Disclaimer: I do not support Rowling's views. All Harry Potter characters and the Wizarding World belong to her. However, all interpretations of the Wizarding World and the non-canon characters (i.e. Ophelia Warrington, Thalia Galanis, etc.) are of my own creation.
A/N: Hello! This is my first ever attempt at writing, so please bear with me for the first few chapters. I personally think that I find my footing about five chapters in, so if it still isn't your cup of tea, it's up to you! Thank you for checking this out regardless. Anyway, onto The Champion's Sister :)
25 August 1991
Ophelia's hazy eyes focused on the mid-morning sun peeking through the windows when her mother entered the room. The latest book that had been keeping her up at night was still opened beside her on the bed.
"Ophelia, darling we're going to be late if you stay in bed any longer." Amara gently chided her.
With summer coming to an end, it was time for the annual Malfoy summer gala. Ergo, she had one more week to live in the comfort of her family home until she and her older brother, Cassius, had to leave for Hogwarts.
She looked at the clock on her bedside table. "Mother, it's only a quarter past ten." Ophelia groaned, still sleepy. It hadn't even been 12 hours since she and Cassius arrived back home from Japan. "The party doesn't start until five."
"Knowing you and your brother, it's best if you at least make some effort to begin preparing now."
When her mother phrased it that way, it seemed like Ophelia could hardly keep track of the time. Ophelia personally attributed her lackadaisical attitude to her privileged upbringing. In reality, it was due to spending most of her childhood living between two different time zones.
"You may chastise me all you want, but I perform well when I need to. You tend to forget that I excelled in those etiquette lessons, Mother. Not to mention the Hogwarts preparatory classes, dance lessons, and music lessons. Violin, cello, piano, and singing!" Ophelia exclaimed, tending to her disheveled black hair. "Mrs. Greengrass and Mrs. Parkinson believe that I am the perfect model of a pureblood daughter." She preened in a way that would make Daphne proud.
"And it must stay that way. If they ever saw you with your Muggle things. Well, you know what they're like."
It wasn't like this conversation was anything new, Ophelia was entrusted with many responsibilities by her family. "I promised you and Father that I would act the part of a proper pureblood in public, and I've upheld that promise. It's just..." Ophelia sighed.
Amara took a seat beside Ophelia, rubbing circles on her back. "I know, darling. And we know how difficult it is for you, especially at your age. But you know what it's like here. Better to play the part than make enemies. The long game, remember?"
Although it was true that Lord Voldemort had been defeated, there were hushed rumors amongst the pureblood community that he would return one day. So the Warringtons kept their cards close to their chests for that exact reason.
Ophelia nodded. She and Cassius were always grateful that their parents were open with them about the Voldemort situation they faced. Ignorance was one's greatest enemy. She changed the subject. "Anyway, Father is to blame! He shouldn't have gotten me my first camera all those years ago. Not to mention I picked up the hobby from Ojichan Kohachi," Ophelia explained.
Amara laughed, thankful that her daughter had a gift for reading between the lines. Playing along with her, "Of course, it's your father and grandfather's fault."
Ophelia looked down at Ryu, her dragon stuffed animal that she's had since she was three. "Don't listen to Mother, Ryu. She's just saying that to get on your side," Ophelia lightheartedly told the inanimate object.
"I still think I should tell Draco that you sleep with Ryu! I wonder what he would think about that," Cassius prompted as he peeked his head into her doorway and then continued towards his room.
Ophelia scrambled out of bed and poked her head out of the door. "Then I'll tell Gemma Farley that you're in love with her!" She called after him.
Cassius turned around and rushed towards her, pink lightly tinting his cheeks. "You wouldn't dare! How do you even know about her?" The words strumbled out of his mouth.
"Adrian, Miles, and Graham are your best friends, my dear brother, but they love telling me any embarrassing information about you." Ophelia beamed warmly and gently patted him on the shoulder.
"Those bastards! I'm gonna get them tonight," Cassius seethed.
"Cassius, watch your language around your sister," Amara warned him as she finally left Ophelia's room. "And Ophelia be sure to eat something before we leave."
"Yes, Mother," they said and their mother walked past them to the drawing-room.
"It's not like you haven't heard worse," he murmured to Ophelia.
She giggled. "Of course, but Mother doesn't know that. Five Galleons that Pucey dances with Daphne tonight?"
