Green and Scarlet Ice {Book 1 of the Klins series}

Chapter 2

*Clarissa*

This was it.

Butterflies swarmed my stomach as the nerves hit.

A girl behind me was muttering spells when the doors opened. A hush fell over us as we entered the great hall. All eyes were on us. The girl behind me was now explaining that the ceiling was bewitched to look like the night sky. She bragged that she read it in Hogwarts: a history. I hadn't even glanced up yet, but I now saw the glittering stars again. Hovering below the stars were hundreds of floating candles.

"Gather here, please." The witch said, trying to get our attention. I looked towards her hoping to get a sense of what was coming next. All I could see was a stool with a tattered old hat on it.

Once we stood at the front, and the hall grew quite again, she turned to the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. I didn't pay attention much to what he was saying because my heart beat was in my ears.

Suddenly I was hearing names called and the other first years were walking to the stool where a tattered old hat was placed on their head. I studied each one to see if I could figure out how it worked. Did the hat ask a question inside your head that you answered to determine your house? If that was the case some kids really answered it fast. The bushy haired girl was muttering spells again, at least I wasn't the only one with no knowledge of this ceremony. Only now did I wish I had asked my family about this, not that they'd tell me anything.

"Diggory, Reese." I cleared my head and paid close attention at the sound of that name. The hat was placed on her head and it took a couple minutes. The next word I heard sent joy through me. "Gryffindor!" A sly smile crept onto my face. Hufflepuff would have been one thing, but Gryffindor was the mortal enemy of Slytherin. As names droned on I couldn't get rid of the smile. It turned out better than I could've hoped. Chancing a glance at Draco I found the slightest hint of disappointment. I rolled my eyes, he'd get over it. He'd get over her.

"Klins, Clarissa" I jumped. Oh, it was now my turn. I forgot there was more to this than keeping Diggory out of Slytherin. A ringing filled my ears in the quietness of the hall. With as much confidence as I could muster I walked to the stool. Now facing the other students I found Draco's face. He gave me a warm smile. I hoped he was right. The hat was placed on my head blocking my view. At least I didn't have to see everyone staring.

Ah. I recognize you. Very similar mind to your mothers though you never knew her. Your mind works much like a Ravenclaw but Slytherin would suit you too.

'Please, Slytherin.' I wasn't sure why I so desperately wanted it.

If you are sure. You'll be following your mothers footsteps. "SLYTHERIN!" The hat shouted only the last word, at least I hoped that was the case.

On my way to my seat I found Xavier at the Gryffindor table. He looked upset but also smug. He had always said I was a no good Slytherin. When I sat at the table I thought of the hats words. 'You'll be following your mothers footsteps.' Then it placed me in Slytherin.

What confused me was, Mrs Klins had been a Gryffindor.

"Welcome to Slytherin." Someone muttered. I met the eyes of a girl with long black hair and blue eyes.

"Thanks" I muttered, trying to get my mind out of the gutter.

"I'm Jaycee Malfoy." She introduced herself. Malfoy?

"Clarissa Klins." I said. "Are you Draco's sister?" How did I not know he had a sister?

"Yeah." She shrugged. "I'm kinda the black sheep of the family." She said and twirled her black hair. "I know your brother." She added. "He's in my year." So she was only a year older than Draco and I. How had I not met her?