Every End Is A New Beginning
Esther Hitchens and Mina Dallimore, the new transfer students from Beauxbatons to Hogwarts, attempt to find a place for themselves in the unknown surroundings. Some people make it easier, and the others much more difficult.
Marie McKay and Phineas Hearst belong to @helenadurazzo
September 1896
The day of her sixteenth birthday greeted her with serene sunlight, its warmth seeping through all the layers of her clothing to her very core. Esther willed herself to consider it a good omen for the new beginnings; and as she made her way to the hidden platform at King's Cross Station, the world around her brimming with wonder and brightness, she felt something like anticipation at last.
Ever since she quit homeschooling and left for France to study as a nine-year-old, then entering Beauxbatons in the age of twelve, bound as she was to be the eldest of her classmates, Esther managed to receive only hurried congratulations from her mother, Hugh and Mira, before departing for a new school year. Per an already established tradition, the presents were given in advance, alongside a small festive dinner in the family circle.
For the last four years, Mina refused to abide by it, as she could and did organize a celebration for Esther on their way to school. As soon as it was determined that they were in no danger of being late, Esther found herself in her friend's firm clutch.
"Happy birthday, Essie!" she chirped, handing over a colourful package that, judging by its form, hid a new book underneath. "Though you're tremendously unlucky to have been born on September 1st, of all days, you deserve all the best!"
It was a phrase she repeated every year without fail. Esther smirked, responding in kind: "It's a shame I couldn't in good conscience ask my dear mother to endure the pains a little longer."
"A little?" The lady in question was indignant upon overhearing their conversation. "I spent the entire night in agony in order to bring you to this world in the wee hours of the morning, and you lot still have objections?"
"None at all, Iola," Mina said innocently. She was allowed to call Esther's mother by her first name since the two of them were little girls, playing on the vast grounds between the mansions of their families. "We wouldn't want Essie to be a year above me either, would we?"
Iola Hitchens didn't answer, for she was no longer attending. Having noticed the steadily approaching fair heads and blue robes of the Ellingtons, Esther instantly understood her train of thought. Though many years had passed since her mother and Walter Ellington established a warm friendship, it never wavered, and they were as glad to see each as ever. Lorna Ellington, though more reserved than her husband, also seemed sincerely pleased with the encounter.
Well-wishes and inquiries were exchanged; the names of some acquaintances Esther heard about for the first time in her life were mentioned. Then, the conversation habitually turned to the youth.
"Little Miranda is what, ten now? Only a year older than my own Hyacinth!" The child hid behind her mother's back shyly at the sound of her name. Esther involuntarily remembered Mira's passionate demands to join them on the platform, and thought that there couldn't be a more dissimilar pair of girls. "How quickly time flies! Our youngest will both soon head to school alongside their siblings. And Esther's friend, of course," Mr. Ellington hurried to add, noticing that Mina had been ignored so far.
"My name is Wilhelmina Dallimore, sir," came her smooth, amiable introduction.
"Mina is a Muggleborn, so her family asked me to assist her in the wizarding matters," her mother explained, and then sighed. "To be honest, I fear the period of adaptation may be rather tough for the girls. While they heard and read much about Hogwarts, it's going to be so different from Beauxbatons," she lowered her voice, "especially under Phineas Nigellus's rule. Therefore, I would be very grateful if Basil and Farrah helped them, at least initially."
"It will be my pleasure, Mrs. Hitchens!" Farrah Ellington replied enthusiastically while her brother nodded solemnly. Both were already dressed in the school uniform, adorned with the blue and bronze of the Ravenclaw House, sporting identical 'P' badges.
Farrah was the same age as Esther, and Basil a year older, yet despite the occasional visits between their families, she never grew particularly close to either of them. Farrah's personality boasted of an almost overwhelming extraversion that Esther found difficult to keep up with; Basil, though calm and guarded like herself, wasn't interested in acquiring another confidant.
Regardless, she put a polite smile on her face. "Mina and I look forward to going to school with you."
The Hogwarts Express let out a puff of smoke, warning them about the imminent departure. Esther's mother hugged Mina first, ruffling her red locks affectionately, and then repeated the procedure with her.
