SHARING THE SUNLIGHT WITH THE FREE - THE DAWN
Chapter Three
After the first tumultuous start to the week, the days soon settled into a calm, predictable schedule. The school was a flurry of activity as students rushed around, on their way to classes. The new students all seemed to find their place easily, even the six Muggle-borns. Aurelia and Kière, dutiful as Head Boy and Girl, had got to know each of them well.
Aurelia was especially interested in the Muggle-borns. How had their lives been before Hogwarts? Living as people of magic among Muggles, had they too been persecuted? How had they survived until now? She had so many questions to ask, but was well aware that she was not likely to receive answers. After all, she herself was Muggle-born. She knew how it was, to wish to keep her past to herself. There would always be differences in her past from the rest of the pure-bloods, differences which she had never brought up with anyone. Memories that she could never share, not even with Kière.
But still, she could be friends to the Muggle-borns. And she did, in her free time, go round to chat with them. For the first time in her life, Aurelia was having her own crowd of friends, besides Kière.
There was little Aleta Barnes, a small, shy girl in Professor Gryffindor's House, who was still rather in awe of the school and everyone in it. She looked up to Aurelia especially, as a big sister - Aurelia was more than happy to take the position.
Then the Arthrop twins, both in Professor Hufflepuff's House. Aderyn and Arthfael were a stocky pair, who were adjusting fast. They were nothing alike in looks, Aderyn having bouncy blonde curls, a round face and flat nose, while Arthfael had thin brown hair, a face as long as his sister's was round, and his nose was rather pointed. However, they were thick as thieves, and you could tell they were related once they opened their mouths - both had beautiful Welsh voices, and could chirp out a lilting melody at will.although it must be confessed that Arthfael required quite a bit of persuasion.
One more from Professor Hufflepuff's House, Leroy Webber was one boy who returned affection easily. He seemed to have had a loving family and a good life - quite strange, Aurelia reflected, for a wizard born of Muggle circumstances. But she learnt that his family was an open-minded one, and he lived far from any villages, out in the country all alone. The sweet boy was the only one who volunteered information about his home readily. Although not very talented, he was fun and lovable, with a great sense of humour.
Conroy Fitz was another quiet one, who reminded Aurelia of an owl - wise, silent and studious. He mostly answered in monosyllables, which was at first very off-putting, but soon Aurelia managed to coax a rare smile out of him. After that, he was friendlier.
Lastly, there was Lyle Florian, a clever one, who mastered much of what he was taught with ease. He was sharp too - not very sociable, but quick to detect what people were thinking and respond with a great amount of tact. He was also a strict follower of rules. Both Lyle and Conroy had been put in Professor Ravenclaw's House.
There were no Muggle-borns in Professor Slytherin's House.
Aurelia had heard the Professors Gryffindor and Slytherin arguing the day before. It had been a rather heated argument on Professor Gryffindor's part, but Professor Slytherin had remained cool, calm.and sinister. Something about his manner had given Aurelia a sharp chill.
'I want none of that in this school, let alone my House.'
'Salazar - can you not understand? They have every right to be here, they are magic as we are!' Professor Gryffindor's voice was loud and agitated.
'Magic,' replied Professor Slytherin coldly, 'but not as we are.'
She had leaned back against the dungeon wall, breathing hard. The words of Professor Slytherin were familiar, very familiar, but she just could not place them.
Even now, in the warm common room, as she sat in a cozy armchair reading her class texts, she could feel the chill yet.
The fire in the grate flickered, dancing. Aurelia rubbed her forehead tiredly.a state of exhaustion overwhelmed her suddenly. Her eyelids were drooping.
A dark figure swept across the room, hissing. It spoke no real words, but with it came an intense, piercing cold, right into her heart.
It raised its arms, and from the fire, a smoky shadow arose. A shadow that inched forward bit by bit, across the room, to it. A shadow that swayed before it, hissing in reply.
And then it spoke, a language unbeknownst to her, but yet she understood the words.
'Clean.' it said. 'Clean.'
The sound of the common room door rearranging brought Aurelia back to the common room with a jolt. She looked up sharply - who would be entering at this hour? All the other students had already retired for the night.she had seen them herself.
'Still up, Aurelia? It's late,' Professor Ravenclaw's voice reached her, followed by the person.
'You are here, professor,' pointed out Aurelia, slightly amused.
'Checking for students out of bed,' said Professor Ravenclaw in a mock- stern tone. She smiled, a warm smile that few students ever saw. Professor Ravenclaw's reputation was that which befitted the strict, clever witch that she was. However, Aurelia knew very well that she could be as kind as sweet Professor Hufflepuff if she chose - and she had always welcomed Aurelia.
'I thought you would probably still be up.and I was right,' she said, surveying the books before Aurelia proudly. 'Never exhausted in a quest for knowledge - a true member of my House.'
