The others were lucky. It was something that was obvious to Pandora as she heard the news from her mother. She hadn’t been all that happy to hear the news, although she knew she had it coming. Part of her had still hoped to go to Egypt for her education but no such luck. She’d been kicked off to Hogwarts, home of her brother. She’d seen in the eyes of her mother the instant the word ‘Hogwarts’ was slipped into the conversation. She was a disappointment and they hoped that Hogwarts would allow her to become less of a capital P Problem and more of a regular girl that would thrive well. No such luck was about the only thing on Pandora’s mind. She didn’t aim to be a problem but she didn’t want to be like everybody else. She wanted to make a difference, to mean something. Going to Hogwarts wouldn’t get that done for her with her brother stalking the halls. It wasn’t exactly the fact she was going to the same school as her brother after being expelled from Beauxbatons. It was being sorted later on, sorted after the rest of them. Put into a group by which she’d be judged. Stuffed in a box. Starting a new school and not fitting in anywhere despite having that annoying box. The tragically ridiculous experience of riding a wobbly boat across the lake might be spared on her for being a transfer but well, Pandora didn’t really like the full idea either way. Boats were not her best friends. She was grumpy without a doubt as she packed her bags, wearing her perfectly charming Beauxbatons uniform as her parents put her on the train to the school. If she was going to stand out anyway, she’d make sure to do it well.
The ride was long and would have been rather lonely if Pandora didn’t have the wits to occupy her own time. Several hours in an empty train was bound to get boring to most. She knew she was expected to change her school uniforms. From Beauxbatons to Hogwarts. However, Pandora didn’t feel like it. Hogwarts was not her home just yet. Not before she’d been properly boxed and labelled. She did set her hair free from the horrible hairdo she’d been wearing to please the teachers at Beauxbatons. It was long and had always attracted a lot of attention with her pale skin to contrast along with her blue eyes. Pandora had never liked how much it got in the way though. Not to mention her hair tended to get knots in it extremely fast. It was a burden to her more than something she enjoyed. She’d grabbed a pair of scissors on the train and cut it short, just above her shoulders. It took most of the train ride to get it in a way she liked it. She didn’t exactly want it to look too homemade and that was a bit of a problem. She could always get it fixed later though. In the end the transformation was easy to be seen. Pandora was a different person.
Getting expelled on its own hadn’t been the worst thing. The worst part was probably the disappointment from her father and the fact the other girl had gotten away without any punishment at all. She’d been taunting the young half-egyptian girl ever since they’d both started school. Pandora had expressed her surprise that she’d managed to keep her temper under control for two and a half year before she’d finally lost it to her parents. They didn’t care and had basically offered to sign her up for anger management classes. With a nice little fight she and Anastasia had both ended up in the hospital wing after yet another series of jests that Pandora had grown sick of. The other girl was spoiled and had an influential family but that was about the only thing she had going for her. By the end of their fight Pandora knew she’d get away with a couple of bruises without any healing because the other girl fought like a girl and wasn’t quite that lucky. With a couple of broken ribs on her, Anastasia was sure to have a thing worth remembering in her personal history. It made Pandora grin in delight as she looked out the window. When she concentrated on her surroundings a little, she could already see the castle in the distance.
She was a little surprised perhaps, although that was mostly because of her brother. He’d tried so hard to tell her about Hogwarts as if it was impressive that Pandora had almost expected the exact opposite. In the end it wasn't too bad. The castle was by far not as fancy and over the top as Beauxbatons but it was beautiful either way. It had a more relaxed look about it, less large and pretentious. It already looked like a far better place to hang around for a rebel like Pandora. She found a huge grin spreading over her face as she put the ridiculous hat that belonged with her previous school uniform on her head again and waited for her arrival. Waiting was starting to make her a little impatient and she had half a mind to grab a broomstick and try to fly in just for the sake of putting on a show. People were going to talk about her no matter what so she wanted to at least give them something to talk about. She opted out in the end though, remembering the disappointed look on the face of her father when they’d been told Pandora was no longer welcome at the French wizarding school. He was one of the few people who Pandora would actually listen to, who she fully respected. Her mother actually didn’t have such luck.
A good ten minutes of boredom later she arrived at the station, swinging a small duffel over her shoulder. There were a few things in there she didn’t want delivered to where ever she’d end up sleeping. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust people to carry her stuff. It was that those particular things made her calm and brought her comfort. She knew the stories from her Hufflepuff brother and although they all sounded very nice, she was in no single way tempted to end up in the same house as him. She loved her brother dearly but things between them could get explosive on the best days, which was the main reason their parents had sent both of them to different schools. She didn’t want to tempt faith and get into a destructive fight with him on the first day. By now Pandora was convinced that Midas had gotten the better deal in getting Hogwarts if she looked at the castle. He would have blended in a lot better at Beauxbatons than her, regardless of which school was actually better. For her, she hoped it to be Hogwarts. For him it probably wouldn’t have made much of a difference. He’d always been better behaved, although not quite perfect either.
