Truly Yours (TomxLilith)

05

Third POV:

Lilith was placed with the first-years as Professor McGonagall led them to the entrance of the Great Hall, her footsteps echoing in the grand corridor. As they reached the massive oak doors, she turned to address them.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," McGonagall said, her voice firm yet warm. "Before we enter the Great Hall, I'd like to give you a brief introduction to the four houses."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "Hogwarts is divided into four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Gryffindor values bravery and courage; Hufflepuff is known for its loyalty and hard work; Ravenclaw prizes wisdom and intellect; and Slytherin cherishes ambition and cunning."

McGonagall's gaze swept over the group. "Each house has its own unique qualities, and you will be sorted into the one where you best fit. This will be your home for the next seven years."

With that, McGonagall pushed open the doors, and the first-years entered the Great Hall. Lilith's eyes widened at the breathtaking sight. The hall was illuminated by the soft, golden glow of hundreds of floating candles, their light casting a warm radiance over the long tables below. The enchanted ceiling reflected the night sky, studded with sparkling stars that twinkled like diamonds.

Each of the four tables was draped in the colors of its respective house, with banners hanging proudly above them. The room buzzed with the murmurs and excitement of the older students as they awaited the new arrivals.

McGonagall led the group to the front of the hall, where the Sorting Hat and the stool awaited. The first-years formed a line, their anticipation palpable.

The Sorting Ceremony began as McGonagall called the first student's name. The hall fell silent, and the Sorting Hat was placed on the student's head. The hat's voice filled the room with its familiar song, and as each name was called, the students were sorted into their houses amid cheers and applause from their new housemates.

Lilith stood among the other first-years, watching the ceremony unfold, her nerves and excitement mingling as she awaited her turn.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward, her voice cutting through the murmurs in the Great Hall. "Last, but not least, a new student: Lilith Dragan."

All eyes turned toward Lilith as she made her way to the front of the hall. Her height, nearly two feet taller than the other first-years, made her stand out conspicuously. Entering Hogwarts as a fifth-year, she attracted more than a few curious glances.

She approached the stool and sat down, the Sorting Hat placed gently on her head. The hall was silent, the tension palpable as everyone awaited the hat's decision.

The Sorting Hat remained still for a moment, then its voice whispered in Lilith's ear, tinged with a playful edge. "Well, well, what do we have here? It seems I'm being placed on another family member's head."

"I see determination and a sharp mind in you. You have the ability to excel and navigate complex situations. Your qualities align well with ambition and resourcefulness. Let's see where these traits will best serve you."

After a brief pause, the hat concluded, "Slytherin!"

Everyone clapped as Lilith made her way to the Slytherin's table and sat down. Some giving her smiles, some not looking at her at all.

After the Sorting Ceremony concluded, the hall buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Professor McGonagall stepped aside as Albus Dumbledore rose from his seat at the center of the staff table. His presence commanded immediate attention, and a hush fell over the Great Hall.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore began, his voice warm and resonant. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! To our new students, welcome to your new home. To our returning students, welcome back. I trust you had a wonderful summer and are ready for the things that lie ahead."

He paused, his eyes twinkling as he surveyed the sea of young faces. "Before we begin our feast, I must remind you of a few important rules and guidelines. First and foremost, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to all students. It is named so for very good reasons, which I hope none of you will feel inclined to discover."

A murmur of laughter rippled through the students, but Dumbledore's expression remained serious. "Additionally, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you that no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes. This is for your safety and the safety of others."

He glanced towards the Slytherin table. "And to our first years, as well as any new transfer students, please note that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to meet a most unpleasant fate."

Dumbledore's eyes softened, and he smiled warmly. "On a lighter note, I encourage you all to participate in the many extracurricular activities and clubs offered here at Hogwarts. Whether your interests lie in Quidditch, the arts, or academic pursuits, there is something for everyone."

He spread his arms wide in a gesture of inclusiveness. "Now, without further ado, let us begin our feast. Tuck in!"

As if on cue, the empty plates before the students magically filled with a lavish array of foods. Laughter and chatter filled the hall once more as students eagerly began their meal. Dumbledore sat back down, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction at the sight of the joyful gathering.

Plates clinked and goblets clattered as food magically appeared before them, the feast in full swing. Lilith sat at the Slytherin table, surrounded by her new housemates, but the lively atmosphere seemed to pass her by.

Students around her were deep in conversation, sharing stories and jokes. Every so often, someone would turn to Lilith, attempting to include her in the merriment. She responded politely but with little enthusiasm, her eyes distant and her mind elsewhere. Gradually, they stopped trying, turning back to their own groups, leaving her in a bubble of solitude.

Lilith picked at her food, barely tasting it. She glanced around the hall, watching as friends leaned into each other, their laughter ringing out, as though the world was a place of endless joy and camaraderie. Her gaze shifted to the teachers at the head table, who seemed equally engrossed in their own discussions. For a moment, she caught Professor McGonagall's eye. The professor gave her a small, encouraging nod, but Lilith quickly looked away.

She joined the conversations occasionally, contributing anecdotes of her own and offering polite smiles. Yet, beneath her composed facade, she felt a disconnect—a feeling that she was merely going through the motions of social interaction without truly connecting with anyone.

As laughter erupted around her at a particularly witty remark from one of her peers, Lilith's gaze drifted momentarily to the enchanted ceiling above, where clouds drifted lazily across a serene blue sky.

An empty feeling gnawed at her, a hollowness that no amount of food or company could fill. She knew it wasn't the others who were the problem. It was her. She had built walls so high around herself that even the most genuine attempts at friendship couldn't breach them. Her thoughts spiraled as she wondered why she always pushed people away, even when a part of her longed for connection.

Was this what it took to be human? To be so guarded that she ended up isolating herself? Self-destruction in the name of self-preservation?

Her mind wandered back to her family, to the conversations with her father. His expectations, the betrayals, the abandonments, and the dark allure of her past school had all shaped her into someone who found it easier to keep others at arm's length.

Yet, every time someone tried to break through her defenses, she instinctively pushed them away, fearing vulnerability more than loneliness. She sighed, pushing her plate away. The laughter around her seemed to grow louder, a stark contrast to the silence that enveloped her.

Was this her fate? To be forever trapped in a cycle of self-imposed isolation? She looked around the hall once more, a flicker of determination in her eyes. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to break free from her own prison. But for now, she sat quietly, a lonely figure amid the joyous throng, contemplating what it truly meant to be human.