The Schuyler Sisters

September 1st, First Year

"Hey, isn't that Eliza?"

Angelica was brought out of her focus on the headmaster's words when her friend Melanie poked her side with a whisper.

The third year Ravenclaw looked over to where her friend was gesturing and, indeed, saw her little sister in line. Angelica felt her stomach tie in knots.

She didn't know why she was nervous. It wasn't like there was any pressure to be any house, although Angelica knew Eliza would prefer to be with her in Ravenclaw. Still, Angelica doubted her baby sister would be Ravenclaw. Although clever and smart, Eliza just didn't have the same harshness as most Ravenclaws. She was softer, and kinder, and lovelier, and that's what Angelica loved about her.

"She doesn't look scared at all," Melanie commented under her breath with mild admiration. It was true - little Elizabeth Schuyler was actually smiling as she stood in line with the other first years, who, in comparison, looked as if they were being sentenced to death.

Angelica smiled despite herself. Eliza caught her eye and smiled wider, but as her sister Angelica could tell she was nervous - if not hopeful. Angelica knew Eliza would have to wait for a while until her sorting.

"Do you think she'll be in Ravenclaw with us?" Another friend whispered to Angelica. Now some people in their house were staring - it was rare that any Ravenclaws were seen talking during a lesson or, in this case, a full school event.

Angelica just shrugged and motioned to the headmaster to avoid the topic, not wanting to disappoint her friends even though, no, she did not expect Eliza to be in her house.

Ravenclaw house, as usual, was generally attentive to the Sorting, excluding a couple students reading their books under the table. Angelica's house pride helped her stay focused, despite taking numerous glances at her little sister.

As the Sorting went on, Angelica noticed that this first year class was quite small. She only recognized a couple names; a little boy named Aaron Burr had to be related to the personal assistant to the But finally, most of the students were sorted, and only about fifteen students remained in line.

She held her breath as "Schuyler, Elizabeth" was called across the great hall. A few whispers were heard around as the bright faced Eliza Schuyler walked up to the Sorting Hat. Of course everyone knew the Schuyler family - Philip Schuyler, the girls' father, was one of the richest and most well-known wizard in London. He was involved in politics, although had recently taken more time taking care of his daughters.

Angelica pursed her lips as some people looked her way, recognizing her name. This was another thing she worried about - how would Eliza handle all the attention? She was the sweetest and most innocent person Angelica knew. She had no idea how Eliza would handle the pressure and challenges she faced from opponents of their father.

As Eliza took a seat on the stool, she managed to catch Angelica's eyes before putting on the hat. With a small smile, she put the hat on her head. For a few silent moments, Eliza sat still, and Angelica watched with wide eyes.

Her sister really was her favorite person in the world - her best friend and confidant. Hogwarts would change everything, but maybe it would also make things a lot easier.

Eliza was still managing to smile as she sat on the stool, her pink lips turned up slightly as the Sorting Hat drooped over her eyes. Her round, dimpled cheeks gave off the impression of being younger than she was, but her dark eyes had a sort of clear deepness that showed wisdom beyond her years.

Angelica loved everything about her little sister.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Sorting Hat finally decided, making Eliza start slightly and then grin, before hopping off the stool and rushing to her house table.

Angelica's smile didn't waver, she just watched Eliza's happy beam as she made her way to Hufflepuff table. She thought she heard her friends offer disappointed comments to Angelica, but she was too busy watching Eliza as the little girl gave her a smile. Angelica could tell she was excited… but also disappointed to be without Angelica.

So without planning, Angelica stood up from the table - despite the Sorting still going on - and walked over to Hufflepuff's table, where she met Eliza. Eliza was confused but grinning as Angelica hugged her and sat down next to her.

"Angelica, what are you doing?" A fifth year prefect named Grace, who was sitting near the first year Hufflepuffs to help them during the Feast, was looking at Angelica with wide eyes. "The Sorting is still going on," she said, hushed. Indeed, the Sorting had continued, even though Angelica had been seen by many students, a lot of whom were still watching her interestedly.

Of course, recent rules at Hogwarts had created flexibility for seating during meals, but the Great Feast was a different story. Students were expected to sit at their house's table for most big occasions to promote house unity, and could mingle as they liked on regular days to promote school unity. Angelica, though, wanted to have sister unity, and felt an obligation to be with Eliza for at least a minute to christen her as a new Hogwarts student.

