'ɪ ʜᴀᴛᴇ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴀɴ ᴇᴘɪꜱᴏᴅᴇ ᴀ ᴡᴇᴇᴋ, ɪᴍ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ᴀ ᴅᴀʏ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ.'
"Mel — Got to — up — wake up — toe rag".
The voice drifted in and out of my ears as my reality distorted, blinking myself awake I yawned and sat up on the compartment seat. Seeing Hadrian who had an advanced potions book in his hand who suggested I should get changed into my school robes as we were almost there.
I took my school robes out of my trunk. "Thanks for the heads up, Suggest you do the same while I'm gone." I told Harry as I stepped out of the compartment into the corridor.
I quickly made my way into the bathroom and after locking the door stripped out of my muggle clothing, folding each neatly on the sink bench. I pull on another pair of tights and buttoned up my grey skirt, tucking in my white button up shirt.
Once the shirt was tucked in, I pull on my black school jumper and tie the plain black tie and after some difficulty and frustration it ends up as a knotted ball, with a groan I shrug on my black robes.
Quickly I step back into my Mary Janes before adjusting my hair and with a final look I pick up my folded clothes and step out of the bathroom.
Making my way back into the compartment I notice that Harry was in the same place I'd left him, although it'd seem he'd changed into his uniform.
I could see Harry glance in my direction as he heard the compartment door open and close, and once again to survey my uniform as I took my seat in the compartment.
With calculating eyes and a fond look in his eyes Harry bookmarked his book and set it down beside him, standing before me he reached towards my tie and began untying it before starting to re do it.
"There that's better." Hadrian had said with a proud look in his eyes, inwardly happy to have not only a sister but a twin sister, someone who would always care for him, look after him, someone who he swore he would protect, and nurture, someone he'd guide through this world, even if it meant tying her tie every morning because she couldn't do it herself.
"thanks" I said grinning, with every intention to never tie my own tie ever again.
The sound of the compartment door opening made me turn my head to the noise, immediately recognising the bushy haired girl before me "excuse me, have either of you have any idea how to tie a tie" she asked nervously.
"I have absolutely no idea." I said with a small smile, and immediately felt bad as I watched her face fall.
"— but my brother does" I quickly said before the girl walked out.
She looked over towards Hadrian who was expressionless, "Would you mind? It's just I'm not quite sure how to —" She said stumbling over her words in nerves.
"— What's your name". Harry Interrupted with an air of amusement.
The girl looked startled, as if no one had ever asked her name before. "My name is Hermione Granger"
"Sit down, Hermione Granger" Hadrian stood up and like he did moments before, started to tie Hermione's tie for her as she sat nervously, blinking every second.
"I'm Melisandre Daena Potter, Lady of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Mortem. It is a pleasure to meet you Hermione. This is my brother Hadrian Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter." Holding my hand out towards the timid girl with a polite and welcoming smile.
The rest of the train ride was smooth and enjoyable as Hermione asked endless questions about how to act in front of other wizards and witches, such as how to greet them respectfully.
She also asked about some spells I used on my appearance. Spells which I shared with her of course, one being one to make your hair smooth, silky, and presentable, which she immediately tried.
She wondered if I knew any spells to reduce the size of her teeth, which I of course did seeing as I'd hoped to become friends with the girl and spare her the teasing from Ron, I knew she got in previous lives.
Yet again the compartment doors opened, interrupting the laugh Hermione and I were huffing out after a rather sarcastic remark from Harry who sat reading in the corner.
Three boys entered, a pale, blonde haired boy, and two mean looking boys.
"hello" I said with confusion lacing my voice.
"Hello, I was wondering if you'd seen Heir Potter, we have yet to be acquainted." the pale boy spoke between the two boys who looked like his bodyguards.
"My name is Melisandre Daena Potter, Lady of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Mortem. This is Hermione Granger and Beside her is my brother Hadrian Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. It is a pleasure to meet you." I stuck my hand out in greeting and shook his hand gracefully.
"Draco Malfoy, Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy. This is Crabble and Goyle."
"Do you mind if we stay." Malfoy said with hidden nerves.
"Of course, not Heir Malfoy, please sit." Said Hadrian with an air of confidence.
Reaching Hogwarts, I wiped my hands on my skirt before sending a quietly hidden nervous look towards my brother and equally with Hermione, stepping out of the compartment and exiting the train onto a small dark platform. The air was cold, and my body immediately shivered.
With a clueless expression I let Hadrian lead myself and Hermione towards Hagrid who held a lamp high in the air, providing a small essence of light with a yell Hagrid called the students over "Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here! C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
The collection of small bodies follows quickly after the loud giant. With a glance over the other students, I recognise Neville among the crowd, sniffling slightly with a lost expression, I walk over to him quickly and place my hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"
"I've lost me toad, Trevor" he sniffled.
