As they entered through the 2-story mahogany doors, they were separated by year, into different groups, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. The first years were sent to wait in the foyer while their older classmates were sent to sit and wait for the festivities to begin. As any year at Hogwarts starts out, the students who have already been classified into their house get to sit and watch their new classmates get sorted into their new house.
I sat next to a fellow pure-blood while I waited for my name to be called and find out my destiny for the next seven years. I did not want to turn out like Andy, and be sorted into Ravenclaw. I knew if I wasn't sorted into Slytherin, my life would be turned into a living hell, then I would have to deal with my parents after Bella was done with her. I HAD to be sorted into Slytherin, my life depended on it.
"Alethia Bason, Alethia Bason, come up to be sorted," Professor McGonagall announced, snatching me from my thoughts. I was definitely next. My heart was thumping so hard against my chest, I was almost certain it would rupture straight out my, now shaking and pale, body.
"HUFFLEPUFF!", the sorting hat proclaimed. The Hufflepuff table cheered for their newest member.
"Narcissa Black, Narcissa Black, come to be sorted," Professor McGonagall warily announced. That name got quite a few people's attention. I was feeling more pressured than ever before to live up to my family's specific expectations.
Taking my time, I stood and gracefully walked over to the old rugged sorting hat and sat upon the stool. This moment could change my life forever, for better or worse. I tried to think as Slytherin-like as possible without showing, on the outside, that I was trying too hard. I held my breath and waited for the results of my effort.
To everyone's surprise, the sorting hat just chuckled, which turned into full blast hysteria. Everyone, including the teachers, looked towards the headmaster for an explanation, though he was at a loss for words. After a few awkward moments of silence, the hat finally spoke.
"What is this, another Black? She has absolutely no characteristics of either of her sisters. She is as interesting as anyone could ever possibly contemplate. It is humorous to even have to put her before me to decide. Anyone could look at her and know that this girl is a Slytherin," the hat gleefully proclaimed.
I breathed a silent sigh of relief as I took my rightful place beside Bella and Rodolphus.
"Well, what an entrance," Rodolphus complimented, still in shock.
"See, I told you, you had nothing to worry about, even the sorting hat said so," Bellatrix gleamed with pride.
They went through the rest of the evening as if nothing had interrupted their life. After dinner, they all retired to their houses. The Slytherin girls helped me settle in, all trying to stay on my good side. Since this was Bellatrix's last year at Hogwarts, they wondered who was going to be Slytherin's queen next year and if I would approve of the girl, if by some miraculous chance I,myself, wasn't the next queen.
The next morning, I awoke, late, to rain. Today was not a good day for people with herbology. It was my last class so I hoped that this dreadful weather would clear up before the end of the day. I got dressed and walked down to breakfast, the sound of my heels clicking in the barren hallway. I could hear the sound of eager voices and cursed myself for being late.
When the door opened itself, I walked in, head held high, as though there was nothing wrong with entering breakfast late and stealing away everybody's attention. I almost enjoyed the attention of everyone's curious stares. Eventually, after passing many tables full gawking stares, I found my group of pure-bloods and sat next to Aaron Peitho.
"If you were wondering where Bellatrix is, I saw her walking towards a broom closet with some Slytherin," Aaron said scornfully.
"I did not ask because I already know of her secret little affairs she has. I may not approve but I am not blind to the fact that she does these things," I replied with a touch of humor.
Just as that was being said, Bellatrix walked in with an extremely handsome Slytherin, slightly ruffled and sat down next to me.
"So, what are we talking about that is so funny?" Bellatrix asked, hardly interested.
"Oh, nothing. Just trying to guess who you were so "busy" with in the broom closet, today. Though, you just answered that for us. Aaron, the great mystery is over, she was with him," I said with sarcasm as I nonchalantly pointed to the handsome brunette at the end of the table, snatching his attention away from another group of pure-blood boys to see if he, indeed, was the topic of their conversation .
"Oh, haha. Well at least I have a relationship," she said slightly irritated.
"RELATIONSHIP?", I fumed. Most everyone in the hall glanced over to see what the ruckus was about. I continued,very aware of the disturbed stares and glances of surrounding tables," A relationship is two people who care for each other! They don't just have sex in a broom closet before breakfast".
"Please try to be at least a little discreet, would you?" Bellatrix pleaded through gritted teeth.
"Do I look like the kind of person who cares if other people listen in on a conversation when they should be minding their own bloody business," I said in a softer tone, directing it mostly at the, now slightly harassed-looking, surrounding tables.
Lucius Malfoy had been listening as he sat across from Bellatrix. He interrupted," I think you are the kind of person who cares what people think of you"
"Well, no one asked you," I shot back with my temper, once again, rising.
