Friday, May 11, 2012
Harry Potter Fanfiction Part 2
Rachel had bad dreams that night.
She was running through a dungeon, then noticed she was headed towards the Slytherin girl's dorm room. But when she came to the snake door nob and shouted VIPERA the door didn't budge.
She whirled around to face a huge blonde snake. It was about to strike, and the whole time it was hissing "Mudblood, mudblood, mudblood...."
Then she woke up, palms sweating and hands shaking.
The morning was spent rushing to and from classes. Half of them Rachel arrived late because a staircase had moved or a passage had closed. When lunch finally came she was already worn out. And that was only morning classes!
She sat at the end of the Slytherin table, playing with her food and only nibbling at some banana bread. She looked longingly to the other tables and saw the first years she talked with on the train yesterday. They were talking and laughing, having a great time. The exact opposite of Rachel.
After lunch there were more classes. She got lost at least a dozen times. By the end of the day, she had a two page list of homework due by next week.
Once classes were over, Rachel searched for Headmaster McGonagall's office. First she started in the tranfiguration room and then explored the surrounding corridors. She then saw Professor McGonagall discussing something with a ghost and decided to follow her, staying out of sight. She wanted to wait until she found the Headmaster's office. This was not a conversation to be had in a hallway.
There was a passage that opened up to a staircase for McGonagall. After the Headmaster had gone up Rachel quickly followed. The staircase closed right as she slipped inside.
following the winding path up, Rachel emerged into a larger room. Portraits of past headmasters hung on the wall. An old man winked at her as she came in. The name under the picture read Albus Dumbledore.
"Professor McGonagall?" Rachel looked past the empty desk to a curtain beyond.
"What is this?" A witch snapped from behind the curtain.
"I'm sorry," Rachel said automatically, "I mean, I need to speak to you professor."
"How did you get in here?" She demanded, popping her head out from behind the curtain.
"I followed you."
"Aren't you one of the first years?" McGonagall came out to her desk and looked Rachel over suspiciously.
"Yes," Rachel gulped.
"Well what is it then? This had better be important. First years aren't allowed to run around the school willy-nilly speaking to whoever they want, whenever they want."
"Minverva," Dumbledore called from the wall. "Patience, it's only a first year."
"Albus, I am perfectly capable of handling a first year, thank you." Professor McGonagall sat at her desk, straightening some books. "Sit," she commanded.
Rachel sat.
"What did you want?" The Headmaster asked.
Rachel fiddled her fingers and said shakily, "It's about the sorting Professor."
"What about it?"
"Well Professor," Rachel's heart was beating fast. "I think I was sorted...wrong."
McGonagall paused, then repeated, "You think you were sorted wrong?"
"Yes."
"You believe the sorting hat placed you in the wrong house?" McGonagall leaned forward.
"Yes."
"The same sorting hat that has sorted every student who has come through Hogwarts for centuries?"
"Yes." Rachel bit her lip.
"Nonsense," McGonagall sat back in her chair and began pulling out student papers from her desk. " The sorting hat sorts everyone into the house they belong in. You may go now," she looked down at her work, dismissing Rachel.
"But professor!" Rachel stood up quickly. "I don't belong in Slytherin! The hat must have made a mistake!"
"You were sorted into Slytherin?" Her voice softened and McGonagall's eyes flitted up to Rachel's face with pity.
"Yes!" Rachel continued heartily. "Wizards who get sorted there are all pureblood bullies! I'm only a muggle born."
"Bullying is not tolerated at Hogwarts," McGonagall said, but Rachel could see understanding in her eyes.
"Please Professor, I'm sure I would do much better as a Hufflepuff or a Ravenclaw. Even a Gryffindor!"
"You certainly show bravery. You called on a headmaster of Hogwarts on your first day of school!" Professor McGonagall shook her head thoughtfully, "But I'm afraid that students are not allowed to switch houses."
"But Professor I-"
"I'm sorry Rachel," McGonagall put up her hand. "But the sorting hat always has a reason. I understand your dilemma, but there is nothing I can do to help."
Rachel's stomach turned. The weight in her chest rose to her throat so that she couldn't speak. She was a Slytherin. Living down in the dungeons like a serpent. Picking on the younger ones in a few years. She imagined herself like Anna, with a scar across her face from a fight. Forever Slytherin.
Willing herself to breathe steadily, she turned towards the door. She tried to keep them back, but her eyes filled with tears. She furiously fought the knot in her throat. Swallowing over and over. But it remained, along with the threat of a sob burning in her chest.
"Dear child," the portrait said softly. "One of the bravest men I knew was a Slytherin. And he wasn't the cold hearted person you think. He loved deeper than I had ever witnessed before."
"Oh?" Rachel clenched her jaw and stood as straight as she could. She would not appear weak even if she was on the verge of a meltdown.
"Yes," Dumbledore continued. "You have many of the same qualities he did. Like your pride. And your cunning. It took some brains to find this office."
Rachel remembered following the Headmaster there. She had always been good at following people quietly.
"Slytherins are known for their self preservation abilities," Dumbledore continued. "Being here proves your Slytherin traits. Not only did you arrive without getting caught, but you risked getting expelled by coming here to ask for a new house. Slytherins will do anything to achieve their goals."
Slytherin, Slytherin, Slytherin. If Rachel thought that coming here would help, she was wrong. These people wanted her in Slytherin!
"But I'm also brave! And smart! Couldn't I fit into another house?"
"No!" said Headmaster McGonagall. "It's about time you went back to your dorm room. And believe me when I say this, Rachel. If I catch you sneaking around following professors you will be expelled!"
"Yes Professor." Rachel lowered her eyes and sniffed.
"Just think," the portrait of Dumbledore added. "Perhaps the sorting hat placed you in Slytherin for a reason. I'd say you're destined for greatness. And Slytherin needs more people like you."
"Now please leave," McGonagall said, turning back to her ungraded papers.
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