which House I get in, as long as I get to play Seeker."
"Ooh, you like Quidditch?" Chris asked eagerly. "So do I. I'd rather be Keeper, though."
"Keeper?" Kat snorted. "Come on, Chaser is the way to go!"
As you can imagine, dear reader, the conversation quickly degenerated into a debate over Quidditch positions and broomstick stances. So involved in the conversation they were, none of them noticed the time flying by until the train began to slow down. Ael blinked and looked out the dark window. "Hey, we're coming up on Hogsmeade! Shouldn't we be changing into our robes?"
"Gah, I didn't notice it was so late!" Kat exclaimed, then set to shoving Khense out of the compartment with a blush on her face. "No peeking. Girls only."
~~~~~~
Ael gaped up at the ceiling of the Great Hall as the first-years were lead in. A scattering of owls fluttered about in the rafters, which were half- visible through the cloud layer. A handful of stars managed to poke holes in the thick soupy mess up above, but for the most part it was dark and cloudy outside - and, by proxy, INSIDE as well.
Up ahead, in front of the entire school, was an old three-legged stool with a battered hat on it. Ael stared at it as she approached, her werewolf senses detecting some kind of enchantment on the hat. It helped her block out the nervous vibrations she was getting due to the presence of so much genuine silver cutlery.
Abruptly, the Hat began to sing.
**A tattered hat, I look to you
There isn't much you see me do
Yes, I can sing, but more than that
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And after I have sung my song
I'll place you where you belong
In Hufflepuff, with loyal kin
Your hardworking will help you win
Or Ravenclaw, where go the smart
Who value brains above the heart
Perhaps in Slytherin you'll be
Ambitious, cunning, and sneaky
But maybe you're for Gryffindor
With courage, brav'ry, and valour
Just put me on and I will say
Which House will cheer for you today
I can't be bribed, I can't be beat
Changing my mind would be a feat
I'm unbiased and partial, too
So let's just see which House fits you!**
The Hall burst into applause as the song ended, and Ael saw most of the first-years gazing at the Hat in amazement. The stern-looking professor who had led them there unfurled a roll of parchment, and began to read names.
"Ashe, Scott!" A nervous-looking first-year boy stepped forward, and within seconds was Sorted into Hufflepuff. "Aquilis, Kira!" was likewise Sorted into Slytherin.
"Bolt, Ael!"
Yup, I knew I was near the top of the list, Ael thought to herself as she put the Hat on.
'Aha, another young werewolf has finally come to Hogwarts,' the Hat said in her head. 'If I'm not mistaken, that means you're a Dark Creature. I take it you want to be a Slytherin, then?'
No! Not Slytherin, she scolded it.
'Are you sure? You're rather devious and cunning. I see a fondness for humor at the expense of others.'
Put me in Slytherin and I'll rip you to shreds with my teeth.
'All right, no need to get offensive...perhaps Ravenclaw? You seem to have a remarkable intelligence level for someone your age, not to mention your wandless magic.'
Sorry, I think not. I don't really want to be kept in the same dorm as my brother for an entire year. He's a bit garrulous.
'Ah, say no more, young Bolt. I understand completely. Hmm...you're a very loyal, hardworking person. Hufflepuff like your father?'
Dream on! I look awful in yellow and black.
'Well, all that's left is GRYFFINDOR!'
Ael sauntered over to the Gryffindor table, giving the Hat a dirty look as she went.
She zoned out for most of the Sorting, only waking up long enough to see "Greywers, Zelgadis" get Sorted into Slytherin (such a shame, because she thought he was pretty cute, unlike his twin brother Rezo who ended up in Gryffindor) and "Howlett, James" into Slytherin as well.
All the cute guys get Slytherin, she decided grumpily.
Christana was immediately put into Slytherin, as was Khense right after her. After "Parker, Peter" was Sorted into Gryffindor, it was Kat's turn.
It really wasn't any mystery where she was going. Kat was Sorted into Slytherin. Rats, I picked the wrong House! Ael had to fight the sudden urge to run back up there and demand a recount. Kat shot her a pitying look.
Ael fought the urge to growl out loud. She was a Gryffindor, a bloody Gryffindor while all of her other friends were in Slytherin. It wasn't fair. The only people she really knew in Gryffindor were the Terrific Trio, and they probably wouldn't appreciate a worship-the-ground-you-walk-on first-year tagalong. Not that she WAS one, mind you, but they would most likely think she was. She'd heard stories about a certain Colin Creevey back in 1992...
