Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic.
By Wihstrum
Chapter five: One's most Inner Feelings.
The trip to the castle passed by quite uneventfully, although Alex kept leaning out of the carriage so she could see the Thestrals. Harry couldn't help himself and was a little disturbed about the fact that she could see them. While he didn't want to think about Alex like that, he couldn't help himself and heard a warning voice in the back of his head say: 'She was found in the lair of Voldemort himself…'
Alex tugged at Finbar's sleeve, pointing at the stars adoring the ceiling. Hermione, being herself of course, explained that the ceiling was enchanted and began rambling about 'Hogwards: A History' quoting several passages.
Harry smiled faintly. Perhaps this year won't be that bad… Scratch that, Malfoy at 2 o'clock.
"Hello Potty, I can see you're sense of fashion or rather; the lack thereof is as disturbing as always."
"With all due respect Malfoy... Piss Off."
"I am shocked that you don't even have time to argue with me Potty. But after all; the Golden wonder boy shouldn't be wasting his precious time on me and be off to save the day." He shot a dirty look at Harry and turned his icy gaze to Ron who was standing rather close to Hermione. "How are you Weasel? I can see you're associating with the mudblood. Very low, even for you."
The redhead prepared himself to break Malfoy's nose before Hermione put a hand to his chest, stopping him. "He's not worth it Ron."
"Being whipped around by her already eh?" he smirked evilly and his eye caught Alex. He stared at her bluntly. A few seconds ticked away.
"Ahem" Ron cleared his throat "She's something else that Pansy ey?"
Ignoring Ron's comment he asked "Do I know you from somewhere?"
"Oh c'mooooon that must be the lamest pick-up sentence ever." Harry scowled, rolling his eyes.
"Shut it Potty." He studied Alex' face. "No serious, have we met?"
She arched her brow and opened her mouth to say something when the voice of the Headmaster echoed trough the Great Hall.
Apparently they'd missed the beginning of Dumbledore's speech since they suddenly heard the familiar "Let the Sorting begin!"
Draco snapped out of his fascination with Alex, scowled at Potter and his friends and strode to his table.
Hermione sighed. "Well, he hasn't changed for the better… Anyways we'll be waiting at the Gryffindor table for you. Happy Sorting."
They left Alex and Finbar hovering awkwardly at the entrance. McGonagall had explained that they still needed to be sorted; meanwhile they drew curious glances from other students.
After the first years had been sorted into their Houses, Dumbledore rose and the Hall silenced.
"Before we begin our feast, I'd like to point out, although most of you seem to have noticed, that there are also two new, elder students. I'd like to introduce you to Finbar Ganad and Alex Ladon. Circumstances asked for a transfer of school, so today I'm glad to welcome them at Hogwards. Let us once again sort these two into their house."
The students clapped politely and McGonagall gestured for Finbar to step forward.
Finbar scooted over to the chair, feeling a little ridiculous. He passed the Ravenclaw table and heard two girls whisper under their breath.
"Well, if he's from Durmstrang, he'll defiantly be a Slytherin."
"Too bad, he's rather handsome though."
"Yeah pity."
Finbar scowled and sat down. McGonagall put the Sorting hat on.
A few seconds passed in silence before the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!"
Finbar grinned wildly and sat between the cheering Gryffindors.
"Nice to have you with us, mate." Ron patted him on the back.
Finbar's grin didn't leave his face, but only broadened when he gave Alex' a thumbs up. She winked at them and sat down. McGonagall put the hat on her unruly white hair.
What have we here? She heard the hat's voice in her head. Well well, this year ought to be very interesting. You're quite special, I don't believe I've ever met a student with such a strong magic aura and personality. I see trough you. I know who you are, what you are.
You're brave. Very brave and just as clever too. You also accept everybody as an equal. This is very hard… where to put you…
Alex groaned. Just sort me already…
And what a temper! Alright, don't get grouchy. Here we go.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Whaaaaaaaaaat!" rumbled Ron's voice trough the hall.
Harry's mouth fell open.
