Disclaimer: Harry and Co. are not mine at all. A girl can dream but little
good that does me. Right? Oh well, a better disclaimer is at the beginning,
so....um......don't sue me.
Harry Potter and the Mage of Lemarac
Chapter 6: A Baffle of a Hat
" What?" Ron whispered, when his look of bewilderment shifted to understanding. " That is the girl...the one from Diagon Alley, she did ruin your sweater." Harry nodded in agreement. By now the line at the front at the hall was seemly shorter as the last few first years were sorted. Finally the last petrified first year stumbled up toward the stool, before the hat yelled out a confident, " Gryffindor!" McGonagall turned back toward her list, and slowly announced the last name, " Lyte, Selphie!"
Several strands of charcoal colored hair fell loosely in front of her face, an expression of clam expectance, as she settled onto the stool. She looked uncertain for a moment, and then causally placed the hat on her head. The room held their breath in a silent anticipation; it was so rare to have a new student as a sixth year. Her features remained still even though the entire hall focused their attentions on Selphie. A minute passed, and then two. The sorting hat seemed to be having an inner conflict about something, his own expression shifting nervously. After five minutes or so even the professors seemed to be unconsciously leaning in closer. Five minutes became ten, and after twenty minutes the air was so thick Harry felt his own breath catching in his chest. The entire scene somehow ironic compared to the slightly amused look now on Selphie's face. Suddenly the sorting hat spoke loudly and surely:
" Ahhh......I haven't had one of these for a while. It seems I have come to an impasse, you could say, I'll need to think about what house this young lady belongs in." All of the students immediately turned toward each other for some kind of explanation of the strange situation. Harry looked toward Ron and Hermione for an answer, yet they looked as confused. Snid-bits of conversation could be heard coming from all the tables, " What does this mean?" " Can she do that?" " No joke!" Professor Dumbledore stopped all of the chatter with a sharp whistle.
" All students must not be alarmed. This situation has happened in the past, and will be treated with great care. There is no need to worry, and I am assured that Selphie Lyte, will surely be sorted by the end of the week," Dumbledore said, smiling at her from his seat, " Miss Lyte, I suggest you just pick a table of your pleasure for tonight, and get aquatinted. Enjoy your food!" At those words all of the golden plates simultaneously filled with treats, and the attention that the students had centered at the front of the room, was back toward their meals. Harry had forgotten how hungry he was, picking out a large piece of apple pie. A warm feeling flowed through Harry's chest, and he knew that he was home again. This is where he belonged. A flash of black caught his eye, and he turned to watch Selphie making her way toward the Ravenclaw table.
" What do you think of the new girl?" Hermione questioned, noticing Harry's eyes following her, " Personally, I don't think that she's Gryffindor material."
" You don't know what your talking about, Hermione. There must be something special about her, even the sorting hat couldn't decide," Ron stated his mouth full of fluffy mash potatoes.
" That's just because she's older. It makes it harder, you know, by the time you are our age you are not so innocent. That's all," Hermione said haughtily, " But, I have to admit, it does say something about her character." By now Hermione's face had become sour, her plate sitting in front of her empty.
" What's the big deal anyway?" Harry griped, still stuffing his face with meatpies. Hermione was silent a while, unsure of why she did care so much.
" It's not that I actually care at all. One must just be aware of who they are effected by," she finished. After that they fell silent for awhile, the boys simply focusing on eating.
" This is really good," Ginny smiled after some time, " and has anyone noticed there is no new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Harry, Ron and Hermione all redirected their vision to the front of the room toward the professors' table.
" That's strange..." Ron said, his mouth still full of food. A loud burst of laugher drifted over from the Ravenclaw table, apparently the new girl was telling stories. They again all gazed over that way, before a new silence settled over them. It was probably one of the most boring beginning year feast that Harry could remember, and he took to amusing himself by creating little mountains of potatoes on his plate.
" Excuse me? Is this place taken?" Harry looked up to see Sephie carefully taping Hermione on the shoulder.
" What?" Hermione said.
" This seat, next to you?" Selphie smiled gently, apparently aware of Hermione's mood.
" Why not? Go head." Hermione motioned glumly toward the place, before staring blankly back toward her empty plate.
" Thanks," Selphie brightened taking a seat; " I'm Selphie Lyte, the new sixth year."
" Oh we know," Ron said kindly, extending his hand, " I'm Ron Weasley, this my sister Ginny, and my best mates Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." Ron's cheeks glowed rosy, and he set off again. " Welcome to Hogwarts, I know you'll love it here."
" Good. It's nice to meet you all. I would to have loved being sorted tonight, but I guess that will have to wait. Till then I'm just trying to meet as many people as I can," she said shaking her head, " It's very complex to say the least."
