The Unchosen House

Chapter 1

1 Zanna Dumbledore, practically perfect in every way, paced up and down the train station across the Black Lake, opposite the Hogwarts castle School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hagrid, the half giant, waited with her holding a lantern in his right hand, it dangled next to his leg. “You don’t have to attend again this year, it’s not yer obligation,” Hagrid said, watching her pace. “I know,” She said, stringing her waist length braid over her shoulder. “But I have to, it’s my obligation to the universe.” “What’s happening this year? The last time you broke yer rule it was for Tom Riddle,” Hagrid asked, checking the clock on the top of the ticket station down the platform a ways. “I can’t tell you, you know how you are with secrets Hagrid,” She replied. “Sure, but is it really that serious?” He swung the lantern absentmindedly. “Yes,” “You could just come back next year, just like the last time. What it this? Yer seventh time attending school?” “Yes and everytime I learn what can be improved upon,” “Right, right,” Zanna, my dear reader, is a very special woman, and to fully appreciate her charm you must first accept the fact that she does not like to be told what to do. Since she first attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she has returned every other seven years. Attending with the great Newt Scamander, Tom Riddle, James and Lily Potter, and Hagrid himself. The train came around the mountain, guardian of the great school, slowing steadily as it grew closer to the station. Zanna glanced back at the lake, with it boats rocking steadily on the dark water. The train stopped and she watched as students from the years before climbed off and greeted her, she smiled and greeted them back, finding Cedric Diggory in the crowd and shouting to him. He returned her call and she returned her gaze at Hagrid who was gathering the first years. “First year o’er here! First years!” He called and she responded to it, walking over. She glanced around at the new first years stopped as her gaze fell on a boy with a lightning scar. She raised an eyebrow for he looked like his father from the neck down, his face and eyes were his mothers. Although he looked like Lily in his face, his thoughts were his fathers and they made her gut burn. Fighting against her own bias she let out a steady breath and glanced around at the rest of her classmates. Ronald Weasly, she had gone to school with his parents too, and Draco’s, who she also saw. He reminded her strongly of his father, arrogant, but not unpleasant when in the right mood. She looked at his companions recognizing most of them from the features of their parents, some she hadn’t known and she knew they were Muggle born. “Into the boats!” Hagrid called, “Your bags will be put in your rooms, just leave them!” Zanna stepped forward to oversee the entrance of the boats, readying to push them off as she had done years past, “Zanna,” “Yes?” She turned to Hagrid. “Yer a student this year, you get in the boats too,” She pursed her lips, “Fine,” She climbed into a boat with Nevile Longbottom and Lee Jordan, who she greeted casually. The ride across the lake was casual, though she couldn’t help but scoff at the first years who OOed and AHed at the castle. Now dear reader, please don’t assume my darling was scoffing at the children for being impressed. Quite the opposite, she was scoffing because they had no idea what type of castle they were about to spend the next seven years of their lives in. As the boats docked, the carriages that carried the rest of the students finally started to pull away, meaning the rest of the students were already inside. Hagrid let everyone out then led them around the courtyard to a special door at the side of the castle where Head Minerva McGonagall stood waiting. Hagrid left them then and Minerva turned ushering them into a hallway and up to a staircase at the side of the Great Hall. “Trevor!” Zanna heard Neville cry as he brushed away from her and into the group of children near the top of the stairs. “Mister Longbottom,” Minerva said along with some other words but Zanna had stopped listening. It wasn’t until Minerva stepped away and walked through the doors at the top of the landing that she joined the rest of reality. “So it’s true,” She heard Draco say, slimy but endearing. She stepped forward, excusing herself as she slipped past the first years to get a clear shot at anyone if something went rye. “The great Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts,” “Bug off Draco,” Weasly said. “Red hair, hand me down robes, you must be a Weasly. I can show you what actual wizards are supposed to be,” Draco extended a hand to Harry. “I think I can figure it out for myself thanks,” He rejected the other boy. “Fine,” Draco snapped. “Is everything