Chapter 6: The sorting ceremony
Warning: This Fic will contain Triggering content such as PTSD, Child Assisains, Torture, Child Abuse, and other potentially triggering topics. Please if you are sensitive to triggering materials, please DO NOT READ.
The door swung open at once. And one of the women from the meeting a month ago was standing there still. Andromeda didn't really get a good look at her during the meeting but from an observation standpoint. She knew this teacher was not one she should cross.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
Upon pulling the door open, they were met with an entrance hall of extraordinary size, capable of accommodating a small middle-class family home. The walls were constructed of stone and illuminated with blazing torches, reminiscent of those seen at Gringotts. The ceiling was so lofty that it was difficult to discern, and a grand marble staircase faced them, leading to the upper floors.
Accompanied by Professor McGonagall, they traversed the flagged stone floor, with the sound of numerous voices emanating from a doorway to their right, indicating that the rest of the school had already arrived. However, the first years were led by the professor into a small and empty chamber adjacent to the hall. They gathered together in close proximity, more than they would have under normal circumstances, nervously surveying their surroundings.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room."
"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and on Lou's eyes. It was clear to Andromeda that she is observing each student. Bored, Andromeda started to fiddle with her hair.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
She left the chamber. And Andromeda turned her head to look at the rest of her classmates that will be in her year.
Andromeda whispered to her friend Lou, her voice barely audible above the din of the bustling train station. "Did your mom explain the sorting process to you?"
Lou shook her head, her long brown hair swaying with the movement. "No, she didn't. I was supposed to go to Illvermony, but she sent me here to keep an eye on you. She's worried about you, you know," she added, concern etched on her face.
Andromeda smiled, touched by her friend's concern. "I'll be fine, Lou. Don't worry about me."
Just then, Daphne Greengrass appeared behind them, her icy blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What are you two talking about?"
Andromeda turned to face Daphne, a mischievous smile on her lips. "We're discussing the sorting process. Did your mom tell you anything about it?"
Daphne frowned, deep in thought. "She mentioned something about trying on a hat. But I don't see how that determines which house you'll be in."
Hannah Abbott, who had been listening in on their conversation, rolled her eyes. "I'm not even going to ask. It's probably some archaic tradition that makes no sense."
Susan Bones interjected, her voice low and thoughtful. "I've heard that the hat is enchanted to read our thoughts. It probably takes into account our personality traits, our strengths and weaknesses, and then sorts us accordingly."
Blaise Zabini, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "That makes a lot of sense. Regardless, I bet five galleons that Theo and I will be in Slytherin, Daphne will be in Ravenclaw, Susan and Hannah will be in Hufflepuff, and Andromeda and Lou will be in Gryffindor."
Andromeda grinned, her competitive streak kicking in. "I say you're wrong about two of those."
Just then, a familiar voice spoke up from behind them. "I heard we have to face a troll."
Andromeda turned to see Ron Weasley, his bright red hair standing out in the crowd. "Mr. Weasley, what are you talking about?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
Ron shrugged, a cheeky grin on his face. "Just a rumour I heard. But don't worry; I'll take care of it."
Andromeda leaned in towards her friends and whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Is he really that dumb? There's no way we're ready to face a mountain troll. We're only first years. Maybe the purebloods in our group, if their parents taught them some family magic, but not the Muggleborns."
Theodore Nott, who had been quiet up until this point, replied with a smirk. "Well, he is a Weasley. They're not exactly smart."
As they stood there chatting, something startled them, causing them to jump up in surprise. Several people behind them let out a scream. "What in the world?" Andromeda gasped, and those around her were just as shocked. Suddenly, around twenty ghosts appeared, passing through the back wall. They were pearl-white and partially see-through, gliding through the room while conversing amongst themselves, barely acknowledging the first-year students. It seemed like they were having an argument. A chubby little monk-like ghost exclaimed, "I say we should forgive and forget and give him a second chance."
