A Snake in a Raven's Claw
DISCLAIMER: This series is a work of fiction based off the Harry Potter franchise using characters that are trademarked by J.K Rowling and Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. I do not claim ownership of the Harry Potter franchise. While most dialogue is of my own creation, some dialogue is taken directly from the Harry Potter franchise as a matter of course, due to the type of work I am creating. Characters found in this series not found within the Harry Potter franchise are of my own creation.
Please take note that my works are fiction, and I, as the author, do not necessarily support or agree with the views, speech, and/or actions of some of the fictional characters in this story.
Opposite the far end of the great hall stood a long oak table. Behind this table the Hogwarts staff were seated, in the centre of the table stood an ancient wooden chair resembling a throne commissioned by the first Hogwarts headmaster. An elderly man, with a grandfatherly appearance clad in ornate magenta colored robes, with a tall and slender figure, his nose crooked as if it had been broken multiple times, with a grey beard so long it reached the floor, his cerulean orbs twinkling from behind his crescent shaped spectacles.
The magically enchanted ceiling reflected the appearance of the night sky, the hall illuminated by the vast assortment of levitating candles.
A tall woman clad in emerald robes, her face stretched into a stern expression, a long piece of parchment clutched tightly in one hand, spoke her voice emanating throughout the great hall. In front of her stood a four-legged stool, with a pointy wizards hat resting on that stool.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," Professor Mcgonogall explained.
Amongst the first year students stood a tall, slender boy, with a pale porcelain complexion, with slicked back blonde hair, and cold silver steel irises. His steel orbs narrowed as he intently observed the sorting ceremony, until his name was called.
"Draco Malfoy".
The Malfoy scion arrogantly made his way towards the stool sitting down and placing the sorting hat atop his head, the old hat obscuring his vision. He waited for the Hat to proclaim Slytherin but was instead met with silence.
"Slytherin like every Malfoy you wish to be sorted into Slytherin ?" The Hat seemed oddly skeptical, as it probed, poked and prodded his mind with legilimency.
"Of course", Draco declared, arrogance seeping through into his tone.
"There's more to sorting than mere blood ties", The Hat dryly explained, now fully skeptical.
"I'm a Malfoy, you will put me in Slytherin", Draco ordered, the Hat.
"You do possess the values of Slytherin," the Sorting Hat proclaimed.
"Yes" Draco spat, now irritated, "now put me in Slytherin".
"What's this you've ingrained the entire year's mandatory and required materials into your mind just so you could show the muggleborns how far behind they are, how awfully RAVENCLAW of you.
"No I'm a Malfoy I belong in Slytherin, I yearn for power not knowledge". Draco angrily spat, desperation now seeping into his voice.
"Scientia Potentia Est" The Hat replied, mockingly.
"What", Draco stammered, now confused.
"Knowledge is power". The sorting Hat declared.
"No,no, don't you even think about doing it". Draco warned.
Ignoring him the Sorting Hat boomed it's voice heard by the entirety of the great hall.
"RAVENCLAW"
The great hall suddenly became silent. There was no applause. From the corners of his eyes, Draco could see the head of Ravenclaw House and Professor of Charms, Filius Flitwick's eyes narrowing in shock and bewilderment.
The emerald clad, stern-faced elderly witch, raised her wand and with a swish of her wand wisps of cerulean lights shot out of the tip of the tip of her wand striking the young pureblood on his chest, the young Malfoy's silver-steel orbs widening as the Hogwarts insignia emblazoned on the right breast pocket of his black robe, begun to shift as if contorting, the shape of the insignia began to warp, and it's color started to slowly fade as, it was replaced by a silver shield with black diagonal stripes along the edges of the shield, in the middle of the shield was a black Raven, atop the shield stood an armored helmet, atop the armored helmet was the head of a Raven, alongside it was silver mantlings, above the head of the Raven and on the wings was a wreath with the name of the house written on it. The inner layer of his black robe now replaced with a thin blue layer of silk.
Suddenly Professor Mcgonogall cleared her throat politely beginning "Mr Malfoy", "Please join your housemates at Ravenclaw table."
The Malfoy scion rising from the stool, feeling the weight of the Hat being lifted off his head, scowling petulantly as he made his way towards the Ravenclaw table. Sitting down at the end of the table. His shoulders tensing up his entire body becoming rigid, his eyes glueing themselves to the table, refusing to meet the eyes of any of his housemates.
Releasing a breath he hadn't even realized that he had been holding when he from the edges of his silver-steel orbs saw a hand slowly inch up until it came to rest upon his shoulder, turning sharply to identify the owner of the hand, his eyes turning and landing on the owner of the arm gazing up at her face, his mouth slack, his silver-steel orbs widening, the young pureblood now openly gawking at her, taken aback by her elegance, and beauty, her skin was perfectly sculpted like a greek statue, her face was unmarred by blemishes or freckles, her snow white complexion along with the golden hue of her face making her resemble an angel, her raven hair, bundled into an elegant bun.
