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Chapter Two - The Sorting and the Meeting

Raini and Natalya were extremely nervous as they made their way alongside the new 1st years to be introduced to the school and sorted into their houses.

"But what if we get put with Malfoy?" Raini whispered

Natalya nudged her.

"Shut up you daft cow… if you think bad things are gonna happen then they will… just shush!" Natalya whispered back and giving her friend a reassuring smile.

"But…"

"No buts… I have Seer blood in me, along with the telepathicness… Don't worry" Natalya said as they all started making their way into the Great Hall to be sorted.

"I'm shitting myself, Tali!"

"Shush, will you! We're. Going. To. Be. Fine! Now shut up!" Natalya muttered.

As the last first year was called and sorted into Hufflepuff, every pair of eyes turned to stare at Natalya and Raini.

"Aha! Our new 6th years. Welcome aboard girls. Don't worry, you're both in Gryffindor with your new-found friends." Dumbledore announced.

Natalya and Raini couldn't contain their excitement as they ran over to the Gryffindor table and sat down next the Ron, Harry and Hermione.

After dinner, everyone was sitting in the Common Room talking animatedly amongst themselves.

"I'm going for a little walk round the castle, I'll be back later chick" Natalya whispered to Raini as she walked out of the portrait and went for her walk.

Natalya walked around the castle for a while, thinking about how happy she was when...

BUMP!

"Ten points from Gryffindor! Watch where you're going in the future, stupid girl..." Snape said in his silky tone of voice.

"Oh god, I'm sorry sir! I was in a world of my own..." Natalya apologized sheepishly to the Professor.

"Ahhh, Miss... Ruichiano? I believe I needed to have a little chat with you anyway... If you'd follow me please..."

"Why?"

"I will say so when we get to my office, now come on, I don't have all day!"

"Jesus, I only asked why! Ron was right about you, you are bloody rude! And no, I will not come to your stupid office and I will not have a little chat with you..."

"10 more points from..."

"Oh sod off... I'm going back to... OUCH! Let go of my arm! That fucking hurt!" Natalya shouted as Snape pulled her to his office.

When the got there, Snape still had a firm grip on Natalya's arm as he gave the password.

"Now, Miss Ruichiano, I will let you off for that.. Hhmmm, outburst, if you would kindly listen to what I have to say!" Snape said in a rather dangerous tone of voice.

"I erm... yes, sorry sir. Temper, inherited off grandmother, I do that to everyone... sorry..."

"Indeed, now, sit down... would you care for a drink?" Snape asked.

"Erm, yeah... Why are you being so nice to me? Aren't you supposed to be the teacher everyone except some Slytherins hate?"

"Hhmmm, quite. You've been talking to the trio quite a bit... Well, to be honest, I'm not well liked. Rumors fly round about me a lot... I'm the greasy git, the sadistic bastard of a Potions Teacher... that sort of thing." Severus said, chuckling slightly.

"Oh, and don't tell anyone I laughed."

At this comment, Natalya burst out laughing, followed immediately by being rather embarrassed at Snape raising his eyebrows at her.

"Bless... now... what did you want to talk to me about?" Natalya asked after she calmed down, but not looking up at Snape.

"Well, I just want to say, that I know more about you than you think... ok, that sounded like I'm a stalker." Now it was Snape's turn to blush.

Natalya giggled.

"Yes... well... anyway. I knew your Mother from school, despite the fact I was in her sisters year, we all hung round together. We were really close friends. I even helped her hook up with your dad... Well... I know how powerful you are, the Ruichiano witches are extremely powerful, not that you didn't know that. I also know how powerful Raini is, despite her not being a Ruichiano and the fact that both of you have had erm... difficult pasts. What the Headmaster has asked me... is for you and Raini sleep in these quarters..."

"Why?"

"You ask a lot of questions for a small girl... We have several students, who are... well, put it this way, their parents are Death Eaters and they would want to, well... hurt you, given who you are... So, I've been enlisted as your carer kind of person, as I'm the next most powerful wizard after Dumbledore in this school... Is all that clear? And I think it's easier if we're on first name terms..."

Natalya looked shocked. Not even her first day and already people were out to get her... She burst into floods of tears.

"Why me! Why the hell can't I be normal!" She shouted.

"Hey, Natalya... calm down please... I know its hard... just, please calm down... oh god..." Severus sighed...

Cough

"Oh, Headmaster..."

Natalya sat bolt upright, her eyes wide...

"Don't worry Miss Ruichiano, your friend Raini Navinsky will be with you shortly, with another carer... Erm... Raini asked me to tell you that 'you're thpecial'" Dumbledore looked slightly confused when Natalya burst out laughing...

"The stupid cow... Thanks Headmaster..." Natalya said, giggling slightly.

Severus and Natalya sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking their drinks, when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Severus asked.

"Professor McGowan and Raini..." the voice from behind the door said (A/N sorry if that sounded corny!)

"Ahhh, come in." Severus said with a smile on his face...

"Phew... God, Sev, you should smile more often you miserable git..." Professor McGowan laughed

Raini and Natalya ran and gave one another a hug; it was obvious they had both been crying...

"Oh my god... Natalya..." Professor McGowan whispered

"PAIGE?" Natalya squealed.

"Oh my god! Its great to see you! God, you look so much like your sister... hhmmm, and I see you went through with that bloody thing as well..." Paige said, pointing to Natalya's lip-ring.

"Hell yeah... you know what Lana and me were like...I didn't realise you taught here" Natalya asked, grinning like mad.

"Well, not exactly, I'm more of a stand-in teacher, although I do teach a few of the clubs and that..." Paige explained as Natalya gave her a hug...

"Ok, people, please, erm... what is with the manic hugging?" Severus asked, looking very worried that he might be next

Natalya and Paige giggled

"Paige was my sister's best mate, before she erm... you know." Natalya explained to Severus, who looked slightly relieved at knowing the information.

"Well, I think it's time you two went to bed. You have a long day ahead of you... Don't give me the puppy dog eyes Natalya... or you Raini!" Severus said, as he couldn't help chuckling at Natalya and Raini who looked thoroughly disappointed at the idea of going to bed.

"Go on! You'll regret it in the morning! And I'll be coming to check on you both in an hour! Which is more than enough time!" Severus practically shouted as he and Paige shuffled the girls into their room, amongst protests of "You're not fair!" and "Its not even late!"

"They'll be out like a light, I guarantee..." Paige laughed...

"Hmmm, most likely, it has been a manic day... Think I'm going to bed now... you know where your room is as well, right Paige?"

Paige nodded as she yawned.

"Well, see you in the morning..."

"G'night Sev..."