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves enough chances? He brings shame upon us all, and to be frank, he's not even a proper ghost. Say, what brings all of you here?" replied another ghost-wearing ruff and tights, who had just noticed the first-year students. No one replied.
"Ah, new students!" exclaimed the Fat Friar, beaming at them. "You're here for the Sorting, I presume?"
Several students nodded silently. "I hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" said the Friar cheerfully. "It's where I used to reside."
"Okay, everyone, time to move along," interjected a stern voice. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."
Professor McGonagall had returned, and one by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years, "and follow me."
Andromeda got into the line with Blaise in front of her and Susan behind her as Professor McGonagall led them out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors that led to the great hall.
The great hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Andromeda looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. She heard Hermione whisper, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."
It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all and that the Great Hall didn't simply open onto the heavens. Andromeda quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool, she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed, and extremely dirty.
everyone in the hall was now staring at the hat. He stared at it, too. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth — and the hat began to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find.
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head.
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So, try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patients Hufflepuffs are true.
And unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means.
To achieve their ends.
So put me on!
Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again. Ron, in the background, was yelling to himself that he is going to kill his brother. Like seriously, he was stupid enough to believe that we will be fighting a troll.
Professor McGonagall took a step forward, holding a long scroll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the Sorting Hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she announced. "Abbott, Hannah!"
Hannah made her way to the stool, and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head. "Hufflepuff!" the hat declared. The table on the right erupted in applause as Hannah took her seat. As she walked towards her new house, her robes glowed and changed to the Hufflepuff colours. The Fat Friar waved at her.
"That's how it's done!" Blaise exclaimed, clapping wildly. "That's my friend!"
Theo rolled his eyes at his friend's antics.
"Bones, Susan."
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted, and Susan hurried to join her new housemates.
Blaise began clapping again, and Theo whispered to him, "Is he always like this?"
"Yes," Blaise replied.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!" the hat proclaimed, and the table second from the left broke into applause as Terry joined them.
Mandy Brocleherst was sorted into Ravenclaw, followed by Lavender Brown, the first Gryffindor of the night, and Millicent Bulstrode, the first Slytherin. Michael Conner was sorted into Ravenclaw, Vincent Crabbe and Tracey Davis into Slytherin.
Justin Finch-Fletchley was sorted into Hufflepuff, and Seamus Finnigan into Gryffindor. Anthony Goldstein joined Ravenclaw, and Gregory Goyle became the next Gryffindor.
"Granger, Hermione."
The bossy girl from earlier ran towards the stool and shoved the hat onto her head. Andromeda looked at her with disgust; she hated the girl's condescending attitude on the train.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat proclaimed.
"Greengrass, Daphne."
Andromeda listened carefully as that was one of her friends from the train. When the hat shouted "SLYTHERIN," she was not surprised, as she had already seen two of her friends sorted into Hufflepuff and Slytherin.
Before Blaise could embarrass himself further, Andromeda whispered in his ear, "Looks like you owe me a galleon."
Wayne Hopkins and Megan Jones were both sorted into Hufflepuff next. Sue Li was called next, and she was sorted into Ravenclaw. Surprisingly, Neville Longbottom was sorted into Gryffindor. Morag MacDougal was sorted into Ravenclaw next, followed by Ernest Macmillan, who was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Malfoy, Draco."
Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called, and the hat immediately shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Lily Moon followed him, becoming a Slytherin as well.
"Nott, Theodore."
Andromeda looked at her friend with a smile and a frown as he was sorted into Slytherin. A frown because, from what she had gathered, without him, who would control Blaise? Looking at Blaise, he was clapping loudly, and there wasn't a single person who couldn't hear him in the Great Hall.
Pansy Parkinson was next and was sorted into Slytherin. Padma Patil joined Ravenclaw, followed by her twin sister Parvati Patil, who became a Gryffindor. Sally-Ann Perks was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Potter, Andromeda"
As Andromeda Potter stepped forward, her heart was pounding in her chest. She knew that all eyes were on her, and the whispers that suddenly broke out all around her only added to her nerves. "Potter, did she say?" "The Andromeda Potter?" "She looks nothing like the books say she will look."