"Try not to get sorted into Slytherin," she whispered in Esther's ear. "There are adequate people among the snakes, but not enough to test your luck."
Esther nodded soundlessly, giving her mother one last kiss before turning her back to the platform and facing the train. Her future, fortunately or not.
An intense pang of nostalgia pierced her heart at the reminder that the doors of Beauxbatons were now closed to her, and the apprenticeship in Potions and Alchemy that she had worked so hard to get and keep would belong to someone else. Even with all the struggles and sneaky individuals that the crowded and highly demanding academy made her face, even though she was bitter about being tossed out so, she knew she had much to thank it for. Esther would miss the light blue silk of her uniform, and the characteristic Beauxbatons roses in the courtyard, and the music classes, and Nicolas Flamel's occasional lectures most of all.
"Hurry up, Essie! It wouldn't look good on us to be late on our very first day."
Though ever the more energetic of their duo, Mina also had a slightly faraway look in her eyes. Esther thought about Lander Braydel, the boyfriend her friend had left in Beauxbatons with the promise of writing regularly, and wondered how long such a relationship would endure the distance. She then remembered Bernadette, and Carmen, and even Odile Perrot with all her competitiveness and cold-blooded brilliance...
Esther took a deep breath and stepped inside. There was nothing rational in crying over spilled milk, especially when she had yet to build a new life for herself. Mina followed Basil and Farrah briskly, and Esther forced herself to borrow a bit of her strength, relaxing her face expression into something friendlier.
"There should be plenty of space in my compartment, especially since I will have to leave you to take care of my Prefect duties," Farrah said brightly. "Naturally, you won't be alone there, as I will introduce you to my friends. You shall like each other immensely-"
"Don't go too fast, sister," Basil intervened softly. "Remember that Esther and Wilhelmina may want some time to themselves."
Farrah deflated a bit until Mina reassured her that they would be happy to accept her invitation. As much as Esther appreciated Basil's comment, for it was accurate for herself at least, she had to admit that making acquaintances was a good first step to integrating into the reality of Hogwarts.
On their way, they were intercepted by a black-haired girl in a dark red robe. She seemed to be a close friend of the Ellingtons, for their manner of greeting was explicitly warm, and Basil's face in particular lit up in an entirely new way.
"Why are you not in your uniform yet, Georgiana?" Farrah inquired. "The Prefects are expected in the first wagon as soon as the train departs."
The girl named Georgiana raised her eyebrows. "Well, it doesn't concern me in the slightest. Mabel was chosen as the Gryffindor Prefect, after all."
"No way," Basil sounded surprised. "I thought you passed Professor Weasley's tasks with flying colours?"
"I'm sure there's no shame in losing to Mabel," Farrah said quickly when Georgiana's eyes narrowed in obvious irritation. "She's great at communication and planning events."
"Whatever." At last, Georgiana turned her attention to Esther and Mina, and her frown receded a bit. "I did hear a rumour about transfer students, and it seems to be true. Welcome to Hogwarts! I'm Georgiana Wotton. You're going to be in the fifth year, right?" They nodded and introduced themselves. "Then maybe I'll see you in the Gryffindor dormitory this evening. We had a transfer from Uagadou last year, and she's a proud lion now. Best of luck to both of you!"
"Won't you join me and the girls?" Farrah inquired when Georgiana made a move to retreat. "I saved us a compartment nearby."
Georgiana only shook her head. "I'm afraid I really need to find Hamish. We have an important issue to discuss."
"Well, that's a lot of names," Mina whispered once both Georgiana and Basil left, the latter wanting to be precisely on time for the Prefect meeting and urging his sister to do the same.
"And there will be many more," Esther sighed. The train set off abruptly, but she steadied herself with the relative ease of someone who had enough experience with Portkeys for a lifetime.
Their compartment was rather cozy-looking, but small enough for Esther to wonder where Georgiana and her luggage would have fit, had she agreed to accompany them. Thankfully, it contained only two people, Amit Thakkar and Marie McKay, as the introductions supplied.
