In the darkness, Bastila awoke. Her eyes were shut, though she could tell it was night. She became gradually more aware of herself. She was laying in a bed, her head on a soft pillow, and she was covered in a blanket.
Bastila's eyes snapped open. When she tried to sit up, she let out a moan of pain and immediately fell back onto the bed. Her body felt very strange to her, as if it were stretched and thin. She felt uncomfortable with her body as she lay there in the darkness. Taking in her surroundings it was very easy to tell that she was in a hospital. She was in a pure white single hospital room, complete with Muggle TV hanging from the ceiling, a nightstand beside her and a host of letters and cards. She sighed at the thought. Had she been taken off the train? Then she remembered Harry Potter. Was he alright? What had happened to him?
Bastila closed her eyes again, listening to the night silence. But she'd apparently attracted the attention of the staff, as the door to her hospital room opened to reveal three nurses. Two female and one male. "You're awake!" One of the women exclaimed. They were all staring at Bastila with shock and awe, and Bastila thought she saw the glistening of tears as the light was switched on.
"What..Happened? Who are you? Where am I?" Bastila croaked out, appalled at how much energy that took, and how dry her mouth was. She clamped her jaw shut when she realized a half second later that something was wrong with the way her voice sounded. She had the feeling that there was something very wrong with her in general.
"Please try to relax dear. I'm Nurse Sarah and you're in the Wizarding Hospital called St. Mungos." The Nurse said gently. "No one knows what happened to you I'm afraid. Your fellow students in the compartment said that you collapsed and lost consciousness. I'm sorry to tell you that no one has been able to discover the cause of it."
"Did I miss the Sorting?" Bastila asked, calling on her feeble vestiges of strength again. "Can I still be sorted?" The girl again balked at how strange her voice sounded, as if it belonged to someone else.
Bastila gratefully accepted a straw and sipped from a cup of water that was held out to her by the male nurse, which gave Nurse Sarah time to gather herself. She looked extremely troubled and upset as she stared at Bastila, unnerving the girl all the more at this whole predicament.
"Bastila sweetie. We hadn't really expected this to happen...I'm not sure how to explain things to you." Nurse Sarah whispered apologetically, tears running down her face as she sat in a chair on Bastila's bedside.
"Just...Tell me." Bastila choked out, now feeling fearful and upset herself at whatever the horrible news was.
Sarah reached out and took Bastila's hand in her own, squeezing it gently. "This will be extremely difficult to hear Bastila."
"Tell me please! What happened to me?" Bastila pleaded, now feeling the tears running freely down her face.
Sarah hesitated, then nodded. "When you fell unconscious you went into a coma. It means that you were asleep, but you couldn't wake up. It's a medical condition." She started softly.
Bastila squeezed Sarah's hand now, thankful that it was there. "That doesn't sound so bad." Bastila said blankly. She'd been expecting something far worse. Considering what little she'd seen about coma's on TV, it really didn't seem so bad.
"Bastila, when people go into a coma they...Sometimes people don't wake up for years." Sarah explained, her voice wavering.
That's when it all fell into place for Bastila. As the realization dawned on her, her brain started working at a frantic pace. The tears, the expressions of amazement on the Hospital staff's faces, the feeling of discomfort in her body and the change of her voice."How long was I in a coma?" She whispered, dreading the answer but at the same time knowing she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't know.
"Tomorrow is September 1st. It'll be three years." Sarah answered.
Bastila's entire world froze as she tried to comprehend that information. She squeezed Sarah's hand so tight that she was afraid she'd hurt the woman, but she couldn't stop herself. She began to shake and shiver, and the tears flowed with renewed intensity. Bastila felt the room spin despite the fact that she was laying down and she dimly heard someone say something about "Going into shock" before the darkness once again claimed her.
When Bastila woke up again, she found herself in the hospital bed. Still in St. Mungos Magical hospital. She was bathed in the morning sunlight pouring in from the window in her room.
