As we departed the train, a giant of a man was yelling for first years to follow him. Taking no time at all, Draco took the lead with Pansy on his arm. Theo and Blaise followed after them discussing classes. Crabbe and Goyle trailed behind the other boys. I brought up the rear as I was placing my left earbud in. Destiny by Neffex drifted into my thoughts causing me to smile. "Lyra, Come on," Theo called back to me. I looked up from my feet and saw that the entire group had stopped because I had lagged so far behind. They all looked at me expectantly so I quickly joined Theo and Blaise in the middle of the group. Blaise threw his left arm around my waist while Theo placed his right on my shoulders. I wrapped both of my arms around their waists. Blaise turned his head and place a kiss on my temple, whispering, "She wasn't kidding when she asked if you were ready to become royalty. This entire plan hangs on you becoming beloved of the school." I smiled in response. Theo pulled me closer to him for a moment in a side hug before the three of us started walking normally in our linked way. When the first years got to the docks, the man leading use told us four to a boat. Everyone started piling in while we stared at each other. "Crabbe and Goyle go with Draco and Pansy. The tree of us will take another boat and meet up with you guys on the other side," Blaise stated. Everyone agreed and separated. To my surprise, we got a boat to ourselves. Everyone around us was whispering in their boats, then gasped as we caught sight of the castle.
It was beautiful. Standing guard over its grounds in a blaze of light against the night sky. Castle of Glass by Linkin Park started playing in my ear as we got closer. No one paid attention to me as I reached into my pocket and changed the song to Rock Show by Halestorm. I place my right earbud in and jammed out. My music stayed in that general area as we docked again and climbed up a giant staircase. The other six kept me in the middle of them the entire time. The first years were oohing and ahhing all the way up to a female professor, who looked rather displeased with how long it took us to get where we were. The man, Hagrid I think I heard the Professor say, apologize. Professor McGonagall, Hagrid had named, dismissed him and turned to us. I quickly took out my earbuds. "The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room," She stated in a very matter of fact voice, "The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
With that, Professor McGonagall turned and left through the door behind her. I pushed through Draco and Pansy to lean against the wall next to the wall. I placed my left earbud back in, barely registering that MCR was playing as Draco started talking to a pair of boys. One was obviously a Weasley. The other I assumed was Harry Potter. I didn't understand why Draco was trying so hard to get him to our friend. Harry basically killed the Dark Lord when he was a baby. The Boy Who Lived won't want anything to do with the kids of followers of the person who killed his parents.I thought as I shook my head. Right when I was going to say something, Professor McGonagall came back and tapped him on the shoulder. Draco glared at the two boys once more before falling back to Pansy once more. "They're ready to see you now," the Professor stated before leading us into the Great Hall. I managed to slip through the door and stay on the outside of the pack of first years that were being lead to stand in front of the High Table and a patch worked hat on a stool.
Everyone became quiet as the Hat started to speak, "Oh, you may not think I'm pretty, but don't judge on what you see. I'll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat than me. You can keep your bowlers black; your top hats sleek and tall. For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat and I can cap them all. There's nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat can't see. So try me on and I will tell you where you ought to be. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart. Their daring, nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart. You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal. Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil. Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind. Where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind. Or perhaps in Slytherin, you'll make your real friends. Those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And don't get in a flap! You're in safe hands (though I have none) for I'm a Thinking Cap!" As the Sorting Hat stilled, the Hall erupted into applause. Professor McGonagall waited for it to die down before she unrolled a scroll, stating, "Now when I call your name you will come and take a seat onto stool. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. When your house is called out, you will join them." She then started calling names. I ignored majority of the ceremony. I knew my group were all going to be Slytherin so I didn't care about about the rest. I started going over the reasons why I should join them in Slytherin when I heard, "Granger,Hermione!" I focus for a moment as the girl I met on the train took her seat on the stool. The Professor placed the Hat on the girl's head. We wait for maybe a minute before the Hat shouted, "Gryffindor!" Hermione seemed relieved as the Hat was taken off her head and she headed to the Gryffindor table. I ignored the ceremony once more until, "Lestrange, Lyra!" I moved forward instinctively as I tried to calm down. I took my place on the seat and the Professor placed the Hat on my head.
Closing my eyes, I focused on the magic sinking into my brain. I slowly gathered it to one spot and imagined the Sorting Hat and I standing face to front instead of it searching through my mind. Oh, I see you're very good at Legilimens. The Hat's voice floated through my head. I nodded, "In Malfoy Manor, you very quickly how to hide yourself from others. Now I would like to ask you to place me in Slytherin." I could feel the Hat's shock. How do you know I wouldn't place you anyway? "Because of the reasons I'm asking. I have to protect my friends. If I get placed in any other House, they would be punished for not making sure that I was a true Slytherin. Though the Adults aren't necessarily understanding either way. Now as for my reasons that I should be," The Hat cut me off, How do you believe Magic should be perceived? Is it a secret that should be kept to few? Or perhaps strictly for research? Is it a weapon to be used to bring down your enemies? Or still simply shared for all to see? I faltered and thought for a moment. "I believe Magic is Magic. It's not good or bad. It's not a big secret to keep hidden,but should also be handled with great care incase it were to disappear. It can be used as a weapon, but also to protect and heal. Magic is Magic. It is the Witch or Wizard that makes its purpose," I answered confidently. The Sorting Hat seemed surprised at my answer but had come to a decision, Very well, I will grant your request. However you must stay after the Feast. The Professors will know. Now then, "Slytherin!" the Hat shouted. Professor McGonagall pulled the Hat off my head, leaving me disorientated for a moment. I quickly recovered and made my way to the Slytherin table, taking my seat in between Crabbe and Goyle.
