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Welcome to Hogwarts
Professor McGonagall, Minnie McG the Gryffindor Goddess of transfiguration herself, calls us into the hall.
All in a row, I know I'll be one of the first to be called of course, and we've all decided to clap for everyone regardless of what house they're sorted, since we're the Heirs and all. And to all go by Black- whatever name except Blaise he'll be Zabini-Black and as he'll be the last it will leave them guessing there's seven Black's, Theo, Mills and Blackwel in our class of 20...we're half the class definitely making a statement.
McG calls " Abbot, Hannah" cute blonde with pigtails quickly goes to Hufflepuff. Clapping heartily I cheer for her "way to go Abbott"
"Bem, Ekow" a dark African boy, the hat seems to waffle on a bit then calls out Ravenclaw. The looks me in the eye before bowing muttering a quick "my lady" and scampering of to the Ravenclaw table. Oh boy...
"Miss Black" I hear clapping through out the hall at just my name, standing straight walking as gracefully and purposefully as I can, I turn around so I can sit on this rickety old stool, my eyes catch Hazza's they are alight with mischief, I'm in for it, mentally shaking my head, I look to our Deputy Headmistress, "I'm ready professor"
She smiles "of course my darling"
"Hmm, what a mind...you're something else aren't you Lady Black or shall it be Lady Slytherin? Ravenclaw? Gryffindor? The only Founder you're not directly related to is Hufflepuff and your godbrother has seen fit to make you his heir"
"Yes, sometimes, I think my boys hate me, and they call me the chaos queen, but they pull more pranks causing havoc more often than I ever do...I'm too busy working"
"Yes, yes...I think I know where you belong,
Better be SLYTHERIN!!!!"
somehow the entire hall seems to erupt with applause and cheers I feel like I've just won an quidditch match. Taking off the hat opening my my eyes I see my brother and Neville in a fit of hysterical laughter of course they did this well two can play.
With big toothy grin, I bow like I'm the fucking queen and I've just been crowned before my people. Then I proceed to regally
staunter of to the Slytherin table to take my place next to Cassius, neverminding he sits in the middle and this is the king or queen of Slytherin's seat, like said two can play catching Hazza's eyes again...tilting my head a bit to say your move mate, smirking.
Cassius is to my right, elbows me, "I knew you could do it, love" kissing my cheek "My lady"
Returning his gesture "thank you darling, I'm quite pleased, but I feel the need to warn you...my brothers have clearly been plotting,"
"Naw Miss, it's me who should have warned you, but if I had your reactions wouldn't have been natural, part of this is retaliation for locking yourself up with Flint, part of it is just the natural Marauder coming out, I know they were in what looked like war council with the uncles for hours the other day and they were up and down the train convincing everyone to participate, I think everyone thought it would be silly, and a harmless way to get one over on you, and old Dumbledore" He laughs. We're not really paying attention to the sorting but oh shit cousin Dean was sorted Gryffindor clapping "yes go Dean. way to go Gryffindor "
We get a few odd looks, but I just say "he's a Black" as if this will answer all their questions and perhaps if does because they say nothing.
"Black-Granger, Hermione"
Again the hat waffles a bit. Calling out Ravenclaw, Hermione immediately jumps to her feet rips off the hat off her head, looking towards me, she deep curtsies "my lady, with your grace" oh fuck they are really on some shit tonight.
I simply smile benignly, "of course cousin, congratulations on your sorting, you will bring honor to the house of Ravenclaw and pride to the family." What the fuck, I'm killing these fuckers, I swear to the gods..I'm not sure which ones but somebody is blessing these righteous kills
"Black-Longbottom, Neville"
I'm really gonna have to pay attention even if I don't want to, who knows who all they've gotten in on this bullshit or who will take advantage since it's started.
Nev's the Hufflepuff Heir, but not sure he'll sort their, though didn't Aunt Alice? Hmm but I know Uncle Frank was a gryff like Da and my uncles.
"Gryffindor" He stands turns to me and bows "my lady" "Brother, congratulations on your sorting, you'll bring great honor to our houses and pride to the family"
Knowing Draco is next but not sure what if an antics I should be expecting, I grip Cassi's hand under the table, whispering out of the corner of my mouth "I'm going to kill them, I'm going to kill them all, I've already asked the gods for their blessings" he chuckles but only squeezes hand and leans into me, solidarity none the less.
