Chapter Three: Unexpected Developments

Lena Malfoy's P.O.V.

I stepped off the train, holding Stella's cage under one arm, and Hogwarts, A History under the other. After the blood traitor and two mudbloods had left the compartment no one else was dumb enough to disturb me, and for that I was grateful. A giant man stood, a dark shadow against the already black sky.

"Firs' years o'er here!" He cried and we trudged forward carrying our luggage. "Five to a boat," Much to my dismay, I was shoved onto a boat containing the mudbloods and the blood traitor and- who was that? A girl with a spiky shock of purple hair was sitting opposite to me, her robes covered in grey cat hairs. I felt a moment of smug satisfaction at the fact that my cat was black, and her hairs wouldn't show on my robes. The mudbloods and blood traitor brat were glaring daggers at me. I leaned back, unconcerned. I raised one of my eyebrows at the bushy-haired mudblood. She tensed.

"What do you think you're looking at?" she demanded aggressively.

"I could ask you the same thing. You were staring at me first. I understand that I'm gorgeous, but I'm really not interested in mudbloods." I put stress on the last word. All four of my companions gasped and sat up indignantly. Granger even briefly flipped me the finger. "Right back at you." I said, smirking. My eyes widened as the mudblood lunged forward and shoved me into the lake. It was cold. I gasped for air and treaded water, trying to stay afloat. I tried desperately to keep from hyperventilating. Luckily, Stella hadn't fallen in, but this was hardly any consolation. I hate being wet almost as much as she does, and I was furious. That filthy little mudblood pushed me!

"Egad…" the Granger girl mumbled. She looked shocked at what she had done-and a bit proud of it too.

"What's goin' on 'ere?" said a voice from the boat behind me. A huge hand picked me up by the back of my robes. It was the oaf, Hagrid. Never in my entire life have I ever been so glad for an oaf.

"Th-th-thank you." I said, teeth chattering as he wrapped me in his overcoat. It completely enveloped me, and I probably looked like a hobo, but I was so grateful for the warmth, I didn't care. "Wha' 'appened 'ere?" he demanded.

"I-I fell into the lake because-" I was about to rat her out, when I thought the better of it. "Because I thought I saw something down there." I said slowly tasting the sound of the story in my mouth. The Granger girl's face was priceless. "And I leaned over to get a closer look, and I lost my balance."

"Tha's why you fell in?" said Hagrid in a skeptical tone.

"Yes." I replied firmly. He wasn't entirely convinced, but he didn't argue.

"Thanks." muttered the Granger girl.

"Oh, don't thank me." I said with a wicked grin. "I'm just waiting for the perfect moment to pull this out. I would be very nice to me if I were you." She bared her teeth at me and

crossed her arms. I smiled smugly and looked up at the dark sky.

"I wouldn't be looking so smug if I were you." I jumped and looked at the purple haired in surprise. I smirked at her.

"Why not," I smirked, imitating her accent, "Gonna poke me with your hair?" She rolled her eyes and sighed,

"Doesn't ANYONE see the resemblance? Minerva McGonagall is my Great Aunt, all I have to do is mention you calling them mudbloods and you'll be out of here, Just. Like. That." And she snapped her fingers. I growled but kept silent. Father had taught me to choose my battles wisely, and I could tell, the 'McSpiky' was NOT someone I should mess with. I didn't think you could get anything more than a detention for calling people names, but I thought that it would be best not to risk it.

We sailed through a small tunnel under the castle and bumped up onto the shore of what I assumed to be the dungeons. Hagrid lifted us out of the boats one by one and I wondered guiltily why Draco disliked him so much. The oaf led us up a passageway in the rock and came up on the grass in the shadow of the looming castle. We walked up a flight of stone stairs and Hagrid knocked on the huge oak front door.

Rebecca Granger's P.O.V.

A tall, black haired witch in emerald green robes opened the door.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said and she pulled the door open wide to show a giant entrance hall with torches lining the walls, a magnificent staircase facing us led to upper floors and the ceiling was impossible to make out.

"I'll take them from here Hagrid." She replied and she led us to an empty chamber a couple down from a large doorway with hundreds of voices floating out of it. The chamber was small, and we stood together our shoulders touching. I edged away from Lena. She was still dripping and a little puddle of lake water was on the forming where she stood. Even though Brook had threatened her, I doubted that she would tolerate with me standing next to her.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," McGonagall said " The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seat in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is extremely important 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's common room.

"The four houses are 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 honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will begin in a few short minutes in the front of the Great Hall. I suggest you tidy yourselves up a bit," With this, she threw a skeptical glance at the Malfoy girl. "I will return when we are ready for you,"

She left the chamber and Ginny looked at Brook her eyebrows raised, "Get along well do you?" she asked.

