CHAPTER ONE

Gryffindor...Slytherin

Nova Malfoy was entirely oblivious to the importance of belonging to the houses of Gryffindor or Slytherin. Being a Malfoy, she assumed that being sorted into Slytherin was the most logical and inevitable choice.

When Professor Longbottom placed the Sorting Hat on her head, she directed her vision towards the spot where her desired house table would be, her anticipation of her future already etched into her eyes.

However, within her mind, instead of focusing solely on the thought of her desired house, her true desires were the ones that consumed her inner thoughts.

"Gryffindor!" declared the old enchanted hat, and Nova's eyes widened in shock.

The realization of what she had heard struck her like a thunderbolt, leaving her utterly bewildered. Her gaze shifted towards her twin brother, and she could see the surprise mirrored in his eyes.

Suddenly, a gentle hand landed on her shoulder, and she turned to discover that her new head of house was standing beside her.

The head of the house leaned in and whispered, "Welcome to Gryffindor," causing Nova's lips to curl into a slight smile. She found herself feeling an unfamiliar sense of happiness at the prospect of not being placed in Slytherin. It was a peculiar sensation, but one that felt quite satisfying.

It was Strange.

She nodded in response, stepped off the stool, and spared one final glance at Scorpius, who returned her smile. It reassured her that her brother was okay with it, and she could tell he was destined for Slytherin.

Nova didn't care whether her parents approved of her choice, as long as her brother was okay with it. She walked down to a redhead, who she instantly recognized as a Weasley, and sat down next to her.

"Hi," the girl spoke softly. Nova grinned in response.

"Hello," she said with more confidence, followed by a polite nod.

"Rose Granger-Weasley," the redhead introduced herself.

"Nova Malfoy," she introduced herself, shaking the girl's outstretched hand. It didn't take long at all before she was quickly welcomed into her new family. The overwhelming insecurity she had of being a Malfoy was instantly erased.

As soon as she and Scorpius stepped onto the train, they could already hear the hushed whispers. Nova could immediately sense what the whispers were about - their grandfather's past as a loyal Death Eater and their father's involvement. They had built a wall around themselves, a natural defence mechanism.

Nova's gaze flickered toward the mention of Albus Potter's name, and the room fell quiet for a moment as the Hat proclaimed, "Slytherin."

Nova's eyes widened as she absorbed the shocking announcement. She couldn't help but glance over at the male, Albus Potter, who seemed to sense her gaze and turned his head in her direction. She assumed he was looking at his own family, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of his eyes on her.

Nova noticed the hushed whispers, and her jaw clenched. She instinctively turned her head toward her fellow housemates, noticing the glaring from Albus's family towards the ons gossiping.

She was caught off guard by her own words when she spoke up, her voice slightly louder than intended, "Why don't all of you just mind your own business and leave us alone?" Her sudden outburst stunned everyone in the room, especially Albus's family, who all had their jaws dropped in shock.

"Excuse me?" exclaimed one of them, and Nova let out an exasperated huff. On the other hand, Albus's family also seemed keen to engage in a verbal altercation with the male Nova was talking to.

"Are you daft?" Nova quipped, her laughter mingling with the family's chuckles.

"If you have a problem with someone else's business, write it on a paper, fold it, and stick it up your arse!" Nova snapped, causing the family to erupt into laughter. The male, in turn, became flushed with embarrassment.

Fred, across the table, chimed in with a big grin, saying, "I like you!"

James, seated beside Nova, also chimed in, "And ten points go to Nova Malfoy."

Nova chuckled, feeling a warm sensation spreading through her chest. She turned to her brother, who was engrossed in conversation with an animated girl they had met a few weeks back at Diagon Alley. It was Naya Thomas-Finnigan, who she recognized instantly.

Nova couldn't help but smile, reassured by the fact that her brother was doing well, even though they were in separate houses. She redirected her attention back to her housemates at the Gryffindor table.

While their sorting had stirred up a mix of reactions and raised eyebrows from their families, the students around them were more focused on the novelty of their unique combinations.

Nova, the first Malfoy in Gryffindor, and Albus, the first Potter in Slytherin, drew curious glances and whispered chatter as they settled into their respective houses.

The air was thick with a mix of excitement and intrigue that filled the first-year common room. However, Nova tried to push it all to the back of her mind, focusing on finding her way and getting acquainted with her new housemates.

Throughout the first few days of classes at Hogwarts, Nova found herself navigating a whirlwind of new experiences. Adjusting to the new environment, meeting new people, and trying to understand the ins and outs of being in a completely different house from her family, having been told all about being a Slytherin, were all new challenges with no knowledge on what to do as a Gryffindor.

She often felt like an outsider among Gryffindor's, she felt isolated sometimes, even though she was determined to make the most of her time. The whispers and curious looks from her fellow students had become background noise, and she was beginning to find her footing in her new home as a Lion.

Being a Malfoy meant carrying a certain reputation at Hogwarts. She was aware that her family name came with a lot of weight, and it often felt as if she was living under a magnifying glass. But deep inside herself, she was just a normal girl trying to find her place in this big new world.

There was a part of her that craved acceptance, and every time she heard the whispers of the students around her, she couldn't help but feel a pang in her chest. Despite her best efforts to ignore it, the whispers and stares were starting to take a toll.