Angelica gave Grace an apologetic look. The Hufflepuff was Melanie's older sister and was always kind to Angelica in the corridors between classes, so she felt bad for causing a disruption. "I'll leave as soon as the Feast starts," she pledged under her breath, and Grace just sighed and gave a small smile before turning away to shush two Hufflepuff first year boys, who were already chattering away excitedly.

Eliza grabbed Angelica's hand in hers under the table as the Sorting continued and people began losing interest in the Ravenclaw joining her Hufflepuff sister.

"Look around, look around!" Eliza whispered in awe, her eyes bright as a young boy was sorted into Ravenclaw. Angelica squeezed her hand with an affectionate grin. "The candles are floating!"

"I'll let you borrow my Hogwarts, A History," Angelica said quietly as she nodded - after all, the Sorting was still going on, despite a few students still watching the two sisters. "It will explain how everything works and was created."

Eliza grinned. "I can't wait to go explore!" She squealed, and Grace shushed her with an amused smile a couple seats away.

Angelica, knowing best not to get on Grace's nerves (the Hufflepuff was genuinely good-hearted, but crossing her, or any Hufflepuff, never ended well; despite popular opinion, most were not pushovers), decided to keep quiet. Eliza, mostly entranced as she looked around the Great Hall, only made oohs and ahhs. Finally, the last child was sorted, and the Great Hall clapped with renewed enthusiasm. For now, as most knew, was the time to eat. The Headmaster stood to say a few words, and Angelica knew it was time to leave.

"I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow, okay?" Eliza's brow furrowed as Angelica hugged her briefly, but she smiled anyway.

"Can I write you a letter tonight?" She asked eagerly. "Daddy bought me my own ink and parchment, and I've been dying to send out Mouse ever since we bought him-"

"Mouse?" Angelica fought the urge to laugh. Eliza's brand new barn owl, majestic and fully grown, was the opposite of anything "mouse-like". The new Hufflepuff grinned.

"He likes mice," she whispered as if it were a secret, and Angelica giggled, hugging Eliza again. The Headmaster had finished his conclusion of the Sorting Ceremony and the Feast was about to begin. Grace looked at Angelica pointedly.

"Love you," the Ravenclaw told Eliza, who beamed and waved as Angelica hopped back over to her table. Luckily, the food had appeared on the tables, so no one noticed the quick transition.

Melanie raised her eyebrows at her friend. "Was Eliza sad?" was all she asked, which Angelica was thankful for.

"Just amazed about Hogwarts," Angelica grinned.

Melanie nodded. "I remember when we were like that."

"Hogwarts hasn't become less magical," Angelica pointed out as she shoveled some chicken onto her plate.

Melanie had a thoughtful look to her, "Yeah, but there's a certain innocence to the first years that we don't have anymore..."

Angelica was about to nod and respon, but then-

"That'll go away pretty soon," James Church, a cocky Ravenclaw in their year, interrupted from a couple seats away. Melanie sighed.

He smirked at Angelica, who rolled her eyes. "Your sister's almost as pretty as you, Angie," he complimented with a wink, but it sounded mocking. "In a couple years, I might switch my affection from you to her." He took a bite of potatoes.

"What affection?" Melanie sniffed at him in disapproval, and Angelica shook her head.

"Give it up, James," she said flatly. "You've been nothing but a bother to me since the beginning of first year." Her voice turned hard. "And Eliza is sweet and out-of-bounds, leave her alone." She told him, her over-protectiveness of her younger sister flaring.

A flash of annoyance crossed his face at the word "bother", but his smile remained. James tutted thoughtfully. "I don't know… coming from a family like yours, she must have quite the sum of money… I wouldn't mind having a prize like her one day."

Melanie gasped, but no one noticed the rude words the third year had uttered since everyone was busy talking and eating. Angelica narrowed her eyes.

"Girls are not a prize to be won," she snapped. "Just because society is under the impression that girls are less than boys, doesn't mean that it's true. As any true Ravenclaw would know, you can't judge a book by its cover." Her scowl deepened. James's smile had disappeared. "Women have every right to be respected and treated as equals with men. And whatever thirteen-year-old boy tells me otherwise will definitely not be receiving a prize from me."

James, finally speechless, just blinked at her, his ears red in embarrassment.

"In conclusion," Angelica sniffed before he could say anything else. "Stay away from my sister. And me."

And with that, Angelica Schuyler turned back to her food.

