Once again, I only own a laptop and a set of Harry Potter books. Enjoy! :)
Pressing her forehead against the cool glass, Astrid Black watched the world pass by in a blur, every image blending seamlessly into the next, the scene mesmerising her. The azure sky was streaked with beams of gold, blotted with an array of blue and dusted with swirls of white; the faint remains of clouds littering the vibrant sky. The sun beat down on the train fiercely, its light blinding as golden rays filtered through the narrows gaps in the towering trees, which stood gallantly, lining the open space. The rolling hills, painted vibrant emerald, stretched on for miles, reaching into the horizon where fields of jade touched blue. Shimmering streams, glistening as the light met the water, cut through the overgrown grass, twisting and twirling through the mud as the water steadily flowed, lapping against sandy pebbles.
Having lived a sheltered life, scenes of this calibre were like nothing Astrid had ever seen before, and they completely captivated her as she looked at them in wonder. Everything felt so new and fresh to her and for the first time in her life, she felt free. But still, beneath all the excitement, she couldn't shake the feeling that coming to Hogwarts was a mistake. She was going to stick out like a sore thumb being the only new kid getting sorted that wasn't a bloody first year. Oh Merlin, the sorting. She wholeheartedly dreaded the sorting. As far as she was concerned, it was embarrassing enough to be sorted into a house in front of the whole school when you've been there all of five minutes, but to add in the fact that she would be stood amongst people six years younger than her, towering over them as she waited her turn, well that was horrific. She didn't even know why she had to be sorted – she came from a family of Slytherin's, she would be no exception. Sighing, Astrid pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind to be revisited on a rainy day – now was not the time for doubt. She looked around the empty compartment and sighed once more. When she'd first boarded the train, she had considered herself lucky to have found an empty compartment to set up camp in, but now as they drew near to Hogwarts and a steady stream of people continued to peer into the compartment, see her, hesitate and then walk away in search of a different seat, she couldn't help but feel disheartened. She'd hoped to at least talk to someone before arriving at Hogwarts, she'd even naively believed she might make a friend on the journey. Stupid girl, she scolded herself.
Her mother had tried to encourage her, reeling off a list of respectable pureblood families that had children she could befriend within the school, but somehow Astrid didn't feel like approaching every student and asking for their surname to see if they were Alianora approved. Her father had even mentioned the night before that she could search for her somewhat distant relative Draco Malfoy, but Astrid viewed him as an insufferable, arrogant git and would rather have gouged her eyes out with a spoon than been caught up in conversation with him. Drawing back from the window, Astrid tilted her head back, staring up at the ceiling of the compartment, counting the scuffs and marks to pass the time until her adventure could truly begin.
~MischiefMismanagedMischiefMismanagedMischiefMismanaged~
As darkness descended on Hogwarts Castle, stars dotting the navy streaked sky, Astrid couldn't help but feel the nerves bubbling within her grow harder and harder to control. When she had stumbled off of the train onto the Hogsmeade platform, teetering on the edge of the herd of students as everyone ambled forward, it hadn't been long before a hand had suddenly gripped hold of her arm, plucking her from the crowd. The hand, it turned out, had belonged to Professor Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, who Astrid had met once before, at a meeting over the summer to discuss her transfer arrangements. McGonagall explained that Dumbledore had arranged for the professor to escort Astrid to the castle herself, and with that, they swiftly set off. As they climbed the steps to the towering entrance, McGonagall spoke up for the first time since they'd left the station.
"Are you nervous?"
"Honestly?" Astrid answered without missing a beat, glancing over at the professor.
"Yes, dear." McGonagall replied, looking over at the young girl in surprise.
Astrid hesitated, before answering quietly, "I'm terrified."
McGonagall nodded in understanding, having expected this answer from the girl, "Don't be."
Astrid opened her mouth to respond, but before her lips could form any words, she was being ushered through the door and sent stumbling into a crowd of first years. McGonagall quickly reached out, steadying the girl, and cleared her throat, turning all attention to her.
"Welcome first years," She spoke clearly, her eyes scanning the crowd, "Now in a minute, I'll be taking you through to the Great Hall where you'll all be sorted, but first..."
Astrid shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably as she tuned out the teacher's long-winded speech, absently tugging at her robes as she felt herself start to blush profusely, heat rushing to her cheeks, at the feel of curious eyes boring into her.