The crow haired girl like the young pureblood was wearing a black robe with an inner blue layer of silk, and her right breast pocket bore the crest of Ravenclaw house, as did her cardigan.
"Are you alright", she spoke, her voice serene and silky, her brow oddly creased with what looked to be worry.
"No I'm not bloody alright, I'm a snake not a raven", Draco snapped, at the raven haired girl.
The second-year Ravenclaw let out a soft sigh, her face contorting into an expression of pity. "Maybe you're more of an eagle than you think, the sorting hat put you in Ravenclaw for a reason Draco.
"Forget about the snake, Cho", a girl with curly,reddish-blonde hair began, "Marietta Edgecombe, it's not a pleasure to meet you." She finished.
"Marietta", Cho admonished , but Marietta just shrugged, not caring for her friend's admonishing.
"Edgecombe your mother works at the Ministry doesn't she it'd be a real shame if she were to lose her job wouldn't it", Draco let the words trail off his tongue, hanging in the air.
"You wouldn't", Marietta seethed.
"Oh I would." Draco replied, sneering.
"Draco that's enough", Cho chided, her disappointment evident in her face.
Draco shifted in his seat uncomfortably, not liking how Cho's look of disappointment made him feel guilty.
For the rest of the evening Draco did not consume any food, the guilt at not being sorted into Slytherin chipping away at him, gnawing away at the young pureblood.
Suddenly an older Ravenclaw girl with long, curly blonde hair stood up, declaring "I'm Penelope Clearwater Ravenclaw prefect First years please follow me".
The first years rose from their seats,following her through the ancient castle, leading them to the entrance of Ravenclaw tower. The entrance to Ravenclaw tower was an old arched wooden door, centered in the middle of the door was a golden eagle knocker. The eagle knocker opened its mouth a musical voice emanating from the knocker, "Which Hogwarts Professor and head of Ravenclaw house was a former dueling champion", The girl answered back easily, Professor Flitwick", the door opened up, allowing them entry.
Along the stone walls of Ravenclaw tower were two twin spiral staircases. "Those lead to the dorms. Left side is for boys, right for the girls. Unpack, and go to bed. Breakfast starts at 7:30, Classes start at 9:00, but before you go off are then any questions ?"
"Yeah, when can I get re-sorted ?" The pureblood boy sneered, and stuck his chin out, his aristocratic features on full display.
"Second sortings are only permitted under a set of very few select circumstances and they've never resorted anyone into a another house ever, you'll be a Ravenclaw until you complete you're N.E.W.T examinations at the end of your eighth year, the sooner you accept that the easier your time here at Hogwarts willI be. If no one has any other questions, then follow me.
The young Malfoy scion huffed and scowled but otherwise remained silent, already planning on writing to his father to rectify the situation.
The walk up the stairs was long and hard. From atop Ravenclaw tower, the stairway appeared to be a straight set of stairs, but from the bottom of Ravenclaw tower it revealed its true form a set of heavy stone spiral steps. The young pureblood groaned as he realized there was only one way he was getting to the top of Ravenclaw tower, by walking up the tower step by step, the stone steps digging into the soles of his shoes making him wince in agony.
The Ravenclaw common room was wider and airier than any room Draco had seen in Hogwarts. Elegant arched windows lining each wall of the circular common room, besides each arched window hung cerulean banners with bronze accents. The arched windows overlooking the Great Lake, Forbidden Forest, Quidditch pitch, Herbology garden, and the surrounding mountains. In the centre of the common room lay a midnight blue wide circular carpet, adorned with symbols of stars.
The ceiling was spherical, with stars depicted on the ceiling, darting his eyes downwards towards the floor Draco could see those same stars repeated on the circular midnight-blue carpet with golden accents which adorned the floor. In the centre of the common room there was a grand white marble statue of Ravenclaw's namesake and founder Rowena Ravenclaw. Midnight blue couches and chairs adorned the edges of the common room. Dark blue curtains hung from the walls emblazoned with the symbol of Ravenclaw.
The Ravenclaw dormitory was a circular room with midnight blue carpet covering oak flooring, arched windows repeating around the circular room, oak canopy beds repeated around the room, the canopy beds were adorned in midnight blue sheets and duvet covers featuring patterns of stars. His body shaking Draco steeled his nerve, even as the guilt of letting down his father pulsated through him, penetrating every cell in his body, his silver orbs emanating in guilt. The young Malfoy scion resolved to make his way to the library within the common room, his quill clutched tightly in his hand, to begin drafting his letter informing his father of his sorting, the guilt gnawing away at the young Malfoy.