Chapter Four
New Friends and New Enemies
By the time the train slowed down the skies were inky black and all the students were in their robes. They filed off the train and followed a very large man to a bunch of boats at the edge of a lake. They moved like magic and soon they were inside the castle, waiting to enter the Great Hall. A female witch wearing a pointy black hat soon approached them.
"Hello, first years," she said, "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now before we go into the Great Hall, there are some things that you must know. The sorting ceremony will take place shortly. You will be sorted into one of four houses. They are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. These houses will become your homes and you will earn points by your accomplishments and lose them by your mistakes."
The doors into the Great Hall opened and they walked inside. There were hundreds of students sitting at tables lined up in the Great Hall. Alexia noticed that the ceiling didn't seem to end, and wondered why, until Breena whispered in her ear.
"It's enchanted," she mumbles, "Wicked, eh?"
Alexia was in awe of everything around her. She didn't know what to say. Suddenly the group of first years came to a halt, and Alexia could see McGonagall pull out a three legged stool and set a dirty old hat on it.
"What's that for?' asked Linnea.
"Dunno," mumbled Alexia.
Suddenly, the hat started to sing.
So Many choices,
In life you must make,
Pick the right road,
The right path to take,
You'll need some how to pick this path,
Try me on,
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
I'll put you where you ought to be,
And soon you'll see,
I'm more than a hat,
I'm a busy bee,
You may belong is Ravenclaw,
Where there are lots of brains,
Always gaining knowledge,
Their love for knowledge is plain,
Or Gryffindor could be your home,
Where they show bravery,
Or Hufflepuff where stay the true,
And work they are unafraid to do
They are loyal friends and are very true.
Or Slytherin where you'll find true friends,
They'll do what it takes,
And fight hard to win in the end.
So try me on,
Please don't be shy,
And let me take a peak inside,
I promise I'll place you right,
So hold on tight,
Hold your breath,
It won't mean your death,
I'll place you in your home,
Where you will never be alone.
The hall broke into cheers as the hat finished its song and McGonagall pulled out a large scroll and started to call off names.
"Thorne, Piper," she said.
A girl who was rather small with long brown hair crept through the crowd and approached the stool. She plopped down and the hat slipped over her eyes. It took at least a half an hour until the hat spoke.
"GRYFFINDOR!" it yelled.
Piper pulled the hat off and ran to the Gryffindor table. Her ears were very red and she looked very embarrassed. Alexia and Linnea looked at each other as "Granger, Angharad" was called to be sorted.
"Must be related to Hari." Linnea started to say but they watched as Hari made her way towards the sorting hat.
It was less than a minute before the hat yelled out.
"RAVENCLAW!"
Hari smiled and took off the hat. She smiled at the others and sat down at the table.
"Huse, Linnea," said McGonagall.
Linnea froze and didn't move until Alexia elbowed her in the ribs. Linnea looked at saw McGonagall watching her.
"Ms. Huse, if you please," said McGonagall.
Alexia could hear Ashlee laughing from behind her. Linnea trembled as she sat on the bench and pulled on the hat. It was about two minutes and then the hat yelled out the result.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Linnea had gone crimson and dashed to the table. Alexia's stomach dropped, she was starting to think that maybe she wasn't going to be with Linnea or Breena or Hari.
"Sully, Ashlee,"
Ashlee moved through the crowd with her head held high. She sat down and the hat barely touched her head when it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!" She moved happily to her seat. Alexia gulped and Breena nudged her.
"Don't be so nervous," she whispered, "It's not life or death."
"Ha, ha," mocked Alexia, "Very funny."
Just then McGonagall called "Brightheart, Breena," and she smiled at Alexia.
"See ya on the other side," she said.
She walked up and pulled on the hat. After a few seconds it shouted out "RAVENCLAW!" and Alexia took her seat next to Hari.
A different girl moved next to Alexia, and she looked very nervous. Several students where sorted into all the houses, but the girl was shaking next to her.
"You okay?" whispered Alexia.
She came up to Alexia's chin and had long brown hair and hazel eyes. She grinned at Alexia, and her eyes looked terrified.
