Raindrops slide down the glass on one of the many windows of the Hogwarts Express. Some slip down quickly; some fall slowly. The gray bleak atmosphere outside the scarlet engine matches my current mood perfectly.

I scold myself mentally for believing that they would have shown any feelings for me today at the Platform. They hadn't in three years! What had I honestlly expected? Tearful goodbyes and hugging?

No, my parents weren't cold-hearted people. They had shown that they loved me once upon a time. Before the Sorting, that is.

I still remembered that fateful night. I hadn't been waiting very long when Headmaster Longbottom called "Celesta Grey!"

I had been more excited than nervous that night, eager to find out where I would belong. I had raced up to the stool, sat down, and placed the Hat upon my own head. Darkness replaced the whispering students' faces and I heard the Sorting Hat speak.

"Ah, another Grey! Yes, all Slytherins they were. Excellent choices for them, yes. But what about you? Hmm, the intelligence may place you in Ravenclaw; but you are cunning like a Slytherin. Courage is there deep inside you; that points to Gryffindor. But then I sense great loyalty as well, which would place you in Hufflepuff. Dear me, you are a difficult witch!"

I thought over what the Hat was telling me and realized that if I was in Slytherin, I would be carrying on the family tradition. I was about to tell the Hat this when a thought struck me.

What if I didn't want to carry on the tradition?

The Sorting Hat mused "No Slytherin then? Well, well; very different from your parents and their parents indeed. In that case, I have narrowed your House down to two; Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."

After thinking these over, I thought to myself "Well, I don't know. They both don't sound right for me either. This is so bloody hard!"

At that moment, the Sorting Hat yelled to the people in the Great Hall "You had better be in...HUFFLEPUFF!"

I sat there for a moment, shocked, as Headmaster Longbottom removed the Hat from my head. I hadn't found out until later that it had taken the Sorting Hat a good ten minutes to Sort me. I was what the students called a Hatstall.

I didn't know this then, however, so I walked to the small group of students wearing yellow and black robes as they cheered. The other students stared and whispered about me.

"The first Grey I know of that wasn't in Slytherin!" one hissed from the Gryffindor table.

"Wonder why it took so long to Sort her?" said another in Ravenclaw.

My parents hadn't taken the news very well when I had written to them and explained what House I was placed in. They had wriiten back four days later saying that they were very surprised and still wished I was a Slytherin and that perhaps I could go and ask the Headmaster to Re-Sort me please?

Can you believe the nerve?

Ever since then, my parents had grown distant from me. They went from polite smiles and whispers among them both to sneers and rarely spoken words to me. I had learned to deal with this over the past three years but there was a small part of my heart that longed for the old days where I knew I was loved and appreciated, not told that I was a "disgrace to the Greys".

Actually, it was my despicable twin cousins Sari and Vale Black that told me I was a disgrace. They were in the same year as me and had gotten Sorted into Slytherin. They were angry that I had changed tradition and called me a blood traitor constantly.

At Platform-Nine-and-Three-Quarters, my lovely parents had just said "See you next summer Celesta." and walked back through the barrier before I could even say "Love you!"

"Cell? Did you fall asleep, mate? Don't make me use a hex on you."

I blinked and was sent back to the present. I looked away from the window of the train and saw that my two mates, Matthias Malfoy and April Davison, were staring at me with concerned expressions.

I glared at Matt, who had spoken. "Don't you dare use a hex on me, Malfoy. I am not in the mood."

Matt pretended to look offended. He said "Grey, don't be grouchy with me. I was joking. You know I would never do that."

April rolled her eyes at us when I slapped his arm playfully, but it was obvious that I was fighting a grin back. "Honestly, you'd think two fourth years would act their age, not act like first years."

"Aw, don't be a killjoy, April!" I said, now smiling.

"Besides, we are mature. Aren't we, Celesta? OW!" He rubbed his shin, which was where I had kicked him after he had said my name. I hate the name Celesta and he knows it.

So, I grinned innocently and answered "Oh, yes, we are indeed, Matthias!" I hopped over to sit by April when he made to slap me. April rolled her eyes yet again, but I caught her smiling a little.

April is the most mature of the three of us, if you want my honest opinion. Maybe it's because of the fact that she is a Muggleborn. That is probably why she is in Ravenclaw and we aren't. Are Ravenclaws more mature than Slytherins and Hufflepuffs? Maybe so.

