Snape
The rest of the feast was not particularly enjoyable, but at least once Narcissa had come, most of the older boys backed off.
There was a weird boy in one of the lower years who kept pestering her about politics, Barney or Barton, something pansy like that. He reminded her of this dweeb at her old secondary school who was a member of the young conservatives and worshipped the grounds Thatcher walked on.
She didn't realise politics even existed in the magic world, she just supposed wizards lived under the same government, and voted for the same parties that normal people would.
He asked for her own beliefs, as if he was testing her. She could've mustered up something to say but every time she went to speak, he'd already be in conversation with someone else.
It seems personal beliefs and your house went hand in hand at this Hogwarts. They mostly liked and disliked the same figures. How individual. Saying stuff like "My father is going to back Fudge for minister, he came to our dinner event for the Wizarding-Heritage-Society." Or "Crouch would never get my vote, he wouldn't even meet with the WHBRO!" (that was the Wizards for Half-Breed Regulation Organisation).
Most of them were very excited about a particular politician, she never actually caught his name, or if it was mentioned she didn't remember it.
Barnaby.. no, Barry... Barty! that was it, was particularly riled up about him, he was going on and on in idolisation.
The students poured out of the Great Hall once the feast had concluded.
She pushed past the hordes of over excited and lost year sevens to catch up with her sister.
"Elle! Elle! Wait up!" She called. She didn't need to do it loudly, Elle would know if she was there.
She caught up to her and they hugged, nearly lodging a minuscule year seven between them.
"God, how'd you find that? The dinner?"
"It wasn't so bad Cat! The people here, they aren't so different to us. Not all of them anyway. I met some girls who grew up like we did, in the 'normal' world, not a bloody clue about magic until they came here." Elle beamed.
She was uncomfortable with how loud she was talking. If one of her housemates heard this, heard that she was 'normal', would they dislike her? They had thought she was like them, growing up with other witches and wizards, around magic. If they found out she wasn't, she was sure to be on their bad side. She didn't want that. Was this what they meant by pure? A magical heritage?
She hoped Elle was right. She hoped not everyone here was stuck up and that there would be people who grew up normal like they did. But what a thin chance that was. At least with the greens.
"Lower your voice! I got the impression that, there are people here who... don't talk kindly to folks like us, you know, who come from the ordinary world...people who aren't magic."
"But we are magic, our father was a wizard Cat!"
"I know that! But, it's still different isn't it! We didn't know him, we didn't know about any of this, we were raised by a normie in their eyes, and grew up as normies!" She sighed, only the first evening and they already have two different experiences of the place.
Elle would never see eye to eye with her.
"What's the matter with you, I doubt these people care either way! What's it to them how we grew up!" Elle grabbed her shoulders.
She pushed her away. Her sister was causing a scene over this. She didn't understand, and was stuck in her own world with the reds. Elle was always naive and assumed the best of people.
"Forget it, just be careful who you share things with, I don't want this whole bloody school and certainly not my housemates to know everything about me! Goodnight Elle."
"See you tomorrow, okay?"
Elle hugged her. They have their usual rifts from time to time. It comes with spending nearly every waking moment together, this is the first night it would be different. She was looking forward to bed. Her eyelids felt heavy.
"Ladies a moment if you will!" Professor McGonagall approached them from the hall. She looked as stern as she did before the feast. She would do well trying to discipline her old secondary school.
She couldn't shake the strange feeling of trouble despite having not done anything wrong.
"Your belongings, as well as items distributed to you by the school have been taken to your rooms by the elves. Here are your timetables, do not lose them! A map of the school, and one more thing..." Her tone changed. It was more quiet and soft now, like when a grown up pities you. She got lots of that after her mothers death.
"When your father passed, his belongings were taken in by the ministry. One of the items in his possession was of course his wand, but no will. As is wizard convention, we see it right to pass his wand down to you, but that is where our trouble starts. We can hardly split a wand in two can we?" She raised her eyebrows in the same McGonagall fashion, suppose this was going to be her 'look' now.
"You want us to decide who gets the wand?"
"If that's alright with you."
Would this be the only way to get a wand? Surely as a witch they'd both need one, she wanted to know what the other wand was before they made any decisions. "And for the selfless twin?"
"No issue there, we have plenty of wands at our arsenal here to give you. If it's any help, you should know, your father was in Slytherin house, like yourself Catrina." McGonagall raised her eyebrows again. She didn't like this, just because her dad was in the same school house doesn't mean she should seize the wand for herself.
Though it would be nice to have an heirloom, something to show her magical heritage.
"Hmm, Elle, what do you think?"
"I think you should have it Cat, it will suit you more. I don't mind!"
