Selma woke up with a sort of giddy shyness. Today Sophia and her self would be starting Hogwarts. The past five weeks her Uncle had indulged them, but he had also warned that when they went to school things would become a lot stricter. Thinking back she thought of the wizarding world's reaction to the revelation Dumbledore had made in the wizarding bank Gringott's. For several days Sophia and her self received hundreds of letters. Uncle Severus had not been impressed, and while muttering on about the lack of tact some people possessed made a daily pile of letters which he would then preceded to burn them. She was now well versed in the burning charm.
She had shared her first birthday party with Sophia. They had met their god parents and their son Blaise Zabini. Her Uncle's godson Draco Malfoy had been invited, and his mother Narcissa had come along as well. For some reason her uncle muttered when a girl named Ginny Weasly came with Professor Dumbledore to the small party. Draco Malfoy almost hissed at the sight of the girl, but Selma found her to be rather nice, although she did wonder at why Ginny had come along. Apart from that it was nice meeting the people who were considered close to their uncle and also they had known her parents. Selma smiled, when she thought of Sophia and Blaise arguing over different ideas, while Draco was always trying to calm them down, and then she and Ginny would join them, making everyone talk again in peace. If this was the sort of friendship she could expect at Hogwarts, great, but a part of her was hesitant. Where they genuine in their offer of friendship?
"What are you thinking about Selma," a sleepy Sophia asked. Pulling herself up she rested against the pillows and the headboard, looking at her twin.
"Just considering who I can trust," Selma replied in a small smirk.
Sophia looked at her twin and considered the changes in her since they had first arrived. Both girls where smart, but Selma could just do things better. Sophia didn't like to fly, but Selma did. Selma had also started to come out of her shell, but was far from being as confident as Sophia.
What are you thinking about Sophia?" Selma asked mockingly.
"Just considering my family," Sophia replied grinning cheekily.
The continued their bantering until Silk came for them to get ready.
"Remember now that once you are at Hogwarts I can no longer favour you as I do at home," Severus reminded the girls while walking towards the barrier. Stopping, he pulled them to the side, and kneeling in front of them he held them close and whispered, "Selma I want you to promise me that you never go anywhere with out Aysel, or your sister this year. I know it may seem harsh but you must understand how important it is that you remain safe while you are still young and uneducated about the wizarding world. Sophia I know you are smart; help your sister learn all she can. I trust that you will both look after each other."
Selma and Sophia looked at each other, and the nodded to their Uncle. Smiling slightly, Severus pushed them through the barrier onto platform nine and three quarters. Nodding to Narcissa Malfoy, who held Draco's hand, he ushered the girls quickly onto the train before leaving them to settle in.
Selma reflected on her Uncle words, 'remain safe.' Sophia and she had started reading her mothers diaries. The first war had been terrible, and she had already decided that if she had the power to finish this war the so be it.
The train gave a lurch, and Selma was brought out of her thoughts, in time to see Ginny Weasly waving at her form the platform. Smiling Selma waved back, and settled into her seat.
Sophia watching her wave, gave a wave herself, and turned to her sister. "Did you want to read anything before we arrive at Hogwarts?"
The twins had been reading as much as they could, but even Selma knew that they were limited while they were still young. They were interrupted though when Draco and Blaise walked in.
"Finally away from the watchful eyes are we?" Draco asked no one, while looking out the window at the passing scenery.
Selma frowned, "What do you mean by that?"
"Well I am not sure how much you know about wizarding families, but there are definitely some things I can not do in front of my parents…." Draco replied in an almost defeated voice.
Blaise seemed to understand though, "You finally have a chance to be you, don't you Draco?" Blaise asked.
Draco nodded, explaining, "Sophia and Selma I am not sure how much Uncle Severus told you but this is your chance to become who you are. Hogwarts has a tendency to define people, but sometimes a student can define the house. This is the chance we are given to become something other than our parent's wishes."
Sophia gasped, "You mean to tell me that if you stayed at home you wouldn't be the same?"
"Not entirely the same, no. The people around you tend to influence you choices, and when you are learning magic, those influences can alter your use of magic, and what you learn." Draco responded. Looking at Selma he added, "I am sure that you have figured out why having your own opinion is important, haven't you Selma?"