"Impossible." Bastila muttered as memories of last night flooded back to her. Still, looking down at herself in the daylight, at her now obviously changed body, there was no way to deny the truth of her situation. Just then the door opened and the Nurse from last night, Sarah, entered the room.
"How are you feeling Miss Phoenix?" The Nurse asked as she approached Bastila and waved her wand over the girl.
Bastila almost didn't give an answer. "I still can't move very much." She said said, sighing as she demonstrated by trying to sit up again and move her arms. Her movements were sluggish and uncoordinated.
"That's to be expected with your condition." Nurse Sarah told the girl gently. "You'll be up and about again soon. We've been giving you potions over the years to counteract your muscle and bone degeneration, so you won't have to undergo any heavy physical therapy, but you've still been asleep for a very long time and so you won't be used to movement."
Or my new body. Bastila thought to herself, staring at her long mature figure. "Okay." Was all she said aloud. She was lost in her swirl of thoughts, musing over all the things she wanted to ask the Nurse. As Bastila looked around the room, it came to her. "Where's my mom? She should be here. Did you tell her I woke up?"
Nurse Sarah froze in the middle of casting a diagnostics spell. Bastila felt a sinking feeling inside as Sarah again took her place at her side and looked her in the face. "Your mother...Passed away."
"When?" Bastila found herself asking.
"It would have been your near the start of your second year at Hogwarts. Almost two years ago. I'm so sorry..."
"Can you go...Get those potions for me to take?" Bastila asked the Nurse, closing her eyes tight.
Sarah nodded, rising from the bedside and leaving the room without a word, leaving Bastla in silence. Or so she thought.
*Bastila?* Came a familiar, whispery female voice.
"Nyssa?!" Bastila bolted upright in bed, her eyes searching the room for the familiar feathered wings and scales. The room however was still empty. She was about to lay down again and pass it off as her imagination when suddenly the pink snake appeared out of thin air on the window sill outside. Nyssa was perched there, her wings folded, looking in on Bastila's room.
*Bastila.* Nyssa stated warmly. *Please let me in. I've missed you more than I can say. For so long I've had no hope of you waking.*
Bastila sighed as she looked down at her Hospital blanket. She threw it off, revealing her nightgown covered form and her long, slender legs. *I'll try. I don't know if I can walk...* Bastila told Nyssa, biting her lip.
*I'm sorry Bastila. You don't have to do this.*
*Yes, I do.* And that was the truth. If she was ever going back to Hogwarts, if she was ever going to...To visit her mothers grave, she'd need to get used to herself and get her independance and confident streak back. Bastila swung her legs off the bed slowly, holding herself up by her arms. She sat there on the edge of the bed for a moment, feeling her feet on the floor. Then she carefully stood, using the nightstand for support. Slowly but surely, using the walls for support, she made her way to the window and let Nyssa in.
The winged snaked immediately draped herself across Bastila's shoulders, holding her head close to Bastila's ear. Nyssa suggested the girl walk around the room once, and Bastila did just that. She did it until she could confidently walk without falling or holding onto anything.
Nurse Sarah returned to the sight of Bastila (With Nyssa on her shoulder) standing by the window, staring out at London. Instead of screaming and acting fearful at the sight of a winged serpent draped around her patient, Sarah smiled knowingly. "Hello Nyssa. I was wondering when you would be here."
"How do you know her? Are you a Parseltongue too?" Bastila asked in surprise.
Sarah shook her head as she approached the two. "No. Your case has been followed by thousands of Wizards and Witches for years. After you fell into your coma, Professor Dumbledore took Nyssa into his care and had another Parseltongue as a translator. Bastila and Nyssa, the comatose Parseltongue and her companion. It's common knowledge I'm afraid."
*Is this true? I'm famous? How's Professor Dumbledore?* Bastila asked Nyssa curiously.
*Yes, it's all true.* Nyssa hissed, nuzzling her head against Bastila's cheek briefly. *Albus Dumbledore is as annoyingly serene as ever.*
*Alright.* Bastila giggled, then she said to Nurse Sarah. "I've been walking around the room. I can do it without falling over or anything."
