It was nearing eleven in the morning and the sun shone brightly through the window. Steaming tea had been laid out before a simple yet extravagant brunch. It was a bit much for mere politeness, but not in an obvious way. For all they would know the Headmaster of Hogwarts treated everyone to such niceties. Only he himself knew he went to such lengths when a prize awaited him on the other end. Now sitting behind his great desk, he often liked to joke to himself that it was truly a wonder he had not ended up in Slytherin upon his first night in this very castle.

Albus Dumbledore sat with what some might refer to as a vacant expression, and only the calculating look in his bright blue eyes gave any indication that the wheels in his masterful mind were turning. And double time at that. It was not often he found himself completely surprised and caught off guard, and yet, that is exactly the situation in which he found himself. Because not only was it very rare indeed that Hogwarts received a transfer student to which a private sorting was to take place, but it was also very rare that something of the nature to which it was required took place. In that regard only did the old wizard fault himself.

On the one hand, he was extremely furious with himself for not seeing it beforehand. Many things could have been done differently. On the other hand, precautions could still be taken and choices still needed to be made. But there were still too many unknowns in this situation for a complete plan to formulate. It was these unknowns that frustrated him yet kept him busy these past few weeks since word and request had come of the transfer. It was too good an opportunity to risk passing even with its unknown parts. At any rate it was too late to turn back now.

He sighed heavily as his hand came up to stroke his beard, a frustrated look overtaking his wizened features as the maddeningly unknown variables of the situation circled in his mind. In an instant that was all gone. Wiped away and replaced with a warm, open grandfatherly look with twinkling blue eyes as a knock resonated in the large office.

"Come in." He called out in an equally warm and jovial tone, giving off a hint of excitement of what was to come. As usual, only he had any true idea as to why there was cause for him to be excited.

Walking up the path that lead from the Wizarding town of Hogsmeade to Hogwarts, Skyler didn't feel nervous at all. Instead, she felt annoyed. This annoyance increased as she caught the knowing smile on her father's face, and childishly she stuck her tongue out at him in retaliation. She couldn't hold her irritation at him long though, and grinned at him right after. Until she caught the narrowed eyes of her mother, and the grin faded. Though she rolled her purple eyes once her mother looked away.

Lately her mother had been acting increasingly more annoying. Skyler had her grandmother to thank for this, since it was the old witch who had had the audacity to tell Sky's mom that she was a nuisance of a child and needed to be taught how to behanve appropriately for someone in their family. It had led to a huge fight between her parents, but her father had given in and Skyler's life became that much more difficult. Atleast she was well on her way to getting revenge on her grandmother, who walked on the other side of her mother and who Skyler glared at.

Skyler wondered for what was probably the twentieth time why they couldn't have just flooed or flied or something, but enjoyed the scenery either way. When they entered the grounds, her eyes brightened considerably until they resembled purple jewels rather than eyes. And when she got her first glance at the castle that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, her breath actually stopped. It truly was a breathtakingly majestic sight to behold. And it was one she knew she would never forget. She couldn't believe this was where she was going to go to school.

She much rather would have liked to explore a bit and see a bit more of the grounds and castle, but forced herself to follow her parents, especially after a particularly nasty glare from her grandmother. There were many retorts Skyler would have loved to hurl at the old witch, but she gritted her teeth against them. For now. She did not want to cause anymore problems between her parents, but even Skyler knew that sometime soon she would burst with everything she held back. For now though, she forced herself to remain silent, but didn't back down completely as she shot the older woman a cheeky grin. Skyler knew that her grandmother wanted to either hit her or curse her, and smirked to herself when the old woman had no choice but to refrain. Skyler 1. Grandmother 2, she updated the mental scoreboard in which she kept track of her triumphs against her grandmother.