Alex looked perplexed and glanced at her friends. She saw 'Mione shrugging when Ron threw a fit, shaking his fist at the sorting hat. She shakily stood up. Bloody Merlin, means I go somewhere I don't know no one. Alright then, I can do this. She straightened her back and walked with long strides over to the Slytherin table who cheered at her. She sat down, earning a few pats on her back.
Once again the Headmaster stood up and the cheering died out. He reminded –as always- the students to check Filch's list and that the Forbidden Forest was off-limits. He smiled and then continued. "And on a more pleasant note; Mister Potter's Quiddich ban has been lifted."
Cheers erupted once again from the Gryffindor table who all wanted to congratulate Harry. The Slytherins shot them a dirty look, except for Alex who smiled at him.
"Enough talks! Let the Feast begin!"
Ron filled his plate with everything within range and looked at Harry "I really think the hat made a mistake this time. She's just not a Slytherin you know? She should be one of us! A Ravenclaw at least, but a Slytherin?"
Hermione chewed her food thoughtfully, until Finbar spoke up. "It's a real pity she ain't one of us, but what's so bad about Slytherin?"
Ron nudged him "See that really pale guy with white hair and that's smirk on his face?"
Finbar nodded.
"That's bad. But I mean really bad." He glared darkly and lowered his voice "That… is a Malfoy."
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes heavenward. "It's just a fact that most dark wizards came from Slytherin." She swallowed "Voldemort was in Slytherin."
Ron winched. Harry was proud at her for saying Tom's name without fussing about it.
The Slytherin table:
"So." Pansy spoke up and directed herself at Alex "Ally it was?"
"Alex." She corrected her.
"Uh-huh. Tell us, what were you hanging about with those guys?"
She swallowed and looked owlishly at Pansy. "Who?"
"Well you know. The all-famous and beloved Potter, Weasel and mudblood Granger." Draco informed her.
"Harry, 'Mione and who?"
"Weasel." Draco repeated.
"I don't know any weasels."
"The bloody redhead, with freckles, more children then they can afford-family, Potter's sidekick?"
"Oh Ron. It's Weasley, not Weasel." She munched down a piece of bread.
Draco groaned. "We know. That's what we call them."
"Why's that?"
"Cause they're all… you know Muggle-lovers. Granger, in fact, is a filthy mudblood." Pansy pulled her nose up.
"You're point being?" Alex looked at them confused.
"That it is wrong to be around Muggles and mudbloods and enjoying their company." Pansy snapped impatiently.
"There's nothing wrong with Hermione, you know, she can do magic."
"But her blood's filthy; she's no pure-blood like we are."
Alex shrugged. "I really don't get what you're point is. She is just one of us, a witch, along with all the magic. And I'm sure her blood's okay too."
Pansy scowled "You're an idiot! Hanging around those lowlifes, but you'll see…" she turned her back to her and started to chat with Millecent.
Alex stared at the back of Pansy's head before a deep frown marred her flawless features. She pricked her food absently.
Draco studied her face. She really doesn't understand. Bloody Parkinson don't know how idiotic that sounded: "That it is wrong to be around Muggles and mudbloods and enjoying their company." Or "But her blood's filthy, she's no pure-blood like we are."
But something nagged at him. But what's more to it? That's what we think, that's what we loathe. We believe that people who are not of pure-wizard blood are abominations of nature… never realized that it sounds so stupid. So childish.
The silver-eyed Slytherin dropped his fork. Oh Merlin. What am I thinking? If only my father knew… I should get a grip on myself.
But she's right isn't she. What's so wrong about being born with Muggle blood coursing trough your veins? an annoying little voice echoed in the back of his mind.
Meanwhile Blaise broke the blonde youth out of his reverie. "Oy Malfoy, snap out of it. Pick your fork up man, everybody's staring at us!"
Draco absently picked up his fork and muttered something about homework, while fleeing their confused expressions.
"Homework? It's the first friggin' day of the year man!" Blaise yelled after him, but Draco had already left for his room.