Notice: Nothing from the world of Harry Potter belongs to me, except for the OCs.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when writing this story back then, for which I apologize if there are any spelling mistakes, which will be corrected in due course.
Genre: Drama/Romance, Parallel Worlds, Angels, Wizards, and Demons.
Time: Marauders' Era.
Content Warning: Includes some sensitive scenes and themes.
Copying of any kind of this story is prohibited.
I.
1971
(pure blood must be in slytherin)
:･ﾟ :･ﾟ
The Hogwarts Express awaited majestically at the station. On that first mild September day, a solemn eleven-year-old girl, with hair as black as ebony, strode through the crowd with long, determined steps. Sylvia inwardly grumbled at the stifling walk, carrying her belongings as her older brother, adorned in the glorious Slytherin house robes, followed closely behind.
Both children were part of a revered lineage, belonging to the illustrious pure-blood family: the Selwyns. Despite the expectations weighing on them due to their lineage, Alexander and Marcail Selwyn had decided their children should forge their own path, independent and with their own authority. The parents, prominent Aurors of their time, had always strived to maintain their high standards and passed on that same demand to their children. From a young age, Sylvia had witnessed this relentless pressure, a burden that, though not directly hers, surrounded her like a shadow. William, her older brother and designated heir of the Selwyn blood, had borne the heaviest weight of family expectations.
Sylvia shared a striking similarity with her brother; they were hardly distinguishable except for a few details. Her skin, though not as pale as his, still exhibited a similar glow, while her hair, instead of chestnut, was a deep black. William stood out for his height, his short, chestnut hair, finely sculpted nose, and brown eyes that seemed to capture the very essence of warmth. His face, perfectly molded by his features, radiated innate serenity. In contrast, she possessed a more average height, with softer brown eyes that seemed to reflect a calm ocean of emotions, and straight dark hair that fell softly over her shoulders. Despite these differences, the remaining features of her face bore a surprising resemblance to her brother's, as if they shared a unique genetic mold.
"Are you excited to be in Slytherin soon?"
As her brother's voice resonated in her ears, Sylvia turned and attempted to force a smile. Her solid academic performance and fervent desire to make her parents proud demanded that she keep up appearances, though deep down she knew that blood status and house matters meant nothing to her. She blinked several times, trying to focus on her brother, but her mind wandered to distant places, oblivious to the family drama unfolding before her. The smile she tried to form on her lips lacked authenticity, a mask hiding the indifference she felt towards the issues that bound her family.
"I can't wait," she lied, looking convincingly into her disheveled brother's eyes. "I've always wanted to make Mom and Dad proud."
With a tender smile, William reached out and ruffled his sister's hair.
"You'll definitely make them proud."
Sylvia turned away again, struggling to contain the curses that threatened to escape her lips. She didn't want to stand out among the others, but unfortunately, it seemed to be the main criterion for evaluation among certain purist families.
"I know you're worried about what's going to happen," said William, starting to walk slowly. "But you'll always be my sister, and that won't change, no matter what happens, okay?"
Sylvia nodded gently, letting her mind weave the multiple scenes that could unfold if she were to disappoint her parents. The pressure persisted in her chest, a burden that seemed to dissipate in no way.
"Let's go," she grunted tersely. "I don't want to delay the journey any longer."
With the firm purpose of not adding more worries to her sister, or perhaps driven by the desire to put an end to the matter once and for all, William let out a sigh and resumed his path with the dark-haired young woman at his side, before boarding the Hogwarts Express. The moment they both entered, the steam from the locomotive rose in spirals, enveloping the place in a kind of magical mist. The roar of the locomotive and the sound of the doors closing became present, accompanying the palpable anxiety and excitement of all the students inside.
And in a short span of time, the train started with an unexpectedly rapid thrust, swiftly distancing itself from King's Cross station. For Sylvia, that movement marked the beginning of a long journey, a path she knew would be full of challenges and mixed emotions. Although several minutes had passed since her train departed, she still struggled to contain the tears that threatened to emerge. She had watched with sorrow as several parents affectionately bid farewell to their children, while hers, showing no gesture of support whatsoever, had left her and her brother alone at the station entrance. But asking for something different would have been expecting too much from parents as distant and severe as hers.
She fought to contain the bitterness that invaded her, feeling it choking her throat like a bitter morsel. Her eyes settled on her brother, who was desperately looking for an empty compartment among the train carriages. She had always felt a gap with William, a distance that seemed to have widened since the moment their parents had focused all their attention on him. The relationship with her brother had fractured the moment they began to compare her to him. Each comparison was a painful reminder of her own sense of inadequacy and her parents' apparent preference.
Sylvia let her gaze wander once more, this time along the train corridors, immersing herself in their perceived depth. A sense of confusion seized her, and she wasn't sure how to navigate those labyrinthine passages.