"Well, I'm sure he'll turn up. In the meantime, wipe your eyes, everything will be okay, take a few deep breaths." He gave me a thankful nod and readjusted himself, standing straighter. With calculating eyes, I look to the floor and quickly bend down, quietly summoning Trevor and hand him to the boy next to me who thanks me profusely.
The crowd stopped as we came to a clearing with multiple small boats.
"No more'n four to a bat" Hagrid's voice echoed throughout the night as he pointed to the flurry of boats by the shore. Following Neville I watch as he steps into a boat and stumble in surprise as a hand was offered to me,
I look up and see Hadrian, with a small smile I grab my brothers hand who allows me to use him for balance as I step into the unstable boat, letting go after I've sat down, before offering the same to the Hermione who blushed before following my actions, Hadrian stepping in last.
As the boat starts moving, I look up in amazement at the beautiful night sky, illuminated by the stars and the small lanterns that hung on the boats.
With a curious glance towards the lake, I dip my hand in the water and smile after feeling the gentle touch of the squid before pulling my hand back as Hagrid tells us to watch our heads, as the boats glide through a wall of ivy which hid the underground harbour, we docked the boats in.
Following the rest of the students we come to a set of large oak doors, faintly hearing Neville scoop up Trevor who he'd managed to lose track of already.
With a fond shake of my head, I turned to the door as it swung open revealing a beautiful witch in emerald, green robes, and a black pointed hat, who had a stern expression on her face.
With a proud demeanour and puffed out chest the friendly giant gestured to us as he presented us to the witch, "the firs'-years, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
With a practiced grace, Professor McGonagall pulled open the doors and beckoned us to follow. The sound of hushed voices could be heard past the door to our right.
The witch stood with her back straight and her head high, clearing her throat the hushed whispers amongst the group silenced immediately.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses.
The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room.
"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards.
While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."
In an anxious flurry the students rush to correct their uniforms as Hermione and I turn to one another before deciding our uniforms looked pristine, looking over at Neville before realising Harry had got to him before I, fixing his godbrother's collar whilst chatting idly.
Then a chorus of screams began to sound and with an unbothered interest I turn to the culprits, a group of twenty Hogwarts ghosts who had floated through the walls. Two ghosts stood out in particular as they argued quietly about Peeves the Poltergeist.
"Ah, new students I suppose. How exciting. About to be sorted?" A few students nodded mutely whilst others paled, I giggled as a boy in the corner began muttering in Spanish whilst doing the sign of the cross, looking increasingly paler by the minute.
"I hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" Said the Friar. "My old house, you know."
Professor McGonagall entered the hallway, and with a sharp voice sent off the ghosts. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."
Forming a line, we all followed quietly after the stern witch, walking through a pair of double doors into the great hall.
The great hall was bigger than I had imagined in my mind, the hundreds of students divided in their houses, all of them eagerly peering at the first years some who trembled at the attention and those who basked in it, who felt at home with the stares of interest.
The high table at the end of the hall sat the professors who all looked quite excited at the new young minds they had the privilege to shape. Professor Snape looked on the crowd with a bored and brooding silence despite the nervous Quirrell sitting beside him.
The empty chair beside him was reserved for Professor McGonagall and in the middle with the larger, more exquisite golden chair sat the headmaster;
Dumbledore sat in his mischievous glory, the man who encouraged the divide of the houses under his care and worked behind the lines to ensure that Harry Potter had gotten into Gryffindor, that he was conditioned to hate everything Slytherin, who encouraged his blindness to topics that he deemed none of his concern, the man who raised him for slaughter.
Hadrian vowed that it would be different this time, that he would embrace his inner Slytherin, not that it would be hard considering in many of his other lives he had been sorted into Slytherin and flourished, naturally.
Although in all of those lives the satisfaction of scaring the headmaster would never be as sweet as it will be in this life.
Besides the headmaster sat the Astronomy Professor and besides her Professor Flitwick, then Professor Kettleburn with Professor Sprout at the end.
Professor McGonagall placed a small stool in front of the first years, and gently placed an old, scruffy looking pointed wizard's hat. I prepared myself and blocked out all noise because in no way was, I listening to that horrible song that raggedy hat was going to sing, no sir I will not.
The round of applause brought me back into the present as Minnie stepped forwards.
"when I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted,", she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Shouted the hat.
"___"
"____" "___"
"GRANGER, Hermione."
"SLYTHERIN!"
Myself, Hadrian, Neville, and Draco clapped politely as the girl sat down at the Slytherin table conversing with the girl next to her politely with perfect poise and posture as I'd taught her.
"LONGBOTTOM, Neville."
"GRYFFINDOR!", again the group clapped politely.
"MALFOY, Draco."
