Dearest Mr. Sorting Hat
The train ride to Hogwarts started off as rather awkward and boring but slowly as more and more people came to visit them in their car, it became more enjoyable.
Right now, Elise was sitting on the floor braiding Alphard's hair while Landon Rosier was braiding the saxifrage that Dorrin Avery was transfiguring from their food wrappers into Elise's hair. Nott was talking to Rainier Lestrange about Hogwarts and Cygnus and Elias has left to go find their friends.
As Nott and Lestrange started talking about Hogwarts Houses, the door burst open and Abraxas Malfoy walked in with Darius Mulciber behind him along with the boy that Elise had run into.
Elise gave them a nod of acknowledgement and went back to braiding Alphard's hair. The three new boys settled into the carriage and the conversation picked up again.
"What house do you want to be sorted into Petrov," asked Lestrange.
This caught everyone in the cars attention as they listened in on the conversation. Elise finished plaiting Alphard's hair and turned to give Nott her full attention, making it look like that she had no idea either.
"I'd like to be sorted into Slytherin with all of you," Nott said as he glanced around the car, eyes never lingering on someone too long.
Everyone seemed to like Nott's response enough that they went back to what they were doing beforehand. But the boy that Elise had run into had finally addressed her, but only to ask her what house she would prefer, his eyes staring at what seemed to be her soul.
"Hufflepuff," Elise blurted out. At the disgusted looks on almost everyone' s faces, Elise clarified her answer.
"I heard it's near the kitchens." At this Alphard barked out a laugh and Rosier snickered slightly, shaking his chin length blond hair.
The only person who didn't seem to find her response funny was the boy she had run into. He just stared at Elise, seemingly not amused, and narrowed his eyes at her slightly before looking out the window.
Elise watched as the Slytherin boys trekked up a slightly downwards slope towards the carriages that were pulled by thestrals. She and Nott stood there until a looming figure walked towards. Looking up at who seemed to be a young Hagrid, Elise grinned up at him.
"If yer follow me up we'll take a boat right up to the castle with the little firsties."
Elise and Nott followed after Hagrid and clambered into separate boats after Elise and Nott failed to fit in one together since Nott's legs were too long for them to fit in comfortably. Many of the young first years were looking at Nott and Elise with fear on their face but Elise just waved her wand and birds came out before they turned into flower crowns falling onto their heads comfortably. Satisfied that they all looked fantastic, Elise leaned back slightly to get comfortable.
As they traveled through the smooth waters, Elise tore her eyes from the smooth, glistening water to look around. Nott was sitting in his boat with his knees up and his flower crown sitting at an angle over his dark hair. His stormy grey eyes were closed. Elise leaned over one side to look more closely at Hagrid and his flower crown that looked more like a wreathe when her boat tipped over and she fell into the lake with a slight scream.
Quickly swimming her way up, Elise tried to grab on to her small boat that was still moving forward on the lake but her hand kept slipping. After a couple more tries, she felt something grab her ankle. She tried to see what was holding on to her leg but the lake's water was too dark. Frantically looking around, she saw most of the first years straining to look at her while Hagrid was trying to paddle his way towards her with his arms. Nott had opened his eyes and was sending air behind him to push his boat against the magic pulling it towards the castle while also making paddles appear and making them row the boat themselves .
Elise tried one more time to free herself with a random spell towards the creature but instead she was dragged under the water. The next thing she knew was that she was thrown up and had been caught in her boat, which was settled on top of the water gently. She felt a tentacle touch her back gently before disappearing into the deep waters with a splash.
Shivering, Elise pushed her hair out of her face and scrambled to find her wand. It was under her sopping wet cloak. She quickly stripped off her cloak and started working on drying her clothes for the rest of the short trip to Hogwarts. When they had arrived at the Great Hall, Elise's clothes were still moist but they were not dripping everywhere. But her hair was a different story as it seemed to curl in a frizzy mess.
As Nott and Elise stood behind the first years, an older man with auburn hair and beard stepped in with a swish of his blue robes that somehow matched the twinkle in his eyes. It was Dumbledore, and seeing him made Elise's worries fade slightly. Even if there was a war going on with one of the darkest wizards of all time and even with a young Dark Lord in the castle, Elise felt that all could be well with Dumbledore at the castle.
