September first dawned bright and early. I had so much trouble going to sleep the night before that I was awake much earlier than normal. I bathed quickly and got dressed. I found a trunk inside my closet with the Malfoy name printed on it, and I packed my school robes, spellbooks, and other school supplies inside it. I met Draco and Lucius for breakfast, which was finished rather quickly since Draco and I were somewhat excited about going to Hogwarts.
"You've never been this eager to get to school before, Draco," Lucius said after the dishes had been cleared.
"I'm just looking forward to showing Elizabeth around, Father," Draco said, his smile growing wider.
Draco and I merely smiled at each other and left the dining room with Lucius still sitting at the head of the table. We went upstairs to finish packing our trunks for school, leaving our doors open so that we could carry on a conversation at the same time. I made sure to pack my invisibility cloak and my Nimbus 2001. Draco came in as I was packing a roll of parchment.
"I still don't know why you bought that anti-burning parchment," he said.
"You'll understand later on," I replied with a slightly melancholy tone.
Draco shrugged his shoulders and helped me close my trunk with the photograph album from Draco on top.
"I'll get Sabs so that she can take our trunks downstairs," Draco said as he left the room.
I stood in the middle of the room, and I soon found myself thinking about the photo album in Lucius's office. I decided that I had to have one last look at the pictures. I wandered down the stairs and into the office, after a few minutes of wandering around aimlessly, of course.
Once I finally reached the room, I peeked inside, hoping that Lucius wasnt there. I found the room and headed straight for the shelf with the album on it. I pulled out the book and opened it. I gazed down at the pictures and I couldnt help smiling at the photos of young Draco and me.
"I thought I told you not to come in here," I heard Draco's voice from the doorway.
I jumped at the sound of his voice. I looked up to see Draco just barely inside the room, already dressed in his Slytherin robes.
"I know, but I had to see this again," I explained after my heartbeat settled down.
"See what?" Draco asked, coming towards me.
Draco stood next to me, looking over my shoulder at the photos.
"Wow. I've never seen this album before."
The pictures continued to move on the pages, some of the people walking from one frame to another. I turned the page and looked down at more photos of my parents and the Malfoys. I saw Draco's eyes light up, smiling at the same time.
"What are you two doing in here?"
Draco and I both flinched at the sound of Lucius's voice. I put the album behind my back.
"Nothing, Father. I was just telling Elizabeth that this is your private office, since she didnt know. We were just leaving," Draco said to father, trying to keep us from getting into any trouble.
Lucius looked at me with questioning eyes. I could tell he was wondering why my hands were hidden behind my back, so I passed the book to Draco, which he hid beneath his robes.
"Well, at any rate, we need to get going. The Hogwarts Express will be leaving within the hour," Lucius said to us.
"Yes, Father. We'll just go make sure we have everything in our trunks."
"Alright, I'll send Sabs up to get your things in a few minutes," Lucius said, leaving the room.
Draco and I didn't say a word as we went upstairs and into my room. I opened my trunk and put the photo album inside, next to the one Draco gave me for my birthday. We had just closed the trunk again when Sabs appeared in the doorway to take my trunk downstairs.
Once our trunks had been put into the trunk of a fancy-looking car, Draco and I climbed into the backseat, with Amadeo's cage on top of my lap. None of us said anything as we made our wayto the train station. With twenty-five minutes until the train was due to leave, we arrived at Kings Cross.
"I'll take care of your things, you two. Draco, please make sure Elizabeth finds her way onto the platform," Lucius said once we were all out of the car.
Draco grabbed my hand and we proceeded into the station. We passed all the platforms from number one to eight, and we stopped at the wall between platforms nine and ten.
"Which platform are we going to?" I asked.
"Platform nine and three-quarters."
"Nine and three-quarters? I've never heard of that one," I said.
"Come here," Draco said, walking towards a nearby wall.
I walked towards him and he took my hand again.
"Now, on three, lean casually onto the wall," he directed.
I was confused but did as he said nonetheless. As soon as Draco said three, we both leaned against the wall, and I found myself falling through it. We stumbled onto the other side.
"What was that?" I asked.
"That was the barrier that lets you onto platform nine and three-quarters. See, there's the Hogwarts Express," Draco replied, pointing to a train behind me.
I turned around and found myself face-to-face with a huge train. The words Hogwarts Express were painted onto the front, along with numbers. There were children of all ages milling about the train, some saying goodbye to family, others hanging out of the windows to chat with friends.