"I'm Alexia Malfoy," she whispered, as Hanna Dove was sorted into Ravenclaw.
The girl shook Alexia's hand and squeaked.
"I'm Lorelei Aiden," she said.
"Delacour, Parvati" was sorted into Hufflepuff and so was "Black, Verity". "Shadowboxer, Jamie" was sorted into Gryffindor as well as "Chambers, Eleanor". "Hatter, Daniel' was sorted into Ravenclaw and "Sylverdarkness, Hades" was called up.
This was one of the girls who had been with Ashlee on the train. She glared at Alexia and pulled the hat over her head.
"SLYTHERIN!" it yelled almost instantaneous.
"Sandyford, Jemima" was also sorted into Slytherin and she sat next to Ashlee and Hades. Alexia was starting to feel nervous. It was only a few of them left now.
"Malfoy, Alexia," said McGonagall.
The hall hushed and Alexia looked around. Lorelei gave her a slight nudge and she walked up to the stood. She noticed a tall man with greasy black hair watching her, very intently. She walked over and sat down and pulled the hat over her head. Suddenly a tiny voice started to speak inside her head.
"Let's see. Very loyal, and smart, very smart. Eager to work." it said, "Not afraid of danger either I see.but you also want to prove yourself, but where to put you? I think I know."
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
Alexia's eyes flew open and the hall erupted with cheers. Alexia grinned and walked over to the table, where another Hufflepuff first year made room for her.
"Hi," said the girl. She was a little taller than Alexia, with shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes.
"Hi," said Alexia breathlessly.
"I'm Parvati," said the girl.
"Alexia," she said.
There were only two left and both "Aiden, Lorelei" and "von Lehn, Venefica" were sorted into Hufflepuff. Venefica was about Lorelei's height with brown hair as well, brown eyes which were covered by glasses. They sat across the table from Parvati and Alexia. The hall filled with silence as a tall wizard with a long white beard stood up.
Alexia had seen this man before, but she had never really known who he was. He had always visited their house, dressed in normal clothes, and for a while he had become like a grandfather to Alexia and Gavin. They loved him and he loved to spend time with them. But he was the headmaster of Hogwarts, very old, but still very much alive. He was Albus Dumbledore. "Welcome to all of you and to another year," he said, "Please remember that the third floor corridor and the forbidden forest are out of bounds. Enjoy the feast."
He clapped his hands and the tables filled with food. Parvati and the others dug in, but Alexia was staring across the hall at Linnea, who was sitting at the Gryffindor table. She was worried about her, because Linnea had always been rather shy at first. But she smiled when she saw her talking to a short little girl who had been sorted first. Linnea looked very happy and Alexia soon noticed Parvati looking at her.
"What?" asked Alexia.
"Didn't you hear me?" she asked.
Alexia shook her head and the others laughed slightly.
"I was just saying that you're a Malfoy, and you're in Hufflepuff," said Parvati, "According to what is known about Malfoys they aren't normally in Hufflepuff, they usually end up in Slytherin."
Alexia's stomach dropped and she got very nervous.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know to much about my family," she said, "I didn't know I was a witch until I received my letter."
"What house was your Dad in?" asked Venefica.
Alexia froze. She hadn't actually thought or asked her Father about that.
"Well.I.." She stammered.
"Your Father was in Hufflepuff," said Venefica.
The three of them looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"How would you know?" asked Alexia, sounding thoroughly confused.
"Well, you're Dad is Brent Malfoy, isn't he?" she asked.
Alexia nodded.
"He was friends with my Mum," she said, "They were both in Hufflepuff, as well as my Father."
The girls thoroughly enjoyed the feast but once everyone started to leave, Alexia ran over to Linnea, who was still talking to the small brown haired girl.
"Linnea!" yelled Alexia.
"Lex!" she yelled, "Lex, this is so wonderful!"
Alexia laughed and smiled at the other girl.
"Hi," she said, "I'm Alexia,"
"Piper," said the girl, "Nice to meet ya,"
Suddenly someone pounced on Alexia's shoulders and squealed in her ears. She turned and saw Hari and Breena standing there.
