Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
Chapter Seventeen: Skirting the Issue
"I dare you to! Just to see! I bet your head is really actually very small! It'll be a right laugh. Come on Hagrid!" The gamekeeper Ky met just about thirty minutes ago gave her a hearty laugh.
"Oh, come now Ky, ye can't expec' me to shave me head!" Hagrid's crinkled eyes sparkled down at her. "The one time I Ieave the castle during the Summer and Dumbledore's granddaughter shows up. I miss all the good pars' hey."
"Miss Thornton!" Ky looked up and saw Minnie at the front door of the castle, seems as if she lost track of time talking to Hagrid.
Ky shot up the front steps, "Thanks for the boat ride here, Hagrid. See you in a bit."
The Transfiguration Mistress herded Ky into the room the first years had entered and shut the door after her. The small space fell into silence upon her entry and about forty pairs of eyes gawked at Ky.
She looked at the little guy that fell into the lake earlier, still being drowned by Hagrid's moleskin coat, "Hey you." He looked at her, half in reverence, half in fear. "Don't do that with your face, you look like a fish. When Minnie…Professor McGonagall comes to call you tell her that I'm just freshening up in the ladies' room and what not and I'll be a little late. Don't look like that, it's ok. I'm getting tested last anyway, so I won't be missing much. Hey, woah don't faint."
The boy was swaying from side-to-side muttering "I can't- she'll kill- rather –lake- drowns." A girl with shiny blonde hair straightened to perfection who seemed to have already dried herself off well, stepped in front of him.
"It's OK. I'll let Professor McGonagall know. I understand. I wouldn't be caught dead looking like that either. Go on, sort yourself out." She smiled sweetly up at Ky.
Ky laughed at the mini-Nessie and patted her back, "Yeah, sure kid. You tell her that."
Thirty minutes later Ky pushed open the Great Hall doors and walked in. She didn't look around at the sea of heads that snapped in her direction, or the whispers. Ky's eyes went straight to the centre stage, and she gave Nonno her most dazzling smile, which he returned easily. He shook his head amused as he took her in, and she winked in response to his hearty chuckles.
Ky looked to his left where, next to an empty seat sat a seething Sev. She smirked at him, as he began muttering non-stop, and she could tell by his concentration that he was trying to make the extremely short skirt she now sported lengthen from the time she entered the Hall. The garment however was temporarily jinx-proof, took her a few minutes to figure out the spell, hence her lateness. Oh, and there's that little popping vein that Ron loves to see.
Ky reached Minnie and smiled at her innocently, to which the teacher bestowed upon her most disapproving look yet. Ky's smile just got wider.
Through a clenched jaw Minnie said, "Thornton, Kyrianna Ariana Kendra."
She walked forward amidst the waves of whispers that crashed about her, eyes only on the Transfiguration mistress, giving her a quizzical look, leaning towards her and whispering, "Er, so what do I have to do?"
"Well maybe if you waited like I instructed you to do, you would have received instructions like the rest. You're smart enough to put a temporary counter curse on that piece of cloth you're wearing so you're smart enough to figure this out."
Ky gave her Zia a teasing look, "Do you really want me to figure this out on my own? Fine. En garde!" She whipped out her wand with overt flamboyance, "And now play fair. You seemed to have picked that hat as your weapon, and it's probably some diabolical piece of transfiguration so you can't use your wand."
The Hall was a roar of laughter, and Ky felt a tad proud at being a source of entertainment for her new peers, even if that hadn't been her initial intention. Sev's voice floated down from the teacher's table, "Minerva if you don't want to, I have no objection to teaching Miss Thornton some manners."
Minnie actually looked like she was contemplating a duel, then she gave Ky another pointed glare, "Sit" and she gestured to the stool next to her.
Ky sat on it, pulling her skirt down, afterall she wanted to prove a point, not flash her knickers.
A second later she was doused in darkness.
"My they have really gotten small!" A quiet voice echoed from the recesses of the dark. "I must admit I am quite astounded. It's not often that the first image a student has upon putting me on is a pair of what I can only assume are women's underwear."
