A/N: "Owain" is pronounced like "Owen." The name is significant, but it'd be nearly impossible to find out why until you know more.
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Originally posted by H. S. 6
[...]Harry watched the black and white photograph of wizards and witches milling about, repairing the prison as he said the names quietly under his breath. “All Death Eaters,” he observed. “Except Dung.”
“How that bloke was ever on our side is beyond me,” commented Ron dryly.
“Yeah, and he nicked all of Sirius’s things. I hope they catch him,” said Harry, recalling last year when he had found Mundungus at the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade, smuggling Sirius’s belongings.
“They will. I mean, it wasn’t as though Mundungus was the brightest of the Order.” She added, “I wonder what he’s done this time.”
“Stolen something,” stated Harry bluntly.
With nothing much left to do with the day, the seventh years wandered lazily about the castle or the grounds. Around noon they were requested in the Great Hall and given their schedules. A rather laid-back atmosphere lingered about the students as they looked over their classes. Ron and Harry were pleased with theirs, though it hadn’t changed much since last year. Hermione, surprisingly, remained calm as she looked over hers.
“Double Ancient Runes on Monday… A couple free periods Tuesday and Thursday... Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts Monday, Wednesday, and Friday… Charms and Transfiguration Tuesday and Thursday. Overall, not bad,” she said complacently, placing the parchment down beside her lunch.
Ron’s jaw dropped. “Satisfied with your schedule? That’s a first.”
The first through sixth years weren’t expected to arrive until later that evening. Much of the time after lunch was spent by the lake, and for a while, on brooms with some fellow Gryffindors. The professors continued to make preparations for the arriving students, and by six o’clock, the Sorting Hat had been placed on its stool at the fore end of the Great Hall.
Nearly an hour later, the seventh years were gathered again in the Great Hall. Its doors had been opened, and the distinct sound of beating hooves reached the cavernous hall. Hagrid had informed Harry, Ron, and Hermione earlier in the day that first years were being transported by the Thestral-carriages, as this was deemed safer than the usual custom to sail across the lake.
Students filed in; again, each one was searched by Filch and several other staff members wielding Secrecy Sensors. Harry watched as terrified first years entered after their older peers, eyes wide as they made their way into the Entrance Hall and to the Great Hall. They gathered in a cluster at the front, where they stood before Professor McGonagall.
“Welcome to Hogwarts. As first-year students, before you will be allowed to take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into one of four Houses. The Sorting is an essential ceremony here at Hogwarts, as your House will act as a family to you during your stay. You will live among them, sleep in the House dormitory, and spend free time in common rooms. You are all aware, however, of the state of the magical world today. Because of this, I cannot stress to you the importance of unity between all who attend Hogwarts. Though you may be sorted and separated into different Houses, it is important to understand that we are all allies in the war against those who may seek to steal our freedom.”
The first years looked as though McGonagall’s words hadn’t been acknowledged by them in the least, but Harry could safely assume this was because of their nerves. He remembered his first experience at the castle, and how shaken he had been when he heard there was some sort of test to be taken no sooner than they walked through the doors.
“When I call your name, you will place the Sorting Hat on your head,” (she gestured to the worn old hat sitting quietly on its stool), “which will sort you into your House, and you will take a seat at the appropriate table. Any questions?”
The first years seemed visibly taken aback by McGonagall’s inquiry. Questions, at a time like this?
“Well, then… Let the Sorting begin.” From her robes she withdrew a scroll of parchment, unraveled the upper portion, and pronounced, “Aires, Rachel.”
A small, dark-haired girl approached the stool timidly, lifting the hat and placing it on her head, which consequently slid down past her eyes. The group of eleven year-olds seemed to hold their breath. Harry realized McGonagall had failed to mention the Sorting Hat could speak, for when it roared, “HUFFLEPUFF!” many jumped, and several terrified girls squealed shrilly.
When the slight outburst of laughter died down, McGonagall continued through the list.
“You know, the group isn’t as small as I expected,” whispered Ginny mid-way through the S’s. (She had rejoined Harry, Ron, and Hermione once she had entered the Hall.)
Ron shrugged. “Maybe parents aren’t as afraid as the Ministry makes them out to be.”
Harry nodded in agreement, though he was only paying Ron half a mind. Something else had caught his attention.
A small girl with shining blonde hair stood amid the dwindling crowd of first years. She looked sickly, as if she were perfectly ready to vomit on the spot.
“Owain, Cora,” barked Professor McGonagall.
The girl gulped, and stepped forward. Timidly, she hefted the Sorting Hat above her head, and placed it gently on her ears. The moment the material touched her head, the tear in the hat opened wide, like a large mouth, and roared, “RAVENCLAW!”
“Harry? Harry, what are you looking at?” asked a prodding voice somewhere across the table. The Ravenclaws had applauded politely for their new house member.
“Er… it was—well, that girl, there. She was at the Alley the day the Dementors attacked. There’s something… er—I dunno’—different about her,” he finished lamely.
Ginny smiled playfully, and joked, “Going after the young ones, are you?” Ron and Hermione laughed.
He would have explained himself further, but he could only whisper “Never mind,” before McGonagall declared the next name and the hall quieted.
The remainder of the Sorting was uneventful; hushed idle chat among the older students was interrupted solely by polite applause from the according table whenever a new student was added to a House.
Harry’s mind remained fixed on the girl. There was no attraction to her—nothing of that sort, but he couldn’t quite place the feeling he had gotten from her. He only knew there was something about her, something unique, and that was it. Cora Owain… the name meant nothing to him. What could it be about her?