Chapter 4

Off to Hogwarts

"Elijah! Pinky! Stefan! Anybody!" I yelled, with my head stuck in the closet. "Has anyone seen my other black boot?"

"Which one Mistress?" Pinky asked, appearing with a loud crack. "The flat one, or the one with heels?"

"Heels." Came my muffled reply.

There was another crack, and in three seconds she was back.

"Here Mistress, Pinky has it."

"Oh thank you, thank you!" I cried, pulling her into a hug. "You're a lifesaver!"

She laughed. "Is there anything else you need Miss?"

"No, that should be all, for now." I said, rolling my eyes and laughing.

She laughed heartily, "Ok if you need Pinky just say so."

"I will."

The house was in chaos. I had chosen not to ride the train, so I could spend the day with my family, but time has a funny way of speeding up when you don't want it too. I had to be on the Hogsmeade Station platform in one hour, and I was still running around trying to get everything ready. My trunk was packed, and by the door, but there always seems to be something you can't find at the last minute. You know how that goes.

"Ok Bloody Lip, have you got everything now? Can we all sit down for a breather, and not hear you thundering up and down the stairs?"

"Shut it Damon, besides you don't breath." I said grinning, reaching for my wand. "Holy crap! Where's my wand?!" I yelled in a panic.

"Here, I have it here." Elijah said, instantly appearing at my side.

"Love, your forgetting your cloak!" Klaus called from the kitchen.

"Ack! I'm going to need that, or else I'll freeze to death!"

"It's still warm outside." Damon said.

"Doesn't matter. The castle gets drafty at night. Especially if you're in the dungeons." Elijah said, shooing us into the living room.

I flopped down into a chair, sighed heavily, and instantly jumped back up. "Where is my cauldron?"

"It's in your trunk Love." Klaus said, gently pushing me back down. "Calm down, you have everything now. Here put this in your pocket. It's a healing paste for your lip." He grinned.

"Well she wouldn't need the healing paste if someone hadn't bit her." Stefan said grinning. "At least we don't have to put up with the two of you sneaking glances at each other anymore."

"So you're ok with it?"

"Of course I am Lynn, I'm happy for you. I know he will treat you with respect, and that is what's important to me."

"I'm not ok with it. You see, I knew this day would come, but I was looking forward to being able to threaten the guy, and beat him up if I needed too. I can't do that with Klaus. Why did you have to fall in love with someone who's practically un-killable?" Damon said with a smirk, and kissing me on my cheek.

I stood up and grinned at Klaus, "Because he's sweet, kind, friendly, gorgeous, and oh so kissable." I said planting kisses on Klaus's lips with each word, while he grinned.

Damon made retching noises behind me, and Elijah laughed. "Well now I don't have to kill my own brother, because he was starting to get on my nerves. Are we all ready to go?"

"Yes. Let's get this show boat on the road!" I cried, as I scooped up Blue into my arms.

Klaus picked up my trunk with one arm and carried it out the door. We all had agreed to be on the platform by 4:30 in case the train was early, so we made quite a sight trooping down to it. It had taken us a good ten minutes to walk there, but we managed it. We were surprised to see someone already there, directing thestrals pulling carriages.

"Ooh look at them!" I said in awe. "I've never seen a thestral before."

"So yeh know what they are? I mean to say, you can see 'em?" The very large man asked, walking up to us.

"Yes, sir." I said brightly. "My name is Lynn Salvatore."

"Ah so yeh are then. Professor Flitwick told me yeh might be 'ere. I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. I'm also the Care of Magical Creatures Professor." He said with a large smile.

"Well then Professor, I look forward to your classes. I'll be in fifth year, and it's one of the ones I signed up for."

"Really now!" He said with a big laugh. "Well everyone calls me Hagrid. So yeh don't have ter call me Professor."

"Ok Hagrid." I said with a smile.

"So yer be followin' me when the train comes, I'm easy to spot, so when I call fer firs' years you jus' fall in too."