Alright then, she couldn't argue with that. Nor did she want to again at this hour.
She'd be given her fathers wand, and Elle would get an old strangers second hand one from school. It sounds worse when she thought of it like that, but if her sister didn't mind.
"Good, that was settled well. Here you go Catrina. Have a good nights rest. And Eliana, come with me dear and we will sort you a wand."
They bid goodnight once more and waved each other off.
Which reminded her. She needed a damned password to get into the Slytherin chambers. What was the wretched thing?
The corridor had cleared by the time their conversation had come to an end. There was a few yellows and blues scattered about but not a Slytherin in sight.
She had her map, that was enough, surely if she just found the entrance to the quarters somebody could let her in.
After what felt like an eternity trying to navigate the bloody labyrinth of a castle she found the entrance to the Slytherin common room.
She waited. She knocked. Waited some more and knocked again. It couldn't have been that long but she still started to panic. Was she really going to be stuck out here all night?
Just when she thought it was over for her, she heard footsteps of a student. Brilliant she could just follow in after them.
"Oh excuse me, you're a Slytherin, I don't know the password."
"So? hardly my problem if your memory cannot serve you properly." A nasally-voice boy mumbled. She couldn't remember him from the ceremony, probably because he had dark, oily hair covering his face.
"I don't know the password. I'm new, you tosser! Would have thought you'd seen me during the sorting, but perhaps not, since your greasy mop was in the way." She spat. If he was giving her attitude so could she.
"I would give you the password, but I'm not sure a filthy mud-blood such as your self deserves it." The dark boy snarled. She was right about what she said to Elle before. These people hate the sight of wizards deemed less magical than themselves. She was just glad she realised this before she slipped up.
"I'm a pure bre- blood, thank you very much! And I'd like the password now!" She shoved an accusative finger against his shoulder.
"If you want the password you're going to have to prove yourself! Ask nicely new girl, you can't just march in like you own the place. Such arrogance!" He snarled once more.
"I'm not going to beg a lowly, halfwitted arse like yourself for a blasted password. I'll stay out here all night if I need to!" She obstructed the entrance with her frame as best she could, so he couldn't pass, her efforts would be in vain though, as the door was pretty big.
"That's fine by me, now out of my way or I'll hex you." The boy went to shove her aside when the door opened behind her.
"Ooh! Getting to know our new student are we Severus? Always a gentlemen! Don't tell me you've forgotten the password already?" An enormous, (at the waistline specifically), hearty old man came out from the Slytherin chambers.
"I didn't forget it.. sir." Severus said through gritted teeth.
"Ah just being her little escort! Oh forgive me girl! I didn't mean to cause you a fright there, Miss Mikovsky. It's wonderful to meet Eldrich's daughter at last! Where've you been all these years!" He laughed heartily. He was rosy faced, glossy eyed and slurring his words. Good to know what was in the teachers chalices.
So this teacher he knew her father? Interesting, but she truthfully was more fascinated by the idea that his relationship with this professor would only help to serve her interests presenting herself as a pure breed- blood even more. She'd need to work on remembering the phrase if people were to take her seriously.
It deeply satisfied her seeing the greasy twats annoyance at this, yes, the Professor knew her father, she wasn't just a no-magic-nobody, she had connections. Hopefully more than this bitter freak.
She almost didn't catch his name. Severus, the teacher called him? Well he had to be a pure br.. blood with a name like that.
"Likewise professor..." She returned his handshake, putting on her most polite, well spoken voice.
"Ah forgive me, Professor Slughorn, I'll be your potions master and head of house my dear." He smiled and let out another hearty chuckle. "Your new friend Mr Snape here is a prodigy at my craft! Top of the class. Your father was as well, always brewing the most euphoric concoctions!"
"Ah. Good to know." She smiled nervously. So potions would be one of the subjects here, it sounded fun, like Chemistry or Food-tech.
"I am sorry about your father, he was an outstanding wizard, one of a kind, and you could always count on dear Eldy to bring the life to the party, if you catch me, hahah!" He patted her on the back. "A shame he couldn't meet his girls, you'll do him proud."
She had suspected this before from her mothers stories, but could now confirm her father was in fact a wizard who meddled in the business of illicit, magical substances. She took no pleasure in the fact Severus Snape now knew her father was deceased and vended magical 'herbs' in his day.
She simply smiled at Slughorn, who was quite clearly off his rocket.
"Now Severus, the young lady will need her beauty rest after a day like this, why don't you show her to the ladies chambers." Slughorn patted Snape on the back shoving him towards her, to which she promptly moved aside. Slughorn staggered off, slurring an old shanty she had never heard before.
