the siphon | h. potter

~six~

harry

The remaining days of Christmas break flew by almost as fast as Harry's Firebolt. He couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness as he sat down in the Knight Bus.

It was the first time Harry had ever dreaded going back to Hogwarts. Not only would he not be able to see Sirius until summer, but he now had to attend Occlumency lessons taught by Snape. Harry didn't understand everyone's worry, his dreams had saved Mr. Weasley's life. Why should he get rid of them?

Laughter from across the isle turned Harry's attention away from the looming gloom of this coming term. Looking up from his lap, Harry saw Cass holding onto her seat for dear life while switching between scared and excited expressions. Harry smiled, at least Cass would make this term more exciting.

Soon enough the Knight Bus arrived in Hogsmeade and the group were making their ascent to the castle. Harry watched as Cass looked upon Hogwarts for the first time. Her eyes widened while her jaw dropped towards the snow covered ground.

"Oh my god..." Cass gasped and covered her open mouth with her hand. Harry couldn't help but remember his first time seeing Hogwarts. The warm memory comforted him. Almost everything had changed since he was the naive eleven year old new wizard, but Hogwarts still remained the same.

Cass's excitement and bewilderment only grew as they got closer to the castle. Harry pointed out the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid's hut, the Black Lake, and everything else within sight.

The teens had spent so much time showing Cass the grounds they were almost late for the start of term feast. The Weasley's, Harry, Hermione, and Cass all ran through the front doors and found Professor Mcgonagall looking down at them in disappointment.

"Leave your trunks. I will have them sent to your rooms," she said while shaking her head.

Harry then began walking with Cass into the hall when they were stopped one more time by Mcgonagall. "Miss Dalton, if you could stay with me please."

Cass turned back to Mcgonagall and Harry was left trailing after Ron and Hermione into the Great Hall.

The room was filled with students bouncing from table to table and excitedly talking to their friends. Harry sat down between Ron and Fred just as Dumbledore was approaching the podium to address the students. "Oi... Where's Cassandra?" George whispered to Harry.

"I dunno, Mcgonagall asked her to stay behind."

"She's probably being sorted," Hermione chimed in.

"I really hope she's placed in Griffindor," Ron added. A wave of panic hit Harry. It never crossed his mind Cass would have to be sorted. What if she was sorted into another house? What if she was sorted into Slytherin?

"Don't worry little bro, she's the most Gryffindor Gryffindor I've ever met," Fred assured.

Harry then turned his attention to Dumbledore who was in the middle of his speech, "... now I know it's a bit unusual, but we have a new student attending Hogwarts this term."

Harry watched as the entire Great Hall erupted into whispered and everyone's heads swiveled around, looking for the new student.

Dumbledore ignored the outburst and kept talking, "I thought it would only be fair for her to experience the sorting ceremony, an honored tradition of our school," Dumbledore smiled.

The door of the Great Hall then crept open and every head shot to the back of the room. Mcgonagall walked through first carrying the stool and sorting hat in each hand. It looked like any other sorting ceremony. Until only one student appeared.