Chapter 3: Severus, Madeline Reive

Reive walked quickly towards the Leaky Cauldron. People turned their heads to take a good look at her; indeed, she looked like something out of a fashion magazine.

It wasn't as if she dressed flamboyantly, her style was more understated, yet, that did not mean it had no impact. She was wearing a plain full sleeved white shirt with rather stylishly big cuffs turned up smartly, and a larger than usual collar. A pair of black trousers and a black bag slung across her shoulders completed the ensemble.

She had black hair that shone in the morning light, and was cut short so that it fell across her face in bangs. Her mentor had often tried to persuade her to grow her hair longer but she was adamant that it would interfere with her Quidditch and guitar playing.

The eyebrows over her gray eyes furrowed in concentration as she read the boards on the buildings, looking for the wizard pub. Finally locating it, she entered and made her way to Diagon Alley to shop for her school supplies.

She had a train to catch in three hours, the train to Hogwarts. Inspite of having spent most of her life with the Luna, she was well aware of the workings of the muggle world as the Luna were an informed lot. They liked to know everything and had a great respect for true intelligence, muggle or non-muggle. Hence, they were better able to appreciate the finer inventions of the muggle world, always excepting those of them who were too stuck up to bother with anything beyond their own nose and pooh poohed everything muggle.

On her way to the station she had a sudden urge to buy a pair of green shades she had had her eye on for quite some time from a muggle shop, and having made the purchase she continued on her way.

She had used the money earned through 3 years of performing with the troupe to pay for her expenses. Of course her parents would be paying her school fees. Then there was the small amount left to her by her parents. That was tucked away safely in a corner of Gringotts; she was glad she didn't need to delve into those resources for now. Rather, she planned to work in the summer vacations to supply the annual pocket money that she got from her parents. Not that she was complaining; in fact, she was quite looking forward to it. If she could, she would even relieve her parents of the burden of her school fees. Not that it was a real burden, what with her father being a millionaire and all. She just liked the idea of being independent.

As soon as she got onto platform 9 and three quarters she put on her cloak and pulled the hood up. No one took much notice as she got onto the train and settled herself in an empty compartment, from where she viewed the proceedings on the platform with great interest. She had decided to keep herself isolated for now, she was more in the mood for quiet introspection rather than chatter.

Upon her arrival at the Hogsmeade station, she was taken to the school in one of the horseless carriages alone. She felt the stares of the other students as she alighted from her carriage and made her way up the stone steps, acting oblivious to the penetrating stares of those she passed.

She was mildly disgusted when she found out that she would be sorted into a house alongwith the first years, but quickly forgot her disgust when she entered the Great Hall and laid eyes on the enchanted ceiling.

She was so absorbed in her inspection of the sky that she hardly noticed what was going on until she heard the headmaster , Dumbledore say something about an unusual addition to the student body, then heard the witch who had introduced herself as Professor McGonagall call out her name in a clear nasal voice that held a hint of surprise.

Before she knew where she was she found herself on the stool with sorting hat over her head. Then she heard someone whispering as if talking to himself. It took her a while to realize that it was the hat that was whispering and nearly toppled off her stool when the realization hit her.

"Hmm...ambitious, definitely ambitious, arrogant too."

" You mean you're going to decide my fate?" she asked incredulously.

"Not too bright ,eh? Haven't caught on as yet?"

" Watch it" she said menacingly.

"All right, no need to fly off the handle." The hat seemed quite surprised at being addressed like that. "I think I'll put you in Slytherin."

"Which one's that?" she asked.

"What's that to you?" the hat asked, now sounding irritated.

"This happens to be my life you're deciding about. I have a right to know!"

And so it continued till the hat had provided satisfactory answers to her queries.

"All right, Slytherin sounds ok."

"Jeez, just trust me all right?!" said the exasperated hat before yelling out its decision or rather hers.

"Oh, by the way thanks for .."

"Just go!" the weary hat said. "Whatever" said Reive as she pulled the hat off her head.

She looked around and then walked towards the table that was cheering loudly. She took a seat beside a ridiculously blonde haughty looking boy who seemed to be about her age.

Till now she had chosen to remain oblivious to the attention she was getting but now it was unavoidable. She had sensed every eye in the Great hall on her as she sat on the stool, and she still felt the stares. She wondered if this was normal. Right then the blonde spoke up.

"Hi. I'm Draco Malfoy." He was looking at her intently as he held out his hand for her to shake and she noticed he had a nice drawl.

"Hi" she replied, shaking the offered hand. When she saw he was about to ask her something she decided she would do the asking first, so she asked about the Heads of Houses.

Draco pointed them out one by one, ending on Professor Snape. "He's our head of house" he said.

She looked in the direction of his discreetly pointing finger. " The one with the long hair?" she asked.

" Yep, that's him. He's the Potions Master at Hogwarts" he added.

She was now looking at him even more closely, for she had just noticed what the rest of the Hall was murmuring about. When she saw a few of the students looking from her to him and back again, her suspicions were confirmed.

"I look like him don't I?" she asked Draco nonchalantly.

He just returned the shrewd look she was giving him and said nothing.

"So. Are you going to be in my year?" she asked after a long pause during which she sampled the Hogwarts food and found it especially delectable.

"Yeah" he smirked, looking towards another table.

She followed his gaze and saw a red haired boy staring back at him with unmistakable animosity. "House rivals?" she ventured, looking back at Draco.

" Big time" he answered and continued with his dinner. " So where are u from exactly?" his tone indicated this was important. Her worth in his eyes depended upon her answer to this question. She suddenly remembered where she had come across the name "Malfoy". She was glad in that moment that she had bothered to research her Luna ancestors.

"Luna ." she said quietly. He answered her in the ancient Luna tongue, saying " I know".

As she got up to leave after dinner, she caught sight of Professor Snape again. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments and she would have sworn she saw the corners of his mouth twitch.

That night, as she lay in bed, she thought about how all the other kids probably missed their families when they came here. But who was she to miss? And who indeed would miss her? She had not been very popular with her fellow disciples. At that moment she realized that she would miss her mentor and the singing and dancing that had been a regular part of her life up until now a lot.

Her last thought as she drifted off to sleep was of Snape and Malfoy. "It's going to be an interesting year at school."