The train pulled to a stop I am stumbled off, dragging my bags behind me.

The platform was deserted except for a tall, thin figure prowling towards me.

I stood silently waiting for the man to reach me and felt wind hit my back as the Hogwarts Express chugged away; leaving me stranded all alone, looking up at the huge castle.

"Welcome Miss Carrow," said the man, "I am Severus Snape and I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"I know," I said. Then remembering my manners I put out my hand, "Nice to meet you Professor."

He took my hand and shook it, "I've heard a lot about you Miss Carrow."

I nodded, understanding his meaning, "He told me he would send a letter informing you of my task."

Snape's eyes became slits and his head moved from left to right, checking to see if we were being overheard, "In future please try to remember to hold your tongue Miss Carrow. You can never be sure of who or what may be nearby, and there are certain private matters that I would very much like to keep private. News spreads quickly in a place this size."

I bit my lip and nodded, it hadn't crossed my mind that someone might be spying on us and I made a mental note not to be so careless in the future. "Sorry Professor," I said.

Snape waved his wand and my bag floated away, up the hill. "Follow me," he said and walked away.

I followed him, my eyes on his back. There was something about him that did seem slightly, slippery, untrustworthy. I could see why Draco didn't want his help. But, the Dark Lord trusts him greatly and he is one of few who are in his inner circle. Some might even say he was the Dark Lord's right hand man, stationed in Hogwarts, right under the nose of the only Wizard the Dark Lord ever feared- Dumbledore.

A carriage was waiting for us at the bottom of the hill and there was a huge black winged horse standing in front of it.

"Thestrle?" I asked.

He nodded but didn't ask how I knew or even if I could see the beast.

We climbed into the carriage and sat opposite each other. It started moving forward. "How long does it take?" I asked.

"About 10 minutes," he said, "Are you nervous?"

I thought about his question, then nodded, "Yes." He didn't answer; he just looked at me, slowly, calculatingly, trying to work out whether or not this was a weakness. "But that doesn't matter. All that matters is him, his task. As long as he succeeds, I do too."

He nodded, "Yes, I think the Dark Lord has chosen well."

"Has he got a plan yet?" I asked.

Snape shook his head sadly, "I don't know for sure but I don't think so. He won't talk to me, and he won't trust you either if he thinks we are conspiring. It's best if you don't talk to me except in class, don't come to me asking for advice. Unless you have no other choice, and then you should do so in the upmost secrecy."

I nodded, to show I understood.

The carriage stopped after a few more minutes spent in silence and we got out. "I'm taking you to the Headmaster's office, you will be sorted there."

I followed him through the gigantic double doors and up many sets of staircases. I tried to remember all the twists and turns but I couldn't, Hogwarts was huge and I hoped I would learn my way around quickly.

Eventually we came to a uninteresting looking corridor and paused in front of a stone gargoyle, "Acid drops," said Snape to the Gargoyle. Slowly, it began to slide out of place to reveal a staircase behind it.

We quickly made our way up the winding stairs until we came to a wooden door, Snape knocked once.

"Come in," came the answer from within the room.

Inside was an old man sitting at a desk, his whit hair and beard engulfing the rest of his features apart from two eyes that were looking directly at me. He smiled warmly and I felt that warmth go through me. I smiled back. He was nothing like I had expected- I had expected him to be old and evil looking which a pointy nose and beady eyes. But his face was open and welcoming.

He spread his arms to great me, "Hello, Miss Carrow. It's wonderful to meet you, and can I just say how pleased we are to have another student in our midst. I hope you will enjoy your time at Hogwarts, even if there isn't much time left for you here." I stiffened, but then realised he was referring to the lateness in the year of my arrival at the school, and sighed. This man doesn't know anything, I reminded myself, if he did he would probably have killed me the minute I walked in here.

I noticed an empty chair with my bag beside it and I sat down.

"I don't want to hold you up for too long, as I am sure you are very keen to meet your new classmates," he continued, '"But I'm afraid you still need to be sorted. You see we have three houses here at Hogwarts. Do you know about this already or do I need to explain?"

