One
Eleven-year-old Lysandra Malfoy held her brother’s hand tightly as they walked through the wall between Platform Nine and Platform Ten.
Lucius had put Lysandra’s trunk in his trolley, and huddled Eirlys, Lysandra’s cat, as he led the nervous first-year into Platform 9 ¾.
“You’ve been doing this for the past six years, Ly,” Lucius started, “I don’t understand why you’d be so worked up this time.”
“This time I’m actually boarding the train, Lu!” Lysandra exclaimed, “it’s different!”
“Well, you see, there’s nothing special this time, so you’ll be alright, just like how you were in the past years.” Lucius smiled at the silly thought she had and tucked a blond curl behind her ear. “Here, take your cat back.”
Eirlys, a ragdoll cat with the whitest fur that almost resembled Lysandra’s white-blond hair, quickly leaped into Lysandra’s arms. They’ve gotten Eirlys a month ago for Lysandra, and the cat was clingy to only her.
Not that Lysandra minded. She was utterly besotted with the blue-eyed cat as well.
“Lysandra!” A familiar voice called out from behind. Lysandra turned around and waved her arm.
“Regulus! Over here!” She hollered.
Regulus Black rushed towards the Malfoy siblings and enveloped Lysandra into an embrace.
“So that’s the Eirlys you’ve been talking about in your letters.” He said, sticking his left hand towards the cat. The cat sniffed it and promptly ignored him. “I’m wounded, your cat doesn’t like me!”
“You should’ve seen how she’s like with me,” Lucius chipped in, “that devil practically clawed me!”
Regulus let out a hearty chuckle as Sirius Black caught up with them.
“How many times—“ he panted, “did I tell you not to run, Reggie?” The scrawny second-year dragged all their trunks and pets while Regulus dashed for Lysandra.
Regulus stuck his tongue out sheepishly.
“Reggie! How could you do that to me?” Sirius exclaimed, “oh hi, Lysandra.” He smiled warmly at her. “And Lucius.” His face turned cold.
After being sorted into Gryffindor, Sirius Black had a hard time. First, his mother exploded in rage and sent him a howler. Then, Lucius Malfoy, who promised to help him integrate into Hogwarts school life, never showed up to help. Instead, he was tremendously disappointed at the Gryffindor that he taunted him whenever they crossed paths.
Lysandra and Regulus didn’t know any of that though. They only assumed that just like all the other people, they distanced themselves from Sirius because he was sorted into Gryffindor.
The snowy owl perched atop Sirius's trolley caught Lysandra’s eye. “So this is Lyria!”
Lyria was Regulus’s owl. Regulus got her two weeks ago and immediately made her send letters to the Malfoy Manor, where the poor owl got lost in the middle and returned to 12 Grimmauld Place. It took the owl two more trials before a letter could reach the Malfoy residence.
“If I had known she was this dumb at delivering mails, I wouldn’t have gotten her.” Regulus sighed. He only got Lyria because the snowy owl’s feathers were a light shade of blonde, something that reminded him of his best friend.
“The train’s here, lovelies. Time to board.” Lucinda’s voice rang behind the chatting children. The adults had been conversing while the kids were talking about their new pets.
“But Mother, I’ll miss you very very much, why are you shooing me this quick?” Lysandra pouted.
“As much as you’ll miss your mother, I haven’t had my darling wife alone with me for ages, Ly.” Abraxas Malfoy said, ruffling her hair. “Now go to Hogwarts so I can finally have my honeymoon with my honey after way too many years to count.”
“You two are disgusting.” Lucius sneered.
“You give me all the chills.” Lysandra faked a shiver. “You see? I’ve got goosebumps all over my arm!”
Abraxas chuckled and waved them off.
“Hmph, I don’t want to talk to you anymore, Father.” Lysandra retorted in faux anger, “come on, Reg, let’s go.” She held his hand and dragged him aboard the Hogwarts Express.
Lucius stared at his empty palm, outstretched supposedly for Lysandra.
“I don’t like Regulus Black from now on.” He said.
Abraxas laughed and patted his back.
Still, as the good brother he was, Lucius dragged all their belongings onto the train.
“Now here’s your trunk, here’s your cat, and here’s the robes you should change into later when we’re approaching Hogwarts.” Lucius instructed, “you sure you don’t want me sitting with you, Ly?”
“Don’t you have friends, Lu?” Lysandra mocked, “come on, I’ll be fine here. It’s not like I’m alone.” She nudged Regulus. “Plus, you’re just a few cars away!”