"Will," she said in a low, neutral tone, searching for the right words to hide her indecision. "I can go alone."
William looked at her with a face full of doubt. He had always been his sister's unwavering support, but he never quite understood the envy she harbored towards him. At that moment, he realized that Sylvia longed to chart her own course, to break free from the shadow he cast. Since embarking on his first train journey to Hogwarts, he had experienced a mix of nervousness and fear of not fitting in among the other kids. Despite this, he had never abandoned Sylvia; however, the idea of attending Hogwarts had threatened on several occasions to fracture their fraternal bond. Still, he perceived a singular determination in his sister, a persistence that conveyed to him the certainty that she could manage without needing his constant protection.
"Are you sure?" he asked anxiously, scanning the corridors, trying to locate his friends. "You can come with me."
"Thank you, but my answer is no," Sylvia replied with a hint of bitterness in her voice. The mere idea of spending more time with her brother, in addition to the inclusion of two strangers, did not appeal to her at all. "I'll be fine."
"I understand," he murmured with a brief sigh. "If you ever need anything, I'll be around here, in one of the compartments in this corridor."
"I appreciate the offer," she intervened, feeling a pang in her throat, as if each word were a sharp blade. Despite that, she maintained her tone of voice soft and serene. "But I really don't need it. I hope you have a good day."
With a resigned gesture, her brother nodded, accepting defeat. In that precise moment, Sylvia seemed to fade from his field of vision, just before he could even acknowledge the weight of regret. The notion of confronting the fear of the unknown briefly invaded her, but she refused to allow William to continue dominating the forefront of her existence.
:･ﾟ :･ﾟ
Regret embraced Sylvia as she found herself alone in a secluded compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Her eyes roamed the thin metal walls of the place, trying to block out and ignore the hustle and bustle and the presence of the other passengers filling the train. With each breath, the weight of her loneliness became more evident, enveloping her in deep melancholy.
Throughout her life, she had adhered rigorously to the guidelines her parents had set for her, seeking to establish relationships with other pure-blood lineages, with whom she never crossed paths again. In her mind, she often struggled to grasp the true meaning of authentic companionship, which she had only experienced alongside her brother. William and she were similar in certain respects, but at the same time, they were entirely different, at least in the eyes of their parents. To them, William represented the epitome of Selwyn purity and the perfect embodiment of the heritage to support the dark wizard. And what role did she play? A mere shadow who had always followed in her brother's footsteps. She didn't even share the same ideals as her parents, and she felt a deep dislike for anything related to Voldemort.
She found herself at a crossroads between maintaining her authenticity or yielding to family expectations, especially regarding William. Every family gathering tested her ability to conceal the disagreements she harbored within. Every time she was forced to smile and nod at comments that contradicted her own convictions, she felt as if a part of herself was slowly extinguishing. Although there were certain things she didn't fully share, she strove to keep those thoughts deep within her being. But when William interacted with their family, she couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and envy. He seemed so sure of himself, so comfortable in his own skin, while she felt like an impostor, desperately trying to fit into a world that never seemed to fully accept her.
The profound sorrow of loneliness seized her once again, leading her to contemplate the idea of seeking out her brother as a possible source of companionship. However, the memory of the moments shared with William, which she fervently wished to avoid, made her reconsider, reject the idea, and find herself once again in a mental void, staring out the window.
She closed her eyes tightly, immersing herself in a sea of self-criticism. Until suddenly, the tranquility of her compartment was interrupted by the appearance of a young boy.
Feeling the creak of the door opening, Sylvia snapped out of her reverie with a sudden start. Her eyes widened, surprised by the sudden auditory stimulus. It was then, amidst her confusion, that she met curious gray eyes that observed her intently. Her body froze momentarily in response to the realization of the boy's presence; she was immersed in an emotional dilemma, having no idea how to react to the situation. But amidst that anguish, a sigh of relief welled up from the depths of her soul when someone finally decided to accompany her, ending nearly an hour of desolation in that solitary compartment. The boy's smile and the depth of his gray gaze elicited a comforting sense of companionship in her, something she had silently longed for. The young boy seemed completely at ease, without a trace of nervousness, as his dark hair gracefully fell over his forehead, framing a genuinely kind smile. His neat attire and distinguished appearance, from his elegant bearing to his firm chin, suggested to Sylvia that the boy was about to embark on his first year at Hogwarts, just like her.
"Excuse me, have you seen a boy with glasses?" the boy inquired, sweeping the compartment with his gaze in search of any sign of the boy, even avoiding making eye contact with her.