Ky laughed at the disembodied voice, which had a bit of a mischievous edge that erred on the side of dark. "If you think those are bad, you should see the one my brother's fiancé uses. It's practically just three strings attached in a triangle. But she will state it's the classiest thing ever because it's Armani."
"Ahhhh, it seems little Giorgio has grown up to play dress up on women!"
"So, Giorgio Armani went here? Well people do say he is a wizard with clothes. So, who are you?"
"Oh yes, you missed my opening number. Quite upsetting, it's the highlight of the year, ask anybody. I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat."
"Oooh and how does one go about applying for such a prestigious position?"
"Let's just say I was in the right place at the right time. The place being Godric's head and the time being a Founders meeting nine hundred years ago."
"I must say Hat, age has done nothing but make you handsomer."
"No arguments here."
"So, what was old Godric like?"
"Hahahaha, he is actually exactly what you imagine. Except he was not that tall. And he had a much bigger beard. My my! Your mind is dirty!"
"Life is dirty! Not my mind! But is it true? Come now, share."
"No, it isn't true…wrong Founder."
"Oh dang, I was so sure him and Rowena were…wait! Wrong founder! Ahhhh, I knew it! That's why they had that whole fight! It was a lover's brawl. I can totally see them together though!"
"Hahahaha no no it wasn't Salazar either, not that he would have minded, but he had odd tastes."
"Like?"
"Well aside from being a blood supremacist, he suffered from obsessive compulsions. One month he only lay with 5 foot 5-inch-tall people and another where he'd only enjoy the company of elm wand users."
"Godric's sword! It was Helga then! And Salazar fell in love with her too! And that's what the fight was about!"
"Wrong again! Salazar and Helga were actually very good friends, nothing more. Didn't really start that way, but she was the most vocal against his leaving. It really hurt Godric, he wasn't really the same afterwards… you see he and Salazar were friends since childhood. They met Helga later on."
"And Rowena?"
"Helga was engaged to be married to Rowena's older brother but that didn't work out, the two remained friends though. Rowena herself never married, she decided to marry knowledge instead. What better way than starting a school."
"So, Rowena became something of a spinster?"
"Oh no! She was a woman much before her time. She never took a husband but had many lovers."
"You know it's always the nerdy ones. So, what happened with Godric and Helga?"
"They didn't last long."
"He dumped her?"
"No no she dumped him! He likes to pretend, but he was right heartbroken. I think his last thoughts were of her. Your great great great grandfather isn't going to be pleased I'm telling you all this. It's just such a change from wet behind the ear eleven-year-olds, year in and year out."
"There there Hat. It's not anything I wouldn't have suspected anyway, and Nonno knows what an inquisitive mind I have. So how come I didn't see you in his office before!"
"I'm always there. Probably too busy staring at all the other fancy equipment and that bloody bird."
"Jealous of Fawkes, are we?"
"Jealous! Psht! Selfish creature I have ever met! Been trying to convince him to take me out for a little fly around the grounds for years, its nastily boring cooped up in that office. Mind you, it did take me out two years ago, but it was only to the dungeons, to Salazar's old lair. Of course, it was just to help Mr Potter…Oh my, now isn't that interesting. Want to decorate his photo with little hearts then, little missy?"
"I do not like Harry like that. He is just a friend."
"Hmmm, she can dish it out but not eat it. I don't blame you though; boys like that always get the girls. All deep and mysterious and Mr Potter…let's just say his future warrants a lass like you."
"Come now Hat, are you a seer as well as a poet. You need to ask for a raise."
"Indeed, I do. Good attempt at a change of subject though, unfortunately no bite. Now Mr Potter's got the allure, but Mr Diggory's definitely got the looks."
"Apple isn't even in the cards!"
"Ha! Then you admit Mr Potter is!"
"Fine I do admit I had a little crush on Harry. He was the first boy I bonded with. And I might have confused friendship with romantic feelings. But I definitely don't want to jeopardise our friendship by freaking him out. Plus, he's into another girl."