"I've heard of them before," I replied, "Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor."

"Exactly," he said, a twinkle in his eyes, "Severus, do the honours would you?"

Before I knew it I was submerged in darkness. I sniffed and smelt old fabric. This must be the sorting hat I had been warned about. Quickly I controlled my thoughts. Slytherin, Slytherin, Slytherin, Slytherin. I chanted it like a mantra in my mind.

Could you not? I'm trying to figure out where to put you. Said a voice in my head.

I jumped. Uh, sorry. I thought.

It's quite all right dear, now let me have a look, not a Hufflepuff I think. No defiantly not. You're aura is very strong and I get the feeling you would never be caught sitting on a wall in an argument. You're very bright. Ravenclaw maybe?

No, no, I'm clever but that's not all, I'm sneaky and I use my brains to get what I want.

Perhaps, you know not many people argue with me like this. It shows courage, Gryffindor perhaps?

NO! NO! You can't put me there! I don't belong there! Everything will be ruined! No, please, no!

I get the feeling if I say anything but Slytherin you will hold this hat over your head until I change my mind. That does show certain qualities you need to be in that house. Personally, I'm not sure how well you'll get on there, but on your own head be it.

"Slytherin." The hat boomed and I sighed with relief as the hat was lifted from my head.

I caught Dumbledore's expression the moment he heard the hat's ruling and for a second I thought he looked disappointed, like an old friend had let him down. Then he looked at me and smiled again. "Severus will be your head of house. He will show you to your dormitory." He waved his wand and my bag disappeared. "Your bag is there and your bed is ready. I won't hold you any longer." I got up and followed Snape out of the door. "Good luck!" I heard him call before the door closed.

I couldn't help notice the irony, him wishing me luck. If only he knew why I was really here. I don't think he'd be wishing be luck then.

Snape left me outside the entrance to the Slytherin common room.

"They'll all be waiting for you, they'll have seen the bag." He informed me. I nodded and watch as he walked away. He stopped and turned on back to face me, "Sorry, I nearly forgot. Veritaserum." He called. Then he turned and was gone.

I turned to see that some bricks on the wall where sliding apart to show the entrance to what must be the Slytherin Common Room. I braced myself and stepped inside.

I was greeted by a row of curious faces, all waiting expectantly to see the new addition to their House. I felt self conscious, stepping in front of all these enquiring faces but I knew this was not the most intimidating experience I had had so far in my life, not by a long shot.

"Hello," I said, staring back at them, careful not to give anything away.

A prim looking girl with brown hair stepped forward and smiled, although the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Hi, I'm Pansy Parkinson. Sorry about this but everyone's rather excited. We knew there was a new girl coming, see? Only we didn't know what House you'd be in our your name or anything."

"I'm Annora," I said, smiling back at her with apprehension. "I got sorted as soon as I arrived."

"Last name?" Pansy asked.

"Carrow." I told her. People were starting to relax and sit back down into their own groups but I knew they were all listening avidly.

"How old are you?"

"16," I replied, "and I was born on the 29th of November 1979 in my own home. Would you like the postcode?" I asked, feigning real interest.

A few people sniggered at that and I felt better, Pansy smiled and giggled. Her laugh was a high pitched grating sound, but maybe it wasn't as bad when it wasn't fake. "No, thanks," she said. "What school did you go to before?" Apparently my jibe hadn't been enough to put her off.

"Durmstrang," I told her, sighing. I looked around at the students gathered in the room, wondering which one was Draco Malfoy.

"Why did you leave?" asked Pansy.

"We live in England, but I went there because of the reputation it had- I think you'll understand," I glanced around, most of them were nodding. Durmstrang Institute, unlike Hogwarts, does not admit Muggle-born students. "But then we found out I had tempremental lungs or asthma or something like that and our doctor told us it would be better if I moved somewhere with a warmer climate." The last bit was untrue obviously, but I didn't falter in the fabrication and no one seemed particularly bothered with my background.

"Hmm," said Pansy, looking me up and down. She was obviously racking her brain for another question to ask.