Brook blushed, "She's really not all that bad you know," she pleaded. "She just gets some taking used to." I shrugged. Anyone who would kick Lena Prissypants Malfoy out of Hogwarts was a friend to me. We looked at our feet nervously, a million thoughts rushed through my head. I was more nervous than I let on. I kept on thinking to myself, What if none of the houses pick me, what if it turns out I'm just a muggle, and I embarrass myself in front of the whole school! Lena was currently siphoning water off her robes. She was still damp, but the only way you could tell would be if you noticed that her hair was slightly darker and messier.

A small poltergeist floated in, he adorned a hat covered in bells, and a flashy orange bowtie.

"Are these the ickle firsties?" he crooned, "Oh what fun we'll have!" He spotted Ginny and flew over with a wicked grin. "Another Weasel eh? Well, well, well, Fwedie and Geowgie should appweciate this…" And he attempted to drop a dung bomb on her head, which she dodged, as the ghost sped away, cackling madly.

"Peeves the poltergeist, he's been here since 1793" Carter whispered.

Professor McGonagall came in again and told us to form a line. "Follow me." I got between Lena Malfoy and Ginny and tried to put on my brave face that probably looked more like a grimace, partly because of the smell and partly because of what lay ahead of me. We walked out of the chamber, across the hall, and through a pair of large double doors into the Great Hall.

Carter Holmes's P.O.V

The Great Hall was amazing. Truly amazing, astonishing, astounding, breathtaking, and EPIC. The Hall's ceiling was dotted with stars-I realized it was a mirror image of the sky outside. Thousands and thousands of candles floated in midair above the four long tables, where all the other students were sitting. The tables were laid with golden plates and goblets, but there was no food or drink in sight. At the top of the Hall was another long table stretching the width of the hall where the teachers were sitting. We came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers to our back. Hundreds of faces stared down at us, and I felt my palms get sweaty. I wiped them on my robes and searched the crowd for Hermione. I focused my attention on Professor McGonagall again as she sat a four legged stool in front of us. On top of the stool she rested an old, frayed, and extremely dirty, wizard's hat.

I stared at it, and realized everyone else was too. Would this be the decider of my fate? I wondered. There was complete silence. The hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide as if it was a mouth, and the hat began to sing:

"There once were four friends,

Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin too,

the four witches and wizards,

they got together, to create a school for you.

Proud Gryffindor they call him,

valued the brave and the true,

if you have nerve, and daring, and yet are caring,

then that is the house for you.

Brilliant dear Ravenclaw,

yearned for ready minds,

if you have smarts and love learning,

then there you will find your kind.

And then there's sweet Hufflepuff,

if you are patient and just,

loyalty and kindness,

you will find there as well as trust.

Finally there's ole' Slytherin,

there you'll find your friends,

if you are witty and cunning,

then you'll feel at home here till' the end.

I have never been wrong of that I must say,

but if you feel I have messed up,

you may seek me out and talk to me,

I'll show you a sort of thinking cup.

I may grow older every day, but I promise I don't forget,

so I ask you all to remember the past,

for it grows near again,

and its approaching rather fast.

don't be afraid now dearies,

now at last you're houses I shall choose,

for if you look for the silver lining,

you never really lose."

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. The hat bowed to each of the four tables and then seemed to freeze again. I felt relieved that we didn't have to do some sort of test, but the sorting hat didn't seem much better. I felt lucky to have made any friends at all today, (mind you, I'm not very good with organic life forms) but I didn't think I would have as much luck making more friends if I got sorted into a different house than Rebecca. I swear, that girl may be crazy, but she seemed to be a human magnet. She could get along with anyone (other than that Malfoy girl). If not for her, the next seven years would be long and lonely. Not that I needed friends. My father didn't really have a friend most of his life, and he turned out just fine! (Well, mostly, but more on that later.)

However, I was distracted by these thoughts as Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you shall put the hat on and sit on the stool to be sorted." she said.

"Amor, Egregie!"

A dark haired boy, who looked slightly green, walked up to the hat. It barely touched his head before the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!"

Yet another name was called by Professor McGonagall.

"Azore, Jace!" Another one of my peers was called up to have the hat placed on her head. Her long matted brown hair fell into her eyes, obscuring most of her face. Her hands shook. Her sorting was quite the opposite of the boy's before her. The hat upon her head seemed quite indecisive indeed. The hat made motions to and fro as though it was speaking, but no sound could be heard. Jace Azore's facial reactions seemed as if she could hear it though.

"SLYTHERIN!" it shouted.

Interesting, I thought. So it reads and speaks into your mind! Well then, it better know what is best. Except, of course, the fact that I myself wasn't quite sure about what house I would fit best in. Ravenclaw sounded so great! I knew I always had a thirst for knowledge and wisdom, a trait I had inherited from my father. However, I also from my mother had the traits of a Gryffindor and Hufflepuff; her bravery when things really get tough, and her never-ending loyalty. My father was always ambitious and craved to prove the fact that he was a genius (something he had done many times, but he was so stuck-up about it everyone refused to admit it).