Andromeda cursed the serum she had been forced to take in the red room, which had enhanced her hearing to an almost painful level. She could hear every whisper, every comment, and it made her feel even more self-conscious.
As she approached the Sorting Hat, she took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. The last thing she saw before the hat dropped over her eyes was the hall full of people craning their necks to get a good look at her.
The next thing she knew, she was looking at the black inside of the hat. She waited, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Hmm," said a small voice in her ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. You have plenty of courage, but considering the life you've had, that is not surprising. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes — a nice thirst to prove yourself and a strong sense of loyalty to those you consider friends. Now that's interesting. . .you have two prophecies on your head, yet you don't know either. Where should I put you?"
Andromeda couldn't help but feel a bit insulted. Two prophecies on her head? She had no idea what the Sorting Hat was talking about. But she kept her mouth shut and waited for the hat to make its decision.
"Very well then, Gryffindor is out. Having you there will result in you killing other people in that house before the year is over. Slytherin will not survive with you in it; you will survive, but the house will not. Ravenclaw is a good option for you, as you like to learn and are very studious. Hufflepuff is also a good option, as you are loyal to those you consider your friends - better be HUFFLEPUFF!"
Andromeda heard the last word vibrate through the Great Hall, and the entire hall was silent. She couldn't believe it. Hufflepuff? She had thought of herself as more of a Ravenclaw. But as she made her way to the Hufflepuff table, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She had made it into a house known for its loyalty and hard work, and she was determined to make the most of it.
As she sat down with her friend and her cousin from the train, she noticed the annoying boy who had been bothering her earlier, giving her a look of betrayal. But she didn't care. She was a Hufflepuff now, and she was proud of it.
The annoying boy Ronald Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor, while the last of her friends, Blaise Zabini, was sorted into Slytherin. In all, ten Slytherins, eight Ravenclaws, nine Hufflepuffs, and seven Gryffindors.
Andromeda looked down at her empty gold plate. She had only just realized how hungry she was. The sandwich that Aunt Amelia made for her seemed like ages ago.
Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students. His arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are, Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
Andromeda sat back down in her seat and looked around the Great Hall. The applause and cheers from the students and staff echoed around her. She wasn't sure what to make of the display from the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Was he a bit mad, or had he gone senile? She turned to her friend Susan and asked uncertainly, "Is he a bit mad, or has he gone senile?"
"Probably," replied Hannah, another friend of Andromeda's, "but please don't say anything negative about the headmaster out loud. It won't end well for you."
Andromeda remembered the warning her friend Lou-Ellen's mother, Lady Hecate, had given her. " Θυμήσου την προειδοποίηση που σου έδωσε η μαμά μου, η κυρά Εκάτη," Lou-Ellen whispered in Andromeda's ear.
" Θα θυμάμαι. ακόμη και χωρίς την προειδοποίησή της, δεν θα εμπιστευόμουν αυτόν τον γέρο," Andromeda replied.
Susan perked up at the sound of a foreign language being spoken and asked Andromeda, "How many languages do you know? I know you have a Russian accent, but I just heard you speak Greek."
"Susan, my dear cousin, I know many languages. Writing them, however, is a different story," Andromeda replied with a smile.
As Andromeda looked down at her plate, she couldn't believe the amount of food in front of her. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon, and steak. Boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and, for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs. She had never seen so many things she liked to eat on one table.
The red room had never exactly starved Andromeda, but the widows in the red room were only allowed two meals a day, and they were mostly healthy food with rarely any meat. Andromeda piled her plate with a bit of everything except the peppermints and began to eat. It was all delicious.
