Important: Before we start the chapter, time for a dreaded Authors Note:
After strong deliberations I have decided to make this story go down a dark(er) path and give it a...shall we say, personal twist. As such, it will always remain at the Mature rating from now on. I hope to always keep it at an acceptable level, but just in case... some of you may not be comfortable reading certain parts of what I will be writing from now on. Consider yourselves warned!
Please let me know in the reviews if you ever feel that it becomes too much. I might see about changing and/or toning it down, but if possible I'd like to keep it the way it is. It shouldn't be any worse than watching/reading a GOT movie/story. Chances are...if you're still reading this story after chapters 5-7 then you won't leave, as you will already have a good idea of what I mean.
I will always leave a warning at the top of each chapter if I feel it's necessary. Warnings may include but not be limited to strong physical violence and abuse of minors. This may include scenes of corporal punishment i.e canings etc... This is because the story is set in the past 1991 where CP was still deemed somewhat acceptable in society. As such I will include it as such. This is even more so the truth for the wizarding world which is stuck even more in the past. Other things I may add might be sexual content inc. full lemons, dubious and potentially outdated - depending on your culture - cultural practices,( i.e rituals, marriage and servitude contracts etc), Torture (usually, but not limited to the Cruciatus), a possibility of rape (in this case it will only be mentioned or faded out, never shown) and Character Death. In each case, unless I feel it's necessary or not that bad, I will try to limit it or fade it out.
As there may always be a chance that the story may be taken down because of this (although I doubt it and I hope not) please be advised that you can also find a copy of this story on AO3 under my alternate author name MoonScribeFantasia. (Same story name). Please note: If may have a short update delay as this is my main site.
I really hope this won't scare away too many readers and that you will continue reading... I already only have a few and losing more would suck. Worst case I may have to rewrite sections of the whole story to make it into a T level story. Which I'd really like to avoid if possible.
If you are still here... Thank you!. By the time I am finished with this story I hope to have around 400K words...maybe even more. If I ever manage to get that far. There is a reason why I have separated the story into parts (not only chapters) based on each year at Hogwarts. You may consider each year a separate sequel. This Chapter is Chapter 14 and also Part 2 of Year 1, the second chapter of the first sequel. The early years ended on chapter 12.
Anyway...in either case, enough of this... I hope you're still here for the story. If you are...
Please enjoy!
And...Happy Christmas!
The New Princess
Hogwarts Year 1 - Part 2 - Chapter 14
A tale of friendships, confrontations and ominous sortings!
Previously:
"So mote it be!"
The next either of them knew was a bright flash of blinding light so bright it lit up the whole compartment and could even be seen for miles outside, startling a muggle farmer in a nearby field who looked into the sky as he waited for the sound of thunder. Then a sudden blast of magic blew the girls backward into their seats, emitting a surprised shriek from each of them, as the vow came into effect.
At that moment unknown to the girls, the Silver Crystal had been awake and witnessing the sacred vow. Understanding the intricacies of the vow and what it meant, it had chosen to act and at the final moments had added its own power to the vow, strengthening the vow even further with an unexpected extra effect.
Taken completely by surprise Aryanna had no time to react as she suddenly felt the powers of her symbiont add to the already powerful vow and could only watch helplessly as the right to choose her future was forcefully taken from one of her best friends.
As the light of the vow finally died down, Aryanna and Susan stared at each other, suddenly noticing a particular symbol briefly carve itself into their friend's forehead to glow and then disappear again a second later. It was a circle with a crescent at the bottom, resembling a small circle atop a cross. Both girls instantly realized what had happened and could only stare in shocked disbelief at the sudden turn of events.
And now the continuation:
"Mercury!" Aryanna murmured, her voice barely audible—a mix of reverence and shock—as the magical blast of the oath's blinding light faded away. Susan and Hermione sat in stunned silence. Hermione, still dazed, was recovering from the backlash of the oath she had just spoken, while Susan's gaze remained fixed on the spot where the symbol of Mercury had briefly adorned Hermione's forehead.
Had that really just happened? Aryanna wondered. Had her friend truly just become Sailor Mercury? The weight of the monumental moment settled heavily upon her. It had always been Aryanna's intent for Hermione to become one of her Guardians, but not like this. Hermione's right of choice, a fundamental belief of Aryanna's, the right to choose her own destiny, had been accidentally stripped away. Hermione hadn't even had a chance to be asked, let alone prepared for it. Her friend didn't even know that she or Susan were Guardians yet. So much for no secrets amongst best friends. She could only hope she would understand and forgive.
As Aryanna pondered the Oath they had just sworn, she couldn't help but shake the certainty that Hermione would have willingly joined them eventually, if not immediately. Perhaps this was for the best. Aryanna never liked keeping secrets from her best friends anyway.