“Fine, have fun then, Ly, bye-bye.” Lucius sighed.
“I love you, Lu!” Lysandra hollered as she waved goodbye.
“Are you trying to embarrass me? Shush!”
“I am! So say it back.”
“Fine, I love you too.” Lucius turned back and groaned.
“Say it louder for everyone to hear!”
Lucius walked away quickly and pretended he did not hear.
“Soooooooooo,” Lysandra started, “where’re all your stuff?”
Regulus shrugged. “My brother probably had them all with him. I’ll go ask him.”
Both of them left their compartment to search for Sirius.
“Siriiiii—“ Lysandra tapped on his compartment door and it slid open almost immediately.
“Sup?” Sirius asked. Three other boys in his compartment looked at them.
“Um, I just want to take my stuff.” Regulus replied.
“Ah right, forgot to give them to you. Here you go, Reggie.” Sirius pulled out Regulus’s trunk and cage.
“Thanks.”
Sirius stared at his brother for a while before he spoke again. “Don’t get sorted into Gryffindor too, won’t you? Mum’s going to get a heart attack and kill us both.”
“We’ll see.” Regulus said, “c’mon, Lys, let’s go.”
They walked back to their compartment, Lysandra holding Regulus’s owl cage, Regulus dragging his trunk.
“Your owl—“ Lysandra huffed as she hauled the cage onto the train seat, “—is heavy!”
“Sorry, been feeding a bit too much when Siri and I were teaching her tricks.” Regulus boasted. “At least now she could fly in circles and do monkey dances.”
Eirlys screeched at the newcomer owl.
“Whoops, Eirlys does not approve.” Lysandra smiled, ruffling her cat. “What’s wrong, baby Eirlys?”
Like all cats do, Eirlys snuggled Lysandra while hissing at the snowy owl.
“Your cat’s cranky, I swear.” Regulus laughed.
“Reg!” Lysandra exclaimed, “be nice!”
“Be nice,” Regulus scrunched his nose, “and the next thing you know, you end up in Hufflepuff, or worse, Gryffindor.”
“If you just be nice to me, I promise the Hat will still think you’re not nice, and you’ll still end up in Slytherin.” Lysandra retorted.
“Fair enough.” Regulus paused and considered. “Though if I end up anywhere but Slytherin, you have to help me open the howler.”
Lysandra recalled how Lucius mentioned Sirius was ashen-faced when he was sorted into Gryffindor and promptly ran away from breakfast next morning when he saw a howler on the Gryffindor table.
Good that her parents didn’t care much about her house.
Wherever you end up, you’re still our little princess Malfoy. Abraxas had said when he was adjusting her scarf.
Hopefully not Gryffindor though, Lucinda had said. But even if the Hat sorted you into Azkaban, we’ll still love and cherish you the same.
I don’t give a damn where you end up in, Ly, Lu had smiled when he held her hand as they left the Manor. You’re still my sister and if anyone tries to make fun of you because of it, I’ll make their lives hell. Lu had a sick grin plastered on his face that suggested that he would indeed keep his word.
Sometimes it was nice to have crazy parents and an equally crazy brother doting on you.
“Well, I could burn the howler first.” Lysandra offered. She had learnt the Fire-Making Charm, courtesy of her Head Boy brother. As self-defence, he had claimed.
Though it’s not like he would report her if she decided to use it for other reasons.
“Deal.” Regulus agreed.
“Anything from the trolley, dears?” Their compartment door slid open. The trolley witch was here.
“I’ll have the Every-Flavour Beans, please.” Lysandra asked, sticking her hands into her pockets to dig for spare change.
Regulus snickered at the struggling witch and handed 6 Sickles to the Trolley Witch.
“Thanks, dears. Enjoy!” The Trolley Witch pushed her cart away.
“Thanks, Reg. I swore I had some money in my pocket.” Lysandra explained, opening the packet, “want some?”
Regulus picked a dark brown one. “Mmm…” he scrunched his brows, “baked beans. Could’ve had a lot worse, I’d reckon.”
Lysandra picked a bright pink one. “Bubblegum!”
They spent the trip trying the beans. Lysandra got one envelope-glue flavoured, while Regulus got one tasted like dirt.
Soon enough, the train bell rang. They were approaching Hogwarts and they should change into their robes.
The first-years hadn’t been sorted yet, so their robes were all black with the School crest. They were charmed to show their House colors and display the House crest once they got sorted.
Regulus had already worn his uniform, so he only needed to throw on his robes and tie his tie.