"Why is it, if I may ask, that you have such a problem with Bellatrix's "sleeping around" if it does not affect you?"
Bellatrix and I looked at him dumb-founded. Just as Bellatrix was about to curse him (and probably the rest of his family), it was time to leave and go off to our classes. I said my good-byes to Bellatrix and walked to Ancient Runes with Aaron, acting as my lap dog, walking beside her, trying to keep up me, as I was still fuming from breakfast.
Just as I was about to turn the last corner to Ancient Runes, Lucius pulled me into an empty classroom.
"What are you doing?", I said in awe, and outrage.
"Why did you get so upset when Bellatrix called her routine trips to a broom closet a relationship?"
"Why do you care?" I questioned him, my brows simultaneously raising themselves, out of habit.
"One, because you lashed out at your sister and two, you're supposed to be the quiet one from what I've heard," he countered in a haughty tone.
"What have you heard about me?" I asked, suddenly curious.
"Enough, but this was completely out of character… from what I've heard," he answered, becoming slightly aware of his surroundings.
"But why do you care?" I asked, irritating him purposely.
Things got quiet as Aaron walked in. He stopped dead in his tracks, trying to evaluate the situation. He couldn't decide if he should leave or talk. By his facial features, I could only imagine what the imaginary cogs in his head were trying to decide.
"Should I go?" he asked awkwardly.
"No, I was just leaving. And Lucius, if we ever become close friends, you'll probably find out. But until then, go to class and forget about it," I said, almost as an order.
The rest of the day went by so quickly I almost got whiplash. I was walking back to the common room, by myself, when out of nowhere a hand grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me into the girls' bathroom. When I stood back to see who, once again, had taken me from my original pace, I was a little confused. I was staring straight into the face of Arce Percival.
"What-", I started, shaking with rage.
"Don't talk now, just listen, then answer my questions," Arce said forcefully. She did not look like she was here to play games.
"What ties to you have to the Malfoy family?" she asked, pride gleaming in her eyes.
"What kind of question is that? What do you mean what ties do I have? We meet at parties, etc… Why do you care? Aren't you in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw?" I asked, slightly bemused.
"No, I happen to be Slytherin, as you are, or I would not be talking to you. Most people, including some Slytherins, are a tad frightened of you. It probably has something to do with what the sorting hat said last night," smirked Arce.
"Oh, that's nice. That's just bloody brilliant! My first day here and people are scared of me, wouldn't mother be proud," I said to myself.
"Oh, I think she already knows," Arce said seriously.
"How could she possibly know what's happened, it's only been a day," I countered.
"You don't read The Daily Prophet do you?" Arce asked as though I had just asked how to perform a simple levitating charm.
"No, I don't make it a daily habit, my mother is the one who usually reads it. She is the only one in our family who likes to read about the recent gossip."
"Well, I suggest you read it," she said haughtily.
She handed me the latest Daily Prophet and ran out of the bathroom as if it was infested with Cornish pixies -again. I read the headline first in my head, then again out loud.
"Latest Black to Follow in Footsteps," I said, frazzled.
"What does that mean?"
"I'm guessing it means that they think you act like Bella," Rodolphus answered, amusing himself.
I jumped at the sound of someone else's voice.
"I didn't realize that you were a girl today, I was under the impression that you were a man, according to what Bella says about you and her rendezvous, but I always had my doubts," I joked dryly," why are you in here? Aren't you afraid that someone, probably a girl, is going to come in and see you?".
"If they do, what would it matter to me? Public image isn't the most important item on my list of things to remember, nor Bella's, as you can probably tell from this morning," he said nonchalantly.
"Well, it should be. Lately, it's what you look like that makes or breaks the public's opinion of you, and certain people care," I said seriously.
"Well, then it's a good thing I don't give a damn, now isn't it?" he said with great humor.
"Ah, I almost forgot how amazing your way with words was. Anyways, I have to go, homework to do, I actually do mine," I said with a haughty smirk.
"Well, good-bye then, tell Bella I said to leave at seven," he said with a giddy grin.
I closed my eyes, trying not to picture what he meant," I don't want to know," I said with a tired expression on my pale face. I walked out of the bathroom, hoping not to pulled into any other place than the common room.
I finally reached the common room and sat down on the common room's most comfortable chair to start my homework. I had to finish potions first, it was the most important. I definitely did not want Professor Slughorn to think I was lazy. Professor Slughorn knew both of my parents quite well. They were star students during their days at Hogwarts.
"Cissy, did you happen to run into Rodolphus on your way back?" Bella interrupted, stirring me from my thoughts.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Yes, he did. He said to meet him at seven. Don't tell me what for, I have a pretty fond idea of what he meant," I said as I put away my books for the night.
May Salazar Slytherin have mercy on their souls if they get caught.