Disclaimer. I don't own anything except my original character.
It was just like she had read in Hogwarts A History. The ceiling was a clouded black, reflecting the night sky right outside the castle, hundreds of candles floating aimlessly without support. The older students watched as the first years were brought through. Carissa saw George and Fred wave to a red haired boy at one of the tables who mimicked there movements, all a bit more subtly than the twins. It must have been their older brother Percy, Carissa thought as she kept walking.
The group stopped before the platform that held the teachers table where a lone stool sat, a ratty hat placed upon it. They watched as an older wizard, dressed in blue robes rose from his seat, the entire room growing silent. Carissa looked at the man, recognizing him from her assortment of chocolate frog cards, Albus Dumbledore. He welcomed the students, giving out school rules to the first years and when he was finished, McGonagall moved next to the stool, a scroll held in her hands. Name after name was called as students were sorted. Fred and George were called up early, both easily being sorted into Gryffindor causing loud cheers to overtake the table as they joined there housemates.
"Lestrange, Carissa." Carissa had been ready for the small gasps and whispers to break out when her name was read. She did not need to look back to know what they were saying. "That's Belatrix Lestranges daughter." "Isn't she the one who killed and tortured all those people?" "Wonder if she's as crazy as her mother." She kept her head held up high as she walked to the stool. She took a seat, McGonagall placing that hat on top of her head.
"Ahhh Miss Lestrange, I was wondering when I would get the chance to sort you." The hat stated, the voice filling her head as she looked out to the faces of the other students. "I thought it would be an easy sorting. However, you are a tricky one. Oh yes very tricky. Like your mother and your family, you have the abilities of a proud Slytherin. But you also possess something curious. Something I have not seen since your relative Sirius Black was sorted. Your heart shows bravery and courage, even if you do not see it in yourself. So where to put you?" She closed her eyes as the hat continued to think. He was right, she could not see any bravery in herself. She had thought it would yell out Slytherin as soon as the hat had been placed on her head like her mother and her family but this was not the case.
"Better be….Gryffindor." The hall remained silent as the words echoed from the hat. The only noise heard were the thunderous claps from Fred and George who took no notice of the silence and the clapping of Professor Dumbledore. She turned her head to look at the aged wizard. He had a small smile on his face, his eyes twinkling as they looked at her. Small clapping could be heard from the Gryffindor table, all a bit reluctantly as the hat was taken off her head and she made her way to the table. She could feel stares on her back from the table to the far right were the Slytherins sat. They must have been shocked that the daughter of a known death eater was sorted into Gryffindor.
She took a seat between George and Fred, the twins beaming at her as the last few students were sorted." Knew you would be sorted here. You're too nice to be a Slytherin." George said, nudging her shoulder with his as Fred nodded. Once some last minute reminders were made, the long house tables suddenly filled with platters of food. Carissa had never seen so much food in her life and she got the feeling neither did the twins because in an instant they had plates filled to the brim with a little bit of everything. The new friends talked while eating, the awkward silence from before being replaced with the excited chatter of the students.
"I like your necklace." Carissa looked up from her plate, seeing a dark skinned girl sitting in front of her. She recognized her as a fellow 1st year, but was unable to recall her name. "Thank you its Dragon Glass. I got it for my birthday last year. I'm Carissa." The girl across from them smiled and held her hand out, Carissa taking it and giving it a small shake.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Angelina Johnson." The twins introduced themselves as well, also striking up a conversation with another girl Katie Bell. Carissa couldn't help but smile, feeling a little bit better than she had before. At least she was starting to make friends. Maybe this year wouldn't be so bad after all.
The first few weeks flew by in a jumbled haze. Carissa along with the rest of the first years learned how to navigate through their new home. On more than one occasion, she had gotten lost with the twins when the staircases had suddenly switched spaces. This had led to them meeting Peeves the poltergeist. The twins had instantly gotten along with the mischievous entity. They had heard about him from their brothers and had wanted to meet him ever since.
"Peeves said that no one's tried blowing up a toilet. Fred I think we should become the first don't you reckon?" George said one day as he sat in the common room with his brother.
"You read my mind dear brother. Wonder if Carissa would-" the opening of the painting and sobs caught their attention. They turned their heads, surprised to see Carissa, her cheeks blotchy and red. "Blimey what happened Carissa?" George was the first one to the girl, looking her over for injuries.
