Chapter Two

ARIA AND ANNA took their respective seats at the Slytherin table and watched as the first years strode in, eyes either glued to the ceiling or fixated on Dumbledore.

Aria remembered when she was a first year. Of course, she was familiar with a lot of things seeing as her father was a professor at the school. If not for Anna accidentally bumping into her on the first day, however, she might have not made any friends at all. Everyone tended to steer clear of Professor Snape's little devil child.

The nicknames were uncalled for, even if she had hexed a prefect in her first week.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and began to speak. "I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note, that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students." Aria wished it wasn't. The forest had always sparked her interest. In fact, in her first year, she had spent hours at a time sitting just on the outskirts of it, wondering what it would be like to go inside. Of course, her father would expel her immediately and send her to Durmstrang, as he'd threatened to in the past. "Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to all who do not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you."

The third-floor corridor? Aria's interest was piqued. Why was it out of bounds this year? It never had been before. She would have to investigate that.

McGonagall stepped forward and began to speak. "When I call your name you will come forth. I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses." She paused and looked at the scroll she was holding. "Hermione Granger!"

Aria zoned out, mindlessly replaying the moments of when she was being sorted. The hat had been placed on her head and stayed there for quite some time, second-guessing itself and asking rather stupid questions. In the end, it was stuck between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Of course, she had asked ever so kindly for Slytherin. Being in Gryffindor would have been a nightmare. Yuck!

"We were right." Annabelle nudged Aria. "That blonde boy - he's a Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

"You can see it on his face."

"Not only that, the hat barely grazed his greasy head before screaming out Slytherin."

"Typical." Of course, Aria was happy with the outcome. Smug first years needed to be put in their places and she was more than happy to help them on their way to being humbled.

"Ronald Weasley!" Professor McGonagall called out. A smile spread across Aria's face at the name.

"Not another one." She whispered to Anna beside her who was sent into a fit of laughter.

"Their parents really need to calm down." She sneered.

Of course, like his annoying brothers before him, the new Weasley boy was placed into Gryffindor.

"Harry Potter."

The hall went silent as the scrawny boy from the train ambled up to the front. The Sorting Hat was placed on his head.

The tension that developed around the hall could be cut with a knife or blown up with a charm. Everyone wanted the boy who lived to be in their house. Aria waited in anticipation for the results.

"Gryffindor!" The hat eventually called out.

"It's not like they need another reason to stick their heads farther up their arses," Annabelle mumbled glumly.

She was right. There would be no living with Gryffindor now. The obnoxious do-gooders.

More names were called out, but everyone's attention had faded once Potter had been sorted. Aria noticed the intense stare that her father had been sending Harry and she instantly pitied the boy.

Not many first years could handle the wrath of Professor Snape, no matter how famous they were.

The feast appeared on the table shortly after the Sorting ceremony had been finished. Aria picked at her food. All the excitement had made her lose her appetite.

She felt a harsh grip on her shoulder and turned to see Professor Snape. She smiled up at him. "Hey, father."

He returned the smile, although it was stiff. "I'm glad to see you arrived safely, Aria. There is something I need you to do for me."

"Anything, father."

He smiled again. "Tomorrow. You seem exhausted now. Tomorrow after your potions lesson, meet me in my class and I'll tell you what I need."

"Of course. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

She watched as he stormed away causing a few first-years to turn and stare in absolute horror.

Aria laughed. He may have looked scary, but Professor Snape wasn't such a bad guy and she was determined to make him proud and accomplish whatever he needed her to do.