"Name?"
"Cho Chang."
"Ahh Ravenclaw. I sorted her five years ago. Older woman…. she is a pretty lass and smart. Nothing on you though missy. Want me to have a look at his head? Find out what's really going on in there. All you have to do is make a few jabs about me almost putting him in a different house and he'll run up to your granddad's office and shove me on his head faster than you can say 'pineapple.'"
"It's fine Hat, thanks for the offer. Speaking of Nonno-"
"He was just as easy a sort as you are. I bet the Great Hall is in a dither over this. Probably thinks you are the longest hat stall in Hogwart's history?"
"Is my mind much like his?"
"Kyrianna, your mind doesn't have to be similar to his. Neither does your looks. And let me tell you from a thousand years experience, family is more than just the people who raise you. Your brothers, gifted wizards they both are, will come around eventually. But you little missy, you have the rarest ability to trust and forgive, and vice versa. And that is a Dumbledore trait if there ever was one. There will come a time when that ability to forgive will be put to test. Actually, life is one big test. But I know you will pass."
"Why?"
"Do you think I stop to chat to every student that puts me on? Your mind, ahh it is a beauty, Kyrianna. It's like a book I cannot put down, alas. Do visit? "
"Of course."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
-x-x-x-
Ky slowly removed the hat, looked at it and smiled. She handed him back to Minnie, who grabbed it swiftly, a worried look on her face. Ky realised that the Great Hall was completely silent, and then there was applause from here and there and the sound grew more uniform.
She turned, elaborately curtseying to her grandfather who took his hat off and bowed in return. Ky winked at Sev who just glared in response. She then made her way to the table with hints of scarlet and gold among its diners and was quickly engulfed in a tight embrace.
"Oh, my goodness! I was so worried! The hat never takes that long! I thought he was going to say you couldn't be placed or something horrible like that! Oh, I'm so glad you're in Gryffindor! Of course, I knew you would be!"
"Yes Mione' you were so sure. That's why you were convincing Harry to get out the Map so you could remember how to get into Slytherin common room so you can say good night to her."
Ky plopped down next to Mi, laughing, "You thought I was put in Slytherin!"
"Well, why else would the Hat take that long to place you? I thought you were fighting to convince him against Slytherin."
"Ahh Slytherin's not so bad." Ron choked on his piece of ham, but that could have just been because of the amount of food he was trying to consume. Ky rolled her eyes at her friend, and they landed on Harry.
What the Sorting Hat had said was still stuck in her head and she barely paid attention to Mi's conversation with Nick.
Let's just say his future warrants a lass like you
The Hat was just teasing her, and at the end of the day, charisma aside, just a Hat.
Harry looked away from her, and she followed his bottle green gaze to a mop of black hair. Ugh, straight hair is so overrated. Who wants it all straight, and neatly trimmed and dark and shiny? It's unnatural. Ky looked down at her mane for a second, for the first time actually bothering how it looked. It wasn't bushy like Mi's, so unfortunately it lacked character, but then it wasn't sleek like hers. Maybe she should brush it more often.
Harry turned back and Ky swiftly looked away from him and found a face right near her own. She pulled back a little, recovering from the shock. The dirty blonde mane just got closer, and she was practically sitting on Mi at the moment.
"Hi! I'm Lavender Brown, this is Parvati Patil." The blonde briefly gestured at the girl sat beside her, her dark hair in a long braid down her back. "Of course, we know who you are. We're going to be roommates and eventually of course, best friends."
"Hmmm…" Ky caught an annoyed look on Mi's face, clearly not fans of this duo.
"We absolutely love what you did with your skirt."
"We love it too." Ky looked at a sandy haired Irish boy, who appeared to be pulling out all his charm and she couldn't help but snigger at that.
"Every time we try to shorten ours one of the teachers always lengthens it. But with legs like that I don't blame you for wanting to air them." Parvati chipped in, winking at her.
