Image: Elnora

      Here's chapter two :), don't forget to vote and comment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clementine's p.o.v

    I walked out, shutting the door quickly behind me before I felt a tear drip down my face. I wiped it away hurriedly. I rushed off of the train, dodging kids left and right. I jumped off of the train. I stopped in my path, my eyes trailing up and up a giant and furry man.

"First years," He yelled, a smile forming on his face.

     My eyes wandered around the platform for others who would step up. There were rules we set in place so that no one would discover my identity. Rule number two: Don't draw attention to yourself.

     After a few others stepped forward, I followed reluctantly. I knew that rule number two was already out the window as a sixteen-year-old girl was following a bunch of eleven-year-olds. I decided so that I would look smaller than I was, I'd walk closer to the giant man. He seemed good company enough. Not to mention I think I was too short for him to notice, meaning there wouldn't be much conversation. But I was wrong, seeing as the burly man looked down.

"Well 'ello there young miss," He started the conversation, making me take in a deep breath, "You don't look like one of the little ones."

"I'm new to the school," I replied quietly, "So I was told I needed to be sorted."

"Ah," He sounded, shifting the lantern to his other hand, "Well that is interesting indeed. Word o' advice?"

"Sure," I whispered, hoping he didn't ask any more questions.

"When you get up there, on that big ole chair," He explained, "There'll be all eyes on you, but don't get nervous. I ain't sure if you've got a sorting hat where you're from, but it'll only take a moment for him to decide. And no matter what any of em' tell you, it don't matter what house you're in, because all of em' have their qualities."

"Thanks," I responded, looking around, deciding that I liked him.

"I'm Hagrid by the way, Rubius Hagrid" He introduced, smiling down at me, "You are?"

"J- Clementine," I caught myself instantly, "Clementine Quillheart."

"Well, that is a nice name," He appreciated, nodding to himself, "If I do say so myself."

     For some reason, I had already gotten myself into an odd friendship with this giant of a man. It was strange, not only for me to make friends, but a large man as well. Usually I was most reluctant to talk to men, something that a doctor told me was because of my father. But he didn't seem like most. He seemed honest and kind, I doubted he had a bad bone in his body.

"Rubius Hagrid is quite a good name as well," I offered, wondering if this is the kind of friend Mrs. Hadley had in mind for me, though I suppose she'd be happy I was talking to anyone.

"Why thank you," He chuckled, then looking around, "It'll be a secret if I give you this biscuit, I suppose you'll get food in you soon enough, but I think you'd enjoy these. I don't give these to just anyone, you know."

     Out of his pocket, he pulled out a firm biscuit, handing it to me. I took it gratefully, having been extremely hungry from my trip over here. When I bit into it, my jaws stuck together and it took quite a bit of strength to pull them apart. Suddenly, I had a thought. Though Hagrid seemed to be a very nice person, I doubted I would want to speak to anyone else. And if others tried to talk to me, I'd have a perfect excuse not to speak back if my jaws were glued together.

"It's very good," I complemented, actually meaning it as I thought about the taste, "Would it be too much to ask for more?"

"Not at all," He grinned, seeming to be happy with himself, "But I don't have em' with me at the moment. Come by my hut tomorrow and I'll be happy to give ye' some."

     I nodded, then realizing I had no clue where his hut was. I didn't know what Hagrid did. But before I could ask him, a stern looking old woman opened the door to the large castle. I hadn't even realized we were here yet. Her eyes narrowed when she caught my eyes, making me back away slightly.

"Ah, Hagrid," She introduced, "I see you've met our transfer student. Clementine, is it?"

"Yes ma'am," I answered quietly, thinking that I wouldn't like her very much.

"I hope your travels weren't too hard on you," She offered, making me nod, "Good, you'll get straight to your studies like the rest then."

     I looked to the ground silently, wondering who this woman was. After a moment, I heard her begin to speak in a loud voice, to all of the first years.