"Hufflepuff!" yelled Hari, "Awesome. Least you're not in Slytherin, bet that really bent Ashlee out of shape."
Just then Ashlee, Hades and Jemima walked past. Ashlee stopped and looked at Breena.
"Obvious and the brainy people got put in Ravenclaw, and the snobs," she said, glancing at Hari, "Course, mudbloods always got to Gryffindor, such a shame."
Linnea looked confused, but Piper looked very offended.
"You can't just go around saying that!" she yelled.
"Are you going to stop me?" asked Ashlee.
Piper backed down, and Breena grabbed Ashlee by the shoulder.
"Leave her alone," Breena growled.
"You're going to stop me Brightheart?" Ashlee laughed, "Not likely, if you had half as much courage as you do brains, you'd be in Gryffindor."
"SHUT UP!" yelled Alexia.
Hades's and Jemima's attention moved to Alexia, who was standing next to Hari.
"Well, well, well," said Hades, "Alexia Malfoy, right?"
Alexia looked at them, her face full of anger.
"Just because you're in Slytherin doesn't mean you're better than the rest of the school," barked Alexia, "You're not better than us."
Ashlee swept between the two and got face to face with Alexia.
"Well, if it isn't the Malfoy who went wrong," he said, "It's pathetic, really, a Malfoy in Hufflepuff, crime against nature."
"My Father was in Hufflepuff!" shouted Alexia.
Linnea looked around and saw that Professor Dumbledore was watching them.
"You are a disgrace to the name you carry," said Ashlee, "And you hang around with mudbloods."
Breena was starting to get angry, and so was Hari. But suddenly a very soothing voice came from behind them.
"I trust there in no problem here, ladies?" said the man.
They turned to see Dumbledore standing right behind them. Ashlee's eyes flicked up towards him then down quickly.
"No problem," said Ashlee, quickly walking away.
Dumbledore smiled as the other students left, but he set his hand on Alexia's shoulder.
"If I may have a word?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I don't know if you remember." he started.
"I do remember you," she said, "You always came to the house to see Grandma."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded.
"Indeed," he said, "I just want to tell you that if there is something you need, you can feel free to come see me. My door is always open."
Alexia nodded and thanked him. She then ran out the door of the Great Hall, where she saw the Hufflepuffs heading to the common room. The Prefect who stood in front turned to the others.
"The password," he said, "Is 'chizmane'. Don't forget!"
They all filed into the common room, which was filled with beautiful black leather furniture and the walls were painted a soft yellow. The Prefect pointed them up a staircase and told them this would be their dorm room. They went up and found five four posters that all had black satin sheets. Alexia found her stuff in front of a bed that was near the window. Alexia looked around and smiled. Parvati's bed was to her left, and Lorelei's was to her right as she sat on the bed.
"So this is home," said Venefica.
Alexia nodded and looked inside her trunk. She pulled out several picture frames from it and set them on her bedside table. Parvati walked over and started to play with Ami, who was sitting on Alexia's bed. She glanced at the picture of Alexia, her Dad, Brother and Grandmother.
"Is this your family?" asked Parvati as Venefica walked over to see.
"Yeah," said Alexia, as she pulled out two more pictures.
"Where's your Mum?" asked Venefica.
Lorelei sat on her bed and Alexia sat on her closed trunk.
"My Mum and Dad got divorced when I was like 4," she said, "She didn't even come for my 4th birthday."
"How old is your brother?" asked Lorelei, looking at one of the pictures.
"21," said Alexia, "He works for Gringotts bank."
They talked all night about their families. Lorelei was a half blood and had a brother who was the same age as Gavin. Lorelei was pretty sure that they had gone to school together. Venefica was a muggle born and had three siblings, a brother and twin sisters. Parvati's parents were a pure blood and a half blood and she had two older sisters. Verity was a very quiet girl, and she really didn't tell them much. She basically said that she grew up in foster care her entire life and never knew her father.
At about 2 am, Alexia closed the hangings on her bed and lay down. She stared up at the ceiling and sighed. She was in a new place, with new people, and yet somehow, she wasn't afraid. This would be a very excellent adventure.
