2. The Head of Snakes
A week had passed since Apollyon's harrowing introduction to the orphanage—a week marked by isolation, scorn, and the inexplicable incident that had left both her and the inhabitants of the orphanage in stunned silence. The day she had, in a surge of uncontrolled anger and desperation, sent the caretaker flying without laying a finger on her, had changed everything. That moment of raw, unexplained power had drawn a line, separating her even further from those around her. Yet, it also awakened a deep, resonant curiosity within Apollyon about the nature of this power and her own identity.
The days following the incident were filled with whispers and wary glances. Apollyon found herself more isolated than ever, the fear and misunderstanding of the others forming a barrier as tangible as the walls of her spartan room. But within that solitude, a seed of hope began to sprout—a hope that there was more to her story, that her newfound abilities were a sign of a destiny far removed from the grim reality of the orphanage.
It was in this state of mixed fear, anticipation, and burgeoning hope that the letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry found its way to her. The parchment, bearing the seal of the school, was a beacon of light in the dimness of her current existence. As she read the letter, Apollyon's heart raced with a cocktail of emotions—surprise, disbelief, elation. The words seemed to leap off the page, each one a promise of a future she had never dared to imagine for herself.
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HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Apollyon Seraphina
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
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The letter was a key, a key to a door she hadn't known existed. Hogwarts—a place where her abilities would not mark her as an outcast but as a member of a community, a place where she could learn to understand and control the magic that had manifested in such a startling way.
In the privacy of her room, Apollyon held the letter to her chest, allowing herself to fully absorb its implications. The isolation and the hardships of the past week seemed to diminish in the face of this new possibility. A smile, the first genuine smile in what felt like an eternity, spread across her face. The fear and uncertainty that had been her constant companions began to recede, replaced by a burgeoning sense of purpose and excitement.
"I'm a witch," she whispered to herself, the words feeling both foreign and incredibly right. This revelation brought with it a cascade of questions about her past, her parents, and her place in the world. But for the first time since waking up in this unfamiliar body, in this unfamiliar world, Apollyon felt a sense of belonging.
That night, instead of the usual restless tossing and turning, Apollyon lay awake with anticipation, her mind alive with dreams of Hogwarts. She envisioned the castle, the classes, the other students—fellow witches and wizards, each with their own unique abilities and stories. The thought of being part of something larger, of learning and growing in a place where magic was not feared but celebrated, filled her with a sense of purpose she had never known.
In the days that followed the arrival of her letter from Hogwarts, Apollyon Seraphina felt as though she were living in a dream from which she never wanted to awaken. The grim reality of the orphanage, with its bleak walls and colder hearts, seemed to fade into the background, overshadowed by the luminous promise of a future at Hogwarts. She clung to the letter like a talisman, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of her current existence.
Then, on a day that began like any other in the orphanage—marked by the monotonous rhythm of chores and the avoidance of the caretaker's harsh gaze—a peculiar sense of anticipation filled the air. It was an undercurrent that Apollyon felt in her bones, a whisper of change on the horizon.
The morning sunlight had barely begun to pierce the gloom of the orphanage when Apollyon awoke, the Hogwarts letter still safely tucked beneath her pillow. Each day since its arrival had been imbued with a surreal quality, her reality momentarily uplifted by the sheer potential of what lay ahead. The oppressive atmosphere of the orphanage, with its peeling wallpaper and the ever-present chill of neglect, seemed less suffocating now, as if the very walls could sense the impending change in her destiny.
Apollyon moved through her morning routine with a mechanical efficiency, her mind far from the mundane tasks at hand. She was lost in thoughts of Hogwarts—of spells and potions, of magical creatures and hidden chambers, of a place where she belonged. The letter had become her anchor, a reminder that the world she currently inhabited was not where her story would end.
As she braced herself for another day of evading the caretaker's spiteful attention, a knock at the door sliced through the tense silence of the orphanage. The sound was so unexpected, so out of place in the rhythm of her daily life, that for a moment, Apollyon hesitated, unsure if she had imagined it. The caretaker's usual morning tirade had been poised to begin, but the knock interrupted her mid-breath, leaving a sudden, startling quiet in its wake.
The door swung open to reveal a figure that seemed to command the shadows themselves. Professor Severus Snape stood in the doorway, his presence so incongruous with the drab surroundings that it took Apollyon a moment to reconcile the sight before her. Tall, clad in billowing black robes, with an austere expression that seemed to brook no argument, he was the embodiment of the magical world she was about to enter. His dark eyes swept the room, taking in the scene with a discerning gaze before settling on Apollyon.
"Miss Seraphina," Snape began, his voice carrying the authority and gravity that seemed to define him. "Today marks the beginning of your journey into the wizarding world. I am here to escort you to Diagon Alley, where you will acquire everything you need for your time at Hogwarts." His tone left no room for argument, yet it carried an undercurrent of something that wasn't quite patience but an acknowledgment of the magnitude of this moment for her.