As Aryanna grappled with conflicting emotions, the compartment door swung open again, revealing a concerned prefect marked by the silver P on his chest.
"Are you girls alright?" the prefect asked, scanning the room for any signs of damage. "There was a huge flash of light."
Thinking it best to act surprised and divert attention, Aryanna feigned worry. "Yes, everything is fine here. What was that light? Did something explode?" She injected enough worry and fear into her voice to sound believable. Seeing the confusion and relief on the prefect's face, it seemed to have worked.
"No idea... I'm trying to figure out what happened. Please excuse me," he said, closing the door behind him.
"That was close," Susan said in a near whisper once she was sure he was gone, giving Aryanna a worried look. "Do you think he noticed anything?"
"I hope not," Aryanna said, shaking her head. "If he did, he sure didn't say anything. We need to be more careful from now on, especially with unbreakable magical Oaths. Not only are they dangerous, we don't know who else might be watching."
"Or listening," Hermione added, still in shock. "What was that all about?" she asked, her voice trembling from the after-effects of the Oath. Already she could feel the Oath influencing her thoughts and feelings as magic itself helped her fulfil the promises she just made. "As far as I know, vows or oaths are not supposed to do that. I mean... I read about them, and according to what I read, some light is expected... sometimes... maybe... but... not like that."
While Hermione searched her mind for an answer, Aryanna debated whether to tell her what had just happened. Susan, giving her a questioning look, seemed to be waiting to see what her princess and leader would do.
On one hand, Aryanna had promised Setsuna that she would not create another Guardian for at least a year, to give herself more time to recover from Susan becoming Venus. However, it seemed the Crystal inside her had different ideas. Now that the deed was already done, wasn't it time to inform Hermione of her new fate?
"Hermione..." Aryanna began slowly, "I... there is something you need to know..." Aryanna began, unsure of herself, but before she could say more, she was interrupted by another knock on the door, revealing another first-year student, Neville Longbottom, the heir of the ancient house of Longbottom, a family which for centuries was allied to the Potters, with another prefect behind him.
"I... I'm sorry. Did any of you see a toad?" Neville asked timidly.
"A toad?" Aryanna asked, taken aback. She was still reeling from the fact that Hermione had just become a Sailor Guardian and that she was about to tell her she had just become the Sailor Guardian Mercury. Neville's question caught her off guard. The boy's outlandish question had taken her completely by surprise.
"I... I have... l... Lost mine," Neville stammered, clearly distraught.
"No, sorry Neville, I haven't seen your toad," she answered a second later, still distracted by what had happened, struggling to keep up with the change of topic.
"Oh... o... okay," Neville said sadly, his head down, his face becoming red. He was about to close the door when Hermione, ever the kind and helpful person she was, suddenly spoke up. "Wait... Neville, where did you last see your... toad?"
Aryanna sighed. She realized at that moment that this was not the time to tell Hermione anything. As much as she wanted to, she realized it would be best to wait until later when they could not be so easily interrupted, or overheard. She also needed to speak to Setsuna and wait for Hermione's transformation wand to arrive first. She gave Susan a quick hand signal to keep quiet for now and decided to help Hermione and Neville look for the toad.
Two hours later, they found themselves back in their compartment. The search for Trevor, Neville's toad, had led them to the girls' toilet, where they discovered him swimming in some dirty water, much to their collective disgust.
Fortunately, a helpful female prefect they encountered cast a levitation charm followed by a quick cleaning charm on the wayward amphibian, and Trevor was promptly returned to Neville's care—much to the toad's evident displeasure.
During their search, they also met Lily Moon, a vibrant and lively redhead with green eyes, who joined them. The camaraderie that developed during this toad-rescue mission forged a lively and close-knit group of friends.
Lily, slender and of average height, possessed a confidence that wasn't arrogant. Her fair skin adorned with freckles gave her a porcelain complexion. Fiery red curls cascaded down her shoulders, adding to her friendly and approachable demeanor. All in all, a very likable and friendly little witch.
As they settled back into their compartment, the train's trolley lady arrived, tempting them with an array of sweets. Aryanna, who was loaded with galleons being the rich kid she was, soon found herself outside, buying enough treats for the four of them, and herself. Her treat!
"I'll take four box's of Pumpkin Pasties, four box's of Chocolate Frogs, one box of Licorice Wands and... a box of Bertie Bott's Beans, please," she said, pausing at the last choice. She didn't fancy the beans, but she had promised to get them; their unpredictability reminded her of an unfortunate encounter with a vomit-flavored one she had once had. She had not tried one since.
"That will be 1 Galleon, 7 Sickles, and 10 Knuts, please," the trolley lady said, adding up the price of the sweets.
