Chapter 3: A Second Sorting
That day Professor Dumbledore arrived in the Hospital Wing to see the newly named Vox for the first time while the snake boy had been awake. He was looking healthier, his scales a deep lustrous green, amber eyes watchful and alert. He sat up in bed dressed in a spare black robe that had been located for him, talking vividly to Harry who was sat on the edge of the bed, listening to him. While it had been established that the creature had a reasonable command of English, the language that flowed forth from thin lips was none other than the hiss of parcel tongue. It was also obvious that the creature had been made to take a shower of sorts as there was a towel over his shoulders and his golden green hair was clean and dripping.
The old wizard stood, hands clasped in front of him and watched the pair, unobserved until Vox's eyes lighted on him and a surprised expression came over his face. Harry turned too and smiled.
"Professor Dumbledore, Sir," He then turned to hiss something at his companion who raised an eyebrow in surprised and muttered something.
"What did he say Harry?"
The black haired wizard smiled.
"Vox wants to know why you're here. He's surprised that the Headmaster would come to visit him."
"Well Harry, if you would act as our translator," He boy nodded, "I shall explain. Vox, do you know anything of where you came from, or how you got here?"
Harry began speaking parcel tongue and they waited for the snake to reply.
"There was lots of smoke. The world was burning. I was scared. I wanted to be somewhere the fire couldn't hurt me, somewhere cold. And then I was here."
"Most interesting," said Dumbledore after Harry had explained, "There is nothing else?"
"Nothing." Confirmed Harry.
"I would like to invite him to join the school."
Harry blinked.
"Sir?"
"Translate it Harry."
"He wants you to join the school."
"I will be with you?"
"Maybe."
Vox turned to look up at the old man with wide amber eyes.
"Yes."
The sorting was arranged for the next evening and the whole school sat in the Great Hall, hushed as the stool was brought in and the Hat was placed on top of it. Vox was lead in by Harry who left him on the platform and went to go and sit down with Ron and Hermione, who, like the whole of the rest of the school, was straining to get a good look at the boy. Vox stood on the platform shivering in his long black robe, barefoot and scared. Amber eyes pleaded with Harry not to leave him standing there, looking out at hundreds of not entirely friendly faces.
He was saved by Professor McGonagall who came forwards from the teacher's table and lifted the hat from the stool and motioned for him to sit down. Vox sat, still looking very scared, more so than any of the first years from whom he was getting the most odd stares, then disappeared as the hat was placed on his head and it slipped down over his eyes.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"
"Who are you?" The frantic hiss was uttered out loud and was heard by all, but thankfully, was only understood by Harry.
"I am the Sorting Hat. It is my job to put you into your new house."
"I want to be with Harry."
He hat chuckled in the privacy of Vox's head.
"Ah, a friend of the infamous Harry Potter. Well, let's see. Courage yes, but you are a deceptive sort………I think you would do best in SLYTHERIN."
The last word was heard by all and Vox merely sat there, surrounded by the silent black hat until it was yanked off his head and he stood up. Lead by theHeadmaster, everyone clapped politely and the nearest on the Slytherin table waved to their newest member. Vox just stood, looking slightly scared and appealed to Harry with pleading eyes.
Harry could only shake his head, even as Vox stepped down off the platform, odd formed bare feet making soft noises against the wooden floor. He paused and turned to face Harry.
"I don't understand."
"You have to go over there." Harry gestured to the Slytherin table, the clapping had stopped now and everyone was staring at the student who seemed unable to see the obvious.
"Why?"
"The Hat said so."
"What's wrong? A Slytherin seventh year was looking directly at the snake boy, "Can't he find his own way over here?"
"Vox. Go sit down."
"But Harry-"
"Just do it."
The snake boy flinched at the human words, used so harshly by the one he had though was his friend, but he dropped his gaze and walked over to the Slytherin table, sliding into the space that had been made for him, right next to Malfoy. Harry looked pointedly at his plate and refused to give anyone an explanation for the rest of the evening.