I wasn't sure how he'd done it, but I saw Lucius standing near the end of the train, talking with a group of people, all of which had bright red hair, except for two of them. I saw Draco roll his eyes as we walked down the platform to join Lucius.
"Ah, Draco, I see you and Elizabeth found your way all right," Lucius replied as we walked up to the group.
"Yes, Father," Draco answered. I merely smiled.
"And who is this charming young lady? a rather plump woman with red hair asked.
"This is Elizabeth Silverlio. Her father and I were friends back in school, and due to unfortunate circumstances, she is now under my care," Lucius explained.
"Well, now. How do you do, dear?" she asked, holding out her hand, which I took, "I'm Molly Weasley, and this is my husband Arthur."
I shook hands with him as well.
"These are our children, Ginny and Ron, and Ron's friends, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, Mrs. Weasley said.
"Yes, I believe we've already met," I replied, nodding towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Ron and Hermione rolled their eyes, while Harry merely looked away.
"So, Arthur, I've heard something rather interesting about two of your sons, Fred and George is it? I've heard that they quit school so they could open their own shop in Diagon Alley. It's a shame they had to give up their education to support your family," Lucius said coldly.
I could tell Lucius had hit a nerve with Mr. Weasley, who cringed at the thought of two of his sons quitting school.
"If you must know, Lucius, they are doing quite well for themselves, and they are keeping all of their money to themselves. Quitting school was their decision to make, and I am not proud of them for that, but I am proud that they are doing something they enjoy for a living," Mr. Weasley answered.
"Well, then you must be rather proud of yourself, since you are doing something you love for a living. Although its interesting that your sons are making more money than you are," Lucius said.
Mr. Weasley looked as if he was trying very hard not to tackle Lucius to the ground.
"Come on, we don't want to miss the train," Harry said suddenly.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all received a warm hug from Mrs. Weasley before they headed to the train.
"Draco, I trust you'll take good care of Elizabeth, won't you?" Lucius said to Draco.
"Of course, Father."
"Very well. I'll see you two in a little while. Look for my letters," Lucius replied.
Draco and I boarded the train and found an empty compartment where our trunks and Amadeo's cage had been put onto the luggage racks. We leaned out the window to say our final goodbye's to Lucius.
Draco and I sat down in seats across from each other and peered out the window.
"Hey, Malfoy, who's your friend?" said a voice from the doorway of the compartment.
Draco and I wrenched our heads from the window as the train began to move.
"Oh, Crabbe, Goyle, this is Elizabeth. She's going to Hogwarts this year," Draco said, standing up from his seat.
"Elizabeth, this is Crabbe," he pointed to a somewhat short and stout boy, "and Goyle," he pointed to the other boy, who was several inches taller than Crabbe.
"Hi," I said, waving to them in the doorway.
Crabbe and Goyle took up seats across from me, and Draco sat at my side.
"How come you've never come to Hogwarts before?" Goyle asked.
"My parents wanted me to go to a private girls school, so I did," I answered.
"What happened this year?" Crabbe asked.
"My parents died. I live with Draco and his parents now," I said.
"Sorry," Crabbe and Goyle said at the same time.
"Don't be. I'm fine now," I replied, smiling at Draco.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Smartmouth?" I heard from the open door.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Pugface?" I replied as Pansy sauntered into the compartment.
Pansy gave me a dirty look before putting on a smile for Draco.
"Hi, Draco. How was your summer?" she said sweetly, shoving her way between Draco and me, sitting on my hand in the process.
I pulled my hand away quickly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Didn't see you there," she said with a fake smile.
"Maybe you should try looking before you point that huge ass of yours at someone," I said to her.
"Draco? Please tell me that you're only with her because you feel sorry for her," Pansy asked, turning to Draco.
"Why would I do that, Pansy? You don't call someone your girlfriend just because you pity her, do you?" Draco said, sarcastically looking to Crabbe and Goyle, enjoying his words.
I must admit that I enjoyed them as well. He'd never directly called me his girlfriend, though I knew the feelings were there. I also relished in the look that came across Pansys face, but a smirk suddenly took its place.
"Come on, Draco. We're needed in the Prefect compartment," Pansy said.
"I'd love to, Pansy, but I promised Father that I'd look after Elizabeth. Just tell everyone I'll see them later. They'll understand," Draco replied.