At that moment, Sylvia was left paralyzed, feeling as if all her hopes were crumbling to pieces. A sense of disappointment flooded her as she realized she had been waiting in vain for someone to show interest in talking to her. Why, out of all possibilities, did it have to be like this? Why did this boy intrude into her space in such a manner, without the slightest gesture of courtesy, without even greeting her? Had he even noticed her presence?
Holding her breath, she clenched her teeth before forcing herself to muster a half-hearted smile and utter:
"I'm sorry, but I haven't."
The boy pursed his lips, oblivious to the discomfort she felt. Then, he looked her up and down before curving his lips into another smile.
"I understand. It's just that I met him recently, and he mentioned he was going to the bathroom, but never came back."
Sylvia shook her head, confused by the black-haired boy's account. She couldn't comprehend why he was telling her this.
"I'll say again that I'm sorry, but I haven't seen him."
"That's okay." The boy's nose wrinkled, a clear expression of disdain on his face. Sylvia sighed, hoping the boy would finally leave this time.
"I'm Sylvia Selwyn, pleased to meet you as well," she said, her voice suddenly tinged with sarcasm. The boy's eyes widened in surprise at the change in tone. This reaction elicited a soft laugh from Sylvia, although it was an internal laugh; she found the situation ironically amusing.
"Sirius Black..." he mentioned, his words flowing out with a speed that betrayed some tension, followed by a quick throat-clearing. "I didn't know the Selwyns had a daughter. Why have I never seen you at family gatherings?"
"I don't like them much, so I rarely come down to greet when they gather," she replied slowly, hinting at a truth she had carried with her for a long time. She had never been particularly sociable with people who shared the same convictions as her parents.
Sirius nodded thoughtfully, his eyes intensely focused on her. "Are you the black sheep of the family?"
She widened her eyes, taken aback by the black-haired boy's sharp words that resonated like daggers, instantly stinging her sensibilities.
"Are you insulting me?" she asked, her voice laden with indignation.
Sirius didn't immediately respond. It was evident that he hadn't intended to hurt Sylvia, but he found it inexplicable why he couldn't apologize to her. In a way, he found some amusement in seeing the girl angry, although there was a mix of discomfort and remorse within him. Finally, he decided to break the awkward silence:
"It seems that's the impression you give off. You don't come down to greet, and I've never heard of you, which usually leads to the assumption that you're a bit peculiar, am I wrong?"
Upon hearing the unpleasant words from the black-haired boy, Sylvia clenched her jaw with a spark of anger flickering in her eyes. A whirlwind of emotions surged through her chest, making her feel the frantic beat of her heart pounding in her throat.
"Get out of here, you black rat!" she exclaimed in a trembling shout.
Sirius let a smile slip gently onto his face, but his eyes sparkled with pure amusement. He raised an eyebrow, as if he had witnessed something extraordinary, and then, with a calm but nuanced voice, he said:
"It's rather impolite to cause such a commotion when I was just having a quiet conversation with you, darling."
As anger consumed her, Sylvia gritted her teeth so hard she could feel the sharp pain in her jaw. Immediately, she plunged her hand into the front pocket of her shirt, desperately searching for something to calm the storm raging inside her. Quickly, her fingers found the cold and familiar outline of several sour candies. With a brisk gesture, she extracted them and held them in her palm, feeling her pulse racing with each beat of her furious heart. Her gaze bore into Sirius, whose laughter echoed in the small train cabin, irritating her even more. There was no humor in the situation for the Selwyn girl.
With a movement denoting her frustration, she threw the candies as if they were projectiles, seeking to hit the mocking black-haired boy. Sirius, agile as a cat, dodged each one of the sweets with a skill that only exacerbated the girl's irritation. Each dodged pill was like an additional affront to her already battered pride.
Usually, the sour candies had always been Sylvia's favorite treat, and she constantly promised herself she would never waste them. However, all she could think about in that moment was getting rid of the annoying boy named Sirius Black. Fleetingly, she felt a twinge of pity for herself for entertaining the possibility of forging a beautiful friendship with that boy. Nevertheless, the disappointment had already spread through her veins when that individual, who called himself human, didn't hesitate for a moment to disrespect her and mock her.
"Why do you dwell in this bitterness?" Sirius inquired with a gentle smile, pausing in the doorway as he mentally plotted an escape plan in case the girl decided to take any further action.
"I've already told you! Just go away!"
At that moment, Sylvia couldn't focus on anything else but getting rid of that boy. She felt incredibly naive for entertaining the illusion of finding company different from her brother's. How could she be so gullible as to imagine that someone would walk through that door seeking to engage in conversation with her? Reality pierced her like thorns, especially when it came to a Black, and even more so Sirius Black.
She barely allowed herself to reflect on the boy's words. Tranquility had never been one of her characteristics. Since childhood, she had kept away from those she considered a threat. It was as if she wore a mask, hiding her true self, and over time, that facade had molded her personality, making her hyper-vigilant to any comment, however minimal, that could affect her reputation.