Matt was indeed in Slytherin. He was the perfect image of a Malfoy; platinum blond hair, steel gray eyes, the signature smirk, the green and silver robes. But you should never judge a book by a cover. Matt hated his House actually. He constantly complained about it and always joked that he was going to steal my robes one day and pretend to be a Hufflepuff for twenty-four hours. I often wondered if he was being serious, though.

He didn't get along with his parents well; they wanted him to be the perfect Malfoy descendant and he completely disagreed. They wanted him to be the star Seeker of the Slytherin House Team; he ended up being a regular Chaser on the team. They wanted him to be someone the other students feared; he made certain that he was only feared by those he hated. Matt wanted to be someone everyone looked up to and admired. He hated the very thought of being better than all the other students.

As much as he hated Slytherin, he was, in an odd way, very loyal to it. He would defend small first years from teasing about their House and when April and I asked him about it, he simply said that he hated bullies.(which was true)

April chewed the end of her red braid as she turned to me. "So, Cell, how was your summer?"

I tried not to flinch under her gaze and thought of something honest to tell her. See, Matt and April knew exactly what my parents treated me like and they always asked this question each year. But I couldn't tell them about my punishment this year. At our annual family reunion in August, Vale and Sari Black had been taunting me about my choice of friends and my House. After Vale made a remark about how stupid any Grey would have to be to befriend a "Mudblood", I lost my cool and dumped the pumpkin juice bowl over his head after hexing Sari. My punishment was two weeks locked in my room with just soup to eat. I hated soup after those awful weeks.

No, I couldn't tell them about that.

Instead, I said "You know the routine; the ignoring, the arguments, the bloody family get-together..."

"You didn't do anything barmy did you, Cell?" April looked concerned. She knew something was up.

Matt snorted before I could think of a reply. "Cell going barmy over her family? Never!"

I whacked his arm and rolled my eyes. "You haven't met them. They're despicable, mental, insufferable idiots!"

"They are also your family." pointed out April. She seemed to think that by recalling this, I would forgive them and we'd all make up and happily ever after. April was a bit naive, no offense on her behalf.

I sighed and was about to tell her what I had done when the door to the compartment flew open. I glanced up and cursed a bit too loudly.

My bloody cousins Vale and Sari We-are-so-better-than-you-blood-traitor Black stood in the doorway, smirking at my reaction. They looked, as always, impeccably clean and handsome. I swear they both could have been Muggle fashion models with their olive zit-free skin, smooth black hair, and hard-as-a-rock brown eyes. Sari tossed her long black hair over her shoulder and looked me up and down with a disgusted expression.

Vale chuckled when April gave me a horrified look (most likely because of my words) and he said "Celesta, you had better watch your language. We don't want the Mudblood to catch on, do we?"

Matt stood up, ignoring April's protest, his eyes cold. You never want to get on the bad side of Matthias Malfoy. It may be the last thing you ever do.

"Take back that filthy word, Black." snarled Matt. "Or else I will hang you from the Astronomy Tower wearing just your underwear when we arrive."

My cousin sneered but looked a bit uneasy. Last year, Matt had hexed Vale so badly that he had been in the Hospital Wing for fifteen days. And that was just for calling April a "stupid, know-it-all Mudblood".

"I'd leave if I were you, dear cousin." I stood up, drawing my hornbeam and unicorn wand. "Unless you would fancy to be the tester of a Bat Bogey Hex?"

Sari spat at me and led Vale away, slamming the door to our compartment with a BANG.

I sat down, breathing hard. My life really was awful.
Matt sat down slowly and none of us spoke for a while. April finally glanced outside and said "Hogwarts is comig closer. We'd better change into our robes."

Matt grabbed his silver and green robes before exiting the compartment. April and I changed silently and when Matt returned at last, the train pulled into the station at Hogsmeade. We all hopped off the train and were surprised; it was pouring rain.

Matt swore and earned a dirty look from April. "Where are the carriages when you need 'em?!" I rolled my eyes and pushed my hair out of my eyes. "I see some black shapes over there. I believe those are the carriages."

I grabbed their hands and led them over to what were indeed the black horseless carriages. We jumped inside the nearest one and shut the door, panting and dripping water onto the floor. I wrung out my hair and felt the carriage begin to move.

"Well, that was wet." Matt said, wringing out his robes.

"No, really?" April said sarcastically.

I frowned. "Apes, are you alright? You're never sarcastic."