New Friends and New Enemies
By the time the train slowed down the skies were inky black and all the students were in their robes. They filed off the train and followed a very large man to a bunch of boats at the edge of a lake. They moved like magic and soon they were inside the castle, waiting to enter the Great Hall. A female witch wearing a pointy black hat soon approached them.
"Hello, first years," she said, "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now before we go into the Great Hall, there are some things that you must know. The sorting ceremony will take place shortly. You will be sorted into one of four houses. They are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. These houses will become your homes and you will earn points by your accomplishments and lose them by your mistakes."
The doors into the Great Hall opened and they walked inside. There were hundreds of students sitting at tables lined up in the Great Hall. Alexia noticed that the ceiling didn't seem to end, and wondered why, until Breena whispered in her ear.
"It's enchanted," she mumbles, "Wicked, eh?"
Alexia was in awe of everything around her. She didn't know what to say. Suddenly the group of first years came to a halt, and Alexia could see McGonagall pull out a three legged stool and set a dirty old hat on it.
"What's that for?' asked Linnea.
"Dunno," mumbled Alexia.
Suddenly, the hat started to sing.
So Many choices,
In life you must make,
Pick the right road,
The right path to take,
You'll need some how to pick this path,
Try me on,
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
I'll put you where you ought to be,
And soon you'll see,
I'm more than a hat,
I'm a busy bee,
You may belong is Ravenclaw,
Where there are lots of brains,
Always gaining knowledge,
Their love for knowledge is plain,
Or Gryffindor could be your home,
Where they show bravery,
Or Hufflepuff where stay the true,
And work they are unafraid to do
They are loyal friends and are very true.
Or Slytherin where you'll find true friends,
They'll do what it takes,
And fight hard to win in the end.
So try me on,
Please don't be shy,
And let me take a peak inside,
I promise I'll place you right,
So hold on tight,
Hold your breath,
It won't mean your death,
I'll place you in your home,
Where you will never be alone.
The hall broke into cheers as the hat finished its song and McGonagall pulled out a large scroll and started to call off names.
"Thorne, Piper," she said.
A girl who was rather small with long brown hair crept through the crowd and approached the stool. She plopped down and the hat slipped over her eyes. It took at least a half an hour until the hat spoke.
"GRYFFINDOR!" it yelled.
Piper pulled the hat off and ran to the Gryffindor table. Her ears were very red and she looked very embarrassed. Alexia and Linnea looked at each other as "Granger, Angharad" was called to be sorted.
"Must be related to Hari." Linnea started to say but they watched as Hari made her way towards the sorting hat.
It was less than a minute before the hat yelled out.
"RAVENCLAW!"
Hari smiled and took off the hat. She smiled at the others and sat down at the table.
"Huse, Linnea," said McGonagall.
Linnea froze and didn't move until Alexia elbowed her in the ribs. Linnea looked at saw McGonagall watching her.
"Ms. Huse, if you please," said McGonagall.
Alexia could hear Ashlee laughing from behind her. Linnea trembled as she sat on the bench and pulled on the hat. It was about two minutes and then the hat yelled out the result.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Linnea had gone crimson and dashed to the table. Alexia's stomach dropped, she was starting to think that maybe she wasn't going to be with Linnea or Breena or Hari.
"Sully, Ashlee,"
Ashlee moved through the crowd with her head held high. She sat down and the hat barely touched her head when it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!" She moved happily to her seat. Alexia gulped and Breena nudged her.
"Don't be so nervous," she whispered, "It's not life or death."
"Ha, ha," mocked Alexia, "Very funny."
Just then McGonagall called "Brightheart, Breena," and she smiled at Alexia.
"See ya on the other side," she said.
She walked up and pulled on the hat. After a few seconds it shouted out "RAVENCLAW!" and Alexia took her seat next to Hari.
A different girl moved next to Alexia, and she looked very nervous. Several students where sorted into all the houses, but the girl was shaking next to her.
"You okay?" whispered Alexia.
She came up to Alexia's chin and had long brown hair and hazel eyes. She grinned at Alexia, and her eyes looked terrified.