"Its-its stupid. I know I shouldn't be crying. But-" her sobbing continued. George hugged her, feeling her tears dampen his shirt as her body shook. As he glanced down, he noticed something that made his blood boil. Stuck to the back of her robes were the words: "DEATH EATER IN TRAINING." It looked like it had been charmed to remain there permanently, no matter what was done to take it off.
"Who did this?" Fred said, walking to see what had been written. Carissa moved her head, wiping her eyes. "I don't know. I think it was some 5th year boys from Ravenclaw. I tried to get it off but it wouldn't come off. Everyone was laughing and I know I shouldn't let it get to me but they were saying things." She hiccupped a little, letting George lead her to the couch were she took a seat, either boy on each side of her.
"There bloody idiots and they'll realize that soon enough. At least we know are first prank victims." Fred smirked over at his brother who returned it, his hand gently rubbing Carissa's.
Carissa looked around, taking in the many portraits that were positioned around the headmaster's office. Most of them were the portraits of former headmasters and headmistresses of the school throughout the years. She watched as the subjects in the portraits went about their business, giving her no mind as she anxiously waited. A prefect had reported the incident to McGonagall who had come straight away. She took Carissa's robes, intent on getting the words off. When she had returned with the fixed robes, she was directed to Dumbledore's office. She had been confused, unsure of why the headmaster would want to see her.
"I am sorry to have kept you waiting." Carissa turned and saw the figure of professor Dumbledore walk into his office, still in his signature midnight blue robes. He moved around the desk and took a seat behind his desk, facing the young girl. "I believe you are wondering why I have called you in here?" when she had nodded her head yes, he smiled kindly. "I wanted to make sure you were alright. I was informed by Professor McGonagall of what transpired today. You should know, the 2 boys will be given the just punishment for what they did.
"Thank you Professor." Carissa said lightly. He starred at her, an inquisitive look in his eyes, almost as if he were analyzing her. "You are still curious as to why you were put in Gryffindor. Miss Lestrange, in my time on this earth, I have seen countless witches and wizards. Some good and some the worst. I have seen promising young pupils grow dark while others flourish. Neither a name nor blood will determine the fate of someone. That can only be determined by who they truly are. The sorting hat saw something in you dear girl. Do not run from it but embrace it. That will help you become the witch you were meant to be." He replied, leaning forward to look at the girl. His eyes held wisdom that she had never seen before, wisdom that only someone wise beyond their years could have. Carissa smiled, touched by the words. She had told herself this very same thing for years. Having it said back from someone like Dumbledore, made them even stronger.
2 days after the incident, Michael Johnson and Jeremy Lewis, 2 5th year Ravenclaws had been sent to the Hospital wing when their skin and hair had turned a bright pink color. They had been told it would fade in 2 days. Fred and George smirked at their handy work every time they saw the 2 shuffle down the hallways in all their pink glory. It had been worth the detentions they had received to see the smile on Carissa's face. They had shown everyone what happened when they messed with their best friend.
The rest of the year went by uneventful. During the holidays, Carissa had to listen to her uncle's rant of her placement in Gryffindor, threatening to go to Hogwarts and having her placed in Slytherin at whatever cost. He had called her a disappointment to their family, just like Sirius had been and Andromeda as well. He had nearly striked her when he had found out of her friendship with the blood traitors as he called the Weasleys. Narcissa had stopped Lucius, sending Carissa from the room, their voices muffled by the closing door. That night, she had went into Carissa's room as she got ready for bed.
"Do you think I'm a disappointment Aunt Cissy?" she had asked. Her aunt took a seat on the edge of the bed as she crawled under the covers. Reaching over, she smoothed down her black hair, smiling a little.
"You are not a disappointment. I do wish you had been placed in Slytherin but the sorting hat has its reasons. And your choice in friends, are yours to make on your own, no matter what we think. But you must be careful, promise me this?" Narcissa knew one day her loyalties would be tested. She would have to choose a side. It tore her apart at the thought of losing the girl she had raised since childhood.
Carissa nodded, not fully understanding the meaning behind her aunt's words. "I will. I hope one day you can meet them, Fred and George. You could see just why there my best friends." She said, her voice filled with hope." Narcissa gave a tight smile, leaning down to kiss her forehead before leaving the room.
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