alright here?” Minerva returned. “If so, we can continue on,” She turned, leading them through the large wooden doors of the Great Hall. They walked along the front of the room and turned to walk up the middle aisle between the four house tables. Zanna took up the rear of the pack, watching to make sure everyone was where they should be, no one was being left behind. For my dear reader you should now, Zanna was one of those children left behind once, she has since forth made it clear that it should happen to no one else ever. “First years, welcome to Hogwarts, before dinner begins you must be sorted into your houses. Gryffindor, qualities of bravery, chivalry, and daring. Hufflepuff, qualities of hard work, patience, and loyalty. Ravenclaw, qualities of wit, creativity, and curiosity. And Slytherin, qualities of cunning, leadership, and resourcefulness.” Minerva motioned behind her to a stool and saggy looking hat. “The sorting hat will be placed on your head and will say aloud what house you will be joining,” She then unrolled her scroll of names. “Let’s begin. Aribella Brushberry,” Hufflepuff! Cheers from the Hufflepuff table. “Kaleb Brackleman,” Ravenclaw! More cheering, this time from the Ravenclaw table who welcomed their new brother warmly, but with no more commotion than was necessary. “Crystal Applebee,” Gryffindor! The hall erupted and Zanna wrinkled her nose. Having been in Gryffindor twice before, she had every right to be annoyed. It had been a nice house for the fourteen years she was there, but it was much too loud. She had been in every house twice, except for Slytherin, which she had been in three times. She always liked Slytherin, despite the bad reputation it had written, everyone there was always very loyal and caring towards each other. They had played house board games together and with the Hufflepuff house. They also had a game where you had to run through the halls at night, get to the Gryffindor’s common room door, the portrait of the fat lady and give her a compliment, then run back before Filch caught you. The names continued to be called but she was waiting for one in particular. “Harry Potter,” Minerva called. The room filled with whispers and Zanna watched. She knew where the hat would want to put him, she also knew where he didn’t want to go. They waited and waited, finally after a long stall the hat called out in a loud voice. Gryffindor! The Gryffindor table exploded and everyone at the table jumped up, greeting him excitedly as he sat down. As the final names were called Zanna made eye contact with Minerva, who gave her a nod. “Zanna,” Minerva said. Zanna let out a cleansing breath and stepped up the platform to the stool. She looked at her father, Headmaster of Hogwarts. He knew the reasons for her returning early and without hesitation, motioned her on. Minerva picked up the sorting hat and Zanna sat down, looking out upon the other students. The hat was placed on her head and she listened to it. Back so soon? “It’s been six years,” Has it? “I needed to be back early, for reasons,” She said to the hat mentally. So I understand, where does that mean I’ll be placing you this time? “If you must know I prefer Slytherin,” I know dear, that’s what you said the last time. “Please? I’m begging,” Darling at this point you choose your own house anyway, I don’t know why you’re begging. “I like your opinion, even if I don’t use it,” Mhm. The hat basically rolled it’s nonexistent eyes. Darling you fit into every category, that is why you’ve been in every house twice. It doesn’t matter to me anymore where you go. “Slytherin,” You know you enjoy everyone’s company. “Yes but-” I know what I’ll do. Exceptionary! The hat called. “What?” “What does that mean?” Zanna turned back to her father. “I don’t know what he’s done,” “It’s alright,” Her father said calmly, although she could barely hear him. “Quiet down everyone, quiet down!” Minerva called. She turned to Zanna, “What happened?” “I’m not sure, he didn’t want to put me back in Slytherin,” “He has to say it,” Minerva said, “He has to call your house,” “He won’t, he’s tired of me attending school,” Zanna said tiredly. “Attention all!” Called Dumbledore and the room went quiet. “This has never happened before, but it is not unheard of,” A lie, of course. “When a witch or wizard has more than one overwhelming trait of more than one house, the hat will stall. When this happens, if it cannot choose it makes that witch or wizard an exceptionary exception. I shall let Miss choose her own house,” “Gryffindor!” Someone called. “No, Hufflepuff!” “We don’t even know what her overwhelming qualities are,” Called a Ravenclaw, “She needs to make sure she’s in a house that will accentuate them.” “Shut up! Choose Gryffindor!” Zanna licked her lips, glancing at the different tables. Her mind was momentarily