"Stop interrogating her Pansy," drawled a voice. I looked around to see who had spoken. A tall blonde haired boy had just stood up from his chair near the fire. He was sitting with a group of around 7 others.

Pansy looked stumped for a minute and then regained her flow, "Of course Draco! So sorry Annora, you must think me awfully rude."

I shook my head and smiled at her, I couldn't stare at him, it would be too obvious. But I couldn't help my eyes from straying up and down his thin frame and then resting on his face. I drank in his features; I'd imagined this face a thousand times before. He was handsome, his white blonde hair was slicked back but strands were falling out here and there. His eyes were grey, like his fathers. However they had a depth that I hadn't seen in Lucius, but there was wariness in them and he was careful not to meet my eyes and he ushered for Pansy and me to sit down.

I walked over to the group, slightly behind Pansy. She sat down on the large armchair Draco had been sat in before he stood. I stood awkwardly looking at them all as Draco recited their names to me.

"That's Crabbe and Goyle," he pointed to a pair of large boys who were sat on a sofa together looking menacing but dumb, like a pair of Rottweilers who knew they were mean but not quite clever enough to work out what to do about it.

"Millicent Bullstrode," a girl, much like Crabbe and Goyle in her build. She didn't look particularly bright either.

"Theo Nott," A small, weedy boy sat on the outskirts of the group holding a book nodded to me before looking back down at his page.

"Tracey Davis," She was short, had wispy dirty-blonde hair that reached only to her shoulders and smiled welcoming to me when Draco pointed her out.

"Daphne Greengrass," Daphne sat next to Tracey and had sleek, long blonde hair and cold blue eyes.

"Blaise Zabini," An olive skinned handsome boy smiled at me from a couch and lightly touched the space beside him.

"and I'm Draco Malfoy," he said, turning to look me fully in the eyes, "Welcome to Slytherin." He looked down at me, his features giving nothing away, then he put his hand on the palm of my back and pushed me towards the sofa where Blaise was seated. I felt his fingers through the material of my shirt and squeeked slightly at the unexpected contact. He removed his hand sharply and chuckled at me.

"Sorry," I muttered as I inched towards the sofa and slide myself in, hugging the armrest for support.

Draco went to his original seat and Pansy stood up allowing him to be seated, she then attempted to slide onto his lap but he crossed his legs and pushed her away.

"Will you sit next to me please Pans?" asked Daphne, smiling sweetly, "I've got something to tell you."

"Yeah ok," Pansy walked over and slumped down next to Daphne looking slightly confused and disconcerted. Tracey was now pushed to end of the sofa.

Daphne started whispering in her ear and Pansy leaned in to hear what she was saying before whispering back conspiratorially. Theo was buried in his book and Crabbe, Goyle and Millicent were now leant over a game of exploding snap.

Draco and Blaise were the only ones left unoccupied- so they turned their attention to me.

"Carrow, did you say?" Draco asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"As in Amycus?" He asked, his eyes boring into me.

I nodded, finding myself my blushing as a smile grew on his face.

He nodded, a sly smile growing on his face, as he looked me up and down, scrutinising me. He leaned forward, and beckoned for me to do the same. "What do you think of the famous Harry Potter? Were you thrilled to be coming to the same school as him?"

I paused a minute before I answered, I knew he was trying to find out whether I was on his side or not. "Hardly, he's a fake and a blood-traitor. Isn't one of his best friends a mud-blood?"

Draco nodded, "a mud-blood and a Weasley."

I sniggered, "I've never met any but my father tells me they're all blood-traitors and have more children then they can afford."

Draco grinned, "What about Albus Dumbledore?"

As I leaned forward I could see a slight desperation in his eyes. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to get into his good books after all; he looked very much like he needed someone to be on his side. "He's a crazy, trusting, old fool."

"Some people say he's the greatest wizard that ever lived," muttered Draco.

I sniggered and looked him straight in the eye, "That's not true."

Draco's eyes narrowed as he looked at me, trying to detect my meaning.

"What are you two talking about so cosily?" A shrill voice cut through the air between us and we jumped apart.

Pansy was glaring at me from across the room.

