Chapter 1: The Sorting of the Century
As we exited the compartment, I went to grab my trunk when Sirius stopped me.
"The house-elves bring it up, we've got to go to the sorting ceremony first." He mentioned casually as if he did not just say the phrase "house elves" to me.
"The what?" I replied still reaching for my trunk. I had read a few of the chapters of Hogwarts: A History but never once did it mention house-elves.
"Right sorry, they are like, well workers for the school. They take care of it. Come on, I want to get a good boat." He replied tugging me along. I didn't realize how much Sirius knew about the world ahead of us and how little I knew at all. We followed the trail of people out of the train and onto the platform named Hogsmeade. Really, what was it with this school and hogs? I'm sure Sirius would know, he seemed to know everything. My self-pity thoughts were interrupted by a very large man of sorts shouting or all the first years.
"First years, over here with you lot. Now don't go wandrin off. Gotta get ya up to the castle for the sortin. Right this way." He towered over all of us herding us like we were sheep over to the massive lake that stood before the castle. "Right, five to a boat, no more than that unless ya want to spend the evenin with the Giant Squid." This was enough to motivate everyone to follow the 5 to a boat rule. Remus helped Sirius, Lily, and I on to the boat, at the last second before we pushed off the shore a boy with long black hair ran to our boat.
"Lily," he panted, clearly having run all the way from the train to find her. It was not the same boy who searched the train before. He was greeted by Lily with a big hug as he climbed on. "You left me on the train, I thought that boy got you and…" before he could finish the thought Lily spoke over him.
"No Sev it's alright I was just sitting with Amelia and her friends in their compartment for a bit. I didn't think you would mind." She answered honestly, her eyes however never left the night skyline of the castle. I looked back for a second at the boy she called Sev to see his empty expression. I tried to offer a little sympathy smile but he huffed and looked away from me. I was going to turn to Sirius and Remus for answers but I figured I already looked silly enough tonight not knowing what a house-elf was. My questions would have to wait. We were getting closer to the dock at Hogwarts when a screech came from a nearby boat.
"A RAT!" Cried the girl, I couldn't make out what was going on because it was so dark but context clues pointed to a rat on board the screaming girl's boat.
"Don't hurt him!" Cried a small pudgy boy who made a dive for the creature in the small rowboat. He rocked the boat so much in his attempt to catch his pet that he knocked the screaming girl into the water with a great splash. A few people laughed but it was quickly silenced as the girl did not return to the surface right away. Another girl in that boat let out a horrified screech as she tried to signal our guide for help. All of the boats stopped instantly, Hagrid fervently paddled to the place where the girl was knocked into the lake. Suddenly before he could even get in the water a creature emerged from the surface. In the dim light, the creature looked horrifying. I realized as it rose up and put the sputtering girl on the boat that it was a mermaid. It was nothing like the ones I had seen in the movies. This mermaid was covered in scales and bared her fangs as our guide got closer. The mermaid let out a final hiss as she descended back into the water. The girl who had fallen was taken on to our guide's boat so she could get to the castle faster. All of the other boats looked at the rat boy who pushed her in. He shrunk down into his seat trying to hide the glaring eyes from everyone around him. We began to move as our guide gave a gruff cough.
"Right then, that's enough excitement for one night." He said, under his breath, it was clear he also mumbled something akin to "bloody mer-people." We continued our journey to the castle in silence. There were a few audible gasps as we reached the large oak doors. I am fairly sure one of those gasps came from Remus beside me.
It was incredible. The oak doors opened to reveal a tall slender woman in a green robe with a face who looked like she could cut glass with her eyes alongside a portly man with a funny smile, I had no clue who these people were but I wanted to find out as soon as possible.
