Thank you for everyone who has read and reviewed my story so far, thank you to those who have added to favourites and alerts.
I have had some technical difficulties with my laptop and it has essentially died but I have been able to convert this chapter into something workable in order to allow me to upload, but that is the reason for the delay. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be posted. I am working on sorting out a replacement and I am hoping to work on something temporary.
All mistakes are my own, I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
XXX
Chapter 3:-
"Well, there you are, girl. Platform nine - platform ten. Your platform should be somewhere in the middle, but they don't seem to have built it yet, do they?"
Uncle Vernon smiled at her. Holly would go as far to say it was a manic kind of smile, twisted and gleeful over someone else's misfortune. She had hated that smile over the years, but today she had little desire to acknowledge it or the fact her uncle was still talking to her.
"We don't want you back over the holidays, do you hear me?"
"Yes," she answered, wishing at times she could ignore him completely but not responding would cause more trouble than it was worth.
"Have a good term," he laughed, "if you get there," he added as he walked away, leaving her alone in front of the two plastic signs between platforms.
She wasn't concerned or worried. Summer school had discussed platform nine and three quarters at some length when talking about wizarding Britain. They had discussed about oblivators and charms that made things less than noticeable by muggles. Holly relaxed a little, letting her eyes wander, looking at the cracks, at the corner and seeing beyond what she first expected to see. It was almost like a 'something out the corner of her eye' lifted, and she could see the mismatched clothes on people, a dressing gown as a coat, slippers as shoes, men's shoes on women's feet and then there were those that didn't even try and blend, dressed in robes. Or the luggage with cats and owls. With a small smile, she muttered, "Idiot", to herself before pushing her trolley towards the barrier and slipped through unseen by those around her, until she came out on the other side.
Stepping out the other side Holly couldn't help but gape in wonder.
A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. Holly gripped her wand concealed in her pocket, close to her hip, not that the measly knowledge she had of the spells that she had gotten to work would be much use to her, but its presence offered her a sense of security and comfort Holly hadn't realised she had needed until it had been there. A reminder that she was not without her defences. Not that she would be able to stand against any true threat that may come her way. Not yet at least.
Holly had studied outside of summer school, and the topics discussed there, she devoured all the books she had bought and had even treated herself to some extra books from Tomes and Scrolls when they had time to themselves at Hogsmeade. She had learnt, and she had discovered far more about the War than Professor McGonagall, or even Umbridge had ever discussed. Holly had signed up for a subscription from the Daily Prophet that would keep her well informed with the goings-on of the Wizarding World, but it had also allowed her to request old papers during the time of the War. A War that had changed her life forever, and the lives of many others. She hadn't lived in the Wizarding World in the years that followed the supposed end, but she needed the information around that time, just as she needed the information during the War. Holly now knew more about her parents and the Potters than she had ever done so before, it also provided information on the Lestranges, Crouch Jr and Black. It speculated what had happened the night Voldemort; Holly refused to fear his name, had been defeated. Though Holly couldn't help but shake the feeling that defeated was too broad of a term - it didn't mean killed, but it was clear he had disappeared that night.
She had learnt about Death Eaters crimes, punishments and who had claimed to be under a Curse and had no control over their actions.
Holly learnt every name of every potential enemy to her, her plans and her parents. The War may have ended almost ten years ago, but that didn't mean that the ideals and beliefs of his followers had just disappeared. Far more likely that they were whispered in the dark waiting to see the light of day again. And Holly would be ready should that happen. Would be prepared should anything interfere with her plans in finding a cure for her parents.
Few people noticed her as she wove in and out of the crowds, but then a lone figure in a sea of people was far easier to slip unnoticed past people. The train was quieter than the platform, and she was grateful to find an empty compartment at the back of the train, out of the way of everyone. Holly sank into the seat with a sigh of relief when she had finally secured her trunk in place; two books lay next to her and a small journal and pen. She was used to using a quill now, but the idea of jotting any notes down on a moving train with a bottle of ink didn't appeal to her, a simple muggle pen would suit for the train journey. Tucking her feet under her, she picked up her book, An Introduction to the Human Anatomy, and started reading.
She needed to learn everything she could about the human body in a general sense before she could start understanding how magic interacted with the body, and how you could heal the body with magic. Not to mention she needed a better understanding of the curse used on her parents in the first place.