'Ok let's see...with the current exchange rate of Galleons to Pounds being 50 pounds per Galleon, 17 Sickles per Galleon and 29 knuts per sickle...I think that's... Ouch!...£70.92 for sweets? Oh well...,' Aryanna thought as she handed over the money and took the sweets back to the compartment. 'Thank the void I'm loaded.'
The others eagerly assisted with the treats, and Aryanna distributed Neville's share. He blushed and mumbled a thank you, to which Aryanna simply smiled, ignoring his embarrassment. Grabbing a chocolate frog for herself, she observed with interest and a certain amount of trepidation as Susan bravely tried a Bertie Bean, wincing sympathetically when Susan promptly spat it out.
She cringed. "Bleah! Soap,"
Sure enough, the curse of the beans had struck again!
Hermione cautiously selected a bean and studied it before tasting it. "Cherry. Nice," she said, a smile gracing her face.
Susan glared at her friend half-heartedly. "Lucky!" She hesitated with another one, spat it out quickly, covered her mouth with her hand and promptly rushed out of the compartment.
Aryanna and Hermione exchanged dismayed glances, while Lily laughed at Susan's plight. Meanwhile, Neville eyed another brown bean dubiously, opting to set it down on the table rather than risk it.
Aryanna regarded the beans with distrust. "And you wonder why I don't want any. I tell you, they're cursed."
"Oh, come on, they aren't that bad. Here, see," Lily said, dropping two into her mouth at the same time. "Ah, my favorites. Strawberry and Vanilla mix." The other two girls looked at her with disbelief.
Susan returned then. Aryanna asked her, "You okay?" Susan still looked a little green. She groaned. "How can a single bean be so revolting?" she asked weakly.
Aryanna was about to inquire about the flavor when the door of their compartment swung wide open. Draco Malfoy's face appeared.
He scanned the room, giving each person a quick look. Hermione and Lily were dismissed entirely. He directed his attention to Aryanna and Susan, saying, "Oh, hello Bun-head. Squib. Bones. I thought I smelled you exit the lavatory. What happened? Did you not like the taste of mud?" His smile was cocky.
Susan mumbled weakly, placing her hand back on her mouth. "Ugh, please don't remind me," she said.
Aryanna's eyes widened slightly. She gave Susan a sympathetic look. "Mud? Really? Eww!"
"If only. Not just mud... but...worse," Susan replied causing the other girls to cringe in disgust.
"Can I help you, heir Malfoy?" Aryanna asked, finally turning her attention to the boy.
He smirked, "Help me? No. But maybe I can help you. I see your choice of friends has not improved much since the last time we spoke. While I approve of Susie, and I guess Longbottom can be redeemed if he ever grows a spine, the rest leave a lot to be desired. I have come, against my better judgment, to offer you a chance once again. To join the right kind." He glanced briefly at Hermione and Lily, his words laced with arrogance.
She answered promptly from her seat, "Denied!" A look of pure scorn adorned her face. "Was there anything else, heir Malfoy? Because if not, then I'd like you to leave."
"Careful, Potter. Things are going to be a lot different now that we are at Hogwarts. Your aunt is no longer here to save you and your muggle-loving ways will no longer be tolerated," he sneered, his face turning angry.
"I said no, Malfoy," she retorted, done being nice and eager for him to leave.
"Remember, Potter. You will no longer be accepted in the proper circles if you..."
"I don't care, Mal Foi." She stressed the words, rising from her seat. She'd had enough of the boy's arrogance. He hissed, "What did you just say?" and drew his wand from his robes, pointing it at Aryanna.
She stood still, making no move towards her wand, staring icily into his eyes. "You heard me. I said no, and let me be very clear... Mal Foi. I will never abandon my friends, least of all for the likes of you." She dared him to curse her.
"Careful, Potter. I won't make this offer again." His hands were shaking, his face grew red in anger and his wand sparked.
"Or else what? Are you going to curse me?" She looked straight into his face, clear contempt in her voice. Both knew very well that if he cursed her now - an heiress to a powerful family, an equal in the eyes of politics and law -, without a wand in her hand, even his pureblood status would not protect him from punishment. "I dare you! Make! My! Day!" she added looking directly into his eyes.
For the next few seconds, they stared into each other's eyes while the other inhabitants waited with bated breath. But then, another voice interrupted them.
"What is going on here?" an older student asked.
Knowing he had no choice, at least not now, Draco quickly put his wand back in his robes and turned to leave. He growled, "This isn't over, Potter!" A prefect walked up to him. He said, "Nothing's wrong; I was just leaving. The company here leaves a lot to be desired anyway." He walked away, an angry glint in his eyes.
Behind Aryanna, Susan returned her wand to her holster just in time before the prefect saw her.
The prefect asked, "Is everything alright, girls?" She looked at each of them, searching for trouble.
Aryanna said, "Everything's OK. Just Malfoy being... a Malfoy." She settled back in her seat.
