Part Six: The Sorting
"Ready?" Draco asked once they had arrived at King's Cross train station, the muggle way.
Lucious had escorted them and thin Disapparated once they were inside. Draco pushed a trolley that held both their trunks. Ava's initials were engraved onto her trunk, A.A. Draco glanced at her expectantly and his grey eyes told her that he knew exactly what she meant.
"Yes," she nodded, "but you'll help me right?"
"Pothead is my sworn enemy," Draco replied as he began to push the trolley, "I hardly think that he'd take advice from me. I can't exactly walk up to him and say 'Hey mate! That girl over there fancies you' can I? He's a bloody git so he'd probably be flattered".
"Draco," Ava sighed, not liking the idea that she's supposed to befriend a boy who's head was bigger than Draco's.
"We'll figure something out," Draco replied and he stopped at a brick column labeled Platform 10, "I probably should go through by myself. They'll think I'm your friend, but before you go. . . " His voice became quieter, "out of the three, the girl is the cleverest one. She's a nerd with her nose in a ruddy book all the time. If anyone finds out about you, it'll be her. Just try not to talk to me in public. They'll get suspicious".
"But-"
"See you in school Avelina," Draco smirked and pushed his trolley into Platform 9 and 3 quarters.
"I don't even know their names!" Ava hissed after him.
She sighed frustrated, running both hands through her dark wavy hair. She was wearing her 'muggle' clothes. Her jeans were fitted, hanging loosely on her hips. The shirt she wore was a tee shirt, a simple plain white color. Ava pulled her messenger bag higher on her shoulder as if preparing to go into battle.
She watched as a few younger kids pushed past her with their parents hurriedly walking through the wall behind them. Ava walked to stand out of the way. The small child was so nervous that his dad practically had to pull him through. She smiled slightly, wondering how old they had to be to get into Hogwarts. Why didn't her mom ever mention it? Did she want her to go at all?
"Oh for heaven's sake! Ronald, hurry! We only have two minutes," Mrs. Weasley shouted over her shoulder.
The group strode through King's Cross station while an auror or two followed behind. Harry found this rather annoying. He was sixteen and he's been through life and death situations. He thought he was old enough to handle himself. The trolleys zipped through the station on the way to Platform nine and three quarters.
"Come Ginny, you and I will go first," Mrs. Weasley said quickly, pulling the fifth year Weasley through the wall, "you three hurry up".
"Honestly Ron, walk a little faster," Hermione snapped, "we're going to miss the train".
"Then we'll just have to take dad's flying car then," Ron said smartly, "if I walk any faster I'll be bloody running".
Harry chuckled watching the two bicker. It was the classic situation. If Ron would just tell Hermione that he fancied her. Harry finally turned straight ahead just in time to crash into a girl. It was a good thing that it was Ron's turn to push the trolley. She stumbled and fell to the floor, dropping her bag. Harry swore under his breath, feeling embarrassed as the aurors behind him chuckled.
"Sorry 'bout that," he said picking up her things, "I wasn't watching where I was going, I didn't see you".
"The reason why you wear glasses," the girl muttered rubbing her elbow.
Her cheeks were red since falling in front of so many people wasn't something she enjoyed doing everyday. Looking up she saw a pair of green eyes. Harry had already picked up her bag and offered a hand to help her up. Who said chivalry was dead?
"Yeah, sorry about that," Harry apologized once more.
The spark when their hands touched was felt by both sides. Harry looked at her curiously just as she quickly pulled her hand away. His eyebrows furrowed, so he wasn't the only one who felt it. He opened his mouth to ask but was interrupted by his best friend.
"Harry! The train's about to leave," Hermione shouted.
Harry looked at the girl hurriedly, "Hogwarts?"
She nodded and he scooped up her books from the ground and pulled her hand, "come on then!"
She closed her eyes as the wall grew near, nervousness and sparks tumbling in her stomach as they went right through. Harry held onto a handle near the door and she ran up the steps of the moving train with him right behind her. The train picked up speed as the two went tumbling into the corridor.