"First years please line up," Dumbledore said with a gentle yet loud voice that effectively reached the ears of all the first years. All the first years gathered around in a little group while Elise and Nott stood at the sides. Leaving the first years to settle down and telling them to wait, Dumbledore walked towards Elise and Nott.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am the Transfiguration professor, Albus Dumbledore, but you may address me as Professor Dumbledore," Dumbledore's eyes were looking between them in slight suspicion as he continued.
"After all the first years have been sorted, you both will be sorted shortly after." Elise and Nott nodded and Dumbledore smiled, the twinkle in his eyes sparking again. With a wave of his wand, Elise was quickly dried off and her hair was slightly less frizzy.
"And one more thing," Dumbledore called behind him before opening the door. "The wisteria in the flower crowns smell rather pleasant," he said with a smile.
With that, Dumbledore opened the door to the Great Halland strode in, taking the stool and the Sorting Hat out of his pockets. The first years that were chattering quieted down and following behind them, Elise and Nott looked around. The Great Hall looked the same but the faces of the people seated there looked bleak. At this moment the war had seemed to have hit Hogwarts. But Elise's attention was drawn to her hand.
Nott's warm hand engulfed hers and stole her attention. As the Sorting Hat sang and the sorting began with Burke, Dahlia, Elise could only focus on Nott's warm hand and how he would sometimes tap his fingers against her hand. Elise felt herself grow warm as more and more first years were sorted and by the time all the first years were sorted, she was sure that she looked like a homegrown roma tomato picked from its vine.
Elise snapped back into reality when Nott squeezed her hand. She blinked herself out of her daze and focused on Headmaster Dippet as he welcomed the first years. He went on to direct the school's attention to Elise and Nott, acting as almost everyone present in the Great Hall wasn't staring at them.
"Students, I would like to introduce the two new sixth year students that will be joining Hogwarts," Dippet paused as if to let the new information settle in and continued. "Now let us be kind and extend our hands in friendship to these new students. Let the sorting continue!"
And with that Dippet sat down and leaned forward. Elise's eyes searched for Kira and having found her sitting near Slughorn, Elise smiled.
"Flauxwood, Arielle," Dumbledore read off and Elise felt Nott squeeze her hand one more time. She had to be sorted into Slytherin.
As Elise sat down on the stool and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head, she couldn't help but beg the hat to sort her into Slytherin.
"My, my," the hat began and Elise could feel it stirring on her head, getting comfortable.
"Please put me in Slytherin Mr. Sorting Hat," Elise asked, hands clenched around the stool and her eyes shut clamped shut.
"I don't take requests before viewing the contents of one's innermost thoughts. Now lets see. Very kind and loyal. Though sometimes to the point of stupidity." At that Elise flinched at the personal attack.
"But a very sharp and creative mind. Perhaps Ravenclaw would be for the best." Elise interrupted with a strong "NO!" and the hat chuckled.
"Now why wouldn't you want to be sorted into Ravenclaw?"
"I just want to be sorted into Slytherin to help someone. I just can't let them suffer there, so I thought I could take his place." At that the hat became silent.
"I guess you are rather ambitious and determined. But do be wary of those that are around you." And with that the Sorting Hat shouted Slytherin.
"Thank you Mr. Sorting Hat," Elise whispered to the hat as she gently took it off her head and handed it to Dumbledore. The Hat seemed to smile and Elise turned to the cheering table of green with a grin, being careful with her steps. She avoided looking at Nott and hoped that he would take it upon himself to be sorted into Ravenclaw.
Alphard started waving at her and she sat down at the space that he left between him and Mulciber. Elise couldn't find it in her to care about Mulciber and the wicked smile he sent her as she turned her body to face Nott. As Dumbledore read off Petrov, Mikhael, Nott walked up to the hat confidently, his gait reminding her of Draco. As he sat down on the stool, Dumbledore lifted the hat to put it on Nott and the hat sat on his fluffy, neatly combed hair for what seemed to be hours before yelling out Slytherin.
