Chapter Text
After departing from the boats on the lake, the students were greeted by an older woman with a tall hat on. She briefly explained what would happen in the following moments. The twins observed her delicately, they noticed that she had an almost feline aura about her.
The woman named Professor McGonagall led the students into the great hall where hundred of young eyes fell on them. The students sheepishly followed the older professor, hoping to not draw too much attention to themselves out of the many new students.
The twins stuck with Hermione, casually scanning the hall for the Weasley twins. Lyney’s eyes met the Weasley twins at a table full of students draped in the colors red and yellow. A majestic crest of a lion imbedded into both their uniforms and the imposing banner that waved above their heads.
An even older looking man stood in the front of the grand room, preparing for a speech. Although the speech seemed important, Lyney could barely keep his eyes open and Lynette dozed off on Lyney’s shoulder. All the while, Hermione looked incredibly engaged in what the man had to say.
When Hermione took notice of the twins apparent lack of interest, she informed them that he was an extremely important man named Albus Dumbledore and also the headmaster of the school.
Before long, the new students were called to the stand one by one to get sorted into their houses. The twins anxiously awaited for their names to be called.
“Hermione Granger!” The man called out to the crowd. Scanning for the young lady. Hermione confidently walked to the front of the hall and sat on a stool where Professor McGonagall placed a lifelike hat on her head. The hat seemed to contemplate before announcing,
“Gryffindor!”
The lion crested students roared in pride.
Once the uproar calmed down, Dumbledore continued down his list of names.
The twins once more tuned out the proceedings of the ceremony until they heard,
“Lyney Snezhevich!”, called Dumbledore. At the mention of his name, Lynette pushed Lyney towards the front of the hall. Startled, Lyney briskly walked up to the foreboding stool.
Lyney sat on the stool, an uncomfortable air swallowing him as he observed the hundreds of eyes on him. Normally, he felt great in front of a crowd. However, Lyney only felt nervous as the decrepit hat was placed on his head.
A vaguely familiar voice entered his head,
“Hmmmm, now what do we have here? A Fatui operative…”
Lyney tried to hide his shock as he communicated with the hat on his head.
“How did you-?!” Lyney whispered to the hat.
“I know everything about you… Future Knave. I can see your memories.” The hat replied ominously.
The scene of that night replayed before Lyney’s eyes, the night he learned his life wasn’t as cut and dry as he imagined.
~~~
“I would like to speak to you Lyney. Please meet me in my office.” Arlecchino called from beyond the door to Lyney’s room.
Her office? Normally all meetings occurred in the living room. Arlecchino glowed by the light of the restless fire, a searing and unwavering determination in her eyes. She looked the same as ever, however, the air was stifling. He had never sat in her office before.
“I’m sure you are quite confused.” Arlecchino started the conversation.
“Is there something wrong with the upcoming mission?” Lyney voiced timidly. Being afraid was an understatement, Lyney was trembling, his shaking hands folded together.
“No, you should be able to carry out the infiltration without any setbacks. This meeting is for my personal feelings…” Arlecchino dragged off her words, seeming to falter bringing up the subject.
Lyney watched as Arlecchino tried to gather herself.
“I have not been completely honest. This world was quite different just a few hundred years ago. Gods and Goddesses ruled nations and vision bearers were not uncommon. The Fatui were led by a Goddess named, The Tsaritsa. The Fatui’s mission concerned the entire fate of the world. We failed and the world crumbled before our eyes.” Arlecchino stated, eyes unable to meet Lyney.
Lyney tried processing what Father had said. “Father, what do you mean by ‘we’?”
“I lived during that time, Lyney.” Arlecchino finally met Lyney’s gaze.
“What..?” Lyney’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Is that even possible..?”
“Thanks to the doctor, it is. After the divine thrones were toppled and the world fell into chaos, We were left without our god in a frozen wasteland. You know it as Russia, however it was once named Snezhnaya. Once the Tsaritsa’s divinity faded, the ever winter slowly melted. I moved back to Fontaine, or France as you know it. The civilizations I once knew soon fell and new countries took their place.”
“Father… while I appreciate the honesty, I fail to see how this affects me.” Lyney expressed.
Arlecchino’s gaze drifted again, “You died during the incident. I watched the calamity take away all of my children.”
Lyney failed to comprehend the weight of Fathers words, him drowning in the realization of it all. “Father, do you mean to say you knew me in a past life?”
“Of course. The house was still a safe haven for orphans even all those years ago. The children looked up to you and you did anything to protect them… you had ambitions and perseverance. Had the calamity never happened, you would have been the next king of the house.”
Lyney’s mind was whirling. “Do you still believe I can be king one day?”