"We almost missed it!" she leaned against the wall, breathlessly laughing.
Harry chuckled and set her books on the floor, "yeah". That would've been in the Daily Prophet, Harry mused, The Chosen One missed Hogwart's train.
"Harry! Merlin, we thought you didn't make it," Ron laughed nervously, "mum would've skinned me alive".
"I ran into someone Ron, was helping her up," Harry explained as he gave the brown eyes girl her books, "this is. . . er"
"Ava Ambrose," she smiled, "hi".
Ava's layered brown hair feel past her shoulder onto the middle of her back. It was tousled from running to catch the train. She didn't know that it was the beginning. Ava shouldered her bag as the boys left and wondered down outside the train, wondering where in the world Draco went off too.
"Hi," a girl with busy brown hair appeared in front of her with a smile, "is your name Ava by any chance?"
"It is. . . who're you," Ava replied confused.
"Hermione Granger. Before you think it's strange," Hermione shoed her a badge, "I'm a prefect, my friends Harry and Ron told me you were new".
Ava's smile was genuine, "I just transferred here. If he didn't help me I would've missed the train. It was moving before we jumped on. What's a prefect? Do you know where I'm supposed to go? I'm sort of lost right now. I can't wait until I get into the castle".
Hermione laughed, "you follow Hagrid when the trains stops, with the other First Years. The castle is as big as it looks but I can show you around, that's what prefects are for".
"Thanks Hermione," Ava walked in the direction of a big man that Hermione called Hagrid.
The First Yeas were small, like the little boy at the train station. Hagrid led them to boats that were to take them across the lake. Ava was glad to see that she wasn't the only 'big kid'. There were other kids around her age; a boy who looked about fourteen with brown spiky hair and another who looked around fifteen with shaggy hair.
"Firs' years!" the giant bellowed so everyone could hear him, "don't fall into this lake 'ere, unless you wan' ta be eat'n by the giant squid tha' is".
A couple of kids looked excitedly and leaned over the edge, "a giant squid!"
In a few minutes the small boats magically docked and everyone piled out. The castle was beautiful. Ava laughed old building; she looked up at the big windows and towers. She was at the back of the line but seeing ahead was easy since everyone else was pretty short. Ava smiled to herself.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" a lady with a pointed hat stood at the entrance. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun and her smile was welcoming. "First Years come this way into the hall, where you will wait to be sorted. Transfer students at the back of the line. Remember to be quiet while the speeches are being made".
After about twenty minutes the students were finally allowed to enter the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall was ushering the shy first years into the hall where they were supposed to walk between the tables. It was nerve wrecking. Ava exchanged glances with the fellow boys her age.
Hundreds of students sat on four long tables, all watching as new students came in. The First Years were supposed to go in first while the transferees went in after they had been sorted. Ava let the boys go first and opted to be the last one. After all, who wanted to walk towards the front with hundreds of eyes on them? Not her.
"First Years, welcome!" Professor Dumbledore smiled warmly with open arms, "Professor, you may begin the Sorting".
Young students walked up to the stool set in front of the Great Hall. Ava could tell they were really nervous, like her. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, leaning against the wall. Why couldn't she be sorted at home?
"And now, welcome our transfer students," Professor Dumbledore announced.
Ava took a deep breath and tried to settle her nerves as she walked in behind the boys. The feeling of being stared at wasn't pleasant at some times. Out of a sea of faces she saw a single sink; Draco. He nodded encouragingly with his famous smirk. Ava deeply exhaled.
"They will be sorted according to year, "Professor McGonagall said into an invisible microphone, "Fourth Year- Lane, Zachary".
The fourteen year old boy with brown spiky hair walked up to the front of the tables full of professors. He sat down at the single stool looking like he was trying not to be nervous. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat onto the boy and then in a second it shouted.
"Slytherin!"
Cheers erupted from the table of green where Draco sat and the rest of the hall clapped along. The next boy's name was Griffin Aantes. He had shaggy black hair, was sixteen, and still taller than Professor McGonagall. There was quiet laughter as he flashed a charming smile at McGonagall before he sat down on the stool. His eyes met Ava's as if telling her 'see? No sweat, so stop worrying will you?'. This guy wasn't nervous at all, she smiled.