When  she found herself upon a staircase that spiraled upwards until stopping in front of dark wood doors, Skyler's earlier irritation flooded back in her, along with some anxiety and nervousness. Irritation at her parents for not telling her how the sorting took place, anxiety over the many ways it could very well take place, and nervousness over what the outcome would be. On the outside however, she looked only mildly interested in the entire situation. All too soon, her father knocked on the door and they received a welcome to come in. She entered after the adults, eyes quickly taking in her surroundings, noting several gadgets she burned with curiosity to inspect. In the back of her mind she heard the adults performing the initial greetings, but was too caught up admiring the magnificent bird that was also in the office. She had seen pictures of course, but never had she seen a phoenix in person.

It was then she noticed the unusual silence in the room, and pried her dark purple eyes away from the creature to see all eyes on her. Her grandmother looked at her as if Skyler were an insect she'd love to squash under her shoe. Her mother, disapprovingly. Her father, however, looked amused. It was then the young witch got her first look at the Headmaster of the school she would be attending now. He looked old and rather frail at first glance. But there was something about him, and Skyler couldn't put her finger on exactly what, but there was something that made her suspect he was anything but frail. Hey eyes noted the long hair and beard unimpressed, and the odd assortment of robes he wore, even by wizarding standards. By appearance alone, Skyler could not for the life of her see why anyone would respect the wizard before her as she knew so many did. But Skyler also knew a book could not be judged based on it's cover alone, and people were rarely ever what they appeared to be.

Deciding that she didn't want to get off to the wrong foot, Skyler, against all teachings and threats from both her mother and grandmother, forewent politeness and shrugged, sending the old wizard a smirk as she stated, "Nice bird."

First, the wizard had entered. The muggleborn who was the father. Then the two pureblood witches. He knew the witches, having taught the younger himself. Yet the wizard he had never seen before. Albus had looked thoroughly into their background and had found the links he had been looking for and had missed prior to this, but it still frustrated him enough that he had to work to keep up his grandfatherly act. Yet he went through the motions that were second nature now that it was easily accomplished and Albus was sure that no one was the wiser as he greeted the three warmly and might he say, charmingly?

Then it was time to turn his full attention to the young girl who this private sorting was taking place for. He hadn't expected to not receive the same full attention back and was irked by this. He tried in vain not to hold it against the child when he saw she had been captivated by Fawkes and put on his best bemused look when the silence in the room grew louder. When the child turned to give her attention to him for the first time the first thing Albus noted was the peculiar eye color. It was rather disconcerting yet mesmerizing to see such a color in eyes. He also noted the girl looked rather small for the age of fifteen. He guessed he couldn't really make any opinion of that however since Harry had always been small for his age as well.

But what caught his attention more than anything else was the blatant disrespect she showed towards him. Him. Albus Dumbledore. Surely the young witch knew who he was? And that he should be shown the utmost respect? Everyone did. Except a few. And she actually had the audacity to smirk at him. Albus had to restrain himself from allowing any anger to show and forced himself to continue his charade and chuckled lightly as if amused by the child. In the back of his mind there was a small amount of worry growing but he pushed it away.

"Yes Fawkes has been a great friend of mine for many years. He's a phoenix by the way. Probably what is the most respected bird there is." Albus stated this as he gazed at the girl over his half-moon spectacles in what might have been a stern look. Maybe she would understand the meaning behind the words.

Shifting his attention to the adults in the room he waved a hand graciously at the brunch and tea that was provided. "Can I interest anyone in a danish perhaps? Or a cup of what may possibly be the best tea ever brewed? I always find myself deeply impressed by the house elves here at Hogwarts, no matter how long I've been here." All of this was said in his most good-natured tone as the twinkle burst back into his eyes.

Listening to the old wizard explain to her that the Phoenix was in fact a Phoenix, Skyler couldn't help becoming even less impressed by the man, and didn't bother in restraining the eye roll. It was easy to see that she would not like this man much, if at all. Skyler wasn't one to trust easily. She had always been taught trust had to be earned, just like respect did. It was one of the reasons why she clashed so much with those older than her and those in authority. They always demanded your respect and trust like they deserved it without doing anything to earn it. It grated on her nerves. She could tell without much influence that this wizard would be one of those. And so it was easy to connect the dots and know that she would not get along well with the old man. She could only hope she wouldn't see him very much. In a big castle like this though, it should be fairly easy to avoid the Headmaster.