As Andromeda finished her food, she felt warm and sleepy. She looked up at the High Table again, where Hagrid was drinking deeply from his goblet, Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Quirrell, in his absurd turban, was talking to Professor Snape. Suddenly, Professor Snape looked past Quirrell's turban straight into Andromeda's eyes, and a sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Harry's forehead.
"Ouch!" Andromeda clapped a hand to her head. " Почему этот ублюдок просто пытался чертовски читать мои мысли?"
Hannah, Susan, and Lou looked at Andromeda with concern as she concentrated hard before opening her eyes. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" they asked.
"Someone just tried using Legilimency on me," muttered Andromeda. "I don't know who, but the person tried really hard to break through my shields."
"Andy, pen a letter to Mom. She needs to know," declared Susan.
At last, the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent. "Ahem — just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you."
"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors."
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Andromeda whispered into Lou's ear, "yup, he is definitely insane."
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Harry noticed that the other teachers' smiles had become rather fixed.
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words. "Everyone pick their favourite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the school bellowed:
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling.
With some interesting stuff,
For now, they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
Lou and Andromeda looked at each other after hearing that song. Susan was trying to hide while covering her ears. And Hannah was shaking her head.
"I have never heard such a terrible song; Apollo must be hurting after hearing that," shuddered Lou.
"Ah, music," Dumbledore declared, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
We go got and followed a pink-haired girl with a pale dark face with a badge similar to Gabriel Truman. We followed her down the stairs and into the basement. we passed a nook on the right-hand side of the kitchen corridor where there was a wall that Andromeda and Lou could tell was covered with magic and a stack of barrels. "In order to reveal the entrance, no password was required. Instead, one had to tap the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row, in the rhythm of 'Helga Hufflepuff', which would make the lid swing open," when she did, it exposed a passageway that would lead to a massive when walked through.
We walked into a round, earthy, low-ceilinged, welcoming, warm, and sunny. There were lots of yellow hangings, burnished copper, and overstuffed sofas and armchairs upholstered in yellow and black, and small circular windows that provided a vista of "rippling grass and dandelions." There was also a large, honey-coloured, wooden mantelpiece with carvings of badgers on it. This was located underneath a portrait of the house's founder, Helga Hufflepuff.
"First years wait here for words from your prefects and the head of the house," said the pink-haired girl.
Professor Sprout walked through the door, and a group of people, each with the same badge, clipped to her uniform. "Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Hufflepuff. Before I get started, I would like to introduce you to your prefects; from year 5 to year 7, there will be two prefects, one male and one female. They will be there to help you and help me issue punishments if needed. Your 5th-year prefects are Tamsin Applebee and Beatrice Haywood; your 6th-year prefects are Jane Court, and Gabriel Truman, Your seventh-year Prefects are Nymphadora Tonks and Diego Caplan."
"Now let me lay down some rules here. First, Boys are not allowed in the girls' dorm for whatever reason; girls are likewise not allowed in the Boys' dorm; doing so will trigger the spells and may result in a detention. Students are not allowed to leave school grounds. There will be an exception to that come your third year."
"Students are forbidden from faculty areas. This includes the kitchen, faculty lounge, and offices, unless with the escort or written permission of a faculty member. This also includes classrooms when a class is not in session. Students must be in their dormitories and in bed by a 10:00 p.m. curfew. Students may not leave their house common rooms until 6:00 a.m."
"As the Headmaster stated, The Forbidden Forest is expressly forbidden to students. Swimming in the Black Lake is prohibited without faculty or Prefect supervision. Boating on the lake is prohibited without faculty permission. Though the juvenile Giant Squid is friendly, other inhabitants of the lake (such as Grindylows and Selkies), and the cold itself, can be dangerous."
"Books from the Restricted Section of the library may not be removed from the Restricted Section. Books must be taken to one of the desks provided in the section. This area of the library is roped off and forbidden to students unless they present a signed note from a professor."