"Good evening everyone." The tall woman addressed us, she had a Scottish accent and a surprisingly warm tone. "I am Professor McGonagall and I will be your Transfiguration professor for your time here at Hogwarts. I am also the head of Gryffindor House. With me is Professor Slughorn, he is your potions professor and head of Slytherin House. Now, you will all follow me in a quiet and or- "she was cut off by our guide bringing the soaked girl forward with a small cough. The girl looked petrified before the stern woman. "Ah yes, of course, one moment Hagrid." She waved her wand over the girl who now seemed to be emitting a soft orange glow. As the glow faded the girl was dry, she smiled up at the professor in thanks. "As I was saying," continued the professor. "Please form an orderly line and you will come up one by one to be sorted. For those of you unaware there are four houses. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Once you have been sorted you will join your house at the tabled and wait for the feast to begin. Any questions?" No one moved, our entire collective group agreed that there was safety in silence. "Very well, let us begin."
We all climbed the steps into the castle. In a last-minute panic, I whispered to Remus, "What house do you want to be in?" He looked at me sympathetically.
"I don't know maybe Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. My dad was a Ravenclaw. I wouldn't mind Hufflepuff either. Just not Slytherin." He looked over to the tabled filled with children in green and silver ties. I didn't understand why it was so bad until I saw Sirius's face. He looked as if he was in pain as he made eye contact with some of the people at the Slytherin table. I assumed it was the Narcissa his mother was screaming about before. A knot began forming in my stomach. I had no idea what I wanted; I didn't even know what I didn't want at this point. I began looking around for clues as to who I would blend in with. I no sooner caught the eye of the Head Boy from the train when McGonagall called the first names. The first of our little train compartment band was Sirius. He looked white as a sheet as he walked up to the stool where a ragged hat was placed upon his head. He closed his eyes tight and balled up his fists. There was an eerie silence from the Slytherin table and then several cried of disgust as the hat shouted out.
"Better be, GRYFFINDOR!" The applause from the Gryffindor table was enough to bring Sirius back down to reality as he made his way over to the long table. To my surprise he didn't look pleased, he looked scared. He kept glancing at me and Remus with a worried look.
I mouthed to him, "what?".
He shook his head and mouthed back, "later." I turned my attention back to the front of the room as the names were getting closer to Lily's and my own. The students before us ran to their house tables, only a few tripping on their way down from the front. Lily was sorted into Gryffindor and I began to worry. What if I was sorted into another house? Would I ever see my new friends again? Was it even allowed? Would we have class together? Would they even like me if I got sorted somewhere else? I was so lost in my thoughts that Remus had to shove me forward when McGonagall called my name.
"Hart, Amelia." She spoke my name so clearly, it was like I was hearing it for the first time. I hurried up to the stool, careful not to trip. As I sat down the hat began to speak to me, only it said nothing out loud but spoke directly to my thoughts.
"Ah, let us see then. A good heart, very determined, a quick thinker, I believe that is a hint of doubt in there somewhere. But what is this? You have the drive to prove yourself, you will not stop till they see you for who you really are. There is something else here too, but in all my years I cannot see what it could be. I believe it is up to you to carve your own way." I swore the hat took an hour to decide, I expected everyone to have annoyed looks on their faces with now long this was taking but I didn't dare to open my eyes. I took a deep breath and made peace with whatever the hat said next. As I opened my eyes the hat began to speak to the hall.
"I believe you will join, SLYTHERIN!" There was no applause, the room fell silent. Remus who had his hands poised to clap lowered them. I locked eyes with Sirius who looked like he was about to faint. I looked over at Professor McGonagall and I will never forget the look of pity in her eyes as she extended her arm towards the Slytherin table. I made my way over and sat on the edge. The next names were called without much fanfare. My sorting left a heavy silence over the room. What was most infuriating was that I had no idea why it was happening. Why did they all look at me like I had nine heads and was green? I couldn't seem to catch Remus or Sirius anymore as the boy from our boat sat next to me. He gave me a weak smile, when I saw him sit with me I noticed that no one else had joined me on my side of the table. My eyes began to water, why did they hate me? I didn't have a say in my sorting. Or maybe I did, maybe that's why Sirius balled his fists and looked like he was about to burst. He was begging the hat not to put him in Slytherin, and he fought to be in Gryffindor. I just let this happen to me. I looked over to the boy Severus next to me.