"You have a beautiful name," the former said a little bashfully as they shook hands. "It literally means 'star' in Persian."
"Amit is very fond of Astronomy," Farrah explained with such obvious warmth that the boy's ears reddened.
Esther smiled, determined to be engaging. "My mother does have a penchant for star names. My younger sister is Miranda, for instance."
Amit nodded. "The moon of Uranus. It reminds me of the Black family a bit, to be honest. They also have a fascinating tradition to give their children astronomical names. You must have heard about them when you transferred since our Headmaster is a Black."
Though she felt both Mina's and Farrah's eyes on herself, Esther didn't even blink. She knew the general ignorance of her relations wouldn't last, but she was still a little relieved by it.
"Actually, we conducted the procedure with the help of the Deputy Headmistress. However, I have heard much about the Headmaster Black." Largely her mother's biting mockery of his intellectual abilities, but they didn't have to know about it.
Farrah, the only one who was still standing in the doorframe, turned her head at the sound of a distinctly annoyed voice. "It's Andrew, so I really need to get going. Hopefully, it won't take too long. Have fun!"
Mina, whose curiosity and excitement were rapidly overpowering momentary melancholy, prompted: "The Prefect title seems to be important at Hogwarts."
"It's a position of honour with privileges, but also additional responsibilities," Marie McKay said eagerly. "Prefects are appointed on the fifth year, which is why so many conversations gravitate towards this topic among us now. Does Beauxbatons have anything of the sort?"
"Not precisely, but I believe apprenticeships come close. The best students in various disciplines get a more intense training alongside certain advantages." The corners of Mina's mouth rose. "Actually, Esther should know more about it. She was an apprentice herself."
"Mina is too modest," Esther rebuffed smoothly. "A position in the Beauxbatons Quidditch team has about the same perks, and is as hard to achieve. Yet, she managed it."
Her friend waved her off, unsuccessfully trying to hide her pleasure at the praise. "The Hogwarts Houses all have their own teams, right?"
"Yes, and they take the rivalry way too seriously sometimes. The competition between the House in general can be pretty rough." Amit must have noticed the lack of sincere understanding, for he asked: "Does Beauxbatons have no Houses?"
"No," Marie answered before Esther or Mina could. "My mother studied there, and she told me and my brother some stories. I think students are just separated into different wings according to their gender?"
"Indeed!" Mina grinned. "They're also usually divided into smaller groups for classes. Many disciplines have several professors teaching them due to an overflow of students. That is the very reason Essie and I were sent back to England, after all."
"To be honest, I was a bit surprised by your English-sounding names," Marie looked rather timid. "If you come from here originally, why didn't you go to Hogwarts from the start?"
Esther was unpleasantly transported back into the aftermath of her father's murder, when her mother's first impulse was to send her away. "I'm a Half-Blood, and Mina is a Muggleborn. The Headmaster isn't known as a tolerant wizard."
"He isn't," Amit agreed uneasily. "Marie and I are Purebloods, so we definitely don't see the full extent of his prejudice, but he did remove Muggle Studies from the curriculum."
"And he treats Houses that aren't Slytherin as lesser, which we do feel as Ravenclaws," Marie added. "For example, the positions like Head Boy and Head Girl are almost always occupied by Slytherins. There was a Ravenclaw Head Girl when we were first-years, but I don't know how she managed it. My brother and his fiancée, a Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor respectively, did their best but were overlooked in the end."
"And I also heard he gives his children titles even if they did nothing to deserve them," Amit lowered his voice. "I can't really judge if Phineas Black is fit to lead the Quidditch team, I'm not an expert in flying. However, Basil once mentioned that he had a mutual Prefect assignment with Sirius Black last year. He said Sirius was the most irresponsible and frivolous person he ever had the displeasure of working with."
"They sound lovely," Esther commented wryly. Those people were her uncle and cousins, by blood if not by anything else. And what she was hearing aligned completely with her mother's predictions.
"Oh, we don't want to dampen your enthusiasm," Marie assured hurriedly. "Like everything, Hogwarts has its positive and negative sides."