So deep in her thought was she, her mind was completely taken off of the presence of silver until her hand brushed against her fork. She bit back a yelp and jerked her hand away, massaging the slight burn that was there. Crud. Forgot that was there.
The Sorting had finished while she was cursing her bad fortune, and the Headmaster stood up at the staff table. "New students, welcome to Hogwarts!" Dumbledore said, his voice immediately quieting the students. "Old friends, nice to see you again! There is a time for speeches, but this is not it. Eat up!"
And with that, the tables were suddenly full of food. Ael's mouth dropped open at the tide of mouthwatering scents slammed into her sensitive nose. Beef, chicken, pork, potatoes, fresh salad, soup of all kinds...this wasn't a meal, it was a BANQUET!
She wasted no time in piling her plate high with various meats and side dishes, being careful to select items that she could eat with her hands without looking suspicious. With a chicken leg in one hand and a gold goblet of pumpkin juice in the other, she dug in, doing her best to ignore the ever-present malicious silver.
When the girl next to her dropped her soup-covered spoon on Ael's leg, however, she couldn't hold back a startled cry. The redhead quickly picked it up, apologizing. "Oh, I'm sorry!" the VERY Irish girl said, face turning red in embarassment.
Ael smiled faintly, knowing that the girl thought she was worried about food getting on her pants. "It's okay, er...sorry, I think I missed your name...?"
"Connemara," she replied, offering her other hand to the werewolf. "Connemara O'Neil, from Donegal."
"Ael Bolt," Ael told her in turn, taking her hand and giving it a quick shake. "Originally from the colonies, now living in London."
"Aha, a Yankee!" Connemara grinned at her. "Never met someone from across the pond before. Why'd you move?"
"Ah." She faltered, frantically casting about for an excuse. "Well, thing is...er...it's kind of something I don't want the other Houses to know. I actually have to tell all of Gryffindor about it after we go to the dorm."
Connemara raised an eyebrow. "Right. Something to do with your lineage or something?"
"No no, my Dad's a pureblood and my mom's a Muggle, but it doesn't have any bearing on this," Ael assured her. She paused. "Wait, you're not one of those snobs who thinks that purebloods are superior, are you?"
"No, I'm a pureblood but I'm not biased." Connemara shrugged. "I never quite understood the whole pureblood vs. Muggleborn thing. I mean, we're all magical, right?"
"Exactly," Ael agreed wholeheartedly, taking a bite out of her porkchop. "Any specific views on vampires? Werewolves? Parselmouths?"
Connemara shrugged again as she went back to her meal. "As long as they're not trying to suck out me blood, eat me, or sic a snake on me, I'm okay with them. Why do you ask?"
Ael bit her lip and glanced over at the Slytherin table, searching for the familiar blond hair that she had come to know so well over the past six years. "Well..." She used a chicken bone to gesture towards Kat. "First off, see that girl? Yeah, the blond one, Kat. She's me best mate growing up, and she's a vampire." All of this was said in a low voice that didn't carry any further than the intended recipient. She bit her lip, debating whether to tell her more, and threw caution to the wind. "And as for the werewolves and parselmouths...well, that's what I need to tell the rest of the House."
Connemara's eyes showed understanding after a moment. "Ooh, you mean, you're a lycanthrope? AND a Parselmouth?"
"Yep, that's me. Ael the Wonder Werewolf and resident Snake-Speaker," she deadpanned. She gave the other girl a hesitant smile. "Still feel okay with it?"
"Are you kidding? I want to know what it's like!" She paused, and then quickly added, "Not that I WANT to be a Dark Creature, I mean hearing a first-person account of the whole thing..."
"It's okay, I knew what you meant. I wouldn't bite you even if you wanted me to, though." Now that her secret was out, at least to this new friend, she was able to say something that she'd been dying to say for the past five minutes. "Er, speaking of me being a werewolf, would you mind pointing that fork someplace else?" she asked, eyes flicking down to the silverware that Connemara was holding uncomfortably close to her arm.
Connemara looked down, and quickly pulled it away. "Oh, sorry. I forgot, this stuff is real silver. Want me to get your own away from you?"
