Beauty and the Beast

chapter seven

September 1, 1945

Samantha and Tom were proudly sporting their "Head Boy" and "Head Girl" badges at King's Cross Station. Samantha helped guide any confused first years onto the train, while Tom patrolled and made sure there were no silly pranks. They watched the pair of sixth year Hufflepuff prefects, and then the four fifth-years from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw get on the train, to the prefect compartments. Before long, the Platform 9 3/4 entrance had closed, and the two Slytherins returned to their assigned compartment. They got their things situated and sat down beside each other. "Welcome back," Samantha smiled to Tom.

"Same to you," he responded. Their hands grasped each other again as they grinned. "I'm excited that Quidditch is finally back. I like seeing you and Raine play," Tom admitted.

"And we like playing," Sam added.

Raine did not come over during the entire time. She was talking to some Gryffindors as well as two Ravenclaws and Octan Black. But nevertheless, the two prefects still enjoyed talking to one another. Before long, it became night, and all eight prefects got the doors open for the younger students. They piled out and over to the forest or to the lake. "First years, follow me! First years!" The gatekeeper called. Samantha smiled, remembering she'd met Tom and Raine six years ago to the day. Hogwarts truly was a magical place for her. It was her second home, literally and figuratively. The school was special, no doubt about it

The two Slytherins then got on a carriage once everyone was off the train. "Weird to think that this is the last time we'll do this," Samantha commented.

"It is... well... let's make it count," Tom suggested. They decided to play a game; to notice as many details about the forest as they can. Anything could count. Shadows, shrubs, birds, dirt, colors, etc. Normally, these rides would be boring. But they found something to do, and it made the trip ten times more enjoyable. After they got bored of it, they told a few stories from their childhoods. Samantha talked about her father teaching her how to look for a snitch and fly a broom as a child. "He was the coach of a professional team. He would take me to the stadium and teach me there. He retired when my sister, Lilac, was born. He still had permission to come, and kept teaching her, but could not help the team."

Once there, the two went to the Great Hall and sat down beside each other happily. Samantha's little sister was a first year, and would be sorted that day. The seventh year was curious to see where Lilac would be sorted. She cared deeply for her family. Lilac was the only sister Samantha had, and she would protect her in any way possible. The first was quite timid and shy, but at the same time, she loved to have fun. It was social situations that made her nervous, since she loved things like rollercoasters and just daring things in general. But she was also a brilliant young mind with a kind, loyal heart. She was like her older sibling in the aspect that she was resourceful.

"Dalton, Lilac!" Professor Ansel called. The blonde-haired first year walked up to the stool and sat down. "Hmm... where to go with you. Loyal, intelligent, brave, and ambitious. Difficult." There was a pause as Lilac looked at her sister. "SLYTHERIN!" the hat called out. She could've been sorted into any of the four houses. But it was her longing to be with her sister that put her in the house of serpents. The Sorting Hat takes the wizard's choice into matter. Samantha applauded, happier than anyone else in the room. She allowed Lilac to sit between her and Tom, just this once. So, together, they watched the rest of the sorting and would then feast together.

Once it was over, the walk to the Slytherin common room began. "First years, follow me!" Samantha called. All the new serpents followed the Head Girl down to the dungeons, where the Slytherin common room was. Lilac was intrigued as she looked around, seeing the people in the portraits talking and the stairwells moving. She couldn't quite imagine all the stories her older sister had told her. Seeing it for herself left her in awe. They finally approached the portrait, where the prefect stopped the group. "First years, pay close attention. You don't want to forget this password," Samantha told her group. She then looked at the portrait and spoke, "Serpent green". The door to the common room seemed to fly open.

After everyone knew which dormitory was theirs, Samantha saved a spot for Lilac at the bed right next to hers. She did not feel like talking to Tom until later, so she stayed with her sister in the girls' dormitory. The first year yawned. "Are you tired, Lilac?" Sam asked. The brown-eyed sister nodded as she got in bed, already in her pajamas. Samantha sat on the edge of her little sister's bed. "Want me to tell you a story?" She asked. Lilac smiled as she nodded to her older sister. The blue-eyed girl told, "In my fourth year, three years ago, approximately, we were in Charms class. We were just doing busy work when I finished, so I practiced Wingardium Leviosa on my jar of ink. The professor came up in front of me and I didn't notice him. When I did, I was startled, and accidentally got it all over him. Mum wasn't too happy when I asked for a replacement." Lilac laughed then closed her eyes to go to sleep. Samantha kissed her forehead. "Good night, chickadee."

She then went downstairs to the common room and sat down on the couch. Tom soon came down as well. He sat beside his girlfriend and smiled. "Free period tomorrow morning?" He asked her.

"I do, but I'm going to help my little sister find her way to class."

"Can I come with you?"

"Only if Lilac agrees to it. I'm fine with it, but it's really her choice." Tom nodded. "What's your sister like?" He wondered.

"Well, she's really a sweet girl. Could go into any of the houses, really. She's very loyal, kind, and hardworking. But she's very timid, socially. At the same time, Lilac is... adventurous. She's clever and intelligent, but also determined and resourceful. I think I might have been the deciding factor in her placement somehow." Tom nodded again. He teased, "And she's the only one who gets to sit between us." The two laughed as they looked at the fireplace, resting against each other's shoulders.