Cassius gasped. "He wouldn't! She's your age."
"Come on! Double or nothing," Ophelia taunted him.
"Fine," he replied begrudgingly and they shook on it.
Ophelia and Cassius had been betting on trivial things since they were children, a habit they learned from their father and his siblings. Unfortunately, Cassius didn't know that Adrian and Ophelia had already arranged this bet, agreeing to split the earnings if he did dance with Daphne. One of Ophelia's favorite past times was swindling her brother and their friends.
Cassius glanced at the grandfather clock near the landing to the first floor, a quarter to 11. "Want to eat breakfast? Early lunch?" He asked her.
"Muggles call it brunch, Cas."
"Not all of us are Muggle lovers like you, Lia." He scoffed.
"You're one to talk! You asked Father for a television for Christmas four years ago so you can watch those Wars of the Stars movies. We had to renovate the old farmhouse to wire the electricity," Ophelia argued.
"You always go on about the farmhouse, but that's your favorite part of the grounds! You have to admit the game room and theater are pretty sweet. Besides, you wanted that TV just as much as I did. How else were we going to watch our movies and play that NES Uncle Stephen got us?" Cassius paused. "And it's Star Wars! You know Han Solo is my idol," Cassius said heatedly.
"Fine, I'm guilty. Now let's go Jabba the Hut," she joked and they headed down to the dining room together.
Now half-past four, their father, Amara, Cassius, and Ophelia were gathered in the foyer. Amara laid down Ophelia's stray hairs and carefully inspected her dress robes.
Ophelia slightly rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Her father, Nicholas, chuckled. "Toshiko, if you wish to be sly, you must be discrete," he said in Japanese. Her father always tried to speak to her and Cassius in Japanese as much as he could.
Replying in Japanese, "I only learn from the best!" She grinned and nudged her father lightly with her shoulder, barely grazing his ribcage.
"Ready everyone?" Amara questioned.
Switching back to English, "It seems so, love," Nicholas hummed. "Toshiko, you go first."
She entered the fireplace and threw the floo powder to the ground, lighting the fireplace green. "Malfoy Manor!"
Ophelia blinked and saw the familiarity of the Malfoy entrance hall. She exited the fireplace and soon after the rest of the Warrington family came through. They advanced to the ballroom and in front of the entrance, the Malfoy family greeted the guests that had arrived. When the Warrington's finally reached the front of the line, the previously bored Draco Malfoy became alert when he noticed Ophelia and Cassius.
"Amara, Nick. How lovely it is to see you," Lucius said coolly. His eyes shifted over to the remaining Warrington's. "Cassius, Ophelia. A pleasure to have you back."
"Draco would never stop asking when he could see the two of you again. Almost a month apart and he was beside himself," Narcissa elaborated.
"Mother, please!" the young Malfoy proclaimed, averting his eyes so the Warrington siblings couldn't see his embarrassment.
Amara and Nicholas smiled at Draco's attempt. "Draco, you're always welcomed in our home whenever we're here. We've always considered you as one of our own," Nicholas reassured him.
Cassius leaned over to Ophelia. "Of course, they would say that to please Lucius and Narcissa."
"Please Cas, you love having a younger brother fawn over your every move," Ophelia insinuated.
"If a certain little sister adored me, then I wouldn't have to look for a replacement," Cassius exaggerated, trying to stir a reaction out of his sister.
Seeing right through him, "You'd be lost without me, dear brother. We both know I have the brain between the two of us," she quipped.
Cassius sighed, knowing that it was a lost cause. She was unfortunately correct.
Their attention back on their parents and the Malfoy's, "Cassius, you must be excited to head back to school, yes? Now that Draco and Ophelia will be joining you," Lucius asked.
"Of course, sir. I'm hoping to be a Chaser on the Slytherin team this year! Maybe next year Draco will be playing with us as well," Cassius responded.
"And what about me?" Ophelia inquired.
"Ha! You have to get into Slytherin first, Ophy. There's no doubt about Draco. You on the other hand, well I'm not quite sure," he teased.
Her competitive nature got the best of her. "Cassius, are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?" Ophelia asked smoothly, a soft smile on her face.
"I know when to retreat, come now Draco. Time to get away from the terrifying girl," Cassius prompted. Ophelia using his proper name was never a good sign.
