Heritage (Next Generation Harry Potter)

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

I have no words to describe how I feel as I am waiting to be sorted into a house. I guess nervous would be a good general term to sum up what I feel, and scared (though I will never admit it to anyone under the threat of death.) I fully recognize that if I were placed into Slytherin, people will be a lot quicker to judge me and mentally connect me to the Death Eaters that my family had been involved with for two generations. If I were, however, placed in Gryffindor, I can just imagine how disappointed my grandparents would be, and how I would be the first person born into the Malfoy family to be sorted into anything other than Slytherin. My mother probably wouldn't care so much, she would actually be proud. 

I sighed, and looked around for my brothers. We had been separated, and I hadn't seen them, or the Gryffindors that I met on the train, since we reached the school. Scorpius was sitting at the Slytherin table, talking to a couple other second years, and Eleazar was lost in the crowd of first years, waiting to get sorted.  

As I was glancing around the room, Jem, who was sitting at the Gryffindor table, gave a little wave and what I supposed was a encouraging smile. I forced my lips to move in what I hopped was a decent smile, but I am pretty sure I looked like I was sneering.  

I wasn't able to see Jem's reaction, Headmistress McGonagall had gotten up and welcomed everyone here. As soon as she started to talk, I was overcome with nerves once again. I couldn't make out the specific words that she was saying, just the steady hum of her voice as she droned on. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as time seemed to drag on. I shouldn't be here, this is a mistake. What was I thinking when I thought that this was a good idea?  

Oh god.  

What if I get sorted into Hufflepuff? 

Oh bloody hell, please not Hufflepuff. 

A hand grabbed my shoulder. I looked up and saw Professor Trewlaney shaking me. I was launched back into the real world once again, as a round of laughter sounded around me.  

The headmistress cleared her throat, then repeated (I later found out for the 5th time) "Ellianna Malfoy."  

I blanched as I realized that I had accidentally ignored the headmistress. I shot a panicked look around the room. The Gryffindors that I had meet on the train looked shocked, and slightly intimidated. My brothers were laughing at me, Scorpius from the Slytherin table, and Eli from the Gryffindor table.  

Wait. What? Eleazar is a Gryffindor?  

"Miss Malfoy, we are waiting," grumbled headmistress McGonagall. Trewlaney gave me a little push, and I went up.  

I hadn't realized that the sorting hat had been placed on my head until I head a voice.  

"Hmmm, what do we have here. Another Malfoy? Yes, yes, I could place you in Slytherin, you are certainly sly enough. But your mother was a Gryffindor, and you inherited her good heart. You could do well in Gryffindor. You in fact, have many qualities that would make any house good for you. You are clever enough to be in Ravenclaw and loyal to those you love like those in Hufflepuff." 

Please not Hufflepuff, I repeated over and over again in my head. 

"Okay then, have it your way. SLYTHERIN!" The hat bellowed.  

I felt relieved. No, I felt disappointed. Actually, I am not sure what I felt. I couldn't tell you if I felt nothing, or everything all at once. For whatever reason, I walked to join my house as I laughed.  

"Hey, come sit next to me!" A boy with curly brown hair called out. He looked to be either a 5th or 6th year, but I couldn't tell. "Wouldn't want you to sit next to the first years."