"Can I asked you a question?" I asked in a hushed tone. I was so afraid of being gawked at more for asking questions that I decided discretion was the best route.
"You want to know why no one clapped don't you?" He said back to me as if reading my mind. Then again it may have been obvious to anyone but me what the answer was. "You're a muggleborn, Salazar Slytherin didn't like muggleborn's," he continued, "There actually hasn't been a muggleborn in Slytherin in a century and the last one didn't exactly graduate." He drawled off. Not meeting my eye. I suddenly didn't want to eat any of the food in front of me.
"But how did they all know I was muggleborn, they can't see it on me with magic?" I started looking at my robes to see if I accidentally put on a pin that said muggleborn on it. Then it dawned on me. "What does muggleborn mean?" This one earned me a healthy snicker from the girl beside me who turned to look at me.
"It means your parent are muggles. They don't have magic like the rest of us, their kind isn't like us." She told me in a condescending voice, but I sensed something almost like pity in her words. At her explanation I hung my head, what did she mean by "their kind" am I that different from my own mum and dad? Severus shoved me to get my attention.
"They know because the Black family was very loudly telling everyone on the train that Sirius ran away from his mother with a redheaded muggleborn girl. They put the pieces together when they saw you speaking to him. I'd stay away from him unless you want some enemies." He said this in a tone of genuine warning. How did he know all of this? I felt miles behind everyone already. I should just go home; I'm not meant to be here. If I feel this lost about simple things like sorting then how will I ever study spells?
The food vanished from in front of us. And for that, I was grateful, if one more person confused me I thought I would be sick. An old man in a long silver robe with a matching long silver beard approached a podium that had not previously been there. As he began to speak the whole hall was silent, transfixed on his message.
"Good evening everyone and welcome back to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A few notes about this year before we begin. I would like to introduce our new Herbology Teacher Professor Sprout to Hogwarts," he gestured to a small woman to his left. She reminded me of a summer afternoon, even though we were indoors she was beaming. "And on a more serious note, as the world changes around us we must remind ourselves why we are here and that we all possess the ability to do great things. Thank you. Now prefects will you please lead your houses to your respective dormitories." As he finished his speech the large doors to the hall opened up again and everyone began to stir. My feet felt like lead. Severus grabbed me by my shoulder and stood me up.
"Just keep your head down, everyone will forget eventually." He reminded me as we walked out of the hall behind a brutish boy who kept huffing and groaning as we carried on down the stairs. As we walked further down the stairs of the castle, which moved much to my surprise, it began to get colder and colder. Lights were dim as we stopped and had reached our common room door.
"Hello everyone, the password is 'Morgana' and it will change every month or as need be. Now do not share this password with anyone outside of Slytherin house," the boy speaking looked over at a few giggling girls at this, "and you are expected to be back in the common room from 9 pm to 5 am, anyone caught out of bounds will receive detention. All clear?"
"Are people from other houses allowed in the common rooms?" Asked a small girl with black hair in front. I couldn't see her face as she was looking ahead of me. I didn't recognize her, but then again I didn't really know anyone here.
"Slytherin prides itself on being a place of standards amongst others in the school. Other houses may allow just anyone in but we only have a place for those who were chosen to be in Slytherin here." At this remark, he stared at me. I just didn't understand. The hat said Slytherin so why was everyone so angry at me? Be angry at that stupid hat for all I care. I dropped my gaze as the corridor fell silent. No one asked any more questions.
"Very well then, everyone inside." He concluded with a clap of his hands. Before I could enter I heard footsteps behind me. It was the green-robed woman Professor McGonagall from before accompanied by a man I only saw at the front table. They gave no pleasant introduction to the boy holding the door made of stone.