Cassius took Draco by the shoulders and guided him into the ballroom. With wide eyes, Draco looked back every few steps to see if Ophelia would follow them.
"Dra, you seriously have to stop using this stupid hair gel! How many times do I have to tell you, I–" Cassius said, his voice indiscernible as they walked farther away from the two families.
"If you may excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. Mother, Father." Ophelia politely spoke. She quickly curtsied, then followed the direction she last saw her brother and Draco. Unfortunately, she was unable to find them.
"Ophelia!"
She whirled around to the sound of her name being called. Daphne Greengrass was across the ballroom, waving to Ophelia. As she got closer to her best friend, Ophelia noticed the elaborate updo of her brunette hair and the dress that complimented her blue eyes.
"Daph, looking stunning as always. Have you seen my brother and Draco?" Ophelia questioned.
"Not yet, but come join the rest of us on the veranda!" Daphne replied.
Daphne led the two of them to the back of the ballroom and through large french doors. The veranda had various benches and small tables that neatly faced the Malfoy gardens. On the horizon, the late summer sun softly painted the sky warm shades of pink and orange.
Ophelia and Daphne were greeted by the boisterous chatter of their friends. Around a small table, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were tucking into sausage rolls and Yorkshire puddings.
The others were seated at a pair of benches sat across from each other. Focused on their conversation, Tracey Davis, Millicent Bulstrode, and Theodore Nott sat on one bench, and Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini sat on the other.
Daphne turned to Ophelia. "I love your dress robes, Lia! An Azure design?"
"Naturally. Mother loves buying all of their new collections whenever we visit Paris," Ophelia said.
"Lucky, mother prefers buying for Astoria since she's so cute. Cute? More like the spawn of a manticore!" Daphne exclaimed.
Ophelia laughed. "Well, that's disrespectful to manticores."
"You're quite right. Whatever Astoria is, she's that and worse. Mother and father dote on her so much, I'm worried she'll only get worse in the future."
"I can teach her a lesson? Nothing like a Warrington prank to set her right." Ideas were already forming in her mind.
"Is that an Ophelia scheming face I see?" Blaise said excitedly, finally noticing the new arrival.
"Whatever do you mean, Zabini? I am but a pureblood lady, enjoying the company of her wonderful acquaintances on a fine summer evening," Ophelia lamented.
"Dramatic as ever," Theo muttered.
"Oh! You wound me, Theodore. Must I divulge details of our last movie marathon to the others?" Ophelia pondered, an impish glint in her eye.
Blaise joined her antics. "Is this when he dressed up as—"
Theo rushed forward, covering Blaise's mouth with his hands. He nervously glanced back at Daphne who was looking on with interest.
Ophelia pouted but stopped her teasing for Theo's sake. He recently developed a crush on Daphne, and Blaise had made it a mission to embarrass Theo at any chance he could.
"Lia, you and Cassius just came back from Japan last night, right?" Millie asked.
"Yes, and she almost threw up after using the portkey. You would think she would be used to the feeling after coming back and forth as much as she does," Cassius said.
He and Draco stood in the doorway, watching them from afar.
"Merlin, Cas, you hypocrite! That was you not me," Ophelia exclaimed.
She recalled his sickly pallor when they landed at the designated landing point at the Warrington Estate. Besides, she was hardly fazed by portkeys now. While her brother lived in England full-time, Ophelia spent almost eight months out of the year in Japan taking lessons under the supervision of her grandfather, Kohachi.
Cassius laughed. "Just jokes, Ophy. Well, see you later kiddos! I have a Slytherin prefect to woo," Cassius stated matter-of-factly.
"Like Gemma Farley would ever go for a third year!"
"Age has no limit on love, sister. Besides, it's only two years," replied Cassius.
"Hm, so if I asked Pucey to dance right now, you wouldn't mind. It's only two years," Ophelia retorted.
Draco and Blaise shared a look, mischief in Blaise's dark brown eyes and concern flashed across Draco's face.
"Miss Warrington, would you fancy a dance?" Blaise asked grandly.
"It would be a pleasure, Mr. Zabini," Ophelia replied with just as much grandiosity.
Blaise offered his arm and she threaded hers, their elbows interlocked. The two of them proceeded into the ballroom. The others followed along, knowing that the dance that was about to occur was going to be entertaining.
They reached the dance floor and took their places. A quartet began to play, and the sound of a soft waltz began to resonate in the air. Blaise sent Ophelia a charming smile and bowed. Likewise, Ophelia curtsied.