"Any questions?" McGonagall asked, her speech drawing to a close. Several blank faces stared back at her, nobody making a sound. Sighing, she averted her attention to the oldest student, giving her a gentle nudge, "You'll be sorted first, dear."
"Oh goody." Astrid muttered under her breath, wringing her hands as the knots grew tight in her stomach, her organs tangled together.
Taking a deep breath, Astrid sucked in all the air she could muster as the towering, heavy doors opened to reveal the packed Great Hall. As Professor McGonagall began to lead the throng of students inside, Astrid remained rooted to the spot. Her feet were stuck planted firmly to the ground as she willed herself to move, her shoes plastered to the floor. Suddenly, an impatient first year stuck behind her nudged her forward with a rough shove. Muttering to herself about rudeness as she rubbed her rather sore back, Astrid stumbled through the wave of people, trying to lie low and blend in with the crowd. She stuck to the middle of the herd, crouching low as they ground to a halt in front of Dumbledore, the hall rife with nervous chatter and excitement. Astrid once again found herself tuning out as Dumbledore said a few introductory words before some tatty old hat began to sing. Astrid felt too sick with nerves to marvel in sheer amazement at the worn and frayed hat, paying it little attention. Eventually it cawed its last note and the hall erupted in applause, students rising to their feet and howling excitedly. Dumbledore raised his hand, signalling for quiet and the hall piped down immediately, settling into silence, before he spoke again.
"Now before we begin the sorting of the first years," He started, peering at the waiting crowd over the top of his spectacles, "We must first sort the brand new seventh year student we have joining us for her final year of school,"
Hushed whispers darted from person to person seated at the tables as the first years parted like the red sea, exposing Astrid. Dumbledore looked over to McGonagall who was staring intently at a crumpled piece of parchment, her gaze roaming the page. Without raising her head, she suddenly bellowed, "Black, Astrid,"
All eyes were on Astrid as she felt her knees turn to jelly, buckling beneath her as she staggered forward, almost tripping over her own feet as she felt hundreds of gazes boring into the back of her. Her stomach was shredded to pieces, tearing itself apart from the inside as her heart thumped against her chest, threatening to burst through her ribcage. Swallowing the lump rising in her throat, she felt the colour rise in her flushed cheeks, heat flaming across her face. She kept her gaze down, avoiding eye contact as embarrassment flickered through her eyes. Stumbling forward, she felt her heart beating in her throat, rising higher and higher, and the blood began to swell in her ears, rushing around her head in a dizzying wave. Her stomach knotted itself over and over, tangling itself into a ball as she wiped her sweaty palms on her robes, her hands clammy. Shakily, she lowered herself onto the wooden stool and reluctantly looked up, staring out into the sea of faces staring back at her. Her vision blurred, a sickness rising within her as all eyes remained on her, their gazes unwavering. The pressure of getting into Slytherin was suffocating.
You're being stupid, her inner voice taunted, be confident, smile and act like you run the place, use this to your advantage, the voice advised as Astrid gave a slight nod in agreement with herself, plastering a confident smile on her face as she steadied her gaze. After an excruciating pause, one that had Astrid's innards writhing, struggling to get out, McGonagall placed the dusty hat on her head.
"Ah, a Black I see," a voice murmured in her ear, making her jump out of her skin, "Slytherin is the obvious choice, you show all the obvious traits that your family did before you...determination, cunning, ambition, resourcefulness..." The voice paused, before continuing in a purr, "But buried within you I see something else...bravery, the desire to rebel, courage...Yes, I know exactly where to put you." The voice paused once more, and Astrid closed her eyes, impatiently awaiting an answer when the hat suddenly bellowed, "Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table, adorned with banners and streamers of scarlet and gold, erupted in cheers, students rising to their feet as they clapped, whistling enthusiastically. A smile danced across Astrid's lips as she rose to her feet, her nerves having melted away.
See, that wasn't so scary, now was it? A voice in her mind chirped, except this time it was not her own voice, but the familiar voice that had haunted her mind for years. These words sparked something within the girl, and it occurred to her that she was finally free, finally in a place where nobody knew her. She didn't have to be the shy and polite girl she had been raised to be, only speaking when spoken to, nor did she have to be the daughter of death eaters. No, here, she was the intriguing and confident mysterious stranger. Astrid smirked, confidence building within her as she realised she was going to do just fine at Hogwarts. After all, she was a Black.
