Olivia stepped off of the train with Luna, moving with the crowd of people as they made their way towards the school. She got many glares from people she passed; she felt out of place.
"Who is that?" One boy asked.
"Oh, probably another one of those filthy mud-bloods," A blonde boy answered.
She stifled an arrogant laugh, and made her way past them. They were led into the school, down a corridor or two, and into the great hall. It was one of the most gorgeous things she'd ever seen. If it were not for her mother, she would say it was the most gorgeous thing she'd ever seen. But then again, she had only seen pictures of her mother. All of the students sat at one of the four long tables except for her. All of them were laughing with her friends, except for her, whose only friend were Luna Lovegood, and her cat Jeff.
She sighed, she felt very out of place. Her grip on her kitten tightened as an old man came up; she guessed he was head of the faculty, like a principal in a public school.
"Hello Miss Androvera," he greeted. "I am Albus Dumbledoor." There was now a tall, pale, black haired man at his side. "And this is Severus Snape."
The man flashed a brief smile and nodded.
"I'm Olivia Androvera, sir."
"So you are," he said, the coldness in his voice making her tense, but even if this man appeared frightening, she was already keen on respecting him.
"I was just going to call on Professor McGonagall to get the Sorting Hat and get her settled in, but if you'd be so kind as to do so, Severus, then we'd appreciate that.
"Yes," Severus mumbled. Putting a firm hand on her shoulder, he led Olivia to a chair.
"Severus . . ."
"You will call me professor Snape," he retorted. "Are we okay with that?"
"Yes sir," she spoke, her voice strong and respectful.
"Good, then we can get started," he said, disappearing. He returned a moment later with a wizard hat. Olivia remembered seeing a hat like that once before in a school play. The professor patted the hat down, sending dust flying.
"Be careful Severus," the hat said.
"The hat . . . it can talk?"
"Is that such a surprise to you? I guess you're mother never told you about witchcraft did she? Quite the wizard she was, wasn't her name Guinevere?" The hat rambled.
"Guinevere Black," Olivia said firmly. "How did you know?"
"She wasn't related to Sirius Black was she?" The hat asked, ignoring her last question.
"I don't know," she answered, wincing as Snape placed it atop her head. "My mom died when I was really young, Father never told me what happened to her."
There was a pause then the hat spoke, "You are very cunning aren't you?"
"Well, yea maybe just a little bit." Olivia blushed.
"A bit arrogant."
"Hey! You dumb hat."
"Very easy going, you're here to have fun I suppose."
Olivia grunted. "As if. I'm here to learn how to be a great witch like my mother, not to have fun and waist my time."
"Power hungry," the hat taunted.
"Am not!"
"Slytherin," the hat proclaimed, his loud voice making Olivia jump.
Olivia tore the hat off and handed it to Severus. "I wish to never speak to that again."
Severus showed a slight smile. "Very well."
"What is a Slytherin anyways?" Olivia asked, the seriousness of her question made Severus Snape sigh. "You have a lot to learn child."
"I'm not a child," Olivia grumbled. "I'm fourteen."