As she made contingency plans mentally, out loud she replied in a bored tone. "Thank you. I have no idea how I would have ever known he was a Phoenix without you telling me so." The sarcasm in her words was clear, and her eyes were bright. Clearly she was having fun, as if it were a game. She side glanced at her father, who winked imperceptibly at her. Skyler noted her mother looked horrified and her grandmother like she would like nothing more than to curse Skyler into next year. Yet there was something else there. Something in both their eyes that made Skyler's smirk widen into a confident grin as she approached the food settings ahead of the adults.

She observed the arrangement, foregoing the tea and instead picking a cheese Danish. Treat in hand, Skyler ignored the others in the room as she sauntered over to the chairs she supposed were for her and her family and sat before being instructed to do so, as she knew she should, and bit into her Danish. Looking up, she swallowed and her grin returned tenfold. "Don't mind if I do."

Skyler could have laughed at the looks on her mother' sand grandmother's faces, but she didn't want to choke on her Danish so she restrained herself as the adults shook themselves out of their horrified states (or amused states in her father's case), and each took a cup of tea and sat down as well.  To all the world, Skyler looked only concerned with finishing her treat. Inside though, she was a bundle of nerves as she knew it was only a matter of time before the sorting took place, and she still had no idea how it would happen.

The warmth in the room was quickly diminishing despite the bright summer sunlight streaming into the room from the window. For a minute the silence stretched on and the very air in the room stilled and felt almost suffocating as the oxygen mixed with the magic of the old wizard. Albus had never felt more disrespected in his one hundred and fifty years in this world than he did at that meeting. And he had already had many altercations with Voldemort.

Not only did the young witch completely ignore his stern warning but she had pushed even further with the remark to Fawkes being a Phoenix. Then pushing him further by completely ignoring any and all protocol for polite company. It was as if she knew this would irritate him, yet that he would not react. which was impossible of course. A girl of merely fifteen wouldn't be able to know such things. Grown adults wouldn't be able to know such things. Not without the aid of Legilimency or something of the like. For a split second all the old wizard could see was the smirk that he had the insane urge to curse away, and in that moment he felt as if he were fifty years younger and looking at Tom Riddle again. Albus recovered himself quickly visibly, pushing away all of his anger and irritation as much as he possibly could.

Clearly this would be a bigger issue than he had originally thought.  It was big cause for concern in his usually flawless plans. And he really couldn't afford any more. Not after the mishap with Sirius. Just like he couldn't allow Harry to drift any further, Albus could also not allow the girl before him to slip through his fingers either. She could prove extremely useful, even if not considerably valuable. Years of experience gave the wizard the cunning to calculate and formulate entire plans in mere seconds and  so it was only moments between the the slight from the girl and him continuing his charade.

He chuckled lightly, and the sound was so genuine that nobody would've known it was forced. "Ah. To be young and reckless again." He said this in a joking manner mainly to the adults as the bright blue eyes twinkled merrily, but there was an undercurrent of warning to his tone. Yes, it was reckless indeed to disrespect Albus Dumbledore. Just look what he had done to Tom. It was then and there where his contingency plan was hatched and he was astonished at the beautiful simplicity of history repeating itself . If things didn't go his way Albus damn well made sure they didn't go anyone else's way either. He felt a sudden weight leave him as he now had a plan for both potential paths this could lead to and there was no doubt in his mind as to whether he could control both paths now.

He smiled at the occupants with a warmth and glee that had not been there previously giving the impression, as he gestured to the renowned Sorting Hat, that he was excited about a new student being sorted. But they couldn't be further from the truth. "Shall we see where you belong then?"