As they practiced many times before in dance class, Blaise placed his right hand below Ophelia's left shoulder and rested his left hand in her right hand. She placed her left hand on Blaise's right upper arm, and the two of them began to dance.
They lightheartedly conversed as they danced and Ophelia felt at ease dancing with her friend and dance partner of six years. However, she noticed the playfulness behind Blaise's eyes and before she knew it, Blaise guided her into a turn.
He let go of her, Ophelia's left hand raised in the air as she spun around in a small circle. A hand finally reconnected with her own. It was familiar, but not the one that she was expecting.
Ophelia looked up to the boy that was now holding her hand, and she noticed striking blue eyes.
"Adrian, a pleasure to see you," she said.
Adrian and Ophelia began waltzing again, his steps more confident than Blaise's were.
He smirked. "The pleasure is all mine."
"Shouldn't you be dancing with Greengrass? I'm expecting the two of us to be ten galleons richer by the end of the night," Ophelia asked.
"Of course, darling. And I believe that you should be dancing with someone else as well." Adrian glanced over her head.
He brought her right hand to his lips and he gently kissed the back of her hand when the music finished. Making eye contact with the boy behind Ophelia, and nodded his head, a genuine smile on Adrian's face.
"I'll leave you to it." The older boy walked away, off to find Daphne.
Ophelia finally turned around, locking eyes with a boy with hair that she would recognize anywhere.
"Malfoy," she grinned.
"Miss Warrington," Draco smiled.
The quartet began playing a new piece. Draco bowed to her and offered his right hand for Ophelia to take. Before she could place her hand in his, a different hand took hold of her own. Ophelia was quickly swept away, a disappointed and flustered Draco left behind.
"Dear sister, I've been hoping to have a dance with you." Cassius gave her a sloppy grin.
"You know it's rude to interrupt another person's dance," she said, slightly annoyed.
"Hm, I suppose," he mused. "But I still think you're too young to be dancing with ickle boys," Cassius continued.
Ophelia chuckled. "Draco doesn't even count! He's practically a brother to me."
He looked at his sister with interest. Cassius thought about the development of Ophelia and Draco's friendship over the years and came to the obvious conclusion: she doesn't even know the way she looks at him; let alone the way Draco looks at her.
"Just older brother ramblings then. Hold on, is that Adrian and Daphne?"
Ophelia turned her head to see Daphne and Adrian waltz by them. Adrian gave Ophelia a cheeky wink, then continued to dance with her best friend.
"Really? Who would've thought," Ophelia responded slyly.
Cassius glared down at his sister, "I hate you."
"I hate you too, Cas."
A moment of silence passed, then the siblings broke into laughter.
"Hey, I think I saw some chocolate-covered strawberries at one of the dessert tables," said Cassius.
She perked up at the sound of one of her favorite fruits. "Are there dark chocolate ones?"
He nodded.
"Last one there loses a Sickle!" she declared, briskly walking off of the dance floor.
"Maji ka?" But she was already halfway to the tables. Cassius began to jog after her while trying to be composed in front of the adults. "Matte! Ophy, wait!"
1 September 1991
Draco, Vincent, Greg, and Ophelia were roaming through the Hogwarts Express, trying to find the Trolley Witch again. Vincent and Greg finished all of their food already, and she was tempted to get a Cauldron Cake, using her bet earnings from Cassius.
As they passed through the third car, Draco stopped and peered into a compartment. Inside was a redheaded boy and an extremely skinny boy with round-rimmed glasses. With a glint of curiosity in his eyes, he opened the compartment door and entered. Vincent and Greg were right behind him. She sighed and followed, standing beside Vincent.
"Is it true?" Draco quipped. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"Yes," said the boy with the glasses. With further examination, she saw the infamous lightning bolt scar on the boy's forehead. Potter looked at them hesitantly. Ophelia realized with Vincent and Greg standing on either side of Draco, they looked like bodyguards.
"Oh, this is Crabbe and Goyle," Draco said carelessly, noticing where Potter was looking.
Draco looked at Ophelia and continued, "This is Ophelia Warrington."
She internally rolled her eyes, amused by Draco's attempt at being gentlemanly. Ophelia raised a hand and gave Potter a halfhearted wave.
