Circe walked through the doors of the great hall with some first years. Even though she hadn't joined the first year, she was joining Hogwarts for her second year.
"When I call your name, step up and sit on the stool." Professor McGonagall said. "Circe LeStrange." Circe stepped up and sat down on the stool. Everyone looked at her. She was covered in bruises and cuts.
"She looks like she went through hell." Ron commented softly to Hermione and Harry. "Probably Slytherin."
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat wailed. She bit her lip and sat down.
After the sorting, the feat appeared in front of them. Circe had fallen asleep, due to exhaustion, next to her plate. Fred and George lightly shook her, causing her to sit up straight immediately. She took one look at the food and put a singular piece of potato on her plate, feeling Draco's stare on her back. "Is that all you're going to eat?" Fred asked, worriedly. She nodded.
"You're going to get sick." George added.
"This is a lot in my opinion. More than I get in a week." Circe said. The twins looked at her with worry.
"But you're a LeStrange." Fred reminded her. "You're supposed to be rich."
"Well, I live with the Malfoy's." Circe said.
"So? They're rich as well." George said, his voice laced with worry. She shrugged. "You should eat more."
"I'm not that hungry." Circe muttered, after stealing a glance in Draco's direction.
Eventually the feast ended and everyone was ushered out of the hall. Just as Circe had walked out of the hall, she felt a hand grab her wrist. She turned around and saw it was Draco. He led her into an empty hallway.
"You're supposed to be in Sytherin." he stated.
"I know." Circe sighed.
"You're a disgrace!" Draco exclaimed, slapping her in the face. She didn't even flinch, although there was a red hand print on her face. "Now scram. Wait till my father hears about this." She nodded before limping in the direction of the Gryffindor common room. Outside there was a boy in her year trying to get in without the password.
"No password, no entry." the fat lady was saying. "Ergh! What happened to you?" She exclaimed, pointing at Circe. The boy looked back.
Circe glanced at him before saying, "I don't know the password."
"Me either." He shook his head sadly. "This always happens. I'm Nevile Longbottom." Circe's eyes widened.
"I'm so, so sorry." she exclaimed.
"For what?"
"Bellatrix... She's my mother." He visibly paled before backing away. Circe then collapsed on the ground due to exhaustion. "I wish I was never born." she muttered, just loud enough for Nevile to hear. "I'm a disgrace to my family."
"So am I." Circe hadn't noticed but Nevile was now sitting next to her. "My grandma always says I'm a disgrace."
Then all of a sudden, the portrait swung open and a boy walked out. The pair trudged in and bid each other goodbye.