"Slytherin" we all clap. He turns to me with wicked grin and bows "My lady"
I really have to force myself not to roll my eyes or call out traitor. "Cousin, congratulations on your sorting, you will bring honor to our houses and pride to the family, come join us" I say point to a spot in front of me. The prince's place he quirks one eyebrow and smirks and does as bid.
"Blackwell, Benjamin" my future Steward what should I expect from him? I wonder. What my brothers had done is no less than ancient and obscure tradition to honor either the head of their house at school or the highest ranking member at school, in the beginning after a student was sorted they would bow the founder or head of that house and the professor would offer their congratulations and hope for the new student to do well in their house, but as time passed this became outdated and fell to disuse, but I know as well as them and likely Hermione it's clearly stated in old editions of Hogwarts, A History. With me being the highest ranking Black and acknowledged Lady of our house and multiple Founder's Heir, I suspect the boys all thought it would be a great prank, Hermione wanting to follow old traditions easily following suit, with a harmless way to have fun.
"Slytherin" He turns slight fear in his eyes, I smile, he visibly steels himself, then bows "my lady" "Steward Black, congratulations on your sorting, you'll bring honor to our house and pride to the family, come join us" point to a seat next to Draco, a knight's seat. I fully realize we've disrupted the hierarchy, but I am Lady Slytherin and it is my right to be queen and appoint my court.
"Bulstrode-Lestrange,Millicent" as much as I dispise this ridiculousness, I find myself hoping my girl gives us a good show, she's one of us, my best friend
"Slytherin "
My girl has the biggest smile on her face, eyes twinkling with mischief curtsies not deeply, rather cheekily "My Lady, with your Grace"
"Of course Darling, congratulations on your sorting, you'll do our house proud, come I cannot possibly be without my favorite lady" indicating the seat on other side of Draco, the Princess, fuck you Daphne.
The sorting passes some students taking part in my brothers' prank others not but still giving me a slight nod, Greengrass ignoring me and my entourage completely, hater.
"Nott, Theodore" I'm not sure about this slightly stuffy boy as a vassel sworn to house Potter he follows my brother, sometimes a bit like a puppy, but he's brilliant I hope he sorts Ravenclaw with Hermione. "Ravenclaw " oh well good on you Theo, would you look at that. He's standing and turning to bow deeply, he's so formal "my lady"
Smiling "Heir Nott, congratulations on your sorting, you'll bring great honor to house Ravenclaw"
The Ravenclaw Patil especially thought it was funny joining in. The Gryffindor Patil, not so much. Surprisingly Pansy Parkinson also join. Nodding and offering congratulations.
"Potter-Black Hadrian" again the entire hall goes wild. And this fucker acts like he's just caught the snitch waving to everyone, again it's very hard not to roll my eyes or scoff at any of his antics, Cassi squeezes my hand under the table again.
He's under there a good 5 minutes either he's having a great conversation with the hat or he's a true hatstall. "Gryffindor" again the hall goes wild... I suspect he paid the entire student body for this display I'll definitely be asking him later during the torture phase before I kill him. How many galleons did this cost them?
Hazza rips off the hat his genuine grin so very wide, he bows to each table like he's their fucking king, well I suppose he is.
"Missa" he calls out "did you know the hat's name was Allistair?"
"No brother I did not"
More somber "Congratulations on your sorting sister, you'll bring honor to our houses and pride to our family, my lady" He bows deeply.
"Thank you brother, congratulations on your sorting, you also will bring honor to our houses and pride to our family" I said nodding regally from my seated position.
He turns to the Hufflepuff table " fear not dear Hufflepuffs! House Black has not forsaken thee, four Hufflepuffs we have at home to join you next year. He bows to them again winking cheekily and bounds off to the Gryffindor table to join Nev, Dean, and our red-headed demon godbrothers, the Prewett twins.
I call out "Professor McGonagall"
She looks at me surprised.
"I feel I must apologize in advance"
There's some confusion.
"You now house four of my brothers and while Mother and I tried, the Marauder's pull was just too strong, I'm afraid we were out numbered 8 to 4"
"Miss Black, I think you fail to realize I anticipated this and I survived the 7 of 1st generation with all their inter-house animosity. I think I can survive the 2nd generation especially as I know of all of your efforts to create true inter-house unity. But thank you I look forward to the challenge" she looks proudly on at her table as her lions are chuffing.
"Prewett, Ronald"
Oh joy...this toe rag...frankly I'm not even sure he belongs here, but whatever so long as he doesn't cause us problems I don't care. "Gryffindor " personally I think that's a poor choice and honestly nobody cheers for him...interesting.
