2

2. The Sorting Hat

When we arrived inside the castle a strict old woman introduced herself as professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house and deputy headmistress. While we waited Draco tried to make friend with Harry, but he was a bit to arrogant, so Harry refused. I knew he had to play the Malfoy part, but I really hated it to see him as such an annoying idiot. Then McGonagall tapped on his shoulder and he walked back to his friends who seemed like his bodyguards. He glanced apologetic in my direction to see if I was angry, but I just had pity for him because I knew that he wasn't happy with playing like he had to. So, I just smiled, and he looked relieved, answering with a wink that no one could see.

When we entered the big hall, we were all stunned by its size, besides there were thousands of candles flying under the ceiling which seemed like the sky. The four house tables were arranged and at the end of the hall was a table with the professors of Hogwarts. My fear came back, stronger than before and I pulled my head down not knowing what to do. I thought I couldn't bear to see Severus now, not if I tried to forget the pain. I felt my heart racing and I was about to collapse, I could feel it. You shouldn't do this Arya! I told myself. You are half fairy and stronger than all this students here. Your father is the worst of all wizards and you wouldn't mind fighting him. So, don't walk like a shy little girl. Show the others that you are strong; show the teachers that you are confident. Don't be weak!

With these thoughts I sighted one more time and lifted my head. Then professor McGonagall signed us to stop and we stood in front of some steps. I kept my look at her, too afraid to see one special person and losing my self-control. An old hut, called the sorting hut sang a song then the sorting began. A few people were sorted to Huffelpuff, Ravenclaw. When Draco's name was called he stepped forwards and the hut barely touched his head as it shouted "Slytherin". The table on the right cheered loudly and he passed me, without looking, to the snakes, the house where I wouldn't want to be sorted in at all. Then it was Ron's turn who was sorted in Gryffindor, he was very relieved. Some redheads clapped in their hands and I thought that they should be his older brothers he mentioned on the train. Harrys sorting lasted about five minutes because the hut wanted to put him in Slytherin but Harry was against it so he was put in Gryffindor. He smiled at me as he walked to his table. I hoped to be placed in Gryffindor too because I wanted to be with Harry and Ron as I knew no one of the other houses and didn't want to be sorted in Slytherin.

"Aryanna Jackson" called professor McGonagall.

I stepped forwards, keeping my head up and walking confidently, surely I avoided looking at the teachers table. The hall full of students watching me was the last thing I saw before the hut was put on my head and over my eyes.

"Oh who do we have here?! The second time a fairy, but a stronger one than last time. Yes I know I placed your mother in Gryffindor and your father in Slytherin. Both of them were stronger than anybody but you seem even stronger. You look like your mother, not like your father. And your heart is like hers but again stronger. You have your father's stubbornness, yes. But where do I put you? I see you love Gryffindor's symbol, you are brave and selfless. Then again you are crafty like a Slytherin but more loyal than every Hufflepuff. Wise and smart, just like your parents were but more your mothers way. You have a good heart and I could put you everywhere. Difficult, very hard choice..."

"Please don't put me in Slytherin. If you do so I will go home! Let me be a Gryffindor, please just put me in Gryffindor with Harry and Ron!", I whispered in horror to be sorted in Slytherin. I didn't want to be in the same house like my father and to have Severus as my house teacher.

"Well then, I know what house you belong to. GRYFFINDOR!"

I sighted relieved and grinned while I walked to Harry and Ron. They congratulated me and I sat down beside them. My gaze turned to the teachers table and before I knew it my eyes were locked with a warm and black pair of very familiar eyes. I couldn't turn my head away at this moment and just starred at Severus when all my pain and memories floated in my thoughts. I was about to cry, I could feel it but didn't want to.

Oh really Arya. He is just an old git who isn't interested in yourself. He didn't want you at all so stop your childish manner. He left you without turning back, he broke every single promise he had given. He doesn't care about you anymore, if he ever did...

I could fight back my tears and managed to glare at him before I looked to the Slytherin table right into Draco's grey-blue eyes which seemed worried. He rose asking an eyebrow but I just shook my head and smiled as an answer. Our eyes were locked and we enjoyed being together again when suddenly food appeared on the tables. We turned our gaze away from each other and started eating. I thought I had never eaten such a delicious dinner, not even with the Malfoys who were very rich. When I couldn't eat more the headmaster professor Dumbledore sent us to bed and the prefects lead the first years to their rooms. Percy, Ron's older brother and prefect, lead us upstairs on moving staircases which changed their directions to the portrait of a fat lady. He said a password and the portrait opened and revealed a nice, warm place with Gryffindor colors everywhere. Percy showed us were we could find our bedrooms and together with a girl called Hermione who seemed a bit know-it-all but nice and friendly I went in my bedroom. Tired from the train ride we went to bed, excited what our first school day at Hogwarts would be like. I fall asleep before I could think about potions with Severus, I just thought about being with Draco in class tomorrow...