The Cruciatus Curse.
Holly doubted she would be able to find much information on her own to begin with, which was why she was leaving it as her third priority on the list in respect to healing her parents. First, she needed the understanding of the human body that went beyond the mere basics that her primary school teacher taught her.
Baby steps, she wasn't likely to find the answers she was seeking by the time she reached Hogwarts. She needed patience. Thankfully living with the Dursley's had resulted in her learning the art of patience.
Scribbling a few notes down in her journal, Holly found herself engrossed in her task at hand that she barely noticed the train moving, as her mind attempted to make sense of the text that she was absorbing with every breath.
XXX
Draco's cheeks burned as he left the compartment that contained the Boy-Who-Lived, some Muggle-born 'know it all', and the Weasel. He had done what his father asked, extending his hand in friendship, offering Longbottom friends with the right sort of wizards only for his offer to be disregarded, and for him to be humiliated by a damned rat of all things. Not to mention, all Longbottom seemed to be worried about was his missing toad. Honestly, who would have a toad as a pet? The boy was nothing like what Draco expected, and he was sure once he wrote to his father explaining that Longbottom didn't appear to be that special, he seemed quite ordinary, and then the fact he had should be forgiven. After all, it was only befitting that a Malfoy associated with the powerful. Yet he couldn't help but shake that sliver of fear knowing he failed his father. Something that was not acceptable.
Draco rubbed his forehead as he walked back to his compartment. More than aware of the growing headache as magic hummed and sang around him. Filling the air with vibrations that he, like all properly trained Malfoy's, could sense. He had been expecting this level of intensity at Hogwarts surrounded by the students and Professors in a castle that's foundations was built on magic, he hadn't expected this level of intensity on the train. He would have to put more effort into the shields his mother had taught him before he got to Hogwarts; otherwise, he was quite sure it would drive him insane. And that was not acceptable of a Malfoy.
Yet the more he turned his attention to the magic, the more he listened to its song, the louder it was getting, the vibrations more intense until it sounded more like a roar than a hum, with every step he took. Draco frowned as he glanced around the corridor, only Crabbe and Goyle were standing by him, and their magic barely caused a stir, which meant whatever or whoever the source was, was coming from one of the compartments within this particular carriage. With a wary curiosity Draco glanced in at each compartment, fifth years, third years, seventh years and while he couldn't deny that they could be the potential source something inside of him said it wasn't. Draco carried on, stepped from one carriage to the next until he froze.
The air was thick and heavy with magic, and it made his bones aches. There was a sharpness to it like he suddenly had razor-sharp knives pressed to his skin in warning that one false move could and would be fatal. Crabbe and Goyle tensed beside him, while not as sensitive as he was to magic, they would need to be a muggle to not sense the magic in the air and even then Draco was confident they would feel something. He peered into the carriage, the magic pressed harder against his skin, a clear message that whoever was in this compartment wanted to be left alone, he saw a lone girl with dark hair sitting reading a book, her school robes were void of any House colours that told him she was a first-year like him. However, glasses obscured her face so he couldn't get a good look, but she appeared to be oblivious to everything but the book she was reading. Draco was surprised that nobody else was in the compartment, but from the sheer weight of magic and the bite, it carried the other students would have instinctively avoided it without even knowing why. There was probably some like himself that could sense and recognise powerful magic that would have been curious, but like him, they would have read the message loud and clear not to disturb this compartment. And for all his curiosity about this powerful witch who made the air sing with pure magic Draco wasn't stupid enough to ignore the warning signs. Not when the magic was threatening to pierce his skin, and the girl's attention wasn't on him.
He would merely have to wait until they arrived at Hogwarts and hoped that the girl would sort into the Slytherin House. Draco smiled to himself; he may have failed at befriending the Boy-Who-Lived as his father had instructed, but he had found a witch that would more than makeup for that failure. Something he was sure his father would approve.
Turning from the compartment, he continued down the corridor, making his way towards his compartment. His step considerably lighter than it had been upon leaving the Boy-Who-Lived and his cheeks no longer burned from embarrassment; instead his mind turned and turned just who was that witch, and which Noble House did she belong to?
XXX
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!"
