Becoming Something New
Chapter Three: Sorting Out Feelings
By: Saxifrage
A/N: Eh- Just read, please. And look! I finally got myself a disclaimer! I'm proud of it.
Summery: DotM/HP Spoilers for "The Becoming". Tianna is still alive, and Jimena tells the girls about a Follower-Settlement in England that she found out from recently recovered memories. On their trip to London, however, they find more than just Followers and for some reason, they're expected.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine; Daughters of the Moon is not mine. If they were, I'd make 'Voldie' my slave, live on the moon, rename the sun "The Amy-ness", take over all Followers and have my way with the sexier looking boys, become the most powerful goddess alive, have a pet wombat named Mr. Evil-Poo, have Jimmy be my husband (see story: "What Else is New"), have a llama as my steed, give my llama wings, own the world, threaten any teacher who even suggests the word "homework" death, perfect my torturing skills on Death Eaters, and most importantly (besides the Jimmy one), own an extremely large zombie army that never dies and always re-assembles itself and does whatever I want them to.
Tianna nervously jogged after the other Daughters, still keeping slightly behind them so she could think. She still didn't understand half of what was going on: it all seemed to be happening so fast. One minute, she was dying, the next minute, she was on the plane to England, on a mission to find a "Follower Settlement", and now, here she was, running after a wizard, about to join a magic school and become a witch.
Absently, Tianna wondered if any of the students had any "special talents" like she and her friends had. But even if they didn't, did that mean that they could still be lenient with exposure? After all, magic was obviously accepted here.
No, she decided, that 'Malfunction' kid was a Follower, so that meant that there were many more in the school. They'd probably recognize the Daughters and wreak havoc on them. So it'd be the same thing as at their old school: secret identity. Sort of.
She brought herself out of her thoughts and looked at her friends. Catty and Vanessa were talking about the Houses while Jimena and Serena were comparing their different kinds of magic. Tianna ran up to them. "Hey!" She cried in Catty's ear.
Catty didn't even jump, and Tianna pouted.
Catty giggled at her antics. "Hey Tianna, what House do you think you'll be in?" Catty asked, bouncing a little. "I want to be in Gryffindor like Harry, Ron, and… how do you pronounce her name? Hermeno-ey?"
"Hermione?" Tianna asked.
"Yeah, Hermione. I don't want to be in the others because it doesn't sound like you can have fun."
"What if we're all in different houses? Won't that be a problem?" Vanessa asked nervously.
"I don't know," Tianna answered. "Maybe we should all ask to be in Gryffindor, see if it's allowed."
At this suggestion, Catty pulled them up to Dumbledore, Serena, and Jimena. Their previous conversation about magic had somehow progressed into a long and detailed discussion about candy. They seemed reluctant to be interrupted.
Finally, Tianna's words reached their ears. "Um, Professor?" God, that sounds weird, Tianna thought. "Shouldn't we all be placed in the same house? You know, it'd be easier to research."
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "Well, your choices design who you are," He turned his wrinkly face towards Tianna. "Not just your qualities, however I am not sure I would be able to do that. It is a requirement for the Sorting Hat to place you. You may of course, simply suggest what house you'd like to be in. It may tip the scale in your favor."
They nodded to this. The rest of the way down, Catty smiled brightly, as she had been the entire trip, and Vanessa nervously looked around and hummed a tune to a song that was probably forming in her head already. Serena and Jimena, having listened in on their conversation, agreed to try to "tip the scale" and started talking about the up coming classes with magic, and how their special type of magic might influence their results.
Dumbledore seemed to be pondering something. It looked as if he wanted to ask them something, but wasn't sure if he should.
Tianna ignored his look and went back to thinking. Why had Dumbledore looked directly at her when he said, "Your choices design who you are,"? What did he even mean by that? When were they going to get the Dinning Room, or whatever it was called? It seemed to be taking forever…
"Catty, you aren't playing some kind of time trick, are you?" Tianna asked, the accusation and annoyance in her voice obvious.