"Hogwarts is a boarding school full of eyes (students, faculty, ghosts, Peeves, paintings, etc.), making it just about impossible to get away with playing hooky. If you skip classes, you will be caught and disciplined. Discipline consists, at the very least, of loss of house points and detention. The requirement to attend all meals is rather loosely enforced. The faculty is understanding but also knows that skipped meals are a great time for students to be up to no good. Head counts are taken at every meal, and a student that shows a pattern of frequent absence will be warned and eventually disciplined."
"Students shall maintain decorum and good behaviour at all times. Swearing, snogging, shouting in the halls, vandalism, fighting, and provoking Peeves are strictly forbidden. During breakfast and dinner meals, all students are required to remain at their house tables for the duration of the meal. During lunchtime meals, this rule is less strictly enforced and will only take effect if problems arise."
"Magic should only be used by students in relation to school work or approved extracurricular activities. Students may cast spells appropriate to their studies in classrooms and other study areas. Study areas include common rooms and the Great Hall (when not being used for meals). Magic that is not related to studies may only be cast with the permission and supervision of a faculty member, Prefect, or Head Boy/Girl. Duelling may only be performed on the duelling stage (in the club room) under the direct supervision of a faculty member or Prefect. Students always have the right to use magic to defend themselves or to respond to an emergency."
"Students shall be in uniform at all times while on Hogwarts grounds. This includes robes, jumper, shirt, tie, slacks/skirt, shoes (Mary Janes for girls, dress shoes for boys) and socks, and gloves and scarf when necessary. All articles must be kept neat and tidy (i.e. shirt tucked in, tie worn properly, shoes polished, clothing washed and without excessive wrinkles). Pointed hats are also part of the uniform but are ceremonial in nature and not required except at special assemblies (e.g. the Start-of-Term and End-of-Term Feasts). Robes (but not the rest of the uniform) may be removed when not in class or at assemblies (e.g. meals, after classes, weekends, etc.). Additions to the uniform are unacceptable without special permission. Reasonable hair adornments, eyewear, and small jewelry (i.e. rings, necklaces, earrings) are exempt from this. Excessive jewelry may be confiscated by faculty. students may dress casually during Hogsmeade weekends."
"Alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited on Hogwarts grounds. Butterbeer may be consumed in Hogsmeade but may not be brought back to the school. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Professor Sprout," said everyone said.
"Good I will be meeting you individually at the beginning and end of each year, Prefects. If I have missed something, you can go say it."
After each prefect gave a small speech welcoming us to Hufflepuff, Andromeda and her friends each got the bed that had their trunks on it, and Andromeda quickly fell asleep."
Flashback
Red Room September 1988
*Triggering Content Ahead*
Andromeda lay on a bare bed frame, devoid of any mattress, her hands cuffed to the bedposts. Alongside her were twenty-five other girls, each restrained in a similar manner and around the same age as Andromeda.
Madam B strode into the room flanked by two soldiers, and they set about uncuffing each of the girls, one by one, directing them to the wall as they were released.
"Save her for last," Madam B instructed, pointing towards Andromeda.
When the soldiers finally reached Andromeda, a third soldier made his way into the room. The first soldier freed her from her restraints, while the third soldier grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up to his eye level.
Madam B returned with a syringe, plunging it into Andromeda's neck. Andromeda let out a cry of agony as the yellow fluid coursed through her veins.
"Don't cry," Madam B ordered. "You're made of tougher stuff than that. You won't feel a thing. And, after all, we're the only ones who want you. Take her to the neurology room."
Andromeda was dragged into a new room, accompanied by the three soldiers, Dreykov and Madam B. They strapped her into a chair and doused her with a bucket of ice water, jolting her awake.
Andromeda lay on the bed frame, feeling the cold metal bars beneath her bare skin. She shivered involuntarily, her heart pounding with fear and uncertainty. Beside her, she could see twenty-five other girls, all around her age and handcuffed to their own bedposts.
As Madam B entered the room, flanked by two imposing soldiers, Andromeda felt her anxiety level ratchet up another notch. She watched in horror as the soldiers began to uncuff each of the girls in turn and order them to stand against the wall.