"That's very good!" The Nurse said. "I'm glad we've had you on those potions then. Speaking of which..." Sarah drew out a little potions bottle from her pocket and handed it to Bastila.
The girl unscrewed the lid and tentatively tasted it with her tongue. She immediately recoiled. "Yuck! Can't anyone make medicine that tastes good?"
Sarah laughed at Bastila, earning her a glare. "I'm afraid not."
Bastila sighed. She pinched her nose and closed her eyes as she poured it down her throat in an effort to avoid having it land on her taste-buds. Still, she shuddered as it went down. "Where am I going to live now?" She asked Sarah.
Sarah gave her an apologetic look. "There was a Ministry court battle over that after your mother-...Almost two years ago. It seems that your mother didn't have any living relatives, so it was decided that prominent Wizarding families would present their cases as to who would best be served as your Guardians."
"Oh. Well...I don't care who won as long as they're nice and everything. I bet I'll get used to it."
"That's a very wise outlook." Sarah said with a smile. "Albus Dumbledore won your case with hardly any opposition, besides the Malfoy family."
"I get to live with Dumbledore?" Bastila asked incredulously.
"No." Sarah said, confusing Bastila. "He won the case, but he wasn't fighting it on behalf of himself. It was for another person. Severus Snape."
Bastila's mood improved dramatically. "The Hogwarts potions teacher?!"
"That's right." Sarah nodded.
"Goody! Before I went into the coma I liked the thought of potions. I still do." Bastila exclaimed.
*Potions DID save your life.* Nyssa hissed out in amusement.
*True.* Bastila replied.
"What did she say?" Sarah asked curiously.
"She said potions saved my life. It's irony or something." Bastila told the Nurse.
"Hmm." Sarah said thoughtfully.
"I want to go to Hogwarts. I have to catch up on school. I want to...See the magical world more and learn about it. I'm muggle-born and I only got to see Diagon Alley." Bastila could hear the pleading tone in her own voice, but she didn't care. She'd lost three years of her Magical life!
Sarah gave a sigh. "That would be up to your Guardian."
"I need to meet him anyway, can you ask him to come here?" Bastila said quickly.
"You're a stubborn child." Sarah teased.
"No, I'm just determined." Bastila shot back. "Can you PLEASE get Professor Snape?"
"I'll contact Dumbledore's office and ask him if Mr. Snape is available." Sarah answered, giving in finally. "But I want you on that bed and resting by the time I get back. No matter how well you can walk, I'd imagine you'll get exhausted quickly."
Now that she mentioned it, Bastila did feel very fatigued. "Okay fine. I do feel really tired."
Bastila lay in bed talking with Nyssa, who was curled up beside her, about Dumbledore and what it was like being inside Hogwarts. They were in a detailed and animated discussion about the last three years of events at the school (Bastila was shocked to hear about a possessed teacher, a secret chamber that held a Basilisk snake, and an escaped convict) when Nurse Sarah returned once again, this time accompanied by a tall thin man in a black cloak with greasy long hair and dark eyes.
"Bastila, this is Professor Severus Snape, the man who won the case for your Guardianship." Sarah introduced. To Bastila's sharp mind, she seemed almost afraid of Snape for some reason. Bastila had to admit that he looked a little intimidating with his outfit. He looked like an evil movie villain.
"You may leave us, Nurse." Snape told the Nurse. His voice was silky and low, but expressionless. Sarah left the room almost eagerly and shut the door, leaving Bastila to wonder if she DID have some reason to fear her Guardian.
There was silence as they stared at one another, then Bastila smiled. "You can sit down if you want." She said, indicating the chair at her bedside.
"Thank you, Miss Phoenix." Snape replied, seating himself after another long silence.
"I'm Bastila Phoenix, but since you're my Guardian I guess that makes me Bastila Snape." Said Bastila. Snape didn't react, so she hurried on with "And this is Nyssa. She's a magical coutal snake."
