Content Notes: Past child abuse and neglect (discussed), past sexual abuse (discussed), minor canon character death.

A special thanks to my beta reader EmeraldSnakes who has spent the past two months listening to me chatter about my fic and Harry Potter, and who graciously has edited this fic.

This fic updates on Saturdays and is cross-posted on AO3.

"Something from the trolley, dear?" the lady asked as Rachel stepped up after the other kids had gotten what they wanted.

Hesitantly, Rachel pointed to a chocolate frog, a pumpkin pastie, and a cauldron cake.

"Here you go, dear. That's one Galleon and four Sickles," the lady said as she handed over the treats that Rachel had pointed to.

Rachel retrieved the money from her pouch and counted out the appropriate coins before going back into the compartment and shutting the door behind herself.

"Don't you talk?" Draco asked, pausing between bites of the chocolate frog he was holding tightly.

Rachel blushed and shook her head, aware that the rest of the compartment was looking at her.

"Why not?" Pansy, the blonde girl sitting in between Rachel and Draco, asked.

Rachel shrugged. She couldn't answer that question for a number of reasons. Even when she tried to talk nothing came out, so she had given up on it a long time ago. She opened her chocolate frog, immediately grabbing hold of it. She'd learned that the frogs like to hop around after seeing one of the boys let one loose.

"How is she supposed to answer that if she doesn't talk?" Draco asked, rolling his eyes. "Hey, what card did you get?"

Rachel raised her eyebrows at the question and still held the frog tightly. It seemed to be squirming less now, but she didn't intend to eat it until it stopped moving entirely.

"She was raised by muggles, how is she supposed to know?" Pansy asked Draco, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Chocolate frogs come with collectible cards. Check inside the package."

Rachel did so and found a pentagon shaped card with a picture on it and the name Albus Dumbledore written below the picture. She stared as the man on the card winked at her.

"Well, who'd you get?" Draco asked again.

She held up the card for them to see.

"Oh, Dumbledore," Draco said, rolling his eyes once more. "My father says he's the worst headmaster Hogwarts has even had."

Curious, Rachel read the short biography on the back and then flipped the card over again. Dumbledore was gone. She got the feeling that magic was going to take some getting used to.

"Who do you think is going to be sorted into Slytherin this year?" Pansy asked. "I'm guessing Theodore and Daphne."

"Seems likely. Probably Blaise as well," Draco said, looking at the two boys sitting across from him. "Crabbe and Goyle probably have a split chance between Slytherin and Hufflepuff."

"Hufflepuff?" one of the boys asked. Rachel had yet to figure out which one was Crabbe and which one was Goyle.

"Well you're not exactly top of the class and Severus likes his students to perform well," Draco said.

"My dad would kill me if I got sorted into Hufflepuff," the other boy said.

"Mine too, but fortunately I won't be," Draco said.

Rachel wasn't entirely sure they were joking. Houses seemed like an important thing.

"Where do you think you'll wind up?" Pansy asked Rachel.

"How is she supposed to answer that if she doesn't talk?" Draco pointed out again.

Rachel didn't even know how their Houses were chosen, let alone where she might wind up. Hopefully not Hufflepuff from the sounds of it.

There was a knock on the compartment door before it rolled back to reveal two students already dressed in their Hogwarts robes.

"Excuse me, has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," the girl with bushy hair asked.

"No toads in here," Pansy said primly.

"Thanks," the girl said. The two students left, closing the door behind them.

"Longbottom will wind up in Hufflepuff, did you see him?" Draco asked.

"I'd forgotten he was in our year," Pansy said.

Rachel took a bite of the chocolate frog that had finally stopped moving and smiled. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had chocolate. She ate and listened to Draco and Pansy predicting where other students they knew would wind up being sorted, though neither of them returned to the topic of where Rachel might wind up.

Once they felt the train slow down they got dressed in their robes. The process of disembarking the train was slow and they followed the sound of Hagrid calling for first years to come down by the lake.