"I'm Alexia Malfoy," she whispered, as Hanna Dove was sorted into Ravenclaw.
The girl shook Alexia's hand and squeaked.
"I'm Lorelei Aiden," she said.
"Delacour, Parvati" was sorted into Hufflepuff and so was "Black, Verity". "Shadowboxer, Jamie" was sorted into Gryffindor as well as "Chambers, Eleanor". "Hatter, Daniel' was sorted into Ravenclaw and "Sylverdarkness, Hades" was called up.
This was one of the girls who had been with Ashlee on the train. She glared at Alexia and pulled the hat over her head.
"SLYTHERIN!" it yelled almost instantaneous.
"Sandyford, Jemima" was also sorted into Slytherin and she sat next to Ashlee and Hades. Alexia was starting to feel nervous. It was only a few of them left now.
"Malfoy, Alexia," said McGonagall.
The hall hushed and Alexia looked around. Lorelei gave her a slight nudge and she walked up to the stood. She noticed a tall man with greasy black hair watching her, very intently. She walked over and sat down and pulled the hat over her head. Suddenly a tiny voice started to speak inside her head.
"Let's see. Very loyal, and smart, very smart. Eager to work." it said, "Not afraid of danger either I see.but you also want to prove yourself, but where to put you? I think I know."
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
Alexia's eyes flew open and the hall erupted with cheers. Alexia grinned and walked over to the table, where another Hufflepuff first year made room for her.
"Hi," said the girl. She was a little taller than Alexia, with shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes.
"Hi," said Alexia breathlessly.
"I'm Parvati," said the girl.
"Alexia," she said.
There were only two left and both "Aiden, Lorelei" and "von Lehn, Venefica" were sorted into Hufflepuff. Venefica was about Lorelei's height with brown hair as well, brown eyes which were covered by glasses. They sat across the table from Parvati and Alexia. The hall filled with silence as a tall wizard with a long white beard stood up.
Alexia had seen this man before, but she had never really known who he was. He had always visited their house, dressed in normal clothes, and for a while he had become like a grandfather to Alexia and Gavin. They loved him and he loved to spend time with them. But he was the headmaster of Hogwarts, very old, but still very much alive. He was Albus Dumbledore. "Welcome to all of you and to another year," he said, "Please remember that the third floor corridor and the forbidden forest are out of bounds. Enjoy the feast."
He clapped his hands and the tables filled with food. Parvati and the others dug in, but Alexia was staring across the hall at Linnea, who was sitting at the Gryffindor table. She was worried about her, because Linnea had always been rather shy at first. But she smiled when she saw her talking to a short little girl who had been sorted first. Linnea looked very happy and Alexia soon noticed Parvati looking at her.
"What?" asked Alexia.
"Didn't you hear me?" she asked.
Alexia shook her head and the others laughed slightly.
"I was just saying that you're a Malfoy, and you're in Hufflepuff," said Parvati, "According to what is known about Malfoys they aren't normally in Hufflepuff, they usually end up in Slytherin."
Alexia's stomach dropped and she got very nervous.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know to much about my family," she said, "I didn't know I was a witch until I received my letter."
"What house was your Dad in?" asked Venefica.
Alexia froze. She hadn't actually thought or asked her Father about that.
"Well.I.." She stammered.
"Your Father was in Hufflepuff," said Venefica.
The three of them looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"How would you know?" asked Alexia, sounding thoroughly confused.
"Well, you're Dad is Brent Malfoy, isn't he?" she asked.
Alexia nodded.
"He was friends with my Mum," she said, "They were both in Hufflepuff, as well as my Father."
The girls thoroughly enjoyed the feast but once everyone started to leave, Alexia ran over to Linnea, who was still talking to the small brown haired girl.
"Linnea!" yelled Alexia.
"Lex!" she yelled, "Lex, this is so wonderful!"
Alexia laughed and smiled at the other girl.
"Hi," she said, "I'm Alexia,"
"Piper," said the girl, "Nice to meet ya,"
Suddenly someone pounced on Alexia's shoulders and squealed in her ears. She turned and saw Hari and Breena standing there.