Ael shook her head, surprised at the offer. "It'll look strange to the other Houses, let alone our own. I can handle it, as long as you don't shove it into my lap or anything." She showed the other girl her hand, where a small burn could still be seen. "Werewolves one-oh-one: this is what split-second contact with silver does."
"Ouch. Looks painful."
"Trust me, prolonged contact is even worse. So no food fights." With a sudden flare of mischief, she scooped up half a baked potato and smashed it on her new friend's forehead, smirking at the Irish girl's shocked expression. "Well, what I mean is that you can't fight back."
~~~~~~
Four sauteed mushrooms, three pumpkin pastries, two peppermint humbugs, and a partridge in a pear tree later, the food fight was broken up by sixth year prefect Colin Creevey and the new Gryffindors were sent up to Gryffindor Tower. Although she knew the rest of the students were likely tired and wanting nothing more than to sleep, she got Harry to call them all into the common room for a quick announcement.
"Er...right," she said, clearing her throat. "Sorry about keeping you from sleeping, but I just wanted you to know that you'll be rooming with a werewolf from now on." Aha, NOW they were all awake. "But don't worry, I've got a good friend who makes Wolfsbane Potion like an expert - and she's been brewing it for three years so I should hope so - and I'll be locked away from humans each full moon." She gave them a weak smile. "Just thought I should get that into the open. Good night."
TBC...
Also note: this chapter is a bit darker than the previous ones. Ael is going Savage, and this means general nastiness for any nearby.
Chapter summary: Ael and Kat gain new instincts, and the girls (plus Khense) go off to Hogwarts for their first year, meeting a strange group of ickle firsties as they go. Also appearing are the famed Trio of Hogwarts (Harry, Hermione, and Ron) and others of their year.
Disclaimer: The Sorting Hat song belongs to me, as I spent quite a bit of sweat and tears trying to get it to rhyme and fit in with the rhythm. The Phillips family and Khense Nekire belong to Dark Jedi Princess, Ael Bolt and her family belong to myself, Christana Montgomery belongs to Kawaii Spinel Queen of Evil, Connemara belongs to Klanna, Zelgadis and Rezo Greywers belong to the people who own the anime "Slayers," James Howlett and Peter Parker belong to Marvel Comics (X-Men and Spider-Man, respectively). Anyone you recognize belongs to JK Rowling, and anyone else you don't belongs to some other RP-er or is a "filler" character created by Kat and/or myself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chapter Three - Teen Wolf
Five years later, nine-year-old Ael locked herself in her garden in Paddington Rec. Kat sat on the top of the brick wall, and Khense was literally up a tree.
Ael looked toward the horizon. "Won't be long now," she announced. "Moonrise in five...four...three...two...one..."
Right on cue, the first silver rays of moonlight crept across the well- manicured lawn, flowerbeds, and saplings, finally coming to rest on the young werewolf's skin. She shut her eyes tight against the pain of transformation as the sickening changes got underway.
Something was different. Not because Sheba was no longer with her, but something in the transformation itself. "Kat...something's wrong!" she tried to warn her friend, but all that emerged from her shifting throat was a ragged howl.
Luckily, Kat seemed to get the picture. "Khense, stay in the tree! She's gone Savage!"
Khense paled, let out a squeak, and scrambled further up the foliage.
Ael made the transition to werewolf, her vision going light red. She growled, sniffing at the air. The breeze carried the putrid scent of vampire flesh, but underlying it was the sweet aroma of human meat. She threw back her head and howled savagely, saliva dripping from her fangs. She charged at the wall, throwing her body against it and trying to reach the tantalizing flavour of human. She shrieked in fury at her inability to reach the succulent one, and began tearing her own flanks in rage.
Disgusting-smelling arms wrapped around her from behind, and she snarled at the vampire. The girl stubbornly held on as the werewolf tried to buck her off, and the beast snapped at sour fingers. Fangs tore flesh and scraped bone, but the vampire refused to let go. Claws tore deep furrows in the girl's side and legs, and still she clung to the powerful animal's back.
The werewolf let out an enraged howl, splitting the silence of the park and making the flowers shake. Khense squeaked again and climbed higher in his tree, trying to shut out the sounds of carnage from beneath him.
~~~~~~
Dawn broke, and with it the trio awoke. Ael and Kat, the walking wounded, both had to lean on Khense as the frightened boy led them back to Kat's house.
