Hufflepunk Chic
Chapter II
"Jade!" I heard a yell rousing me from sleep, "Jade we're here!" I knew who was yelling before I even opened my eyes. It was who Greggory had called "Crabe". He seemed to have returned from the bathroom, and had wedged himself between Greggory and the door. I groaned, but I knew I had to get up and get off the train. The swede seats were not comfortable, but nice enough to where my eyes were still heavy when I opened them. I rose to my feet and grabbed a few of my bags, knowing the rest would follow behind. I stepped off the train, careful not to trip. As I was walking off the train I saw people making a fuss around a small boy with black hair. He seemed embarrassed by all the yelling, and I would help him; however, I want even less attention than I'm sure he wants. I know many Slytherin and Slytherin-to-be will recognize me from our parent's meetings; though, I do wonder what the fuss is about. Malfoy saw me staring and didn't seem happy
"Don't even think about it. He's mine," He snarled. I looked at him confused, but he said I knew what he was talking about. I shrugged and I made my way towards the lines of students and hopped onto one of the magic carriages that seem to be pulling themselves. Greggory, Malfoy, Crabe and a few others I don't recognize ride the carriage with me. Pansy attempts to climb on, however there wasn't enough room. I offered my seat, purely because I saw how much she likes Malfoy, but also because she's rather cute. She refused which confused me for a bit, but I saw she wanted to inconvenience people as little as I did. I knew it was going to be a long ride, so I sat back and took in my surroundings. Malfoy, Crabe, and a girl I didn't recognize were sitting across from me. I looked at Malfoy and thought about how much he looked like Narcissa, who I believe is his mother. He had the same expressions his mother seemed to have. I didn't know Crabe's parents very well, but I knew they were friends with Greggory's parents. Greggory sat next to me, along with another boy. Greggory seemed to be listening intently to whatever nonsense Malfoy was spouting about his new quill. When the carriages stopped, I made my way up to the great hall. My heart beat faster and faster the closer I got. I didn't know why I was so nervous. I made my way through the crowd of students up to the sorting hat. I stood with the other purebloods, the ones who were for sure getting into Slytherin. Because I have an "A" last name I always have to go first for these types of things, but there were some kids who were ahead of me. The floors creaked under my untied shoes as I rocked back and forth. I looked at the Slytherin table, trying to scope out who I know, and who I'd like to know. I wanted to be friends with someone in my house, if I was friends with anyone else my parents would kill me, but I didn't like any of the kids who hung out at the meeting place. Everyone looked cold and harsh, even though most were excited about sorting. I sighed, knowing I had to wear my tough persona to survive among the rest of the Slytherins. I thought for a moment about how I already thought of myself as a Slytherin, even though there was a potential to be in any house. I suppressed a laugh at the thought of being in a different house and the howler I would receive if I got into Ravenclaw. I knew I was destined for Slytherin, and so did most people in the great hall. I was a pureblood and my parents were "big deals" in the wizarding world, as they liked to say, so most knew who I was.
"GRYFFINDOR," The sorting hat yells, students screaming along with it. The sudden noise startled me out of my thoughts and I realized I was most likely next. My name was called and I made my way up to the hat. I smiled at it, out of politeness, then wondered if that was a weird thing to do. I didn't see any of the other students doing this and I quickly looked at the others to make sure they didn't see. When I saw all reactions were normal, I sat in the chair and the hat plopped onto my head. I could smell the hat, not quite leather but something like that. I could smell other things too, like the hint of food we were about to eat in celebration, parchment from all the letters, and wood. I could sense the anticipation in the room, and the excitement you only get on the first day of school. I shifted a bit, noticing the Slytherins looking at me expectantly, and the rest of the houses losing interest, knowing who I was, and what house I'd be in. They knew, just as well as I did, the hat would yell "Slytherin", the house would yell, and I'd sit down, then the next student would shuffle up to the hat. My mind began to wonder as I began to question if the hat could read my mind, or how it knew what house to put me in at all. How did the hat know I was a pureblood that was supposed to be Slytherin? How does it know a half-blood wizard was smart enough for Ravenclaw, or brave enough for Gryffindor? Why couldn't we choose our own destiny? I began to get angry so I pulled my attention back to reality. I waited patiently, but it seemed like an unexpectedly long time. I saw students staring, confused. I began to become self-conscious, and wondered if something was wrong. I glanced at my reflection and I couldn't believe what I saw. The hat had its eyes closed tight, brow furrowed in concentration, a large frown spread across its face. I knew it had been far longer than it took the rest of the students. Though I hadn't seen this ceremony before, I knew this was unusual for the hat and I began to worry if the hat was okay. As I thought this, the hats eyes flew open and it bellowed confidently.
"Hufflepuff!"