"Uh, no. I don't think so." Catty frowned and looked at her watch. The hands on it were normal, not spinning out of control like they usually were in a time trip.
"It's probably just the spell." Jimena said knowingly. "We've probably been duplicated and now there are two of us."
"Will it always feel like this?" Vanessa asked Dumbledore.
A twinkle danced in his eye as he spoke. "No, just for a few hours, maybe. But, as I said before, strange bruises or cuts may appear, and you might feel tired sometimes. Hopefully, though, if I perform the spell right, these occasions will be rare."
"Huh, I don't feel any different," Serena clicked her tongue piercing against her teeth. Tianna shrugged moodily at her comment.
"Ah, we're here." Dumbledore muttered cheerfully. Right then, the Daughters stopped and looked up to the two doors leading into the Hall. Dumbledore pushed them open and they followed him though, weary of the eyes following them. Just then, Tianna realized they still weren't wearing robes.
"Crap," She muttered. Serena seemed to have read her mind, because the nervous clicking of her tongue ring filled the silent hall.
They reached the Teacher's Table and Dumbledore went to his seat, signaling the girls to stand in a line in front of them.
"Hello, again! I hope you are enjoying your meal! I am sorry to interrupt, but we have five transfer students who need to be sorted." Dumbledore shouted to the hall. All at once, whispers buzzed around them, and the stern looking lady who had called the first year's names walked forward with the hat and stool.
Tianna looked backwards at Dumbledore. He winked, so she faced her audience again. She shouldn't be so nervous; she's never usually this nervous. To prove that she was out-going, Tianna smiled brightly around at everyone. The other girls followed suit.
With a glance at the Headmaster, the stern teacher spoke up in a tense voice. "Please state your name when I point to you, and then put on the hat." Tianna breathed a sigh of relief as she pointed to Catty first. Catty squealed in delight, and gave them thumbs up before walking towards the stool.
"Catty Reese," She stated loud and clear, and sat on the bench and pulled the dirty old hat on. The hat seemed to animate because of her presence, and looked at her at odd angles. Catty giggled, and a minute later, the hat's brim tore in two.
"GRYFFINDOR!" It yelled to the crowd. The supposed Gryffindor table started screaming enthusiastically as Catty winked at the Daughters and went to join the table.
The woman pointed at Serena, and her tongue ring clicked nervously. "Serena Killingsworth," She stated, and put the hat on.
The instant the Hat started to move, Serena developed a disgusted look on her face. She frowned as the hat shouted "SLYTHERIN!"
Tianna was shocked; already they had been pulled apart! Catty looked crestfallen, sitting alone at the Gryffindor table, and Serena looked horrified. She reluctantly went to sit down at the cheering Slytherin table.
Jimena was next. She glared impressively around the hall, and with her gang-like clothes on, and her tattoos showing spectacularly, she new that everyone thought she was menacing. It was probably what Jimena wanted. She always was the tough chola.
"Jimena Castillo," She said boldly. The hat was placed on her head, and also seemed animated. Was it like that for the other kids, too? Or was she just being paranoid?
After a minute of what seemed like a heated argument inside Jimena's mind, the hat once again shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Catty had lost the excited gleam on her face. Serena looked glumly at Jimena as she sat down next to her.
Three down, two to go.
Vanessa looked at her with pure fear. It was either her or Vanessa now, and Tianna did not want to go last. The squeezed each others hands for a second, until the teacher pointed to Vanessa.
Dammit! Tianna thought. Vanessa gave Tianna one last look before walking up and practically yelling, "Vanessa Cleveland!" at the teacher. Chuckles went around the room, and she blushed. The hat was placed on Vanessa's head, and she sat there biting her lip. She closed her eyes and unconsciously started to hum nervously, not knowing the entire hall was listening. "GRYFINDORE!" the hat shouted, and Vanessa's eyes snapped open. She smiled in relief and practically ran towards Catty. Tianna smiled as Catty's screams of "Whoo hoo! You go girl!" rose above the rest of the cheers.