Noticing the girl's silence, Sirius breathed deeply, letting the air fill his lungs before fixing his eyes on her, scrutinizing every detail of her demeanor.
"You win," he murmured, his voice resonating with a mix of resignation and defiance. "I'll leave for now, but rest assured this won't be our last encounter."
"In your dreams," she retorted with a barely contained growl.
A shadow of irony slid across Sirius's lips as he took a step back towards the exit, his movements lugubrious and calculated.
"You're the spitting image..." he whispered, the words rolling off his lips with deliberate slowness, "of Voldemort!"
As Sylvia opened her mouth, completely offended, the boy darted out of the compartment with hurried steps, leaving her with the word caught in her throat.
"Idiot," she whispered, barely audible, as she rose and strode purposefully towards the door, closing it behind her with a sigh of contained frustration.
Relieved to have expelled the annoying boy, Sylvia sank back into her seat, feeling the weight of the world slowly lifting from her shoulders. Her eyes rested on the wall in front of her, but her mind still danced with Sirius's words, like a persistent echo in the newly discovered tranquility. A sigh escaped her lips as she rolled her eyes in exasperation, pushing away those intrusive thoughts. With a quick gesture, her fingers slid into the pocket of her robe, skillfully extracting a small sour candy. She popped it into her mouth and chewed anxiously, feeling the sour taste burst against her tongue before sliding down her throat. A shiver of relief washed over her. She clung to the idea that perhaps, just perhaps, things could improve. If she were sorted into Slytherin, everything could change. The promise of a new reality, where her problems faded like shadows in the sunlight, enveloped her with a sense of renewed calm.
In her mind, she thought that green had to be the exact answer to all her problems. It was more than just a color; to her, it represented family heritage, a legacy they hoped she would honor with every step she took at Hogwarts. Her parents, with hope shining in their eyes, longed to see her emulate her brother's footsteps. Slytherin wasn't just a house; it was a symbol of cunning, ambition, and intelligence. She had to be the reflection of her determination and insight, a living testament to her ability to achieve success and lead with skill.
Just as her thoughts began to swirl, the unmistakable sound of the compartment door sliding aside broke the silence.
Immediately, Sylvia spun around abruptly.
"Didn't I tell you to go, annoying boy?" she snapped with irritation. However, the fury that enveloped her dissipated when she realized it wasn't Sirius standing in front of her, but a distressed child. This boy had neatly combed brown hair, with bangs that gave him a peculiar look, and blue eyes that radiated deep fear.
"I... I didn't mean to bother," he stammered, the words barely escaping his lips. His feet moved backward involuntarily, as if they wanted to escape from a situation that had suddenly become uncomfortable.
Sylvia felt another overwhelming weight on her shoulders as she dropped her head into the seat, engulfed in a mixture of embarrassment and regret. The rough taste of remorse spread in her mouth as she bit her lip hard, fervently wishing she could turn back time. Her eyes met those of the unknown boy, and in his timid and frightened expression, she saw her own remorse reflected.
"Don't worry, you're not bothering me. I just got confused thinking you were someone else..." her words flowed calmly, without the previous tone of irritation. "There was a boy who came to bother me a while ago."
He looked at her timidly. "Must be the excitement of being at Hogwarts for the first time," he murmured with a bit of confidence, but there was still a hint of fear in his voice.
Sylvia carefully inspected the figure of the preteen in front of her. The boy's gestures were different from those of the other student she had just met, but the robe enveloping his body indicated that he too was taking his first steps at the magical school. His blue eyes distilled a mixture of curiosity and nervousness, while his hands toyed with the edge of his robe, revealing the anxiety bubbling within him.
"You can stay if you like," she said with a soft smile. "You don't have to be nervous. I don't intend to harm you."
The brown-haired boy offered her a faint smile as he entered the compartment and, with difficulty, closed the door. A brief silence hung in the air before he took a seat across from her. The boy, for a moment, glanced down at his hands, which were nervously intertwined in his lap. Sylvia noticed the gesture, sensing the barely perceptible tension in his movements, the same tension she felt within herself.
And so, amid a tense silence, the boy finally decided to break the ice with a hesitant whisper:
"By the way, my name's Archie," he mentioned, now wearing a serene expression on his face. "Archie Whorty."
"Whorty? That's an unusual surname," Sylvia exclaimed, a furrow of incredulity marking her forehead. The name sounded odd; she had never come across anything like it before. The peculiarity of that surname was baffling to her.
On the other hand, Archie carefully took out a small bag of the iconic 'Chocolate Frogs', letting their sweet aroma waft through the air. His hands clung to the wrapper gently, as if afraid to tear it. He then looked back at the black-haired girl, with a shy and playful smile on his lips.