The prefect nodded, understandingly. She looked at the retreating boy, then back at the girls. She recognized the famous girl in front of her. She asked, "Potter, right?"
"Aryanna nodded. The prefect said, 'Listen, please be careful. I know it isn't fair, but there isn't much I can do to stop Malfoy. I may be a prefect, but he's the heir of an influential pureblood family, his godfather is a professor and his father is on the board. I'm sorry, but all I can do is advise you to stay clear of him and not challenge him.' As she said this, she looked more at Hermione and Lily, the Muggleborn and Half-blood, than at Susan and Aryanna, the Pureblood and Celebrity."
Aryanna said angrily, 'Oh, I know. I know exactly who he is. Lucky for me, I may be a Half-blood but I'm also the heiress of two ancient families. That puts me at equal rank, and I, too, have an aunt on the board. I can handle the little prick.'
The perfect cringed. She opened her mouth but then closed it again. Finally, she said, 'Just be careful.' She nodded at the others.
She added, 'Some advice if I may; I, or the other prefects, may not be able to do much, unfortunately. But his godfather, Professor Snape, the potions professor, can and will make your life a living hell if you're not careful. Unless you get sorted into Slytherin, I'd advise you not to give him any reason to do so. Even then, I'd be careful.' With that, she walked away.
Aryanna sighed with relief. She plopped back in her seat. She hated bullies. She hated them with a burning passion. She would do anything to fight them. Endure any punishment - within reason - to see them fall, as long as it made sense. Adults were the worst offenders. You had to handle them carefully. You had to plan and wait for the right moment. But they too could and would fall. She would not let them, Draco or his godfather, win. She glared at the place where Draco had stood just moments ago. It didn't matter who they were.
Susan and Hermione shared worried glances. They knew that look. This was not good. They were happy that their friend stood up to Draco, but they were worried for her.
They knew without a doubt... This could not end well.
The rest of the trip proceeded smoothly without any further interruptions, and soon, the train started to slow down as it approached the final stretch of the journey. Before long, they would be arriving at Hogsmeade station, and then it would only be one more short trip until they reached Hogwarts itself. Aryanna couldn't resist stealing glances out of the window, catching fleeting glimpses of the majestic Hogwarts castle in the distance. For now, it was still small, but that would soon change as they got even closer.
"We're almost there," she said, smiling once again, having 'cooled down' from Draco's earlier visit. Her voice woke up Lily, who had been napping, and startled Hermione, who closed her book. She had been reading "Hogwarts: A History," her latest literary conquest. Neville was still missing, having left earlier to 'find some of the boys.'
Lily yawned, rubbing her eyes, while Hermione looked at Aryanna curiously. The trolley lady announced that they would arrive in five minutes, and reminded them to leave their trunks behind as they would be brought up separately.
Susan sighed, her gaze fixed sorrowfully on the wizard chessboard and on the game that she was currently losing. "We'll finish this later, Arya. Time to change before we get there," she said, going to her trunk.
Aryanna grinned, proud of her progress. Susan's expression and the sorry state of her rook showed how much she had improved since she started playing chess. She used to be terrible, losing games in the first twenty moves, but that changed quickly when she took an online course. Back then she lost a match in a fool's checkmate. Now, she could play well...and even win, most of the time. She tapped the board, freezing and shrinking it. She put it in her trunk and secured her belongings. She felt a surge of excitement.
"Have I mentioned how much I love magic?" she asked, getting her school uniform out of her trunk.
"Only several times in the last month and a few more times last year," Susan teased, changing her clothes.
"Has it really been that much? Well, it's always worth mentioning again," Aryanna said, pretending to be surprised. She checked herself in a small mirror in her trunk, making sure everything was in order. She fixed one of her odangos that had come loose and straightened her tie. It was black now, but it would soon change to match her house. She faced her friend. "It's a shame we can't use magic outside Hogwarts legally. Especially with all the Youma around," she said, putting on her black outer robes.
"Agreed, but I doubt the ministry will change the rules anytime soon... if ever," Susan replied.
"Why not? I mean...It's not like it would make much of a difference, considering all the magic we see every day with the Super Heroes. It's a bit absurd," Hermione said, ready to go. "At least as long as it's not done too blatantly."
These words prompted Aryanna and Susan to exchange glances. Hermione had a point. Not that they were complaining, quite the opposite, but why was it that the ministry never seemed to care whenever they used magic as Sailor Guardians? Yet, whenever a poor Muggle-born used a simple levitation spell at home, they could expect an angrily written letter from the ministry warning them of expulsion and mind-wiping, all for one more use of magic.
"That's..." she paused, stumped. "A very good question. One which we really should look into later when we have the time," Aryanna said, shrugging off the mystery. They had no answers now, but she knew they would need them later.