Shit, shit shit! Tianna chanted in her head. She was up next!
"Tianna—" Her voice stopped as a thought flowed past her mind she never caught before. She was the Atrox's daughter… his mate even. Did she even deserve to have the last name she had "adopted?" She shook her head. Of course she did! This was just nerves. She only allowed herself a pause of doubt before she finished: "Tianna Moore,"
Her thought was soon washed away as she heard her own words. She sounded like a female James Bond: "Tianna, Tianna Moore." It was just the random thought she needed to sweep away her morbid ones and hide them in the corner of her mind. Once more, people chuckled throughout the hall.
When the hat fell onto her head, she immediately felt it wiggling. So it wasn't just her imagination. Tianna suppressed a giggle—it really tickled!
Well, well, well! The Hat told her telepathically, yet another goddess! My, my, this has certainly been a lucky year for me.
'Um, yeah, sure,' Tianna thought.
Now let's see what we have here…Hmmm, I see the dark side flows strongly within you. Slytherin would be the obvious choice if you wanted to lead that path—do you?
'NO!' Tianna yelled, her eyes widening. 'I will NEVER be evil, nor will I bend to the Atrox's will.'
I never said that the darkness was evil…The hat chided… But—yes, yes, hmmm, this is difficult. Not much into studies, I see, but you are a very bright child. Still, Ravenclaw is for the studious…
Tianna smirked. 'Me? Bright? Whatever you saw, Mr. Hat.'
Ah, yes, the same reaction I got from Miss Reese! But you, goddess, and your friends are very bright. In fact, you all have wonderful talents and characteristics that could be perfect for any of the houses: courage, loyalty, cunning, wit. They are all things that goddesses like you must have to fight the Atrox. Even a little darkness is needed.
Tianna didn't understand that statement at all. But the hat only paused as she thought this, before continuing. The others were insisting that I make them Gryffindors, do you not feel the same?
'Yes! I want to be in Gryffindor. I don't want to be—'
Separated from anyone, yes…Hm, The hat pondered, digging into her memory. But aren't two of your friends now in Slytherin? You'd seem to fit in there—
'NO!' Tianna yelled mentally again. 'Can't you just put me in Gryffindor because I chose it?'
It's not just your current choices that decide the matter, Tianna, but your past ones too. The hat replied thoughtfully.
Yes, a dark past indeed. Everyone you have loved has been taken away from you, or is out of reach. Your "family" was murdered, and you have doubts about how long Todd will live? He has strength in him, though. I believe he will survive. Yes, and Derek—Tianna flinched at his name— has left you, and you love him. And—eh? What's this?Haha, it seems you have been deceived by one of your loved ones…The hat chuckled.
'Wait,' Tianna thought cautiously. 'Who's deceived me?'
And why does the hat think it's funny? She thought silently, but slipped the thought to the back of her mind lest the hat detect it. This was a trick she had learned from Serena.
Never mind, you'll find out soon. The hat answered elusively.
Another thought Tianna hid away was: 'What I don't know, is if it'll be a good or bad surprise…' Meanwhile, the hat continued.
Do not worry so much about Derek. It said thoughtfully to her. He does love you, as you love him. But it is hard for someone to love anyone, and the Atrox created you to be perfect. He is scared of being rejected.
'Oh, right, so that's why he rejected me.' Tianna thought sarcastically.
It may not seem like that big of a deal to you, but to him it is. The hat explained. If someone commits suicide because she is teased at school, what would you say to that?
'I'd say that's a very stupid reason to commit suicide. It's not that big a deal.'
But it must be! The hat insisted. If it wasn't, then why would she have taken drastic measures?
Tianna stopped at that. Why would 'she' do that if it wasn't that bad? Maybe this hat did have sense.
The hate chuckled. Of course I do. Now let me finish with my considerations. I don't have all day you know.
Tianna suddenly became aware that everyone was watching her. She had been so preoccupied with the hat, she had forgotten about the sorting.