" I can imagine," Ginny brightened, glad that there was someone at the table in a better mood.
" Then again, it does give me a unique opportunity, right?" She said, starting to pile her plate with food, " So are you all excited about the new year?" For a moment no one seemed react at all. Hermione shooting sharp looks at Ron, Ron smiling sheepishly at Selphie, Ginny grinning absently at no one and Harry still very much focused on his plate. That only lasted a minute before Ron set into another rant about the new school year, teachers and students. " Wow, sounds like you sure know a lot about the school," Selphie laughed.
" Yeah, that's it," Ginny giggled, " He never- " Ron stopped her mid sentence with a jab in the ribs, and an evil glare. " Ron!"
" Sorry, don't know what came over me."
" Why I -"
" Stuff it, Ginny!"
" Both of you be quiet!" Harry exclaimed rising from his seat, " If you want to bicker, do on your own time." Both of them froze and then realizing their immaturity spent the rest of the evening avoiding eye contact with each other.
" Are you the Harry Potter?" Selphie asked now intently staring at Harry's forehead.
" The one and only," Harry responded glumly, his fork creating a new potato mountain.
" Wow. I just want to let you know, well, that I believed you," Selphie said rising from her seat, " but for now, I think I'll continue with my rounds. Nice to meet you all." With that she stepped away from the bench, pausing only a second and then deciding on a seat near a Hufflepuff girl.
" Well, that was awfully rude," Hermione commented smugly, " Sitting here, pretending like she's our friend or something. Personally, I don't like to speak ill of anyone, but I think that she's bad news."
" What? She seemed nice and all. Friendly to us," Ginny piped up, " and I'm not the only one who thinks so." She giggled again at her own remark, Ron blushing red again.
" Oh seriously- " Hermione was interrupted by another sound from the front of the room. A high-pitched ring came from the professor's table where Dumbledore was persistently tapping his goblet with a spoon.
" Students, it is that time again when I must call this feast to an end. I'm sure you all had a lovely time, but tomorrow you have a big day and need to get lots of rest. Prefects please lead the first years up to the dormitories and the rest of you enjoy your evening. Welcome back," Dumbledore finished heartily. Ron and Hermione both gave Harry a look of pity and then made there way to the front of the room calling out, " Gryffindor first years," as they went. Harry was left at the table alone as Ginny leapt up when one of her friends called out to her.
Oh, this is swell, Harry thought. All of my friends are on my nerves and can't even give me a little peace. Now I'm alone, I guess you can all that peace. Lovely feast, right.....
" They all got up quick, didn't they," a voice came from behind him. He turned around and was face to face with Selphie. Her unruly hair was still tumbling in front of her eyes as she brushed a few more strands away. He didn't know what to do, he still had this unsettled feeling about the girl. Seeing how uncomfortable he was, she continued. " I was wondering if you take me to the infirmary, that's where I'm staying tonight. You don't have to though....if you don't want to."
" Well, I...why not," he recovered, setting off at a speedy pace toward the door. She jogged after him to catch up.
" Thanks. I'm also so sorry about your sweater," she smiled as they walked out of the hall, " I was in quite a rush that day. Lots to do, but you know about that." He grunted a response, pressing a fast pace. " Do you mind if slow down a bit?"
" Sorry," he said lamely and then slowed to match her stride, " and sorry again about my friends tonight."
" What was wrong with your friends? I found them quite delightful," she said serenely.
" Oh, well, let me just say that they weren't one there best behavior."
" I could see that," she giggled then, " except for your friend Ron, he was very.....helpful." She giggled again, though not out of giddiness, even Harry could tell. Her light-heartedness made him smile for the first time that evening.
" He is one of a kind," he laughed, " but you should see his brothers. The whole Weasley clan is like him." Harry felt himself cheer up a bit, and easy conversation came back to him. The walked through the empty corridors, all of the students now up in the dormitories.
" So, why aren't they together?" Selphie questioned, " Your friend Ron and that other girl?"
" What? Hermione? They don't like each other," Harry gaffed, " Where did you get that idea? They might act that way sometimes, but it's not like that have anything in common."
" Honestly, Harry. I can't believe you don't see it," she laughed, " Boys are so oblivious." By now they had reached the infirmary doors. A white beam of moonlight reflected off the mirror down the hall, errie stillness settled over the scene. Harry saw Selphie shiver as she also looked down the corridor.
" Well...." Harry said plainly.
" Well....I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight Harry, and thanks," she smiled at him one last time before pulling open the doors and leaving him in the hallway. Harry smiled to himself a moment and then set off toward the dormitories.
A/n: Thanks to all of my reviewers and anyone who even read. Now you have to do the easy part, REVIEW! Please..*smiles oh-so-cute*....thank you much! ^^
New chapter soon, I promise...