"Nobody said there are no prejudiced professors or students at Beauxbatons. Or the ones who resort to ugly measures, for that matter," Esther shrugged. The main difference was that those at Hogwarts were likely to hold a personal grudge against her mother that had every chance to transfer to herself. "In my opinion, it's a very efficient school with an absolutely deserved high reputation. Still, there are problems and much pressure lurking underneath."
"Pressure, indeed! The amount of subjects is enormous. There aren't nearly enough hours in a day to deal with everything," Mina rolled her eyes. "I mean, there are some great ones, like Flying, or Arts, or Herbology, maybe Enchantments, but the rest are wild. The languages alone! Latin is an obligatory discipline, and students are encouraged - almost forced - to take up at least one more language. Not to mention the classes of French for foreigners."
"Mina has a rather difficult time with languages," Esther said, trying not to smile, "but don't take her outrage too seriously. She was extremely fond of Beauxbatons."
"I did like Spanish, and I speak it better than you do, Essie!" her friend huffed. Still, she didn't object to the second part of Esther's comment.
"My French cousin sometimes sounds rather stressed in her letters," Marie admitted thoughtfully, "but she also says she would never for the life of her exchange Beauxbatons for Hogwarts since we only have 'a meager Frog Choir' in terms of musical activities. Actually, you may know her: does Jolene Beaufort ring any bells?"
"We had some mutual classes, singing included," Esther informed, not without a certain delight in the unexpected connection. Jolene was an acquaintance, not truly a friend, but nonetheless it was pleasant to have a fellow connoisseur of music in her social circle. "Before that, I went to the same elementary school with her."
"The world truly is small, it seems," Marie beamed.
The trolley of sweets arrived soon, and Esther purchased a stack of Cauldron Cakes for everyone to share in honour of her birthday. As soon as they found out, Amit and Marie congratulated her warmly, and Mina went to retrieve something from her suitcase with a sly look on her face. It turned out to be nothing short of a big bottle of Butterbeer.
"Where did you even get it?" Esther inquired with amused surprise.
"On the Diagon Alley, of course! Alongside all the robes and books." Mina miracled four cups and poured the beverage there with several movements of her wand. "We can't leave you without a little fiesta."
"Perhaps you meant fête," Esther suggested and Mina giggled.
"Alright, you can call it whatever you want on your special day."
Esther let herself relax fully in spite of the company of people she barely knew. Though their transferring wasn't without complications, and her personal preference for stability left her feeling out of depth amid the changes, it was much easier with Mina around. She didn't have the privilege of familiar faces when she first travelled to France, miserable and disoriented, away from the only home she ever knew and feeling like her mother abandoned her among the people who would sooner belittle her for having a Muggle for a father than offer compassion for his death.
The conversation turned to history, first of Beauxbatons and Hogwarts, then of more general events. Though Esther's first impression of both Amit and Marie was the one of shy, rather quiet individuals, it soon became clear that their mutual favourite subject did wonders for their disposition. It was quite pleasant to listen to their thoughts, not to mention very useful. After all, the schools of different countries had vastly different curriculums in terms of history; though she and Mina read extensively during the summer, it was difficult to work through four years worth of material.
Outside the window, the plains smoothly turned into hills. At some point, Farrah resumed her place among them, partaking in the improvised party and gladly contributing to any discussion. As their destination drew near, she instructed them to change into their uniform.
"Everyone is supposed to be dressed this way for the feast," she explained. "And it's particularly important for the two of you! Your robes will change once you're sorted."
"Good luck with the Sorting Ceremony, by the way," Amit said encouragingly once the train came to a halt.
"Do we go separately from now on?" Mina asked.
"I suppose you will join the first-years on the boats. This is how new students arrive at the school. The rest of us use carriages," Farrah informed helpfully. "There will be a bit of a commotion on the platform, but you need to search for one of the professors. They will make themselves known by calling out for the first-years. There's a different professor on this duty each year, so I can't help you with any descriptions." She spread her arms in regret.
"You did more than enough, Farrah. Thank you for your assistance," Esther smiled sincerely.
Many hours were spent on the ride, so the sun had already begun to set, and a slight haze of twilight descended upon the roofs of what was likely the village of Hogsmeade, though Esther couldn't see it very well from this perspective.
