A Marauders Riddle

The Sorting

Poppy looked around her in astonishment. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky. There were four tables, one in red and gold, one in yellow and black, one in blue and bronze and one in green and silver. A battered old hat sat on a three-legged stool at the front of the hall.
"When I call your name, come forward," McGonagall called, "Abbot, Lucy!"
Poppy turned to the dark-eyed girl beside her.
"Hey," she whispered.
The dark-eyed girl looked startled.
"Hi," she replied quietly.
Poppy looked into the girl's eyes. Thoughts presented themselves to her in a rush.
"Hi Charlie Fawkes, phoenix animagus," Poppy greeted. The girl, Charlie, looked shocked for all of two seconds before she composed herself. "I'm Poppy Riddle," Poppy continued.
A smirk stole over Charlie's face.
"Legilimens?" she asked. Poppy nodded, smiling. "Do you know who she is?" Charlie jerked her head towards Tris.
Poppy nodded again.
"My half sister, Tris." Poppy said.
Charlie frowned and opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by McGonagall calling out another name.
"Fawkes, Charlie!"
Charlie sent Poppy a nervous glance, then walked towards the stool. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Charlie's head. As soon as the hat touched Charlie's head it started talking very fast.
"Hmmmm," the Hat mused, "brave, loyal, hard working when needs be, short tempered...GYRIFFINDOR!"
The table decorated in red and gold cheered. Charlie got off the stool and walked towards the cheering table.
"Riddle, Tris!" McGonagall called.
Tris strutted up to the stool. There were a few loud wolf whistles. Tris sat down and the Hat was placed on her head.
"Oh, a challenge," the Hat exclaimed delightedly, "I see ambition, I see cunning, I see bravery...no loyalty though, but willing to work hard. Clever, yes, but your brains are not always put to good use..."
Tris was muttering something under her breath.
"Are you sure?" the Hat said, "Very well then, GYRIFFINDOR!"
McGonagall took the hat off Tris and Tris walked down to the red and gold table, smirking. Poppy saw the Marauders make room for her.
"Riddle, Poppy!" McGonagall called.
Poppy walked up to the stool and sat down nervously. McGonagall placed the battered Hat on her head.
"Interesting," the Hat mused, "Very interesting... Now what's this I see? Bravery, cunning, loyalty and intelligence! Dear, dear, now what to do with you?"
The hat fell silent. Poppy counted the seconds in her head. One minute passed, then two, then three, then four, then...
"Any particular house?" the Hat asked.
No, Poppy thought.
"No?" the Hat echoed, sounding dismayed, "Very well then. Better be Slytherin!"
The last word was shouted. McGonagall pulled the hat off Poppy and Poppy saw the table decorated in silver and green cheering. Poppy made her way down to that table. A blonde haired boy and a black haired girl moved apart to make room for her.
"Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore shouted.
The tables filled with food and Poppy's mouth watered.
"I'm Lucius Malfoy," the blonde-haired boy said, "And you are?"
"Riddle," Poppy replied, "Poppy Riddle."
A hush fell over the table. Poppy looked up to see half of her new housemates staring at her.
"Riddle?" the black-haired girl on Poppy's other side breathed, "as in Tom Riddle?"
The silence that occupied their table became strained.
"Yes," said Poppy carefully, all thoughts of food forgotten. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground here.
A reverent gasp. Wide eyes. Pale faces.
"My Lady," the dark haired girl murmured, "I am Bellatrix Black and I am here to serve."
Those last worshipful words were echoed by her housemates. Poppy felt like she was drowning in the sea of poisonous words.
"No." Poppy said firmly.
Her housemates looked up in surprise.
"No, you don't have to...to serve me. I don't want that. I just want friends, not followers. And I don't want you to be my friend out of fear. I won't hurt you."
The Slytherins all looked at each other and shrugged. They all went back to their food, talking about nothing.
"Well then, Poppy Riddle," Bellatrix Black smiled, "I'd like to be your friend."
Poppy smiled at Bellatrix.
"I'd like you to be my friend too," Poppy said.