"Zabini-Black,Blaise"
My sweet Blaise where will he go?hmmm
"Slytherin" oh good I didn't much think Ravenclaw suited him.
Cockily he winks and smirks bowing with flourish "my lady'
" la mia fiammata, congratulations on your sorting, you will bring honor to our houses and pride to our families, vieni con noi" I point to the spot next to Mills another knight, but drama-king Blaise must come and kiss me on both cheeks before he can sit down. Exclaiming "La mia bella signora, quanto è grandioso"
Dumbledore rises from his ridiculous throne, eye roll he's a headmaster of a school not a fucking feudal Lord. Apparently Hogwarts hears me because he now has a simple wooden chair matching the other professors, he definitely hasn't noticed, but my Godfather has he quirks an eyebrow at me Really? He asks tipping my head a bit Apparently. We smile at one another. He'll be saying nothing.
Dumbledore is giving an inane speech that I'm definitely not paying attention to, I look across the table to to my compatriots "you'll be tried for treason of course, you'll be getting off easy Hazza and Nev will be tried for treason and sedition and inciting a rebellion" Cassi giggling beside me "oh yes, she plans to kill all of you, she's already asked the gods for their blessings, not sure which, if any granted it, but count yourselves lucky, those 2 will be getting interrogated before their righteous kills"
Mills is the first to speak "naff off Miss its just bit of fun, a poke at the old hatter"
"At my expense Mills fuck, people will think I mean it or expect it"
Graham Montague leans over from the other said of Cassius " Begging your pardon Lady Black, but anyone who knows you or has spent any significant amount of time you around knows you don't expect this type of treatment, also counter-point anyone who knows Hazza P knows he loves a good prank and while this may ruffle some feathers, I think he actually meant it as I deep sign of respect for you. Of course he won't come right out and say it but you mean the world to him Miss and knowing what we know, I think they thought now was a good time to bring this tradition back, to honor you, in the best way they know how...a colossal prank"
Well damn.... now I can't even be mad, it's sweet in very odd, very Marauders way " Thank you Montague, that was...very insightful, I may stay their execution, you may inform them they owe you their lives, you may collect this debt however wish" we all laugh
"As you say my lady" is his only response.
Huffing a bit I wonder aloud "Will this old goat ever finish...I'm famished"
"Perhaps if you hadn't been up extra curricular activities locked in another compartment and getting drunk you wouldn't be so damn hungry " Cass gripes at me.
"You say that like I was doing something wrong...honestly I was just trying to get away from Pucey, his incessant need to convince me of a betrothal, he's lucky I only banished him for two weeks, I should have hexed him."
"Is that what happened? He was crying saying he made a mistake amd that you'd basically excommunicated him" Draco pipes in.
Dead pan "excommunicated really? The person who brought back every Black she could find...does that really sound like me?"
They all look at each other a resounding "No"
"Exactly. He wouldn't stop and then had the balls to scream at me that I NEEDED him, Him of all people, I NEEDED HIM! So I told him to prove it, he's to stay away for two weeks only coming if called because that will prove I NEED him."
Chuckling "fuck Missa you're such a stone-cold bitch sometimes. But that doesn't explain what you were in the compartment or with who" Cassius glares at me.
Dinner finally pops on to the table and we start making our plates. Sighing " I know, but I honestly thought the compartment was empty when I went in and warded the door, to Gringotts apparently according to you. I didn't realize anyone was in there until I was flopping on the bench. He was reading.. something Runic, I think, but then we got to talking and he needed help with something you know I'm a sucker really, and he's fucking hot, we had lunch and talked that's it. He seems legit but after all this there's no way he wants to be friends anymore"
Mills speaks " Miss if you could take your own fucking advice yeah, you're a fucking awesome ass babe and what did you say he called you?"
Blaise answers "ooh I know a scarily hot goth goddess, yeah dude is not giving that up"
Cassi leans into her again, "it's a problem for another day, for now we focus on magical academics. Luckily our Gryffindor and Ravenclaw counterparts got our new Blacks but it's still our job, well your job to make sure they're acclimatized properly and we should focus on getting Blackwell a personality"
"You absolute Nob! Who says I don't have a personality? I've just never been allowed to express it or explore new things, you people are nothing like the Black's I was told to expect, you are actually good people if a bit crude and surprising, your true camaraderie is astounding to be honest, basically you're the complete opposite of what I was told, except for familial pride, I think you have more of thay and it actually means something to you"
"Of course it means something, 10 years ago we came back from the bring of collapse, this means something, to all of us that we're a part of rise of the Black empire, a new dynasty or I don't know doesn't matter what you call it, this family loves each other with everything we have, family first."
