Putting Trust into the Wrong Man

Chapter 5: Third Year

The train was going fast as Poppy found an empty compartment where she could sit Poes cage on the seat next to her. She was trying to put her trunk up on the top rack but was struggling greatly.

"Oh, here let me help you with that," a young boy was hurrying into the compartment to help Poppy get her trunk up. He had bright blonde hair, a warm smile, and a handsome complexion; Poppy has known this boy since she was a child but hadnt seen him since her mothers funeralDraco Malfoy.

He lifted the trunk up and settled it safely on the rack, he was a bit taller than Poppy and clearly didn't recognize her until he noticed the name on the trunk, "Poppy? Is that really you, wow its been ages since I've seen you, in fact it was..." he drifted off as he realized his next words would not be good ones to be said aloud.

Poppy slightly smiled, trying to seem in a happy mood, "yeah, its been a while, how have you been?" She was trying to make conversation but wasn't sure Draco would actually want to sit and chat with her, they were friends by association of their fathers working together.

Draco sat down in the seat across from her talking all about his summer and how his dad had gotten a job at Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. He went on about Crabbe and Goyle and their adventures in the wizarding world, attending quidditch matches and going all over the world via broomsticks.

Poppy sat listening, amazed at his stories and wished she could have experienced all that, there was a moment of silence where someone knocked on the compartment door; two boys stood outside looking in, curious if they could sit.

One had dark black hair, just like his fathers, his eyes green like his mothers this was Harry Potter, son of James and Lily; both of whom worked in the Order of the Phoenix. The other, slightly taller had dusty clothes, bright red hair and a warm smile, Ron Weasley, his father worked with Poppys and Molly stayed home most days helping the order.

"Mind if we come in?" Harrys cheeks turned a bright shade of pink, and as Poppy nodded, Draco moved to the seat next to her and Harry dumped candy onto the seat where Ron would sit.

"So are you excited to be starting at Hogwarts? You've got loads to learn but of course with your dad being such a well known wizard, it wont be as hard," Ron was rambling on, trying to make conversation as the train sped away towards Hogwarts.

They talked and laughed while Poppy got to know them all a bit better, soon it was time to put on the Hogwarts robes and get ready for the grand feast in the Great Hall.

Before they stood up, Harry looked at Poppy, "I wonder what house youll be sorted in, I hope Gryffindor," he winked at her and Poppys mind went blank.

Sorting. How could I have forgotten! I'll be the only third year standing up there with a bunch of first years, everyone will know that I'm new!

"She'll be Slytherin, just like her parents," Draco linked arms with her and gave a reassuring smile. The four of them got off the train and took the carriages to the grounds; Poppy was amazed at how the carriage pushed itself.

They entered the Great Hall and Headmistress McGonagall met with the students who needed to be sorted, explaining the events that would happen fairly soon. The boys left Poppy and told her they would save a seat at their tables in the case she gets sorted into their house, Draco seemed to be almost positive she would be sitting next to him for dinner.

"Alright students, you will be sorted into your houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. After you are sorted, please join your house table. Here we go now," Minerva led them into the Great Hall and up onto the platform where the teachers sat and ate. Poppy looked around and found her fathers chair occupied by an older man, bald, but smiling happily and talking to a huge man with a large beard sitting next to him.

"Alicia Brown," McGonagall called and a young girl with messy brown hair stepped up and sat in the chair, the sorting hat placed on top of her head, "HUFFLEPUFF" the hat called out and there were loud cheers coming from the table Poppy assumed was the Hufflepuffs.

As names went on and students filtered out, Poppy knew it was almost her turn, she was nervous of the reactions students would give when they heard her name be called and seeing her in person walk onto the platform. The Snape family was well known in the wizarding world ever since the night Voldemort paid a visit, she was never in the spotlight, though, since she stayed in the Muggle world and only Severus returned to school.

"Poppy Snape," Minerva called, all the talking and rumbling of the Great Hall had ceased almost immediately as everyone watching Poppy look up at her name called, walk forward and sit in the chair. People gasped and pointed slightly, asking each other if that was really her.

McGonagall placed the sorting hat on Poppys head, well this is it.