A/N: Awabi! Thanks for being the ever present slave-driver! Otherwise this story probably wouldn't have gotten very far!
Chpt. 3
As the train pulled into the Hogsmeade Station, Harry and Anabell hurried to collect their luggage and pets. Harry grabbed the trunks while Anabell took the animals and together they made their way off the train and into the cool darkness that engulfed the platform and joined the rest of the First Years timidly following the booming voice of Hagrid, the Gamekeeper.
As they began their trek to the lake, Anabell started to slow down and began laggin behind the rest of the First Years. Having made some new friends, Harry had not noticed his 'sister'was missing until he was ready to get into the boat. Seeing that Anabell was missing, Harry started to freak out.
"Oh my god! They're gonna kill me! I was supposed to keep an eye on her! She wasn't supposed to get away from me! Ana! Ana! Where are you?" Harry shouted, standing on his tippy-toes trying to spot Anabell in the crowd.
"Harry, she's old enougg to look after herself. You don't have to take care of her all the time!" Ron Weasley, Harry's new friend, said impatiently, climbing inot one of the boats that was already occupied by a girl with really bushy brown hair.
"You don't understand Ron! She's really sick!" Harry said, still searching for Ana. He spotted her limping out of the back of the crowd slowly. He ran over to herand began questioning her and checked her leg for injuries. "I'm so sorry Ana! Last I loked you were right behind me. I-I didn't notice you were missing soon enough and you got hurt! It's my fault...I'm sorry."
"No. It's not your fault, Harry. I wasn't paying attention and stepped in a hole. It's just a twisted ankle. Don't worry about it." Ana explained, wincing in pain as they made their way back towards the boats.
Anabell and Harry climbed into the boat with Ron and the busy-haired gurl and the First Year's set off on their boat-ride hourney accross the lake and into the castle. About ten minutes later, they were assembled in front of the rest of the school awaiting the end of the Sorting Hat's song and their turn at being sorted into their Houses and the Feast to begin.
Anabell was the first to be called to the stool. Slowly, she limped up the two steps leading to the stool and carefully sat down. As Professor McGonagall place the Hat upon her head, Ana caught Harry's eye and saw the thumbs up that he gave her and smiled, her nervousness subsiding slightly. After about five minutes, the brim ripped open and shouted, "Slytherin!" As McGonagall yanked the Hat off her head and the Slytherin table erupted in cheers Ana quickly limped to her seat and sat down.
Looking up at the Staff Table Ana saw Remus smile and wave at her. Waving back, Ana looked around the group of First Years and found Harry giving her a thumbs up and mouthing the words 'Wish me luck!'
Twenty students later, Harry was sitting on the stool with the Hat on his head. After about five minutes of complete and utter silence, the brim of the Sorting Hat ripped open and shouted, "Gryffindor!"
As the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and shouts, Remus clapped softly realizing what this Sorting Ceremony would mean for his charges' relationship. Watching everyone in the Hall burst into cheerful bantering, Anabell Black sat there at the Slytherin table, the table of her family, with no friends, no one to talk to and no appetite; forced to watch as her 'brother' was consumed by the Gryffindors and became fast friends with those around him. She was beginning to think that she was going to hate Hogwarts and being in Slytherin until a handsome, young, white-ish blond haired turned towards her and smiled at her from the other side of the table.