*He's a very introverted man who has been hurt and suffered loss before, but you don't have to fear him Bastila.* Nyssa sissed out quietly. *I've heard him speak to Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office more then once. He truly cares about you and wants to raise you as his own. He just doesn't know a way to express that. I wouldn't dare tell him this, but he knows what it is like to lose a mother, Bastila."
Snape turned his gaze on Nyssa, patiently waiting for her to stop before speaking to Bastila himself. He took a breath and gathered his courage, forcing his voice to be soft in a way it had only been when speaking to Lily. "Indeed it does. If you want to keep your original name I will not challenge your decision. I-" Snape paused when he saw the girl flinch. What had he done wrong already? He could not afford to frighten or push away his adopted daughter as he had done to Lily on several occassions! To do so with this girl would be even more disasterous! Deciding to be tactful for once in his life he asked, "Are you alright Bastila?"
Bastila looked deep into Snape's eyes and then smiled. "I'm alright, thank you for asking me." Then her smile faded. "I...I just...I've only cried once about my..My mom...And I feel like I should be more sad than I am. I shouldn't be smiling or joking with people."
Snape's breathe caught in his throat as he listened to the girl's words. They were almost exactly the same as his own thoughts when he had lost his mother as a teenager. He too often had berated himself, thinking he hadn't done enough grieving, and that he didn't deserve to feel good. Damned Dumbledore was right. This girl needed his care and guidance. And, Snape had to admit to himself that he didn't want the girl to turn out as bitter as him. He pondered about what to say to the girl to ease her pain, then he remembered Dumbledore's words to him.
"I am sorry you've had to suffer such terrible pain. But it will heal in time, I promise you." He told the girl.
Bastila sat up in bed, but she didn't speak. She lowered her teary eyes for a second, then tentatively reached out her hand toward Severus. She expected him to grab it or slap it away at any moment, but he didn't and soon Bastila was touching her Guardian's face, her hand on his cheek.
Snape sat stock still as the girl, his adopted daughter, held her hand to his face. He felt shocked at her touch, and conflicted at the expression of...Was it love? Gratitude? No one since Lily had done anything like this to him. He was shocked even more when the girl suddenly leaned forward and hugged him, whispering in his ear, "Thanks daddy." Severus hesitantly wrapped his arms around the girl and returned the hug. They stayed like that for a while longer before pulling apart.
Bastila looked at her new father for a moment before remembering the Hogwarts situation. "Can I go to Hogwarts?" She asked quietly. "I'm well enough really. I can take the daily potions they have me on at Hogwarts the same as I can here, and I need to get into the Magical world. I've missed my first three years of it! Mostly school though. I was looking forward to potions the most. It sounds so lovely and..And...Complex and artistic."
Severus considered Bastila's words and came to a quick decision. "I do not see why there would be any issues with your attending school, if you truly feel you are able. I will arrange for the medical potions to be delivered to you by owl every morning at breakfast."
"I still have to be sorted, too." Bastila said determinedly.
"Yes, you do."
"I hope I'm in Slytherin."
Snape's lips quirked into a smile. "That would be my hope as well." A pause. "Are you truly interested in potion brewing? You see the complexity and the artistic nature of it?"
"Of course it's true. I'm not going to suck up to you just because you're a potions master." Bastila answered without hesitation. "And I don't want you to play favorite with me either. I've ALWAYS earned my grades. In the non-magic world, other kids used to tell me I was cheating or that the teachers were giving me special treatment because I was getting straight A grades and was doing High school level work, but it wasn't any of those things. It was my own mind and ability."
Snape was very pleased with this. His own daughter was fascinated by potions, and saw it as an art, as he did. She was also incredibly smart, straight-forward, cool and collected (At least as much as a child could be) and she understood the value of effort and hard work. Snape was glad to have confirmation that he had made the right choice when he had gone to Dumbledore about the adoption case. Maybe this girl could finally be the one to mend his broken soul.
"I see." Snape replied, shaking himself out of his thoughts. He gave the girl another smile, something his face wasn't used to doing. "I am...Glad to have such a talented and studious girl as my...Daughter." There. Severus had finally admitted it aloud, and to the girl no less. She was his DAUGHTER now. His CHILD. And to Severus, saying it outloud, it felt GOOD.