“I think the toilets are all full, you’ll have to wait for a long time, Lys.” Regulus peered at the long queue outside of their compartment. “We could put the shields down while you change. I can stand outside to make sure nobody barges in.”
They agreed to this arrangement.
Once Regulus left and slid the door shut, Lysandra immediately started changing. Shirt buttoned, tie fastened, shirt tucked in the skirt. It’s not that cold to put on the robes, so she would wait until they were about to leave.
She yanked the door open. “I’m finished!” She declared.
Regulus, on the other hand, was still struggling with his tie.
“I swear,” Regulus huffed in embarrassment, “I could do this back at home, but I already forgot how to do that.”
“Nervous for your first day?” Lysandra mocked, “here, let me do it for you. Lu let me try tying his tie. I think he likes me doing it a lot.”
She pulled on his tie and tried to tie one properly.
“It’s… off.” Regulus commented. The tie was loose and the Hogwarts crest was displayed too high— half of it was covered by the knot.
“Sorry, Lu’s taller, so I don’t really know how to proportionate it.”
“It’s fine, they can’t take points off when we haven’t been sorted.”
They went back inside to pack their trunks. They still got a bit of snacks left, so they stashed a mouthful of every-flavoured beans into their mouths at once.
“Eww, all these flavours all at once, I’m never doing this again.” Regulus groaned. Chocolate and bogey were not a good combination.
Lysandra pulled out a piece of tissue and spat on it. “Broccoli and Rotten egg are terrible.”
“Why are the shields down? We’re about to board, shields up or I’ll take points off your House!” Lucius Malfoy was doing rounds. “Oh, it’s you two.” His voice immediately softened, “ready for everything?”
Both first-years nodded.
“Regulus, your tie is terrible.” Lucius stepped into the compartment and sat next to him. He adjusted the tie. “There, looks better now.”
“Don’t blame me, Lys did it.” Regulus shrugged.
“Ly! I thought you promised to only tie my tie!” Lucius exclaimed in mock heartbreak.
“Huh, I did?”
She didn’t. Lucius assumed that she would only tie his tie, aside from her own. He never thought Regulus would receive such a treatment from her as well.
The train hooted as it came to a halt.
“Nevermind, we have to go now.” Lucius stood up, unwrinkling his trousers. “First-years! This way!” He hollered and ushered the first-years to line up.
Dragging their own trunks and holding their pets, Lys and Reg hopped off.
After Lucius finally gotten all first-years to line up, he let Hagrid take over.
“Firs’ years this way! Four in a group, an’ get on the boats!” Hagrid bellowed. “No, yeh four troublemakers!” He pointed at Sirius and his friends, “yeh four, on the carriages!”
They made a face and lined up for the carriages.
Lysandra and Regulus got on a boat, and another boy hopped on.
Eventually, another girl went onto their boat as well.
“Dirk Cresswell, and you are…?” The boy introduced himself.
“Pandora Orpington.” The sandy blonde girl replied.
“Regulus Black.”
“Lysandra Malfoy.”
“I wonder how these boats could travel without paddles.” Pandora lied on the side of the boat and pondered.
“Probably some sort of spell, I’d reckon.” Regulus answered.
“Yeah, that’s for sure, but which one?” Lysandra pressed on, “I read and it mentioned that the boats would move at Hagrid’s command.” She gestured towards the half-giant.
“I would guess it’s a series of spells. It sounds like some complicated spell work.” Dirk vouched.
“Do you reckon it was cast when the founders were still alive? After all, this is a very ancient tradition.” Lysandra suggested.
“Pardon me, but why are we so invested in boats?” Regulus spoke up.
“You’re not fun.” Lysandra smacked him playfully.
After they crossed the Black Lake, the Head Boy and Girl instructed everyone to line up alphabetically.
“Just because you’re my sister doesn’t mean I would let you line up behind Black, Lysandra Malfoy.” Lucius drawled while Margaret Clearwater called out names to line up.
Lysandra stuck her tongue out and promptly returned to the crowd, waiting for the Head Girl to call out their names.
Finally, everyone lined up and Lucius led them into the castle, Margaret following behind.
They could hear the chatters in the Great Hall. Older students had already settled down and were about to start the feast.
As the first-years walked in, the chatters came to a whisper. A raggedy hat sat on a three-legged stool.
Headmaster Dumbledore tapped his goblet and cleared his throat.
“Welcome, welcome all students. I hope the journey to Hogwarts has been alright with everyone of you.” Dumbledore said, “now, with no further ado, let us begin the sorting.”