Harry Potter and the Mage of Lemarac
Chapter 6: A Baffle of a Hat
" What?" Ron whispered, when his look of bewilderment shifted to understanding. " That is the girl...the one from Diagon Alley, she did ruin your sweater." Harry nodded in agreement. By now the line at the front at the hall was seemly shorter as the last few first years were sorted. Finally the last petrified first year stumbled up toward the stool, before the hat yelled out a confident, " Gryffindor!" McGonagall turned back toward her list, and slowly announced the last name, " Lyte, Selphie!"
Several strands of charcoal colored hair fell loosely in front of her face, an expression of clam expectance, as she settled onto the stool. She looked uncertain for a moment, and then causally placed the hat on her head. The room held their breath in a silent anticipation; it was so rare to have a new student as a sixth year. Her features remained still even though the entire hall focused their attentions on Selphie. A minute passed, and then two. The sorting hat seemed to be having an inner conflict about something, his own expression shifting nervously. After five minutes or so even the professors seemed to be unconsciously leaning in closer. Five minutes became ten, and after twenty minutes the air was so thick Harry felt his own breath catching in his chest. The entire scene somehow ironic compared to the slightly amused look now on Selphie's face. Suddenly the sorting hat spoke loudly and surely:
" Ahhh......I haven't had one of these for a while. It seems I have come to an impasse, you could say, I'll need to think about what house this young lady belongs in." All of the students immediately turned toward each other for some kind of explanation of the strange situation. Harry looked toward Ron and Hermione for an answer, yet they looked as confused. Snid-bits of conversation could be heard coming from all the tables, " What does this mean?" " Can she do that?" " No joke!" Professor Dumbledore stopped all of the chatter with a sharp whistle.
" All students must not be alarmed. This situation has happened in the past, and will be treated with great care. There is no need to worry, and I am assured that Selphie Lyte, will surely be sorted by the end of the week," Dumbledore said, smiling at her from his seat, " Miss Lyte, I suggest you just pick a table of your pleasure for tonight, and get aquatinted. Enjoy your food!" At those words all of the golden plates simultaneously filled with treats, and the attention that the students had centered at the front of the room, was back toward their meals. Harry had forgotten how hungry he was, picking out a large piece of apple pie. A warm feeling flowed through Harry's chest, and he knew that he was home again. This is where he belonged. A flash of black caught his eye, and he turned to watch Selphie making her way toward the Ravenclaw table.
" What do you think of the new girl?" Hermione questioned, noticing Harry's eyes following her, " Personally, I don't think that she's Gryffindor material."
" You don't know what your talking about, Hermione. There must be something special about her, even the sorting hat couldn't decide," Ron stated his mouth full of fluffy mash potatoes.
" That's just because she's older. It makes it harder, you know, by the time you are our age you are not so innocent. That's all," Hermione said haughtily, " But, I have to admit, it does say something about her character." By now Hermione's face had become sour, her plate sitting in front of her empty.
" What's the big deal anyway?" Harry griped, still stuffing his face with meatpies. Hermione was silent a while, unsure of why she did care so much.
" It's not that I actually care at all. One must just be aware of who they are effected by," she finished. After that they fell silent for awhile, the boys simply focusing on eating.
" This is really good," Ginny smiled after some time, " and has anyone noticed there is no new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Harry, Ron and Hermione all redirected their vision to the front of the room toward the professors' table.
" That's strange..." Ron said, his mouth still full of food. A loud burst of laugher drifted over from the Ravenclaw table, apparently the new girl was telling stories. They again all gazed over that way, before a new silence settled over them. It was probably one of the most boring beginning year feast that Harry could remember, and he took to amusing himself by creating little mountains of potatoes on his plate.
" Excuse me? Is this place taken?" Harry looked up to see Sephie carefully taping Hermione on the shoulder.
" What?" Hermione said.
" This seat, next to you?" Selphie smiled gently, apparently aware of Hermione's mood.
" Why not? Go head." Hermione motioned glumly toward the place, before staring blankly back toward her empty plate.
" Thanks," Selphie brightened taking a seat; " I'm Selphie Lyte, the new sixth year."
" Oh we know," Ron said kindly, extending his hand, " I'm Ron Weasley, this my sister Ginny, and my best mates Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." Ron's cheeks glowed rosy, and he set off again. " Welcome to Hogwarts, I know you'll love it here."
" Good. It's nice to meet you all. I would to have loved being sorted tonight, but I guess that will have to wait. Till then I'm just trying to meet as many people as I can," she said shaking her head, " It's very complex to say the least."
" I can imagine," Ginny brightened, glad that there was someone at the table in a better mood.