The newly paired father and daughter sat together for a while longer before Nurse Sarah poked her head in the door. "How are things in here?"
"I'm proud to have Bastila Phoenix as my daughter." Severus replied softly, making Sarah's eyebrows go up in surprise.
"I-I'm..Happy to hear that."
Snape's lips tugged into a smirk. "Indeed. If you would not mind, I would like for the medicine you have my daughter taking to be received every morning at breakfast by owl."
"I'll get that arranged right away." Sarah assured him, staying true to her word and going to leave. However, Severus called her back before she could do so.
"I shall also inform you that I have judged my daughter well enough for her to leave, and she shall be attending Hogwarts. We will be leaving within the hour, if that is suitable."
"Of course it is, Mr. Snape. From what I've seen of her myself today I'd say she's perfectly well, physically." Then Sarah was gone, leaving questions burning inside Bastila.
"How am I going to get a trunk and school supplies before school starts? The train leaves in a few hours I think." Bastila said, slightly panicking.
"Be calm." Severus told his daughter gently. "Rest assured that by the time you are at Hogwarts this evening I shall have arranged for you to have everything you need for your fourth year."
Bastila relaxed ever so slightly under the soft gaze of her father. "Alright. I trust you."
Severus felt as if he had been punched in the gut. I trust you. He was a liar, a double agent and a spy. He was the last person anyone should ever say that to. "And I trust you not to cause trouble at Hogwarts. There will be no pranks, no bullying and no evading detentions if you should gain them."
"I'd never cause trouble!" Bastila exclaimed, shocked.
"I'm glad to hear it." Severus surprised himself by letting out a genuine chuckle.
"I promise."
"Good."
Bastila fidgeted, then asked in a quiet voice. "Is it alright if I keep my orignal last name?"
Severus regarded the child curiously. "Why?" He asked finally.
"To honor my mom." Bastila answered without hesitation. "She's been dead to everyone for years, but to me it was in the blink of an eye. One moment I'm eleven, and she's alive, and the next I'm fourteen and I find out she's gone. I'm not ready to let her go yet..."
"I don't see a problem with that." Snape said softly. "You may change your name to Snape when you are ready. Now, we must get ready to meet with the Headmaster."
Severus and Bastila (With Nyssa perched on her shoulder as usual) floo'd into the Headmaster's office. Severus stepped out first, then Bastila. When Bastila stepped out of the fireplace, Dumbledore, who was sitting at his desk, stood up and approached the girl swiftly with a happy smile and tears.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Bastila exclaimed, surprising the Headmaster with a hug.
"My dear girl, I cannot say how pleased I am to see you awake and functioning after all these years." Dumbledore said softly as he pulled away from Bastila and looked her over.
"You're shorter than the last time we met." Bastila giggled.
Dumbledore's eyes gave that familiar twinkle, sending waves of comfort and joy through Bastila's body. "Alas, it is you who has grown taller."
Severus stood off to the side, watching the exchange with surprise before he decided to interrupt. "Headmaster, there are several issues that need to be addressed as I am sure you are aware, particularly my daughter's placement among the Houses."
"Right you are Severus. It's no matter at all." Dumbledore replied, waving his hand. "I will simply make an announcement to the students and staff and have her sorted before the new first years." The old wizard gave Bastila a kind smile before adding, "If that would be alright with you, of course. Many students, as well as the staff, will be pleased to know your awakening was more than mere rumour told around St. Mungos' halls."
"It's okay." Bastila shrugged, feeling awkward all of a sudden. "I don't want it to be a big deal, but people still have to know."
Dumbledore beamed. "Ah, the wisdom of youth." Then he turned his eyes on Nyssa. "I trust you will watch over young Phoenix?"
*If anyone tries to hurt my Bastila I'll bite their heads off. I'm not as big as that Basilisk was, but I'll do my best!*
Bastila fell into laughter, then repeated the serpents words to Dumbledore and Severus. Dumbledore laughed as well, while Severus looked half amused and half stricken.