Andromeda watched in silence, praying that she wouldn't be the next one to be unchained. But as she heard Madam B's orders to save her for last, she knew that her time had come.
She felt the soldier's cold hands on her wrists, releasing her from the cuffs. And as the third soldier grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up, Andromeda felt a surge of panic well up inside her. What was going to happen to her? And why was she being treated this way?
Madam B returned with a syringe, and Andromeda recoiled as she saw the needle pierce her skin. She felt a sharp pain as the yellow fluid flowed into her bloodstream, causing her body to convulse involuntarily. And as she cried out in agony, she felt a numbness spread throughout her body, blotting out all sensation and leaving her feeling strangely detached.
"Don't cry," Madam B chided her. "You're made of tougher stuff than that. You won't feel a thing. And, after all, we're the only ones who want you. Take her to the neurology room."
Andromeda felt herself being dragged out of the room, accompanied by the three soldiers and Madam B. As they entered the next room, she saw that it was filled with strange equipment and ominous-looking machines.
They strapped her into a chair, and Andromeda felt a cold fear wash over her. What were they going to do to her? She tried to scream, but her vocal cords seemed paralyzed, and no sound emerged from her mouth.
Suddenly, she felt a bucket of ice-cold water being dumped over her head, and she gasped for breath, feeling her senses come back to life. She looked around, trying to make sense of her surroundings, but everything seemed blurry and indistinct.
"You are a problem for us," the man with the scar on his left cheek said. "We have reason to believe that you are ready for field missions, but you keep pretending you're not. You need to comply."
The woman appeared behind Andromeda and started to shave her head until she was bald. Two soldiers then attached wires to her back, arms, legs, and head. The wires flickered with electricity as they connected them to something on the table near Andromeda's bed.
"To make sure that you comply," the woman said. She flicked a switch, and electricity started to flow from the wires into Andromeda's nervous system. After five minutes of screaming in pain, the belt around her mouth was removed.
"Who are you?" the woman asked.
"Natasha." The belt snapped into place, and Andromeda wailed in pain as the electricity wracked her body for nearly ten minutes.
"Who are you?" Dreykov asked when it was over.
Andromeda's mouth felt like the touch of the sun. She opened it to speak, but no words came out. A moment later, she tried again. "I... I think it's... Nat?"
Dreykov glared furiously at her. "Another thirty minutes should do it," he said coldly into the microphone as he turned up the voltage.
Andromeda sat there, exhausted, waiting for the next shock.
She looked confused after the last session, and when Dreykov asked who she was this time, she replied, "I… I don't know."
He smiled for the first time in days and said, "Return her to her new room and bring her back tomorrow."
This continued happening for the next two weeks. On the third day, they returned with a red book. They administered smaller zaps that lasted roughly ten minutes after each word that was said. There were ten words in total: "Красный, Тоска, Яблоко, Поворот, Порядок, Восемь, Автомобиль, Двадцать, Закат, Уборка."
This happened three times a day for the next five days. On the tenth day, Andromeda was placed in a chair, but no cables were attached. However, after each word they said, she would groan and collapse her hands into her head, shouting for them to stop.
When Dreykov reached the tenth word, he turned to Andromeda and looked at her.
"вдова?" he asked.
Completely monotone with no expression on her face, her eyes devoid of emotion and life, Andromeda replied, "Готов соблюдать."
Dreykov stared at her in wonder. "Thank you. You have done us a service," he said. "Take her to the room."
Andromeda sat alone in her room, the sound of the door locking behind her echoing in the silence. She had no idea how long she had been there, but her body ached, and her mind was foggy. Memories of her past were foggy at best, and her emotions were muted.
Days turned into weeks, and the routine of electric shocks and word associations became her new normal. The pain was excruciating, but Andromeda knew she had to endure it if she wanted to survive. She clung to the hope that someday she would escape this place and find her way to freedom.