"My father isn't from around here," he explained, briefly diverting his gaze to the ground before meeting Sylvia's eyes again. A shadow of nostalgia crossed his face. "I grew up with just my mother. She was always there, protecting me, preparing me for this moment of coming to Hogwarts. She promised we'd spend more time together... But circumstances always seem to have other plans."
Unconsciously, a look of perplexity crossed Sylvia's face as she heard the brown-haired boy's confession.
"But parents don't attend Hogwarts with their children."
Archie let out a soft laugh. "Oh, that," he said casually. "My mother is... well, something like the school's deputy headmistress. And yes, she also teaches some classes."
The revelation left Sylvia stunned, her lips slightly parted in disbelief. A mixture of surprise and compassion reflected in her eyes as she processed the information.
"It must be complicated for you," she murmured, her voice laden with sympathy.
"The truth is, I don't mind," he responded, taking a bite of a chocolate frog he had opened moments before.
"Don't you get nervous?" she inquired, posing the question rhetorically. She couldn't help but feel intrigued by the idea of having Archie's mother as a teacher at Hogwarts. The image of her own mother, strict and stern, teaching at the school was hard for her to conceive.
"On the contrary," he replied, looking out at the landscape beyond the window. His words sounded with a calmness that contrasted with the train's hustle and bustle. "I feel calmer knowing she'll be there. You know, I might get more nervous if she wasn't."
Sylvia nodded, understanding the sentiment behind his words. The notion of having a familiar and reliable support in the midst of an unfamiliar environment was comforting to her.
"I understand," she admitted sincerely, revealing a glimmer of vulnerability in her gaze. "I was just as nervous before boarding the train."
Archie nodded, absently swallowing the candy while a look of curiosity formed on his face.
"Oops, I forgot to ask your name!" he admitted with a slight embarrassed smile, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush as he looked at her. "What's your name?"
She let out a soft laugh, more at the boy's clumsiness than anything else.
"Sylvia Selwyn."
Sylvia felt the atmosphere relax around her. Finally, she seemed to have found a friend in Archie, whose company was much more pleasant than that of the annoying Sirius.
"Good name," the boy commented with a warm smile and a spark of joy in his eyes, while he pulled out another chocolate frog from his bag and extended it to Sylvia. "Want one?"
She declined the offer with a nod of her head, but her smile towards Archie expressed gratitude. As he bit into his chocolate frog, shrugging nonchalantly, he seemed absorbed in the sweet, oblivious to the interest he sparked in Sylvia, who watched him with curiosity, seeking to decipher more about this potential new friend.
"In which house would you like to end up?"
Blinking at the unexpected question, Archie withdrew the chocolate frog from his lips and furrowed his brow slightly, lost in thought.
"I'd like to be in Gryffindor, like my mother," he finally responded, a glimmer of hope evident in his voice. "And you?"
When the boy posed the same question, Sylvia felt a shiver run down her spine, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions struggling to find balance within her. With an involuntary gesture, she averted her gaze from Archie and fixed it on the compartment floor, as if seeking answers in the wood patterns of the train.
"I'm not sure..." she murmured uncertainly, a shadow of doubt clouding her voice. "I think I might belong in Slytherin."
The brown-haired boy's eyes widened at the mention of the house. His shock was so great that he had let go of the candy bag he was holding, which crashed onto the compartment floor with a dull sound.
"Are you talking about the house that... you-know-who was part of?" Archie asked, a palpable hint of fear in his voice, receiving a slight whisper of confirmation from the black-haired girl. "By Merlin's beard! Why would you want to be in Slytherin?"
"Well..." she responded with a trembling voice, feeling the weight of tradition and her family's expectations. "My whole family, even my brother, has been in that house. Besides, they also expect the same from me."
With disbelief, Archie raised an eyebrow and shot Sylvia a surprised look.
"No offense, but that's stupid," he said frankly. "Every person is free to belong to any house."
"I don't know," Sylvia murmured with a sigh of resignation. "I just know that I must be in Slytherin."
For a fleeting moment, Archie's countenance tensed slightly, as if he were about to let out a critical comment. However, with a gesture of self-control, he decided to remain silent and simply shrugged. Once the tension dissipated, he leaned forward with some hesitation and picked up the candy bag he had previously dropped. As he settled back into his seat, his eyes rested on Sylvia.
"As you wish," he conceded with a neutral expression, though his demeanor suggested a slight disagreement. "In the end, the Hat will decide that fate," he added before refocusing his attention on the remaining chocolate frogs in the bag.
