Celestial Love
All the first-year students were gathered outside the grand doors of the Great hall.
Most of them were chattering about how excited they were during the train ride, others couldn't stop taking about how magnificent the castle looks under the moonlight during the boat ride and some are just discussing the different houses they might be sorted to.
I silently stood near the bottom of the staircase just listening to their conversations.
I don't know anyone personally, just familiar faces from parties held at the manor.
I guess you could say I'm not the "Friendly" type which really worries me, I might get sorted to the house I'm trying my best to avoid.
My father was a Gryffindor while my mother was a Hufflepuff.
Even though we came from a pure-blooded family, no one was ever sorted in Slytherin.
I was told Slytherin students were just trouble and it is best to stay away from them.
I don't want to disappoint my Family.
The internal riot in my head was interrupted by the sudden silence around me, I went a few steps closer to the crowd to see past the others.
I could see a lady dressed in deep emerald robes, the group in front of her slowly circling in.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, I am professor Mcgonagall" She gave us a small smile, "Before the banquet begins, you shall be sorted to our respected houses…" My heart dropped.
She gave a speech about how important the ceremony was and our houses would be like our family while we were at Hogwarts but honestly all I could hear was my heart pounding in my ears.
She left for a moment and suddenly the chattering started again, I tried my best to keep calm and just took deep breaths. I gripped unto the rails to steady myself. The next thing I saw was the doors were opened, and they were moving, unconsciously following the crowd my legs seemed to work despite my mind going haywire.
As I enter the hall, it was hard to ignore how enchanting the ceiling was, I remember the stories Maman told me when I was young about how every inch of the castle was magic. Thinking of her warm smile calmed me down a bit.
I recall Papa's words before I boarded the train, "You are a brave girl, Ma Vie, I know you will do great on your first year. Just remember to enjoy every bit. Your mother and I would be proud of you no matter what house you'll be in".
He gave me a kiss on the forehead before he beamed at me "I'll see you soon Poupée".
I could feel butterflies in my stomach as I tried my best not to show my worry.
We passed by at the centre of four long tables, the older students watching us as the first years moved closer the front, I could see Professor Mcgonagall placing a stool in the middle near the High tables.
I tipped toed to see the object she was holding. It looked like a hat. She placed it on the chair, and after a few seconds it sang.
This must be the sorting hat I read about it in one of our school books Hogwarts; A History.
"You're in safe hands (Though I have none)…" the hat sang, I sure hope I would be after this. After its song the whole room erupted into applause, Professor Mcgonagall approached our group a long parchment paper in her hands and she started calling out our names.
A timid girl was called first and got sorted to Hufflepuff, I envied the look of relief on her face as she approaches their table with a huge smile on her whole Hufflepuff house were clapping and congratulating her.
My eyes were turned away from their happy faces the second name was called.
I couldn't help but to bear down whenever the hat would call out which house a student would be sorted in.
"Malfoy, Draco" This boy's aura screamed Slytherin, the way he swaggered to the stool.
Barely touching his head, the hat shouted "SLYTHERIN".
No surprise there, really.
All the houses were cheering as they welcomed their new additions, and only a few more students needed to be sorted.
Until she called out "Potter, Harry".
Suddenly the room was silent.
Everybody's eyes were on this boy slowly making his way to the stool, Even I was curious on where the hat would sort the boy who lived.
His story was famous and my parents would mention it every now and again.
It seems like the hat was discussing something with him as he whispered words to the hat.
I couldn't help but wonder if my sorting would take as long as his, after what felt like a lifetime the hat concluded to placing him in Gryffindor.
The applause of the Gryffindor was probably the loudest after Potter got sorted to their house.
"Sayre, Aurora" Professor Mcgonagall called my name, I unconsciously held my breath.
My hands were ice cold as clenched them tightly together on my lap.
The hat was then placed on my head.
"Ah!" the sorting hat suddenly yelped.
I could feel my body stiffen, but I maintained a calm expression as I tried to ignore the stares I was getting.
"Hmmm, another difficult mind again I see, just like your father…"
My eyes suddenly flickered upwards.
"…You have your preference but with such knowledge, wit and talent I couldn't quite grasp where to put you…"
My eyes were glued to the floor.
I unconsciously answered the Sorting hat on my head.
"Well, definitely you are meant for greater things child, Better be in-SLYTHERIN!"
I could feel my pupils dilate in surprise, but I didn't notice the smile that was slowly forming on my lips.
I made my way to the Slytherin table as I was welcomed with roaring cheers and hand shakes from different students, even from that Draco Malfoy.
I couldn't help but smile now as I sat next to a girl with a dark brown hair.
"Congratulations, My name is Pansy Parkinson" she shook my hand as she smiled at me.
"Thank you, I'm Aurora Sayre" I doubt she could hear me say my name when the others were still clapping so loudly.
After exchanging smiles with other Slytherins, my eyes travelled back to the 3 other students that needed to be sorted.
While watching the remaining girl get sorted to Ravenclaw, I silently took in this glorious moment where I accept myself, I would worry on how to explain myself to my parents later.
