Chapter 1: It Begins
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The fireplace was dark and cold, though chill winds blew fiercely outside the door. Alinora sat on top of a worn trunk, silently looking around the room. While still cozy, many of the personal belongs were now packed away and the room looked a bit impersonal. Her eyes were haunted- speaking of a wealth of experience that no 16 year old should have yet had to experience.
"Ali, sweetheart, your god parents are ready to go. And I need to be leaving soon as well."
She turned to see her mother behind her in the doorway, nervously fingering a brown fur cloak. Through the open door, Alinora could see the figures of her god parents- now her official guardians until she legally came of age on her 18th birthday.
"I'm ready" her voice was rough, as if she hadn't spoken much recently. With that she got up and placed the picture of her parents she'd been holding into the trunk and snapped the latches shut. She took another long look around the room.
"You'll be back for a visit this summer- that's only a couple months and I'm sure time will go by faster than you think." Angie went over to take Alinora by the arm and draw her outside. "Dumbledore is expecting your arrival at the end of the week. I… I'll miss you!" At that she pulled her daughter into a tight hug before breaking away to run off down the beach towards the sounds of the crashing waves.
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"Ah, Miss Roane! It's good to finally meet you, though maybe not under such sad circumstances. You're father was a favorite student of mine, and a good friend."
She stepped out of the fireplace, shoving her trunk ahead of her and brushing off the bits of soot that had attached themselves to her cloak.
"Hello Professor Dumbledore." She examined him carefully and decided, after giving it some consideration, that her father had been right- Dumbledore looked to be someone she could trust and, seeing the twinkle in his eyes partially hidden by his half-moon glasses, someone with a keen appreciation of the ridiculous. Maybe this wouldn't be quite so bad.
The twinkle in his eyes brightened as he smiled at her, as he examined her in turn. "I know that it will take a while for you to become completely comfortable around us- comfortable enough to lower the barriers you've put up to guard yourself from strangers." He inclined his head to acknowledge the sharp look of surprise she gave him. "Hopefully you'll understand soon that you will be safe here at Hogwarts."
"But it is important for first things to come first, so it is time to get you sorted. If you could please sit yourself in that chair over there" he motioned to a chair near by and she carefully worked her way around his office to get to it. She watched as he retrieved a large, old, battered black hat from a shelf and brought it over to her.
"When I put this hat on your head it will look into your mind and decide which of the four houses here at Hogwarts it would be best for you to be placed in- which you are most suited for."
With a brief glance to see that she understood, he lightly placed the hat on her head and stepped back to wait.
There was a buzzing sound in her ears, then the buzzing became a voice that seemed to be speaking from somewhere behind her head.
"Humm, very interesting. I've never sorted someone this old before- it makes the decision very different as you've already made many of the life choices that define your path. You have a sharp mind and a thirst for knowledge and learning that would well suit you in Ravenclaw, but a depth of courage and loyalty that could be best served with those of house Gryffindor…"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, all I want is to be put where I will be happiest in the long run- I'll still continue learning and be loyal to those who've earned it no matter where I'm at. I want to do as much good as possible..." She spoke to the disembodied voice determinedly.
Dumbledore studied Alinora carefully as she dealt with the Sorting Hat. She definitely took after her father- stubborn and determined to a fault, but he also saw traces of a broad mischievous streak, currently dampened by the recent murder of her father, that he sensed could rival that of the Weasley twins when given free rein. But there were elements of her mother too, though he'd never had the pleasure of meeting her in person. That sense of being a bit removed from the day to day world, though very conscious of it; the look of hearing sounds or seeing sights that other people couldn't, which he wouldn't be surprised if turned out to be true. He knew she'd inherited her mother's love of music and looked forward to encouraging that while she was here- everyone needed more music in their life. Looking deeper he could see that she'd layered herself in enough protection and illusion charms that he doubted anyone would see her for what she really was for a while, but it boded for interesting times when she lowered them… He smiled.
The Sorting Hat continued it's perusal of Alinora's mind and her response to it's comments. "Well, in that case, I think it'll be very important for you to be in house Gryffindor- they are always up for a bit of shaking up, which I sense you'll soon be giving them Roane."
As she heard the hat proclaim her house name out loud to the Professor, she reached up and removed the hat from her head. "How did it know my name?" she asked curiously.
"Did the hat know your name? It only looks at what we are, not who." he responded, giving her a significant stare, which she chose to ignore for the time being.
"And now I think it's time for you meet your head of house and for us to settle your class schedule for the remainder of the year. You should have no problems following what's going on as I know your parents have provided you with a very thorough education."
While speaking he walked over towards the fireplace and took some black powder from a jar on the mantle. Throwing it into the fire he said "Professor McGonagall, if you could come to my office when you get a minute."
He turned back to look at Alinora. She still held the Sorting Hat and was looking at it with a curious expression on her face.
"Your secrets are your own, for now, but in this case I do feel that it would be best to give Professor McGonagall a bit more information than some. She is the school's Transfiguration teacher, as well as your head of house, and will therefore be doubly interested in your particular situation. I think it would be wise for you to do some additional course work with her outside of class, as well as with Professor Flitwick our charms teacher. You can meet him later. He'll be very interested in the ways you've adapted your charm work."
He stopped as the door opened and Professor McGonagall entered. "Ah Minerva, I'd like you to meet the most recent addition to Gryffindor house, Alinora Roane…"
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