A short boat trip later, Rachel in awe at the beauty of the castle rising up into the night sky, and they stood in front of the doors. At last, they were at Hogwarts.

Severus sat down in his seat at the staff table as he watched the returning students settle in at their respective tables. He was reasonably confident in his prefects this year. The sixth and seventh year prefects had proven themselves the year before and Gemma Farley and Nathaniel Crue had both been excellent students and role models over the past four years. With any luck his prefects could deal with most of the issues that this batch of first years would bring, leaving him to manage only the most outstanding problems.

He had been dreading this group of first years all summer for a number of reasons. Several of them would be children of Death Eaters and he expected most, if not all, of those children to wind up in Slytherin. Their parents would have impressed upon them the importance of the Slytherin House being associated with pure blood. Although, at Albus' behest, Severus had maintained good relations with many of his Death Eater associates, having their children in his House would mean more contact with them than he was strictly comfortable with. Not to mention the added task of trying to subtly steer the children away from following the path that would lead to them becoming Death Eaters.

And then there was Rachel Snow. Another stuck up Gryffindor with life handed to her on a silver platter strutting around the castle. Severus didn't know what he feared more - that Rachel would remind him of James or remind him of Lily.

Minerva had brought the first years in while Severus had been staring out at his students and he looked them over while the Sorting Hat sung its song. He spotted Draco Malfoy alongside Crabbe and Goyle's boys. All three would be sorted into Slytherin, undoubtedly. A tall redhead stood near the back. Another Weasley? Merlin, how many children did Molly and Arthur Weasley have? Hopefully this one would be less imaginative than the twins. Fred and George Weasley were only third years but were rapidly approaching the record for students Severus had given the most detentions to and taken the most points from.

The first couple students went to Hufflepuff, then a few to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Millicent Bulstrode and Vincent Crabbe were Severus' first new students and he applauded while watching them hurry to the Slytherin table. Hopefully Crabbe and Goyle would prove to be a bit more intelligent and hardworking than their fathers.

As he predicted, Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott both went to his House as well, along with Gregory Goyle, Daphne Greengrass, and Pansy Parkinson. All pure-bloods, though he wasn't familiar with Millicent Bulstrode's parentage.

There were only a handful of students left to be sorted and when Minerva called out "Rachel Snow" a small girl stumbled forward to put the Sorting Hat on her head. Her hair was a reddish brown and curly where Lily's had been straight. She wore glasses like James had, but her features were far more reminiscent of Lily. Severus felt a small pang as he remembered Lily sitting in that very spot, hoping they would be sorted into the same House, and the regret he felt when the hat had shouted Gryffindor.

"Slytherin!"

There was scattered applause around the room but Severus found himself still with shock. He'd never imagined James and Lily's child would be sorted into his House. Rachel had left the platform and gone to sit next to Draco.

The rest of the sorting proceeded apace, Minerva getting the Weasley boy and Severus clapping automatically as Blaise Zabini was sorted into his House.

Albus did his usual tricks with making the feast appear and everyone began to eat and chatter.

"Quite a surprise," Minerva said as she sat down next to Severus. "I'll have to admit, I expected Miss Snow to join my House."

Severus inclined his head. "I had expected that as well," he admitted.

"I assume this won't be a problem for you," she said, neatly serving herself some of the roast chicken from a nearby platter.

Severus brought his full attention to Minerva. Rachel looked more like Lily than she did James, maybe her behavior would follow the same pattern. Regardless, she was a Slytherin. That meant she would receive his protection, just as he'd offer any of the students in his House. "There's no problem at all," he said. "Pass the chicken, if you would."

Rachel was staring at the ghost that was sitting across from her. He wasn't eating, though she supposed ghosts probably didn't need to eat. He was wearing heavy chains which clanked whenever he moved and his front seemed to be covered in a silvery substance which she suspected was blood.

She'd never believed in ghosts before seeing a group of them just before the sorting ceremony. Of course, until a month ago she hadn't believed in magic either. There had been a small childish part of her that had still hoped and imagined, but she hadn't really believed. It seemed like there were a lot of things she needed to reassess whether or not they were real.