"I wonder why they didn't come up with a faster way of transportation," she commented.
Beside her, Mina shrugged. "To stimulate communication? We likely wouldn't have talked this much to Amit, Marie and Farrah without having to share one compartment."
"That does make a certain amount of sense," Esther murmured, finally spotting a tall, stern-looking man, surrounded by a growing crowd of children. "Here we go, I think."
Indeed, when the man's eyes fell on the two of them, he immediately inquired: "Transfer students?"
Up close, Esther could see a scar that went through the left side of his face.
"Yes, sir. Are we to follow you?"
He nodded sharply and addressed the youth: "We will cross the Black Lake in order to reach the school. I strongly recommend you not to do anything that could lead to a fall. Though Merlin knows," he muttered much more quietly, "that no year passes without at least one incident."
The boats looked spacious enough to accommodate four first-years and two fifth-years each and were equipped with lanterns, shining brightly in the approaching dimness. As it soon turned out, they moved without the aid of paddles, so Esther and Mina were left with a perfect opportunity to examine the place they would spend the next three years in.
And there was much to examine and admire, for the Hogwarts castle, bathed in the last rays of sun, was breathtaking. It had no opulence or finesse of Beauxbatons, instead boasting of a somber, imposing beauty, different from what Esther was used to but enchanting nonetheless. If possible, it emitted wild, intense magic that she could almost feel on the tips of her fingers as she immersed them in the cold water of the lake. Mina, her chin tilted high and her mouth slightly opened, let out an impressed sigh.
The charm was broken, naturally, by a shout and a loud splash. A boy from the neighbouring boat fell off, and his chaotic attempts to swim brought him closer to Esther and Mina's vessel than his own.
"Come here, everything is fine," Esther tried to soothe him as he climbed on board with their help, shivering.
The professor waved his wand from his solitary front boat without as much as rolling his eyes, drying the boy in an instant.
"T-thank you," he hiccuped and huddled up to them for the rest of their short journey.
As their small group arrived at the shore and passed through the main entrance, they were greeted by two more professors. The lady was likely the Deputy Headmistress Weasley whom Esther had corresponded with, if the famed red hair of this family was anything to go by, but the man standing by her side made Esther's relative ease melt away. She knew those steely grey eyes too well; the very same ones looked upon the world from her own face. She knew that pitch black hair, generously diluted with silvery strands, and that proud stance that all the Blacks seemed to acquire at birth. The family resemblance between him and her mother was truly incredible.
The professor who accompanied them rose his eyebrows in what looked like amazement, his eyes drifting briefly to the Headmaster. The lady gave him a tiny smirk.
"Professor Black has come to meet the transfer students."
"I still don't see the purpose," the latter huffed, oblivious to the nonverbal communication of his colleagues. "If they don't belong to nobility- Why, Matilda, is that girl a relative of yours?" He gestured at Mina, whose freckled face was distinctly illuminated by the torches.
"This is Miss Dallimore, sir," Professor Weasley announced with a peculiar expression on her face, pretending as though she didn't hear him. The following pause rang loudly in Esther's ears. "And that is Miss Hitchens."
She hardened her face into stoney neutrality.
"That surname sounds fami- What?!" he barked as soon as understanding dawned on him. Esther could almost physically feel the rapid increase of his contempt when he scrutinised her from head to toe. There was no mistaking her for a namesake; she took after her maternal family way too much for that. "Matilda, how am I supposed to understand it? Such unworthy individuals in the school! Will we really sink that low? Are Mudbloods not enough?" Professor Weasley's lips formed a thin line while the unnamed professor's brows rose even higher. The Headmaster looked down at Esther, and Mina stiffened beside her. "One wrong step, girl," he seethed, "a single step, and I will personally throw you out of Hogwarts. Mark my words."
Three years of treading upon hot coals. Marvellous.
"Of course, sir," she said and mentally winced from her own freezing tone.
Thankfully, the Headmaster turned around and left immediately afterwards.