"Gryfindor!"
Cheers erupted from the table where Hermione sat at. The redheaded guy, Ron, was cheering loudly amongst the others. There was only one person left to be sorted- a girl with wavy dark hair, brown eyes, and looks that held the interest of many. The girl who realized that she should've went after Zachary than waiting until she was the last to be sorted.
"Ambrose, Avelina".
Ava took another deep breath before stepping forward and walking towards the stool. She didn't notice Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkling at her or the invisible murmurs of students. What she did notice, was the silence. That is, until the hat was placed on her head.
Never to be seen, never to be heard,
forever kept a secret, a traveling bird
Nonstop rest, guarding a life
the biggest kept secret, the biggest told lie.
his destiny is hers, as hers is his. . .
until the day the meet. . . the prophecy begins
It was a voice that she could only hear. It was prophecy that she only knew and only her. It was what she thought until the Sorting Hat repeated it back in her ear, almost tauntingly. Its voice was knowing, was curious, and was sympathetic. Ava's brown eyes glanced at Professor McGonagall. The professor didn't seem to hear, but was waiting until the hat called out her house.
"How did I know that?" it spoke in her ear again, "because its on your mind. Fairly hidden in fact but what you think is what I hear little one," it chuckled. "You are brave. Courage is a part of you and mystery is what you are. Though sneaky as a mouse and the blood that runs through your veins are rare, this is something I haven't seen in a long while. This is a tough decision young Avelina. You are smart yet you are cunning, courageous yet sneaky. Where, oh where, to put you?"
"It is a bold choice I must say," it continued gently, "your father a Slytherin, your mother a Gryffindor. . . and now you Aveline- "
"Gryffindor!" it shouted out loud suddenly and made her jump.
Like the others before her, cheers erupted from the Gryffindor table. The hat was taken off and Ava slid off the stool relieved that it was over. She walked towards the Gryffindor table towards where Hermione was beckoning her over. Ava looked over her shoulder at the Sorting Hat a final time. It winked at her.
The common room was decorated with the house's colors, a dark red. There was a fireplace, comfy looking couches, several tables, chairs, and a rug. It looked homey. Ava followed Hermione upstairs to the girls' dormitories, and was promised to be shown around tomorrow which was the day before classes officially started. Ava lay in bed in the room she shared with Hermione and two other girls. It was a good hour until she fell asleep, feeling oddly happy and content.
"Ava. are you awake yet?" Hermione woke her up from her sleep, "come on, it's time to get ready, we get out schedules today!"
Ava grinned amusedly at Hermione. Like Ava, she had books packed in her trunk. The girls were too tired to unpack the night before so they just left everything in. Ava wandered into the showers and took a quick one, coming out in a towel. She grabbed her uniform and changed into it, chatting with Hermione as they ventured downstairs.
The Great Hall was full of noise as Hermione and Avelina entered. Harry and Ron were not ready yet so the girls went on without them. Hermione already warned them and Ron replied by asking her to just get their schedules for them if they were late.
"Avelina Ambrose," Professor McGonagall set a paper before her.
"Thanks," Ava chirped before reading it.
Advanced Transfiguration
Advanced Potions
Advanced Charms
Advanced 2 DADA
History of Magic 6th
Divination 6th
"You have the exact same classes as us," Hermione pointed out, "well, that's odd. . . " she trailed off.
Ava studied her schedule then the others, letting her brown eyes wander. She had Potions with the Slytherins and Divination also. Out of all those Slytherins, Draco had to at least be in one of her classes. She slipped the piece of paper into her book bag and sat down reaching for her orange juice. Not a second later Hermione spoke again.
"Did you transfer from another school?" she questioned curiously.
"No, it's a family thing," Ava forced a smile, "my mom and dad are separated. This summer they agreed that I was going to live with my dad in the wizarding world".