Selma smiled, and nodded her head, "Friends?"
Draco smiled, "Friends. All of us, together I promise."
Blaise let out a whoop for joy.
Their conversation was interrupted when a boy with shocking red hair opened the door, and looked inside. Spotting Selma he approached, but stopped when he heard her hiss and saw a snake hiss and come out of her sleave. Dropping the letter in his hands, he ran.
Selma, who noticed that Aysel had come out from sleeping around her arm, hissed, "You scared him away."
"Then he needs to learn not to frighten so easy," Aysel replied.
Draco shocked, asked, "You can speak to snakes?"
Selma thoughtfully answered, "I can, and so can Sophia. This is Aysel, our pet that Uncle Severus bought us. She also serves well as a guard."
Blaise sat up at that, "Yes I can see how that would be helpful."
"It would also be helpful if you didn't say anything about her either," Sophia said, looking at the boys.
Selma picked up the letter, and saw it was addressed to her from Ginny. Showing Sophia what it was, she tucked it into her pocket to read later. Sitting back the new friends continued their talk.
"Wow," was all that Selma could say on seeing the Hogwart's for the first time.
Marching up the stairs with all the other first years, they stopped when they saw a stern witch at the stop. "I am Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall, and beyond these doors is the main hall. Please wait till I return."
Professor McGonagall walked through the great doors, leaving them to wait.
"There she is, Selma Snape the parselmouth!" the read head boy from earlier on shouted to all who could hear.
Frightened murmurs could be heard, and Selma noticed students moving away from her. For a moment she felta creepingdread return.This was just how primary school and being with the Dursley's was like.
Seeing how anxious Selma was, Sophia spoke up, "And might I know the name of who has accused my sister of this?" Sophia also knew how the wizarding world in general felt about snake speakers.
Draco catching on, replied for the read head, "No need to ask, hand me down clothes, and red hair, you must be Ronald Weasly."
"Well we can tell you are a Malfoy, can't we," Ronald Weasly sneered in return, "I can understand why you would hang out with the likes of her."
It was at this moment that Professor McGonagall returned, "We are ready for you now."
Selma grabbing her sister's hand walked in with Draco and Blaise. At the end of the hall an old hat, sitting on a stool, broke into song. Students cheered when it finished its song, and Professor McGonagall started to call out names, placing the sorting hat on the student's heads, and let them be sorted.
Draco was sorted before them, and he went into Slytherin. Looking at everyone he took his seat at the far table.
Selma had found her Uncle's face when her name was called. Seeing her Uncle nod at her, she smiled weakly before sitting on the stool.
"Ahh Miss Snape, a long time has the wizarding world waited for you, but where to put you?" The head whispered to her.
"Where I willbecome what I must," Selma replied, her confidence growing.
"You must become yourself to become what you are destined Miss Snape. I think that you will do best in Ravenclaw!" The last words the hat shouted out. Smiling to her self that she was not in Gryffindor, Selma took a seat at the table with all her new housemates. Turning she heard professor McGonagall call out Sophia's name.
Sophia sat, and the hat was placed on her head, "The other Miss Snape. A thirst to help your sister I see, and to also prove yourself." The hat paused before shouting, "Slytherin!"
Shocked, Sophia took a seat next to Draco, and she didn't even pay attention when Blaise was also sorted into Slytherin. Looking at her sister's sad face, she almost felt like kicking herself for not being sorted into the same house as Selma, but then noticed her sister was talking to the pretty girl next to her, and felt better.
Selma was not so surprised when the sorting house placed Sophia in Slytherin. If there was one of the two of them destined for that house it was definitely Sophia. She was sad though that she would not have her sister to talk to as much anymore. Looking at the girl next to her she decided to introduce herself, "Hi I am Selma Snape."
The girl with straight brown hair, and royal blue eyes, smiled, "I'm Lisa Turpin, pleasure to meet you."
Conversing through dinner, Selma was able to meet the other first years. She was happy though when they were lead by the Ravenclaw prefects to their new common room, and shown their beds. Before sleeping though she remembered the letter from Ginny and opened it up. Ginny simply wrote to wish her a good year, and that would she please write to her, as she didn't have many friends. Smiling a little more Selma decided she would write, and started forming the letter in her mind as she fell asleep.