But as time passed, that hope began to fade, replaced by a sense of resignation. The Red Room was all she knew, and the thought of leaving it seemed almost impossible.
And then, one day, Dreykov came to her with a proposition.
"We have a mission for you," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "There is a target that needs to be eliminated, and we believe you are the one to do it."
Andromeda's heart pounded in her chest as he handed her a file with the details of the mission. It was a high-profile target, a government official who had been causing trouble for the Red Room.
"If you complete this mission successfully," Dreykov continued, "you will be rewarded. You will have proven yourself to be a valuable asset to us."
Andromeda knew what that meant. If she succeeded, she would be given more missions, each one more dangerous than the last. But if she failed, she would suffer the consequences.
For the first time since she was one, Andromeda felt a flicker of something that resembled a will to live. She studied the file carefully, memorizing every detail, and began to plan her attack.
Days turned into weeks once again as she prepared for the mission. She trained relentlessly, honing her skills and preparing for every possible scenario. And then, one night, it was time.
Andromeda slipped out of the Red Room unnoticed, moving swiftly and silently through the shadows. She approached the target's home with ease, slipping past the guards and into his bedroom.
In a matter of seconds, it was over. The target lay lifeless on the bed, a single bullet hole in his forehead. Andromeda slipped back out into the night, disappearing into the darkness.
When she returned to the Red Room, Dreykov was waiting for her.
"You have done well," he said, a hint of approval in his voice. "You have proven yourself to be a valuable asset to us. From now on, you will be given more challenging missions that you must complete each day, and you will be rewarded accordingly."
End Flashback
Andromeda's heart was pounding in her chest as she tried to calm down from the vivid dream. She had always been prone to intense dreams and nightmares, but this one had felt particularly intense. Hedwig, her Ice Phoenix, had sensed her distress and flown to her side, perching on her chest and emitting a calming aura.
Susan, who had been sleeping in the bed next to her, had woken up from the commotion. Without a second thought, she walked over to Andromeda and embraced her, hoping to provide some comfort. Andromeda was surprised but grateful for the gesture, as she wasn't accustomed to such displays of emotion.
Growing up in the Red Room, Andromeda had been trained to suppress her emotions and avoid showing vulnerability. She had been taught that emotions were a weakness and that showing them could make her an easy target. But as Susan held her in her arms, Andromeda realized how much she longed for human connection and support.
As the embrace continued, Andromeda began to relax, and her racing heart began to slow down. She whispered her gratitude to Susan and was surprised to hear words of comfort.
Susan sensed Andromeda's unease and offered her a listening ear. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," she said. "But know that I'm here for you, no matter what."
Andromeda appreciated the offer and felt a sense of relief knowing that she wasn't alone. She nodded her head and replied, "Thank you, Susan. I appreciate it." She knew that she might not be ready to share her thoughts and feelings just yet, but it was comforting to know that she had someone to turn to if she ever needed it.
AN: Thank you all for supporting this story. I appreciate every review, and I Try to reply to every review.
Never did I think when I first started this project, I will get over 100 follows/Kudos/subscriptions {Depending on your website}
Please note I will not be able to work on the next chapter until June.
Translations:
Greek
Θυμήσου την προειδοποίηση που σου έδωσε η μαμά μου, η κυρά Εκάτη
remember the warning my mom, lady Hecate gave you.
Θα θυμάμαι. ακόμη και χωρίς την προειδοποίησή της, δεν θα εμπιστευόμουν αυτόν τον γέρο.
I will remember. even without her warning, I would still not trust that old man.
Russian
Почему этот ублюдок просто пытался чертовски читать мои мысли.
Why that fucker just tried to fucking read my mind.
Красный, Тоска, Яблоко, Поворот, Порядок, Восемь, Автомобиль, Двадцать, Закат, Уборка.
Red, Longing, Apple, Turn, Order, Eight , Car, Twenty, Sunset, Cleaning.
Вдова
Widow
Готов соблюдать
Ready to comply.