Fragile

It seemed whatever god Lissy had taken to praying to ignored her request because as the young girl exited the train carefully, she found many that had taken to staring at her. A small touch to her forehead told her that her scar was out of sight and she couldnt help but feel slightly sick as she tried to figure out who revealed who she was. Her luggage was left behind, as Ron’s older brothers told them to do so, and Lissy couldnt help but feel grateful at not having to carry such bulky baggage even though right now it would be so very comforting to hide behind it. Her arms, though she liked to think of herself as fully capable of bearing the weight, were sore already from the time in which she had to yank the trunk every which way she went in the initial search for an empty compartment and the thought of even more trekking around tired her out.

She glanced around, trying to figure out what do with so many eyes glued to her form as Hagrid placed a hand on her shoulder. It was a bit comedic and how it almost engulfed her entire right shoulder. Never had she seen somebody so big. Of course her uncle was quite stout but Hagrid was a lot taller than he was wide.

She went around behind him, cutting off any possible sight of her. The big man thankfully had been given the job of guiding them all and having an adult that didn’t hate her around was comforting to say the least.

That is- until he revealed she had to cross an entire lake on a small dingy boat just to get to the castle. Hermione and Neville tagged along the ride with her and Ron but her grip on the edge of the boat was tight and her eyes were focused on the three in front of her, wary of any movement they made. Her swimming skills were subpar and Lissy didn’t want any part in the cold water that surrounded her and the others. Not while she was still wearing robes that would weigh her down. Prior experience with Dudley and Piers had shown her that the outcome was less than tolerable. She shivered slightly, feeling incredibly cold, and checked the distance that was left from here to Hogwarts only to find herself captivated in the glow that settled around her.

The lights that peeked out from the glittering windows of the stone castle ahead were scattered amongst the waters and Lissy, her hand moving unconsciously, brushed against the chilled water in awe. She hadn’t even come close to imagining a place like this. Those fairytale books that she had snagged from Dudley’s second bedroom couldn’t even come close to what a sight Hogwarts made.

 Her actions had the reflection rippling even more so then they were with just the slight movement of the boat and something in her stomach dropped. Was she allowed to do this? Her eyes were cautious as she glanced around, feeling slightly sick, but nothing happened and no one paid very much attention to her. A cold chill racked through her and she tried to tell herself that everything was okay, eyes turning now to the dirty brown floor that made up of the bottom of their boat. The unsettled feeling in her stomach didn’t go away.

The Great Hall was everything everyone said it would be. 4 long and very wide tables filled the room and each one were filled to the brim with loud individuals ranging from 12-17. It was, in short, terrifying. Even more terrifying was the fact that much of the eyes fell on the group of first years. Lissy let herself become engulfed within the group of children, hiding between the bushy haired girl from earlier and a brunette boy. Her hands were taught against the woolen skirt that covered her upper thighs, knuckles pale and she tried to breathe in and out, wanting nothing more then to block out the chattering of the others around her. She was hidden from view but somehow her body still shook as if the spotlight remained on her. As an older witch whom clutched a raggedy brown wizarding hat in her hand began calling names, Lissy felt her heart drop. Of course they would be called up in front of the entire contents of the school. She wanted to smack her head against a brick wall- or in this case stone - due to just how nerve wracked she was. She couldnt help but feel a small amount of paranoia build up and felt guilty. Everything felt so real but a small part of her wouldn’t stop being terrified of the possibility that the Dursleys were just pulling one over on her.

And then she almost started bawling because jesus christ the hat talked! And it sang too! Nausea enveloped her as she fiddled once more with the end of her skirt. Kid’s came and went and the small girl knew she should prepare herself lest she wanted to vomit up all the candy Ron and her had forged themselves on when the hat decided to grace her with it’s presence.

The crowd that she had hidden herself in the midst of dwindled down rather quickly and Lissy knew that she’d most likely only be there for 30 seconds but something in her gut shifted and she once more wanted to bury herself in a load of blankets (holey or not). Could it be possible that the hat could...read minds? A disheartening feeling began to spread through the anxious 11 year old, followed by even more nausea. She was dangerously close to losing her stomach’s content. Would the hat be able to see all her memories? Know her innermost thoughts? Lissy began to panic, feeling her palms burn slightly.

“Amaryllis Potter,” the woman in the black silken wizarding robes called. Her eyes fell upon Lissy’s form and it felt like the witch was trying to convey a message to the petite girl. The crowd, which had had the usual talking and whispering you’d expect from a large group of children suddenly went completely silent and Lissy’s heart ached. The professors watched her with hawkeyes, 2 in particular. She tightened her grip on the woolen skirt again in the front before beginning to trek her way up to the somewhat large uncomfortable seat, dreading what was to come. A silent room only further encouraged her anxious feelings. The thousands of eyes that stared at her were soon drowned out as a rough fabric was dropped quite suddenly over her head. Her grip tightened on the skirt.

What was she supposed to do? Sit here and wait? How was she supposed to know if it could see anything or not? If it could, would it tell Dumbledore? A reckless part of her almost reached up to tear the hat right off her head, effectively stopping it from seeing anything if it could but she was scolded lightly.

I’d not advise that, missy.

Lissy had to refrain herself from choking on her own spit. You can talk?! Her head spun suddenly and she winced, feeling her eyes water. A headache began to form.

I can. The founders made it so. Also, my apologies, I didn’t realize you were sensitive to Legilimency. A mistake on my part, as your father was the same. I’ll be slightly more gentle. 

I-Isn’t there a way you could sort me without using L-Legili- whatever you’re doing?

I suppose but that could take weeks. It’s quite alright, Potter. I’ve been doing this for years and it’s the most efficent and trustworthy way. I may look old, but I’ve still got my thinking cap capabilities.

