Only a Slytherin
by
Jeslyn Nighthawk
A/N: I know I should be working on my other fics, and I am, really. It's just that this idea struck me and I wanted to try it out. I hope to update my others soon. And if any of my faithful "Hollow Men" readers are reading this I apologize. I promise I'll post before Thanksgiving.
2nd A/N: I have revised a few details in this chapter, mostly that it is now the Seventh year instead of the Sixth.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all things Harry Potter. Kat is mine. Please don't sue.
Chapter 1: Pink Hair and Other Pertinent Information.
The first day of term, on this the beginning of her seventh year at Hogwarts, Hermione Granger arrived early at platform 9 ¾. She had spent the majority of the last three weeks at 12 Grimauld Place, but given that her next and last summer was anything but certain, Hermione had opted to spend the final weekend of the holiday with her parents in muggle London. They had finished up lunch at a small café a few blocks from the King's Cross Station, and said their goodbyes outside said station. As Hermione had watched her parents drive away, she couldn't help but notice that she no longer felt as close to them as she once had. Just a few years ago they would have seen her all the way to the train, never considered leaving her at the passenger drop off. Her world and theirs rarely crossed anymore. Hermione sighed and began wheeling her luggage cart towards the partition separating Platforms 9 and 10, ignoring the persistent shaking due to Crookshanks' temper tantrum.
As soon as she was through the barrier, Hermione stopped dead. Apparently she wasn't the only one early for the train. The odd thing was Hermione didn't know this girl.
The strange girl sat upon her one trunk (which was next to two bags) reading a worn leather-bound book. She was dressed in a black and pink "Hello Kitty" t-shirt over a hot pink mesh long-sleeved shirt. Her short skirt was black and pink plaid, and her tights were black and pink striped. Her long legs were crossed under her, but Hermione could make out that the stranger wore black ankle boots. Her perfectly manicured nails were painted black and adorned long, pale and elegant hands. Her hair was shoulder length, black with pink tips, and hung in her face, hiding it. Sitting in her lap was a flawlessly white cat, apparently napping. Hermione's interest was peaked even farther when she noticed the title of the book the girl was so absorbed in: The Selected Works of John Donne.
Inherent Gryffindor bossiness and nosiness prodded Hermione forward, and she approached the strange girl. "Excuse me?"
The girl visibly started. Hermione was sure she felt a surge of power as the girl tried to identify her, but it was gone as soon as it had begun to build strength, so Hermione dismissed it as her imagination. "Yes?" the girl replied. Her dark eyes were intense in their focus, the subtle but dramatic make-up the girl wore adding to the effect.
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said, feeling the need to identify herself immediately with this one, "Are you a student?"
The girl looked around nervously, but answered immediately. "Yes, I'm a transfer student- seventh year, I think."
"You think?" Hermione couldn't figure why the girl didn't know what year she was in.
"I'm from America- New York," the girl explained, "Our school system is different there. Besides, I had private tutoring until last year," she made face, "My parents didn't believe in the benefits of a traditional education."
Curious, Hermione couldn't help but ask, "What made them change their minds?"
The girl shrugged, "Don't know," she smiled philosophically, "Maybe it was my lack of people skills." She looked away, but Hermione saw the shadows in her eyes before they were hidden from view by the veil of pink and black hair.
"I don't
see any problems with them," Hermione stated with that bossy air she was so
famous for, "What's your name, by the way?"
"Oh, I'm Katerina Black," She
replied with a blush. "Most people call me Kat."
"Black? Any relation to Sirius Black?" Hermione couldn't help her curiosity. She was surprised by the expression of disgust on Kat's face.
"Unfortunately. I think he was a second cousin on my father's side. Never met the murdering bastard, though." For some reason beyond Hermione's comprehension a look of pain crossed Kat's face at that point and she even looked slightly ashamed. Odd.
Any further contemplation on the subject was cut off however, as just then Harry, Ron and Ginny came through the barrier and shouted for Hermione. Hermione gladly introduced them to Kat and Harry seemed fascinated by the apparent cousin of his godfather. She certainly had the good looks of the Black family, if a somewhat odd sense of style. She actually reminded Harry a little of Sirius, but he put it off as remnants of the grief he still felt for him.
Soon more students began appearing on the platform, and in the course of the next half-hour, Kat was introduced to the majority of Gryffindor House, as one by one or in groups they came over to ogle the strange new girl and say a high to the Gryffindor Three.