Mr. Phillips was stunned when he opened the door to see two thoroughly-torn- up girls and one panicked boy on the doorstep. He swept Kat off to her room, muttering something about vampiric healing and werewolf bites. Ael gave up trying to find a chair and just sat down against a wall, feeling dizzy and ill.
Mrs. Phillips appeared from nowhere and began binding up the werewolf's self-inflicted wounds, whispering reassurances in an unrecognizable language. Ael blinked up at her, struggling to speak. "Call my dad...send an owl...let him know."
~~~~~~
Needless to say, the consequences were not pretty. The Muggle newspaper displayed a front-page article about an apparent dog attack that had happened in Paddington Rec. Muggle policemen were baffled at the blood and signs of struggle, since the gates had been locked and pawprints were all over the garden. The Daily Prophet, on the other hand, claimed a renagade werewolf had escaped confinement and was terrorizing small children.
The personal effects weren't quite as dramatic. Kat healed, although it took several weeks. Ael was out like a light for two days, and had to wear bandages for a few more after that. Khense, on the other hand, almost had to go to a psychiatrist but talked his parents out of it.
A year later, Kat went through a vampire Awakening and the results were worse. Kat suffered Holy Water burns (thanks to Ael's quick thinking when her friend tried to escape), Khense once again was scared out of his mind for days, and Ael was quite shaken. The newspapers didn't pick up anything, to their extreme relief, but the wizarding neighbors found it quite suspicious.
Another year went by, and with it came two envelopes with emerald green ink, bearing a stamp with an H and four animals.
~~~~~~
Ael eyed the Hogwarts Express as she unloaded her trunk from the trolley. Finally, she was old enough to go to Hogwarts!
"Oh, I hope you'll be a Ravenclaw," Christopher was saying as he picked up Artoo's cage. "I can show you around the tower, and the classrooms, and all the trick steps-"
Ael tuned him out. It was Christopher's last year and he'd managed to earn Prefect status. For some reason, he found it exciting that Ael was finally a first-year (go figure).
Ael picked up the cage containing Jewlz, her snowy owl. Ael loved snowy owls, and she knew that having a rare owl would let the reciever know exactly who the letter was from without seeing the signature.
"Come on, sis, I'll introduce you to the others," Christopher said, and bounded onto the train.
The first compartment contained a group of Ravenclaws whom Christopher introduced as Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst, Lisa Turpin, and Padma Patil. After she managed to seperate the dormmates, Ael got to meet Neville Longbottom and Dean Thomas of Gryffindor. Three unpleasant-looking Slytherins were pointed out to her as Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle.
The last compartment was the Ael had been waiting for. Inside was a girl with red hair, her older brother, a bushy-haired girl, and a bespectacled young man with raven hair.
"Hey guys," Christopher said, poking his head into the compartment. "I'm showing my sister Ael around. She's a first-year this year." He turned to Ael. "This is Ginny and Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter."
Ael didn't bother looking for the scar. She knew that untamed mane of his would hide it, and he probably got enough of that from other people anyway. Instead she gave them all a megawatt smile. "Nice to meet you all," she said truthfully. "I'm Ael Lytning Bolt."
Harry gave her an incredelous look. "That'd better not be a joke at my expense," he said cautiously.
"I swear, it's my real middle name," she said, holding up her hands mock- defensively. "My parents have an odd sense of humour." She paused for a moment. "Well, that and this," she added, and held up a hand. Electricity crackled around it, emanating from her fingers.
"Ah, that explains a lot," Hermione said, eyes lighting up. "So you're the werewolf I've heard so much about."
"Er...yeah, that's me." She let the electricity fade away. "It isn't all over the school already, is it?"
"No," Harry assured her. "It's just us and a few Ravenclaws. Your brother is very...talkative." Christopher looked offended, but Harry continued before he could object. "Besides, one of my dad's friends - the DADA teacher from my third year - is a werewolf too."
"I've heard about him," Ael agreed, pleased at the good attitude towards her kind. "Remus Lupin, right?"
"Exactly the one," Ron agreed.
"Which type was he?" The four Gryffindors all held blank stares, so she elaborated. "What type of lycanthrope?"
"He's a Type 2A," Hermione said, looking as if she wanted to smack herself in the face for not realizing what she meant sooner.