I- I don’t feel comfortable with you looking around in my memories. 

I’m bound by Godric’s rules. What I find is between us. I am going to continue now so please so tranquify your magic. It’s spiking quite unevenly and causing a disruption. 

Sorry Lissy apologized feeling quite bad and she began tapping subtly on the side of the creaky wooden chair, awaiting for the hat to finish. A short time later, it spoke once more.

Your mind... The hat began hesistantly. It’s quite different than your mothers or your fathers. I’d go as far to say maybe even your ancestors. You’re much more cautious then either would ever be and I see that it is not without reason. Your loyalty’s are firm and I see your heart is courageous. Your ambition is quite lacking but the potential there is abnormally large. Yes, Miss Potter, you are very difficult. 

S-Sorry but I’m a little unsure of what you mean? How would I be so different than my mom and dad’s?

What I mean, young one, is you have found yourself a match for two houses. Lillian was much inclined and stubborn willed to one, James quite the same. They knew what they wanted and they wanted what they got. You know not what you want. Tell me my dear, do you have a preference? Will you roar? Or will you strike?

I’m unsure, Lissy told the hat honestly, wishing she could help. I’ve never really fit in anywhere.

I see. This might be a mistake but... I believe you’ll flourish here just as well. Do come tell me if I’ve made the right choice. 

“Slytherin!”

“You can eat, you know,” the stone faced blonde haired girl next to her said very softly. Though her voice was very soft, the cold edge was still there. Lissy looked up at her with an alarmed expression from where she was longingly gazing at the food laid out. Lissy ducked her head in apology.

“I’m sorry,” she flushed quite noticeably, the dark red contrasting against her skin which was considerably pale. Having never been an outside child due to the Dursleys insistence on hiding her, Lissy’s skin was very fair to the point where it was almost sickly. The blonde haired girl looked at her, eyes unreadable as she studied Lissy.

“Eat.” She told her more demanding this time before turning back to her own plate which consisted of yams, a small portion of meat, and rolls that had been slathered in butter. The elegant air that she carried around her was prominent, especially within the way she cut her food so gracefully.

Lissy flinched slightly, feeling very out of place, her eyes shifting back to the absolutely ravishing sight of food that had found itself atop of the long vertical table. Her stomach prodded at her angrily but she couldn’t find the strength to lift her arms. Something akin to fear coursed through her and another look from the blonde next to her was all it took before she hesistantly plopped a small scoop of mashed potatoes on her plate.

One quick glance around after that brought her a bit more comfort. The table around her did nothing, said nothing, and were only continuing on whatever conversation they had and Lissy could feel a sense of relief fill her as she poked slightly at mound of yellow on her plate with the spoon she held. A sense of nervousness filled her and she sat and looked at her plate before looking at others. Whilst her’s was merely occupied by a miniscule portion of potatoes, many of the boys around her had piled fresh juicy chicken legs, sheperds pie, corn and greenbeans, hot rolls, sunday roast, steak, and much more onto plates of their own. Frustration had somehow found its way dispensed through her, and she picked up a bite of the mashed potato before bringing it to her mouth reluctantly. She didn’t have to wait for scraps anymore so there was no point in doing so now. Nobody cared if she ate. 

Or that’s what she told herself as she brought the spoonful of potatos back down to the plate. Instead, Lissy sipped at the goblet next to her, mouth pinching in surprise and she realised that what she was drinking was certainly not apple juice but rather pumpkin. It was an odd coincidence as she thought of the pumpkin pasty she had eaten earlier, but the girl decided to ignore it, assuming that it was just wizard custom for pumpkin to be in everyday food. The taste was much different then apple juice, but not wholly unpleasant. This, for the next hour of the evening, would be all that the young girl would consume.

Severus Snape was annoyed. Mcgonagall, he could tell, was slightly irritated as well which was the only thing that kept him from flying off his handle. Pushing the older woman’s buttons was quite satisfying, especially when it involved quidditch as thats all the old bugger liked to brag about, but taking one of her most cherished students offspring and encasing them in the green which Mcgonagall herself was so prejudiced against? Had it not been Potter, Severus would have downright cackled in glee. Had it not been Potter, he wouldn’t be trtying to contain all his anger and frustration. Potter? In his house?

Slytherin. Potter is in Slytherin. The house of the snakes.

He felt that fire in his chest once more and tried to refrain from glaring at the small girl who had so conveniently parked herself between Parkinson. If the young aristocrat were to think that he was glaring at her, she’d no doubt take offense and report to her much higher up parents and Severus didn’t feel like torturing himself much tonight. He’d had enough torture with these bumbling fools called students, adding on to that any further was certainly out of question.

“Albus,” he heard Mcgonagall quietly speak to the eccentrically dressed headmaster, voice low, “You can’t be serious.” Inwardly, he rolled his eyes. Did she really believe their house to be so bad? He risked a small glance.

“This is what the hat chose, Minerva,” Albus hummed as he cut into his shepards pie. “She will be fine.”

“Look at her, Albus,” Minerva hissed, her face going that blotchy red it usually did when she got fired up. “She’s so small that one hex could take her out,” Minerva tried to reason. Severus felt his brows raise, turning to look down over his table and indeed noted how small the girl was. A sneer almost fell across his lips. What a stupid girl. Dieting at an age so young? Was Potter really that boy crazy where she bad already begun to worry about her looks?

A feeling that Severus recognized as seething hate ran through him. Not only did she look like her father, but she had the same stupidity to her as well. It was a pity that he wouldn’t be able to take points away from her like he wanted, but Severus was sure he’d get a thrill out of tearing her down in Potions. Yes, this year wasn’t going to plan but he’d turn it around his way.