"Yes, I think I will like being a Black"
We all laugh with Blackwell as we whole heartedly agreed.
After the feast the prefects collect us leading back the common room.
Montague coming over again " My Lady Black, may I escort you to the common room?"
Tilting my head considering " on the left, Cassius will be on my right"
"As you say my Lady" my arm is linked with Cassi and Montague doesn't actually try to touch me only walking beside me rather like a gaurd, which I suppose was his intention.
Prefects pointing difficult points of interest on the way. Luckily they started passing out maps, simpler version the the Marauder's Map, of course my uncles made one for both me and Hazza replacing wormtail with the elder prewett twins. Telling us about the password and coming in they ask us to find seats as our Head of House will be coming in shortly.
I spy Marcus in a large leather club chair, feeling cheeky whisper in Cass's ear to sit on each other's laps nodding to Montague as well they nod back. Walking up to Marcus he smiles at me chuckling "my lady"
"Hey sugar this seat taken?" Nodding to his lap.
"It's definitely reserved, but as the parties come to take it, I see it being taken immediately. Reaching his hand up to take mine in it. Settling me in his lap his hands on my thighs again.
"To what do I owe this unexpected honor?"
"I saw you sitting there, your lap looking empty, thought I'd offer my assistance, you did seem to enjoy it earlier"
Squeezing my thighs a bit and nodding "that I did, I thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon together, I only regret it ended so abruptly"
Humming as our head of House practically floats into the room, eye roll another drama queen, my Godfather Professor Snape. "Miss Black, Miss Bulstrode what are you doing?"
I look over at Mills she's on Cassi's lap Blaise is lounging in Draco's, looking quickly around the room I see no free seats with Higgs in Montague's lap, a Farley girl in an Avery's lap. I turn back to him " I believe Professor, we were asked to find seats for a house meeting"
"Yes, Miss Black a seat, not a housemates lap"
"Professor it may have escaped your notice, but there aren't actually enough seats for the entire house"
"And what pray tell, is wrong with the floor?"
"You would want us to sit on the floor when these handsome young men are offering their laps? Is Blaise not in Draco's lap? Are Higgs and Farley not in Montague and Avery's laps?"
One exhausted sigh later meaning he yields, he moves with start of term speech welcoming us the the noblest house of Slytherin a beautiful speech about house unity, never fighting outside the common room, minimum allowances for grades mandatory study groups, quidditch tryouts being in two weeks, that he hadn't picked a captain but he would then so to be on your best if interested, I squeezed Marcus's hand on my thigh, leaning back a bit, "you should go for it" He squeezes back appreciating my vote of confidence.
He continues with how he's available in the common room after dinner 3 nights a week for 2 hours, 3 other nights and several hours on Saturday he has brewing hours in the labs for remedial lessons, extra credit, or supervised personal brewing of approved projects. Ending with if you have a problem with our current hierarchy feel free to take it up with Queen, Lady Slytherin, but fair warning...they'll never find your body. I can't help but cackle madly, I definitely hear my crew and several others join in. Oh Sev such a drama queen.
I turn in Marcus's lap kissing his cheek " Thank you for the seat...I'd definitely like to reserve again perhaps permanently, but I wouldn't like to presume I could. I need to find my rooms. And as much as I would like to invite you, I think we both know that's a bad idea."
He nods solemnly, rising and pulling both of us up out the chair, setting my on my feet, bringing my hand up to his mouth kissing my knuckles " Gooodnight my lady, until the morrow " dropping my hand and bowing.
I step away, catching Montague's eye nodding he nods back, I find my crew waiting expectantly "Come on let's find a bed" dragging Mills over "Y'all sleeping in the Black suite or the dorms?"
it's Cassius that speaks up first "Mills may sleep in the Black suite as the only girl in your entourage and I fear the toxic environment in the first year ladies dorms. But we need to sleep in the dorms, though over course we'll visit often. Come, kiss us goodnight, my love."
With kisses and hugs all around we part ways, my arms linked with Mills as search for my rooms. Mills elbows me, hissing, I look around but see nothing. She does this twice more before I realize what she's saying ask for it.
Hissing ~ oh Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four, your Heir has come, may I request a private suite befitting my station, as Lady Black, and Heir to all four Founders, for myself and my companion?~
The stonework creaks and groans and down the hall passed the study rooms a doorway has appeared. Mills and I look at each other-score!
Welcome to Hogwarts indeed