Chapter Twenty-Two

Lucy was led into the great hall by her friends. The older students all began taking their place as they awaited for the first-years. Headmaster Dippet was talking to Albus Dumbledore at the staff table as the men seemed engrossed in the conversation they were having. A batch of children's newspapers called 'Muggle War News' was now in the corner for any witch or wizard who wished to keep track during their time at Hogwarts. A small owl telegraph office had also been set up during the summer in case any students needed to be alerted of bad news. Lucy sat down with one of these newspapers. The headline read...

Muggle children sent to countryside! The 'Minister of Magic' advices you do not take any in unless you can hide your magic without question

"Father's put protective charms around our house now" Ruth spoke up as she read the headline.

"So did mine" Victoria chimed in.

"We can't because we live in a muggle street. Thankfully we live in a village though so it's unlikely we are in danger" Poppy said.

"It's only big cities that are in danger, isn't that right, Lucy?" Ruth asked as the girls looked towards her.

The girl giving a nod in response. It was indeed that in this moment but she was scared it might change. She felt a sudden hand go on her shoulder as she turned around in shock. Thankfully it was just Argus as she looked up at him and got up as she gave him a hug. Something she hadn't done before and he was taken aback slightly as it's been over two years since he gotten one. It made his heart feel a bit warmer. He had a book in his hand as he showed it to Lucy. It was called 'The Alleged Haunting of Ballechin House', Lucy briefly skimmed through it.

"Ghosts seen by muggles" Argus explained as he pointed towards an illustration of a nun.

"Well we do know that friars can come back as ghosts so I'm sure nuns can too" Lucy replied.

"Exactly! I told my brother that! Though he refuses to believe muggles can see ghosts. Though I think he's only saying that to get on my wick. Oh I can't wait to get my teeth into this later, see if it's got any advice on how to get rid of the likes of Peeves"

She was about to reply until Oakleigh Burton entered. As he told Argus to sit in his usual seat right now. He gave a small sigh before following him to the side and sitting besides him. Placing his muggle ghost book back in his coat and taking out his notebook of names instead.

...

Things were rather tense on the Slytherin table this year. As the newly made Slytherin 'Head Boy' Bernard felt pushed out by Tom Riddle and his gang. He was overheard demanding that he must sit near the front to welcome the first-years. He was quite gentle for a Slytherin and didn't have bucketloads of authority at his disposal. As his attempts just made the younger students laugh, Walburga Black notably had her hand clasped onto Tom's arm during this. The 'Head Girl' Catherine stormed over as she threatened to get Horace Slughorn on them if two of them didn't move further down the table.

"Let's be fair now...Avery and Nott will move, won't you?" Tom Riddle asked softly.

"Tom-" Nott went to protest.

Though a stern look from Tom made him shut up at once. The two second-year boys just gave a sarcastic nod to Bernard and Catherine. Moving up a bit so they could sit closer to the front as it was their duty. Walburga giving a girlish laugh as she looked back towards Tom. A lot of the girls in Slytherin were awfully keen to befriend Tom due to him being the heir of Salazar Slytherin.

"So who are we to expect this year, Walburga?" Tom questioned; referring to the first-years.

"Victor Crabbe and Graham Goyle are going to be sorted into Slytherin. I have little doubt. They are from a pure-blood family. As for the others, I can't quite say however Betty Fisk may join us as her parents were Slytherin's...they have connections to the Selwyn family" Walburga explained.

"Sister of Ruth Fisk?"

"That's right...Orford is her cousin. Though I'm led to believe they haven't been quite the same since Ruth was sorted into Hufflepuff. They haven't been quite as respectable"

"Let's hope order is restored in that case" Tom said; making his position clear.

Tom was always happy to take family member and close friends of those he deemed enemies. He gained the most satisfaction from doing this and he wasn't kidding when he told Eileen at the orphanage about wanting to take her future children and Abraxas Malfoy's future children for his cause. The huge doors opened a few moments later as the hall went silent. A dozen or nervous first-years entered, looking in awe as they always did.

"Betty's been so nervous at home" Ruth spoke quietly to her friends.

...

"Appleton, Fiona"

The girl Lucy saw hours before skipped towards the stool. Sitting down upon it with a broad grin. Fiona would grow up to be the mother of Gilderoy Lockhart. She gave a small giggle during her chatter with the sorting hat.

"Ravenclaw!"

Cheers came from that house as they got the first student of the night. Fiona skipped merrily towards the table. Shaking all the hands coming her way, she was very happy.

"Crabbe, Victor"

This boy was very confident as he sat on the stool. He was the grandfather of Vincent Crabbe.

"Slytherin!"

More cheers could be heard, Slughorn stood up as he clapped. Watching as the lad marched over to the table. Shaking hands with everyone he could, including Tom Riddle.

"Crouch, Bartemius"

An eleven year old Bartemius walked up the steps. The sorting hat being placed on his head. He looked quite nervous as he seemed to be having a serious conversation with the sorting hat.

"Hufflepuff!"

Lucy giving a clap with her friends and the others as he walked over. Shaking all their hands as he introduced himself to them properly. The Slytherin table looked on in disappointment as they missed out on gaining another pure-blood wizard of good stock.

"Welcome child, we are most pleased to have you" the fat friar spoke as he flew over the table.

"He's pleased to have anyone" Peeves announced right on cue.

He did that every year to the Hufflepuff table. They booed him like last time, Lucy joining in this year as she giggled. Realizing that his remark last year wasn't anything personal and he did it to every single Hufflepuff since inception. During this however, Lucy looked towards Argus. The boy looked sad as he had to sit through another one of these, knowing that will never be him.

"Fisk, Betty"

This name made the Hufflepuff table quieten down again. Ruth breathed in as she watched her sister walk nervously up the steps through her fingers. Sitting down as she began to have a serious conversation. Looking between both tables, she closed her eyes (likely by request) and seconds later, the sorting hat announced...

"Slytherin!"

Betty actually smiled as she skipped to that table. Shaking every single hand, including a very smug Tom Riddle's. Ruth felt like somebody had stabbed her in her heart. Slughorn clapping very loudly as he was so pleased to gain one of the Fisk sisters. Ruth felt like she was a lamb going to slaughter, if somebody as hard-faced as Eileen Prince can't handle it. Somebody like Betty will fall apart easily.

...

TBC