When it came time to board the train, Ginny went off with her latest conquest, and Kat sat in a car with Ron, Hermione and Harry. They settled into conversation about the curriculum. Harry and Ron duly warned her about Professor Snape, though Hermione defended him as simply having high standards albeit grudgingly. All three warned her about Divination, but Kat assured them she was not taking the class.
"I've done all the summer assignments and read all the books for the term," Kat admitted, immediately winning a best friend and ally in Hermione, "I think I might be more advanced than the Seventh Year Potions- my aunt is a Potions Mistress and she taught me- but I'm afraid I am behind some in Transfiguration and Herbology. We didn't have a very extensive greenhouse at home." It came as no surprise when Hermione offered to help her catch up.
Finally it was time to put on their uniforms. Harry and Ron went into the next compartment to change while Hermione and Kat stayed where they were. Hermione began to change, and looked over curiously at Kat who was not. "Why aren't you changing into your uniform?"
"I don't have one yet," Kat explained, obviously self conscious. "I only got to London this afternoon. I have the robes- Professor Dumbledore sent them ahead, but I still have to shop for a uniform. The Headmaster said my Head of House would take me to Diagon Alley over the weekend.
Hermione shrugged, "Well you had probably better put them on. We will be arriving in the next few minutes."
Kat nodded and began putting on her robes.
Arrival at Hogwarts was uneventful. Kat found the threstrals interesting, but got into the carriage without mentioning them. She didn't want anyone to think she was ignorant for being enthralled by something so strange. The ride had been interesting, and Kat found herself hoping to be in Gryffindor with her new friends. Upon arrival at the castle, Kat was separated from the others to be taken to be sorted by the Headmaster.
Albus Dumbledore put her immediately at ease, and she immediately trusted him. No small feat that. Kat trusted very few people.
"I know it has been a long day, my child," Albus said before they reached the Great Hall. "However, although I doubt this needs to be explained, please remember that you are not to mention the… incident… that brought you to us. The Head of your House will be informed, of course, and they and I will be here for any thing you need. But no one else can know. I would not want things here to be more difficult for you than they have to be."
Kat felt her face flush in indignation that they thought she needed to be told. Like she would tell anyone. Those memories…Best not go there, luv, she told herself. Her voice was acidic as she replied, "Of course not, Professor. After all I was just jumping at a chance to give the other students reason to alienate me."
Dumbledore looked slightly shocked at her tone. "If I didn't know better," he remarked ruefully, "I'd think you had been spending too much time around Professor Snape. You two are entirely too much alike."
Kat just snorted.
Kat watched the first years being sorted from a chair just off the head table. Although she was paying some attention to who went where, mostly she took the time to observe her new professors. She was only able to recognize a few from her friends' descriptions, but that was all that mattered for now. Professor McGonagall was reading the first years names in a loud crisp Scottish burr. Her emerald green hat sat perfectly on her tightly bound steel grey hair, and her emerald green robes were immaculate. Professor Sprout must have been the plump one at the other end of the table talking to who could only be Professor Flitwick. On her end though was the Professor who caught her eye most often. Pale in black robes with lank black hair falling into a pointed face, he could only be the infamous Professor Snape. She couldn't see how she and he were even remotely alike- except for their obviously similar favor for the color black. But at least she wore other colors with it. The man looked like an overgrown bat!
Kat was startled out of her reverie by Professor McGonagall's voice calling her name to be sorted. Damn. She must have been introduced all ready and missed it. Kat moved forward to sit on the stool and have the Hat placed on her head. She felt horribly conspicuous sitting there with the whole school staring at her. She already new she looked different than the other students in her different clothes and died hair. Her palms felt sweaty and she felt the power begin to coalesce within her as she panicked. Feeling that, she clamped down on just before the Hat began to whisper in her ear.
"What have we here? Another Black? It's been awhile. You would fit well in Gryffindor, I think, but that would be unsuitable for one of your…talents. You have a great thirst to prove you are not like them, so I think maybe it is time you found out exactly what they are like. Such a dark past. You will need guidance. Not likely to get that in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. So better be…SLYTHERIN!"
TBC
A/N: Should I continue this, or no? Please r& r. I am desperate and shameless in my need for feedback. It is what keeps me writing. Thank you.