Sylvia lowered her gaze to the floor, feeling the weight of her insignificance in the whole situation. To her, fate seemed like a fleeting concept, as malleable as the pieces on a chessboard. Although deep down she yearned to explore a path different from the one laid out by her family, she knew that would entail a break from her family ties, an idea she firmly rejected. The possibility of challenging expectations and forging her own destiny was tempting, but she felt trapped by the unyielding pure-blooded lineage that characterized the Selwyns. It was a burden she had carried since birth, a heritage she couldn't and wouldn't defy.
:･ﾟ :･ﾟ
After an exhausting journey from the train station to crossing the waters in the mysterious boats, Sylvia barely had time to take in her arrival at the imposing Hogwarts castle. The structure loomed majestically before her, its pointed towers silhouetted against the twilight sky, while lights in the windows cast warm glimmers that broke the darkness of the night.
The cool breeze from the lake caressed her face as she walked along the cobblestone path leading to the castle. She could hear the sound of her own footsteps in the stillness of the weather, accompanied by the gentle rustle of the trees surrounding the grounds. Each step she took brought her closer to her destination, increasing the anticipation bubbling in her chest. Upon entering the Great Hall, Sylvia was awestruck by the magnificence of the place. The high ceilings disappeared into the gloom, adorned with frescoes depicting scenes from magical history. Torches on the walls flickered, casting dancing shadows that imparted an aura of mystery to the hall. The long tables were carefully arranged, covered with immaculate white tablecloths and adorned with gleaming tableware. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed being surrounded by a crowd of students.
After enduring the tedious words of the staff, she felt a knot of nerves in her throat as her feet began to move, traversing the space between two long tables. She couldn't discern whether the nervousness gripping her throat was a result of some glances directed her way or the presence of Archie, standing out among the other newcomers alongside a woman with black hair, who wore a peculiar witch's hat. She deduced that the woman must be the boy's mother and probably the school's deputy headmistress.
Professor McGonagall, a woman of stern yet respected demeanor, led the first-year students to the top of the hall and lined them up with precision, forcing them to face forward. In that imposing room, where the colors of the houses mingled and ghostly figures floated among the rows of students, Sylvia couldn't help but direct her attention to the Slytherin table.
Amidst that sea of familiar and unfamiliar faces, her eyes met the compassionate gaze of her brother. William, flanked by two companions, one blond and the other dark-haired, didn't take his eyes off her. A shiver of discomfort ran down Sylvia's spine, and she quickly averted her gaze, aware of the murmurs and stares focused on her from the Slytherin table. Had William been commenting on the arrival of a new Selwyn at Hogwarts? She felt uneasy with all the attention she had generated upon arrival.
Then, the appearance of the famous Sorting Hat left half the group of children dumbfounded, including Sylvia, who had to blink several times to take in what she saw: an old stool that seconds ago wasn't there. If that weren't enough to capture her attention, the hat on the seat began to sing out of nowhere, adding even more astonishment to the moment. The descriptions of each house in the lyrics of that song only served to further increase her nerves.
"Welcome, students. When you hear your name, step forward and sit on the stool to be sorted," ordered Professor McGonagall. "Let's start with... Whorty, Archie!"
Sylvia watched as the brown-haired boy stepped forward with determination, turning to offer her a reassuring smile, to which she quickly responded. Archie continued his path with confidence, sitting on the designated stool. The raven-haired girl felt a twinge of envy course through her veins as she witnessed the warm embrace the boy received from the professor before putting on the hat.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shouted.
The students at that table erupted into excited cheers as a smiling Archie rose from the stool and strode confidently toward the table adorned in shades of red. Sylvia couldn't help but feel a warm sense of pride for her friend, who just hours ago had expressed his desire to be sorted into Gryffindor house. Watching the exuberant reception Archie received from the other children stirred a new and vibrant sensation in Sylvia. For the first time, she glimpsed the possibility of being part of something so full of camaraderie and enthusiasm. In that moment, amidst the bustle and joy, an idea began to take root in her mind: perhaps in Slytherin, she could find a similar sense of belonging, and even more.
"Evans, Lily!" the professor called out once more.
A red-haired girl, with waves that seemed to dance and stand out with the movement of her step, stepped forward toward the stool and placed the hat on her head. As Sylvia looked at her, she began to recall conversations she had heard during the boat ride, mentioning a girl with Muggle parents with red hair and green eyes, a girl named Lily Evans. Now, in front of her, the image of Lily came to life, and Sylvia couldn't help but feel curious about this young girl.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The hall resounded with the Sorting Hat's cry, a call that seemed to carry with it the excitement and anticipation of all Hogwarts. Cheers erupted from the table adorned in red tones, a wave of enthusiasm that spread throughout the Great Hall. The Gryffindor students, with their faces illuminated by radiant smiles, warmly welcomed the next member of their house. It was evident that being part of Gryffindor was not only an honor but also a guarantee of unconditional support and friendship.