As she got out of the train, she found herself facing some teacher guy. He was probably the unlucky one to get her to the castle and made sure she ended up where she was supposed to be. Not exactly the best way to spend an afternoon. She didn’t exactly care but raised an eyebrow at him. “So are we taking the little wobbly boats on the chariots? I’d love to save myself the embarrassment of the boats though. Plus, I can always claim I’ll get sea sick and see if you’d be so cruel to make me go then.” She said as she headed the direction she guessed the chariots to be. She wasn’t instantly followed but made it obvious she was not stepping in any boat that day. The teacher simply rolled his eyes at her stubborn nature and obviously decided to cut her some slack as he lead her forward. “Miss Nefertari, I do hope you realise that Hogwarts is being extremely generous in giving you a second chance. Please don’t waste it.” He cautioned her, a little worried at her already rebellious attitude but Pandora sighed in dismay. She wasn’t exactly expelled for doing dark arts or anything. “I don’t do illegal magic. The violence I displayed wouldn’t even be frowned upon on the average quidditch field. The girl was a silly and fragile little cry baby but with a rich set of parents. That’s all there is to it.” Pandora complained with a slightly grumpy undertone in her voice. The teacher seemed to feel sympathy for that particular problem, although he didn’t say it out loud to Pandora. His tone was a little more relaxed when he spoke again.
“Regardless of who and what was going on there, you’d be wise to let that lie for your time at Hogwarts.”
“I have no intentions of randomly brawling. Plus, I’m a good student when it comes to courses I actually care about.” Pandora muttered. The teacher merely shrugged. Although they did have a decent conversation in the chariots in which Pandora was allowed to ask any questions she might have about Hogwarts (which instantly became questions that would help her future mischief) and although she got the answers, she didn’t get the details she wanted from them. The teacher seemed to realise her intentions and countered her strikes as effectively as possible. It was a fun game to play to pass the time and before Pandora fully realised where the time had gone, she was being led inside the castle to be sorted. “I simply refuse to be the only person sorted when there is an audience, you know? You can put that ridiculous hat on me some place private because otherwise I’ll be kicking and screaming. It’s bad enough to be the new girl, I don’t want the lovely public embarrassment to go with it.” Pandora warned. The man had simply rolled his eyes with a slight smile and delivered her at the headmistress office.
In the short walk there, Pandora gave her eyes plenty of time to look around and study the castle as well as the few people she encountered. Her walk was full of pride and the silky blue Beauxbatons uniform certainly made her stand out, even if her new hairdo didn’t suit it at all. She could feel people staring but kept her own eyes on her features in the castle. She adored the creaky suits of armour placed around the castle and was sorely tempted to see if she could find anything if she looked inside them. Lighting some good pieces of firework inside them would give quite a show and bring some life into those fancy suits that only stood there gathering dust. Then again, the dust would probably be removed later by a care taker, although they weren’t half as polished as her previous school would have demanded.
The moving staircases were also quite a joy to Pandora, who instantly tried to figure out a way to use those to her advantage. She guessed their moving at random probably had some disadvantages. The vanishing steps were without a doubt her personal favourite and she was already thinking of who to trap in them and how to get it done. Nasty little first years would not have so much luck with Pandora roaming around the school. She wasn’t much of a prankster but she could certainly go for a few relatively harmless pranks. The school and it’s secrets certainly gave plenty of opportunities for it.
When Pandora was finally let into the headmistress’ office she looked around a little surprised at all the old people hanging on the walls. There were hardly any of a decent age and the old lady looked more than old enough to join the bunch. Still Pandora felt that her stern gaze was not one to be messed with and she grew to have an instant respect for the woman. Something that was rather uncommon in the brash youth. Pandora silently waited for the headmistress to speak.
“Sit.” The lady said and Pandora obeyed instantly. “My name is McGonagall. I’m the headmistress of this school. As you already understood we’re giving you a second chance at Hogwarts. I noticed you have not yet changed into your uniform and I want to warn you in advance. We’ll be keeping a close eye on you with your current record. Be careful not to cross the line. We don’t want any incidents here.”
“I understand Miss. I don’t want to be expelled again so I’ll behave.” Pandora said, trying to sound convincing. She found it rather hard when under that stern gaze though. It made her nervous.
“Very well then.” McGonagall said and she grabbed the stuffy old hat of one of the shelves and smiled ever so slightly. “Time to see which house will be your home.” She said.
This particular part had been one that made Pandora rather nervous. She took a deep breath as the hat was put on her head. Not it didn’t quite fall over her head as bad as it did with most first years but Pandora found it was just enough to not be able to look the stern Professor in the eyes. That was actually quite good because Pandora felt like she was dying a little underneath that gaze. She waited patiently.
“Well, well, well…” A voice said in her head. Pandora instantly pulled a face and mentally thought of whacking the hat, which it didn’t seem to like. “No need to get aggressive. I’m just here to see where to put you.” It said and Pandora felt like her head was starting to itch. Probably the idea of anything looking around her brain. ‘So Hattie..’ She thought to the hat. ‘Where are you going to throw me?’ She mentally asked the hat.