"I will be needing Ms. Hart in my office for a moment, does she know the password?" Professor McGonagall made no eye contact with me as she interrogated the boy. The professor with her gave me a small smile. He had warm eyes that reminded me of my fathers. Maybe he would be like him, caring and compassionate to his students no matter where they came from.
"She does," he replied looking at Professor McGonagall. "just hurry back, I don't feel like explaining to Filch how the first year got caught out of bounds on day one." He looked at me as he said this as if I had any control of where I was going or if I got caught.
"Of course Mr. Flint, thank you for your concern." She retorted with a grace I wished to emulate. It appeared to be that nothing phased this woman, I so suddenly wished to be her. She waved me to follow her as I was lost in my thoughts. We traveled up several flights of stairs and down many corridors before we reached what I assume was her office. During our journey up here we did not speak, the only voices to be heard were coming from the paintings. The paintings spoke to one another like they were people. I couldn't wrap my head around all this, I felt sick again. There was no time for worrying as we approached her door and finally the professor accompanying her spoke.
"My apologies for the lack of introduction, I am Professor Song. I am your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." He offered his hand for a shake. I accepted hesitantly. It wasn't like shaking hands with Remus on the train, this felt like a handshake at a funeral. Hesitant and heavy, like it came with tidings of misfortune and devastating news. Professor McGonagall walked into her office and we followed.
Her office was as if someone took a tea room and infused it with a pet shop without the smell. Small animals lined the walls, all pleasantly sleeping except a few lizards who were basking in the sun and a single goldfish puttering in its tank. The room smelled like Earl Grey tea and lemon, I couldn't place the last scent as she sat me down across from her desk. Professor Song leaned against a table behind her and gave me one last small smile before she began to speak.
"Do you know why you are in my office, Ms. Hart?" I truly didn't know how to answer her question.
"Is it because my parents can't do magic?" I replied trying not to sound ignorant. I never knew what to say or do anymore. There were new words for everything around me and I feared getting any detail wrong or they would send me home.
"It is nothing you or your parents have done that has brought you to my office tonight," she continued, "It is the unfortunate culture of the house you have been placed in to. Slytherin house has not accepted a muggleborn student into their ranks for almost a century. There have been students raised by muggles in Slytherin house but they were born to at least one magical parent. I do not expect you to understand the complexities of blood purity all in one night. For now, all consolation that I can give you is that any threats to your safety will be taken with utmost seriousness. I have asked Professor Song here to help you in any way you need." She paused for a few moments after speaking. Probably trying to see if there was a way to make a little girl feel less terrified of the people she had to live with for the next seven years. I dared to ask the only question I could think of without bursting into tears.
"Why isn't professor Slughorn telling me this? Isn't he the one in charge of all the Slytherins?" Professor McGonagall's mouth went into an even straighter line than I had thought possible. Professor Song let out a small lived sigh behind her, she whipped around to look at him and he tried to cover up his displeasure as a cough.
"I am very sorry to say this, and you must not take it personally, but Professor Slughorn is currently occupied in the Headmaster's study trying to have you re-sorted. He fears for your safety above all else you must know. I feel it is not his place to question the sorting hat but that is what he has chosen to do with his time this evening. For your sake my dear I want to assure you that you are not going to be re-sorted. I have already discussed it with the Headmaster. That is why I brought you here tonight. To make you aware of your circumstances." Professor McGonagall looked in pain as she articulated her last line. That's what they were going to call everyone in my own house hating me, circumstances. I hated feeling like a bloody charity case to all of them. Having meetings about me being here felt just as horrible as Walburga Black wagging her bony finger at me telling me that I shouldn't be going to Hogwarts. The only person who seemed interested in moving on with all of this was Professor Song who was now intently staring at the ceiling of Professor McGonagall's office.
"Right then, it's been a terribly long evening. How about we all get a good night's rest before classes begin tomorrow." Professor Song said as he clapped his hands together. He began to walk out from behind McGonagall's desk and motioned for me to come with him. "Goodnight Minerva, I'll take Ms. Hart back to her common room. Wouldn't want Mr. Filtch to catch her out now would we?" Professor McGonagall let out a small laugh and for the first time this evening, she seemed at peace. She didn't smile but her eyes began to relax.