With that, the sorting was over and Elise watched as Nott strode over to the Slytherin table and squeezed in between Elise and Mulciber, ignoring the space that Rosier had created across from them. Elise shuffled over to give Nott more room but ended up pressed against Nott's slightly muscular frame and Alphard's lanky frame. Alphard put his arm around Elise's shoulders and Elise smiled at him before turning to look at Nott with what she hoped was an angry face. Nott was already looking at her with a slight smirk on his face as he leaned on his hand. But before Elise could even open her mouth, there was a loud clap of hands in front where Headmaster Dippet stood looking around. Elise was watching Headmaster Dippet as he stood there quietly for a couple of seconds, making sure he had everyone's attention before making his short announcement.
"Welcome students, welcome! So many faces, new and old along with one at the high table. I would like to introduce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Kira Petrov, who was selected for the position by the Minister of Magic himself," at that Kira stood up and inclined her head in thanks with a small smile on her face.
"The rules have not changed. The most important ones being that there should be no use of magic in the halls, no entering the Forbidden Forest and that all students should be in their dorms by eight and asleep by ten. If you have any questions you may approach your head of house or you Prefects. Now, the feast." And with a flourish of Headmaster Dippet's arms, food appeared on the golden plates, to which Elise clapped her hands.
The beginning of the year feast in the 40s was very different from the food that was available back in her time. Though the feast wasn't extravagant as the one at home, the food seemed to be overwhelming compared to the fact that two wars that were still playing out, considering that one was a world war.
Elise ignored the food and turned to Alphard, who was busy spooning potatoes onto Cygnus and Elias's plates while they both tried to stop him from treating them like seven year olds. When Alphard was done coddling the two boys, Elise tapped his shoulder, getting his attention.
"Can we please change seats? I'm rather upset," at this she threw a glare over her shoulder at Nott who was staring at her with an amused look, "at Mikhael."
Alphard just looked between them and sighed before standing up and switching seats with her. As Elise settled down in her new seat away from Nott, she looked around. Sitting across from her was Cygnus and Elias and sitting on the other side of her was that boy that she ran into on the train. He was dishing a small amount of potatoes on his plate when Elise interrupted him.
"You might want to eat some more potatoes," upon hearing her words, everyone at the Slytherin table seemed to hold their breath as the boy slowly raised his head to look at her.
"Excuse me?" The words coming out of his mouth didn't seem like a question but more of a demand of what she was trying to accomplish.
"I said that you may want to eat more potatoes. You're rather skinny and you look like you may fall over at any time. Anyway, my name is Arielle Flauxwood. It's nice to meet you…" the boy seemed to narrow his eyes at Elise's rambling towards the end when she ran out of breath and stuck her hand out to shake his.
"Tom Riddle, Miss Flauxwood. My name is Tom Riddle.I am rather charmed to meet you acquaintance" As he shook her hand, he looked up at her with a charming smile, but Elise felt the blood drain from her face. She snatched her hand out of his and turned to her plate, her hands shaking.
"Are you all right Miss Flauxwood," Riddle, no, Voldemort asked.
"N-nothing," Elise stuttered warming her hands together. She could feel the heat of Nott's stare on her face, begging her not to mess up. Riddle didn't seem to care for her answer as he stared at her as she started piling food on her plate.
"I just fell in the lake and I'm still a little chilly from that." Riddle nodded and pulled out his wand. At this, Elise started choking on the potatoes that she started shoveling into her mouth as an excuse not to talk.
"Is there a problem Miss Flauxwood," Riddle asked with a fake look of concern on his face. Elise shook her head and she could feel her eyes bulging as Riddle waved his wand at her. Elise felt a nice warm sensation all the way to her toes instead of the Killing Curse that she was expecting.
"Thank you Mr. Riddle," Elise says to him with a smile after she finished choking. And with a wave of her wand a flower crown similar to Nott's landed on Riddle's head.
"A small thank you gift from me." And with that, Elise went back to piling food on her plate and on Riddle's plate, ignoring the weird looks he was throwing her way. Elise continued shoveling food in her mouth, thinking of how she should present herself and how to get into the Ravenclaw common room to search for the amulet.
Dinner and dessert passed by quickly with Elise giving very energetic responses and retelling her run in with the Giant Squid with erratic hand motions. She felt tired from the fake amount of energy she was spouting out. That along with her fall in the water and Riddle almost scaring her to death made her want to just fall asleep for several years. But instead she continued acting like a happy little idiot.