"And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. "
The ginger let out a fake cough and Draco studied him.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."
Draco turned back to Potter. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
He held out his hand to shake Potter's, but Potter didn't take it.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coolly.
She could feel the embarrassment radiating off of Draco and a pink hue appeared on his pale cheeks. Ophelia sat down, thoroughly enjoying the show unfolding before her. Her mind began to wander as she planned the story she would later tell the others.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," Draco said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you. "
Both Potter and Weasley stood up.
"Say that again," Weasley said, his face turning as red as his hair.
"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?" Draco sneered.
"Unless you get out now," said Potter.
"But we don't feel like leaving, do we? We've eaten all our food and you still seem to have some."
"Draco, stop." Ophelia finally said, standing up and placing a hand on his shoulder. She felt him relax underneath her touch. He gazed into her brown eyes, a hint of guilt flashing in his grey.
However, Greg reached toward the Chocolate Frogs next to Weasley and let out a horrible yell. He pulled his hand away and a rat had sunk deep into his knuckle.
Ophelia hid behind Draco, and quickly closed her eyes. He slipped his hand into her, remembering her fear.
The stupid rat finally let go of Greg and hit the window. Vincent and Greg scurried away, and Ophelia felt the pull of Draco's hand trying to get her to follow him. "I'll meet you at the compartment," she said.
He looked reluctant, but nodded and followed Vincent and Gregory.
A bushy hair girl appeared next to Ophelia, replacing where Draco previously stood. "What has been going on?" she said.
Still frightened by the rat, Ophelia took a shaky breath. "I'm sorry about Draco and the others. Ignore him; he means well, but when he gets riled up he gets carried away and forgets all morals and manners. I mean, Draco still complains to his father about every little problem that happens to him!" she explained.
The two boys laughed and the girl next to her politely smiled.
"I'll be seeing you around then," Ophelia added before finally leaving their compartment.
As she walked away, she heard the three of them conversing.
"Do you know anything about that girl?" said Potter.
"Ophelia Warrington, part of a rich pureblood family. Even richer than the Malfoys. Nicer than the rest, but still hangs around those other blokes," Weasley replied.
"And the boy she was talking about?" the girl asked.
Right before Ophelia reached the end of the train car, she paused to hear what Weasley had to say about the Malfoys.
"Malfoy. I've heard of his family," said Weasley darkly. "They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side."
Ophelia sighed. She opened the door and headed towards the compartment with all of her friends.
Ever since she noticed the problems within the Malfoy family, Ophelia had but one wish for Draco, that one day he wouldn't be judged or affected by his father's mistakes.
The train arrived at Hogsmeade Station, the first years piled out of the Hogwarts Express, and followed a large man called Hagrid down a steep, narrow path to a clearing. Before them was Hogwarts castle. The countless windows of the castle illuminated the dark horizon as if it was a part of the other stars glittering in the sky.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore.
Daphne, Tracey, Theo, and Ophelia crawled into a boat near them.
After all of the first years were situated, they took off across the lake until they reached a dark tunnel that led to an underground harbor, where they clambered out of the boats to a rocky landing. Ophelia and the others followed Hagrid to a pair of large oak doors. He raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times. A door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
She recognized the name–it was the Gryffindor head of house that Cassius told her that all Slytherins should steer clear of.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," said Professor McGonagall.
The first years followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor of the entrance hall to a small, empty chamber to the left of the Great Hall. They crowded in, standing rather close together. A white-blond head was right in front of Ophelia, and she lightly smacked the back of his head.
Draco spun around, ready to snap at whoever it was that hit him before he noticed that it was Ophelia. He narrowed his eyes and glared, but the trace of a smile pulled at his lips and betrayed his icy attitude.
She smirked. "Wanted to make sure you were paying attention to Professor McGonagall."
Draco tried to retort a quick comeback, but Professor McGonagall interrupted him. "Welcome to Hogwarts." She proceeded to explain the sorting ceremony, the four Hogwarts houses, and basic school rules.
Barely paying attention, Ophelia's eyes glanced around, landing on Tracey, Daphne, and Theo. The three of them were giving her a knowing look, gesturing from Ophelia to Draco, then back to Ophelia.
"You guys are absolutely ridiculous," Ophelia whispered to them, rolling her eyes.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."
The doors to the Great Hall opened and revealed thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables. She noticed that each table belonged to a different house. From the doors, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor were ordered from left to right. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students and the teachers behind them.
