Free as a Bird

Asps

Modesty and Steph went to History class where they were greeted by Professor Matters. He was an old fogey who would do anything to deduct points from all the houses. He definitely had favorite students, among them wasn't Modesty.

"Today we shall learn about the Elder Wand, one of the most powerful magical objects to be in creation" Matters said, "Alright, considering we've already covered a portion of this was taught in the previous classes, who is the true master of the Elder Wand?"

Modesty quickly retorted with,  "Antioch Peverell".

"Wrong" Matters grunted, "Not only did you provide the wrong answer, you interrupted me, Miss Barebone. Twenty points from Horned Serpent".

There was a murmur of distress.  Modesty hung her head in shame. But that didn't stop her from scouring through her books to find the right answer.

"Miss Barebone!" Matters scowled, "What are you doing?"

"Looking for the right answer, sir" Modesty said.

A few students laughed.  A few students winced at how gutsy Modesty was.

"Thirty points from Horned Serpent for your cheek, Miss Barebone" Matters said, "Mr Williamson, please answer".

"It's Emeric the Evil" Warwick Williamson answered.

"Correct.  The latest known master of the Elder Wand is Emeric the Evil. Ten points to Pukwudgie" Matters smiled and glared at Modesty, "You should learn how to maintain yourself in the classroom, Miss Barebone".

"No!" Modesty got up, "It's not Emeric! It's  Grindelwald. He was the last known possessor of the Elder Wand. After the fight between Grindelwald and Dumbledore, Dumbledore won so he's the master of the Wand right now".

"There's no proof of it" Matters argued, "Miss Barebone, you've spoken quite out of turn. You should be ashamed of yourself. You've cost yourself another set of thirty points, Miss Barebone".

"Shut up, Modesty!" Juniper Alpert nudged her, "You're being such an idiot. You've already costed us eighty points. Why do you ever open your stupid mouth and argue about something pointless?"

"I know I'm right" Modesty glared at the professor before sitting down.

"Let's make it a hundred shall we? Or you can just sit down and stop your nonsense" 

Modesty sat down, feeling bummed. She was there! Her stepbrother fought in the war and she didn't need more proof than that! She was friends with an Auror and a Magizoologist. She had more proof than ever. She was wrong the first time, but she wasn't wrong this time.

"You're a poisonous asp" Juniper snorted before resuming to her work.

After history class, Modesty went back to her dormitory. Did she not deserve to be in a prestigious house as Horned Serpent? After all, she tried her best.

She remembered the day of the Sorting ceremony. 

Modesty felt the fear paralyze her as she stepped forward. The four statues were waiting for her. Everyone held their breath as the statues thought over it.

What if no house wanted her? What if she was that piece of undesirable filth that nobody wanted? She didn't even know what she was good at. She's good at reading, she supposed. Nevertheless, Modesty was quaking in her shoes.

She hoped for a sign. She waited for a few seconds when the crystal on the Horned Serpent's carving lit up. 

The table broke into a thunderous applause. Modesty joined the others, feeling proud of herself.