The Sorting Hat, sat on the stool, broke into song:
Welcome, welcome, one and all.
The show is about to start.
I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
and it's time to play my part,
You may call me worn and ragged,
if that's all you truly see.
But listen close and I will tell
where you are supposed to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
where the bravest often dwell.
Perhaps it's loyal Hufflepuff,
where your heart will truly swell.
Or could it be wise Ravenclaw,
whose language you speak best.
Yet again, perhaps it's Slytherin,
that will help you top the rest.
Go ahead and try me on.
There is nothing left to fear.
I will find right where you belong
by looking between your ears.
“First, we have Avery, Magnus.”
A freckled boy with short brown hair walked to the front. He sat on the stool as Professor McGonagall placed the hat on his head.
“Slytherin!”
His robes, previously plain-black, immediately became lined with silver and green. The Hogwarts crest on his uniform shirt also transformed into a Slytherin crest.
A few other students had their turns, and eventually Regulus walked up to the podium.
“Slytherin!” The Hat declared after a minute of silence. Cheers erupted from the Slytherin table, with Lucius cheering the loudest.
Regulus glanced at the Gryffindor table. Sirius had a relieved look as he gave his brother a thumbs-up.
Regulus strode to the Slytherin table where Narcissa Black, Lucius’s girlfriend and Regulus’s cousin, scooted over to make space for him.
Finally it was Lysandra’s turn to be Sorted.
“Malfoy, Lysandra.”
She tucked her hair behind her ears as she sat on the stool. She could feel the cool raggedy fabric atop her head as Professor McGonagall placed the Hat on her.
“A Malfoy, innit?” The Hat spoke.
Even though Lucius had told her how the Hat could speak in her mind, it still startled Lysandra.
“I’ve sorted all Malfoys into Slytherin, but you seem to be an exception.” The Hat muttered. “You’re not as ambitious as them, you see. You’d rather spend your days trying all the flavours of the Every-Flavoured Beans and reading books than establishing a place among your peers. After all, you have a trustworthy brother who would guard you, no?”
But I think I’d do well in Slytherin! All my friends are Slytherin, except Siri. Lysandra rebutted.
“But you’d not fit in well with their morals. You lack the ambition. I’m sure with your easy-going and book-loving personality, you’d fit just well in—“
“RAVENCLAW!” The Hat bellowed.
Lysandra was stunned. There has never been a Malfoy sorted into Ravenclaw. Actually, there hasn’t been a single Malfoy who wasn't in Slytherin. But then again, there hasn’t been a single female Malfoy until her.
She stood up and walked slowly to the Ravenclaw table. She could see Regulus’s worried look towards her. Lucius, on the other hand, beamed supportively. Her brother would support anything she did, and that made her feel less tense.
Soon, Pandora Orpington got sorted into Ravenclaw as well, and so she sat next to Lysandra.
After the feast, Lucius approached her just when she was about to follow everyone to their dormitories.
“Ly.” He called out. Lysandra stopped in her tracks and turned to him.
“Don’t worry about your sorting. I’m on good terms with Margaret. If anyone picks on you, tell her.” Lucius instructed.
“Just because I’m not in Slytherin doesn’t mean I’m not cunning enough to defend myself!” Lysandra complained.
“Bleh bleh bleh whatever you say, my dearest Ly.” Lucius rolled his eyes, “but really, anyone makes you upset, tell me.”
“Fine.” Lysandra ushered him back to the Slytherin crowd, where Narcissa was waiting for him. He rushed back and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Lysandra faked throwing up when Regulus tapped her shoulder.
“Lys.”
“Reg…” Lysandra trailed off, “sorry I’m not sorted into Slytherin with you.”
They made a promise to stick with each other, and assumed that they’ll be sorted into Slytherin together.
“It’s alright, nobody would give you a hard time for being in Ravenclaw.” Regulus shrugged, “but if you make other friends and forget about me, I’ll be angry. You wouldn’t want to cross a Slytherin, wouldn’t you?”
“Just one dinner and you already try to blackmail me using your house, Reg.” Lysandra snorted, “plus you know I won’t do that.”
“True.” Regulus grinned, “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“See you!”
That night, after settling in the Ravenclaw Tower dorm, Lysandra laid down in her bed and cuddled Eirlys. Pandora was on the bed adjacent to her.
Although she wasn’t sorted into the House she was most familiar with, it did sound fun making new friends and trying something new, out of her brother’s protection.
Plus if she really needed his help, he’ll be quick to her aid.
Sounded like a good start in Hogwarts.