Oh crap, did the student body think she did this to get attention from boys or something? They wouldn't know about her little game with Sev and Minnie.
She glanced down the table, noticing mostly male stares.
'Where the fuck do we think we're going, lambie'
She shook her head, dismissing the memory, forcing a laugh out. She was being silly, these were just boys. She caught the confused emerald stare, and she wiped her face with a napkin so as to briefly conceal it, suddenly unsure what she was expressing.
"Princess." Voices said in unison as they squeezed up on either side of her and she jumped.
"Fabulous entrance."
"Tré magnifique!"
Ky laughed at the Twins, glad it sounded natural, "I was wondering where you two were?"
"We were seconds away from grabbing you and making a run for it. That Hat gave us a right fright."
Ky smiled at George, "You know me, I always put on a good show."
"You sure do! You walked down that aisle like the Queen of the Castle."
"Let's not forget the entrance!"
"Yes, let's all commend her for her attention seeking behaviour." Harry's voice quietly floated over to them but he didn't lift his eyes up from the piece of lamb he was cutting.
Ky continued staring at him, but he kept his head down, all attention on his plate.
"You also 'efusin to ea'" Ky looked at Ron who had his mouth full of what she thought was Chocolate gateau.
"What? Of course not!" She grabbed a drumstick and had a go at it. She tasted a little of whatever Ron pointed at and was considerably stuffed when the food disappeared. Ky was confused at the weird looks Mi was giving her, and her friend's untouched plate of food. She never thought of her as the 'watch my figure' type, but hey, who was she to judge?
Nonno stood and smiled at the crowd. His eyes twinkled over his students, staying a few seconds longer on Ky, and her smile widened. He started talking about rules and regulations and she began staring at the other teachers on the table. She looked at Sev who was giving her a glare; she returned it with a wink. The other teachers were all paying attention to Nonno.
Harry suddenly gasped and she turned to him, his eyes popping in his thin face. He looked to Fred and George who was on either side of Ky and their mouths were gaping open.
"What happened? What did Nonno say? Why are you-" She was cut off by Fred's hand on her mouth and she decided she might as well pay attention to Nonno if they were?
It seemed luck was not on her side as her grandfather was interrupted by the doors to the Great Hall banging open and a rumble of thunder accompanied a strange man in.
Her surprise morphed to excitement as she took the stranger in. His whole face told a story; you only got a mug that awesome from a good number of wicked fights. He looked like a freaking pirate what with the wooden leg, he just needed a parrot. And it seemed he swapped his eye patch for a enchanted eye. He was like a magic cyborg! He shook hands with Nonno and then sat down.
"May I introduce our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody!"
Ky began clapping immediately, not bothering that the sound just echoed emptily in the Hall. She stopped a whole minute after Nonno did and he gave her an amused grin. The Gryffindors at the table were giving her confused looks but she just shrugged them off.
"Moody? Mad eye moody, the one your dad went to help this morning?" Harry asked Ron.
Ron responded in a voice of awe, "Must be."
Mi chipped in with, "What happened to him, what happened to his face?"
"I know, wicked right? There must be at least ten stories or more behind it. His face has more than just character, it has a plot line!" Ky smiled but her three friends didn't seem to hold the same opinion.
"As I was saying, we have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming year, an event that has not been held in over a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're JOKING," Fred screamed into Ky's right ear, and everybody laughed, even Nonno.
"I am not joking, Mr Weasley, though now you mention it I did hear an excellent one over the Summer about a troll, a hag and a leprechaun who all go into a bar-"
Ky giggled, having heard that one from him last week. Minnie cleared her throat, successfully getting Nonno back on track to talking about this tournament thing. Aww he was so preciously weird.
He continued explaining that the tournament was established 700 years ago, and a French school, and a school that sounded both violent and located somewhere cold, participated in it. Oh, and Hogwarts. There would be a person that represent each school in the three tasks, and the hosts changed every five years. They claimed it was to increase inter-school relations, but they all knew it was just an excuse to show off.
