The Sorting
One by one the first years took the tiny stool and were sorted. Several to Gryffindor, Harry and the others cheering loudly. Would they cheer for me if I were in a different house? "Black, Lena." I realised my name was being called and took no notice of the whispers and taunts from the Slytherin table. I chanced one last look at Sev. He smiled gently and I saw him cross his fingers beneath the table. Which house Sev? Which one do you want? I took the stool and the hat was placed gently on my head.
"Ahh. I haven't seen one of you for a long time, not since your father and uncle. Mm. Alike to both I see. The bravery and intelligence of the one, and the cunning and passion of the other. So clever. Maybe Ravenclaw is where you lie. But you'd be amazing in Slytherin. And Gryffindor? You'd serve the house well." The hall had fallen silent and I saw the eager faces of Harry and Ron. "So much confusion for one of your age. A torn heart I see. Family or love. But which to pick? You have the intelligence and heart to be great and will blossom in any house. You cannot see, but I see clearly where your heart lies. GRYFFINDOR."
I felt the butterflies fly from my stomach as Gryffindor house roared, Fred and George leaving their seats to hoist me in the air and carry me back to the table where Lee pushed aside to make me a seat between the twins. Everyone was clapping and cheering and Harry leant across the table to hug me. "Told you, didn't we. Snuff's 'll be well chuffed!" Fred and George chattered away excitedly and I took this moment, as all the food sprang up through the empty plates to look up at the staff table. Sev had yet to take any food and was instead looking down at me, a small smile on his face. Gryffindor? Really? Not Slytherin?
The boys took the opportunity to fill my plate and everyone chattered away excitedly telling each other of their summers. But several hours later everyone sat, full, waiting to be dismissed. "You'd better send Iris tonight Lena. He'll kill you if he doesn't know as soon as." Harry smiled at me and winked. He was right of course. On leaving the hall, Harry took my arm, promising Hermione and Ron he'd meet them in a bit, and off we went up to the owlery where Harry promised iris would be waiting. The tower where the owls lived was large and cold, the many windows standing glassless for the owls to travel freely. Harry and I searched for Iris for what seemed to be hours but Harry eventually found her seeking solace behind Hedwig. Pigwidgeon was chirping flirtatiously and puffing up his chest. Hedwig nipped at Harry lovingly and Iris flew to my arm nipping at my ear quietly. I found a scrap of parchment in an emoty desk in the corner and a quill. I scribbled a note to Dad:
Hey Snuffs,
Gryffindor! Can you believe it!? Everyone okay here. Still nervous though. Missing you already. Love Lena and Harry xxx
Harry and I fixed the note to Iris's leg and she flew off happily into the night. Harry nudged Pig so that he quietened down a little and we left quickly, hurrying down the corridors. We chatted happily. He was truly happy I was in Gryffindor, and I can safely say I was happy to. I had quickly come to think of Harry as a brother and I couldn't wait to spend more time with him. As we entered a lower corridor we slowed down as we noticed a tall figure coming towards us. "What time's curfew?" "For you? Ten." I looked at him with relief, it was only 9.30, "What about fifth years?" I heard him gulp beside me, "9." We stopped dead in our tracks as the figure grew closer and closer to us. I couldn't help but smile a little. "Potter. Miss Black." "Professor Snape" "Sir." He stood inches taller than I and in his teaching robes he reminded me of the first time we'd met. "Potter if I remember rightly your curfew was half an hour ago." "Yes sir. But I was just showing Lena the owlery." "Well I think you'd better get back to your common room before I'm forced to tell Professor McGonagall." Harry nodded and looked at me. "Professor do you think you could walk Lena to Gryffindor tower before her curfew, only she doesn't know where it is. If you're there before ten I might be stood behind the portrait to let Lena in. We still don't know the password." Sev looked taken aback my Harry's forwardness but nodded "Yes Potter I think that would be possible." Harry scurried off, a sly smile on his face.
Sev walked towards a door off the corridor and took several minutes ensuring no one was around. He opened the door and I walked through it quietly into an empty classroom. He closed the door behind him and Pushed me back against the wall pressing his lips hungrily against mine. After a few moments of bliss we broke apart only a few centimetres. I rested my forehead against his shoulder and breathed him in deeply. "Hey." "Hey," I smiled up at him and stole another kiss from his lips. I ran my hands through his hair and cried into his mouth as he pushed me higher up against the wall, my legs pulling up and holding me against him. "That uniform is seriously dangerous." I looked down at him through my lashes and nipped at his lips. "Well Professor, you're welcome to remove it." I smiled sheepishly and he took my mouth in his hungrily. He placed me slowly down on the ground and pinned me to the wall, his forehead on my mine as we breathed heavily. "You were happy? When the hat said Gryffindor." I couldn't help but ask, this question had held my thoughts all night. He smiled weakly and his eyes twinkled. "You need your friends. And having you in Slytherin would have been too tempting." I smiled happily, glad he didn't want we out the way because he was bored of me.
We walked slowly up to Gryffindor tower, enjoying the time we spent together even though we were silent. When Harry pushed the portrait open I thanked Professor Snape for kindly helping me find my way to my dorm and wished him goodnight, only to be welcomed by the warm arms of Fred and George who yet again hoisted me in the air and threw me high into the air among the dry work fireworks I could only imagine the twins having setting off.
And here among the happy laughing faces, I realised I really did belong in Gryffindor.