"Well, thank you for bringing our new students here, Aesop," Professor Weasley spoke as lightly as she could in an obvious attempt to diminish the tension. "I will now instruct them in terms of the Sorting Ceremony."
While her little lecture was very general and provided no new information, it was a refreshing change. Esther wished Mina would stop looking at her with concern, though. The confrontation was unpleasant, but predictable. Her mother's assessment of him and the entire House of Black, the one she had chosen to leave behind many years ago, was accurate.
Haughty. Pompous. Cruel.
Only the sight of the Great Hall managed to break her out of her musings. It was smaller than the one in Beauxbatons, and this fact made it a bit more snuggly, in her opinion. Over the four House banners, an enchanted ceiling displayed a cloudless night sky, numerous constellations and a bright, domineering moon clearly visible from every corner.
Their group walked through a wide passage between the tables of Slytherin and Ravenclaw, straight to the perpendicular table of the professors. Professor Weasley picked up an ancient-looking hat.
"When I call your name, you sit on this stool. I will put the Sorting Hat on your head," she explained briefly. "Let us begin! Black, Arcturus."
And wasn't it a charming start? Esther snorted when a surprisingly blond boy, likely his mother's son more than his father's, was sorted into Slytherin upon spending mere seconds on the stool. The Headmaster now looked considerably less out of temper.
"Bletchley, Barron."
The boy who had previously fallen into the lake stepped forward and received the exact same result. Esther soon lost interest in the children, instead studying the professors.
She easily spotted the one she and Mina had met on the platform, conversing discreetly with a young witch in a flowery hat on the one side and a grey-bearded man in a purplish blue robe on the other. They were seated on the right side of the table, alongside a proud-looking man who was whispering incessantly into the Headmaster's ear. Two chairs on Professor Black's other side were empty, one of them likely waiting for the Deputy Headmistress.
As soon as the first-years dissipated, now seated at four different tables, Professor Weasley cleared her throat. "The Sorting Ceremony is yet uncompleted, as this year we are honoured to welcome two transfer students from Beauxbatons," she announced. "They will join the fifth year. I hope their new classmates treat them amicably and offer their assistance in the school matters." Her eyes went back to the parchment of names in her hand. "Dallimore, Wilhelmina."
Esther squeezed her friend's palm briefly, receiving a smile in return. Mina walked to the stool confidently, and in a second, her head was covered by the magical cloth. Though her lips moved, Esther couldn't make out the words: the Sorting Hat definitely had a built-in spell that made conversations private. It took only a few phrases between them for the thunderous verdict to reach every corner of the Great Hall: "GRYFFINDOR!"
The students under the red and gold banner clapped enthusiastically; Georgiana Wotton, Esther noticed, immediately waved at Mina, inviting her to sit together. It was reassuring that her friend already had a familiar face among her housemates. Catching her gaze, Mina winked in encouragement. Esther straightened her already straight back, a habit instilled by the many etiquette classes she had to attend.
"Hitchens, Esther."
Before she was seated, she risked another glance at the professors' table. Not unexpectedly, all the force of the Headmaster's glare was directed at her. Esther took a calming breath as the Sorting Hat was lowered on her head.
All at once, she heard a voice that seemed to sound from inside her mind. "What a glorious day!" it exclaimed. "Two names in the Book of Admittance that I expected to hear four years ago! It's good to meet you at last, Miss Hitchens. I remember your mother: her fiery spirit almost made her a Gryffindor."
"Would you consider Gryffindor for me as well?" Esther asked hopefully, thinking about Mina.
To her disappointment, the Sorting Hat huffed. "Absolutely not. You're by no means risky or guided by emotions, and those are important requisites for the lions."
"I would be happy with Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, either." More with the former than with the latter, as it was where most of her Hogwarts acquaintances resided.
"But not with Slytherin?" the Hat inquired slyly.
Esther sighed. "I have no desire to reside among people who will scorn me for my blood status."
"Alas, no House can truly protect you from prejudice." The voice in her head quietened for a moment before reappearing. "Ravenclaw would satisfy your eager mind, and Hufflepuff could develop your empathy further."
"I sense a 'but' coming," Esther remarked dryly.