“Hmmm…” It muttered in her head. “I see plenty of bravery. However, the ambitions, although not quite the usual ones, are certainly there. You have the ability to be cunning if you wish. These traits would usually put you in one house, but on the other hand you are brave enough and I also see a chivalrous side to you…” Hattie muttered and Pandora let out a mental scoff. Although she knew he was right when it came to doing what she felt was needed to protect what she cared about and doing the right thing and all that, she didn’t exactly feel that was who she was. Just a detail on the bigger picture. ‘Can you not put me in Gryffindor? I don’t think I’d do well in the house of…’ She paused for a moment vaguely remembering something about the hat having belonged to Gryffindor once. The hat chuckled though. “Fair enough. If you’re absolutely certain it’ll be…”
“SLYTHERIN!” The hat called out aloud and Pandora was almost certain she saw a flash of relief cross over the stern facial features of the woman. The little trouble maker probably had her place then. Pandora smiled and was led out, where the teacher waited. He then lead her toward the Slytherin dorms.
The next challenge waited for her in there, that much was certain. She smiled slightly as she made her way into the common room. The place was rather cold and stately and not really cozy. From what she’d heard about Hufflepuff that was extremely cozy. Well, she had made her choice, in a way. She still felt a little disappointed that it didn’t instantly feel like a place to call home though. Still, with the other option being Gryffindor she was happy with her choice. That brave side of her was shoved aside and pushed into a corner. She’d almost been in the house of idiots and fools but she managed to save herself. Those with so much bravery in their skulls didn’t usually have much space eft for common sense. Yes, they were brave and courageous but to a fault if you asked Pandora. Self-preservation was far more useful in saving the world in most situations. Dead people couldn’t save anybody. There were not enough heroes to keep replacing them because they kept on dying on the world. Still Pandora had the uneasy feeling she might one day be one of those idiots that saved somebody else at great personal risk. The sorting hat had hinted it was possible for her to do that. She did not like it one bit. It made her nervous, uneasy and brought that sense of rebellion back stronger. She didn’t want to be the type to die young. She wanted her own little happily ever after. Build herself a legacy of sorts in a way.
As she entered the girl dorms she was faced with her new house mates. They all looked to be judging her already, but Pandora didn’t really care much about that. One of the two girls currently present was a pretty blonde that looked to be the typical rich kid material that wasn’t about to give Pandora a break. Well, she could fight back if she pleased, she had proved that. The other was a more innocent looking brunette that seemed more friendly but that Pandora distrusted a little more. It was always the silent ones that were most sneaky, especially with the reputation of this house. She looked at them for a moment before targeting a bed she liked. She figured it would be hers. She dumped her stuff on it and then looked at the other girls again, raising an eyebrow at them as she realised they’d been staring at her. “Staring is rude. If you want my fist in your face you should keep going like that.” She said harshly, putting on a slight menace that was probably reduced a great deal by the anything but ferocious Beauxbatons uniform she was still wearing. She wasn’t feeling too comfortable and the staring didn’t help and made her a little aggressive. Just a little though. The brunette quickly looked away, while the blonde calmly went back to her book without any worries. It didn’t seem she took the threat seriously. Quite the difference and one that could turn out bad for blondie. Pandora remembered this just in case she’d need the information in the future. It couldn’t hurt to remember at least.
She fell down backwards on the bed and didn’t crawl under the sheets. She really wanted to take a nap, feeling rather exhausted after everything she’d been through that day. There was still a fair amount of light though so she simply placed the stupid silky blue hat on top of her face and pretended to sleep. She could feel their eyes on her though, staring again. Curious of otherwise she didn’t know. She gave an annoyed gesture at them. “Eyes away. It’s hard enough to fit in without being treated like a freak by my house mates.” She said casually, as if she had any authority at all. The calm reading pretty little blonde made an annoyed noise and soon enough her retreating footsteps could be heard on the staircase. She obviously wasn’t too pleased with Pandora’s way of treating her. The shy brunette seemed less bothered though. Perhaps she realised the burden that Pandora was currently facing. Her voice was shy when she spoke up. “You probably want to get changed. Dinner starts soon and I image you’re quite hungry after the journey.” She said kindly. She seemed to at least be genuine about her concerns for the new girl. Pandora took the hat off her face and looked at the girl. “Probably.” She said indifferently, not wanting to let the girl know just how much she appreciated the simple gesture. The girl simply smiled at her and gave her a quick wink. “Welcome to Slytherin.” She said and she motioned to Pandora’s suitcase to let her know where she could find the uniform that she’d need to put on. “I’ll wait in the common room. Give you a moment to adjust and all. I imagine it must but hard to adjust to a new school and all. Take your time, I’ll see you soon.” She said and she too left the room. Her steps were a lot softer though and didn’t give much reason for concern. Pandora let out a big sigh, relieved to finally be alone for a moment. It was a lot to process and not much to do it in. As she slowly got changed for dinner, she involuntarily shed a tear or two. It was mainly out of relief and fear, for she was worried about fitting in, even if she didn’t show it. She didn’t really want to go to dinner, even though she was a little hungry. Yet with the nicer girl waiting, she felt somehow obligated. Or at least enough to bring herself to walk down the stairs. Everything would work out in the end. Maybe she’d believe it if she kept on telling herself that.