I placed both earbuds in my ears and blasted I Will Not Bow by Breaking Benjamin while I laid my head on the table in front of me. I was now exhausted. I was quickly joined by Draco and Theo. Pansy joined soon after. No one bothered me until Potter's name was called. Draco elbowed me until i tilted my head up enough to watch. It was about three minutes until the Hat yell, "Gryffindor!" Draco growled. "I don't know what your deal is Draco but we have bigger problems than the Boy Who Lived," I stated, putting my head back down. "What do you mean, Lyra?" Pansy asked. I shook my head, "I'm not explaining this more than once, so we're going to wait until Blaise gets sorted." They left me alone after that. I got lost in my music for the next 20 minutes. I almost fell asleep right there until I felt a hand on my back. I lifted my head to see that it was Blaise offering his shoulder to me. I leaned into him throughout Dumbledore's speech and the appearance of the Feat. "Lyra what's going on?" Theo asked as he filled both his and my plates with food. "Obviously I've been placed in Slytherin instead of another House, but the Hat told me to say in the Great Hall after feast is done," I answered, nodding my thanks to him. Everyone got pale. "You don't think?" Draco asked."No. Once Sorted, the Hat leaves you Sorted. At most most It'll tell the Professors that I might need some higher classes," I stated in between bites. That relaxed them for the rest of the feast. I didn't keep track of the time that passed but it was too quick. Professor Dumbledore cleared what was left of the feast, say a few more words, amd sent the student body off to bed. I waved the group off to bed while I stayed seated at the Slytherin table.
When the Hall was empty, Severus, McGonagall, and Dumbledore walked over to me. "Miss Lestrange, do you know why the Sorting Hat asked you to stay behind?" the Headmaster asked. "Sir if I knew that i wouldn't be sitting here," I sighed. McGonagall opened her mouth but Dumbledore waved her off. "What do you know about the Founders of Hogwarts?"Severus asked me. I raised and eyebrow at him. "The Four Founders; Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin; joined forces to build Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Together they created the Sorting Hat to sort the students into their respective Houses," I answered. The three Professors nodded in agreement. "That's correct. However there were Five Founders. The Fifth Founder has only been referenced to as The Headmaster. It was on their judgement in which the Sorting Hat sorts the students. The Headmaster, from what we've learned, was truly neutral when it came to how Magic is perceived," Dumbledore paused and looked me in the eye, "The Sorting Hat say that you are The New Headmaster." I stared at him for a moment then said, "I'm 11. A child who came to school so I could learn how to control my magic. Now you're telling me that because I think Magic is Magic that I'm part of the Founders, the Next Generation?"
The Professors simply looked at me and I sighed. "Fine, then what are we going to do about it?" I asked. McGonagall spoke up at this point, "Well first off, you won't be officially apart of any house. When the Sorting Hat called out Slytherin, his magic said Hogwarts. Therefore you belong to School, not a House. That being said, you will still be living and going to class as a Slytherin as per your request of the Hat." I nodded to each statement slowly relaxing. "You will however be taught the 2nd and 3rd year courses along with your 1st year courses. Your personalized schedule will be given to you in the morning. You have a week to get all the proper supplies for all three years, Do you understand?" She asked. "Yes ma'am. However if I'm doing 3 years worth of work, I have a few request," I countered, looking at Dumbledore. Dumbledore raised his eyebrow in question. I took a deep breath and said, "First Pansy and I get our own room, separate from the other girls. Second no one in my group will get in trouble if found in each others rooms. Finally I want unrestricted access to the Restricted Section and The Headmaster's Personal Library." Before either of the other Professor's could ask questions, Dumbledore agreed. Severus sighed and motioned for me to follow him, "It's getting late and you have a long week ahead of you. I'll show you to the Slytherin Door in the Dungeons." I quick stood up and chased after him. We walked in silence the whole time. When he went to say the password, the door just swung opened. Severus sneered and walked away.
I walked into the Common Room and went straight for the door that said 'Girl's Dormitories' on it. I didn't bother looking around as I was quickly running out of fumes. I found Pansy and I's room at the very middle of the hallway. Curious I looked at who was after us and it was the Boy's room. I couldn't stop myself from chuckling as I went back to my door. When I opened it, Pansy had already claimed her bed and was fast asleep. Smiling at her, I quickly pulled my trunk out of my bag. I set in on the ground at the foot of my bed and enlarged it to normal size with just a wave of my hand. "Just higher classes my ass," I muttered as I got ready for bed. After I settled down in bed, I turned on my alarms on my iPod making sure it was loud enough to wake up Pansy in the morning. Then I rolled over and went to sleep.