Holly spotted Hagrid calling to the first-years and waving an equally huge lantern. Holly ignored all the children around her; she ignored their bumbling forms as they spoke with one another, jostling for position amongst the crowds as they followed Hagrid down from the train to what appeared to be boats on a lake.
She ended up sharing with a blonde-haired girl whose blue eyes pierced her sharply when she looked at her, a tall boy with rich black skin and even darker eyes that looked sombre and a smiling blonde-haired boy, who offered polite hello's but said little else. No one seemed eager to break the ice between them, and so they sat in silence as the boats bobbed forward along the lake.
Holly gaped along with the others when the boat sailed around a corner and Hogwarts came into view. Seeing it at night was far different from seeing the castle during her time at summer school, and from her point of view on the lake it looked even grander than it had then. It was at that moment that Holly fell in love for the first time. It shone, Holly thought, a beacon in the dark. A symbol of strength and hope. Holly could understand at that moment why Voldemort had never dared attack it during the war. He would have been foolish to do so. It would have cost him, and so it remained a sanctuary in a time of war. Untouchable by outside evil, perched atop a high mountain, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, with many turrets and towers. It signalled possibilities, at least to her, a place she could explore those possibilities, to grow and learn as much as she could.
It was beautiful.
"Yes, it is." A voice agreed beside her. Holly turned to look at the boy who had spoken, realising that she had perhaps voiced that particular opinion out loud.
The tall, dark-haired boy looked at her before speaking again, "Blaise Zabini," he introduced.
"Holly Potter," she answered after a moment.
She caught his eyes widening in recognition, but he made no further comment, it was something she could appreciate whether it was done out of consideration for her or just because he had nothing else to say. It was an unnerving thought really, the idea of other people knowing about her family's circumstances.
Holly didn't like it, but there was nothing she could do to change it either, all she could do was accept whatever anyone decided to throw at her in regards to her circumstances and hit back hard should anyone desire to hurt her with it.
"As beautiful as it is if you continue to gap like a fish people will start to think you are an uneducated commoner before you even enter its halls," the girl stated. Holly couldn't hear any malice in her tone, couldn't hear the underline, I think you are a commoner, but she could hear the warning. A sign that she was behaving unseemly and doing so will hurt her. Unless she was a commoner, then it mattered very little.
Holly wasn't sure how she was able to read all that was unsaid, but she knew with a certainty that the girl had been trying to portray precisely that message even if it was with a somewhat bored and disinterested tone.
"Daphne, don't be rude," Zabini chided with a smile, a smile that carried with it a certain amount of affection.
"I wasn't. I was merely pointing out; she shouldn't gape like a fish," Daphne, pointed out, giving Zabini a look before fixing her attention back to her, "Daphne Greengrass."
Holly nodded politely.
The reaming boy, merely nodded his head muttering "Anthony Goldstein."
None of them had attended Summer School, she would have remembered their names, but nor were they names that appeared to have associated with Voldemort.
They remained silent as they ducked under a curtain of ivy as the boats carried them through an opening in the cliff face. They continued along a dark tunnel which seemed to be taking them right under the castle until they reached an underground harbour, where they clambered out on to the rocks and pebbles.
There was a tension on the air, nervous excitement that wired through everyone. Holly could feel her stomach-turning, and yet it felt as if she was coming home for the first time, she had missed Hogwarts more than she realised. They followed the light of the giant's lamp up a passageway before coming out at least onto the smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up the flight of stone steps and crowded around the massive oak front door where the giant knocked three times on the castle door. The door swung open almost at once, and Holly saw Professor McGonagall standing there waiting for them. Holly felt her shoulders ease as she saw a familiar face and sight of the castle. The tension she hadn't realised she had been feeling slipping away.
"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall," the giant greeted.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
Hagrid left them to follow Professor McGonagall into the castle.
The Entrance Hall was different at night, the lit flames casting a warm, welcoming glow over the stone walls and she could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from the doorway leading to the Great Hall, and Holly felt her nerves flutter like butterflies. Steeling herself for whatever was to come and determined that no matter what happened, she would not fail. Holly listened with the other students as Professor McGonagall welcomed them to Hogwarts and explained that the start of term banquet would begin as soon as they were sorted into their houses. She went further to define the four Houses in Hogwarts and the points system that seemed to play an important part, along with the emphasis that their House would be their family. The moment she left the small chamber they had all been gathered in the nervous whispers Holly as her fellow students swapped wild theories on the Sorting. One thing became clear at least in Holly's opinion was that no one had a clear idea of what happened, as the possibilities ranged from 'wrestling trolls' and 'testing one's spell ability'. It was something that they had never discussed in Summer School, and Holly could only presume it was a secret soaked in a tradition that they didn't discover until the night they entered Hogwarts as a student.
