Wolf, Witch and Forks

AN: It's been a long time. Due to the pandemic as well as my job, there was no time to write any of my fanfics lately, though being at good space at the moment, I have decided to get back to writing and hopefully completing all the projects that I have ongoing and update every two weeks from now onwards.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Harry Potter

Chapter 5: Sorting, Houses and Malfoy

Bella

September 1st 1991, Black Lake, Hogwarts

"I never thought a castle could look this good!" Bella heard Paul who was sitting beside her on the rickety boat which also carried Harry with them. She was very scared and worried about drowning in the deep lake but Paul had grabbed hold of her arm and dragged her on board.

She was really angry with him but now seeing the majestic castle in all its glory, all was forgiven. The view was fabulous as her mother would have said if she was here right now. The moon shining on the dark waters of the lake with torches lighting the grounds of the humongous Fortress was an impressive scene.

The journey to Hogwarts from King Cross had been quite exciting for her and the boys as three of them had met so many new people in a single day that it was quite overwhelming for her.

Bella had never felt a real connection with any of the girls back in Surrey whom she had known for years, but during one train ride, she had managed to make quick friends with Tracey, Hermione, Padma and Daphne.

'All of us come from such vastly different backgrounds but have one thing in common, Books!', Bella thought with a huge smile on her face. All were avid readers and had even discussed forming their own little book club at Hogwarts.

The boys of course teased and joked about sharing the compartment with a bunch of bookworms or future Ravenclaws. Bella hoped she would share her house with Paul and Harry however Ravenclaw was her favourite house to be in.

Paul was a definite Gryffindor and Harry; she was sure would fit in any of the four houses. Though many of their new friends had some interesting personalities, she was sure she was not going to be alone.

The question presently on her mind was the Hogwarts staff would sort them, would it be a test, an interview or maybe Ron was right, they might have to fight a mountain troll.

Bella gasped with fright and was brought back from her thoughts when someone gave her a violent jerk from the side, the culprit was, as usual, was Paul, "Wakey, Wakey Bells, you do not want us to leave you here do you?"

Bella wanted to give Paul a witty reply but to her shame she just shouted, "Shut up Paul!" which Paul took in his stride, giving her a massive grin, "Finally Harry, I thought we had lost her." Harry just gave Paul a small smack on the back of his head and offered her a hand, "Don't mind the pig Bells, come on we do not want to be left behind."

"Thank you, Harry."

Taking Harry's hand, she got out of the drowning hazard. They were soon accompanied by their train companions.

A few minutes had passed in peaceful silence when their group was approached by a blond, who from Harry and Paul's muttering she guessed was the infamous Draco Malfoy. Bella though was meeting him for the first time in person.

According to Harry and Paul, he was not a nice person and was very arrogant, but Bella still believed he should be given a chance at least. She knew better than to judge a book by its cover.

Unlike her and the boys as well other students around them, Malfoy was dressed in some very high-quality robes with hair sleeked back with copious amounts of hair gel, which Bella was sure he would deny, and say it was some expensive hair potion.

"I heard, that the Harry Potter was on board with us, the name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. Potter a pleasure." The blonde boy said with as much haughtiness an eleven-year-old boy could muster in Bella's opinion.

Before Harry could even reply, Malfoy turned towards Ron who was discussing something with Padma about Chess and sneered, "Red Hair, freckles and hand me down robes, let me guess you are a Weasley."

Ron turned red from embarrassment and anger, "Malfoy, didn't your mom teach you any manners?" Paul came to Ron's defence immediately.

Bella noticed that all of her group was having different reactions to the statement, Hermione and Padma were trying to calm an irate Ron while glaring at Malfoy, Neville and Tracey were trying to avoid the argument with Malfoy by stepping as far away as possible from the rat-faced boy. Daphne, Theo and Blaise each had a look of utter disgust and loathing on their faces but did not voice their opinions.

But it was Harry who worried Bella the most, his eyes burnt with hidden rage which she witnessed many times when the Dursley's gave him unfair punishments.

Malfoy though did not bother to read the room once and continued with his childish vitriol, "Potter you should choose your friends carefully as you don't want poor riff-raff like Weasley around you."

'If looks could kill, Malfoy would be ten feet under.' Bella thought as she heard Harry's angry reply, "Malfoy you have no tact whatsoever and you seem to have forgotten that we met at Madam Malkins before. Do not ever tell me who my friends should be."

Bella knew it would turn into a brawl as she saw Paul was almost ready to punch Malfoy in the face, but then a girl screamed and everyone turned their attention to the silvery figures that floated above them.

Bell gasped at the sight as Hermione enthusiastically whispered in her ear, "Bella no need to worry they are the castle Ghosts, surely you must have also read about them in Hogwarts a History?"

"Yes Hermione, but I was just a bit surprised as I have never seen a ghost before," Bella replied with a smile.

A plump ghost then loudly announced, "Hope to see you in my house Hufflepuff" before floating away into the Great Hall.

Immediately all the gathered first years started chatting excitedly about Hogwarts and the sorting when Professor McGonagall strode in with an imperial stride and strict no-nonsense face.

"First years, please maintain decorum. I will be escorting you to the Welcoming day Feast, all the older students and staff are already present.

You would be sorted into one of the four Houses Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin which would serve as your dorm and family here at Hogwarts for the next seven years."

Soon Bella along with the rest started following the Professor in two neat ques. As the gigantic doors of the Great Hall opened, Bella was mesmerized by the enchanted ceiling, charmed to match the weather and sky outside just like she had read.

Four long tables filled the hall at which students were seated adorning the coloured robes and ties of their houses.