Her plan seemed to work as she could feel the waves of irritation from Riddle. Nott had stopped staring at her a while back and was instead engaged in conversation with a young girl who was introduced to be Rosier's sister. When all the food had disappeared from the table, Elise stood up, stretching slightly. Everyone started leaving as the appointed prefects from each house gathered the first years. Elise was inclined to follow the first years when a jovial Slughorn came into her path.
"Greetings Miss Flauxwood," he cried out, grabbing her hand and shaking it enthusiastically. Everyone behind her awkwardly walked around them except for Nott and Riddle. They both stood pressed next to her and Nott was the second person to get Slughorn's attention. If this annoyed Riddle, it didn't show as his face remained impassive with his charming smile painted on.
"And Tom my boy," Slughorn said joyfully pulling Riddle into a hug. Riddle just awkwardly patted Slughorn on the back and when Slughorn let go, Elise saw him wipe his hands on his pants with a look of slight disgust on his face when he thought no one was looking. And as if he knew that Elise was watching him, he put a bright smile back on his face.
"Mr. Petrov and Miss Flauxwood would be honored to have a short tour of the school tomorrow morning," at this Riddle inclined his head towards Slughorn.
"It would be my pleasure." At this Slughorn clapped Riddle on the shoulder and bid everyone good night as he left to go talk to Professor Dumbledore. Elise and Nott awkwardly stood waiting for Riddle to lead the way to the dungeons.
"I'll be off to do my prefect rounds," Riddle said with a nod towards Nott. He turned around with a swish of his robes.
"Wait," Elise cried grabbing on to Riddle's sleeve. He turned and looked at her hand on his sleeve with a raised eyebrow. Elise didn't let go until Riddle looked up at her.
"Where are the Slytherin dormitories?"
Riddle checked the watch on his wrist and then sighed before motioning for Elise to follow him. He walked in a quick, swift motion towards what Elise had known to be the dungeons. As she approached the dungeons Elise stopped behind Riddle, who had stopped suddenly. Nott had ran into her back slightly and Elise turned around and glared at him. She was still upset at him for not following his own plan and Elise knew that she had to take matters into her own hands.
"The password,' Riddle said staring at the wall ahead of them, "is parseltongue." At his voice the wall had opened to create a stone arched door for them to enter. Riddle took one more look at his watch and bade them goodbye before leaving in the now familiar swish of his robes. Elise entered first looking around.
The dormitory seemed to flicker as she entered it through a small hall from the arched door. It quickly changed from a dark and gloomy room to a room with beautiful green carpentry and silver accents. It finally stuck to the room with the silver accents and Elise looked around in awe. The carpet was a soft deep green that reminded her of the grass that she used to lay on with Nott when they were younger. The ceiling was a high, gothic cathedral style ceiling. There seemed to be two main floors that the Slytherins traveled through and there were many fireplaces though the main fireplace was obvious because of its sheer size. One of the walls was just a glass wall where the Great Lake was visible along with its murky contents. It was a beautiful common area with bookcases lining the length of one of the main walls and with many candles burning all around the room.
Elise walked forward and continued to look around. Ignoring Nott, who was following her, she started walking towards the area where the girls' dormitory should be. The sixth year girls' dormitory was past two of the landings. Elise quickly started climbing up the stairs when she felt a hand on her arm. She was surprised when it wasn't Nott who greeted her but a girl with beautiful fawn colored hair and hazel eyes. She was shorter than Elise but was well endowed, which was something that Elise had noticed with slight jealousy. And she seemed to be the sixth year prefect.
"If you want, I can help you and your friend get around the school. We have a free day tomorrow and I'm free to show you around."
The girl was fidgeting with her hands as she looked up at Elise. Elise stared at her blankly before realising she had to respond.
"Oh, yeah of course. That would be great…" Elise had trailed off, leaving space for the girl to fill in the blank with her name.
"Evelyn," she responded with a smile.
And with that Elise and Evelyn went up to their dorm, making light talk and speaking about what they had to do before sleeping. And for once after meeting Nott again with his new bold personality, did everything feel normal.