They checked their compartment for any left items, as the train slowed into Hogsmeade station. They left, feeling excited as they joined their peers on the platform.
The air buzzed with anticipation as they stepped out. They saw a sea of students, each in their Hogwarts robes, chatting excitedly. Aryanna spotted Neville in the crowd, standing by a group of boys.
"Looks like Neville found some friends," she said, then sighed. She noticed a red-headed boy beside him, arguing with Draco Malfoy. Draco looked angry, but the boy seemed to enjoy it. Not a good combination.
She ignored the argument and waved at Neville.
He waved back shyly, blushing. Aryanna saw the nervousness in him and frowned.
'Oh no! If I didn't know better, then...' She shook her head. She did not need this. Not now. Maybe in a few years, but not now.
"Hey there! I see you made some more friends. Ready for the sorting?" she asked kindly, smiling at Neville.
He blushed even more, and stammered, "Y-yeah, I...I did... Er...thanks again for h-helping me find Trevor on the t-train. I was so worried." He looked away.
Aryanna sighed. 'Poor boy,' she thought, wondering what to do. She did not like him, or any boy, right now. Romantically, that is. She was far too young for that. Luckily, Susan intervened.
"That's what friends are for!" Susan said, patting Neville hard on the back. He nearly stumbled. They heard a voice, calling them to follow.
"That's Hagrid, the groundskeeper. He wants us to follow him!" Susan pointed at the large man who had called them. Aryanna, Hermione, and Lily nodded.
They followed him to a lake, where he led them to some boats.
"Quickly now, come on—don't be shy—don't be shy. No more than four to a boat," he said. Aryanna groaned, seeing Neville looking at her and blushing again. He thought no one noticed.
"Damn, he has it bad," Susan commented, winking and smiling at Neville. He stumbled again. Aryanna groaned more, and Hermione sighed loudly at their silliness and immaturity.
"Ew...Susan!...seriously...we are like... eleven," Aryanna said, avoiding Neville's gaze.
"What...I think he's cute," Susan said, making Aryanna groan again, Hermione roll her eyes, and Lily look away in embarrassment. "He's all yours," Aryanna said dismissively, making a disgusted face.
Neville saw her, and his face fell.
"Awww...looks like big bad Arya hurt little Nevie's feelings," Susan said, laughing. Aryanna growled and tried to elbow her. Susan dodged and laughed more. Neville retreated into the crowd.
"I'm never going to hear the end of this...am I?" Aryanna grumbled, blushing as she stepped into a boat with Hermione and Susan. Lily followed them.
"Honestly!" Hermione mumbled, shaking her head at her friend's antics, but smiling.
Susan smiled back and laughed as they got on the boat.
"Never!"
Soon they were all laughing and on their way.
The Great Lake shimmered under the moonlight, reflecting the night sky. It welcomed them as if it knew they were coming. The Forbidden Forest, mysterious and dark, stood in the shadows, marking the edge of the grounds. It hid mysteries and dangers, off-limits for young minds. They paddled rhythmically, feeling the anticipation in the air. The wind whispered, and the leaves rustled. The owls hooted, creating a magical symphony, and though it all they made steady progress to the castle.
The castle loomed larger as the boats rounded a bend. It appeared more and more with each splash, bathed in the soft glow of the crescent moon. It towered far above, in varying heights, rising into the night sky. Its many spires seemed to reach for the stars. Its medieval, gothic, and magical architecture revealed itself as a timeless masterpiece. The breeze carried the scent of ancient stone, adding a touch of history to the enchanting moment. Lanterns in the boats and castle windows cast flickering reflections on the water, enhancing the mystical ambiance. Soon Hogwarts came into full view as the boats approached the final bend. It perched high on the cliff, like something out of a storybook.
Cheers, gasps, and exclamations filled the air, as the students finally saw the majestic structure of knowledge and wisdom in all of its full Majestic grandness. Each in their own way, their eyes shining with excitement and eagerness, they strained to catch a glimpse of the castle that would be their home for the next seven years.
Slowly, the boats glided to a stop in a small hidden alcove at the base of the cliff. The students disembarked, their eyes still wide with awe. They began to ascend the long, winding stairs up the cliff. They climbed 777 steps from the base to the top. The cool night breeze carried the scent of magic, and the stone steps felt smooth and cool.
Aryanna felt a nervous flutter in her stomach, as they arrived at the castle after the 40-minute walk. A new chapter in her life was about to start, and she felt some nervousness.