Pansy stood up and left the room in a huff.
"I didn't know you were a Prefect, Draco. Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, since Draco had explained Prefects to me weeks ago.
"I didn't think it was that important."
I shrugged my shoulders and looked out the window on my right. The countryside passed by quickly, and darkness descended. Crabbe and Goyle kept Draco entertained with stories about the events of their summers, and stopped only so we could all change into our Hogwarts robes. I felt out of place being the only one without the Slytherin shield on the front, but I hoped that would amend itself shortly.
After the train finally stopped, Draco told the other Prefects that he would be along in a few minutes, after he was sure that I was alright. We all filed out of the compartment, and I heard all sorts of things as we passed other cubicles.
"I heard she killed her parents--"
"Well, I heard shes got blood purer than anything--"
"My parents told me that shes more powerful than Dumbledore himself--"
I tried hard not to listen to what they said, but it was rather difficult. As soon as we were out of the train, I saw a great form of a man yelling for first year students, who all seemed slightly timid about following him. Draco and I were both unsure whether I should go with the first years or with the other students, but our question was answered before we had much time to ponder it.
"Miss Silverlio, I have been expecting you," a voice said from behind me.
I turned around to face a man with a gray beard several feet long and half-moon spectacles perched upon his nose.
"Professor Dumbledore. What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the Great Hall like usual?" Draco asked the old man.
"Mr. Malfoy, I am here to see that your new companion makes it to Hogwarts safely," said Professor Dumbledore, gesturing for me to follow him.
I gave Draco one last smile before following the old man. Many of the students stared at both of us, since I was a new student and Dumbledore was not usually seen here. I followed him into a dark alley, where he put his arm around my shoulders and I felt the feeling of Disapparation.
We Apparated to a place that was lit by torches. There was a large iron gate in front of us, with statues of winged boars on either side. I looked around and saw that we had only traveled across a huge lake. At the other side, there were students climbing into boats lit by torches and older students getting into carriages pulled by nothing but air. I turned back to Dumbledore, who had opened the gates and was already walking up the pathway that led to a huge castle.
I ran up to his side and followed him inside. I didn't say anything, and Dumbledore didn't ask any questions. I merely kept to his side as he walked further down the corridor. He stopped at a small niche with the figure of a great winged bird and whispered a few words I couldn't make out. The statue began to move, turning around in a circle, where stairs appeared at the bottom. We climbed the stairs to the top and went through a huge wooden door.The room on the other side was brilliant. There were astronomical instruments on tables and shelves around me, and I saw a huge telescope on a second level. Dumbledore sat behind a large desk and motioned for me to sit in a chair on the other side, which I did.
"It has come to my attention that there are some particular circumstances as to why you are here," Dumbledore said.
"I guess so," I answered.
"First off, you have my deepest apologies about your parents. Secondly, I hope you will allow me to welcome you to Hogwarts. In a few moments, I will accompany you to the Great Hall, and you shall be sorted into one of the houses. But first, I hope you don't mind if I ask you for a small favor," Dumbledore replied.
"What kind of favor?" I asked.
"I'll answer that question when we get to the Great Hall. You see, I hear that you have rudimental abilities. You must know then, that I hope you will keep your powers in check."
"Of course, Headmaster."
In a few minutes' time, we had descended the stairs from Dumbledore's office and made our way back to the entrance hall, which was as empty as it had been not too long ago. He opened a pair of huge doors on our right, which revealed nothing but a dark room. Dumbledore looked back to me.
"I was hoping that you would light the Great Hall for me," he said.
I didn't have to ask what he meant. I knew it was only a matter of time before it was known here. I knew there was no point in denying it. So, I reached upwards towards the ceiling and let the flames erupt from my palms, feeling the heat all the way into my fingertips. I felt every candle and torch in the room light with fire, and I looked down into the faces of all my new classmates.
Every face had the look of astonishment across it. Many were open-mouthed, with their jaws dropped. There were four long tables, with students in almost every available seat. At the very end of the Hall was another long table, where many witches and wizards sat, countless of them with astounded faces as well. I followed Dumbledore between two long tables, the students faces following us as we walked. He led me up to the table at the end with the adults and stopped at a small stool. Dumbledore motioned for me to sit on the stool before taking his place at the head table.