She continued eating, though she was getting quite full. That was a new sensation altogether - she'd never been allowed to eat until she was full at the Dursleys.

"You're the Bloody Baron, right? The Slytherin ghost?" the boy with light brown skin and black hair sitting next to the ghost asked.

"I am," the ghost answered, his chains rattling as he turned to look at the boy. "And you, boy, are you a pure-blood?"

"My mom is a witch and my father is a wizard," he answered steadily.

"But your mother's mother was muggleborn," Draco said, settling down his knife and fork. "And, I heard your mother goes through husbands quite quickly. Isn't she on her seventh?"

The boy set his own silverware down. "It's hardly her fault. She just has bad luck."

"And bad taste in men," Pansy added from where she was sitting on the other side of the ghost.

"Not bad, just expensive," the boy said casually, causing Pansy to snicker.

Rachel didn't understand the joke, but wondered how someone could possibly have been married seven times. Aunt Petunia would have had a heart attack at the very thought.

"And you, girl, are you pure-blood? I don't recognize your family," the ghost said.

It took a moment for Rachel to realize the ghost was talking to her. She thought about it for a moment and then shook her head. Her mother's family had obviously been muggles if the Dursley's reaction to magic was any indication.

"Her mother was muggle-born," Draco answered for her.

"What, don't you talk?" the boy across the table asked.

Rachel blushed and shook her head again.

"Good luck doing magic like that," the boy answered, distracted as their dinners disappeared and dessert appeared.

"He has a point you know," Pansy said as she took a tart from one of nearby platters. "How are you going to cast spells without talking? Most witches and wizards can do some spells silently, but not until they've mastered the basics."

Rachel shrugged. She hadn't been aware people could do magic without saying the spell, but maybe she could learn to do it without saying the spells out loud. She glanced to the front of the room, looking over the teachers and winced as she felt a stinging pain in the scar on her forehead. The professor with shoulder length black hair was looking at her and Rachel quickly looked away. That had been weird.

Draco had turned to see where she had been looking. "Oh, that's Professor Snape. He's our Head of House. I've known him since I was a baby. My father is good friends with him."

"That sounds useful," the boy sitting next to the ghost said around a mouthful of food.

"I'm sure it will be," Draco said with a small smile.

As her classmates finished eating - Rachel had abstained from dessert because she thought she might throw up if she tried to eat any more - Professor Dumbledore got up again and began giving announcements, such as telling them to stay out of the Forbidden Forest, no magic was allowed in the hallways, and that the third floor corridor on the right hand side was off-limits.

"Wonder what they're keeping in there?" Draco asked.

Before anyone could respond two older students approached where the first year students were sitting.

"I'm Gemma and this is Nathaniel. We're the fifth year prefects for Slytherin and we'll be helping you out your first few weeks here. Come with us and we'll show you how to get to the Slytherin common room and dormitories," the girl with deep brown skin and long black hair said.

Rachel followed at the tail end of their little group, amazed at how big Hogwarts was. The paintings on the walls moved and talked, the main entrance hall was massive and held a huge staircase, and the hallways were long and windy. They walked for about ten minutes, going deeper down into the dungeons.

"Now, look out for Curbin the Brave and then walk ten paces," Gemma said, pointing out a painting of a man in green robes holding a sword and shield.

"The current password is Anguis," Nathaniel said, and the stone wall in front of him formed into a doorway. He and Gemma lead them through. "The password changes every fortnight and will be posted on the notice board. Do not tell anyone outside of our House the password and do not let anyone else in."

The Slytherin common room was large, with a big fireplace on one wall and a variety of sofas, chairs, and tables around the room. Two large windows looked out underwater, which Rachel figured was probably the lake they'd taken the boats over.

"Now, gather up here. Professor Snape likes to come to talk to us at the start of the term. After he's done, we'll show you where your dorms are," Gemma said, bringing them all closer to the fireplace.

They waited as the older students entered the common room and watched as they gathered in small groups, chatting about their summers and the upcoming school year.