I had meant that as a joke but she took it literally. She said with a sigh "Actually, I'm not alright." As we opened our mouths to ask her what was wrong, she cut us off. "Every bloody year, it's the same old routine. The bullying, the detentions, the hexing, the visits to the Hospital Wing. Matt, Cell; I know you both are just trying to protect each other and me but...I'm sick of this! Can you both just promise me not to get in detention or a fight this year? Just this year?"

Matt and I exchanged nervous glances. That was a huge promise, especially since Matt and I were famous for our hexes that were most commonly used on the Blacks. This was going to be a trying year if we made that promise. But then again, this was April, our mate. And the look in her sapphire blue eyes was tearing away at my heart.

"Apes, I promise to try." Matt said quietly. She beamed
and looked at me expectantly.

I sighed and made up my mind. "I promise."

This was going to one tough year.

Typical.

We walked into Hogwarts the moment the horseless carriage stopped in front of the school. I was mentally cursing myself for making such a huge promise. How in the name of Merlin was I supposed to not get into a fight or detention for a whole year?

April sighed once we emerged in the Great Hall. It was time to bid goodbyes. She hugged us both before heading to the Ravenclaw table.

Matt turned to me and I didn't like the look of nervousness in his eyes. "You'll be alright, Cell?" He asked.

I knew immediately what he was talking about and nodded slowly. "Relax, Matt. We can do this. Just one year. For Apes."

He nodded and told me goodbye before heading towards the Slytherin table reluctantly. For a second, I wanted to call him back and make him sit with me at my table. I didn't want to be all alone again for the fourth year in a row. Why couldn't he have been a Hufflepuff? Why had that stupid Sorting Hat placed him with my horrid cousins?

I sat down at the Hufflepuff table, miserable, while two second year girls named Charlotte Josephs and Narcissa Willis chatted gaily on my left. I knew everyone in Hufflepuff, seeing as we had the least amount of people. Whereas we had thirty so students, Gryffindor had one hundred and sixty. Slytherin was closer to our total with only eighty people. Ravenclaw was right up by Gryffindor though, with one hundred and twenty. No one wanted Hufflepuff or Slytherin, not even if their sibling was in that House or if the Sorting Hat insisted they belonged there. The Sorting Hat gave in to the person's desire usually and placed only a select few in Hufflepuff.

A boy with shaggy black hair and sapphire blue eyes nudged me. I frowned, trying to remember who he was. Was he a second year? He looked a bit tall...

"Are you Celesta Grey?" He asked me, sounding curious. I hesitated before nodding slowly at him. He smiled a little and said "I've heard about your little fights with the Black twins for a while but I don't believe we've ever met. I'm Jason Sullivan, third year Hufflepuff."

I studied him for a second, and suddenly I remembered him. Yes, he was one of the four people in Hufflepuff that year. The Sorting Hat had instantly placed him here and I had thought that a little odd. He had two brothers here at Hogwarts, one a seventh year Gryffindor and the other a fifth year Gryffindor.

"Er, no offense, Jason, but why would you suddenly choose to talk to me now?" I asked, puzzled by this strange exchange.

"Well, I've been pushed around by Vale Black for a while now and I was sort of hoping since you were his cousin and you are like, the expert at pranking the twins, you could maybe-" I cut him off, realizing now where this was headed. "Uh, no thanks. See, I made a promise to my friend that I wouldn't get into a detention or a fight and I intend to keep that promise for this year." I explained.

Jason grinned. "You never promised anything about pranking people, Celesta."

I would have smiled as well if he hadn't called me by my full name. "First of all, I hate the name Celesta. It makes me want to vomit so call me Cell. Secondly, how in the name of Merlin am I going to think of a prank to do?" I grinned devilishly and Jason laughed. "You're really going to do it?" He asked, eager to see me in action obviously.

I snorted. "Not bloody likely! You are the one who wanted to do it, if I am correct. So you shall do it, Jason." He looked a little nervous for a second but then said "Okay, fine. How am I going to do it?"

Before I could respond, Headmaster Longbottom stood up and said "Quiet please." Everyone went silent in the Great Hall and the professor continued "Welcome back to Hogwarts, my students. It is strange for me to call you all this when so long ago, I was once sitting at a table in this room, a student like you. But my memories aren't what brings me to quiet your conversations tonight. We will now welcome our first years, who shall be Sorted."