"Snape, Severus!"
A pale, serious-looking boy with long black locks veered from the line to approach the stool. Sylvia couldn't help but notice the solemnity reflected in his face, a seriousness that seemed to perfectly match the pronunciation of his name. The boy's rounded and erect shoulders gave him an imposing presence, while his dark locks fell with a kind of natural gravity, framing his countenance with an aura of mystery. It was as if each strand of hair contributed to the enigmatic atmosphere surrounding him, creating a sense of intrigue that captured the attention of those who observed him.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Upon hearing the name of the house, Sylvia felt an unexpected wave of excitement pulse through her heart. The prospect of sharing her time at Hogwarts with that serious and dignified boy infused her with a sense of relief. It gave her hope that when her turn came to be sorted, she wouldn't be alone. Suddenly, the idea of belonging to Slytherin didn't seem as bad as before.
"Rosier, Pandora!"
A blonde girl, with a confident smile, approached the stool. As she sat down, her golden hair fell in delicate waves around her shoulders, and her expression reflected happiness. With a confident gesture, she placed the hat on her head. For a few moments, the entire hall fell silent.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of deliberation, the Sorting Hat pronounced its verdict:
"RAVENCLAW!"
Though applause rang out in the Great Hall in celebration of Rosier's selection for Ravenclaw, Sylvia noticed that the mention of that house didn't evoke the same excitement in her as the previous ones. The mention of Ravenclaw didn't spark any intrigue or excitement in her as Gryffindor and Slytherin did. However, despite this lack of personal interest, she decided to join in the applause to congratulate the blonde.
"Black, Sirius!"
The professor's shout jolted Sylvia, but what struck her even more was the pronunciation of the name that followed, a combination of letters that sounded with an unpleasant familiarity in her mind. As she looked up, she found herself face to face with the same annoying boy she had met on the train to Hogwarts. The egotistical expression adorning the boy's face as he stepped out of line provoked a fleeting moment of irritation in Sylvia. She watched as he moved with a confidence bordering on arrogance, as if he were completely certain of his fate even before the Sorting Hat touched his head.
As the Sorting Hat descended upon the boy's head, Sylvia noticed that the sorting process seemed to drag on longer than usual. For a moment, the hall fell into another tense silence, only interrupted by the murmurs of expectant students watching the scene with curiosity. The furtive glances and barely suppressed giggles among those present gave the impression that they were witnessing something more than just a simple house sorting.
Time seemed to stand still as the Sorting Hat seemed to engage in a silent conversation with the boy. Sylvia noticed the tension in the room increasing with each passing second, until finally, the Sorting Hat announced its decision with a clear and resonant voice:
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Great Hall fell into a heavy silence. Only the murmurs of the Slytherin students, whose astonished looks reflected a mixture of surprise and bewilderment, could be heard. On the other hand, at the Gryffindor table, a slight of contained joy could be perceived through whispers and friendly gestures. The atmosphere was charged with intrigue as everyone awaited the next reaction.
In the midst of this uncomfortable hush, Sirius's impassive face as he made his way toward the red table did not escape Sylvia's notice. His eyes, usually full of mockery and confidence, now reflected a mixture of surprise and perhaps a hint of disbelief. To Sylvia, the scene couldn't be more amusing. Seeing seriousness in someone like Sirius Black was tremendously amusing. She couldn't help but think about the irony of the situation.
«I'm going to win by being in Slytherin», she thought to herself with a mischievous smile.
Shortly after, the deputy headmistress announced the names of other boys, including one named James Potter and another named Peter Pettigrew, who were also sorted into Gryffindor. The Great Hall erupted in applause as the new members of the lion house rose amidst laughter and hugs from their peers. Sylvia felt disoriented by the situation. She watched with a mix of emotions, feeling lost amidst the joy filling the room. She wondered where she would fit into this new world unfolding before her eyes.
"Selwyn, Sylvia!"
As soon as her name echoed in the hall, Sylvia felt her heart pounding desperately in her chest. Nerves resurfaced, but she stood firm to embark on the same path her classmates had taken. Each beat of her heart seemed to reverberate in her ears as she approached the stool. Her feet barely seemed to touch the ground, enveloped in a sensation of lightness and vertigo. The murmur of the crowd faded into the background as she neared the hat. Her dark hair swayed with each step, moving to the accelerated rhythm of her emotions. With determination, she faced her destiny, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation that made her hands tremble.
Ignoring all her insecurities, Sylvia took her seat on the stool and placed the hat on her head. The soft, worn fabric brushed against her skin, bringing a sense of familiarity. With her eyes closed, she waited with bated breath, prepared for anything.