"Hmm, that's where we differ," Ael mused aloud. "I'm a Type 2B. Close but no cigar, ya know?"
Without due warning, a smirking blond vampire made her entrance. "There you are!"
Ael didn't bother turning around, since she recognized the voice - plus she smelled her friend ever since she'd gone through the barrier. "Hey, Kat."
"I've been looking all over for you! Where have you been?" Kat demanded, mock-offended. Khense, who was in the hallway behind her, sniggered a bit at the mother hen tone Kat had adopted.
"Right here, you know that."
"Well, come on then." She grabbed Ael by the ear and started dragging her away.
"Ouch!"
"Come on. We've got to find a compartment."
"See you guys at the feast, I guess." Christopher said, blinking.
"Okay. LET GO OF MY EAR!" Ael growled.
Kat gave her an amused look, but let go before Ael decided her hand was a chew toy. Khense looked around.
"I don't think there are any empty compartments," he ventured nervously.
Kat and Ael shared a knowing glance, then sighed and began looking for a compartment that didn't have too many people in it.
Towards the middle of the train, the trio came across such a compartment. Kat knocked on the sliding door.
"Come in!" a cheerful voice called.
Kat slid open the door. A girl with light blue eyes and mousy-brown, waist- length hair greeted them from the window seat. "Hiya!" the grinning girl said.
"Do you mind if we join you?" Ael asked. She sniffed the air slightly, and couldn't pick up even a whiff of fear or unfriendliness.
"Nope. Have a seat." Ael immediately took it upon herself to flop down on the nearest seat and kick her feet up to rest on the back it. Khense chuckled a bit at this as he and Kat sat down as well.
"My name's Christana Montgomery, but you can call me Chris," the new girl introduced herself.
"I'm Ael Lytning Bolt," Ael drawled, letting some of her old mideast- American accent come through. "Don't ask why; the parental units have an odd sense of humour."
"Didn't doubt it for a second."
"I'm Katrina Tariene Phillips, but you can call me Kat," Kat stated with a smile.
"Khense Denari Nekire," Khense said. "And before you ask, it's a Khemetic name." Chris blinked at him. "Egyptian," Khense clarified.
"Oh, I see. what's that around your neck?" She pointed to the scarab beetle pendant Khense had worn since the age of nine.
"Oh. this has been in my family for as long as we can remember," he said, holding it up. "None of us quite know what it does, only that we've had it since ancient times. My father gave it to me two years ago."
"Oh, cool!" Chris grinned. "So, you three are first-years?"
"Yep," Ael confirmed, nodding.
"So'm I. Know what House you'll be in?"
"No, but I have a sneaky suspicion it'll be Slytherin," Kat mused. "Both my parents were Slytherins, as were Khense's."
Chris nodded in comprehension, and glanced over at the other girl. "Ael? What about you?"
"You think I know?" she snorted. "My family House seems to be the Mutt. My Dad was a Hufflepuff, and my brother's a Ravenclaw, so I've got no idea which House I'll be in." She shrugged. "I don't really care which House I get in, as long as I get to play Seeker."
"Ooh, you like Quidditch?" Chris asked eagerly. "So do I. I'd rather be Keeper, though."
"Keeper?" Kat snorted. "Come on, Chaser is the way to go!"
As you can imagine, dear reader, the conversation quickly degenerated into a debate over Quidditch positions and broomstick stances. So involved in the conversation they were, none of them noticed the time flying by until the train began to slow down. Ael blinked and looked out the dark window. "Hey, we're coming up on Hogsmeade! Shouldn't we be changing into our robes?"
"Gah, I didn't notice it was so late!" Kat exclaimed, then set to shoving Khense out of the compartment with a blush on her face. "No peeking. Girls only."
~~~~~~
Ael gaped up at the ceiling of the Great Hall as the first-years were lead in. A scattering of owls fluttered about in the rafters, which were half- visible through the cloud layer. A handful of stars managed to poke holes in the thick soupy mess up above, but for the most part it was dark and cloudy outside - and, by proxy, INSIDE as well.
Up ahead, in front of the entire school, was an old three-legged stool with a battered hat on it. Ael stared at it as she approached, her werewolf senses detecting some kind of enchantment on the hat. It helped her block out the nervous vibrations she was getting due to the presence of so much genuine silver cutlery.
Abruptly, the Hat began to sing.