The staff was seated on a raised platform at the end of the hall. Soon Professor McGonagall stopped and swish of her wand a Stool appeared in the middle of the hall and then she placed an old looking Witches hat on top of it.

Bella was just as surprised as Harry and Paul when the hat started singing a song about the various houses and their founders. Bella was too dazzled to remember any of the lyrics spouted by the talking piece of fabric.

But her trance was broken when McGonagall started calling out the names of the first-year students in alphabetical order.

"Abbot, Hannah", A nervous petite blond girl moved ahead and as soon she sat on the stool, McGonagall place the hat on her head and almost immediately it shouted, "Hufflepuff"

The table on Bella's right gave enthusiastic applause as Abbot pleased with her sorting practically skipped to the Hufflepuff table as her black-tie immediately changed to yellow and black stripes.

Bones Susan followed, Hannah to Hufflepuff.

Tracey was the first of her train friends to be sorted and Slytherin it was. She actually seemed relieved and quietly made it to the Slytherin table to polite applause.

Soon Bella heard Hermione's name got called out, the hat took some time and then, "GRYFFINDOR!"

'Wow, who would have thought that.' Bella was sure that Hermione would be a Ravenclaw. Daphne was next and she also went to Slytherin and was happily welcomed by Tracey.

Sorting continued but Bella felt guilty that she only paid half as much attention to the other students sorting as she did to her friends.

She stood up straighter when Paul's name was called out, Hat before even touching his head screeched, "GRYFFINDOR."

Bella and Harry, both gave him huge smiles as he wished them both best of luck before practically running to the Gryffindor table. Neville nervously went up next and gave a big sigh of relief when the Hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR."

Bella was again a bit taken aback as she definitely thought Neville was a Hufflepuff. Then it was Malfoy's turn and to no one surprise he was immediately sorted to Slytherin but Bella did see Tracey and Daphne ignore him deliberately and were busy chatting with Millicent Bulstrode.

Theo was then called up and was sorted to Slytherin and then after a few more students Patil twins were called upon, Parvati went to Gryffindor whereas Padma went to Ravenclaw.

Then Harry's name was called and a hushed uncomfortable silence fell around the hall with many pointing fingers towards him and someone even stage whispered, "That's Harry Potter?"

Harry, Bella noticed was getting more anxious but still he sat on the stool and shivered slightly as the Hat was placed on his head. It took the hat good two minutes to say something as whispers increased as she heard the Hufflepuffs on the right commenting, "shocking Harry Potter a Hat Stall?"

Then as if the hat had listened to the ongoing conversations shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

A moment or two of shocked silence permeated when she heard Paul's loud voice, "Harry beat the white peacock for me would you." Harry then grinned back at his best friend relief washing, "Will sure do Paul."

Just as if that was enough to break the awkward tension a lot of Slytherins realised who the white peacock was that the outspoken Gryffindor kid was talking about, they started clapping and laughing as Harry sat beside Theo on the table accidentally kicking Malfoy on the shins.

Bella noticed that rest of the houses had some disappointed looks at Harry's sorting but all the students were now applauding seeing Malfoy yelp loudly like a five-year-old high-pitched girl.

Bella gave Harry an encouraging smile which he returned with a grin as her name was called.

As soon as the hat was placed on her she could hear faint mutterings, "A sharp mind, a lover of books and such thirst of knowledge, better be RAVENCLAW!"

The Ravenclaws cheered and she noticed that Paul and Harry were clapping and hooting enthusiastically for her.

She sat beside Padma, who quickly started introducing her to the rest of the Ravenclaw boys and Girls in her year. There was Sue Li, Mandy Brocklehurst, Lilly Moon, Anthony Goldstein, Stephen Cornfoot, Kevin Entwistle, Terry Boot and Michael Corner.

Soon the Sorting was about to end and Bella who was busy making introductions just barely caught Ron and Blaise's sorting.

Ron was sorted to Gryffindor and Blaise joined her at the Ravenclaw table. "I thought you were definitely going to Slytherin."

Padma teased but Blaise nonchalantly replied, "Ravenclaw was not my first choice but Hat did say I was very much like my father, Mother though is going to be disappointed. No Zabini has been a Ravenclaw in over a century."

Bella then unconsciously put a comforting hand on Blaise's shoulder and for the first time, she realised Blaise had given her a genuine smile and not a smirk like he usually did on the train.

The headmaster then rose from his throne-like seat and addressed the hall, "New students welcome and returning students welcome back. As you know Forbidden Forest is out of bounds and no student is allowed.

This year even the third-floor corridor is restricted to only Teachers. Students are strictly advised to not go near it and if found would be given severe detentions and even expulsion or worse a possible dreadful death. Prefects will escort the first years to their house common room after the Feast. Not keeping you all hungry any longer, Tweak! Oddment! Nitwit! Blubber.

"That certainly was an odd end," Bell said out loud, a nearby fifth-year Prefect who had introduced herself as Penelope Clearwater gave a small laugh and said,

"Dumbledore is a brilliant wizard but loves to say something illogical every feast. Almost everyone in Ravenclaw thinks it is just that he is losing his mind due to his age but I think there is a lot more to him than meets the eye."

Keeping Penelope's sage wisdom in mind, Bella resumed her dinner tasting delicious delicacies from around the world.

Soon it was time for the feat to end and Bella hoped that Harry and Paul would be having just as much fun as she was.

AN: Just for reference: Bella, Padma and Blaise: Ravenclaws

Paul, Neville, Ron, Hermione: Gryffindors

Harry, Theo, Tracey, Daphne: Slytherins