" Then again, it does give me a unique opportunity, right?" She said, starting to pile her plate with food, " So are you all excited about the new year?" For a moment no one seemed react at all. Hermione shooting sharp looks at Ron, Ron smiling sheepishly at Selphie, Ginny grinning absently at no one and Harry still very much focused on his plate. That only lasted a minute before Ron set into another rant about the new school year, teachers and students. " Wow, sounds like you sure know a lot about the school," Selphie laughed.
" Yeah, that's it," Ginny giggled, " He never- " Ron stopped her mid sentence with a jab in the ribs, and an evil glare. " Ron!"
" Sorry, don't know what came over me."
" Why I -"
" Stuff it, Ginny!"
" Both of you be quiet!" Harry exclaimed rising from his seat, " If you want to bicker, do on your own time." Both of them froze and then realizing their immaturity spent the rest of the evening avoiding eye contact with each other.
" Are you the Harry Potter?" Selphie asked now intently staring at Harry's forehead.
" The one and only," Harry responded glumly, his fork creating a new potato mountain.
" Wow. I just want to let you know, well, that I believed you," Selphie said rising from her seat, " but for now, I think I'll continue with my rounds. Nice to meet you all." With that she stepped away from the bench, pausing only a second and then deciding on a seat near a Hufflepuff girl.
" Well, that was awfully rude," Hermione commented smugly, " Sitting here, pretending like she's our friend or something. Personally, I don't like to speak ill of anyone, but I think that she's bad news."
" What? She seemed nice and all. Friendly to us," Ginny piped up, " and I'm not the only one who thinks so." She giggled again at her own remark, Ron blushing red again.
" Oh seriously- " Hermione was interrupted by another sound from the front of the room. A high-pitched ring came from the professor's table where Dumbledore was persistently tapping his goblet with a spoon.
" Students, it is that time again when I must call this feast to an end. I'm sure you all had a lovely time, but tomorrow you have a big day and need to get lots of rest. Prefects please lead the first years up to the dormitories and the rest of you enjoy your evening. Welcome back," Dumbledore finished heartily. Ron and Hermione both gave Harry a look of pity and then made there way to the front of the room calling out, " Gryffindor first years," as they went. Harry was left at the table alone as Ginny leapt up when one of her friends called out to her.
Oh, this is swell, Harry thought. All of my friends are on my nerves and can't even give me a little peace. Now I'm alone, I guess you can all that peace. Lovely feast, right.....
" They all got up quick, didn't they," a voice came from behind him. He turned around and was face to face with Selphie. Her unruly hair was still tumbling in front of her eyes as she brushed a few more strands away. He didn't know what to do, he still had this unsettled feeling about the girl. Seeing how uncomfortable he was, she continued. " I was wondering if you take me to the infirmary, that's where I'm staying tonight. You don't have to though....if you don't want to."
" Well, I...why not," he recovered, setting off at a speedy pace toward the door. She jogged after him to catch up.
" Thanks. I'm also so sorry about your sweater," she smiled as they walked out of the hall, " I was in quite a rush that day. Lots to do, but you know about that." He grunted a response, pressing a fast pace. " Do you mind if slow down a bit?"
" Sorry," he said lamely and then slowed to match her stride, " and sorry again about my friends tonight."
" What was wrong with your friends? I found them quite delightful," she said serenely.
" Oh, well, let me just say that they weren't one there best behavior."
" I could see that," she giggled then, " except for your friend Ron, he was very.....helpful." She giggled again, though not out of giddiness, even Harry could tell. Her light-heartedness made him smile for the first time that evening.
" He is one of a kind," he laughed, " but you should see his brothers. The whole Weasley clan is like him." Harry felt himself cheer up a bit, and easy conversation came back to him. The walked through the empty corridors, all of the students now up in the dormitories.
" So, why aren't they together?" Selphie questioned, " Your friend Ron and that other girl?"
" What? Hermione? They don't like each other," Harry gaffed, " Where did you get that idea? They might act that way sometimes, but it's not like that have anything in common."
" Honestly, Harry. I can't believe you don't see it," she laughed, " Boys are so oblivious." By now they had reached the infirmary doors. A white beam of moonlight reflected off the mirror down the hall, errie stillness settled over the scene. Harry saw Selphie shiver as she also looked down the corridor.
" Well...." Harry said plainly.
" Well....I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight Harry, and thanks," she smiled at him one last time before pulling open the doors and leaving him in the hallway. Harry smiled to himself a moment and then set off toward the dormitories.
A/n: Thanks to all of my reviewers and anyone who even read. Now you have to do the easy part, REVIEW! Please..*smiles oh-so-cute*....thank you much! ^^
New chapter soon, I promise...