Holly could even hear the familiar voice of Granger muttering under her breath all the spells she could think of that she might need to perform. Holly hadn't given much thought into the Houses and which she felt like she belonged. Her parents had been in Gryffindor, but Holly wasn't sure that the house of the noble and brave suited her though it would be nice to be in the same house that her parents had been in.
A scream cut through her trail of thought and Holly blinked in surprise as what seemed to be twenty-ghosts streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to each other, hardly looking at the first years.
They seemed to be arguing.
Until one of them noticed the first-years, all staring up wide-eyed at them.
"New students!"
No sooner had they greeted them, wishing them good luck and desire to see them in their former house until the sharp voice of Professor McGonagall cut across them.
"The Sorting Ceremony is about to start. Form a line and follow me."
One by one, they formed a line until Professor McGonagall was satisfied and led them into the Great Hall. The Great Hall took Holly's breath away much like seeing the Castle again, seeing the Great Hall now full of children it seemed beautiful and so different from the space she had spent attending Summer School. Lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid-air over four long tables where the rest of the students were sitting. Holly was aware of hundreds of eyes on her, of course, they weren't on her alone, but as a collective whole, the older students watched the new first years as they walked past before stopping in front of another long table where the teachers sat. It was here where Professor McGonagall silently placed a three-legged stool in the centre and what looked to be an old looking hat on top of it. Holly blinked in surprise. She certainly hadn't been expecting that, and while she had read Hogwarts a History, she couldn't recall anything about a hat. And then suddenly that hat twitched, and a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth, and the hat began to sing.
XXX
Minerva took the time to steel herself during the Sorting Hat's song. She had lost count how many Sorting Ceremony's she had taken part in and yet still her hands shook, something she had told herself sternly was entirely unsuitable for her age. And yet as she glanced at this batch of first-years before she couldn't help but feel that something was different. She had seen Holly amongst the others, looking far to calm in comparison to the other eleven-year-olds. The only one that seemed to match her lack of concern was the tall, dark-haired, standing next to her, Zabini. He looked like his mother and Minerva expected nothing less from the 'Black Widow's' son. There was another Weasley this year too, and a Malfoy and a Nott, not to mention the Boy-Who-Lived.
There was no denying that this year group would be an interesting lot and yet it was perhaps because of that she was most apprehensive about it. Minerva was grateful though when it finally came to calling the first name out she was able to say it without her nerves showing.
"Abbott, Hannah,"
The blonde-haired pig-tailed girl stumbled out of the line and put the hat on was somewhat predictable, but Minerva still smiled warmly when the hat shouted out 'Hufflepuff!' allowing a brief moment of cheers and applauds before continuing with the next name.
"Bones, Susan,"
One by one, she stood back and watched them come up and place the sorting hat onto their heads. Minerva could see who was nervous and needed that extra reassurance, with a comforting smile. She smiled when the Brown girl became her first Gryffindor. The rest of the Sorting hustled past as she worked her way down the list, there was one girl that seemed to take the longest before the hat finally cried 'Gryffindor' and she mentally noted to keep an eye on the girl to ensure she settled into the House.
The H's passed, followed by the I's, J's, and K's until she finally called her second most awaited name on the list. A name that everyone was more than eager to see sorted. Out the corner of her eye, she saw Albus sit up that little straighter as his whole attention fixed onto "Longbottom, Neville".
The rest of the hall reacted almost as one to the name, whispers stirring through the hall with a buzz, and soon Neville Longbottom was stepping forward, almost nervously.
"That's him, The Neville Longbottom?"
"He looks so pale."
"I thought he would be taller."
She felt sorry for him as he almost jogged up to the stool, carrying the weight of other people's expectations on his shoulders. Everyone had an idea of who and what the Boy-Who-Lived would be like, and Minerva often noted that people very rarely met those expectations placed upon them. Neville certainly had his father's eyes, but it was with his mother's round face, soft features that hadn't yet lost the baby fat and ears that were a little too big for his face. He would grow into his features or he wouldn't, but only time would determine that fact.
