THE SHADOW PATH ⎯ james potter

[015]

chapter fifteen: 

something wicked this way comes

Ellie, Charlotte, and Dorcas sat together at the Slytherin table, watching as the new first years lined up before the Sorting Hat. The Great Hall buzzed with excitement and chatter as students whispered and speculated on where the newcomers would be placed.

Ellie's eyes scanned the group of nervous first years, though her attention was fixed on one boy in particular—Regulus Black. He looked small and unsure of himself as he stood among the other children, his sharp features softened by his youth. Ellie's heart tightened. She knew how much Sirius had been worrying about this moment. His younger brother meant everything to him, even if Sirius tried to mask it behind his usual bravado.

The Sorting Hat called names one by one. The hall grew quiet as the ceremony continued, and soon, Regulus Black was called.

Ellie held her breath.

Regulus walked slowly to the front, his gaze focused on the floor. He sat on the stool, the Sorting Hat placed upon his head, and for a moment, everything was silent. Ellie could almost hear Sirius' heartbeat from across the room.

"Slytherin!" the hat finally bellowed, its voice echoing through the hall.

Ellie's heart dropped as Regulus removed the hat and made his way to the Slytherin table. Applause erupted around her as her housemates clapped and welcomed the new addition, but Ellie felt the weight of Sirius' unspoken anguish. She glanced over to the Gryffindor table, her eyes immediately finding Sirius.

He was staring at Regulus with a devastated expression, his usual carefree demeanor shattered. His gray eyes were full of disappointment, mixed with a hurt so deep it made Ellie's chest ache. He looked like he had lost something important, even though Regulus had merely been sorted into Slytherin—a house Sirius had come to despise.

Ellie and Sirius locked eyes for a brief moment. She saw the heartbreak in his gaze, but more than that, she saw the silent plea beneath it—an unspoken request for help.

Ellie nodded slightly, letting him know she understood. She would look out for Regulus. She would make sure he was okay.

Just then, another name was called. "Bartemius Crouch."

Ellie's attention shifted back to the Sorting Hat as the strange, serious-looking boy approached the stool. His movements were precise, calculated—almost too composed for someone so young. He looked around the hall with a sharpness in his eyes that made Ellie feel uneasy.

The hat barely touched his head before it shouted, "Slytherin!"

The boy—Barty Crouch—rose with a slight smirk, as though he had expected nothing less. He moved towards the Slytherin table and took a seat not far from Ellie, Charlotte, and Dorcas. He glanced at them briefly, his gaze lingering on Ellie for a second longer than the others. There was something unsettling about his stare—something she couldn't quite place.

Charlotte nudged Ellie, whispering, "What do you think of him?"

Ellie glanced over at Barty, who had already turned his attention elsewhere, watching the rest of the sorting with disinterest. "I don't know yet," she replied quietly. "But I have a feeling we'll find out soon enough."

As the Sorting continued, Ellie's thoughts drifted back to Sirius and Regulus. The pain on Sirius' face was seared into her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility that had settled over her. She would be there for Regulus. She had to be—especially now, with Barty and whatever dark presence seemed to hang over him already casting shadows on her thoughts.