Afterall, there was a death toll, the prinicipal rule of friendship is 'don't kill each other.' Ky stopped paying attention to the finer details and decided to observe the surrounding students.
She looked at the Hufflepuff table and they mostly looked anxious. The Slytherin table maintained their natural haughty looks, but Ky could make out a few eyes dancing with glee. The Ravenclaws just took in Nonno's words attentively, without a change of expression. Yeah, she was sure they would be so much fun to date. So much fun with their boring personality and perfect hair and tall, slender frame.
Ky looked at her table, every face openly excited, dreamy expressions on some, already fantasizing participating in such a tournament. Ky only new her grandfather for a matter of weeks, but she was certain that he would only allow such an infamous tournament to be re-instated if there was so much red tape protecting his students it wouldn't even be fun to take part. She looked at the youngest Gryffindors and shook her head, like her Nonno was going to let cubs have a go at something like this. Though, this does explain why he was off to so many meetings in France this Summer.
"This must be why dad came for that emergency meeting over the holidays, to discuss the tournament!" Ron whispered.
Ky heard the scraping of chairs and realised the announcements were over. She called out to Mi to go ahead without her and ran off to the head table. She beamed up at her grandfather.
"Kyrianna! I believe congratulations are in order. And may I express my happiness at seeing you sprightly again."
"Why thank you Nonno. And no need for congratulations, I would be happy in any house Hat placed me in."
"I agree. If you're here to ask about the tournament-"
"Oh no, I'm not interested in that Nonno. I'd probably be interested if it were a hundred years ago and there was actually the thrill of sudden death on the horizon. I know you won't let anybody die so you probably took all the fun out of it."
He shook his head down at her and chuckled.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor."
Ky looked to the sardonic voice and flicked her hair back, tilting her most angelic smile up at her gloomiest guardian, "You can't deduct points just because you're upset that I'm not in your house."
Sev rolled his eyes at her antics and her smile widened at the uncharacteristic action… she did tell him they would grow to be two peas in the same puffapod, "Please don't delude yourself, nobody clapped harder when you were placed right where you belong with the other dunderheads. That was actually because here at Hogwarts, you know an educational institute and not a…"He breathed in and censored what he was about to say, "Female students' skirts are to be knee length, and no shorter."
"And how long do boys pants legs have to be?" He gave her another eye roll and she heard a few chuckles, but a stern voice cut through.
"There are no rules on the length of boys' trousers because they are not likely to pull a stunt like you have. And Severus school hasn't started yet, point deduction is unnecessary. Maybe another week of detention, this time in my office. Go on like this Bane and you'll have no free time."
Ky smiled up at her, "Oh come on Minnie, I wouldn't have pulled a stunt like this if you didn't force me to use this insulting piece of cloth anyway. Skirts are so inhibiting; they make you sit all-".
"Lady-like and that's why I bought them for you. You better have it back to the appropriate length come tomorrow otherwise I will personally deduct points. Don't let me regret clapping the hardest when you were placed in my house."
Wow, that was akin to a hug from Minnie.
A grizzly voice cut in with, "Because we all know that clothes maketh the man." Ky looked at the magic Cyborg and smiled at his sarcastic statement. He nodded at her and held out a hand which she took quickly, finding it calloused and hard, "So you're Dumbledore Jr." He said letting go of her hand.
"That would be my brother, Linus. So how did you lose that much of your-"
"Bane, bedtime! Now!" She looked at Minnie, catching the uncompromising look on her face.
Ky hugged her grandfather, and stepped towards Sev and he hurtled back so quickly she laughed, and the wheezy voice joined in. She blew a kiss at him instead, and he looked like he wanted to throw her off the nearest Tower, and Minnie shook her head at her but bade her goodnight, her olive green eyes glowing affectionately.
A/N: Thank you for reading! Did anybody think she would be put in a different house ? I toyed with the idea of putting her in Slytherin just for fun, but she's quite Gryffindor in personality so decided to stick with my initial decision.