The hall waited eagerly as the hat took its time on the boy's head, and it did take its time. Minerva could see his fist curled tense by his sides as he deliberated with the hat, she knew where the boy wanted to go, she knew how strong-willed Augusta's was. Anything but Gryffindor would be unacceptable in her eyes. The House, her son, had been in, the House that the Boy Who Lived should belong. Minerva might have a bias towards her own House, but she was neither blind nor stupid to how others perceived the House of Lions. The House of Heroes, the Golden Children, the House the Light shone the brightest. The expectation that Neville would be a Gryffindor would have carried extra weight, especially if he was more suited to another House. She would need to keep an eye on the boy regardless of whether he ended up in her House or not.
The hat was taking even longer to decide than it had with the Granger girl, and then the hat finally shouted "Gryffindor", and her House erupted in cheers and the boy smiled as he took the hat off his head and walked towards his table. She could see the tension ease from his shoulders ever so slightly showing to her just how tense he had been. Minerva saw again out the corner of her eye Albus relax ever so slightly, at the result as he eased back into his chair, but her attention was soon back on the list as she called the next name, and the next.
Until finally, she called the name that she had been most eager to sort. Minerva found herself staring like an anxious parent herself when the hat lowered over Holly Potter's head, hoping that she was at least wrong in her assessment and that Holly Potter would indeed be sorted into Gryffindor.
XXX
Holly was aware of the eyes of the other students on her as the Sorting Hat slipped over her head.
It wasn't with the same interest the Boy-Who-Lived received; thankfully, it was still a little more interest than the other first-years had. But she was the other half of the equation of what happened the night they proclaimed Neville a hero, and the war ended. They may not see her as their saviour, but she was there that night. The only other one besides Neville that others would be able to question.
Holly shuffled slightly on the stool under the weight before she caught herself and forced herself to stay still. The attention of any sort was not a good thing. The Dursleys hated her, bringing any more attention to herself than necessary. Still, they hated the fact she existed, gaining attention from others grated merely on their nerves that little extra.
Ah, Miss Potter, quite the mind you have here. Quite the ambition.
Holly was glad she didn't jump the moment the voice echoed in her mind, of course, the hat would be able to read minds as well as being able to talk, and wasn't that an unnerving thought, it would know her desires, her goals, everything instantly.
A chuckle filled her ears.
I can't tell you whether you will be successful in your quest; it is not my job to tell you what you can or cannot achieve. I can tell you I have looked in many young minds, and some of them have wanted to do impossible things, and they have succeeded. I can tell you that everything depends on you.
I won't fail; she answered honestly. And she wouldn't, no matter how long it took she would not fail to heal her parents.
She felt the hat smile at her, or at least it felt like a smile in her mind before it murmured to her, and there is a part of your soul bare for all to see should they wish to take the time to see it. Your determination, your drive burns through you like molten. I fear the day it erupts.
Why?
I see far more than what you want to do Miss Potter. I know what you are.
And what am I? She asked hesitantly, not sure she wanted the answer.
A rarity, the hat chuckled, now Hufflepuff is out as is Gryffindor, while I cannot deny you have the potential to be loyal you have never had anybody to be loyal to. And you are brave; never doubt that for a moment, but neither House would not suit your more private nature. Which brings us Slytherin and Ravenclaw?
Are you asking for my opinion?
Shhh, I'm thinking. I cannot deny you're ambitious; there aren't many that have already set their goals before them no matter how impossible the road ahead of them may be, not to mention your thirst to prove yourself, my, my that is interesting.
Holly snorted at the thought.
You have a...hunger for knowledge, but I see that it is purely for you to understand the world to defend yourself from threats that would otherwise hurt you, I believe the best place for you is…" SLYTHERIN."
The house closest to the wall on the left cheered and applauded politely, but she didn't pay it any attention as the Hat whispered parting words, the path you chose tether's on the edge of a line, stray but a little and you will fall, and all will be lost. Noble a course to heal your parents yet your thirst for vengeance drives you equally, and it is that drive that puts you at risk. Only you can choose which path you will walk. One must be careful Miss Potter when fighting monsters lest they become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee. I fear the potential inside of you, Miss Potter, even as I rejoice at the potential.