"Sounds good to me sir."

He grinned, "So this yer family?"

"Yes sir." I made the introductions, though I left out the part about them being vampires. Hagrid, however, knew what they were when he shook their hands, and needless to say he was surprised to see them walking in the daylight.

"Daylight rings! Well now, that's not something I've ever heard before." He said with a grin, after Elijah explained about them. "That's pretty clever I say! I'm part giant me self, but rest assured, I may be big, but Dumbledore says a got a big heart."

Just then a whistle blew off in the distance, and we all looked toward the noise. My stomach gave a little lurch though, because I knew this was it. I can do this!

"Well the train will be here in five minutes, the driver always lets me know they are a comin'. I best be off to steady the thestrals, and yeh may want ter hold yer cat tighter." He said.

I gripped Blue a little tighter, and said, "Blue, please don't claw me. I know it's fixing to get loud, but bury your head if you get scared. I won't let anything happen to you."

He yowled loudly and buried his head in the crook of my arm. I turned to the boys with wide eyes, but Klaus bent over to give me a kiss.

"I love you."

"I love you too." I whispered.

"Gross." Damon said with a grin, as he stepped toward me. "I love you Princess, be good, and send us an owl if you need, or want anything."

"I will. Love you too." and I kissed his cheek.

Stefan stepped forward, "I feel like I should say something fatherly, but I'm not going to. You'll be ok, and if you need us, we're two miles away." he said giving me a hug.

"I know. Love you, and stay out of trouble." I teased, and he grinned at me.

Elijah took my face into his hands and said, "Let us know, as soon as you can, which house you are in. I love you."

"I will, and I love you too. I love all of you." I said with tears forming in my eyes. "I know it's silly because you are so close, but I'll miss you guys, and I'll come home on Hogsmeade trips!" I had to start yelling, because the train was pulling in.

They nodded, and stepped back. Klaus, however, stepped forward to give me one last kiss, and I could see he didn't want to leave just yet. The train blew it's whistle, and he immediately covered my ears. It's a good thing to, because I nearly dropped Blue, who was squirming in my arms.

He looked at me, grinned, and flashed his wolf eyes. "Don't forget to warn the lads that I'll eat them, if they try anything."

I laughed. "I won't."

The other students started to pile off the train, so he stepped back. Hagrid told me I'd have to leave Blue with my trunk, and Blue was not happy about that, but he stayed with it. I was so nervous!

The boys had left, and after a few minutes of standing around, I heard someone call my name.

"Hey Salvatore!"

I turned around, baffled at who could have known me, but then Draco came walking out of the crowd with two large guys and a brown haired girl tagging along behind him. She looked at me with a scowl.

"Didn't see you on the train. I thought you wouldn't be here." Draco said.

"Oh, I live in Hogsmeade, so I didn't have to ride it. I only had to be here when the train came in." I explained.

"Cool, I've never known anyone who lived there. You like it?"

"Yeah I do! It's really great! I can go to Honeydukes anytime I want." I said with a laugh.

"Firs' years! Firs' years follow me!" Hagrid yelled.

"I gotta go with Hagrid, so I'll see you later."

"Ok, then. Hope you get Slytherin!" he yelled, as Hagrid started herding us toward another path. I grinned and waved over my shoulder at him.

We followed Hagrid up the short path to the lake, and stepped into the little boats. I could see the frightened faces of all the 11 year olds, and knew I must look almost as afraid. We sailed across the lake, and I got my first real close up look of the castle. It was beautiful all lit up! During the summer, you could only see a few lit windows, but tonight, you could see them all. It was breathtaking! We came to shore, and Hagrid led us toward the front doors where we were met by Professor Flitwick. He was so short, that he had to stand on top of stair railing so we could see him! He explained that we will all be sorted into our houses, and that we are to wait in the front hall until he called us. The others looked so scared!

"What year are you going into?" A frightened girl, with blond, hair asked me.