"I presume she has been de-fanged?" Severus muttered to Dumbledore out of the corner of his mouth while Bastila and Nyssa became engrossed in a conversation.
"Oh yes. There's no need to worry about that my boy. All the proper steps were taken years ago upon her purchase by miss Phoenix." Said Dumbledore cheerfully. "She is quite the protective creature."
Severus smiled to himself. "Quite."
"Would it be okay if I get a tour?" Bastila said suddenly.
The two Wizards looked at one another silently, exchanging nods. "Of course my dear girl." Dumbledore answered warmly. "That is a very wise idea. I'm not quite sure why I myself did not think of it."
"It's alright Professor. You can't be perfect all the time."
Dumbledore's smile left him for a moment. "Too true, my dear girl, all too true..."
After having her trunk and school things summoned to Dumbledore's office and being given her snakewood wand, as well as having been allowed to change into muggle clothes befitting of a 14 year old girl rather than an 11 year old, Bastila Phoenix took the rest of the day exploring the Castle with Severus, who surprisingly didn't seem to mind. He pointed out all the classes and the different House dormitory entrance portraits, and then he led her to the Great Hall, ending the tour with a trip around the grounds after a lunch stop in Severus's office. Bastila did her best to memorize everything, and welcomed Nyssa's odd comment or two on things at Hogwarts. When the tour was finally over, it was late evening when they returned to the castle. But not before Severus had a very brief conversation with her.
"I think it would be best for Nyssa to stay invisible unless you are alone together, or alone with myself or the Headmaster, or if you happen to find your life being threatened." Snape told the girl. "Though your fame amongst the Wizarding world and the students in particular will lend Nyssa credit and safety, the school still cannot endorse a large serpent roaming with one of it's students. Particularly after what happened a year ago with the Chamber of Secrets opening."
"I understand." Bastila answered with a nod.
*I too understand. I don't want to frighten the children.* Nyssa hissed out. *But it would be fun.*
Severus smiled when Bastila translated for him, and Nyssa promptly melted into thin air on Bastila's shoulders.
When the students began to arrive, Bastila watched them for a moment before being taken into the Great Hall. Severus took her past the four empty House tables, all the way up to the staff table. He sat down at the very end of the table and conjured a chair beside him, which Bastila gratefully took. This earned them odd looks and mutterings from the rest of the staff as they arrived and took their seats. Dumbledore simply waved their concerns off, saying that it would be explained once the students were here.
It was only a short time after that the students filed into the Great Hall. The older ones sitting at their respective House tables, and the first years being led in by Professor Minerva McGonagall. Minerva McGonagall set a stool in front of the head table, then placed an old hat atop it. Dumbledore beckoned the strict woman over and whispered to her, giving a glance at Bastila. Minerva looked over as well, then nodded. Her face was slightly pale as she took her place next to the sorting hat, clutching the scroll of student names, the only sign that she wasn't quite able to contain her shock at Bastila's identity.
Dumbledore allowed the students a few minutes to converse amongst themselves before rising from his golden chair. "To our old students I would like to say, welcome back. To our new students I give a heartfelt welcome. Now, before we begin the sorting of our first years, I would like to make an announcement of a sort."
Bastila gave Severus's hand a gentle squeeze under the table, surprising the man. "Do not be nervous. You will simply be required to sit on the stool and place the hat upon your head. It will sort you based on your qualities and mind." Severus said in an attempt to reassure her. Thankfully, it worked, and Bastila nodded and returned her attention to Dumbledore.
"I'm sure that most of our older students are aware that, three years ago, we lost one of our students before she had a chance to begin her magical education." Dumbledore said, smiling serenely. Whispers broke out among the House tables, and Dumbledore raised a hand for silence. "I will take that as confirmation of my suspicions. Now, this student was a young Muggle-born named Bastila Phoenix. She was only freshly eleven, and she has resided in St. Mungos for the past three years. She was in an unwakable sleep known to the medical realm as a Coma." Albus paused to let the information sink in before continuing. "I am very pleased to announce that she has, by stroke of miracle, recently awoken from her slumber, and will be attending her fourth, technically her first, year of Hogwarts with us."