Holly had no time to ask further questions as she rose calmly, well aware that Professor McGonagall was waiting for her to return the hat. Carefully removing the hat, she handed it back Professor McGonagall before turning towards the politely clapping table. As she walked towards the green and silver coloured table, Holly was aware that her robes changed to match the House colours she now belonged to. The weight of curious gazes pressed against her skin. Holly ensured she kept her shoulders straight and her expression civil as she moved towards the end of the table, where she could see already sorted first-years sitting. Her gaze fell onto Daphne Greengrass, who shuffled to make room for her, though if Holly hadn't been looking at her directly, she would have missed it. Holly took her seat next to Greengrass, nodding politely in greeting to the other first years in return, silently repeating words that had come to mean so much to her.
Never flinch.
Never fear.
Never forget.
Holly knew first-hand how quickly children could seek out the weaknesses in others, and if any of them were like Dudley, she wouldn't give them an advantage over her any more than they already had by knowing about the Wizarding World. Holly turned her attention towards the remaining students; a couple more followed her to the Slytherin table, while others split between the other three schoolhouses, and before long Blaise Zabini was the last student to be called and was promptly sorted into Slytherin. Holly clapped alongside the other Slytherins and offered a welcoming smile as he took a seat directly opposite her. Professor McGonagall took the Sorting Hat and stool away, and behind her, a man in purple robes rose to his feet, drawing everyone's attention his way.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!" he said, "Before we begin our banquet I would like to say a few words. And they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you."
He sat back down as the older students clapped and cheered. Holly blinked in surprise at the man though from the looks her fellow first years were also giving him she was not alone.
"Yes, he is quite mad," an older student said, before anyone else spoke, though the way the girl's eyes were looking at the first years, it was clear that it was them she was talking to, "But nobody can deny he is powerful. Welcome to Slytherin, my name is Gemma Farley, tuck in everyone."
Holly blinked her attention caught by the abundant amount of food piled high on golden plates. Plates that had only moments ago been empty. An array of mouth-watering meats, a mixture of herbed butter potatoes, a variety of vegetables, soups, side dishes, vegetarian options and several delicacies Holly had never seen before. Not to mention the beautifully presented puddings that would have had Dudley's mouth-watering despite the presence of magic. Holly unfolded her napkin before placing it on her lap before reaching for the mashed potato and placing a spoonful onto her plate, adding a chicken drumstick and a spoonful of vegetables. She was eager to try many of the foods before her; she didn't fancy the idea of eating until she was sick. She wasn't used to eating much more than what she had already placed on her plate and poured herself a pumpkin juice, enjoying the sweetness a little more than she had when she first tried it, the drink was growing on her.
"So Slytherin then?" Zabini asked quietly.
An eyebrow rose. "You seem surprised."
"No, not surprised, just curious. I couldn't place you, which is unusual. I'm normally better at reading people."
Holly studied him over the rim of her goblet, dark brown eyes curiously fixed their gaze on her.
"Don't sound too disappointed."
Zabini's lips turned into a sly smile, "I wouldn't say I am disappointed, I would say I'm intrigued. You're like a new puzzle to work out."
Inwardly Holly winced; she didn't want to be a puzzle. Puzzle meant Zabini would pay more attention to her than she liked and Holly didn't want any attention on her if she could help it.
"You are going to be disappointed. I'm not interesting."
"I don't think I will be. See, already you are trying to tell me nothing is interesting about you which means there is."
"I don't think it works like that," Holly snorted.
"You would be surprised, Potter."
"Holly," she said softly, letting their gazes meet and refusing to flinch under the intensity of Zabini's eyes.
"Holly," Zabini repeated, "Blaise."
Holly nodded her head in acceptance before turning her attention back to her dinner, finishing quietly. The other children chatted amongst themselves though Holly wasn't able to completely ignore the scrutinising gaze a blonde boy kept sending her way whenever he thought he she wasn't looking. Nor could she ignore the glances out the corner of Greengrass' eye whenever Holly moved, it was almost as if they were playing to a tune Holly couldn't hear or even know about but seemed to connect them all into an intricate system that she hadn't grown up with. A system that Holly didn't know the rules for. But she would learn, Holly always learnt.
