"Another Black, hey? Let's switch things up. I'll give you a choice of any of the houses. This has never been done before," The hat said. "Slytherin, like the rest of your family. Gryffindor like you're beloved brother, Ravenclaw the smartest, or Hufflepuff the sweetest?"
I didn't know what to pick. I was given a choice at such a young age, with my mother and brother on my back. Gryffindor with my brother would feel safe. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw weren't options, I didn't fit there. Slytherin to make my mother pleased.
After seeing what happened to my brother when he got placed, I didn't want that too. So I chose Slytherin, even though it was my last choice.
"Slytherin it is!" The hat called.
I jumped off my stool and made my way over to the cheering table. I sat next to a boy a year above me. He had longish raven hair, it was filled with grease but he didn't seem to care what others thought. His attention was focused on a girl from another table.
Who I noticed was sitting with my brother. She had fiery red locks, with a button nose. She was curvy and beautiful. But I didn't understand what got him so mesmerised.
I looked over at my brother, who was laughing loudly with another boy, who was the familiar face I saw at Diagon Alley. He was waving his arms around, like he had some master plan to accomplish. That's when the boy in glasses had noticed me staring.
He gave a sweet smile, and nudged Sirius, who then looked up and gave me a thumbs up. Mouthed if I was okay. Which I nodded. But in reality I wanted to keep my focus on the other boy.
His hair was a mess, and ruffled. It was the colour of a brownie you would think to melt in your mouth. His eyes were blue, with specs of green. And glasses as round as the sun.
"Who are you?" Another boy asked from my side.
"Regina. Regina Black. You?" I said, cringing at my name.
"Lucius Malfoy. You're a Black?" He asked, sternly, having no filter at all.
"Unfortunately." I spoke, sipping a glass of water.
He scoffed and turned his attention away from me. I went and focused my attention on the headmaster. Who was looking at me with a gleam in his eyes that made me worry. He looked at me as if he knew every thought.
After dinner was finished I was told to make my way to the dungeons. But I got side tracked from someone. She had long blonde wavy hair, bright blue eyes, she was small and dainty. Her eyes full of adventures.
"I saw Professor Dumbledore looking at you, and I said that I should be your friend." She smiled, wrapped her gentle arm around my shoulder.
"I don't think I understand." I replied in shock that she was touching me with such ease.
"My names Pandora Lestrange. Dumbledore can read minds. But not mine." She smiled, all cheerful.
"He can?" I asked, shocked.
"He can. So as long as you're not to become a Death Eater or thinking something he should know, then you're all good," She started, "What's your name?"
"Regina Black." I said.
Pandora stopped walking for a second, looked me up and down, "Did I just befriend a Black?"
"You didn't need too." I said, a tinge of guilt twirling in my stomach.
"You don't seem like you'll bite. I'll deal with what I have," She said. "I do need to go, but I'll see you tomorrow. Welcome to Hogwarts!"
She bounced the opposite way. She skipped like she had no care in the world what others thought of her. That's when I decided to idolise Pandora not only as a friend, but as a mother.
I was lead the opposite way. Into the dungeons. It was a dark, gloomy environment. It reminded me of my home. And I hated that I came here to escape only to be reunited with it once again.
The only thing I liked about our common room was the lake. I would sit there for hours, and pop the bubbles against the glass. The squid used to sometimes come up and greet us, or get angry at the older kids who were pulling pranks.
The common room had two levels. The first door, the green one, was for the lounging area. With leather sofas, green fire, coffee stained tables. And students of all sized mingling.
On the higher level was the study area. Bookcases, tables. Ink and quills. Ink spills. Paper. Chess tables. It was crowded with kids trying to send letters home to their parents.
The common room also had a snake sanctuary set up. Some were violent and venomous, others were sleeping most of the time.
I went upstairs to finally sleep. Learnt that I was sharing a room with my cousin, Narcissa Black. She seemed overwhelmed with sharing with me.
"This is so exciting isn't it? Mother said this is our way of growing up! I get to braid your hair and everything!" She clapped, and jumped up on my bed.
I didn't want to inform her I hated my hair being long, and one in a million. So I didn't. I know she wouldn't care anyways. I was a girl to her.
Finally after a long day, Narcissa fell asleep in her bed. Our other roommates lost in their dreams. But me, I was lost in dread, and homesickness.
Not homesickness for home. But for the feelings I knew what to do. And if I got it wrong I would know afterwards. Here, I was a lost soul in a graveyard. And I was frightened for my next life.
