Chapter 3: The Appeal

                In the Great Hall the next morning, Rose sat with Linda, Jasmeen, Amanda, and Lucy at the end of the Slytherin table closest to the door. All of their robes now bore the Slytherin crest, having been changed while they slept, much to their chagrin. The four self-proclaimed misfits ate their breakfast in near silence, while Lucy continued to talk about her parents and her life, occasionally getting a comment or two from the other girls.

                “So, Lucy, what do your parents do?” asked Rose distractedly, as she looked towards the door for signs of Albus or Xeno.

                “Well,” Lucy drew the work out, “I told you it had been hard for them after the fall. They eventually did both start working at a potions distributor, packing merchandise, but they rose up, and now they own half the company,” she proclaimed all in a rush. “Mummy is looking for them to purchase the other half next spring.”

                “Oh, well, that must be very nice for them,” Rose continued to look out the door, straining her neck to see around people still arriving to breakfast. In that instant, she caught a glimpse of platinum blonde hair. Rose jumped up and ran to the two entering the hall. “Al, Xeno!”

                “Rose!” the boys exclaimed as they ran to her. The three met at the far end of the Ravenclaw table. They both then began to interrogate her, talking at the same time.

                “How can you be in Slytherin?”

                “There has to be some mistake.”

                “They aren’t being mean to you, are they?”

                “You slept in the DUNGEONS?”

                “Are they turning you evil?”

                “What are you going to do?”

                “Oy! Albus! Xenophilius! Clam yourselves! I have a plan!” Rose interjected. She caught them up on how she was going to appeal to the Headmaster and the Sorting Hat just as the other girls walked up. The boys backed up, seeing the Slytherin crest on their robes.

                “Rose, who are they?” asked Albus.

                “Boys, this is Linda, Jasmeen, Amanda, and Lucy. All except for Lucy are the ones who are going with me. Girls, this is – “

                “They are Albus Severus Potter and Xenophilius Frank Longbottom. Also known as Al and Xeno. Sons of two of the heroes of Hogwarts,” Amanda cut in quickly. She was staring at the boys in awe. Under her gaze, the boys backed up even further.

                “Er, yes. Anyways, we need to get going. I will meet up with you two at lunch to tell you how it went,” said Rose.

                “Alright, bye Rose, and good luck,” Albus said.

                “Bye Rose, I’m sure it will turn out okay,” Xeno said with a smile. With that, the two boys walked to the Gryffindor table to get their breakfast. Rose looked after them sadly, but shook herself into action.

                “Okay, are we ready to do this?” she asked the girls.

                “I think we are as ready as we’ll ever be,” Linda said. “Are you coming with us Lucy?”

                “No, I have to go get ready for Potions. If you really don’t get switched, I’ll see you there,” Lucy replied. With that, she gave a little wave, and walked off. The other four girls walked down the hall to find the Headmaster’s office. They passed the giant, empty glass containers that held the House Cup points, and walked quickly to the gargoyle statue that guarded the office.

                “Password?” the statue said lazily.

                “Oh no, we don’t have the password!” Jasmeen exclaimed. “What do we do now?”

                “Excuse me, sir gargoyle,” Amanda said. “But we don’t have the password. May we please talk to Professor McGonagall? It’s urgent.”

                “Amanda, that will never work you need – “ Linda was cut off.

                “The Headmaster will be down momentarily.” The statue said. The four girls stared at each other in wonder. Soon, the statue turned to reveal a spiral stone staircase, with the Headmaster walking down slowly.

                “Hello girls, and what might it be that you need?” Professor McGonagall asked curtly. The girls stood there in silence, but then Rose stepped forward slowly.

                “Good morning Professor. We, uh, we wished to have a word with you. You see, we four,” Rose gestured at herself and the other girls, who looked at the Professor with a touch of fear, “Would like to appeal to you to change our Houses. We don’t fit in, and we don’t believe we fit the qualities…needed, to be a student in Slytherin House.”  Professor McGonagall stood in front of them, and let her eyes sweep over the four girls.

                “Please, come with me,” the Headmaster turned and started back up the staircase. It started turning, so the girls hurried to get on, surprise and excitement in their eyes. Maybe it would work after all! When they reached the top, they stepped out into a large room with a balcony leading up to another room. It was lined with books in bookshelves and portraits of past Headmasters, just now stirring from their sleep. A large desk was against one wall, and comfortable looking furniture and many lamps adorned the room. Above the desk, two large portraits were hung. Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape looked down at them as they entered. Directly below them on a shelf, was the Sorting Hat. The girls were now shaking in fear and anticipation. What if they were expelled for their insolence? They looked to the Professor worriedly. “Now, children,” Professor McGonagall started, “Switching your Houses is unheard of. The Sorting Hat was enchanted with certain qualifications by all four founders of Hogwarts. The House you were sorted into is where you absolutely best fit in, and no changes can be made, but if you have questions, you may ask the Sorting Hat yourselves.” She stepped aside so they could have a clear view of the hat. It stirred and drew itself up to speak.

                “Slytherin House looks for students who show ambition, cunning, leadership, and resourcefulness. You four demonstrate these abilities wonderfully. You will all do great things in Slytherin House. Switching is not permitted or allowed,” the hat then settled back down.

                “There you have it girls, I’m sorry. It’s out of my hands. I am sure you will grow to have pride for your house in time. Now please, you all must hurry to not be late for your first class,” they were ushered out in this manner by the Headmaster, and were soon standing in shock outside the office and the statue again.

                “Lucy was right,” Rose said sadly. “There is no switching. This is where we belong. At least, we now are sure. We must accept that, agreed?” All the girls nodded sadly, but determination soon grew in Amanda’s eyes.

                “Let’s make the best of it. Slytherin will have students who are not typical. We will forge a new name for the House!” exclaimed Amanda. The other girls soon agreed, and rushed off to potions to rope in Lucy and tell her the news.