By the time everyone finished eating it was late, and Holly was more than ready for to go to sleep, though it appeared that Dumbledore had other ideas as he once again rose from his seat and a more sombre silence fell across the hall. Holly listened with half an ear to his speech until her attention caught about the warning of the third corridor and painful death. Surely that wasn't right, but from the wary looks that crossed the older students' faces, it was.
He dismissed them with orders for bed, older students with glistening badges that declared 'Prefect' gathered the first year Slytherins and herded them out of the Great Hall and across the Entrance Hall. The older years followed behind them at a more leisurely pace to round anyone who dared fall behind. Half the school ascended the Grand Staircase while the Slytherins and Holly noted the Hufflepuffs descended the set of stairs directly opposite the Great Hall before the Hufflepuffs splintered off left at a lower corridor. The Slytherins continued further down into the underbelly of the castle. Holly couldn't help but shiver as the cold crept around her the further down they went until eventually the prefects leading them drew to a stop.
Gemma Farley stepped turned to address them.
"Welcome first year Slytherins, my name is Gemma Farley, and I am a fifth-year prefect. As you can see, our common room is in the dungeons. No one outside the Slytherin House knows where the entrance is. We don't expect you to be able to find it on your own for a few weeks because it just looks like an empty stretch of wall, so follow an older Slytherin until you are more familiar with your way around."
"Don't be too proud to ask for help either," another prefect added, "We have all had to do the same thing when we were first-years. Slytherin prides itself on looking after its own, we don't expect you to figure everything out on your own like a Ravenclaw, you are first years, and there is a lot you need to learn. On the other hand, if you want help, you have to ask, and don't expect it to be free."
"The password is Aapep," Farley said, standing to one side as the wall slid open letting warm air from the Common Room waft out into the corridor. The moved inside where the prefects herded them over to one of the crackling fires. Holly could feel the heat creep across her skin.
The common room was very dark, with the torches and the flickering flames from the fires casting eerie shadows over every surface. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the lighting, but once they did, Holly could see it was quite elegant. None of the furniture was cluttered together giving plenty of space between each area though the corners were kept clear, it would be tough to find somewhere to go unnoticed entirely. There were tables for working in groups here and there and several different hallways leading off from the main room. The windows were black at the moment though she suspected it would be more water than daylight that would be visible through them. A large notice board was on the wall near the entrance, and she noted a few bookcases full of books.
"The password changes fortnightly and will be posted on the notice board so please pay attention. Other criteria such as clubs and activities you can participate in can also be found here along with any announcements that you need to be aware of," the Farley continued as she followed them, "To be Slytherin is to be great. Salazar Slytherin looked for the seeds of greatness in his chosen students. We are the house of the ambitious. Each one of you has the potential inside of you to be great, Slytherin will help you find the power within yourself to achieve your ambitions, to use your cunning and strengthen your abilities."
"House Slytherin for the last five years has maintained a perfect record with the highest number of house points scored throughout the year and has won both the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup, and it is a streak we will continue," the prefect by Farley's side stated.
"As already mentioned, we look out for our own. The corridors of Hogwarts can throw up surprises for the unwary, and you'll be glad you've got the Serpents on your side as you move around the school. This brings us to the first rule of the Slytherin House. Your house is your family. Family stands together, as far as we are concerned as a member of this house - you are a family," Farley murmured, her voice carrying through the room.
"The Common Room does not belong to you; you are no longer at home and the apple of your parent's eyes. Respect that it belongs to everyone and keep it neat. Our Head of House Professor Snape has detentions designed to enforce this rule. Remember this rule," another prefect added with a smirk that said he would enjoy the idea of someone breaking that rule.
Farley shot him a look before taking the stage once again, "Arguments with another Slytherin only happen in the Slytherin House. Outside these walls we are united, we give no one any weakness to use against us."
"Greatness is expected of us, by ourselves, our families, our Head of House, and our Headmaster. But greatness does not come easy. Study time is mandatory, once again if you do not understand then seek help, but remember little snakes, Slytherins despise the free lunch. Nothing is free," the boy added.
"Tomorrow morning before the beginning of the first lesson you will receive your timetable I suggest you all rest before your first day. I guarantee you will need your energy," Farley continued, "Girls are on the left and boys are on the right. Oh, and boys, I wouldn't suggest trying to enter the girl's dormitories. You won't like the consequences. Good night."
