This is an extension of the previous chapter; Astoria's sorting. Please note that if any characters seem a tad OOC, that is because this isn't from Harry's point of view. For example, Pansy is plain awful in the books and she is a mean girl in general, especially towards people that are not in her house. But to someone like Astoria, the little sister of one of her close friends, she would probably not direct that meanness towards her.
As always, I do not own.
Two weeks later, Astoria found herself on the Hogwarts Express. She anxiously searched for an empty compartment to settle in, though she was careful to mask her true feelings. If anyone were to glance at her, they would see a haughty, confident eleven year old girl. Her mother would be proud. Carefully, slowly, Astoria walked down the corridor, looking nonchalantly into each compartment.
"Astoria!" A high pitched voice called out; Astoria inwardly flinched before turning around. She knew that voice all too well. Pansy Parkinson stood in the doorway of a compartment she had just passed. "Come sit with us, we have room for one more."
Not having a better option, and seeing it as an opportunity to get better acquainted with her sister's group of friends, Astoria followed the dark haired Parkinson.
"Move Goyle, let Astoria sit next to Daphne," Pansy barked, taking her place next to Draco Malfoy. The blonde boy barely looked over at the new arrival. Pansy snuggled close to his side, and though he hardly paid her any attention, he let her loop their arms together. Astoria glanced around the compartment and mentally made a note that if she were sorted into Slytherin house, the older third years sitting here would be important to her social status. As a first year, that definitely had an appeal.
Daphne grinned happily at her sister. "I was just saying that if you didn't pass us I would go find you." Astoria let her smooth down her dark locks affectionately. "Everyone, this is my little sister, Astoria."
She didn't let Daphne see her eye roll, though for a split second she caught Draco's eye looking away from her sister. He might have smirked, though she didn't know for sure.
"Daphne, I know everyone here."
"Occasionally being at the same dinner party or social event a few times a year does not count as knowing someone." Daphne said, continuing on with her introduction. Astoria nodded graciously after each introduction, and politely took part in small talk.
The train ride seemed to go on forever. The arrival of the Dementors caused quite the stir, and did nothing to help Astoria's anxiousness. Having lived a mostly sheltered and privileged life, the hooded figures did not affect anyone in the compartment badly, though Pansy did whimper and clutch on to Draco's arm. Alas, they arrived at Hogsmeade Station, and Astoria said goodbye to the older Slytherins as she went to join the rest of the first years. Whether she would be sitting with her sister at dinner was not yet determined.
The boat ride across the Black Lake was peaceful, and Hogwarts looked gorgeous in the moonlight. When finally, at last, Astoria stood with the rest of the first years inside the Great Hall, she allowed herself for a moment to excitedly look around; the enchanted ceiling in particular held her attention the most. The sorting began after the Sorting Hat's song, and because of her last name she didn't find herself waiting too long to be called up.
"Greengrass, Astoria." Professor McGonagall announced after a boy whose name Astoria didn't pay attention to had been sorted into Gryffindor. Taking a deep breath and hoping no one noticed her legs shaking beneath her robe, Astoria walked up to the stool and took a seat. The Sorting Hat softly fell atop her head.
"Greengrass… Intelligent, more so than usual for a Greengrass. Loves knowledge, you would do well in Ravenclaw, yes, but there's an adventurous side, ambitious too.. A tough choice, but I think I know where to place you.. SLYTHERIN!"
The Sorting Hat was lifted from her head and Astoria walked towards her fate, at that moment in the form of her sister clapping loudly alongside the rest of her new house. She took a seat between Pansy and Daphne, across from Draco and Blaise.
"Welcome little Greengrass," Blaise greeted, and Draco nodded in her direction before paying attention to the sorting. She hadn't realized until the feast started how hungry she was, and as result her manners were not as elegant and proper as they ought to be. Oh well though, Astoria thought as she sipped her pumpkin juice, Father would be thrilled to hear she had been sorted into the family's main house. Maybe he would buy that broom she wanted after all…