Breaking Tradition

Chapter Four

I just sat there for a moment, mouth open wide. I looked at the sea of faces staring up at me, all about as shocked as I am. I glance over at my cousins and brothers at the Gryffindor table, then at Hugo, still waiting in the line of first years. Hugo looks confused, and keeps looking from me to the Slytherin table, then back.

Then the hall erupted with voices, all saying mostly the same thing.

"Did it say Slytherin?"

"But that's Harry Potters daughter!"

"A Potter? In Slytherin?"

I sat there as the voices quickly rise, my face turning red. Then I do something that I pride myself in not doing a lot. I cried.

Right there in front of everyone. The talking dies down as they all turn towards me, as I just sit on that little stool, bawling my eyes out.

Well what was I supposed to do? This wasn't supposed to happen! I was going to go into Gryffindor, just like all my other family. This wasn't my fault! Maybe the hat had made a mistake? Maybe I could put it back on and try again?

Even as I thought this I new it was ridiculous. I new what I would have to do. I'd have to suck it up and walk down to the Slytherin table. Maybe that would show courage, then the hat would know I belong in Gryffindor!

I slowly got up and turned all the way around to look at the teachers, who hadn't done anything to help. Then I walked as quickly as I could to the Slytherin's, avoiding the disappointed stares of my family.

I sat down at the far end of the table alone, as I watched Acey and Addy get sorted into Ravenclaw, and Hugo into Gryffindor, just like he said he would be.

As more first years were sorted into Slytherin, they all sat far away from me. After the Headmaster gave a short speech, everyone started digging in. I didn't eat. I didn't even look up. I just stared at my plate as everyone else around me chattered and had fun.

When everyone was done eating, the head boys and girls lead the different houses to their new home. But I didn't get to try to find my way up the moving stair cases, I was instead taken to the dark, cold basement. I went into my room along with five other girls. But I didn't stay up and talk with them. I climbed into bed, pulled the covers up over my face and thought about how cruel the world was. Even when Misty tried to cuddle next to me I pushed her away.

As I lay in bed I made a choice. I would run away. I would go to muggle school even! I just couldn't stand the thought of my disappointed parents when they found out what I was. I was bad. I was horrible. I was evil. And I was in Slytherin because of it.