The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Since they were viewing the hall from the professors' point of view, Ophelia examined the table on the far right. She found Cassius and his friends seated in the middle of the Slytherin table. He noticed that she was watching him, and he smiled at her reassuringly.
Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool, she placed a pointed wizard's hat. Then the bloody thing started to sing. Rambling on about its life story and the Hogwarts houses. The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song.
She looked past Weasley and focused on Blaise. "Cassius, that wanker! I've spent the past two years preparing for a triathlon around the castle grounds! I've been running, swimming, and flying for nothing?" Ophelia huffed and focused forward again.
Ophelia heard snickers coming from Blaise and Weasley. She carefully raised her middle finger just for them to see.
Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
A pink-faced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the hat, which fell right down over her eyes, and sat down. A moment's pause–
"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.
A quarter of the room cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table.
A few more Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were sorted, then a girl named Lavender Brown became the first new Gryffindor. The table on the far left exploded with cheers; Ophelia noticed two tall, identical gingers hollering. She realized they shared a striking similarity to the Weasley boy standing next to her, who she now coined as weasel number one.
Next was Millicent, and as expected she was sorted into Slytherin. She sent a quick grin to Ophelia and the others, then proceeded to the Slytherin table on the far right of the hall.
After Vincent, Tracey, Greg, and a few others were sorted, the bushy-haired girl Ophelia met earlier was finally called.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Granger almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the hat.
Ophelia raised her eyebrows, surprised that the girl was sorted into Gryffindor.
"Greengrass, Daphne!"
With poise that would make their etiquette teacher–Madame Moran–proud, Daphne gracefully took a seat and the hat quickly yelled, "SLYTHERIN!"
Eventually, McGonagall announced, "Malfoy, Draco!"
A few students began whispering amongst themselves, recognizing the infamous Malfoy name and white-blond hair.
Draco swaggered forward to the stool. The hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!"
Draco went to join the others, looking pleased with himself. He left an empty seat open to his right. Draco looked for Ophelia and motioned to the spot. "For you." He mouthed to her.
Ophelia suppressed a laugh, she nodded to him.
She scanned the Slytherin table, Ophelia noticed movement coming from Cassius's section of the table. She automatically knew that he was up to something. Cassius lifted an eyebrow, an amused expression on his face after he saw the silent conversation between Draco and his sister.
Next to Cassius and Graham, Adrian and Miles began an elaborate, but silent reenactment of Ophelia and Draco's interaction.
Miles patted an empty seat beside him and mouthed, "For you."
Adrian flipped nonexistent hair off his shoulder and fervently nodded his head to Miles.
Slightly embarrassed, Ophelia focused on the sorting again.
Theo and Pansy were both sorted into Slytherin, and the most anticipated sorting of the night was next.
"Potter, Harry!"
As Potter stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?"
Potter took a seat and his head disappeared, the hat totally engulfing his head. Minutes passed by. Ophelia realized that this was a hat stall. Cassius explained to her that some people are extremely difficult to sort since they display strong traits in multiple houses.
She observed that Potter gripped the edges of the stool. The hat finally screamed, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Ophelia thought back to the conversation Draco and Potter had on the train.
She concluded that Gryffindor was a suitable decision for the boy.
He took off the hat and walked shakily toward the Gryffindor table. Ophelia noticed that Potter was getting the loudest cheer of the night. Everyone but the Slytherins wanted 'the Boy who Lived'.
A ginger Gryffindor prefect shook Potter's hand vigorously, while the twins yelled, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
Ophelia assumed the prefect was yet another weasel.
And now there were only a few people left to be sorted, including Ophelia, Weasley, and Blaise. Dean Thomas and Lisa Turpin were sorted into Gryffindor and Ravenclaw respectively.
"Warrington, Ophelia!"
She carefully stepped forward and sat on the stool in front of her. Ophelia placed the hat on her head, and a voice began to speak in her mind.
"Hmm, another Warrington, I see. Your father and brother were sorted into Slytherin. And I recall your mother was in Ravenclaw."
Yes, all information that I already know. May I also add, if you are as old and as important as you say you are, why are you so tattered? One would assume that you would be in better condition if you are only used one day out of the entire year.
If it was possible, it sounded like the hat snickered. "Those are interesting questions to ask a hat. So I extend a similar question to you, why would you like to know?"