"I'll be in fifth year. It's ok though, they are only going to put a hat on our head, and sort us into houses." I told her.

Her face relaxed, "Older boys on the train were saying they will make us do spells and stuff."

"I heard they will make us sing a song." Someone else said.

"My older brother told me we will have to brew a potion in front of everyone!" A brown haired boy shouted."

I laughed, "Nope, just a hat on your head. That's it, I promise!" I said loudly.

Just then Professor Flitwick came, and led us into the great hall. The ceiling was wonderful, and I thought it was clever that it was enchanted like the night sky. I had read all about it in Hogwarts A History, but it was more beautiful than I could have imagined. Everyone was staring at me though, and it made me very nervous. I stuck out like a sore thumb, because I was much, much taller than any of the first years. Just don't trip, and fall on your face!

"When I call your name," Professor Flitwick squeaked, "please step forward and place the hat on your head. Now, we have a new student from America, and this is her first year at Hogwarts. She will be in fifth year, so we will start with her. Lynn Salvatore." He cried out. Oh crap! So soon?

I made my way to the front, and nervously sat on a stool that was way too small for my butt, and placed the hat on my head.

Ah! The Sorting Hat said in my ear. I have never encountered anything like this. You know someone who knew my former owner Godric, but they also knew Salazar better. Hmm, but where to put you?

I don't know sir. I replied.

Is that what you really believe?

Yes sir, it's up to you.

Well then, it better be, "SLYTHERIN!" The Sorting Hat shouted, and the table to my farthest right burst into applause. I saw Draco waving wildly at me, so I took a seat next to him, and the brown haired girl didn't like that one bit. I caught Remus, and Sirius's eyes, and they smiled, and waved at me. Why does Professor Snape have a look of triumph on his face?

"Well I made it!" I said grinning at Draco.

He grinned back, "Yeah I thought you might. I saw some people standing with you when the train stopped, was that your family?"

I nodded, "Yeah my two cousins, Damon, and Stefan, Elijah who is like a brother, and my boyfriend Klaus." The brown haired girl smiled at the words 'my boyfriend'.

"And you all live together?" Draco asked.

"Yeah it's kinda a Brady Bunch thing."

"What's a Brady Bunch?"

I laughed, "It's a TV show, from a long time ago."

"I've heard about TV, but I've never seen one."

"Really? Well the TV show is about family that comes together, because two people got married, and they have a bunch of kids of their own from different marriages. Even though no one in my family is married, we just kinda came together. Damon and Stefan are brothers, and Klaus and Elijah are brothers. Then there's me." I can't really come out and tell you they are vampires.

"Ah, I see now, I think." Draco said, with a confused look.

I laughed, "It's complicated, I know."

"So you like muggles then?" The brown haired girl asked me.

"Yeah, that's why I picked muggle studies, I figured it would be an easy course."

"I don't like muggles. Never have and never will." She said frowning at me, and crossing her arms in front of her.

I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes. "They aren't so bad, once you get use to them." And they aren't trying to kill you.

A girl who sat next to her, whispered loudly so everyone could hear. "Blood-traitor." And the girls giggled.

"How did you make it into Slytherin, Blood-traitor?" Another girl asked. So it's started then, no friends because I like muggles. Oh well, their loss.

This time, I did roll my eyes. "Really? We are going to start name calling this early in the year? I thought Slytherins were smart? Well, let me tell you something little girl. I probably know more dark spells than all of your parents do, combined. I may have seen, and know, more dark creatures that would make you tremble with fright. I have seen death, blood, and destruction so bad, it would make you vomit." I was so angry, that common sense flew out the window, and I gave them my best Damon smirk, "I might even live with vampires, who at the drop of a hat, would eat you, if I asked. So tell me, who is a blood-traitor? Me? Just because I get along with muggles? No. It's you people, because you sit in your cushy little manors, and spout off about crap, you don't even know about." I hissed, with my eyes flashing in anger. "You don't know a DAMN thing about me."