The room fell silent when Professor Snape walked in. He made his way over to stand next to the fireplace and he looked over all of them for a long moment before starting to speak.

"To those of you who are returning, welcome back. To those of you who are joining us, welcome. Slytherin House is your family while you are here at Hogwarts. We help each other and support each other. If you need something, first ask a fellow Slytherin or a Slytherin prefect. If they cannot help you, you can come to me for assistance," Professor Snape paused as he looked over them again.

"Slytherins comport themselves with pride and respect. Outside these rooms we are a unified front. If you see another Slytherin in distress you come to their aid. Disagreements between House members do not leave these rooms. I do not take points from my own House, however I will not hesitate to assign you detention if I find you breaking the rules," he paused again, looking at some of the older students, who shuffled or looked away under his scrutiny.

"First years, I advise you to listen to your prefects. They will be escorting you to your classes your first week at Hogwarts as well as providing you with other lessons that will help you succeed in your studies. They will also assist you with forming study groups. Upper year students who have volunteered to lead a study group for the lower years, speak with the prefects about which subjects you are willing to lead. Upper years who are concerned about their schedule, now is the time to speak with me as I will be handing out schedules tomorrow at breakfast. I will be in the common room for the next hour if you need to speak with me. The rest of you should get settled and get some sleep before your first day of classes," he finished, nodding once and then stepping to the side.

"First year girls, come with me," Gemma said as people started to talk and move around the common room.

Rachel joined the other girls and followed Gemma down a hallway to the left of the common room.

"First year through fourth year girls bathroom is through here," Gemma said, pointing at a door on one side of the hallway. "My advice is to shower early or shower at night. Don't wait until just before breakfast or you won't get a shower stall."

"I am not looking forward to sharing a bathroom," Pansy said.

"None of us do," Gemma agreed. She came to a stop in front of a dark mahogany door that read 'First Years' in silver letters. "And this is your dorm room. There's only four of you so it shouldn't be too cramped. There are already silencing charms on your curtains, but let me know if one of them wears off and I'll renew it for you. Breakfast starts at eight. Meet in the common room just before then and I'll walk you back up to the Great Hall. Remember, we're Slytherins. If you see someone oversleeping, wake them up. Do any of you need anything before I leave you here?"

The four girls shook their heads no.

"Alright, in with you then. Try not to be too nervous about tomorrow. We'll make sure you get to all of your classes on time and the teachers don't expect much from you on your first day other than that you pay attention and take notes. Goodnight," Gemma said.

"Goodnight," two of the girls said.

Rachel followed the other girls into their room and found that their trunks had already been placed at the foot of the beds. Rachel's trunk was by the bed on the wall across from the door. The beds were four-poster with dark green curtains and silvery-grey bedding. Beside each bed was a nightstand and a small wardrobe.

"I'm going to miss having a House Elf," Pansy said as she opened her wardrobe and then her trunk. She began to unpack her clothes and hang them in her wardrobe.

"Me too," a blonde girl said as she sat down on the edge of her bed.

Rachel wasn't sure she wanted to know what a House Elf was. Maybe something like the goblins she'd seen at the bank?

"Well," the blonde girl said as she finally opened her trunk. "I'm Daphne Greengrass. I know Pansy, obviously, but who are you?"

"Millicent Bulstrode," the tallest girl in their group said. "You can call me Millie."

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance," Daphne said. She then looked at Rachel. "And you?"

"Are you blind, Daphne?" Pansy asked.

"I was trying to be polite," Daphne said, rolling her eyes.

"Besides, she doesn't talk," Pansy said, turning away from where she was hanging her robes up.

Daphne peered at Rachel. "I'm sure you're just shy. Don't worry, everyone is a little shy when they first start."

Rachel could feel her face flushing and she looked away and decided to unpack her own trunk. Daphne would know soon enough that Rachel wasn't just shy. Or at least, Rachel didn't think that's what the problem was. Lots of people were shy, but they still talked.

"Well, I'm sure we'll all get along just fine," Daphne said.

Rachel hoped that was true.