Slytherin Tales: The Divine Seven

Chapter 4: His Choice

Word Count: 1,466

Chapter 4: His Choice

The next morning, I awoke around 8 AM. I quickly got ready for the day, putting on my robes and tying my green and silver tie around my collar, before heading down to breakfast. I was surprised Valentine hadn't waited for me in the Common Rooms, but I was also grateful at the same time. I needed the time between now and breakfast to build myself up, for I was going to talk to Leon today. I just had to find the courage. I made it to the Great Hall, but I took one look at Leon sitting at the Gryffindor table and thought twice about a confrontation. I decided to wait and see what would happen. I sat at the Slytherin table next to Valentine and reluctantly struck up a conversation. I had no friends in Slytherin, so this was the next best thing. I actually discovered, however, that despite his unpleasant arrogance and jests, he was surprisingly nice when he wanted to be.

"Did you have sweet dreams, sleepyhead?" He asked.

"I slept alright I suppose, but I was most definitely not having sweet dreams," I replied, rolling my eyes as I picked at my food. He stared at me for a moment before he spoke again.

"Is something wrong?"

"What gives you that impression?"

"It's just, last night I noticed you looked upset," Valentine's countenance changed from it's insensitive haughtiness to a more sincere one. I paused for a moment, surprised by the change in attitude. "Sorry, I don't mean to pry. If you don't want to tell me that's fine."

"No, it's fine. I'm just surprised that a jerk like you is showing genuine concern," I retorted.

"I may be an arrogant prick, but that doesn't mean I'm completely devoid of emotions or being able to read the room. I simply like pushing boundaries, if people are willing to put up with me then I know they're probably more veritable friends. Plus I like leaving an... impression on people. I don't want to be forgettable." I think I see why he was put in Slytherin.

"Well, you see... My family, the Sinclair family, has been sorted into Gryffindor for centuries and my brother made it in, but I didn't. I think he hates me because of it," I frowned as I said this. Valentine took a moment to think about what I'd said.

"It sounds like your brother holds a great deal of prejudice against Slytherin."

"Yeah, but it's not his fault. Our grandparents told him lots of nasty things about Slytherin."

"I see... Well, I think you should talk to him. You won't know how he feels for sure unless you try and speak to him about it, and who knows. Maybe he'll get over it, and maybe he won't, but talking to him is your best option of trying to get through to him. Perhaps he'll come around. I'm sorry I can't be of much comfort other than that, but I think whatever happens, you'll be strong enough to handle it," He finished off and resumed eating again. I was stunned into silence at his words of advice and encouragement before smiling.

"Thanks, I really appreciate that, Val."

"Did... did you just call me Val?" He asked, looking me dead in the eyes.

"Yeah, I think it's a suitable nickname. Valentine is such a long name, plus your full name sounds like a joke name of a love interest you'd hear in some sappy Valentine's Day romance novel." I believe I insulted him as his face showed slight repression of anger, but just as I was about to hear his sarcastic and spiteful remark, a familiar face sat down next to me at my table.

"Good morning, Sachie," I turned to see the beaming face of Elliot.

"Elliot! What're you doing over here? Aren't you supposed to eat at the Hufflepuff table?" I asked, surprised at his forwardness.

"Yeah, but the teachers won't care as much since it's just breakfast. Besides, who's going to notice my absence?" He said as he reached for some food. I grinned and we struck up a conversation. I introduced him to Val, who was quite indifferent to his new nickname, but the two, surprisingly, got along quite well. Elliot was very chill and relaxed as a person, and despite Val's abrasive nature, they became friends. The three of us talked and joked for the rest of breakfast. I explained to Elliot about my brother, and he encouraged me to talk to him as well. After I finished my food, I noticed Leon was done with breakfast, and I decided it was either now or never. I marched over to where he was sitting with our friends and tapped his shoulder. A hush fell over the small group as he turned around.

"Hey," I said breathily, shakily smiling. I was beyond nervous, terrified actually.

"What do you want?" Leon said coldly, his eyes furrowed as he avoided eye contact. I frowned a little, but continued.

"Can we talk?"

"I don't associate myself with Slytherins."

"Come on, Lee. Don't be like that. I didn't ask to be put in Slytherin. It just... happened. It doesn't change anything-"

"Don't call me Lee," he forcefully snapped, standing up to meet my eyes. I was startled by his sudden movement. "And it does change everything! The person I thought I knew the best is corrupt. The moment you were placed in Slytherin, you became corrupt. All Slytherins are full of darkness and malice, and you'll turn out just like them!"

"Lee, you're being ridiculous!" I shouted at him. By now, the surrounding people in the vicinity were watching our little drama unfold. "Don't you see how judgmental and prejudiced you're being? You know me, Lee! You've known me your whole life and you think just because I'm placed in a different house from you I'm now somehow evil or something?"

"STOP CALLING ME LEE!" My face turned to horror and fear as he shouted this. The hall fell silent as he went on his tirade. I wondered why no teachers came to help, but I had no time to think as he began again. "You were always this way, and I never saw it because I loved and believed in you! You're nothing but a rotten, lying, villainous, deceitful Slytherin!" He spat back at me. He squinted his eyes and me and whispered, "I hate you."

I couldn't bear to look back as I ran from the Great Hall, hot tears streaming down my face. My stomach was in knots and my head was pounding. I ran to the nearest bathroom and began throwing up the contents of this morning's breakfast. I felt a hand grab my hair and pull it back for me.

"It's okay, it'll be okay, Sachie," the comforting and concerned voice of Sable said from behind me as she rubbed my back. After I finished throwing up, she led me to the sink and I washed out my mouth. There, I cried for several minutes, hugging her as an inconsolable wreck, devastating over losing Leon as a friend. We stayed like this for a while before I was able to function again.

"Th-thanks, Sable. I'm sorry..."

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault. Your brother is just blinded by hatred, if anyone is to blame it's him," she soothed me as she pushed back my hair. "I can't believe he said those things." I sniffed and she gave me a tissue. "It'll be okay, I promise." Before I could gurgle anything else, a girl with short, spiky dark ginger hair and a Ravenclaw robe walked in. Her blue eyes reflected concern beneath her large framed glasses, giving her an owlish appearance.

"Are you okay?" she asked shyly. "I'm sorry to pry, but I followed you in here after I saw what happened at the Great Hall." I motioned that it was okay for her to come closer. She slowly approached us.

"It's okay," I whispered. Sable helped me explain what had happened and she joined in on our hug. The two girls spent the rest of the time before class doing what they could to cheer me up, reassuring me and talking about whatever came to mind. I was grateful for their help, and I truly did feel a bit better, but I still couldn't help thinking on the matter. My own brother, my best friend, had just disowned me. I felt like my world had been obliterated, like a tree that had been violently uprooted. Breakfast was almost over, however, and classes would come to a start, so I decided I'd think on this matter later. What mattered more now was picking up the pieces of what was a really bad start to the day.