changed, before she glanced back to Snape who raised an eyebrow at her. She glanced at the new professor Quirrell, who she found hard to look at, but ultimately gave her an uneasy feeling in her hands. “You know what you need to choose,” Snape said in a deep, monotone voice. “But what do you want, Zanna?” She swallowed, “I can’t have what I want, we both know this,” He narrowed his eyes, “If running was that easy Zanna you would have done it, but you haven’t-” “Because I have a duty,” “Because you have a duty,” They finished together as she turned to face the room. “I choose Slytherin,” She said in a loud clear voice. The Gryffindor table booed, the Slytherin’s cheered, along with the Hufflepuffs and most of the older Ravenclaws. She walked over to the Slytherin table, eyes burrowing into the space between her shoulder blades, she turned, eyeing Quirrell again before sitting down. The Prefect boy handed her the first year cap, which she had a large handful of. She accepted it, but kept it in her lap as Dumbledore rose to make his speech of the new school year, introducing the teachers and professors and warning about various dangers in and out of the castle. “Hey,” Hissed a voice and it was shushed, but she turned when something brushed her hand. She glanced down to find a folded piece of paper resting on the edge of her plate. She glanced to her right but she couldn’t pinpoint who had given it to her, they were all looking at Dumbledore. She took the paper, turning to face the front as she read it. What makes you so special that you got to choose your own house? She sighed inwardly, knowing she would have to answer this question more than once that night. “I don’t know,” She cast a returning spell onto the paper and it flew over her shoulder to whoever had given it, behind her. Dumbledore finished speaking and the tables filled with platters of food. There was a collective gasp, then the sound of plate clattering and silverware clanking against each other, serving bowls being clunked and first years excitedly gawking at the automatic filling goblets. The paper was back on her plate as she reached for a piece of meat pie. She sat back and opened it, dropping the pie server. That’s not a very good answer. “I’m not sure what else you want from me then.” She sent the paper back, finally getting her meat pie. The paper didn’t return again that dinner and she felt slightly relieved and slightly unnerved. “Okay Slytherin!” Called the Prefect boy, “Let’s go!” “Back to the dungeon with you!” Called a first year Gryffindor. Zanna twisted her fingers inside the sleeve of her robe and the boy’s shoelaces tied themselves together, making him trip. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Zanna,” Said Dumbledore, “May I speak to you?” “Of course,” She said, stepping away from the group and walking up the stairs of the platform to face her father. “I’ll send her down later Mister Crosborrow,” Dumbledore said to the Prefect who nodded. Crosborrow walked out a side door of the Great Hall and the Slytherins followed. “You understand the controversy you caused?” Albus asked his daughter. “It wasn’t my fault!” She said, “He was annoyed that I had come back, I told him where I wanted to be,” “So he broke protocol?” Albus asked. “Bloody- I’ve broke protocol. I’m not supposed to be here but I am,” She shifted from her child form into her adult form, hair turning from plain black to an ombre of silver and black. “Father nothing about this is ethical,” “Nothing is ever ethical when it comes to you,” He sighed. “I’m sorry my job for Merlin is more important than the integrity of a hat and building-” “It’s not about the school, it all depends on if he comes back. If he does Zaranda I can’t protect you anymore,” “Father I’ve been staying at the castle, I don’t even own my own home because of your protection. I went to America with Newt and almost died, then came back to Europe and almost died again. Danger follows me father and there isn’t anything we can do to change that. Until Voldemort is brought down I have my mission and I am in danger,” “Then take him down faster,” “I’ve been trying! You won’t ever let me leave the castle long enough to find anything substantial about his return!” “I can’t have you hurt!” “I’m a grown woman! I shouldn’t have to ask your permission to leave the building! But I do, because I love and respect you. I wish you would just trust me,” “It’s not you I don’t trust,” She sighed. “I don’t know how long it will take me to find Voldemort now, since Harry’s actually here Tom may come to us.” “And when he does,” “I’ll end it. Like I should have a long time ago,” “Alright,” “Alright,” Zanna said, kissing her father on the cheek. “I have to get back, we’re doing ice breakers tonight,” “Be safe,” Albus said, squeezing his daughter's hand. “Always,”