A cool autumn breeze pushed the steam from the Hogwarts Express deeper into Clement's lungs as he waited for the pleasantries to finish. His father was too busy to see his youngest two children off to their first year of formal wizardry schooling, but their mother more than made up for his absence. The woman fussed over the Cartwright twins as they both stood like little statues, one with fear plastered across his delicate face and Clement, ever the brave young man, had a look of determination rarely seen on a young child's face. "Mother, please. The train will leave with or without us," the voice was almost his own, but not quite. No, his identical twin brother Charlie was trying to reason with her this time.

Clement let his cool brown eyes, which were quite soulless compared to his twin's, gaze past his gathered family and to the other students, some as little as he and others that appeared almost adult. They must be the seventh years, Clement thought as he licked his lips from habit. Finally their mother placed a loving kiss on each of the twins' foreheads and it was done. Clement stepped onto the old steam train that had taken all of his family before him to the educational institution he was about to become a part of. Yet of all the Cartwrights, it was Clement that was destined for greatness.

The journey felt like it took forever but maybe that was because Clement had to suffer his older twin's shy nervousness the entire trip. As Clement sat in their compartment, his eye twitched every so often because Charlie kept wringing the material of his cloak and it was making Clement nervous by transference. "If you don't stop that I will ask a seventh year to petrify you for the rest of the journey," Clement hissed to his brother and the other boy stopped. For ten minutes at least. With a growl, Clement closed his eyes for his own sanity and stroked his hairless kitten for something to focus on. Within moments, the clickety clack and the stroking left the young eleven year old dozing off to the dream world... where he was successful - unlike Voldemort.

"Clement, we're here," the words his brother spoke sliced through his dream world and Clement's brown eyes shot open in time to see the imposing structure that was Hogwarts Castle come into sight. It's almost as impressive as home, the Cartwright conceded as he raised his brows in childlike wonderment. Both twins ended up with their noses against the window with the rest of the children in the compartment and all cooing like happy little doves. It was all real now.

With his kitten in his cloak pocket, Clement quietly sat down in the boat and rolled his eyes at what must be muggle born children who gasped in terror or excitement - who knew or cared? - as they started off across the lake without any boatmen doing the work. Clement naturally sat himself near the head of the boat and his stupid brother sat next to him, shivering from the cold as if he expected his little brother to put his arm around him and be comforting. I would sooner hug a flobberworm, Clement thought with a sneer and he nudged the boy away from him roughly.

