The Dark Lord's Pet Princess

2. Feeling Right At Home

The journey to Hogwarts was just as thrilling as Larissa had hoped it would be.
But when she arrived at Hogsmead station, she had to part with her cousins and join the rest of the first years.
This was the first time she had been exposed to people outside of the pure-blood society her parents were a part of.
Larissa had never even met a Muggle-born before, and now she was going to meet a whole bunch of them at once.
Unfortunately for her, none of the friends she had made at her parents parties, were in the same year as her, because her parents were so selective about who they let into their house.
Being a pure-blood was not enough to be accepted by the Black family.

After a rather rocky boat ride across the lake, the first years arrived at the castle, and were greeted by Professor McGonagall.
The teacher then led them into the great hall, so that the sorting ceremony could begin.
Larissa's cousins smiled at her as she made her way across the room, but this did nothing to ease the butterflies that were bouncing around inside her.
Being a Black, meant that Larissa was one of the first students to be called up.
The Sorting Hat was on her head for only a matter of moments, before it decided which house she should be placed in.
"Slytherin!" It called out.

Larissa felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
She ran over to the Slytherin table and sat down beside Narcissa, who had sat at the edge of her own year group, so that Larissa could sit by her once she was sorted.
"Nice to have you join us" whispered Narcissa.
"Thanks Cissy" replied Larissa.
As each new member of Slytherin sat down at the table, Larissa eyed them curiously, wondering who she was going to make friends with.
She knew that she had her cousins, but deep down she also knew that she had to have friends in her own year, if she was to thrive at Hogwarts.
But who she made friends with, would impact the rest of her time at Hogwarts, so she couldn't afford to pick badly.

Once the feast was over, Bellatrix escorted the first years down towards their common room.
The first year girls then entered their dormitory and began to look around to see where there things had been placed.
Larissa found her white kitten Snowdrop waiting for her on her bed, beside her belongings.
"You're a Black, aren't you?".
Larissa turned away from her bed and saw one of her roommates staring back at her.
"Yes. I'm Larissa Black" revealed Larissa.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Sophia Greengrass" replied the girl.
Larissa knew that the Greengrass family were members of the Sacred 28 pure-blood families, so she was sure that her parents would approve of her making friends with this girl.

Larissa reached forward and shook Sophia's hand.
"Is he yours?" Asked Sophia, as she pointed to Snowdrop.
"Yes. His name is Snowdrop" replied Larissa.
"He's cute. My parents bought me an owl, because they want me to be able to send them regular letters, without having to rely on the school owls" admitted Sophia.
Larissa knew her parents probably wouldn't even read any of her letters if she sent them, which is why she had asked for a cat instead of an owl.

"It's a shame that we can't have an owl and another pet" admitted one of the other girls.
"And you are?" Asked Larissa.
"Lucinda Travers" answered the girl.
"And I'm Olivia Rowle" informed Olivia, who was stood beside Lucinda.
Larissa turned to face her last roommate.
"My name's Clara Nott" mumbled Clara.
"Well, now that the niceties are all out of the way, we should upack our things" suggested Sophia.
The others all agreed and began putting away their things.

Larissa had never shared a room before, so she was nervous about having to share with 4 other girls.
But luckily the decor in the room made Larissa feel right at home, as it reminded her of 12 Grimmauld Place where she lived, since her house was full of snakes themed objects, just like Slytherin house.
All of the girls in her room were pure-bloods, but her family name made people look at with respect.
She just hoped that she was worthy of their respect.

****
The next morning Larissa headed down to breakfast and found her cousins all sitting together at the Slytherin table.
"Here she is" grinned Andromeda.
"How was your first night?" Asked Narcissa.
"It was O.K. Sharing a room is a bit weird" admitted Larissa, as she sat down beside Andromeda.
"I know what you mean" replied Narcissa.
"That's the only downside to being here. I mean, I get why the other houses have dormitories instead of bedrooms, but I don't see why we Slytherins have to share, since we all come from rich families" grumbled Bellatrix.

"I guess there isn't enough space in the castle for everyone to have their own room" admitted Larissa.
"What are your roommates like?" Questioned Andromeda.
"They seem nice" answered Larissa.
"What are their names?" Asked Bellatrix.
"Greengrass, Rowle, Travers, and Nott" replied Larissa, who knew that Bellatrix wasn't interested in their first names, but their family names.
Bellatrix nodded her head, "That's a good selection of pure-bloods. Your parents will be pleased to know that you are sharing a bedroom with like minded people".

"Father almost wrote to Dumbledore and complained, when he found out I was sharing a room with a half-blood" revealed Andromeda.
"But they aren't the problem, right?" Questioned Larissa.
"Most pure-bloods don't really have a problem with half-bloods, but we are different. We are Blacks" reminded Narcissa.
"Yeah. I know" sighed Larissa.

"What's your first class?" Quizzed Andromeda.
"Potions" answered Larissa.
"You'll enjoy that. Slughorn is a good teacher, even if he is a bit old" admitted Andromeda.
"I am looking forward to finally getting to learn magic"
"You are going to be a great witch"
"Thanks Andy"
"You're welcome. Now, I know you must be nervous about your first day of lessons, but try and eat something, otherwise you are going to be starving by the time lunch arrives. Take it from someone who knows"
"Alright, fine, I'll try and eat some toast"
"Good".