Counting Stars || Poppy Snape

CHAPTER 2

When we had made our way out of the boats, the first years and I waited nervously before the doors of the Great Hall. It took less than five minutes for a teacher to arrive. Yet, during that time I saw the Vanilla Cupcake dude get "rejected" by the guy with the wickedly cool scar and a little boy lose his toad. These first years sure were something.

When the teacher arrived (she was a very stern lady called Mcgonagall, who could transform into a real life cat) and instructed us to walk inside the hall, I made my way to the back of the queue, ready to face the whole school.

As I walked in I saw people shift their attention from the boy with glasses to me, and the whispers grew louder. I gulped but remembered what my best friend had told me, "

Just remember, if ze new kids at your school give you a 'ard time. Just tell zem to shove a stick up zeir-"

"Abbot, Hannah"

I snapped out of my thoughts and couldn't stop grinning at the wise words of my dear French friend.

I watched in awe as the hat yelled house after house, awaiting for my turn with excitement. However after "Smith, Sally" was called out I was expecting my name next, yet it never came. Instead Mcgonagall kept reading off her list until it was only me and "Zabini, Blaise" left. Then it was only me.

Everyone's gaze turned to me, and I felt the eyes of more than a thousand people peircing the back of my head.

Nevertheless, I kept my head held high, and moments later a skinny Santa Claus got up to speak.

"Congratulations to all the first years who have joined us this year. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." There was a cheer from all the students which immediately stopped when Santa Claus opened his mouth to continue. "As you can see, we have a new older student joining us. She will be in her fourth year, so it will be harder for her to adapt. Be that as it may, I hope that you will all make her feel welcome no matter where she is placed."

There was no cheer this time, only silence as the old man motioned for Mcgonagall to continue. With that, she cleared her throat and said,

"Snape, Poppy"

I gulped and my hands got slightly clammy as I made my way up to the sorting hat. I could still hear gasps and whispers as people watched me. However my stupid ass didn't realise that there were some stairs there. And, well, I tripped.

I heard laughter from most people and rapidly hurried to my feet and sat on the wooden stool. Before the hat was placed on my head, my eyes met Father's and he gave me a reassuring smile. I let out a deep breath as everything around me went black.

"Well, here's someone I never thought I'd have to sort." started a croaky voice, causing me to jump in shock. I almost fell off the stool and I heard more laughter from around me.

"Lily and Snape's daughter. Polar opposities. But where to put you?" He waited for a few seconds before continuing. "Could this be? Am I presented with a skilled Occlumens?" I stared in confusion, what was he on about?

"Well not being able to read your thoughts is certainly going to make my job harder. But I should be able to manage. I see that you have courage and ambition, much like another person I've had to sort tonight. You want to prove yourself, yet also to fit in. You are very friendly, too. But please, you'd scare the Hufflepuffs. But not in a mean way. Gosh, you really are a tough one to crack." Then there was scilence again. "You stick up for your friends I see, but you also have a rather loose tongue that could get you landed in Slytherin. But where would be the fun in that?"

I rolled my eyes and thought Pack it up potato sack.

"Yes, very much like a Slytherin indeed. I guess that for you Miss Poppy Snape, I might have to go purely on instinct. Yes. That seems like the best option. I'm sure your mother would be proud, since it's going to be...

GRYFFINDOR!"