Apollyon's heart skipped a beat, the surreal feeling that had enveloped her since receiving the Hogwarts letter intensifying. The reality of stepping into the world she had only dreamt of was both exhilarating and daunting.
"I—yes, Professor," she managed to say, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. She was acutely aware of the caretaker's presence lurking just beyond the doorway, her curiosity piqued by the unusual visitor but her usual vitriol momentarily stemmed by Snape's imposing figure.
Snape nodded, turning on his heel with a swish of his robes, signaling for her to follow. As Apollyon stepped out of the room, she felt the weight of the orphanage's oppressive atmosphere begin to lift, replaced by a nervous anticipation for what was to come.
As they stepped out of the orphanage and into the brisk morning air, Professor Snape paused, allowing Apollyon a moment to adjust to the gravity of leaving her old life behind, even if just for a day. The world outside seemed to hold its breath, the early light casting long shadows that danced around them, making the moment feel even more surreal.
"I am Professor Severus Snape," he said, introducing himself formally now that they were alone, his voice carrying a hint of the solemnity of the occasion. "I teach Potions at Hogwarts and will be your guide today." The way he said it, with a certain pride yet an underlying sternness, left Apollyon in no doubt of the seriousness with which he approached his duties.
The journey to Diagon Alley was unlike anything Apollyon could have imagined. They moved through the streets with purpose, Snape leading the way with an air of familiarity and authority that seemed to part the crowds before them. The transition from the mundane world into the magical was seamless yet startling, as they stepped through the barrier that concealed Diagon Alley from the non-magical world.
Diagon Alley unfolded before Apollyon in a riot of sights, sounds, and smells that overwhelmed her senses. Shops of all shapes and sizes lined the bustling street, their windows filled with wonders—sparkling potions, broomsticks that hovered in the air, books that whispered secrets if you listened closely enough. The people, too, were a revelation; witches and wizards of all ages and attire moved through the alley, their conversations a blend of the mundane and the magical that fascinated Apollyon.
As they navigated the cobblestone street, Snape's demeanor remained unchanged, his presence a constant, grounding force amidst the chaos of the magical marketplace. "Our first stop will be Gringotts for your funds, then on to your school supplies," he explained, his voice cutting through the din of the alley. "It's important to manage your resources wisely. The magical world is not without its costs."
The imposing facade of Gringotts Bank loomed before them, its white marble pillars standing in stark contrast to the eclectic array of shops and stalls that made up Diagon Alley. As they approached, Apollyon couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and intimidation at the sight of the goblin-run bank
Professor Snape led the way up the steps, his stride confident and unhesitating. "Remember, miss Seraphina," he said over his shoulder, "Gringotts is the safest place in the wizarding world for anything you wish to keep secure. The goblins take their responsibilities very seriously."
Stepping into the bank, Apollyon was immediately struck by the grandeur of the interior. Vaulted ceilings soared overhead, lit by glittering chandeliers that cast a golden glow over the opulent space. The floor was paved with gleaming marble, and the air carried a cool, metallic tang that spoke of wealth and ancient secrets.
Behind a long counter, a line of goblins worked diligently, their sharp, quick movements and keen eyes missing nothing. Apollyon had never seen a goblin before, and she found herself fascinated by their distinctive features—their pointed ears, sharp teeth, and keen, intelligent eyes. The goblins' demeanor was all business, their expressions inscrutable as they dealt with the witches and wizards who came to conduct their affairs.
Professor Snape guided Apollyon to one of the counters, where a particularly stern-looking goblin awaited. "This is Miss Apollyon Seraphina," Snape announced, his voice carrying an undercurrent of respect that seemed to be reciprocated by the goblin. "She requires access to the Hogwarts Student Fund."
The goblin's gaze shifted to Apollyon, assessing her with a look that seemed to pierce right through her. "Very well," the goblin said, his voice a gravelly rasp. "Follow me."
They were led through a series of ornate corridors and down a deep, spiraling staircase that seemed to burrow into the very heart of the earth. Apollyon felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a touch of fear as they descended. The air grew cooler, and the sound of their footsteps echoed off the stone walls.
Finally, they arrived at a heavily fortified vault door. The goblin produced a small, intricate key and opened the door, revealing a room filled with coins, parchment scrolls, and various trinkets. "This will cover your school expenses," the goblin explained, motioning to a neatly stacked pile of gold, silver, and bronze coins. "The amount will be deducted from your future earnings until the debt is repaid, with interest."
As they made their way back to the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, Apollyon couldn't help but glance back at the imposing edifice of Gringotts, a symbol of the new life that awaited her. The encounter with the goblins, the feel of the coins in her hand—it all felt like a dream, yet it was the most real thing she had ever experienced.
"Remember, Miss Seraphina," Snape said as they stepped back into the sunlight, "the wizarding world is vast and complex. Today is but your first step into it. Be wise, be cautious, and above all, be true to yourself."