"Your ambition and determination suit Slytherin perfectly," the Hat admitted, much to her dismay. "Though you're wary, and not without good reason, it can grant you plentiful opportunities. Especially if we consider less obvious factors at play."
"Your words are a bit too vague for me to take at face value," Esther rebuffed, suddenly aware that her sorting must have already exceeded the standard length of time. From what she noticed, the majority of students had their House decided within mere moments.
"There will be difficulties," the Hat continued, ignoring her comment, "but do you not want to make the most out of your situation? I can safely promise that your status as a Slytherin will be of great help in this regard."
For a sole moment, a spark of hesitation lit up inside her. It was more than enough for the Sorting Hat. "You will have to trust my discernment, Miss Hitchens. SLYTHERIN!"
The table of the snakes was located right near the Gryffindor one, yet their applause seemed quieter and more restrained to Esther's ears. Why did she let herself be persuaded to accept a path of more unease? Did she not have enough trouble with the appreciators of pure blood by the likes of Renard Tremblay at Beauxbatons? Emanating poise and calmness she didn't feel, Esther made her first steps towards her new House. Behind her, a chair creaked as the Headmaster stood up all of a sudden, scowling heavily.
"It must be a mistake! There can be no Half-Blood in Slytherin!"
Did he really try to intervene in the sorting, in front of the entire school no less? Esther clasped her hands together, meeting his eyes in what she hoped was not a defiant manner. Though she already regretted her placement, she couldn't allow herself to look cowed.
"There already is a Half-Blood in Slytherin, sir," Esther said coolly, "for I do not believe it feasible to overrule the decision of an almost millennia old artifact, enchanted by Godric Gryffindor himself. There is no documented precedent throughout the history, I recall."
As though proving her point, the collar of her previously plain black robe turned green, and a tiny snake curled on her chest, forming an intricate "S". The Headmaster was rapidly turning quite red.
"Then such a precedent will be created today!" Even the Sorting Hat, already dozing off in Professor Weasley's hands, was startled by the vehemence in his tone. "Place it back on her head, Matilda."
"My verdict won't change even if Miss Hitchens and I sit chattering here for the rest of the evening," the Hat declared, not without irritation. "She belongs precisely where I sorted her, and that's my last word on the matter! I didn't serve this school for hundreds of years to be treated with such blatant disrespect!"
Esther wasn't sure whether to laugh at the absurdity of her circumstances or to be intimidated by the degree of the Headmaster's disdain.
"I suppose it's settled," she said instead, keeping her composure. "By your leave, sir, I shall take my seat now."
She inclined her head in a gesture that she hoped would convey more deference than she really felt, and headed to her new classmates. The whispers around her were amplifying with an almost alarming speed.
A girl with short dark hair moved, obviously making room for Esther. She looked friendly enough, and Esther noticed no questionable maneuvers that could mean a trap, so she landed on the bench with both caution and a bit of much-needed relief.
"Welcome to Slytherin! My name is Violet McDowell. I'm a Prefect, so you can come to me if you have any questions or problems." A slight smile on her face dimmed a bit as she muttered: "And to Phineas, I suppose, but he's Merlin knows where."
Phineas? Was the Headmaster's son in her year and House by a very happy coincidence? Esther gave Violet an absent smile, looking around discreetly. Judging by the looks she was receiving, she had just turned from a vaguely interesting novelty to the celebrity of the day.
The Headmaster recovered from the fiasco swiftly and, though still visibly disgruntled, began a speech in honour of the beginning of a new school year. Many students, Esther noted, didn't bother to listen.
"It really is a shame Phineas missed such a show, though knowing him, he is currently having his own one," the boy in front of her snickered. His face was freckled, and his brown hair a little disheveled.
"I'm glad to have entertained you so." Light sarcasm seeped into her words effortlessly. It really was a long day, especially for her birthday.
The boy didn't look offended in the slightest, smirking amusedly. However, his neighbour rolled his pale grey eyes. "Not everything is a joke, Sebastian."