**A tattered hat, I look to you
There isn't much you see me do
Yes, I can sing, but more than that
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And after I have sung my song
I'll place you where you belong
In Hufflepuff, with loyal kin
Your hardworking will help you win
Or Ravenclaw, where go the smart
Who value brains above the heart
Perhaps in Slytherin you'll be
Ambitious, cunning, and sneaky
But maybe you're for Gryffindor
With courage, brav'ry, and valour
Just put me on and I will say
Which House will cheer for you today
I can't be bribed, I can't be beat
Changing my mind would be a feat
I'm unbiased and partial, too
So let's just see which House fits you!**
The Hall burst into applause as the song ended, and Ael saw most of the first-years gazing at the Hat in amazement. The stern-looking professor who had led them there unfurled a roll of parchment, and began to read names.
"Ashe, Scott!" A nervous-looking first-year boy stepped forward, and within seconds was Sorted into Hufflepuff. "Aquilis, Kira!" was likewise Sorted into Slytherin.
"Bolt, Ael!"
Yup, I knew I was near the top of the list, Ael thought to herself as she put the Hat on.
'Aha, another young werewolf has finally come to Hogwarts,' the Hat said in her head. 'If I'm not mistaken, that means you're a Dark Creature. I take it you want to be a Slytherin, then?'
No! Not Slytherin, she scolded it.
'Are you sure? You're rather devious and cunning. I see a fondness for humor at the expense of others.'
Put me in Slytherin and I'll rip you to shreds with my teeth.
'All right, no need to get offensive...perhaps Ravenclaw? You seem to have a remarkable intelligence level for someone your age, not to mention your wandless magic.'
Sorry, I think not. I don't really want to be kept in the same dorm as my brother for an entire year. He's a bit garrulous.
'Ah, say no more, young Bolt. I understand completely. Hmm...you're a very loyal, hardworking person. Hufflepuff like your father?'
Dream on! I look awful in yellow and black.
'Well, all that's left is GRYFFINDOR!'
Ael sauntered over to the Gryffindor table, giving the Hat a dirty look as she went.
She zoned out for most of the Sorting, only waking up long enough to see "Greywers, Zelgadis" get Sorted into Slytherin (such a shame, because she thought he was pretty cute, unlike his twin brother Rezo who ended up in Gryffindor) and "Howlett, James" into Slytherin as well.
All the cute guys get Slytherin, she decided grumpily.
Christana was immediately put into Slytherin, as was Khense right after her. After "Parker, Peter" was Sorted into Gryffindor, it was Kat's turn.
It really wasn't any mystery where she was going. Kat was Sorted into Slytherin. Rats, I picked the wrong House! Ael had to fight the sudden urge to run back up there and demand a recount. Kat shot her a pitying look.
Ael fought the urge to growl out loud. She was a Gryffindor, a bloody Gryffindor while all of her other friends were in Slytherin. It wasn't fair. The only people she really knew in Gryffindor were the Terrific Trio, and they probably wouldn't appreciate a worship-the-ground-you-walk-on first-year tagalong. Not that she WAS one, mind you, but they would most likely think she was. She'd heard stories about a certain Colin Creevey back in 1992...
So deep in her thought was she, her mind was completely taken off of the presence of silver until her hand brushed against her fork. She bit back a yelp and jerked her hand away, massaging the slight burn that was there. Crud. Forgot that was there.
The Sorting had finished while she was cursing her bad fortune, and the Headmaster stood up at the staff table. "New students, welcome to Hogwarts!" Dumbledore said, his voice immediately quieting the students. "Old friends, nice to see you again! There is a time for speeches, but this is not it. Eat up!"
And with that, the tables were suddenly full of food. Ael's mouth dropped open at the tide of mouthwatering scents slammed into her sensitive nose. Beef, chicken, pork, potatoes, fresh salad, soup of all kinds...this wasn't a meal, it was a BANQUET!
She wasted no time in piling her plate high with various meats and side dishes, being careful to select items that she could eat with her hands without looking suspicious. With a chicken leg in one hand and a gold goblet of pumpkin juice in the other, she dug in, doing her best to ignore the ever-present malicious silver.
When the girl next to her dropped her soup-covered spoon on Ael's leg, however, she couldn't hold back a startled cry. The redhead quickly picked it up, apologizing. "Oh, I'm sorry!" the VERY Irish girl said, face turning red in embarassment.
