one
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September had not spoken of her newfound skill at the sorting ceremony since that night. Of course, she did not even know if it was a new skill. She had no way of testing it out, nor was she sure she even wanted to. The only person who had even noticed it that night was Fred, and he hadn't brought it up. She knew better than to think that would last, though. She knew he would eventually ask about it.
Potions with Snape was her least favorite class. Though she had Fred and George in class with her, so it wasn't too bad. But there was just something about Snape that never quite settled well with September, like he was hiding something.
By the time class had ended, September was bored out of her mind. Snape had spent nearly the entire class going over things they learned in their first year of potions. Maybe some of them had needed a refresher, but September was not one of those students. She pushed herself a lot harder than her friends, mostly because she'd never hear the end of it from her father. She was the first in the family to be sorted into Gryffindor, therefore she must have high marks, she must be great, she must be perfect. She rebelled where she could, often finding herself in the midst of Fred and George's many pranks. Her father was close with Arthur Weasley, but often seemed disapproving of September's fondness for the twins' mischief.
George bumped into her as they exited the classroom, sending her straight into Freddie's side as they walked. She stumbled a bit, but Fred caught her.
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Across the Great Hall, September noticed her sister looking around nervously as the owls came flying in. It was the first round of mail since the sorting ceremony, Autumn had every right to be nervous. September knew her father wasn't happy, and she probably got an angry letter as well. Undoubtedly blaming both girls when neither of them had any control over what the hat had decided. Surely Autumn could have persuaded the hat to choose otherwise, but how could she have known that? The poor girl was nervous enough to begin school as it was.
"How angry do you think your dad is?" George asked.
September shrugged, "Probably really mad. It's not like being sorted into Slytherin means she'll never see Harry again."
Next to her, Fred shook his head.
"He's so unfair," September added solemnly.
"Is he also expecting her to grow up and--"
"Marry the boy? I'd assume so. It's all he's ever wanted from her."
"I'm so glad my dad isn't like yours, Ember." said Fred.
"I wish I was part of your family instead." the girl admitted.
The twins looked at their friend sadly, then to each other as if they were silently communicating. Under the table, Fred reached for her hand, a simple gesture. But he made sure no one saw, as his brother would surely tease him relentlessly.
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Halloween was always September's favorite holiday aside from Christmas. It was something she had in common with her younger sister, who of course had learned it from her. But of course, September loved anything her father hated. And Jonathan Phoenix despised Halloween.
"So there Ron was screaming, the spider on his bed--"
Fred's story was quickly interrupted by Professor Quirrel running into the Great Hall screaming.
"Bloody hell, what's he on about?" Fred grumbled, feeling a but upset at being cut off so suddenly.
"Troll!"
"A what?" the twins chorused.
"A troll?" September said.
She looked around the table, first spotting her sister at the Slytherin table, then finding Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. But Hermione was nowhere to be found.
"There's a troll in the dungeon!"
Dumbledore stood up, the students all fell silent.
"Thought you ought to know," said the frantic man before collapsing to the ground.
"Silence! Everyone please, let's not panic. Now, prefects will lead their house back to the dormitories, teachers will follow me to the dungeons." Dumbledore had no trouble setting everyone right in line.
A loud crack of thunder sent them all, especially the first years, into a panic. September lost sight of her sister in the crowd, assuming she was with the rest of the Slytherin students.
Fred was quick to pull her along with him and George as the students were ushered back to the dormitories.
Maybe it upset her too, a little bit, that her sister was placed in a different house. She couldn't look after her the way she wanted to, and that stung a bit.
She hoped wherever her sister was, she was alright.
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