Anything that's not blatant is a riddle
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Author's penname: Elixa Amethyst
Voices of the Past Part II
Written March 2002 onwards, pre Order of the Phoenix.
All characters and things you recognise, are © JKRowling, no infringement intended.

All references to "mediwizard" mean healer.
Read Part I at ?storyid1672635

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Chapter Nine

Start of Term

Quirrell was still very secretive about his new teaching post at the school. Whatever it was, he was as pleased as pie. I'd been determined to get it out of him before I'd turned into a cat briefly at the start of the holidays, but had not got it out of him. Now it seemed he'd been practising secrecy all summer!

"You'll just have to wait until the start of term Miss Amethyst." He kept saying. I didn't have to wait long; term arrived very quickly indeed. Bringing Susan back to me after my month away from her, which had been so nice.

This year I was proud to be asked to be a prefect. Not many people got asked from Slytherin, and I was prepared to survive the stick from my house for being one. After all, they say the witches and wizards who go bad come from Slytherin, but they don't say that all the witches and wizards in Slytherin go bad… The head girl and boy were chosen from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw this year. I was invited to the staff briefing on the morning of the start of term.

"The students are going to be here at around seven this evening, the train has left on time, and as far as we know, everyone is on it. We're just waiting for confirmation of that. Should anyone have missed the train, Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout, you will be in charge of their arrangements. Madame Pomfrey, we are aware that one of the students in Hufflepuff will be arriving in a less than healthy state, so you will be needed at Hogsmeade at half past six with Hagrid to meet the train. Mr Filch, Hagrid I believe the boats are ready to go for the first years? Good, Professor Snape, Professor Quirrell, you will be in charge of any serious incidents which need detaining, or dispersing. All other staff will be needed to make sure the belongings of students are delivered to the right dormitories and that things generally run smoothly. May I remind you of our special student, Miss Susan North who is joining us at 6th year age, and will be receiving tuition with the first years until further notice. Are there any questions?" McGonagall paused for breath, casting one eye quickly down her list and then round at the staff.

"Good, staff briefing is finished, you may get back to your duties." I made my way over to Professor Quirrell. I had to remember to call everyone Professor all the time now.

"So, it's the start of term, going to spill the beans Professor?" I asked.

"Patience Miss Amethyst, all will be revealed at the feast." I left the staff room soon afterwards and went to unpack my trunk in the girl's seventh year dormitory.

"Oh, prefect for me this year is it?" My head snapped up from where I was putting my toothbrush above the sink. The mirror smiled down at me.

"Yes, they're trusting me." The mirror gave a short laugh and I moved away.

My first duty as prefect was to stand at the door and direct student traffic coming in from Hogsmeade in horseless carriages. Hermione Granger joined me soon after and I gave a nod to Harry as he passed with Ron, who no doubt wanted to avoid gaudium berries this year. It wasn't long before the new students were reported to have arrived by boat safely, and I joined the feast with Hermione. The bewitched ceiling of the hall was a deep purple-blue, covered in stars. Kerry had saved a place next to her, and opposite Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Hufflepuff… Hufflepuff… please let it be Hufflepuff…" I muttered, crossing my fingers. The doors opened and McGonagall came in, followed by the first years. Amongst them was Susan, who looked out of place by her age and height amongst the first years. She looked as if she'd died and gone to heaven by her expression. This would be the last sorting that I'd see in my school life, and all I wanted was to see Susan put in Hufflepuff. The sorting hat recited a slightly new poem, and then the sorting began. There were several new additions to Ravenclaw, quite a considerable number to Gryffindor, and to us, and a scattering to Hufflepuff.

"North, Susan." McGonagall called from her list. There was a slight gasp of air from most of the students, similar to that when Harry Potter was sorted. Susan walked up nervously, and sat down on the stool. McGonagall placed the sorting hat on Susan's head and the chant of Hufflepuff became even stronger in my mind.

"Slytherin!" The sorting hat shouted. There was amazement from all sides. Susan gave a slight smile, shock on her face too. She joined the end of the Slytherin table and continued to watch the sorting. I shot a glance towards the staff. Severus looked slightly amazed and watched Susan carefully for a few minutes, probably planning how to keep her quiet about us to the other Slytherins. Once the sorting was over, the feast began.

"So, come on, it can't have been that wonderful having to stay here for some of your holidays, and what about Susan, is it true her family took her to Albania?" Kerry asked. I just swallowed.

"Elixa, you okay?" Draco asked. I snapped my head up and looked down the table towards Susan, who was watching me. I broke away and looked to Draco.

"Fine, just a bit of a shock, I'd have expected her to be in Hufflepuff. Just a warning, she'll want to be in our gang, but she might rub you up the wrong way, she'd probably pass Muggle studies if she took the test this minute too."

The feast ended with the start of term notices. Dumbledore got to his feet and his eyes twinkled in the light of the thousands of floating candles.

"We have a new staff appointment this year, some of the students may remember Professor Quirrell standing in for a few of the staff occasionally last year. This year, Professor Quirrell will be teaching Careers and will be continuing to stand in for teachers should it be necessary." Kerry smothered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

"Also, we welcome our new head boy and girl and prefects, and to Miss North, our fast track student." I saw Susan blush slightly. "First years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. Mr Filch would also like to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Madame Hooch would like to tell you all that Quidditch trials will begin in the third week of term, slightly later than normal. That will be all. Prefects, please escort the first years to your common rooms and dormitories as it will soon be time for bed." I stood up and moved along the table, mirroring what other prefects in the other houses were doing.

"Slytherin first years, follow me, and you Susan." The newest students looked up at me as if I was something very scary. "Follow me and you won't get lost." I said, letting a slight smile appear on my face. I avoided Susan's eyes. The new students followed me up to the entrance hall and then down into the dungeons. Torches that burnt yellow, white then green dimly lit the corridors this year.

"Salamander." I said to the wall with the hidden door in. It opened and I led the group through into the common room, and to the first year's dormitory. I counted heads and beds and took it that Susan would be staying in the sixth year girl's dormitory.

"Right, unpack your things, and then to bed. Breakfast is at half past seven. I'll come and take you down for breakfast tomorrow morning." I felt a tugging at the sleeve of my robes, and looked down. A small first year boy was holding up a rat to me. I frowned.
"What?" I snapped.

"I trapped Timmy's tail in my trunk…" The Slytherin first year said in a worried way. I sighed, and pulled out my wand, tapped the tail once while I said the charm and the broken tail repaired itself. It wasn't something I'd expect from a Slytherin, first year or any year, but I suppose they'd toughen in the first week.

"There you are. Be more careful with it in future." I turned away and left with Susan.

"You'll be with the sixth years I expect." I told her, leading her further down the corridor.