“You will be a great king. I’m hoping this mission helps you grow. You have always cared deeply for the house and all of your siblings, you are a great leader to them.”
“I see…”
“Take some time to rest. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.”
Lyney stood from his chair, pushing it in. He walked to the door, Arlecchino following closely behind.
“Goodnight Father.”
“Goodnight Lyney, sleep well.”
Lyney returned to his room, utterly exhausted and confused. He prepared for bed and got comfortable, Rosseland making room for itself next to Lyney.
The two cuddled but Lyney struggled to sleep for the rest of the night, thoughts swirling in his head.
~~~
Lyney snapped back to reality, nausea hitting him like a train.
“Don’t call me that…”
“Oh but you wish to live up to her expectations, no? It is all you strive to be, greater than just yourself, a backbone for your family.” The hat explained all too perfectly.
Lyney hated just how right the hat was.
“Slytherin!” The hat announced to the hall.
The table shrouded in green erupting in roars and applause.
Lyney stood from the chair, a green crest weaving itself into the fabric of his robes. A cat turned snake.
Lyney made his way to the table. He found an opening near a platinum haired boy and sat down opposite of him.
The boy tried to introduce himself but was cut off by Dumbledore calling for Lynette.
Lynette walked up to the stool and sat down. Lyney could see the slightest discomfort from Lynette’s expression.
“Is that your sister?” The platinum blonde boy asked almost rhetorically.
Without turning to face him, Lyney keeping his gaze locked on Lynette answered, “she is my twin sister.”
The boy impatiently replied, “it’s rude to not look at someone when you answer their question-“
“Gryffindor!” The hat announced to the hall. The red table once again erupted in roars and applause.
The boy scoffed, gaining Lyney’s attention. “She’s a Gryffindor?” The arrogant boy glared at Lynette who was calmly walking to the Gryffindor table. She sat next Hermione.
Lyney could sense the boy’s animosity and turned to look at him. “So? Is there something wrong with that?” Lyney glared.
“Uh- I guess not. You better not be like her.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nevermind! Just introduce yourself.”
“My name is Lyney, and yours?”
“My name is Draco Malfoy. You best remember it!”
“What, am I supposed to know you or something?” Lyney inquired.
“My Father will hear of this! You won’t be so high and mighty once he’s through with you!” Draco countered confidently, unaware of the grave mistake he made.
“Oh? Well in that case it wouldn’t hurt to tell my Father, she isn’t a merciful woman.” Lyney glared daggers at Malfoy.
“Are you threatening me? I could have you expelled right this instant!” Draco accuses.
“I am simply stating a fact.” Counters Lyney, taking a glance over at Lynette.
~~~
“Lynette! Over here!” Hermione calls, waving her over. Lynette takes the seat next to Hermione and starts chatting with her.
After a while, a young boy with ginger hair sits across from the pair, Lynette recognizing him as one of Fred and George’s brothers.
“You are… Ron Weasley? Correct?” Lynette inquired, taking a glance at the boy.
“Uh yes, that’s the name. You are?”
“Lynette Snezhevna, and this is my friend Hermione.” She ushered Hermione to join the conversation.
“My name is Hermione Granger, it’s a pleasure to meet you!” Hermione held out her hand for Ron to shake it.
“Likewise” He took her hand and shook it before retracting his hand.
Lynette could hear an argument taking place and turned to look for the commotion. Her eyes landed on the Slytherin table, witnessing a blonde haired boy yelling at Lyney.
“Malfoy… always causing trouble.” Ron provided.
“It looks like he’s fighting with Lyney… I still can’t believe Lyney is a Slytherin.” Hermione mumbled, easily audible to Lynette.
“Is there something wrong with being a Slytherin?” Lynette inquired, turning to Hermione.
“Not necessarily, however, the houses don’t typically mix. Gryffindor and Slytherin have a particularly exaggerated rivalry. Not just that, Slytherin has an especially bad reputation for turning out the most wizards who go bad.” Hermione stated.
“Slytherin also turned out the death eaters?” Lynette asked casually.
“Shh! We don’t talk about ‘he who must not be named’!” Ron exclaimed incredulously.
“People say names hold power, and the leader of that group is feared all over the land.” Hermione explained.
“It’s a vile group.” Ron muttered.
“I’d say your time at Florish and Blotts paid off, Hermione.” Lynette changed the subject. “I wouldn’t even know these customs if not for you.”
“Thank you so much Lynette!” Hermione beamed at Lynette, giving her a warm smile.
Dumbledore gathered the attention of the students and a feast of food appeared on the tables before the students.
The students happily indulged in the mountain of food while enjoying the unfamiliar air and being entertained by the flurry of fantastical ghosts until the prefects led all of the students back to the common rooms for their first night at Hogwarts.