Their surroundings had a creepy essence that Clement could really appreciate. The sun had gone to sleep earlier and the moon was up in her full glory; mist rose from the lake and Clement was pretty sure it made the whole experience that little bit more magical for the mudblood children. How he would enjoy just nudging that one plump child to overbalance him into the water. Especially because he had tried to make conversation with him, introducing himself super-happily as Jax Windermere. And now he had his hand down in the mist.... He would make a great feast for the merpeople his sisters told him lived in the lake. If they liked fatty food, that is.

After the boat ride, the children were congregated in the entrance to Hogwarts and Clement tuned out of what was being explained. After generations of attending Hogwarts, did they really think Clement didn't know he would be sorted by a magical hat? It was as if this whole charade was put on just for the people that had no right to be at the school... those born muggle should stay muggle. Clement let out an exasperated sigh, much louder than he had intended and he was barked at by the superiors. He just glowered back and made it a note to be as painful as he could to that person.

The first years were then shepherded into the Great Hall like the lambs that they were. Well, Clement followed as a wolf with sheepskins, still glowering because who damned well dared to tell him off?!?! All the older students sat and watched the new meat and with a quick gaze around he saw his Ravenclaw sister Annora looking resplendent in her blue tie. Clement's face softened at the sight of her until he saw Charlie doing the same thing... except to their older and uglier sister Aurelia. How Charlie could stand that Hufflepuff traitor to the family's good reputation was beyond him... although if Clement was truly honest with himself he wouldn't be surprised if Charlie ended up a badger too. Good. I won't have to deal with him then.

The Headmaster, a short and fat ugly thing presently introduced as Flitwick, gave a short speech that grated on the young Cartwright ears. Even Charlie was making a face at the voice. Clement tried to distract himself by taking in their surroundings... the floating candles were a nice touch in what may have otherwise been a simply too overwhelming Hall. The ghosts were all giddy with anticipation and it brought a smile to his face when Clement realised the terror on some of his first year counterpart's faces. Thankfully, soon came the Sorting Hat's time to shine and Clement could feel the excitement bubble away inside him.

Charlie was sorted first. It was a surprise when he was welcomed into the ranks of Slytherin. Clement raised a brow as he stared at the ancient looking hat that was about to be placed on his own head. Maybe the thing wasn't working so well anymore because it had obviously made a mistake with his brother. You do not know your twin as well as you think, child, Clement heard the grumble inside his head but it was not his own thought. The boy rolled his eyes and tapped his fingers on his lap impatiently. Even though it only took ten seconds for the Hat to announce he too was Slytherin, he heard some not so complimentary things about himself in his head. Just as the Hat was taken off his head, Clement thought with a glare at the stuffy old garment, what do I care what you think? you're but an enchanted piece of cloth!

The twins were greeted to the Slytherin family with as much enthusiasm as a new bride greets death. His new House clearly were a bunch of individuals slapped together through no choice of their own... in reality, they saw the sour little face of the youngest twin and could not be bothered with his obvious attitude during this momentous occasion. But Clement wasn't to know that right? "How did you trick the Hat to become a snake, big brother?" Clement asked Charlie as the first years sat down to have their first dinner.

"How did the Hat not spontaneously combust as soon as it was placed upon your head, little brother?" Charlie countered, a sweet smile upon his face. Clement could see the venom dripping from those angelic fangs though even if no one else could. The whole day needed to come to an end. Despite how he liked to come off, Clement was still merely a preadolescent child and he couldn't contain the yawn any longer. For once, his drowsy smile was genuine as the Prefects announced that it was time to turn in. "Try not to be annoying and clingy and choose a bed as far away from me as possible," Clement grumbled to his brother as they made their way down to the Slytherin dungeons. The prefects were mumbling a whole bunch of crap, but Clement wasn't interested. By now, all he wanted was sleep.

At the wall, his kitten mewed in his pocket and Clement only just took note of the password. Finally they were inside the very green common room that would be his home now for seven long years. The two brothers, along with a small cohort of other new Slytherin boys, were escorted finally to the dorms and Clement put absolutely no thought into which bed was his. He flopped on the one closest to him, rolled over and was asleep in seconds. Somewhere in his consciousness, he was aware that his kitten was trying desperately t free itself from being under him. He was also vaguely aware that Charlie assisted Mr Fluffnutts and put a blanket over him. Then it was done. Little Clement and Charlie would begin their formal education at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

And Clement had a whole school of people to play with.