A woman with emerald green robes was standing on my right. With her left hand, she placed a ratty old hat on top of my head. I wondered what I was supposed to do, and my level of anxiety was growing. All the flames in the room had begun to burn black, and the people around me were either staring at me or at the burning black flames. I suddenly heard a voice whispering in my ear.
"Well, you are going to be rather difficult to place. You have a good amount of wit and blood as pure as water. Rather brave too, I see. I would like to put you in one house, but you seem to have your heart set on another. Very well, you will do perfectly in...SLYTHERIN!" the hat screamed the last word so that the whole hall could hear it.
The table on my far right seemed somewhat joyous. Some of the students began to clap and scream, while others merely sat in their seats, unsure if they wanted me in the house. Draco had told me that each house had its own table in the Great Hall, so I knew that I should go to the Slytherin table, which I assumed was the one that was somewhat cheerful. The hat was removed from my head, and the flames went back to their original color. I left the stool and went to the Slytherin table, where I saw Draco at once.
Crabbe and Goyle were on the other side of the table, and Pansy was sitting next to Draco, her hands draped around his arm. He shook her off and pushed her, forcing her to fall off of her seat and onto the floor. I laughed slightly and took the seat that she had occupied. She got herself up off the floor and angrily found another chair. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were glad to see me, but the other Slytherin students seemed vaguely afraid of what I was capable of. Dumbledore stood up from his chair behind the head table, raising his hands for silence, which was unnecessary, since most of the hall was already silent.
"I have only a few start-of-term notices. Please keep in mind that the Dark Forest is forbidden to all students. And, as you have all seen, we have a new sixth-year student who will be with us, and I know all of you will help make her feel welcome," he said.
I could sense every pair of eyes on me, and I had the urge to send up a few sparks with my fingers, but I knew it would be frowned upon. I decided I'd save it for later.
"With that said, tuck in," said Dumbledore as he took his seat once more.
As it had in the Malfoy mansion, food suddenly appeared on the golden plates in front of me. I recognized plates of chicken and peas, and there were a few dishes that I didn't recognize. It didn't take long for the food to disappear, even without magic. Dessert dishes appeared and disappeared in the same way, and everyone was ready to leave, full of food and ready for sleep. The students left the Great Hall, heading in different directions depending on their house.
Draco merely told me to follow himand led me down a set of stairs. As we descended, the air got cooler and the light began to fade away. Unable to take the darkness, Draco pulled out his wand, but I signaled for him to put it away. I formed a ball of fire in my palm and began to light the cold torches that lined the walls, making enough light for everyone to see their way. At the base of the stairs, we met a long hallway, which appeared to be like all the others of the school. Draco led the way and stopped suddenly to turn and face the stone wall. He said the word, "parselmouth," and a stone door normally hidden inside the wall slid open.
Draco walked straight into the room it led to, which resembled a dungeon with its stone walls and floors. Lamps with green shades hung on chains from the ceiling and the fireplace was complete with a roaring fire, a huge mantelpiece above it, and several plush tall-backed chairs surrounding it. Draco didn't stop to look at me, but merely marched over to one of the chairs around the fire and sat down.
I walked over and sat in the one next to him. I didn't say anything for a few moments, knowing why he was ignoring me. I simply let the common room begin to fill with other Slytherin students, all of the first years bright-eyed and open-mouthed. Draco himself pulled me back from my thoughts.
"So, were you ever going to tell me?" he asked.
I sighed.
"I wanted to, Draco, believe me, but I just wanted to go to school without thinking about it. The students at my old school were used my friend and me controlling two of the elements, and I didn't want to make a big fuss about it. I guess I just wanted to be normal for a little while."
"What are your powers exactly? And who is this friend of yours?" Draco asked.
"There are four people in the world that have the ability to control one of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. I, obviously, can control fire. I met a girl at my old school named Analese, and she could control water in the same way. That's probably why were such good friends," I said, smiling faintly.
Draco smiled a little bit too, but his grin disappeared when a group of Slytherins came over to us and started asking questions.
"Can you really control fire?"
"Did you make the flames burn black in the Hall?"
"Could you burn down the whole school if you wanted to?"
At the last question, Draco stood up and mumbled something about going to bed. I stood up, trying to follow him so that I could say something, but the group around me pressed in closer, and I couldn't escape it. I sighed and sat back down in the chair and let the questions continue around me without even bothering to listen