"Well, what a surprise! Another member of the Selwyn family?" said a strange voice in her head, with a tone full of clarity. Sylvia froze, astonished to realize that the Sorting Hat was speaking directly in her mind. She had heard rumors about the Hat's ability to engage in internal conversations with students, but experiencing it firsthand was a completely different experience. Though her heart was pounding, she remained silent, anxious to be sorted into Slytherin. "There's an interesting moral in your mind. I sense in you a unique spark, one that has pride and courage worthy of your family line. That's good, and yet it doesn't let me decide where to place you. I can sense your desire to belong to Slytherin, but unfortunately, I don't feel as much ambition and cunning in you to be part of that house."
Sylvia's heart suddenly lurched, a knot formed in her stomach, and a sense of fear washed over her upon hearing the Sorting Hat's words. Immediately, her lips tightened in a grimace of panic.
"Uh, I-I can perceive that you're a girl who doesn't judge like your family does, and you're very loyal to your ideals. So, let me welcome you to... HUFFLEPUFF!"
In an instant, Sylvia felt the world crumbling around her. The beat of her heart stopped, as if someone had ripped it out and put it in a freezer. Her fingers, trembling and barely under control, clung to the edge of the hat, feeling its rough, worn texture. As she removed it and placed it on the stool, nerves and anxiety collided within her body, leaving her trembling from head to toe. A shiver ran down her spine as she looked at the Hufflepuff table. The applause and unbiased cheers resonated in her ears, but her mind could barely process the welcoming gesture.
However, as she looked up at the Slytherin table, she experienced an overwhelming wave of shame. The surprised and mocking looks she received from the students of that house, and even from her own brother, hit her like a punch to the stomach. She felt the words sticking in her throat and a dizziness overtaking her as she struggled to maintain composure. With a racing heart and still trembling hands, she averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact with those who judged her. She tried to force a smile, though her face was pale and her lips trembled slightly. With hesitant steps, she continued on her way to the table adorned in yellow.
Now, having been sorted into the house of loyalty, she found herself in unfamiliar territory. She was about to carry the banner of a house that often went unnoticed, considered by some as insignificant compared to the others. She wondered what this would mean for her future at Hogwarts and how it would affect her relationship with her family. What would they think of her new affiliation with Hufflepuff? She imagined the conversations, the whispers of disapproval, or worse, the disappointment on her parents' faces. Was her destiny now marked differently? If she was supposed to belong to Slytherin like her ancestors, like her parents, and even like her perfect brother.
Her eyes filled with moisture, but she stood firm, suppressing the tears that threatened to fall. A trembling smile formed on her face as she walked toward the Hufflepuff table. Though she tried to show joy, a rollercoaster of emotions overwhelmed her completely. She felt an overwhelming burden, as if an avalanche of feelings crushed her from within, leaving her breathless. Despite the warm hugs and radiant smiles of the other Hufflepuff students welcoming her enthusiastically, nothing could dispel the pain piercing her chest. Every gesture of kindness and every word of welcome only seemed to increase her sense of desolation.
When she sat down next to a freckled boy, she made an effort to maintain her composure, but inside, she felt torn apart. Her thoughts drifted towards the ceiling, desperately trying to block out everything around her as she struggled in vain to find solace in the majesty of Hogwarts castle. The imposing stone architecture and the flickering torchlights seemed to offer a temporary refuge from the bombardment of feelings consuming her.
Minutes earlier, she had mocked that annoying boy, belonging to a respectable pure-blood family like hers, for being sorted into Gryffindor. However, shortly after, she herself was assigned to the least mentioned house in the school, Hufflepuff. Her fate seemed to have delivered the same slap back to her that she had given to that boy. Despite experiencing similar circumstances during the Sorting Ceremony, Sylvia resisted accepting any comparison to that irritating boy. She vowed to herself that she would never be like Sirius Black. The irony of the situation struck her deeply, leaving her with a sense of bewilderment and frustration. She found herself in a position where she was suddenly forced to face the reality of her past actions and deal with the consequences of her arrogance. The idea of being equated with someone she despised so much was intolerable to her, and she was determined to prove that she was different, that she would not follow the same path as him.
N/A: I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! I drew inspiration from the rich history and vibrant characters of the magical world of Harry Potter to bring this short story to life. The dynamic between the Marauders has always fascinated me, and delving into their experiences before the main events of the series has been an exciting journey.
This story is just the beginning of a larger project. "ARCADE" is coming soon, a story that will further expand this universe and explore new exciting territories. My wish is for you to immerse yourself in this prequel, to be thrilled with every twist and turn, and to be left wanting more.
I genuinely appreciate your time and interest in this story. If you've enjoyed it, I invite you to leave your review and share your thoughts. Your support means a lot to me!
Until next time, and may books always be by your side!
[amilesmiles]