The massive oak doors swung open, revealing the glow of the Entrance Hall. There an older woman awaited, her stern exterior softening as the students approached. Hagrid's lantern cast a warm glow, illuminating the beginning of their journey at Hogwarts.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall! These are the new first years, just arrived on the boats. They're all yours now. I'll be headin' back to the boats to make sure no one's left behind," Hagrid said, stepping past them with a large lantern in his hand. The old woman nodded with a brief smile.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here," she asserted, the authority in her voice emphasized by the stern lilt of her Scottish accent. Hagrid nodded, acknowledging her command, and gracefully stepped away. His heavy footsteps gradually faded into the background, leaving the students to face the formidable presence of the professor in an abrupt solitude. The air hung heavy with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness as the students shifted uneasily under the penetrating gaze of their new guide.
Aryanna lifted her gaze to meet the woman's eyes and swiftly decided that crossing her was an endeavor best avoided. While she had confronted perilous Youma in the past, this woman exuded an undeniable aura of presence and authority. One which was best left unangered. Youma, she could confront and fight; here however, against the professor, in this realm of academia, it was not physical prowess and battle skills which would see her win, but a different kind of strength, one of intellect, influence and cunning.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, first years. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, and head of Gryffindor House. In a few minutes, you will enter the Great Hall, where you'll be sorted into your houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Your house will be your family at Hogwarts. You can earn or lose house points for your behavior. The house with the most points at the end of the year wins the House Cup, a great honor. I expect each of you to uphold your house's honor, and behave at all times.
Remember, you now represent Hogwarts, and I won't tolerate any dishonor or rule-breaking. Please wait here until I return to get you. I suggest you smarten yourselves up a bit," McGonagall said, her gaze lingering on Neville and the red-headed boy from the train, Ronald Weasley. He was one of the five Weasley children they had seen at Kings Cross. She stepped away, leaving the first years alone.
As they waited, Aryanna moved closer to her friends. The air buzzed with excitement and nervousness. They nodded at each other, their eyes showing their anticipation and determination to stay friends despite the sorting.
Aryanna smiled softly, listening to Hermione murmuring the names of spells she had already learned. Susan moved toward another friend, Hannah Abbot.
She hadn't seen Hannah for weeks, not since the Youma crisis started. She had missed her other long-standing friend, but now she felt the familiar cadence of their voices filling the void. Meanwhile, Lily watched another fight brewing between Ron and Draco.
Aryanna shook her head, bemused and annoyed. Draco had found his new target, and Ron was falling for it.
For a second Aryanna thought about stepping in, but held back when Ron lunged at Draco, fists flying. He seemed to handle it himself. At this point, it was better to let the professors deal with them. School term hadn't even started, and she didn't need trouble on her first day.
That would be a new record, even for her.
Fists flew and soon both boys were rolling around on the floor each sporting busted lips and other bruises. Before anyone could stop them, Professor McGonagall returned with another professor.
"What is the meaning of this!? Stop it, THIS INSTANT!" she roared, her face red with fury. Aryanna cringed, hearing the echoes of her words. They reminded her of her own former encounters with authority.
At that moment her mind flashed back to her meeting with her former principal, after she defended Hermione from bullies in the muggle school. It had caused a brawl which had even ended up on the evening news. She felt her hand involuntarily move closer to her backside and quickly moved it away. It had not been a good moment.
If she had tried to stop them...
Better not think about it.
She hoped they wouldn't be in her house...whatever it would be.
"In all my years! I have never! Despicable behavior! You two...follow me...NOW!" she screeched, her face red with fury.
The two boys, red-faced, bruised and bloody, followed her out of the room, with the other professor following closely. They left the rest of the first years in stunned silence. The echo of their footsteps faded, creating an eerie contrast to the earlier tension. Nobody dared to make a sound. It was so quiet they could hear a fly buzz and the fluttering of unseen wings. Soon, only the distant sound of the angry professor's tirade could be heard, fading away. A reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
They didn't comment. No one dared make a sound. Not even when several ghosts floated through the hall. Numerous first-year eyes quietly followed the spectral figures as they floated across the room, talking in their otherworldly way, adding an ethereal layer to the quietude. They spoke of Peeves, a mischievous poltergeist, who had been unscrewing a chandelier to drop it on some students.
'What have I gotten myself into this time?' Aryanna wondered. She hoped they were joking. At this rate, she might actually be safer fighting Youma than being in school.
Time passed slowly and tensely, while they waited for McGonagall to return. She returned, still angry but somewhat cooled down. The two boys were not with her, and Aryanna wondered what fate awaited them.
"Please proceed directly to the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony. No dilly-dallying" McGonagall said, after inspecting them briefly. She seemed satisfied.
Aryanna followed the other first-year students into the Great Hall. The long tables were set and ready for a feast, and the Sorting Hat waited on the stool at the front. Students of all ages and sizes watched them with interest.
Aryanna waited in line, looking at the enchanted ceiling. It reflected the night sky. It truly was a marvelous work of ancient magic.
