Chapter Text
────September 1, 1890. ───────
"Ravenclaw!"
The Sorting Hat's voice rang out across the Great Hall as it was lifted from the tousled auburn hair of a fifteen-year-old girl. For a heartbeat, her green eyes widened in surprise... then she smiled. A faint flush warmed her pale skin, making the expression glow beneath the candlelight.
Cheers erupted from the Ravenclaw table. Blue and bronze sleeves waved as students called out in welcome.
It was, after all, highly unusual for a new student to be sorted into Hogwarts at fifth year. Unusual enough that Elowen Marsh became the subject of whispered curiosity almost at once.
The new student Professor Fig brought with him.
Elowen disliked attention intensely.
She crossed the hall quickly, resisting the urge to lower her head as several Ravenclaws gestured eagerly towards an empty seat. Still, their smiles were kind rather than inquisitive, and she felt some of her unease fade as she sat down among them.
"Hello," said the boy beside her at once. "Elowen, isn't it? I'm Amit , Amit Thakkar."
He smiled with such open enthusiasm that it was difficult not to return it.
Across the table, a girl leaned forward. "Samantha Dale," she said warmly. "You must be excited. There's ever so much to learn here and you've landed in Ravenclaw, so...you'll be quite all right."
Elowen smiled back, glancing around the table.
None of them knew, of course, that she hadn't arrived entirely unprepared. Her parents had taught her a great deal over the years...more than most would expect. And the rather strange work she'd done with Professor Fig before term had given her a quiet confidence she hadn't yet examined too closely.
I'm managing well enough, she thought, faintly amused.
She helped herself to a generous serving of meat pie and took a hearty bite. It was rich and savoury, and she realised just how hungry she was. The day had been long ...travel, sorting, and several unsettling events she preferred not to dwell upon... and she hadn't eaten properly since morning.
"This is excellent," she murmured.
Amit stared at her plate. "You finished it already? Impressive. Here ! you may as well take my sausages and the blueberries! "
"Thank you," Elowen said, laughing softly.
Conversation flowed easily around her...Several Ravenclaws discussed lessons scheduled for the next day, while others compared notes about professors and holidays. Samantha spoke animatedly about plants and Herbology, insisting that vegetation had its own way of communicating if one paid close enough attention. Amit, meanwhile, grew animated whenever the stars were mentioned, eagerly describing constellations and celestial charts.
Further along the table, Elowen noticed that students were not seated strictly by house. Small groups mingled freely — red, blue, and green robes scattered side by side.
A red-haired Gryffindor boy caught her eye and smiled broadly when she glanced his way. Nearby, an African girl sat in earnest discussion with a brown-haired Slytherin boy opposite her, their conversation animated enough to resemble a debate.
Gradually, the attention drifted away from Elowen.
Good.
She relaxed at last.
Keep a low profile, she reminded herself. Don't draw notice. Don't be the odd one again.
Just an ordinary witch.
And with that quiet resolve, she turned her thoughts towards beginning her life at Hogwarts.
──── ୨୧ ────
"I'm telling you," said a dark-haired boy with brown eyes, leaning slightly towards his blond companion, "that new student isn't ordinary."
"She's just new, Sebastian," the blond boy replied, sounding unconcerned.
Sebastian's gaze remained fixed on the Ravenclaw group table. "Then explain this...No Hogwarts letter. No explanation at all ....and then she appears in fifth year as though it's perfectly normal. Doesn't that seem strange to you?"
"She had the Sorting Hat on for ages — it took its sweet time deciding." Garreth Weasley added with a theatrical yawn. "Even Professor Ronen looked half-asleep."
"Or perhaps she's just an idiot," another Slytherin said with a snort, rising from the table. A few others laughed as they followed him.
Across from Sebastian, the African girl fixed him with a serious look. "You Slytherins might try discouraging that sort of behaviour."
Sebastian offered a half-smile. "Not my business, Onai."
Even as he spoke, his attention had shifted... following the Ravenclaws as they rose to leave. His eyes lingered, briefly, on the new girl among them.
Then he looked away, set his goblet aside, and stood.
It was none of his concern.
There was only one thing he ought to be focused on now.
One purpose.