'Shit, shit, shit.' Tianna murmured mentally. 'Please just sort me? This is becoming suspicious.'
Oh all right. The hat grumbled as if it had just been denied cake. This was only just beginning to get interesting.
'And?'
The hat sighed. I suppose you'll go to—
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Tianna grinned from ear to ear, as she set the silly-looking hat back down on the stool. She quickly ran over to the Gryffindor table to where Catty and Vanessa had saved her a spot.
"EEEEEEEEEEE!" Catty squealed and jumped up and hugged her, and they squeezed out their eyeballs before sitting down.
"God, what too so long?" Vanessa asked playfully. "I mean—I thought you wouldn't be sorted at all!"
"Or maybe the hat just wanted to keep her sexy-ness all to itself!" Catty smiled triumphantly at her evil comment as a round of "EW!" went around the table of onlookers.
Five minutes later, Dumbledore bid them good night, and the three girls were lead up to the Gryffindor Tower, where they would sleep. The entrance was a picture of a fat lady in a pink dress. As they passed it, Catty said, "Someone needs a diet," And was almost shocked silly as it started yelling at her for being rude. Luckily they were saved from exposure of ignorance to the ability for pictures to move by a "Yeah, yeah, I'm not the one yelling, you damn hypocrite." from Catty.
As they walked up to their "dormitory", as it was called, the three Daughters started to chat nervously about Jimena and Serena.
"Why'd they get sorted into Slytherin?" Vanessa asked. "They aren't bad people—well, I mean Jimena was in a gang, and Serena did become a Follower for a while, but really. They're generally good people…"
"I don't know," Tianna replied, furrowing her brows. "But maybe it's a good thing, most of the Followers are in there, or I suppose so. Then they can scope them out."
"Or get ambushed." Catty said dryly.
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "They'll be fine. I, for one, am more worried about us."
Tianna and Catty looked at her curiosly. Tianna was about to ask what she meant when they opened the door to their dormitory.
"Damn." Catty said, and followed it with whistle.
The room was beautiful; it was large and the color scheme was red and gold, the House's colors. Eight four poster beds filled the room, and three, which were obviously theirs, were slightly isolated to a corner. Tianna jumped on one of the squishy beds and sank in with a sigh.
Then a thought hit her—she could definitely get used to this.
A/N: Thank y'all for reading! I finally got this chapter done. phew! Sorry it took so long, but I had a bit of a writer's block, and every time I tried to write this, it never seemed to come out right. Hopefully this chapter has met up to your standards. For all who reviewed—here, have a loofa! I'd also like to take this time to recognize some of those who've reviewed!
Cynthia: Thanks for your interest! I'm glad you like the idea and think that this story is ideal and good. Hehe, it makes me feel all fuzzy inside!
Taylor: Hey cuz! I don't really mind the 'bugging', because it just tells me you really like my story! As long as it doesn't get too mean!
neostar: What'd you think of my choices for their houses?
HorseyGurl1490: Yep, I updated! And look! I updated again! Lol. Ah, I think I'll take that invisibility idea and store it away… Don't be surprised if it pops up later in the story! And if I told you about Stanton, I might have to kill you! Or possible erase your memory… it depends on my mood! Lol, jk! You'll find out soon enough.
moonlight child4: Sorry that last chapter was so short, I hope this chapter makes up for it! Hopefully my chapters will get longer and more advanced as the story progesses. And don't die! I'll be one more reviewer down if you do! Lol.
Selenes Song: Glad you think it's excellent! Oh and I'm gonna review your stories ASAP! Just have lots of homework and stuff grr… I don't even know why I'm doing this instead of homework! Bad Saxifrage! Bad!
elephantsrocmysox: First off, love your pen name! Hilarious. So what'd you think of my house choices?
Demon Dea: Hehe, your welcome! And thanks! (Goodness, you guys make me feel tingly with all your complementary phrases!)
Jaquarmoon: LOL…that's cute!
Thanks again! Tootles!
XOXO Saxifrage