"Before you can get to dinner, you must be sorted into your houses," She started, "As the vice-head of this school, it is my duty to explain the houses. The four houses are named after the four greatest wizards of their time. Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godrick Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin. Once sorted into each house, that house will be your family for the remainder of your time here. Each year the house cup will be awarded to the house with the most points. Do something bad, points will be taken from your house. Do something good, your house will be rewarded with points. Now, let your stay at Hogwarts begin."

     My head snapped up when she revealed who she was. This woman was the Head masters vice? The one who knew my secrets? She sent me a knowing look, and for a moment I felt reassured, all previous notions of disliking becoming unsubstantial. The doors to the dining hall opened, revealing hundreds of students eating at four long tables. They quieted as we walked through. A pang of fear ran through me as Hagrid left my side, to the teacher's table.

     One by one the first years walked up to the sorting hat as their names were called. About half way through I realized that it was done alphabetically. And judging by the amount of people left and the realization that my 'last name' started with 'Q', I would most likely be last. I cursed under my breath, knowing that this was going to attract a lot of unwanted attention.

     Finally, as I thought, I walked up to the chair as the last person. I heard indistinct whispers floating around about me obviously not being a first year. I clenched my jaw, a wave of dread running over me as the sorting hat was placed on my head.

     I thought about my research of the houses. Each one sounding worse than the rest. The Gryffindors, who were courageous and would probably see me as a new adventure to conquer. The Ravenclaws, who were inquisitive and would be curious as to who I was. The Slytherins, who were cunning but mostly known for being quite devious, they'd find out who I was just to cause trouble for me. And worst of all, the Hufflepuffs, who would really mean well, but would want to get to know me better.

"Hmm," The hat hummed, making me jump, "Very interesting. Your head, it tells you dark things. But your heart, it is as tender as they come. Your brain wants to know more, and your body wants adventure. But your past, it-"

"Hush," I shushed quietly, "That is nobody's business but my own."

"I see," It chuckled, then pausing, "Hufflepuff!"

"What?" I whispered to myself in shock, looking around with wide eyes.

     One of the tables started clapping, signaling that I should go to them. I stiffly walked over, but my mind was somewhere else. The hat started talking about my past, it knew things about me that I didn't even know. Which meant, it could read my mind, which was a very dangerous thing. My main concern was whether it was going to tell anyone else. My second concern was how I was going to manage staying in a house with caring, loving pupils. It made me shudder.

     Couldn't there be a house where everyone was silent and kept away from each other? Now, that is a house I would be overjoyed to join in on. Though everyone was perfectly nice and welcoming, I sat as far away from them as I could. I quietly picked out my dinner, eating without looking at anyone else. I barely noticed the Headmaster, a long haired old man- do his speech. Thankfully, dinner didn't last long. Before I knew it, I was getting shuffled along to our common room with everyone else.

     When I got there, the prefect showed me my room first, then focusing on the first years. After finding my bed, I found a bathroom and changed, then quietly slipping into bed. It was still weird for me to try to go to sleep in a room full of other people. I would have somehow managed it , if not for a new voice popping into the room. My eyes shot open.

"Hey," A girl's voice introduced, making me silently groan, "Your name's Clementine, right? You're new here?"

     It took me a moment to realize that Clementine was indeed my name before I sat up, nodding silently. She was pretty, with long chestnut hair and hazel eyes. She smiled warm-heartedly, coming and sitting on my bed.

"I'm Elnora," She said with tenderness, "Welcome to the Hufflepuff house, I'm sure it's weird coming in the middle of the school years. But we're all excited to have someone new after knowing the same people, so you won't have to worry about making friends. I'm here if you need anything, okay?"

     I nodded in thanks, lying back down. I knew Hufflepuffs were supposed to nice, but she was too nice to be real. It had to be faked. I knew that she was probably just trying to be nice, but the thought of everyone trying to be my friend made me want to scream. How was I ever supposed to keep my secrets if people were trying to be close to me? It's not as if I didn't want to have friends, or that I didn't want to be close to people. But with my history, it was just an unachievable feat that I knew not to hope for. I had expected too much at my previous school, and I wasn't about to make the same mistake again.