Albus shot Bastila a wink and subtly motioned for her to stand, which she did. Now every eye in the Great Hall, student and staff alike, was on her. Bastila regarded them all calmly, though she did smile at all the cheers and clapping, and gave the students a bow. She amusedly felt Nyssa tense up at the unexpected move, but was happy that her friend was staying invisible as per Severus's request. "Now, miss Phoenix has yet to be sorted, so I thought it best to do so properly." Albus turned to Minerva slightly. "Professor Mcgonagall, if you would please do the honors..."
"Of course." Minerva smiled and said to Bastila, "Miss Pheonix, if you would seat yourself on the stool and place the hat on your head, you will be sorted."
Bastila gave the Headmaster and Transfigurations teacher warm smiles, then walked around the head table and sat on the stool. She took up the hat and gently drew it over her head. She closed her eyes only to avoid the stares, then waited. It was only a heartbeat later when she heard a voice in her head. However, it was a different voice from the one in her childhood-
'Who do we have here?' The voice said, surprised. Bastila felt it's presence in her mind and realized that, somehow, it was the sorting hat itself. 'Ah...I can see it now. Well I must say welcome back, Miss Phoenix. I regret that I wasn't able to sort you three years ago. But rest assured I will do my best now.'
'Thank you. That means a lot to me.' Bastila said graciously.
'You are an exceptionally bright and clever individual, Ravenclaw traits, though you also possess the calm and collected demeanor of a Slytherin. Although from this incident in the river I can see you also have qualities that would make Godric Gryffindor proud."
'You can see into my memories?' Bastila asked in surprise.
'Yes, but I never reveal anything learned under my brim to anyone else.' The Sorting Hat reassured her. 'Interesting...You possess Hufflepuff loyalty and commitment as well. You are a very kind soul. My my, I haven't had this challenging of a sorting since...'
'Is it okay if I just ask you to put me in Slytherin?' Bastila said, laughing in her head. 'That would save both of us all this trouble, and I'm a Parseltongue so it seems pretty logical. plus my adopted dad is Head of House.'
'Hmmm...Well, if you're sure.' The sorting hat said slowly. 'Yes? I can sense your resolve. Very well then. I wish you luck in...Slytherin!' Bastila heard the last word aloud, shouted to the whole hall. She took off the hat and set it on the stool, then walked down to the Slytherin table amongst the renewed cheering and clapping on her behalf. Bastila was grateful when a blonde haired Slytherin boy smiled at her and slid aside to let her sit next to him. "The names Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." The boy introduced, turning to stick out his hand.
Bastila took his hand and shook, smiling back. "Bastila Phoenix."
"You're Muggle-born." Draco blurted out.
Bastila raised an eyebrow. "So? My blood doesn't have anything to do with my magical abilities."
"Right. Sorry." Draco said hastily under her glare. Draco shuddered and looked away, not sure what had come over him. He'd felt SOMETHING deep and dark from behind the girl's eyes. Something that reminded him of how his father sometimes looked.
Bastila and Draco chatted together while the first years were sorted, until Dumbledore stood once again. "Now that the sorting is finished, I have another important announcement to make. This castle will not only be your home, but home to some very special guests this year. You see, Hogwarts has been chosen to playi host to a legendary event. The Tri-Wizard Tournament. Now for those of you who do not know, the Tri-Wizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. For each school a single student is selected to compete. Let me be clear, if chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint hearted. But more of that later. Please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies from Beaubatons academy of magic, and their Headmistress, Madame Maxime."
The Great Hall doors opened to reveal several girls in blue outfits and hats, French style, and they made their way to the front of the Hall with impressive gymnastics and showering of Magical butterflies. When they arrived at the head table they bowed. Their Headmistress, a huge woman who stood taller then Dumbledore, trailed behind them and greeted Dumbledore before taking a seat next to Rubeus Hagrid.
