Chapter Six

Chariot Allison leaned her head against the window, staring. The train ride would be long. Especially so because she was utterly alone. Nobody had joined her--not that Chariot had expected anyone would. They would have no reason to. Here, she was unknown.

Nobody knew even her name but Draco and Chariot highly doubted he would visit her. If Draco was anything like his father, and Chariot suspected he was, he wouldn't be the sort to fraternize with some girl with no known reputation. Not in public, at least.

Her solitude was also a relief. It would be easier to drink the potion without having someone looking over her shoulder.

With that note fixed on her mind, the hours flew by like a bullet surrounded with a Decelerate Charm and the time came for Chariot to swallow the potion. Earlier, she'd bought a flask of pumpkin juice from the snack cart. She could just mix the two together. Easy. Lord Voldemort had told her she could. The added pumpkin juice wouldn't cancel out the effects of the potion. For the moment, Chariot trusted the Dark Lord. He wanted this job finished and successful as much as Chariot needed it.

Chariot breathed a sigh of relief that she was alone. The potion had, when mixed with the juice, flashed the flask to an eerie gray followed by a bright golden light. It was back to its normal tangerine color so Chariot drank it. It tasted funny as if it had been laced with a Coloring Potion, but it was alright.

Minerva McGonagall stood in her office, waiting for the new student. She would most certainly be placed in Slytherin, but they had pulled the Sorting Hat down anyway. Oddly enough, she had transferred in the sixth of her magical training. The girl was a transfer from Durmstrang Academy and a friend of the Malfoys. Most definitely Slytherin material.

Before answering the door, Minerva glanced at the girl's registration papers. Chariot Allison.

"Hello…" Chariot said when Minerva let her inside the office. It was naturally lighted, the only illumination the streaked light that fell through the blinds.

"Professor McGonagall," she supplied.

Chariot decided this woman was someone she should stay away from. She had the means and attitude to investigate Chariot if Chariot attracted too much attention.

"I trust your train ride was acceptable, Miss Allison?"

"Yes, Professor." Chariot readjusted her robe on her shoulders.

"Good. Now for your Sorting." She took the tattered Hat off the table and placed it on Chariot's head.

Before the mind-reading Sorting began, Chariot took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind of any thoughts that may exploit her. Potions were never one hundred percent reliable. Chariot heard the hollow voice in her head, as if someone were whispering in her head.

Very brave, that is obvious. You are also intelligent, no doubt. Good at what you do. What House do you desire, dear?

"Gryffindor! I don't belong in Slytherin," Chariot pleaded silently.

Well in that case, you are most definitely a GRYFFINDOR! "GRYFFINDOR!"

Chariot breathed a sigh of relief and almost laughed at the expression on McGonagall's face. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Minerva recovered in a moment and took the Hat.

"Welcome to Gryffindor, in that case, Miss Allison. Now, go. They're expecting you at the Feast, I'm sure."

Chariot stood and straightened her robes, thanked the Professor and left.

Chariot made her way to the Great Hall through a series of dark corridors lit by fire sconces. As she entered the propped-open heavy wooden doors, her breath caught in her chest. The Great Hall was beautiful with its old-world grandeur and enchanted ceiling imitating a clear, starry night sky.

Chariot made her way to the Gryffindor Table. The House tables were dark wood and benches; the Staff Table was rich, milky marble. The Gryffindor Table sported a burgundy-hued banner embellished with a gold lion and the Gryffindor Crest that had appeared on Chariot's plain robe after her Sorting. The Hall was crowded with students who were chatting unconcernedly as Chariot passed them and quietly took her seat in the middle of the table.

And for the first time, Chariot was terribly aware of the importance and extremeness of the endeavor she was performing. If all went according to plan, Chariot would bring Hogwarts to its knees.

The actual Sorting began and a misshapen line of terrified-looking children tottered foreword. Then Professor McGonagall stepped from behind the lake-like appendage that had appeared at the end of the line with the Hat in hand. In the front of the Hall, there was a stool upon which the child sat in front of the entire school and was Sorted.

Chariot silently cheered that she was awarded a private Sorting. Imagine having your private thoughts paraded in front of every peer you'll know for the next seven years. When the twenty or so first-years had been sorted into the four Houses, the headmaster Albus Dumbledore stood to speak. Chariot remembered him from the photographs Lucius had showed her. He was one she had researched most before coming.

"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts! Both to new students and to those of you returning." He gave a brief explanation of school rules. "…and remember: the Forest was named the Forbidden Forest for a reason. Please, no trespassing into it." Here, he eyed the Gryffindor Table. "Now, please. Dig in!"

A boy from down the table held her gaze for a moment before turning back to his friends. Chariot smiled to herself. It was him alright. Scar, glasses, and all. Harry Potter. She'd found him.

A/N: just in case it hasn't been obvious in the whole HP series, Chariot's job is Harry. just a comment.

This was kind of a boring chap, but it had to be done. More cool spy stuff in the next chapter. Review, and continue! Woo. much love, hippy