"Very well then, and please Ms. Hart do not take what I have told you to heart. This is all merely a precaution for things we do not yet understand. Have a good evening. Sleep well" She stood as she wished me well and began to follow us out. As we walked away from the closed-door I heard the definitive click of the lock and the beginnings of some music. It was nice to know a woman so stern as Professor McGonagall liked music. It made her feel human for the first time this evening. Professor Song and I walked in silence back to the dungeons. The castle looked so different at night. It wasn't particularly frightening with all of the lamps dimmed to a soft flicker or the lively portraits having gone to sleep. It felt peaceful, for the first time the castle didn't feel alive with opinions or danger. It was just quiet and calm.
"Ms. Hart I just-" Professor Song began before I cut him off.
"Please call me Amelia, I feel like my mother when people call me Ms. Hart." It was true. No one called my mother by her first name. She was a professional woman, only my dad and my aunt called her Elizabeth. On the very rare occasion where my dad had made her angry, he would call her "Lizzie" which would earn him a hearty laugh and a slap on the arm. I suddenly missed my parents greatly. I didn't even know how to explain all of this in a letter. What would my dad think of his proud daughter backing away from a bunch of bullies? He would probably go back to his old teacher philosophy that "They are projecting what they feel on to you, you should feel sorry for them not hateful." I didn't believe that philosophy when it came to the Slytherin's. They hated me not because I was short, or had red hair, or had a few pimples on my nose. They hated me because my parents didn't live in "their world".
"-my apologies Amelia. I just wanted to make sure you knew that you are not alone in this castle. I remember my first few years here were not particularly easy but the world moves on. People tend to get past their perceptions of you once you hex them," he chuckled adding, "not that I told you that." I smiled at this. Professor Song did not remind me of the other Professors sitting at the high table in the Great Hall. He was the youngest of them and held a different air about him. Something in the way he carried himself reminded me of when my dad first began teaching. He would try to relate to his students, befriend them early on, and establish a reputation of being the "cool teacher.". Professor Song also dressed in what I would not call muggle clothes but they did not resemble the wizard's robes I had seen on the other professors. As we reached the Slytherin common room he let out another sigh. "This is where I leave you for the evening. And please remember, what Professor McGonagall said is not just a gesture of good faith for show. If you need anything, even a person to talk to. My office door is almost always open, I do sleep from time to time." He patted my shoulder and began to walk away, "have a good night Ms. Ha-Amelia. I look forward to seeing you in class tomorrow." With that, he walked away.
I stood for a moment frozen by the false wall of the Slytherin common room. What was the password again? I searched my brain for a moment before almost giving up. The from across the corridor I heard a small "ahem". I looked suddenly behind me to find a small fairly in a portrait motioning me closer. I leaned just close enough to hear her whisper.
"Morgana." I smiled and turned my head to thank her but before I could say a word, she shushed me and fluttered back to her Lilypad.
I entered the common room without much fuss. Everyone had gone to sleep by the time I crawled into bed in the first-year girls' dormitories. Everything from the bed curtains to the pillows was silver and green. I slipped into pajamas quietly and sat there contemplating if I should sleep with my wand by my side or leave it on the nightstand as the other girls had done. I looked around at their peaceful faces and became jealous. They would never know what it was like to be a stranger here. I decided to keep my wand close to me for that night. Maybe, just maybe, things would get better and I would leave it on my nightstand one day.
The morning sun crept into the dorms as I awoke. I stretched up and looked around. All but one of the girls had already left the dorm. I padded over to my trunk and opened the lock. It was a muggle trunk so my lock was just the digits of my birthday, no fancy keys like the other girls. I popped open the lid to find nothing in my trunk. All of my books, clothes both normal and magical, even my quills. Gone.
All that was left was a note on parchment that read. Come and find me.