"Hah, your father sure seemed like a respectable man! You're just like him in that regard!" Snape shoved past her into the dungeons.
"Well the esteemed potions master sure seems to think he was respectable enough , and that's fine by me!" She shoved ahead of him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.
"You're right, he was a wizard respected by many in his field...I'm sure he'll be rolling in his grave to know he has a daughter just as respectable as him, throwing herself at the seventh years and it's only the first night!" He chortled nasally.
"At least he didn't pass me a big ugly nose like yours!" She snarled. "Maybe your just jealous I wasn't throwing myself at you!" She had to add, even if it was immature, so was he. Trying to question her virtue like that!
"Know your place new girl! I can see right through your act!" Snape snarled through gritted teeth, stalking uncomfortably close to her before storming off into the chambers.
It was magnificent. She thought they were just teasing when they said it would be under the lake.
The ceilings were carved in ornate stone, with a wide glass cupola, lighting the whole common room green.
Malfoy and his chums had already got comfy. They were sat back on a few old lounges, which looked like they’d been here even longer than the school.
“You are certain he will consider us?”
“I can’t speak for the rest of you, but if you manage to please him… then I see no reason he shouldn’t…your father is pals with him is he not?”
“Silence! Look who’s listening in. We shall continue this somewhere more private… “
“Ah. Eavesdropping new girl?” Malfoy commanded the attention of the other boys. They were all staring at her.
“I wasn’t. Maybe don’t speak so loud if you don’t want the entire common room to hear. Or perhaps you wanted the attention.” This was bold even for her.
The boys started to jeer and catcall. Malfoy signalled her over, as if he wanted to initiate conversation.
“Hm, feisty aren’t you? I believe our fathers were acquainted new girl. Eldrich Mikovsky, right?”
“Yes… that’s my father. So what?”
“Watch your tone! I was only being polite!” Malfoy sneered. “Anyway… seeing as you’ve got no friends around here, at least for now, I’m going to be chivalrous and offer you invitation to an upcoming ball. I wouldn’t let just any new kid attend, so take this as an opportunity to prove yourself, and uphold your fathers good name.” Lucius smiled haughtily, it was clear this ‘generous’ act gave him a complex.
“A ball?”
“Don’t look so unimpressed new girl, this is the highest honour a girl of your standing could be bestowed!” Lestrange butted in defensively.
“I wasn’t being rude, thanks for the invitation Malfoy.”
“Of course. As a prefect it is my duty to ensure the comfort and welcoming integration of our newest friend.” The other boys scoffed and rolled their eyes at this.
“Forget it! I’ll decide who’s invited, it’s taking place at my house! If you keep inviting random birds… he may be displeased with us.” Lestrange whispered. Was he talking about his father? “Besides, how do we know if she can be trusted?”
“Don’t be so queer! She can come… she’s well bred. She certainly didn’t get into Slytherin for being a filthy blood traitor or muggle sympathiser. You could do with some more company of the fairer sex.” Malfoy sneered.
“Fine. Bring a date though new chick, or people will think you’re a dyke.”
“Uh… right. Thanks?”
She tried to conceal her discomfort the best she could, the closest thing to a ball she’d been to was the year seven disco.
Well, this was a problem for later. The term had only just begun.
After the tense encounter with Malfoy and his lot, Catrina thought it best to retreat to bed for the night.
Her dorm mates were… well, not as terrible as it would be having Narcissa Black.
“Oi, you got any sweets?” Her dorm mate, a stout and stubby girl by the name of Alecto Carrow pestered her.
“No. Sorry.”
“That’s olright… you got any fags?”
“Uh…” She might have. She tended not to smoke, it was Eliana who was the real trouble, perhaps she’d left a few in her bag when she’d used it last. “Here, got some.”
“Nice one, Carina.” She snatched the cigarette from her fingers.
“It’s Catrina… you’re welcome…”
Alecto used her wand to light the cigarette, of course, these people couldn’t just use a lighter. She muttered an incantation, not one that Catrina cared to remember at the moment, she’d hardly want to set anything on fire would she?
“Stop smoking inside the dorm you filth, you’ll make my robes smell! Besides Alecto, your teeth are yellow enough already!” Her other dorm mate, Anastasia Greengrass pegged her nose. She was pretty and slim, with long dark hair. She reminded Catrina of Narcissa somewhat, but less beautiful and striking, more like she wanted to be Narcissa.
“Clear off you priss, me n Catie are havin fun.”
She had a small appreciation for her somewhat scruffy new dorm mate.
“How ladylike of you both! You’ll never find a husband, stop trying to rub off on the new girl, you’ll spoil her!” Anastasia eyed Catrina up and down, scrutinising her every inch. “Don’t waste your potential Catrina, you could be attractive.”