Aurelia flushed with pride, glancing at Professor Ravenclaw. From her sincere expression, she clearly meant every word of it. Speaking of the Houses, though.
'I - er.Professor, how did you sort us?' It was a question that she had been pondering for a long time.
Professor Ravenclaw's smile widened at this, as though she had expected and was eager to answer.
'We hand-picked you, the four of us. Each one of us chose the students in whom we saw to have the qualities which we prized the most. For me, intelligence, the thirst for knowledge - which I see in you, my brightest pupil! Godric values bravery over all - he always was so bold himself. Helga.well, you know how soft-hearted Helga is.she will not think of choosing - , and Salazar, those like him, who aim high, and do all they can to achieve their ambitions. Do not look like that, dear girl, it does not mean that if you are one, you are none of the rest. It is but that which is most outstanding in a student, that makes us select them for our Houses.' She laughed a little. 'I know not if it is wise to tell you, but I believe you would not become complacent. There was a small battle between Godric and Helga and I for you - we have become rather fond of you, as you know.'
Aurelia nodded slowly. But she had noticed the missing fourth professor that Professor Ravenclaw had neglected to mention - not that she had expected Professor Slytherin to want her in his House anyway. Yet.there was something.
'Then - Professor Slytherin, why has he no Muggle-borns in his House?' Another question that had been burning insider her.
'Ah, Salazar.' Professor Ravenclaw shook her head sagely. 'He is so outspoken nowadays, and obsessed with purity of blood. But he will get over it - once he sees that blood has nothing to do with talent.'
Somehow, Aurelia did not really believe so, but she decided to let it pass. It would do no good to argue with Professor Ravenclaw, after all. She was just as fixed in some of her ideas.
'He will see,' repeated Professor Ravenclaw. 'You, for one, are proving that blood is not a factor. Brains, cleverness - you have that, and you can make use of it. You can do great things with knowledge. Remember that.'
She glanced approvingly at Aurelia's books once again, then her gaze flickered to the large clock hanging over the fireplace.
'But it is getting late, and I think I should fulfill my duty as head of House and advise you to go to bed. I am supposed to be in here to ensure my students get their rest.' She arched one eyebrow at Aurelia.
'All right, professor, I will. Good night.'
'Good night, Aurelia. Pleasant dreams.' Professor Ravenclaw patted Aurelia briefly on the shoulder and left.
A chill swept over Aurelia at her words, as the image of a dark figure flickered in her mind.
Pleasant dreams.if only she could be certain of them.
Chapter Three
After the first tumultuous start to the week, the days soon settled into a calm, predictable schedule. The school was a flurry of activity as students rushed around, on their way to classes. The new students all seemed to find their place easily, even the six Muggle-borns. Aurelia and Kière, dutiful as Head Boy and Girl, had got to know each of them well.
Aurelia was especially interested in the Muggle-borns. How had their lives been before Hogwarts? Living as people of magic among Muggles, had they too been persecuted? How had they survived until now? She had so many questions to ask, but was well aware that she was not likely to receive answers. After all, she herself was Muggle-born. She knew how it was, to wish to keep her past to herself. There would always be differences in her past from the rest of the pure-bloods, differences which she had never brought up with anyone. Memories that she could never share, not even with Kière.
But still, she could be friends to the Muggle-borns. And she did, in her free time, go round to chat with them. For the first time in her life, Aurelia was having her own crowd of friends, besides Kière.
There was little Aleta Barnes, a small, shy girl in Professor Gryffindor's House, who was still rather in awe of the school and everyone in it. She looked up to Aurelia especially, as a big sister - Aurelia was more than happy to take the position.
Then the Arthrop twins, both in Professor Hufflepuff's House. Aderyn and Arthfael were a stocky pair, who were adjusting fast. They were nothing alike in looks, Aderyn having bouncy blonde curls, a round face and flat nose, while Arthfael had thin brown hair, a face as long as his sister's was round, and his nose was rather pointed. However, they were thick as thieves, and you could tell they were related once they opened their mouths - both had beautiful Welsh voices, and could chirp out a lilting melody at will.although it must be confessed that Arthfael required quite a bit of persuasion.
One more from Professor Hufflepuff's House, Leroy Webber was one boy who returned affection easily. He seemed to have had a loving family and a good life - quite strange, Aurelia reflected, for a wizard born of Muggle circumstances. But she learnt that his family was an open-minded one, and he lived far from any villages, out in the country all alone. The sweet boy was the only one who volunteered information about his home readily. Although not very talented, he was fun and lovable, with a great sense of humour.
Conroy Fitz was another quiet one, who reminded Aurelia of an owl - wise, silent and studious. He mostly answered in monosyllables, which was at first very off-putting, but soon Aurelia managed to coax a rare smile out of him. After that, he was friendlier.