This identity crisis was really making my brain hurt.

Rebecca Granger's P.O.V

"Creevey, Colin!"

"Catura, Kotu!"

"Doverie, Veritas!"

"Floare, Drosera!"

"Floare, Silene!"

"Floare, Raflesia!"

The Professor rattled off names until she got to 'Gagwilde, Brian, the fourth!' I took a deep breath, realizing I was probably next. Professor McGonagall called my name. I was terrified, but I tried to mask the shaking of my hands by tightly clenching my robes. There was some confused murmuring at the Gryffindor table, and I could see Hermione's face turn pink. Gee, glad to know that you talk about me, I thought as I sat down. The Hat was placed on my head. A Granger, eh? I remember your sister. I almost put her in Ravenclaw, see? Great. Even the Hat knows my stupid sibling. Just for once it might be nice to not be known as Hermione the Genius's little sister. A attitude, huh? And a desire to prove yourself-Slytherin would be a good option for you. 'NO!' I thought frantically. 'I'm muggleborn remember?' I thought in return. No, you're right. And you're brave, that I can see clearly. Well, it had better be... "GRYFFINDOR!" I hopped off the stool, grinning like a mad thing as the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers.

Carter Holmes's P.O.V

As my peers continued their sorting nervous and shaking, I patiently waited, my migraine really starting to act up. Finally, Professor McGonagall came to my long awaited name.

"Holmes, Carter." A mixed reaction was received by this announcement, different by muggleborns, and those purebloods who were without the culture of the muggle world seeping into their little segregation bound heads. My father had really quite made his mark in the muggle world, solving crimes almost impossibly fast with his sweater-wearing companion, John Hamish Watson.

I marched up to the Hat, my face a careful mix of apathy and confidence. Professor McGonagall placed the Hat on my head, which was oddly heavy. Ooh, I like this one. Tricky, tricky. 'Not really', I thought back. Oh really. What do you think then? The hat sounded slightly miffed. 'Ravenclaw would be a good choice, as I'm extremely smart, but I'm not very interested in studying, and am rather lazy when it comes to finishing schoolwork. That also rules out Hufflepuff, as I am not hard working, or particularly friendly. That leaves Slytherin and Gryffindor. While Slytherins are cunning and witty, which are both traits I possess, I happen to have background knowledge, and mainly only purebloods get into Slytherin, and if all of my companions are purebloods, I'm not exactly going to fit in. That leaves only Gryffindor.'

I see. I felt a moment of triumph. However, I also see that you are not entirely certain, and while the lecture you just gave me has a ring of truth, you mainly want to get into Gryffindor to be with your friend. That shows Slytherin and Ravenclaw traits, the ability to think on your feet and a manipulating disposition. My heart sank slightly. However, I think you are right. You should go to... "GRYFFINDOR!" Cheers rang from the Gryffindor table as I went to join them.

"What took you so long?" asked Rebecca as I sat down next to her.

"Was I there for a long time?" I asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah, you were up there for forever." I began to respond, but she elbowed me to be quiet. "Shh, look it's almost Malfoy's turn. She's practically green! Don't know what she's worried for. It's obvious she'll be in Slytherin, git that she is."

Lena Malfoy's P.O.V

I was shaking, partly out of nervousness, and partly because I was still soaked from my unexpected dip in the lake. McGonagall called my name. I stepped up, aware of every eye on me. I wore my best haughty expression as she placed the Hat on my head. Heh. This will be easy. 'Slytherin, Slytherin, please let me be in Slytherin.' I prayed silently. But why do you want to be in Slytherin? I don't think it's what you really want. You just want to please your family. Part of me was defencive. 'Well, why shouldn't I want to please my family?' I thought. But another part of me knew it was right. Of course I'm right. I always am. You just don't belong in Slytherin. Especially with your history. Ravenclaw… no, you're smart, but not as devoted to your studies as most of them are. You've got a mischievous streak a mile wide. You'll be best in "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Wait, what!?" I cried. Everyone was staring at me. Even McGonagall seemed shocked as she took the Hat off my head. I swallowed and made my way to the Gryffindor table. It was silent, except for a few half hearted claps from Hagrid that died almost as soon as they started. The worst thing was Draco's hurt expression as I sat down as far from the other Gryffindors as possible. "Dad's going to kill me," I muttered, slightly hysterical. I blushed furiously and hastily brushed away the stinging tears building around the rims of my eyes. McGonagall cleared her throat and called her niece's name. At least the purple haired girl was good for something, taking the attention off me. She was sorted into Gryffindor, much to my annoyance. Now all of the people who hated me were in the same house as me. I slumped lower. I couldn't possibly be more miserable.