Holly followed the others down the hallway tiredly until she found her dormitory, 'Holly Potter', written below 'Millicent Bulstrode', 'Tracy Davies', 'Daphne Greengrass', and 'Pansy Parkinson'. She pushed the door open, making a bee-line towards the bed that had her trunk at the foot of it. Silently Holly changed and was grateful that her housemates followed suit, while Holly knew she would have to talk to them eventually but didn't feel up to it tonight. She slipped under the covers of her bed and stared up at the canopy and waited. Holly felt uneasy about sharing a room with four other people and knew it would take some time for her to adjust to her new surroundings. So she waited and listened to her dormmates; slowly one by one, she could hear the breathing shift as they fell asleep.
XXX
Severus returned to his private quarters in Hogwarts just after two in the morning. He immediately went to his liquor cabinet and selected the strongest bottle of whiskey he had. His thoughts twisted about, as he settled into his favourite chair, finding paths to old memories he had long thought buried. Memories of less difficult days, when enemies meant jibes and pranks and the war was happening outside the walls of Hogwarts and seemed so far away. Until it wasn't far away, and he was walking on a path, he truly believed in, but descending further down a hole than even he had realised. Until there was blood on his hands and death on his tongue and pain forever etched into his soul.
Four horrendous years he would forever spend atoning for, and even then it would never be enough.
Where it had been his actions, his own words that had sealed the fate of a person he loved, without him even realising it. Severus wasn't sure what he would have done had the Dark Lord voiced his plan to take out both families that were threats. Would he have acted differently? Would he have spoken out to protect the only person he loved? In the dead hours of darkness, he liked to think he would, imagined himself to be the hero in that particular tale that swooped in to save the day. But he was no hero, and the Dark Lord hadn't shared his plans instead had appeared to focus solely on the Longbottom boy, because surely it would be a boy who would be the threat to him. So he had stayed silent, because what did it matter to him if the Dark Lord destroyed any danger to his reign. Severus should have known that should the opportunity present itself he would have taken out both families in one go and of course, the opportunity had presented itself because they were none the wiser of the threat that loomed over them.
And what resulted that night two dead adults, his Lily and Potter tortured to insanity and two children left parentless.
So began his penance. Ten long years where he existed in a state of merely living and doing everything he could to forget while dreading the year where he would have to come face to face with his failure.
And now it was here.
He dreaded the echoes he would see when he looked at Lily's child. Severus had caught sight of the unruly Potter hair and had looked away in disgust. A living breathing reminder of his failure, his torture for the next seven years. It was no more than he deserved. But other than the classes he would have to teach, and the reminder of what he had lost, she was not the child he was required to protect. Severus had hoped he would be able to minimise the amount of contact he had to have with the child, except rather than Gryffindor he would have bet money on her going to, instead, she was sorted into his house. To Slytherin.
He had looked at her then surprised by what he saw. He expected her to be a mirror of her parents, but instead, there was only a vague resemblance of Potter and Lily. The unruly Potter hair was there, and the greenness of her mother's eyes, but that was where the similarities ended. She had none of her mother's softness, none of the warmth that had emanated around Lily. He couldn't see her father's arrogance, his confidence of his place in the world. Instead, he saw a razor-sharp coldness that threatened to cut anyone who got to close. An open fascination as her eyes swept across the room, but her gaze was hard and closed off from the bright spark that had filled her mother's eyes, even on the darkest days during the war absent.
She wasn't a mirror image of her parents. Severus wasn't sure whether he was relieved by the fact or angered that he was denied even that of Lily. With the green and silver tie around her neck, he couldn't help but wonder whether Potter would be outraged at such a thing if Potter had the capability of being outraged by anything in his current state. Severus wasn't sure how to take her Sorting. She fell under his responsibility more than he would have liked the child of his nemesis and his fallen love to do. Though he supposed it was a sign that if Potter, a family that prided itself on belonging to the Light, was sorted into Slytherin, then Slytherin wasn't as bad as everyone made it out to be. But he also knew that nothing good lasted in Slytherins hands. The Dark had enticed him. It wouldn't be easy on her.
As he poured himself his third drink, Severus wished that this year hadn't arrived. He hoped that it was still a distant possibility and that it hadn't come. But then time always had a way of catching up with you, whether you wanted it to or not.