"And who is joking? I, for instance, am very serious in my desire to greet Esther in our House." He bowed as far as the table let him, which looked rather comical. "I'm Sebastian Sallow. The grumpy one is Ominis Gaunt." Esther bit her lip, remembering that her mother had warned her about the Gaunts in particular while explaining the hierarchy of the British Pureblood families. "Now, the girl on my left is-"
"I'm perfectly capable of introducing myself, Sallow," she interrupted him sharply. "Imelda Reyes. You might have heard my surname, as many of my family members are renowned Quidditch players."
"Actually, I had a roommate named Carmen Reyes in Beauxbatons. Is she a relation of yours?"
"She may be. My grandparents are Spanish, but I don't keep track of all my cousins," Imelda shrugged indifferently.
The other two Slytherin girls in her year were, as Esther soon found out, Nerida Roberts and Grace Pinch-Smedley.
"I'm certain you will love the Slytherin common room," the former said surprisingly pleasantly, given that the Headmaster had announced her blood status for everyone to hear. "It's located under the surface of the Black Lake, so you can observe mermaids right from the window!"
"The most Beauxbatons had in terms of water bodies is a fountain, so I can't wait to examine the lake more thoroughly than I did on the boat ride," Esther said genuinely.
Nerida smiled, stretching her hand out to shake Esther's, but her smile wilted a bit when Imelda said: "Nerida can definitely show you the Black Lake, given how she tumbled into it as a first-year. And without being able to swim! That was quite a spectacle."
The Headmaster was finished at last, and huge tablecloths rolled out of nowhere, covering all five tables. Dishes and cutlery followed suit, and in the end, there was a lot of marvellously smelling food.
"You know," Grace started quietly from beside her as they dined, "the Headmaster was wrong about Half-Bloods in Slytherin. Far from everyone here has an impeccable bloodline. I know I don't."
Esther supposed her manner retained a certain defensiveness that motivated Grace to offer reassurance. She was about to thank her when a different, cocky voice interrupted them: "Oh, yes, Slytherin is far from what it once was. We have the misfortune of housing plenty of pathetic upstarts these days." His eyes measured Esther with something akin to disgust. "And here is another example of that. Dirty Muggle blood spoiling a noble Black heritage."
There he was, the source of her future problems. Finally. She knew the Slytherin table couldn't be this peaceful.
Grace flinched visibly, and the boy sitting beside her winced, his startlingly purple eyes fixed on Esther.
She only raised her eyebrows. "And who precisely do I have the pleasure of talking to?"
"Cantankerus Nott. You should memorize this name very well, Hitchens, and treat it with all the respect an old Pureblood line deserves."
"Don't you have something else to recommend you? I'm certain you must have accomplishments other than being born."
Sebastian, who was in the process of taking a gulp of water, started coughing and chuckling simultaneously. It didn't look like Nott was well-liked among his classmates, Esther thought with a certain measure of contentment. Even Ominis Gaunt's mouth quirked in the semblance of a smile.
Nott blushed and opened his mouth for a retort when a quick figure of an unfamiliar student brushed past him, squeezing himself into a spot between Sebastian and the purple-eyed boy.
"What in Merlin's name did you do this time, Phineas?" the latter whispered, but the angry tone made it easy to overhear him. "How could you miss the train! You're a Prefect, you should start acting like it."
"Wait, you're Phineas?" Esther couldn't help interrupting, gazing at the boy. "But I thought-"
"He's not Phineas." The purple-eyed boy shook his head.
"What in Merlin's name are you going on about?" the newly-arrived student inquired, confused.
"She thinks you're Phineas Black, which you're not last time I checked," the purple-eyed boy turned to her again, "but in all honesty, Phineas Black isn't that bad, I've roomed with him since we were first-years, after all."
Esther wasn't sure what to answer, so she kept silent.
"When I get to Phineas, I will give him a dressing-down he deserves," Violet muttered darkly, "but at least you can meet the second Slytherin Prefect of our year, Esther. Phineas Hearst, the epitome of responsibility and punctuality!"
The receiver of such high praise was too busy talking to Sebastian to be flattered. Esther felt comforted, if only a tiny bit.
Her life at Hogwarts promised many difficulties, and she wondered if the bargain was fair. In the end, there was only one way to find out.