"Hufflepuff!" yelled Hari, "Awesome. Least you're not in Slytherin, bet that really bent Ashlee out of shape."
Just then Ashlee, Hades and Jemima walked past. Ashlee stopped and looked at Breena.
"Obvious and the brainy people got put in Ravenclaw, and the snobs," she said, glancing at Hari, "Course, mudbloods always got to Gryffindor, such a shame."
Linnea looked confused, but Piper looked very offended.
"You can't just go around saying that!" she yelled.
"Are you going to stop me?" asked Ashlee.
Piper backed down, and Breena grabbed Ashlee by the shoulder.
"Leave her alone," Breena growled.
"You're going to stop me Brightheart?" Ashlee laughed, "Not likely, if you had half as much courage as you do brains, you'd be in Gryffindor."
"SHUT UP!" yelled Alexia.
Hades's and Jemima's attention moved to Alexia, who was standing next to Hari.
"Well, well, well," said Hades, "Alexia Malfoy, right?"
Alexia looked at them, her face full of anger.
"Just because you're in Slytherin doesn't mean you're better than the rest of the school," barked Alexia, "You're not better than us."
Ashlee swept between the two and got face to face with Alexia.
"Well, if it isn't the Malfoy who went wrong," he said, "It's pathetic, really, a Malfoy in Hufflepuff, crime against nature."
"My Father was in Hufflepuff!" shouted Alexia.
Linnea looked around and saw that Professor Dumbledore was watching them.
"You are a disgrace to the name you carry," said Ashlee, "And you hang around with mudbloods."
Breena was starting to get angry, and so was Hari. But suddenly a very soothing voice came from behind them.
"I trust there in no problem here, ladies?" said the man.
They turned to see Dumbledore standing right behind them. Ashlee's eyes flicked up towards him then down quickly.
"No problem," said Ashlee, quickly walking away.
Dumbledore smiled as the other students left, but he set his hand on Alexia's shoulder.
"If I may have a word?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I don't know if you remember." he started.
"I do remember you," she said, "You always came to the house to see Grandma."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded.
"Indeed," he said, "I just want to tell you that if there is something you need, you can feel free to come see me. My door is always open."
Alexia nodded and thanked him. She then ran out the door of the Great Hall, where she saw the Hufflepuffs heading to the common room. The Prefect who stood in front turned to the others.
"The password," he said, "Is 'chizmane'. Don't forget!"
They all filed into the common room, which was filled with beautiful black leather furniture and the walls were painted a soft yellow. The Prefect pointed them up a staircase and told them this would be their dorm room. They went up and found five four posters that all had black satin sheets. Alexia found her stuff in front of a bed that was near the window. Alexia looked around and smiled. Parvati's bed was to her left, and Lorelei's was to her right as she sat on the bed.
"So this is home," said Venefica.
Alexia nodded and looked inside her trunk. She pulled out several picture frames from it and set them on her bedside table. Parvati walked over and started to play with Ami, who was sitting on Alexia's bed. She glanced at the picture of Alexia, her Dad, Brother and Grandmother.
"Is this your family?" asked Parvati as Venefica walked over to see.
"Yeah," said Alexia, as she pulled out two more pictures.
"Where's your Mum?" asked Venefica.
Lorelei sat on her bed and Alexia sat on her closed trunk.
"My Mum and Dad got divorced when I was like 4," she said, "She didn't even come for my 4th birthday."
"How old is your brother?" asked Lorelei, looking at one of the pictures.
"21," said Alexia, "He works for Gringotts bank."
They talked all night about their families. Lorelei was a half blood and had a brother who was the same age as Gavin. Lorelei was pretty sure that they had gone to school together. Venefica was a muggle born and had three siblings, a brother and twin sisters. Parvati's parents were a pure blood and a half blood and she had two older sisters. Verity was a very quiet girl, and she really didn't tell them much. She basically said that she grew up in foster care her entire life and never knew her father.
At about 2 am, Alexia closed the hangings on her bed and lay down. She stared up at the ceiling and sighed. She was in a new place, with new people, and yet somehow, she wasn't afraid. This would be a very excellent adventure.