"Welcome all back and to Hogwarts!" Dumbledore's arms were spread out, his robes sky blue and silver as he greeted returned and new students.
The four, long polished tables were packed with students, the empty plates sparkling. The new students shifted uncomfortingly before the rest of the tables, their eyes scanning the hovering candles and the ghosts that littered the Grand Hall.
Harry was scanning the table where the teachers sat, Artemis not present but nor was the girl he had met in Diagon Alley. He tapped his fingers unconsciously, nervous for some reason as Neville was fooling around with Seamus over Fred and George's latest breakthrough in their jokeshop: Everlastic Rubber Bands. Ron grew irked when one hit him in the head and went through Nearly Headless Nick.
"I say, if I were real that would have hurt very much!"
"Sorry, Nick." Seamus snickered.
Professor McGonagall placed a ragged piece of leather on a stool before it drew itself up at The Sorting Hat. Opening the tear most would consider a mouth, he began to sing.
"Though old and weathered I may be
You'll find no hat cleverer than me
For I be the Sorting Hat!
To tell you where you're at
----
Don't be shy just because I can speak
No need to comment or urge to tweak
Just slip me on, I fit all sizes
For the house I choose holds many prizes
----
Gryffindor may be your vocation
Those of pure heart find their occupation
Nothing to prat and none to pout
Bold and true, these wizards stand out
----
Or maybe Hufflepuff is where you should be
Those diligent and hard at work always in glee
Loyal and caring to those in need
These few are free from greed
----
Ravenclaw may hold you in its claws
These wise magicians have no flaws
Collected and full of wits
Their colors reveal no twits
----
Perhaps Slytherin calls your name
Cunning and sly, they call for fame
Silver and green with a rampant serpent
Of all the four, these are the fervent
----
I am not pretty, as you can see
No lace or feather, just rugged me
For I am the Sorting Hat
And that, Hogwarts, is that!"
The halls exploded in cheers, whooping and whistling as The Sorting Hat grinned on his stool. McGonagall unraveled a long parchment scroll of names and droned each one off. Harry tapped his fingers in a small melody, leaning back to look at the doors. Looking back, he jumped slightly to see Artemis had assumed her spot at the teacher's table. If she was here, where was the girl?
Dumbledore chimed his fork against his drinking glass three times to call for silence after the last student, Phillip Zale, had been admitted into Ravenclaw.
"As some of you may be aware, we have a new student among us. She is a test subject for a transfer program England and North America created to strengthen ties. She is currently in her sixth year and top of her class back in the New York Academy, otherwise known as Pendragon Academy. I would like you to all welcome, Victoria Jacent!" As though in que, the double doors opened to reveal the American teenager.
She had been leaning against the door, her face paler than usual as she drew herself up. Tucking some of her hair behind a pierced ear, she walked forward between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. Her feet clicked against the stone floor, her strides immersed in confidence and eloquence as she swept past Seamus Finnigan. He gave a low whistle and turned in his seat, looking to Harry and Ron.
"Are you sure she's not part Veela?" Ron and Harry nodded in response to his whisper.
She came to the end of the tables, bowing before the teachers and Dumbledore as her coffee hazel hair tumbled past her shoulders. Artemis grinned as Dumbledore smiled softly.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Victoria. We hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Indeed, I hope my experience here is beneficial to your English student as well."
She turned to face McGonagall.
"Do I sit at a preferred table or is any protocol performed beforehand?" Malfoy snickered, at which McGonagall glared at him and he silenced.
"Sit on the stool please so the Sorting Hat may choose the house you belong to." She bowed her head and took a seat upon the stool, the Sorting hat placed snuggly on her head.
She jumped slightly when it spoke but calmed at he thought of her placement.
"Ah, you are like Potter; a difficult one to place. Plenty of wisdom in that head of yours, you are loyal to the bitter end though I sense a cold inside of you. Difficult indeed, you thirst for adventure but prove the ways of a cunning snake. As much as a wand is your weapon, your mind is another, but I wonder…"
She sat quietly, her eyes closed as she listened to the Sorting Hat's comments. He thought and thought, sorting through options before drawing himself up.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The table cheered and whooped, clapping as she smiled and drew down the hat.
The teachers applauded, Artemis beaming as McGonagall smiled reassuringly and directed Victoria to her assigned table. She sat down quietly between Fred Weasley and Seamus Finnigan.
"Well, now that's all done with, I have but a few last words. Nitwit! Bumblebug! Sleezgo! Squeak! Tuck in." The plates aligned with food, students piling their plates as they chatted and talked. Seamus' cheeks were deeply blushed as he cleared his throat. Victoria turned her head, smiling gently at him.
"Yes?" He stuttered.
"C-Could ju pass the um… the uh…" Her smiled grew, suppressing a giggle as she followed the direction of his hand.
She handed him the lamb chops, chuckling.
"You're welcome." He swallowed his words and nodded dumbly.
----
"Snozborg." The Fat Lady swung open, allowing the Gryffindors to enter the common room.
Victoria trailed behind them, gazing at the moving portraits as she ducked her head to enter the common room. She stared at the crimson, a faint smile on her face before curling by the fire. Others chatted and went up to bed; Harry, Ron and Hermione some of the last to leave. They watched with quiet curiosity as she curled up in a large armchair, the flames crackling gently. They bade each other and went to their rooms, Harry lingering just a bit longer to see Victoria rise and walk to the window, cold air blasting into the room as a winged creature soared into the room.
"Ah, Alder, where have you been?" The Gyrfalcon perched on the armchair she had been resting in, preening its gray feathers as she closed the window.
She looked back to her pet, her hand caressing his face feathers as she gazed into his eyes. He gazed back, slowly spreading his wings out before he squawked.
"So then, you found a place for me to ease myself?" He chirped and fluttered onto her shoulder.
"Good, I was worried there for a moment." Harry ducked back into the boy's dormitory door as she stepped up the stairs to the girl's room.
Alder looked to Harry and fluffed his feathers in a threatening way, Victoria paying no mind as she entered the girl's dorm and shut the door behind her quietly.
----
"Has anyone seen Victoria?"
Owls swooped in, dropping letters, newspapers and parcels to their owners as the gyrfalcon was not present. Ron shrugged and sorted through his mail, looking at his schedule card as well. He groaned.
"Potions with Snape first class."
"Fun. I have them back to back." Ron chuckled wryly at Harry.
Looking down the table, Harry suddenly saw Alder perched where Victoria would have sat. He was gently placing bits and pieces of breakfast in a handkerchief, gripping all four edges before soaring off into the rafters and out the window.
"She's a dramatic one, ain't she?" Harry snorted at Ron's comment.
"Who knows? C'mon, let's get to "class"." Harry gave a sarcastic whoop.