Soon, the first years were in place, lined up, not orderly but satisfactory, between two of the four long tables that denoted each of the Hogwarts houses and colours. From left to right, each table had a house colour and crest: Gryffindor was red, Hufflepuff was yellow, Ravenclaw was blue, and Slytherin was green.
Not to be outdone, the professors' tables, filled with stern and friendly professors, watched over them, enclosing them in a half-circle. The headmaster's golden throne, on a raised dais, had the man himself seated in the middle. He observed his domain like a lord of old. In the center of the room, just in front of the student tables, a small stool stood. On it, waiting patiently, was the famous Sorting Hat. It was a hat created long ago by the four founders of Hogwarts before they passed away. It would now decide their fates and sort them into their houses.
As the last of the first years took their places at the back of the line, the hall fell silent and all eyes turned towards the sorting hat. Aryanna felt the excitement and apprehension that filled the hall. This was it, she could tell. The moment they had all been waiting for. The anticipation was palpable. The Great Hall, once bustling with activity, had fallen into a hushed silence of expectancy.
Then it happened. The Sorting Hat, weathered and wise, came to life on the stool. Its brim twitched as if awakening from a long slumber. Aryanna's gaze was fixed on the hat, as it began its traditional song. It was the highlight, besides the actual sorting and the feast, of every new school year. A melodic reminder of the history it held and the responsibility it bore filled the hall.
Oh, welcome, dear students, to Hogwarts so grand,
A world of magic, where destinies are planned.
It's my fate today to sort you all, right here, right now,
Right on this old stool... and so I shall.
Will it be Gryffindor's courage, dispelling the gloom,
Or Hufflepuff's warmth, where loyalties bloom?
Ravenclaw's wisdom, a beacon so bright, Or Slytherin's ambition, hidden in the night?
So, let the magic sort and sway,
In this hall where enchantments guide the way.
But remember, dear children, beware!
For beneath the moon's soft gleam,
A greater destiny awaits, for those who dream.
Hints of the future, so subtle and near,
Destinies entwined, secrets to revere.
So, let the magic sort and sway,
Let loves champion unveil the way.
For among these houses, united they stand,
Guardians, daughters of magic, a silvery unbroken band.
Hints of the future, old yet new,
Destinies entwined, whispers born anew.
Help them we must, Guide them we shall,
Loves guidance shall show the way.
Remember, dear children, beneath the moon's soft gleam,
United we stand, divided we shan't, in this Hogwarts dream.
But nobody listens, tis a shame, I know, Hogwarts unfortunate bane.
Go forth now, dear students, whatever your house,
Gryffindor's Desperation, Hufflepuff's Lament,
Ravenclaws Twilight, Slytherin Regret.
May your hearts always stay true,
Stand united now, in Hogwarts' loving embrace, whatever you do,
As the moonlight beams and darkness reigns.
Let history not repeat again, unless time begins anew!
Aryanna stood frozen, her eyes wide and unblinking as the ominous last notes of the song faded into the night. Nervous whispers, looks of confusion, surprise, and even some worry from the older students and professors alike filled the air, while the youngest looked on in confusion. Dumbledore himself, old and wise, sat in contemplative silence, pondering the moment. Nobody knew what to make of the hat's newest song. Then slowly, the first claps began and soon the hall erupted into muted cheers and half-hearted applause. In her mind, a storm was brewing.
'What just happened?' she thought anxiously, a wave of worry washing over her. The disguised, yet for her obvious, hints from the sorting hat about her and her guardians lingered in her thoughts, like a red herring slapping her in the face.
How much did the hat know about her and her friends? Her mind raced. Were they compromised? Were they safe? This was not supposed to happen! It almost sounded eerily like a prophecy. She had to report this to Setsuna as soon as she could.
Beside her, Susan shot her a worried glance, mirroring Aryanna's unease. She too had caught the hints the hat had made throughout its song.
Aryanna tried to calm herself with a deep breath, glancing around at the sea of faces. Nobody seemed to react or look at them differently. Not that she had expected them to. The cheers and applause slowly began and soon the hall erupted into a festive mood. But she felt exposed and vulnerable. Was she paranoid, or was this a true cause for concern?
McGonagall's voice cut through the noise and her thoughts, bringing her attention back to the sorting ceremony. For now, there were more pressing matters to worry about, like her own sorting.
"I will now call your names," McGonagall declared, unrolling a long parchment. She glanced at the first name on the list, and called out:
"Abbot, Hannah!"
Aryanna watched nervously as Hannah approached the stool. The sorting hat settled on her head, large enough to engulf her. The hall fell into hushed anticipation. Seconds later, the hat bellowed its decision.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
It had begun! The first had been sorted. Cheers erupted, and Aryanna and Susan clapped in unison, relieved that their long-time friend was in a fitting house. The house of the loyal and hardworking badgers would be good for her.