September 9, first year

The next week was the first time Angelica even had time to talk to her sister face to face. She was aching to, not just because her little sister was in the same castle as her and hardly ever seeing her, but also because she wanted to make sure her sister was okay. After all, Hogwarts could be overwhelming - especially during your first week.

And then there was everything that had gone on during the Great Feast. John Church hadn't talked to Angelica again since then, but she couldn't help but feel dread. He couldn't be serious about Eliza, could he? Angelica got angry whenever she thought about it. He'd better not hurt her little sister.

Finally, they were in the dinner hall at the same time. Angelica and Eliza both had a similar work ethic of doing homework earlier - so basically as soon as class ended - and having fun later, but since a third year's workload was larger, it was rare that they were in the Great Hall at the same time.

Eliza squealed when she saw her older sister and rushed over to hug her. Angelica laughed as they pulled away.

"Let me look at you," she instructed with a grin, holding Eliza at arm's length.

Eliza giggled. "You seem me all the time."

"Not recently," said Angelica with a smile. "I missed you! You're so big now!"

"Angie, stop it!" Eliza laughed again, but Angelica just smiled.

Already, her little sister seemed so grown up. In her Hogwarts robes and Hufflepuff tie, she looked so mature. Angelica was both proud and happy for her.

"How's your classes? Your housemates? Finding your way okay?" Angelica asked as they sat at Hufflepuff table.

Eliza smiled, already used to her older sister's rapid fire questions. "Classes are amazing, I'm learning so much! I thought you had already taught me a lot," she whispered with a giggle, referring to Angelica's couple lessons of magic (which occurred between Eliza's wand buying and arriving at Hogwarts). "But then I find out something new or I learn about a spell…" her eyes were wide and bright. "I feel so lucky to be able to do this!"

"It's amazing," her sister agreed. "Are any of the classes hard for you? I can help," Angelica offered.

Eliza shook her head, which made Angelica both proud of her sister and the tiniest bit sad. "My prefects are really nice and helpful if I need help, don't worry! And I made some friends. There are only four girls, and six boys in Hufflepuff this year!"

"Are they nice?"

"Yeah, but the boys are kinda immature." said Eliza with a giggle.

"They all are," the older sister teased, but then she remembered James Church. "But that reminds me," Angelica started seriously. "I was thinking we should make a schedule for meet-ups," she said. "Y'know, so I can check up on you during meals, and-"

Eliza giggled.

"...What?" Despite herself, Angelica smiled.

"Sorry. But it's alright," Eliza said kindly. "I know you wanna make sure I'm okay, but seriously, Angie, I'm good. Hufflepuff is amazing!"

Angelica sighed. "Sorry, 'Liza. I just… don't want you getting hurt."

Eliza shook her head. "How would I get hurt?"

Angelica hesitated. "I mean, there's so many wrong turns you could take or traps you could fall into… and people are just mean, Eliza. You know that." Again, her paranoia reminded her of James Church.

"I promise to be careful," said Eliza reassuringly.

Angelica smiled, knowing she was being overprotective. "Thank you. I'm just watching out for you. You know Daddy likes you best," she teased, wanting to lighten the mood.

"And Peggy!" Eliza grinned, referring to their other sister, four years younger than Eliza.

Angelica smirked. "That's because Peggy's a goody two shoes who always listens to him."

Eliza frowned good-naturedly. "Then what am I?"

Angelica pretended to think about it, and then hugged her sister tightly. "You're the best sister in the world!"

I'm back! This one's pretty long, and now it's gonna start jumping around on the timeline, so watch those dates! Also, keep in mind that the year it states (example, first, second, third) describes Alex's time at Hogwarts, since he is the main character. Just a reminder!

Also, thanks to everyone who reviewed. It really warms my heart and encourages me to write more! Specifically;

WizardingWhovian: (love your username btw) I also promote house unity (as a Gryffindor). Thanks for your review, I hope you were happy with this chapter!

MajesticAvocado: Yes, I agree about Alex, although it was very very difficult to sort him. Originally I had him in Gryffindor, but people were making such good arguments that I couldn't refuse! Thank you so much for your kind thoughts!

Candymouse22: I tried to hint at Gryffindor traits because Alex does have quite a lot of them, which is why I very nearly had him in Gryffindor. So far, I'm planning for the other boys to try to treat him the same, but as expected if they're in different houses, there will be a barrier.

Thanks again! Look forward to Farmer Refuted!