Draco laughed. "She put you in your place, didn't she Pansy?"

"Y-you live with v-vampires?" A guy named Goyle asked, staring at me wide eyed.

But before I could reply, Professor Dumbledore stood up to make the announcements. He introduced Sirius as the new Transfiguration Professor, which made the Gryffindor table explode into applause. They roared even louder when he told them Remus was Head of House, but then he said something that really got my attention. Thank goodness for distractions.

"I also want to mention some new changes for this year. After Harry permanently defeated Lord Voldemort last year in the graveyard at Little Hangleton, and with the death of Cedric Diggory, the governors and I, have realized just how important family is. So in the memory of Cedric Diggory, Hogwarts is now allowing families to visit every other night for dinner, and all day on Saturdays. We will start this Saturday, and from breakfast, until after dinner, families will be allowed to come visit for the day. If, however, you start lacking in your studies, your family privileges will be taken away, and your families will not be allowed to visit." He turned to sit back down, but Sirius whispered something to him, so he turned around again, smiled at me, "Oh, and one more thing, if you happen to live with vampires, they are more than welcome to and visit also. Now, let the feast begin!"

Sirius winked at me, and Remus grinned. I cannot wait to tell the boys!

Goyle turned to me with his mouth hanging open. "It's true then, you live with vampires!" He said in awe.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Possibly."

"Vampires are scary!" A boy named Crabbe said, shuddering. "They can only drink blood, they rip people's throats out, and they only come out at night."

"She doesn't live with vampires Goyle." A girl named Millicent Bulstrode said, rolling her eyes. "Her family was outside when the train stopped, and everyone knows, vampires can't walk in the daylight." Oh how little you know!

"Yeah, she's lying." Pansy said, narrowing her eyes at me.

I snorted, and Draco said, "But what if she isn't? Like she said, we don't know anything about her, and after all, she is in Slytherin." He said, smiling at me.

"Why are you taking her side Draco?" Pansy said, placing her hand over his.

He jerked it back, and frowned. "Because I like her, and find her interesting."

Just then a large black crow came swooping through an open window and into the great hall, carrying a black rose in its beak. It headed right toward me, and landed with a thud on the table. Leave it to Damon, to compel a crow.

"Tell him Slytherin, and tell him thank you for the rose, it's beautiful." I said to the crow, as I sniffed the flower. It let out a loud squawk, and flew out the window.

Sirius, who apparently never follows protocol, got up from the head table, and made his way toward me with a grin.

"I have to be nosy." He laughed. "Was that an animagus?"

I snorted, "No, that's just Damon, being Damon. He's spying on me."

"Is that a spell of his? Can he control animals with a spell?"

"No, it's not a spell, let's just say…it's something…he's capable of doing." I said with a wink.

"Ah! Well then, tell them all I said hello."

"Will do, Professor Padfoot."

He let out a bark like laugh, "I like that one! You can call me that, it doesn't make me feel old."

"Or Stuffy?" I asked with a glint in my eye.

He snorted and walked back to the head table. He apparently told Remus what I had said, because Remus suddenly started to choke on a piece of pie. I laughed as I watched Sirius pound his best friend on the back. This is going to be an interesting year.

"My name is Professor Severus Snape, and I want to welcome you all to Slytherin House. While you are in Slytherin, you are to obey the rules of the castle, and I expect you all to get along. Prefects will show you to your dorms, where you will find all of your things. Pansy and Draco are our newest Prefects, so I expect you all to obey them as you would the others, and me. I expect to see you all at breakfast in the morning. Goodnight." And with a billow of his robes he walked out of the Slytherin common room, and into his private chambers. I like it, sort, and to the point. Now where is Blue?

"Did you hear that?" Pansy said to me, with an evil grin. "I'm a prefect, which means I'll make your life hell, if you don't leave Draco alone. I'll also make your life hell, if you piss me off. Don't mess with me, Blood-traitor."

