Cliodne waited patiently in a small office. She gazed curiously around the room, noticing the book shelves were lined with books on animals, Animagi, and Transfiguration. She examined a few, flipped through them, and then sat back down. Her body quivered with anticipation, and she grew restless, despite only being in the school for less than ten minutes. She stroked Kisa softly, earning a satisfied lick on her index finger.

The door behind her slowly opened and Cliodne quickly rose out of her seat. A tall woman, wearing emerald green robes, and a black pointed hat entered. She smiled at Cliodne and shook her hand.

"Hello, my dear. You must be Cliodne?," Cliodne nodded, "I am Professor McGonagall. I apologize for the wait, but if you'll follow me we will go to the Great Hall now. You may leave your things here, they will be placed in your common room after you have been sorted," she gestured to the door and exited quickly. Cliodne dropped her bag and followed. The castle was much different than that of Beauxbâtons. The halls had stone walls and floors aligned with suits of armor instead of marble and glass. She liked it, it seemed more comfortable to her.

Soon she found herself in front of two massive doors almost as grand as the doors to the dining hall in Beauxbâtons. Professor McGonagall motioned for her to wait a moment before disapeering inside. Cliodne could hear the students laughing and conversing. However, soon the hall grew hushed. Professor McGonagall appeared once more and smiled at her.

"We're ready for you now."

With that, the doors swung open to reveal hundreds of students on black robes, seated at four long tables. All eyes turned towards her as McGonagall led her towards the front. Whispers broke out among the students and Cliodne walked a little faster with nerves. When she reached the front, she was greeted by a man whom she knew only from stories her sister told her, Professor Dumbledore.

"Silence!" the students all stopped talking and gave Dumbledore their full attention. "Now then, today is a most unique day. For it is not every day that a student from the prestige magic academy of Beauxbâtons comes to study here, at Hogwarts. Mademoiselle Cliodne Costello has requested a transfer of schools and will now be attending Hogwarts. She will be sorted in a few moments, and then will assume fifth year classes with the rest of you," he gestured to a stool, "My dear, if you will sit down, please," he smiled softly.

Cliodne slowly walked over to the tiny stool, she lowered herself onto it. She sat perfectly still as a hat was placed on her head. At first she heard nothing. Not a sound. Then a low voice spoke to her inside her head.

"Ah, it's not often I sort students over 11 years of age. Hmmm. You case is very peculiar. Yes, very difficult," the hat moved on her head, looking at each of the tables, as if seeing which students reminded it of her.

Cliodne clutched the sides of the stool, knuckles turning white. She dared not speak, as she was already nervous enough. A few more moments of silence passed, and Cliodne looked out at the students watching her. She wondered where she would end up, and wished she would get there soon. The hat chuckled, causing her to jump slightly.

"Impatient are we? You have been waiting for this for quite some time now, yes? Hmm. There is the thought of making your family proud. Joining legues with the house that has been graced with them for generations," Cliodne felt sweat trickle down her cheek. She did not want to disappoint her parents, but-, "You want to fulfill your own desires, eh? Such ambition in you, I see. Yes, yes. Only one house is worthy of someone with your cunning and ability. Yes, I am quite sure this is where you belong."

Cliodne let go of a breath she had been holding. This was it! She would either make her family proud or disgrace them. The decision may be the Sorting Hat's to make, but it's what lies within her mind that truly makes the choice. She closed her eyes and waited silently. The entire hall was quiet with anticipation. Then, a loud voice echoed through the hall, accompanied by a huge amount of cheers from the far table.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The hat was lifted from her head and Dumbledore motioned to the far table. She quickly ran over and was greeted by a multitude of Slytherins. She sat with a group of girls and quickly became bombarded with questions about Beauxbâtons, France, and whatnot. As the evening feast began, she barely ate. She was too busy telling stories and learning about her new classmates.

The faculty proposed a toast to their new student and wished her luck. As Cliodne sipped her drink, she noticed a handsome boy at the Slytherin table was watching her silently. He had blonde hair that fell into his eyes and made him all the more handsome and as equally mysterious. She smiled and waved at him. The boy was slightly taken aback and Cliodne giggled as she saw his cheeks flush bright red.

She turned to one of her new friends, never once taking her eyes off of the mysterious blonde boy, "Say, Pansy, who is that blonde boy at the far end," Pansy glanced down the table and turned towards her with a smirk.

"Good taste we have, eh? That is Draco Malfoy. He is a fifth year as well and we happen to be friends," she glanced back at Draco and laughed, "Judging from that huge look of embarresment he seems to fancy you something wicked." She turned to Cliodne and winked. Cliodne blushed and glanced down at him, this time he smiled back.

"Pansy, could you tell me more about him?," her friend grabbed her hands and shot Draco a devious look. He eyed her suspiciously but only for a moment, then returned his gaze to Cliodne.

"Clio, dear," she laughed, "I can tell you EVERYTHING about him."

Cliodne smiled.