I like knowing things that other people don't.
"So you like learning?"
Well, not necessarily. I want to do something useful with my life, so I suppose that gaining knowledge in many things is a good place to start. Now, I think we both know what house I want to be in, so the faster you sort me, the closer you are to relaxing for the next 364 days.
"A smart-mouth and quick-witted. A thirst for knowledge, but not for knowledge alone. Driven by reason and ambition. Loyal, but only to those that have proven their worth. It's quite clear at this point."
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat bellowed.
Ophelia removed the hat. She saw and heard the enthusiastic reaction of the other Slytherins. Cassius nearly standing on the table, "Yes! That's my sister!"
She walked to the Slytherin table and was squeezed into a group hug by Cassius, Miles, Graham, and Adrian.
"To five years of tormenting our favorite little sister!" Miles exclaimed.
"That goes both ways, boys," Ophelia replied cheerfully.
They finally released her, and Ophelia took her seat beside Draco.
Draco leaned over. "I never doubted it," Draco whispered.
"I'm more of a Slytherin than you are, idiot," she joked.
During her exchange with Cassius and his friends, Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor like the rest of his siblings.
"Zabini, Blaise!" Professor McGonagall called.
The last first year to be sorted, Blaise sauntered to the stool. The hat was only on his head for a few seconds. "SLYTHERIN!"
Blaise took off the hat and strolled to the Slytherin table. "What did I tell you?"
Ophelia and the other first years chuckled and Blaise took a seat between Draco and Ophelia. He threw one arm around over each of their shoulders, "Ah, the next seven years are going to be splendid! Right, Draco?"
Draco looked at Blaise with slight annoyance, but Ophelia smiled at the boys, amused by their little quarrel.
The headmaster, Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are, Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Draco and Ophelia glanced at each other, desperately trying not to burst out laughing at how ridiculous their new headmaster seemed.
An elaborate feast appeared before them, Ophelia and the others served themselves and conscientiously ate their food. Except for Vincent and Greg who couldn't help but dig into their food, the Slytherins ate their meals with poise due to their upbringing.
After they finished eating, dinner was replaced by an expansive spread of desserts. Ophelia made herself a chocolate crepe and took a slice of a strawberry swiss roll.
About to take a bite of her crepe, Cassius swooped in and took it from her.
"Thanks, Lia! You always make the best desserts!" He took a bite, ruffled her hair with his free hand, and returned to his seat with the crepe.
Ophelia grumbled at the loss of her crepe, then she remembered how much she missed Cassius when he was at Hogwarts the past two years.
She looked around the table at her friends, her brother, and some other students of Slytherin she had met in the past.
Draco checked on Ophelia, observing the wistful look on her face. "Are you alright, Lia?"
Ophelia grinned. "Don't get sappy on me now, Malfoy. Just thinking about how I'm gonna whoop your arse in Quidditch next year!"
He cracked a smile. "Keep telling yourself that, Warrington. When I become Slytherin's next Seeker and you don't, we'll see who's laughing!" Draco went back to his food and spoke to Theo and Blaise about how his father will buy him a new broom if he gets on the team next year.
Smiling, Ophelia took a bite out of the swiss roll that was still on her plate, her life at Hogwarts was going to be quite wonderful.
She was wrong.
Translations:
-Maji ka?: Really?
-Matte!: Wait
A/N: Hello again! This is so weird because I've only ever read fanfics, so writing my own author's note is surreal. I now understand why authors are surprised when people read these things. Please tell me if there are grammatical errors or if you have constructive criticism! I'm new to this so anything helps :)
Also if you noticed, Ophelia and Cassius are mixed. Hence Lia calling her grandfather, ojichan. Their dad is half Japanese/British and their mom is part Greek. Being Asian American and never really seeing a POC oc, I wanted to incorporate that into the story. (As well as expand the scope of the Wizarding World past Europe) Tbh you can imagine her however you want, but that's a little character development I had hehe
Um, I hope you enjoyed it and comment or favorite if you did! Sorry, it was long but we're going straight to year four after this.
P.S. I love the Weasleys and Harry and Hermione, etc! But Ophelia doesn't know them yet so her attitude is well, indifferent. It's temporary (maybe)
Contains content from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
- Chapter 6: The Journey from Platform nine and three quarters
- Chapter 7: The Sorting Hat