Next came the "Proud sons of Durmstrang". Impressive, thick and muscled men who twirled staffs and made a bird from magical fire in front of Dumbledore. Their Highmaster Igor Kakaroff, a man with a black beard and cold eyes also took a seat at the head table after speaking to Dumbledore.
The new arrivals and the Hogwarts students mixed together at the House tables and began to eat the feast that magically appeared before them.
"Your attention please!" Dumbledore cried after everyone had had their fill of the feast. "I'd like to say a few words." Albus got up from the head table and stood beside a tall casing that looked like a castle tower."Eternal glory. That is what awaits the student who wins the Tri-Wizard Tournament. But to do this that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks. For this reason the Ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all this we have the head of international magical cooperation, Mr. Bartimus Crouch-"
Suddenly the fake sky in the Great Hall turned dark and stormy, and lightning began flashing down at the students. Panic ensued until a bolt of magic hit the ceiling from somewhere Bastila couldn't see, and the ceiling calmed. In the silence there was the sound of wood on stone, and a large man in a trenchcoat with a staff walked down the Great Hall's length. But the most striking thing about the man that Bastila could see was he had a fake eye.
The man whispered to Dumbledore before going to stand behind Snape.
An old man who Bastila guessed to be Barty Crouch took the stand in front of the head table now, alongside Albus. "After due consideration the Ministry has concluded that for their own safety, no student under the age of seventeen will be allowed to put forth their name for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. This decision is final!" Barty Crouch called out over the sudden uproar.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore boomed. The room instantly fell quiet. Dumbledore waved his hand over the castle tower case, melting it away to reveal a tall stone Goblet. Blue flames lit up inside the Goblet. Dumbledore turned to address the Hall once more. "The Goblet of Fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the Tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly." Dumbledore warned sternly. "If chosen, there's no turning back. As from this moment the Tri-Wizard Tournament has begun!"
As Dumbledore sat down again, Severus watched from the head table as Bastila began speaking with Draco over desert. Snape was pleased that they seemed to be getting along. When Draco glanced his way, Severus gave him an approving smile.
"So what kind of magic can you do?" Bastila asked of Draco as she took a sip of grape juice.
"Err. What?"
Bastila rolled her eyes at the blonde. "Well Dumbledore turned my TV into a cat when we first met, those Beaubatons girls made glowing butterflies, and the Durmstrang boy blew a giant bird made out of fire. What can you do?"
Draco shifted uneasily in his seat, remembering all the dark spells his father had taught him. "Just what we get taught here. Shield charm, levitation, full body bind, leg locker jinx, transfiguration. Disarming spell. Useful magic."
"Interesting. So there's different categories of magic?" Bastila said, quirking her eyebrow.
"Want me to explain?" Draco smiled at her curious expression and launched into an in depth description about most of the magical spells he knew, as well as what they did.
"Maybe if we have free time...I could practice with you. Like friendly duels." Bastila suggested at the end of their conversation as they walked down to the dungeons to the Slytherin dormatory, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically shy.
"Yeah? I'd like that." Draco said, being completely honest. The portrait swung open for them, and they entered the Slytherin common room. It was a cozy little place with green and silver carpeting, as well as a fireplace on each side of the room surrounded by cushiony chairs. At the other end of the room were staircases that led left and right. One to the boys dorm, and one to the girls', Draco explained happily. He wasn't at all annoyed with the girl's questions. Truthfully they weren't too frequent, but still.
Bastila entered the girl's dormitory after saying good night to Draco and found her trunk with her name on it at the foot of a bed. There were several other girls her age in the room, but they were already sleeping. Without even changing out of her day clothes, so as not to wake her Housemates, Bastila slipped into her own bed. She smiled to herself in the darkness as she felt Nyssa slither across her pillow and down over her admittedly grown up chest. *I'd best sleep under the bed.* The serpent hissed, amused as she slipped off the side of the mattress and silently landed on the floor.
*Alright.* Bastila hissed back in answer. That was the last thing she did before falling asleep.