Hermione nodded and poked at her eggs with a fork. Nothing was on Ava's plate, her stomach didn't feel like eating. It turned around, flipping over, and whirling. It was something it usually did when she was that nervous. Hermione didn't say anything for a few seconds then pushed her bushy brown hair behind her ear.
"My parents are having problems also," she said and shrugged it off like it wasn't a big deal, "I wouldn't know what to do if they get separated," she laughed lightly, "I cannot believe I just told you that. I haven't even told Ron or Harry yet".
Ava smiled, "it's okay. It helps talking to someone who doesn't know you. It's more. . . refreshing that way".
She thought about Draco when he asked on her thoughts about her father. She remembered what happened during that thunderstorm and how he stuck with her during the endless hours of shopping. Of course it was on daddy's orders, but Ava didn't want to think of it that way.
Ava chatted with Hermione while she ate her breakfast. The girl was smart and knew a lot about Hogwarts. The two sat there for about half an hour while Hermione talked about the classes. Ron walked over to the table with Harry behind him. The two boys gave hearty greeting before sitting down and piling heaps of food on his plate.
"You'll feel better when you eat something," Harry aimed his green eyes at her amused.
"Trust me, I won't," Ava laughed then spotted something behind Harry.
Draco Malfoy stood near the doors looking her way, just waiting to catch her eyes. When she did he gestured towards the doors with his head. The blonde proceeded out and Ava smiled at Hermione.
"I forgot something in the room," she said, "er, I'll be back in a second".
"Do you want me to go with you?" Harry offered, "you remember the password right?"
"I remember it okay," Ava stood up, "I'll be back in a minute, watch my stuff will you?"
Ava hurried out of the hall and towards the doors that led outside. She was nearly scared to death when he grabbed her arm so she was pulled to the side of the castle, "Dra-"
"Sh!" Draco hissed, "can't you be quiet? Come on, walk behind me a few feet and try not to look suspicious".
"Oh yea," Ava said dryly, "I'm always up for a little James Bond".
She ignored Draco's blank look and didn't want to take the time to explain it to him. She followed him a couple of feet behind. Draco led her further away from the castle, walking past a couple of students. Ava took a look at the grounds of Hogwarts while she followed him to a rather secluded spot beneath a tower and a tree.
"Hey," Ava greeted, "what's up?"
"Looks like you're a natural doesn't it?" Draco smirked holding out a hand, "let me see your schedule".
"A natural at what?" Ava glanced around then leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "Are you speaking in code or. . . "
"You already me the prat," he said distractedly looking at the piece of paper, "Harry bloody Potter. Did Mudblood ask you any questions yet? I told you she was the smart one".
Ava tugged her robes closer around her, "are we always going to be meeting like this? You can't even talk to me in public? I think that for a task like this, its a bunch of bullsh-"
"Watch the language Avelina," Draco smirked before handing back her schedule, "we have Potions, DADA, and History of Magic. Your father expects reports. You're supposed to tell me the information and I'll get it to him. They're very careful now, mailing something in or out is really tricky".
"It that a yes or a no?" she raised her eyebrows.
"We have to be carefully," Draco repeated, "I told you. Pothead and I are sworn enemies. It'll be bloody-"
"Suspicious," Ava finished.
"Wouldn't you be if y our friend was buddies with your enemy?"
Draco watched while Ava nodded. He knew the risks that she was taking by completing this task. Death Eaters aren't the only ones who were harsh. Draco may know the risks but Ava didn't understand as much. Giver her time, her father had said, she will understand. Draco smiled slightly at Ava's smile.
"See you in class Draco".
He watched as the brunette walked away, shooting Draco another smile over her shoulder with her brown eyes lighting up as well. Draco stood outside deciding to go inside in another minute. His grey eyes scanned the landscape but not really seeing it at all.
The Junior Mark was like a tattoo, branded onto his right bicep. It was common for a teenage guy to get a tattoo, it was normal for it to be on his arm. Nobody was suspect it. Junior Death Eaters were a new group destined to become full Death Eaters. They weren't the real thing yet but still. . . the Mark was as painful as the real one. It burned fiercely just like everybody else's. He was angry and Draco could feel it.
Rawr.