Lastly, there was Lyle Florian, a clever one, who mastered much of what he was taught with ease. He was sharp too - not very sociable, but quick to detect what people were thinking and respond with a great amount of tact. He was also a strict follower of rules. Both Lyle and Conroy had been put in Professor Ravenclaw's House.
There were no Muggle-borns in Professor Slytherin's House.
Aurelia had heard the Professors Gryffindor and Slytherin arguing the day before. It had been a rather heated argument on Professor Gryffindor's part, but Professor Slytherin had remained cool, calm.and sinister. Something about his manner had given Aurelia a sharp chill.
'I want none of that in this school, let alone my House.'
'Salazar - can you not understand? They have every right to be here, they are magic as we are!' Professor Gryffindor's voice was loud and agitated.
'Magic,' replied Professor Slytherin coldly, 'but not as we are.'
She had leaned back against the dungeon wall, breathing hard. The words of Professor Slytherin were familiar, very familiar, but she just could not place them.
Even now, in the warm common room, as she sat in a cozy armchair reading her class texts, she could feel the chill yet.
The fire in the grate flickered, dancing. Aurelia rubbed her forehead tiredly.a state of exhaustion overwhelmed her suddenly. Her eyelids were drooping.
A dark figure swept across the room, hissing. It spoke no real words, but with it came an intense, piercing cold, right into her heart.
It raised its arms, and from the fire, a smoky shadow arose. A shadow that inched forward bit by bit, across the room, to it. A shadow that swayed before it, hissing in reply.
And then it spoke, a language unbeknownst to her, but yet she understood the words.
'Clean.' it said. 'Clean.'
The sound of the common room door rearranging brought Aurelia back to the common room with a jolt. She looked up sharply - who would be entering at this hour? All the other students had already retired for the night.she had seen them herself.
'Still up, Aurelia? It's late,' Professor Ravenclaw's voice reached her, followed by the person.
'You are here, professor,' pointed out Aurelia, slightly amused.
'Checking for students out of bed,' said Professor Ravenclaw in a mock- stern tone. She smiled, a warm smile that few students ever saw. Professor Ravenclaw's reputation was that which befitted the strict, clever witch that she was. However, Aurelia knew very well that she could be as kind as sweet Professor Hufflepuff if she chose - and she had always welcomed Aurelia.
'I thought you would probably still be up.and I was right,' she said, surveying the books before Aurelia proudly. 'Never exhausted in a quest for knowledge - a true member of my House.'
Aurelia flushed with pride, glancing at Professor Ravenclaw. From her sincere expression, she clearly meant every word of it. Speaking of the Houses, though.
'I - er.Professor, how did you sort us?' It was a question that she had been pondering for a long time.
Professor Ravenclaw's smile widened at this, as though she had expected and was eager to answer.
'We hand-picked you, the four of us. Each one of us chose the students in whom we saw to have the qualities which we prized the most. For me, intelligence, the thirst for knowledge - which I see in you, my brightest pupil! Godric values bravery over all - he always was so bold himself. Helga.well, you know how soft-hearted Helga is.she will not think of choosing - , and Salazar, those like him, who aim high, and do all they can to achieve their ambitions. Do not look like that, dear girl, it does not mean that if you are one, you are none of the rest. It is but that which is most outstanding in a student, that makes us select them for our Houses.' She laughed a little. 'I know not if it is wise to tell you, but I believe you would not become complacent. There was a small battle between Godric and Helga and I for you - we have become rather fond of you, as you know.'
Aurelia nodded slowly. But she had noticed the missing fourth professor that Professor Ravenclaw had neglected to mention - not that she had expected Professor Slytherin to want her in his House anyway. Yet.there was something.
'Then - Professor Slytherin, why has he no Muggle-borns in his House?' Another question that had been burning insider her.
'Ah, Salazar.' Professor Ravenclaw shook her head sagely. 'He is so outspoken nowadays, and obsessed with purity of blood. But he will get over it - once he sees that blood has nothing to do with talent.'
Somehow, Aurelia did not really believe so, but she decided to let it pass. It would do no good to argue with Professor Ravenclaw, after all. She was just as fixed in some of her ideas.
'He will see,' repeated Professor Ravenclaw. 'You, for one, are proving that blood is not a factor. Brains, cleverness - you have that, and you can make use of it. You can do great things with knowledge. Remember that.'
She glanced approvingly at Aurelia's books once again, then her gaze flickered to the large clock hanging over the fireplace.
'But it is getting late, and I think I should fulfill my duty as head of House and advise you to go to bed. I am supposed to be in here to ensure my students get their rest.' She arched one eyebrow at Aurelia.
'All right, professor, I will. Good night.'
'Good night, Aurelia. Pleasant dreams.' Professor Ravenclaw patted Aurelia briefly on the shoulder and left.
A chill swept over Aurelia at her words, as the image of a dark figure flickered in her mind.
Pleasant dreams.if only she could be certain of them.