"First of all, Sweetie, I have a boyfriend, so I'm not interested in Draco, like that. We are just friends. Second of all, please don't threaten me, because you really won't like the consequences." I said, as the crow squawked loudly from the open window, high above our heads.

"What? You think I'm scared of your pet bird? Please."

I snorted, "Oh, no. It's not the bird you should worry about."

"What then? Your supposed 'vampire family'? You are such a liar."

This chick hasn't got a clue who she's dealing with! Just then, Blue appeared out of nowhere, so I ignored Pansy. "Hey Blue! I'm so happy to see you!" I cried, as I scooped him up into my arms. "Can you show me where we're sleeping?"

He meowed and squirmed to get out of my arms, so I set him down. The crow squawked, and flew down in front of him, cutting off his path. I watched as the two of them sat there in silence, staring at each other for a few minutes, and finally Blue nodded. Yes, he nodded. The crow took off, and Blue turned, and hissed at Pansy!

I burst out laughing. "Such a smart kitty!" I said, bending down and scratching his head.

"That is pretty clever." Draco said, coming up behind me. "Your cousin must use some really dark magic to be able to control animals, because I've never heard of anything like it before."

"Well it's like I told Sirius, it's just something he is capable of." I said, smiling at him.

"Draco," Pansy cooed, "do you want to help me get the babies into bed?" She glanced at me when she said 'babies.'

"Sure." He replied, not noticing that she had glanced at me.

"Well Draco," I said. "I guess I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." He said grinning at me.

I followed Blue into the dorm, found my things, and started to unpack. I smiled at the pictures I had taken of the boys earlier. Elijah had developed them in Developing Solution, so now they were able to move. I laughed as I watched my boys go 'fangy' in one of them. The other one, was of all of us standing in the library in front of the fireplace. Then Klaus had said, that I 'absolutely needed' one of us together, so that I wouldn't forget about him. As if I would!

"So Blood-traitor, it looks like we all have to share a room, so try not to rub your muggle loving self all over the place." Millicent said, as Pansy, and another girl named Daphne all came in.

Muggle loving self? Really? I didn't say anything though, just ignored them, and put sticking charms on my photos, so I could place them over my bed. Blue hissed at the girls, and stood still as a statue at the end of my bed, glaring at them.

"Mistress," Pinky said, with a loud crack, scaring me half to death, and making Blue swell up twice his size, because his hair was standing on end. "Pinky is sorry to startle you, but Master Elijah has requested that I bring you this." She said holding up a ring. "He also said that this ring belonged to… a certain man, that had given it to him, when he was a child."

"Do you know the name of the man?" I asked taking the ring from her.

"Yes, Mistress, but Master Elijah told Pinky not to say the name if other people were around, but says you will know when you look closer at the ring."

The ring was silver, with a large, flat, black diamond in the middle. Two emerald green snakes formed the initials S.S. Salazar Slytherin.

I stared at Pinky as if she were playing a joke on me. "A-are you sure? Elijah said I can have it?"

"Yes Mistress. Pinky is quite sure."

I gaped at her, "Tell Elijah thank you, and that I will take good care of it. Oh, and please ask him to owl me the story on when he got it. Tell him I will destroy the letter as soon as I read it."

"Very well Mistress. Pinky will be going now, if that is all."

I nodded, and with a smile she was gone. I sank onto the bed and stared at Blue. "I can't believe he would give me something like this Blue. I'm almost scared to walk around with on, because I'm afraid I'll lose it."

Blue sniffed the ring, and nudged my fingers. "Ok then." I said with a grin, and placed the ring on my middle finger. It shrunk down to fit, and I smiled at Blue. He walked over next to my pillows, and laid down. "Yeah I think I'm going to sleep too." I told him. So I cast a protection charm around my bed, and belongings, and went to sleep. I was so exhausted.

*A/N* Thank you to those who have followed, fav'ed and reviewed! I try to respond to all reviews left so please tell me what you think. Thank you for reading!