“How sincere…” she rolled her eyes, she didn’t need some strait-laced nobody telling her how suitable she was for marriage or whatever.
“I’m only teasing new girl! Lighten up!”
~
Eliana followed Lily into what would be her dormitory for the next few years. Mary and Marlene had already started unpacking until they got distracted and started hanging pairs of frilly underwear off the bed frame.
"Eww Mary, is that a thong?" Marlene held it high out of Mary's reach.
"Give me that!!" Mary, who was shorter, tried to retrieve the stolen knickers.
"Jesus Maz! Who are you trying to impress!" Lily gagged, teasingly.
Eliana blushed, still wearing her own white frilly bloomers.
The girls unpacked some more before boredom struck and they were lying on their beds, uniforms still draped on their backs.
"So... Elle... now that we girls are alone, which boy do you think is cute?" Mary giggled to which Lily and Marlene 'ooh'd'.
Eliana thought some of the boys at the feast were handsome. James, who had a cute smile, despite his unruly jet black hair. And there was Sirius who was perfectly handsome, even if he was slightly unnerving. Remus too, who was tall and brooding. Peter wasn't particularly her type but he seemed like a nice boy. All in all, the boys were alright but it was only her first day, should she already be head over heels for one of them?
"Uh.. I guess the guys we were sitting with were cute, I can't be sure though. Don't know them that well yet do I."
Hopefully that would appease them and they would stop asking about it.
"Ooooh!" They gasped in unison
"So, which one is the cutest then?" I can totally pin you as a Peter kind of girl!" Mary gushed.
Really she would rather take any of the boys over Peter, but she didn't want to be rude.
"Uh, I don't know, maybe .. James.. they're all ok." Eliana murmured.
"Oh my gosh, Elle and Peter! They'd be so cute, I don't think Pete's had a girlfriend yet?" Marlene beamed. "Don't worry Elle we'll make it happen!"
"Seriously guys! Let her breathe!" Lily rolled her eyes and threw her self onto her bed.
"Is it true, that some people... wizards, don't take kindly to witches and wizards like me, you know, from a normal background. It's just my sister-" Eliana started, she didn't know where it came from, but it had been weighing on her mind ever since the run in with her sister before.
The girls stopped giggling, she hoped she hadn't ruined their fun with her heavy question.
"Why? Has somebody been nasty?" Lily rolled back up, balancing on her side.
"My sister mentioned it, said I shouldn't be so open about my background."
"Oh Elle... well I'm sure your sister has her reason to be worried. Some wizards and witches are selective about the company they keep, others taking it much further, you-know-who and all. Especially in Slytherin house, the students have a reputation for being... exclusive." Lily paused, she looked down, as if thinking.
"Right, but that's just a few people, right, like how back home you get people who..." Eliana eyes shuffled awkwardly away from Mary, with her bronzed skin and thick coiled hair.
"Who are racist?" Mary murmured.
"Yes." Eliana nodded.
"It is just a few people, pure-blood supremacists, like Lucius Malfoy! Ugh. They have a distaste for those of us who are, muggleborn, and muggles in general."
"Muggles?" Eliana laughed unintentionally. She felt immediately guilty as this was probably a heavy topic for them.
"Yes, non magical humans. I grew up in the muggle world like you Elle. I'm the first witch in my family. But people like Malfoy don't want me here, they treat us, muggle-borns, like a sub class of wizards, 'the best of muggles and worst of wizards' and stuff like that." Lily sighed. "But you don't have to worry about it, alright? Most people won't treat you differently, especially not in Gryffindor!" She smiled.
This only conflicted Eliana further, she wasn't the first witch or wizard in her family, she probably came from a long line of wizards. I guess it didn't matter nonetheless, she would still be considered muggleborn, and she did not mind, if kind and brilliant witches like Lily were too muggleborn, then it made no difference to her.
"My father was a wizard, I never met him though." She spoke.
"He was? You might be a half-blood then." Marlene perked up onto her side too.
"Heh, I'm guessing these Slytherins still won't think highly of my sister." She laughed. She was tired, all of them were. The lights dimmed. She was lucky to see the view from the window, the moonlight shone upon her face.
"So Elle, what do you think of your new school?" Lily whispered, half-asleep.
"It's brilliant. This still all feels like a dream." Eliana yawned. She thought about magic, and wands. She thought about the classes she'd be going to tomorrow. She thought about Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall. She thought about the boys from the feast and she thought about her father. She then thought about her twin whom would be spending her first night apart from he sister. She thought some more until her thoughts drifted off into dreams.
~chapter end~