The cheers continued for a few more seconds before everybody quietened down once more as Hannah, her uniform, most prominently her tie, suddenly turning yellow, settled down in a free spot at the Hufflepuff table.
Then there was a short delay before it was the next person's turn. Once more, McGonagall glanced at the list and called out:
"Bones, Susan!"
Aryanna's stomach somersaulted. This was it! The moment she had been dreading ever since she stepped on the train had finally arrived. The first of her Guardians was about to be sorted.
The moment felt like an eternity. Susan left her spot beside Aryanna and began to make her way towards the stool. To Aryanna, it felt like Susan was walking to her doom. But that was silly. She knew they were not in danger. Why then did it feel so...final?
Aryanna watched nervously as the hat lowered over Susan's head, almost swallowing her.
One second passed, then another. The sorting hat seemed to take forever. Nothing. Was the hat arguing with Susan? No! She seemed far too calm for that. Then what was it?
Half a minute later there was still no response...
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
And then it was all over. Just like that! The team had just been broken apart, if only temporarily, or so it seemed. Susan's uniform turned yellow, like Hannah's. She removed the hat and joined the Hufflepuff table.
Her nerves rose even further as she watched Susan join the table of the black and yellow band of happily cheering badgers.
Aryanna couldn't help but wonder, 'That's two for Hufflepuff...so far so good. Now, who's next?' Could their luck hold out? It was unlikely, and yet...
"Boot, Terry!"
Aryanna didn't know him. Not really. She knew of the Boots family. They had connections with politically powerful families in the Wizengamot, but they were a minor house. Not a family she usually associated with.
A short wait later, the hat announced:
"RAVENCLAW!"
Terry Boot, the heir of the Minor House of Boot, joined the house of the wise. The first to do so. Aryanna clapped, along with the rest. The sorting continued. Lavender Brown, a girl with long, curly hair, became the first Gryffindor. Michael Corner, the second Ravenclaw. Tracy Davis, a Slytherin. One by one, more names continued to be called.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Once again Aryanna's nerves spiked and her stomach churned. It sounded like a death knell. Susan and Hermione were her closest friends. They were the ones she had known the longest and they were also those whom she would miss the most if separated. Unfortunately, she also knew that of all of her friends, Hermione had the highest chance of going to a different house. In fact, she expected it. She watched her walk to the hat and braced herself for the blow.
Ten seconds passed, then twenty. Aryanna could see Hermione fretting and arguing with the hat. Half a minute passed, then a full minute. Still, they argued. Her friend looked worried. Then suddenly, her expression changed. Was that resignation, followed by acceptance? Yes, it was. It was at that moment that Aryanna knew, they had lost...
"RAVENCLAW!"
Aryanna nodded her head and sighed with sadness. She had hoped. Oh, how she had hoped. For a few seconds there she had thought that they could somehow beat the odds and stay together in a single house. But in the end, it was as she had expected.
No surprise there, not really. After all, where else would her friend have gone than to Ravenclaw? Gryffindor perhaps?
It had all been a fool's hope. But it did make sense when you thought about it. She was Mercury, after all, the Brainy Guardian. It had always been almost a certainty that she would have ended up in the house of the intelligent and wise.
For a few seconds, she could only stare, but then, slowly, she shrugged in acceptance.
Oh well!
In the end, it didn't matter. Not really. The result was the same no matter how you looked at it. It was true. The dream trio may just have been cruelly broken up by a hat, and no matter what house she went to now, it would stay that way. At least during classes and curfew.
But that was why they had made the oaths. They would simply have to catch up between classes and after school. Yes, it was true that her friends were now in separate houses. Nothing could change that. However, nothing would stop their friendship either. She would make sure of that. She swore this to herself with all her heart.
She nodded her head, forced a smile on her face, and started to clap.
From there, time seemed to speed up as the remaining 'firsties' were sorted, breaking up more and more friends and new friendships formed on the train as they were sorted into different and sometimes even politically opposing houses. It made no sense. Wasn't the whole idea of the journey to make friends, not tear them apart?
She silently watched as Lily became a Gryffindor, further breaking up their new group of friends. It made the train journey seem so...pointless. The more Aryanna watched, the more bitter she became. The longer it went on, the more she disliked the sorting. It was not fair. It should not be this way. Even Lily, whom she had only known for a short while, she liked the girl. She had hoped they would all stay together, not get split up by a stupid hat.
Aryanna idly noticed that Draco's name had not been called, but she didn't care. It didn't matter to her.
And then it finally happened!
One moment she was watching Parvati Patil get sorted into Gryffindor.
Then the world seemed to hold its breath as if it knew that the next moment would change everything.
Its future queen, one no one knew about, was about to get sorted.
Destiny had arrived to sort Fate's bi... servant.
And she had a name:
"Peverell-Potter... Aryanna!"