Before the hat had touched the head of the Malfoy Heir it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!".
Perhaps it was the Malfoy genes; Determined not to let the old, dusty hat touch the head of its Heir. Once again, I tuned out the next 10 minutes before the hat yelled.
"POTTER, Harry!"
Hadrian had stepped forward as whispers broke out over the great hall. The boy walked with grace and an aged maturity that practically commanded your attention. He sat on the stool, the hat covering his face as many students tried to see his expression.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The Great Hall was silent. Then Hermione, Neville, Draco and I clapped. The lone clapping eased the awkward tension noticeable in the room as he walked towards the table decorated in green.
And suddenly the Slytherin table began clapping politely, most with a sour or dazed look on their faces.
The hat was taken off of him with only the slightest hesitance from Professor McGonagall before she sent a look of support towards the young boy who's mouth ticked up at the woman before casting a glance at Professor Dumbledore who was looking at him with poorly contained fear and rage.
The Slytherin table clapped politely with a level of practiced class exuding from them. His waltz towards the Slytherin table dazed the rest of the hall as his face stayed motionless, taking a seat besides an eager Draco, he need not glance at his robes as he knew they had become lines with green. His cold eyes swept over the table looking over the familiar faces.
Faces that knew nothing about him but rumour and falsities spread amongst families, these people knew not of Hadrian, but he knew everything of them.
His eyes did another quick sweep over his table, his mind providing everything that he had learnt of them, their secrets, their interests and lovers, any and all blackmail that he could use to convince those who overstepped, those who would try to intimidate him, those who had the misfortune to look upon his dead gaze shivered as a cold feeling washed upon them and quickly looked away.
Hermione's gaze narrowed as she watched Hadrian stare down the other students at the table and quickly stifled a laugh at the poor fifth year who spilled his drink trying to avoid Hadrian's cold gaze.
Draco's mouth twitched a small smirk as he caught the same view as Hermione and sent her a teasing look at her attempt to stifle her amusement.
The Great hall had once again become silent and Professor McGonagall took liberty to read out the next name, one that had Hadrian's ears twitching and his sharp gaze settling towards the sorting hat.
Hermione and Draco watched Hadrian's gaze soften out as his eyes followed his sisters figure towards the sorting hat, and if they had been any bit of surprised at the revelation, their expressions held no indication of the fact.
"POTTER, Melisandre."
The students leaned over their tables in anticipation as I walked down the aisle, my head held high and my gaze directed to Minnie who sent me a reassuring smile.
I tried to keep my face neutral and emotions in check but truthfully I was beside myself in excitement, in eagerness to find out which house I was to be in. The stool was uncomfortably hard as I sat down, a piece of stray wood splintering and resting against my thigh kept me hyper aware of the façade I was masking.
My vision blackened suddenly, the faces of the eager crowd had disappeared and panic began to creep up my throat. A voice interrupted my running mind with a cool voice that made all worry melt away from my body.
"Hello young Melisandre, Hogwarts has missed its founders, to see the Heir of not only one but all of the houses, it is an honour. Now onto you're sorting. Hmm," The voice whispered.
"Quite difficult you are, plenty of courage, very resourceful, and a thirst for knowledge. And Oh goodness, yes — and a lot of loyalty it seems, particularly for your brother, and the friends you have met along the way. And a fierce dedication to protect them it seems, well — Better be —."
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
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ʜᴇʏ ɢᴜʏꜱ, ʜᴏᴘᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴏᴘᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ɪᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴜᴘ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴏᴡ ʟᴏɴɢ ɪ ᴅɪᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ. ɪ'ᴍ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛʟʏ ɪɴ ʏᴇᴀʀ 12 ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ʟᴏᴛ ᴏꜰ ꜱɪᴅᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ɴᴏᴡ ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴏᴘᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ɪᴛ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴛɪʟʟ ɪ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ.
ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴏᴘᴇɴ ᴛᴏ ᴀɴʏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ʏᴏᴜ'ᴅ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴏʀ ɪᴅᴇᴀꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇ.
ᴀ/ɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴏᴜꜱᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ? ɪ'ᴍ ᴀ ʜᴜꜰꜰʟᴇᴘᴜꜰꜰ.
ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴏ ɪᴅᴇᴀ ᴡʜʏ ᴏᴜʀ ʜᴏᴜꜱᴇ ɪꜱ ᴘᴏʀᴛʀᴀʏᴇᴅ ᴀꜱ ᴡᴇᴀᴋ ᴏʀ ᴡʜʏ ʜᴀʟꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴀɴᴅᴏᴍ ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ'ᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴜꜱ ꜱᴏ ʜᴏᴘᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰɪᴄ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴍɪɴᴅꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴜꜱ ᴘᴜꜰꜰ'ꜱ.
✻ ✻