Ael smiled faintly, knowing that the girl thought she was worried about food getting on her pants. "It's okay, er...sorry, I think I missed your name...?"
"Connemara," she replied, offering her other hand to the werewolf. "Connemara O'Neil, from Donegal."
"Ael Bolt," Ael told her in turn, taking her hand and giving it a quick shake. "Originally from the colonies, now living in London."
"Aha, a Yankee!" Connemara grinned at her. "Never met someone from across the pond before. Why'd you move?"
"Ah." She faltered, frantically casting about for an excuse. "Well, thing is...er...it's kind of something I don't want the other Houses to know. I actually have to tell all of Gryffindor about it after we go to the dorm."
Connemara raised an eyebrow. "Right. Something to do with your lineage or something?"
"No no, my Dad's a pureblood and my mom's a Muggle, but it doesn't have any bearing on this," Ael assured her. She paused. "Wait, you're not one of those snobs who thinks that purebloods are superior, are you?"
"No, I'm a pureblood but I'm not biased." Connemara shrugged. "I never quite understood the whole pureblood vs. Muggleborn thing. I mean, we're all magical, right?"
"Exactly," Ael agreed wholeheartedly, taking a bite out of her porkchop. "Any specific views on vampires? Werewolves? Parselmouths?"
Connemara shrugged again as she went back to her meal. "As long as they're not trying to suck out me blood, eat me, or sic a snake on me, I'm okay with them. Why do you ask?"
Ael bit her lip and glanced over at the Slytherin table, searching for the familiar blond hair that she had come to know so well over the past six years. "Well..." She used a chicken bone to gesture towards Kat. "First off, see that girl? Yeah, the blond one, Kat. She's me best mate growing up, and she's a vampire." All of this was said in a low voice that didn't carry any further than the intended recipient. She bit her lip, debating whether to tell her more, and threw caution to the wind. "And as for the werewolves and parselmouths...well, that's what I need to tell the rest of the House."
Connemara's eyes showed understanding after a moment. "Ooh, you mean, you're a lycanthrope? AND a Parselmouth?"
"Yep, that's me. Ael the Wonder Werewolf and resident Snake-Speaker," she deadpanned. She gave the other girl a hesitant smile. "Still feel okay with it?"
"Are you kidding? I want to know what it's like!" She paused, and then quickly added, "Not that I WANT to be a Dark Creature, I mean hearing a first-person account of the whole thing..."
"It's okay, I knew what you meant. I wouldn't bite you even if you wanted me to, though." Now that her secret was out, at least to this new friend, she was able to say something that she'd been dying to say for the past five minutes. "Er, speaking of me being a werewolf, would you mind pointing that fork someplace else?" she asked, eyes flicking down to the silverware that Connemara was holding uncomfortably close to her arm.
Connemara looked down, and quickly pulled it away. "Oh, sorry. I forgot, this stuff is real silver. Want me to get your own away from you?"
Ael shook her head, surprised at the offer. "It'll look strange to the other Houses, let alone our own. I can handle it, as long as you don't shove it into my lap or anything." She showed the other girl her hand, where a small burn could still be seen. "Werewolves one-oh-one: this is what split-second contact with silver does."
"Ouch. Looks painful."
"Trust me, prolonged contact is even worse. So no food fights." With a sudden flare of mischief, she scooped up half a baked potato and smashed it on her new friend's forehead, smirking at the Irish girl's shocked expression. "Well, what I mean is that you can't fight back."
~~~~~~
Four sauteed mushrooms, three pumpkin pastries, two peppermint humbugs, and a partridge in a pear tree later, the food fight was broken up by sixth year prefect Colin Creevey and the new Gryffindors were sent up to Gryffindor Tower. Although she knew the rest of the students were likely tired and wanting nothing more than to sleep, she got Harry to call them all into the common room for a quick announcement.
"Er...right," she said, clearing her throat. "Sorry about keeping you from sleeping, but I just wanted you to know that you'll be rooming with a werewolf from now on." Aha, NOW they were all awake. "But don't worry, I've got a good friend who makes Wolfsbane Potion like an expert - and she's been brewing it for three years so I should hope so - and I'll be locked away from humans each full moon." She gave them a weak smile. "Just thought I should get that into the open. Good night."
TBC...