"Nothing Pans," Draco drawled, "I was just asking her a few questions."

"Nothing as bad as your 20 questions from earlier," I snapped at Pansy, annoyed that she had broken off our conversation just as it was getting interesting. Blaise and Draco chuckled from either side of me.

Pansy flicked her hair and said, "There's no need to be rude, I only asked because I felt sorry for Blaise. He looked really left out." The she turned back to Daphne and started gossiping ferociously.

I glanced at Blaise, "Er, I'm sorry."

He nodded but didn't deny what Pansy had pointed out.

"So, what are the teachers like here?" I asked the two boys. It was a boring thing to ask, I know, but I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to say- to Blaise anyway.

"They're good mostly," said Blaise quickly. I turned to look at him unwillingly. "It depends whether they take a liking to you though. Professor Slughorn teaches potions and if he chooses you to be in his group-"

"The Slug Club," Draco spat.

I laughed and Blaise looked a bit annoyed but carried on.

"If you're chosen to be in it," he seemed to aim this at Draco, "then you get to meet all sorts of famous witches and wizards. We have meetings every month."

"Sounds a bit dull to me. Why would you want to spend extra time with a teacher?" I asked and Blaise looked taken a back but quickly gathered himself.

"What else would you rather be doing in your spare time, Annora?" he asked me, a suggestive twinkle in his eye as he scanned my body.

"I don't know," I blushed, "nothing in particular."

Blaise didn't stop looking at me like the cat that got the cream and was just wondering how he should open the bottle.

"I'm going up to our dorm," Pansy stood up and looked around at the rest of the girls. She turned and stalked away. I didn't really want to follow her, I wanted to stay down here and talk to Draco, but Blaise had caught me off guard and I felt uncomfortable sat on the sofa beside him.

"Did you have a boyfriend at Durmstrang?" Pansy asked me as she changed into her bright pink vest and shorts with the quote 'Let me stir your Cauldron.'

"No," I said as I waved my wand. I was instantly changed into my pyjamas- a plain t-shirt with long sleeves and trousers. They were baggy and covered me completely.

Pansy looked me up and down, "I can see why."

Merlin, she's annoying. I rolled my eyes and got into my bed. "Do you have a boyfriend Pansy?"

"Yeah, Draco." She said.

"Really?" I asked. I didn't believe her.

"Well," she paused looking embarrassed, "he's a bit on and off at the moment. He has important things to do."

I tensed, surely he hadn't told this girl his task, "like what?"

"He hasn't told me exactly," he said, also getting into bed after waving her wand to turn out the dormitory lights.

"I thought you said you were his girlfriend, surely he'd tell you if he really likes you" I said, out of sheer spite.

"He will tell me, he really really likes me. He goes off now and then and does it with other girls and stuff but he always comes back to me in the end." She told me, pointedly.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Because he's in love with me," she said pompously.

Merlin, this girl's deluded. "Has he ever told you that?"

After a while of listening for an answer I became bored. I listened to her unsteady breathing as she tried to cover up her sobs.

Author's Note:

Hi!

So quickly to introduce myself, I'm Lily and I tend to write quite long author's notes on most chapters. They're not vital to the story so feel free to skip them if you get bored. But I do sometimes ask specific questions that I would like to be answered and do appreciate it when you read what I write.

For example, I am at a dilemma as to what to call this story, It was a toss-up between Annora (which it is atm) and Anything and Everything (the title of the first chapter). Which do you think sounds more interesting/catchy? Or have you got any other ideas?

Also, this is the second chapter of this story so please please please please review to tell me what you think because I really really really really want to know. What are your first impressions of Annora? Do you like the idea behind the story? I normally like to write about the Marauders (mainly because I luurrvvvv Sirius) but I had this idea and really liked it so thought I would try it out.

One more thing- for those of you who are avid followers of the books and know that Amycus and Alecto Carrow are brother and sister- I am not writing about incest for the purposes of my story they are not blood related and are husband/wife.

Thanks so so so so so much for reading! (especially if you read my silly author's note)

Please please please please review!

Lily ^_^ xx