A/N:Hi there! Both Authors here. Just finished editing this chapter-Already starting Chapter three!
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read our story,also for anyone who commented -we really appreciated love to hear back from our readers,Constructive Criticism is appreciated.
Enjoy the latest installation of Unexpected Serpent!
Disclaimer: We do not own Harry Potter and do not intend to breach any copyright laws.
Chapter Two
Slytherin's Never Denied a Pretty Face
Lily stood before the grand doors of the great hall, and although she knew it was foolish and there was nothing to be anxious about ,her heart hammered in her chest and her hands which she held in tight fists were clammy and her knuckles were white with anticipation.
Suddenly the doors opened with a great bang and some of the students screamed as ghosts flew through them and over them to enter the hall.
A ghost -the fat friar she thought,flew through her sending a cold sensation,quite like pins and needles through her whole body,he turned around before entering the Great Hall and gave her a beaming smile -which she in turn returned with a small,hesitant one of her own.
Then in a line ,led by Uncle Neville or rather Professor Longbottom as she now had to adjust to calling him,the first years stumbled like new-born lambs into the massive threshold of the hall under the awaiting stares of the older students.
Lily could feel the students stares piercing into her back as she and her fellow first years made their way up to the top of the hall.
Lily held her head high ,and ignoring her fellow classmates who were stumbling and tripping their way to the front,She strode elegantly ,carrying herself with pride -refusing to fall under the halls harsh stares.
At the top of the hall was the teacher's dining table,with all of the teachers sitting side by side,some glancing curiously at the approaching students-but what caught Lily's eye was the old worn leather hat that sat upon a three-legged stool.
It looked to be patched up many times and had creases in the shapes of eyes,a nose and a mouth-Lily of course knew what the hat was straight away,she was no idiot after all,It was the Hogwarts Sorting Hat.
The hat that would decide their fate,Lily thought to herself,laughing silently at her dramatic thoughts,she quickly dismissed the thought of a hat deciding her whole fate.
After all,Houses weren't that important,were they?
Everyone in the hall looked at the Hat expectantly -as if it was about to burst into song,Which it did indeed.
It opened it's mouth,or rather it's brim and began to sing ,to rhyme ,it's bass,resonate voice projected off the stone walls of the Great Hall.
"Four houses in this school,
One I will choose as you sit upon this stool,
I may not look like much,
But with my magic touch,
I will choose what's true and best-suited to you."
The Hat's song was cut off by a loud gasp.
Everyone turned to a Professor with wild hair restrained by a scarf and enlarged eyes due to the bubble-like glasses she wore.
Her eyes were glassy as if she was not really there at all,She began to speak ,her voice eerie and raspy.
"21 years since our great war,
Where Gryffindors heir defeated the Dark Lord,
Now the snakes will make a comeback
with their very best,
They've come across a treasure from the lions nest,
The eagles tried to capture it,
but it was too quick,
the badgers crouched in alarm,
Afraid of it bringing harm,
Which will it choose?
And which will choose it?
Or will it be abandoned for it's cunning wit?"
Whispers began to echo throughout the hall as rumours slipped from one mouth to the other.
Soon the whispering had become chatter and the volume was increasing swiftly with every passing moment.
Professor McGonagall stood up from her seat.
"Silence!" her raised voice resonated through the Hall,causing everyone to eventually grow silent out of respect for their headmistress.
"We will continue the Sorting," She continued to speak once there was no disturbance, "And not a word" She glared down at the students before sitting back down and motioning for Professor Longbottom to continue, and so he did.
"Ashworth,Jase"
was sorted into Hufflepuff.
His sister
"Ashworth,Flora"
was sorted into Gryffindor.
After numerous names were called out including Blacks,Clarkes and Jones,It was finally at P.
"Potter,Lily"
Murmurs filled the hall "It's the youngest potter" "Last Wotter at Hogwarts" "I expected her to look like a Weasley" "She's actually kinda pretty" "Naw, she's scrawny" "Gryffindor no doubt".
Lily felt a sense of dread tangle itself in her stomach but she pushed it aside as she walked nimbly to the stool ,neither stumbling nor blushing like the children before her.
She could hear the other children's murmurs and comments
She sat down on the stool,smoothing her skirt out neatly as Professor Longottom placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
"Hmm…"
Lily was neither shocked nor scared to hear a voice speaking in her head.
"Yes..the prophecy,interesting..yes,very interesting…"
This confused Lily but she paid no attention to the Hat ,passing it off as incoherent ramblings.
"You're a tricky one, aren't you?"
The voice was deep and throaty with a presence of wisdom and age.
"You would strive in any House.. but what House can teach you the most…?"
"Do you have any preferences,dear?"
"Put me where I belong ,that's all I want.." Lily thought,hoping her thoughts would be heard by the old hat.
"Well,isn't that a first ,A Potter without a preference -unlike your family you are.."
"Perhaps,one might say…the opposite,of your family.."
"Why yes,that is right ..isn't it ,also a challenge for you to fulfil your purpose within in this house..It will be interesting…"
"Very well dear,Good Luck in…"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Gasps echoed through the hall and a series of protests could be heard emanating from the Gryffindor table but a cheer rose up from the Slytherin table ,followed by a series of jeers,taunting the Gryffindors.
"We got Potter!"
Along with a round of raucous laughter.
Lily stood frozen,overcome by shock.