"Zabini, Blaise" When Professor Mcgonagall called out the last boy, I couldn't help but stare.
His surname rang a bell, and his face was definitely familiar.
After a few seconds later he was sorted to Slytherin, I smiled at him and reached out my hand to congratulate him.
He politely took it and returned my smile, but he was aloof.
He sat across my seat but turned around to listen to the headmaster's welcome speech.
With arms wide open and a big smile on his face he welcomed us to Hogwarts "Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words" I leaned in to listen, Father said he was the best wizard in the world.
"Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!—Thank you!" Then he sat down as everybody clapped and cheered.
I couldn't help but smirk and clap, Pansy on my right was asking what he means, and I just sighed and silently agreed with my Father.
Professor Dumbledore was a genius he has my utmost respect.
As food appeared in front of us and we ate.
Conversation started in smaller groups, I could hear Malfoy's group was talking about where they lived and how pure their blood was, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"I am quite surprised—I wouldn't really peg you to be a Slytherin, Sayre" I looked up from my mash potato to Zabini, I was trying to figure out what his intention was, When I couldn't detect anything malicious behind it I gave him the benefit of the doubt.
"Honestly—I did not expect it as well" I replied as I politely smiled at him and continued cutting into my roast beef.
"Well—It's been a while since I last saw you, I guess I always thought you were too carefree" Zabini shrugged and went back to his dinner.
This caught my full attention now, I stared at him openly as I tried my best to recall all the memories where we could have met.
He glanced at me, I probably had a funny expression because he laughed.
"OH!" I straightened up as I covered my mouth with my hand to hide my opened mouthed smile.
"You guys know each other?" Pansy nudged my arm.
Zabini shook his head, but he was in a better mood compared to when he first took his seat.
"We met several times when we were younger. Our Parents seemed to know each other from their school days here in Hogwarts. I remember them talking a lot and Zabini and I would be so bored that we would run off without our parents even noticing we disappeared" I smiled while answering Pansy's question.
I can't help but notice how Malfoy was secretly listening in to our conversation, but as soon as I looked his way he suddenly turned to Crabbe and pretended he wasn't eavesdropping.
I took a mental note to stay away from Malfoy and his friends.
They seem like the wrong kind of Slytherins.
The rest of the night was uneventful, After Dumbledore told us a few reminders we were escorted by prefects to our dormitories.
I fell in step beside Zabini on the way down the dungeons.
"First years this way, come on!" The Slytherin Headboy lead our group, not that there were a lot of us.
As we go further, it got colder and darker, then we suddenly stopped as the Headboy raised his hand and tapped an inconspicuous brick on the wall and said "Tarragon".
The wall opened, and he stepped aside to let us in. One by one we entered the whole "That's the password until the holidays, you better not forget it" He sneered as we reached the common room.
It was beautiful. I didn't expect the ceiling to be so high considering we were below the castle and part of the lake.
The temperature of the room was colder than the great hall but it's cozy, especially with the large fire place at the side.
Suddenly Parkinson gasped and pointed at the windows, we all turned to the same direction and noticed the Giant squid passing by.
I can't help but smile and turns out Zabini was as delighted as I was.
"Cool-" we said in unison.
We giggled as we shook our heads.
This was the start of an interesting friendship.
A pair of grey eyes spying on our small interaction from the back.
The Head girl joined our group and showed us to our dormitories and without looking back at the rest, I followed her towards a passage way further down the right side of the common room.
Turns out I have to share my room with 2 other girls, Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode.
"Hello, I'm Daphne Greengrass" Extending her hand out, and I shook it once.
"Aurora Sayre" I smiled politely.
"Bulstrode, Millicent Bulstrode" the bigger girl said as she opened her trunk and pulled out a heavy looking bag.
"Well nice to meet you girls, I look forward to a pleasant year as your roommate" I beamed.
We then unpacked our school trunks and decorated our nightstand with small things from home.
As I lay down my four posted bed, I starred at the picture at my nightstand.
It was my favourite family portrait.
My father and older brother standing behind my mother and me, their hands resting on our shoulders while me and Maman were seated on our living room's upholstered bench.
We were all smiling at the camera, suddenly we burst into laughter. I can't help but smile as I recall the moment.
Maman was stressing around the house that morning to make sure everything would be perfect while Papa tried his best to calm her down.
After a few test shots the photographer counted 3-2-1 'click' and my older brother Demitri chose that same moment to release a loud fart.
We all couldn't keep a straight face for a good 5 minutes.
He definitely was not sorry but was a little embarrassed and said an apology to the photographer.
My smile faded as soon as I remembered being sorted to Slytherin.
Looking at their happy faces, I wonder if my parents would still smile like that if they found out what house I chose.
I heard that the sorting hat also considers what house you want to get into, but I don't understand how I did not fight it.
Even though I'm still figuring things out, I know I need to be honest to my parents.
Tomorrow I would write a letter to them, but for now to sleep I succumb.
End of the first chapter!
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