Suddenly, the doors to the Great Hall opened and we all turned to see a large group of at least two hundred students walking into the Hall, led by Professor Zabini. I saw more than a couple students look as if they were about to break down in tears from all the attention and some kids were staring at the ground, their ears bright red. I felt a twinge of sympathy for these new students. They were terrified of how we were gazing at them like curious toddlers. I looked away until the group was at the front of the Great Hall.

Professor Zabini sat down at his spot next to Professor Nott and our Headmaster walked to the stool where the Sorting Hat sat, unmoving. Our Headmaster enjoyed placing the Hat on the first years; he had once told us in my first year that it reminded him of his Sorting.

"When I call your name, please, sit on this stool so I can place the Hat upon your head." He read the first name on the list he carried. "Applegate, Sabrina!"

A tall girl with long curly blond hair stepped up to the stool and sat down. The Headmaster placed the Hat upon her head and I held my breath, as did all the other older Hufflepuffs. I knew we were all praying for another Hufflepuff. We needed more students.

"Ravenclaw!" cried the Hat a moment later. I groaned and clapped half-heartedly for the girl.

This torturous ceremony ensued with many Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, as usual. Slytherin had two boys join them but Hufflepuff received none so far. I was not in a good mood when we got to Roberts, Harold. (who became a Gryffindor)

"Sullivan, Victoriana!" I almost snorted at the ridiculous name when I realized her last name. I turned to Jason, who looked nervous. I hissed "How many siblings do you have?"

"Three. Toria is the youngest and Brent is the oldest. Isaac is the middle child along with me." Jason answered, looking at me funny as his sister, a small girl with her long black hair tied back, sat down on the stool.

I watched Jason's sister look scared and nervous as the Hat spoke to her inside her head. I wondered if she would be a Hatstall like me or if she'd be Sorted into Gryffindor soon.

Victoriana frowned and murmured something I couldn't make out. She looked puzzled, as if the Hat was sating something she didn't understand. The Hat suddenly said out loud "I know where to put you now... Better be a... SLYTHERIN!"

Jason looked horrified and I couldn't blame him. I knew how he felt.

The Slytherins cheered and Victoriana just looked delighted that the Sorting was over for her so she sat down at her new House Table. I glared at Vale and Sari when I saw them clap the girl on the back. Matt gave me a baffled look and mouthed "Are you okay?"

"Fine." I mouthed back in reply. I turned away from the celebration, feeling angry. I had wished for a split-second that the Sorting Hat would call out Hufflepuff for once and had gotten my hopes up for nothing.

"I-I don't understand." whispered Jason, still in shock. "Toria isn't a bad person."

"Hey! One of my best mated is in Slytherin." I snapped. He muttered "Sorry... I just don't get it." "None of us do, Jason." I replied. "The Hat is random sometimes, I guess."

We were almost to the end of the Sorting, with only three people to go, when a miracle occurred. Madison Williamson, a scrawny brown-haired girl, was sitting on the stool for two full minutes before the Hat yelled "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Instantly, we all cheered louder than anyone else and most of the students hugged Madison when she sat down. We were ecstatic and so pleased. I had thought we were doomed this year.

And then, the last two kids, Cora Yansley and Patrick Zimmermann were Sorted into Hufflepuff too. Everyone in Hufflepuff was whooping and cheering and I believe George Sanderson, a sixth year boy, was sobbing with happiness. We were practically smothering the poor three kids but none of us cared. We weren't going to have no first years this year!

Finally, we settled down at last and I was grinning from ear-to-ear. Headmaster Longbottom cleared his throat and said "Well, I take it you all are excited for this year. We have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that I would like to introduce you to. Professor, would you mind standing up please?"

And just like that, all the happiness and relief left my mind. I was horrified at who I saw. I noticed Vale and Sari smirking at me out of the corner of my eyes. Matt looked shocked and April just frowned.

The new DADA professor had dark hair and hazel eyes that were searching the tables for familiar faces. I wanted to hex someone when his eyes focused on yours truly. People began whispering and I tried to ignore this unsuccessfully.

"That's HER relative!"

"Ooh, she looks scared now."

"I've heard he's not very nice. I wonder what he teaches like-?"

Headmaster Longbottom cleared his throat, looking right at me, his eyes clearly saying "I'm sorry." "As I was saying, this is your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. This is Professor Regulus Black!"

Could my life be any worse?!