Skyler watched the reaction of the Headmaster with a critical eye, looking for anything and everything. She could feel the air become thicker, though she couldn't think of why. There was a new density to it and breathing was a bit difficult for a minute. A look of panic stole across her face as she looked to her father. This felt a bit too much like drowning for her taste, and she hated that feeling. Ever since she was five, when her parents had taken her to the beach for the first time and she had gone out in the water farther than she should have, getting swept up in a wave and being under water longer than she would've liked. She had never gone to any beach again, and though she could swim she stayed away from any body of water, man made or not, if she could help it.

Her father, she noted, was not looking at her but at the old wizard opposite then with a level stare, and it was odd to Skyler because she had not seen this look before, and therefore did not understand it's meaning. It was in this moment that the air returned to normal, and Skyler gulped in the oxygen like the lifeline it was. Her purple eyes moved from her father to those of her mother, who looked back with a bit of concern  before looking away again. Regaining her bearings, the witch returned her gaze to the old man when he spoke, and something, and Skyler couldn't figure out if it was his tone or if it was his words, but something made the hairs on the back if her neck stand up. It was clear to her now that the increase to the density of the air had been because of the Headmaster, though she wondered if it had been on purpose or just a side effect of irritation. Either way, she decided mentally that it might be wise to exercise a bit of caution around this wizard. She may be young, but she wasn't stupid.

She knew she had made the right decision when she witnessed the gleeful look. It was that look that made her decide that she wouldn't trust the old man any farther than she could throw him. But she didn't ponder on it long because her attention was being drawn to the old patched and frayed wizards hat he gestured to. She looked from the hat to the Headmaster doubtfully, then side glanced at her father who looked impassive mostly but nodded to her in what she knew to be sign to go ahead. The witch wasn't sure where this was going, and had a look on her face that clearly said 'you've got to be kiddin me' asshe got up and approached the old hat, and by consequence the old wizard.

Looking down at the hat, she didn't see anything extraordinary about it, but she knew that looks could be deceiving. She traced the brim with a finger absently as she questioned curiously, "So how does it work?" It was obvious the hat was supposed to do something, but what it was supposed to do she had no idea, and she felt her earlier anxiousness return ten fold now that she was about to be sorted and because she was within such close proximity to the old man who she would rather not be within ten feet of.

On more than one occasion he had seriously pondered over why he had been put in Gryffindor and not Slytherin. The hat, much like it had with Harry, had seriously considered placing him in the house of Snakes. But also like Harry it had ultimately decided on Gryffindor. As he watched how the young girl looked to her father in panic and saw the look on the other man's face and again how she looked to the other wizard for confirmation before moving, the Slytherin in him was able to process this small amount of information in several ways uncommonly fast. One was that it was likely that the girl was closer to her father than her mother, as she looked to him in situations she had no control over. Two was that that meant she was far more likely to do as her father said or asked than anyone else, and probably trusted him far beyond anyone else. And three was that she had just unintentionally given up a potential weakness.

Albus had always assumed he had been placed in Gryffindor over Slytherin because of his courage to take risks. So long as the risks weren't his own. And that, in itself, was more Slytherin than anything.

It was a small victory but a victory all the same that he had been able to force the girl into some form of vulnerability and it restored his overconfidence. He longed to take a peek into her mind just to gloat in his victory and bask in it mentally but the girl never met his eyes for very long before they wandered again. Even when she questioned him about the hat she kept her eyes on the object and he had to wonder if this was on purpose or if she was just too curious about the hat to take her eyes off of it. He decided it was most likely the latter. It wasn't common knowledge he was a legilimens after all. His eyes continued to twinkle merrily as he answered in his usual roundabout way. "For as many things in the magical world which act out of character for their muggle variations, the Sorting Hat is an object which is utilized no more than how a hat should be utilized."

She had to put it on. That was it. Why couldn't the damn old man just say that? Skyler glared for half a second at the hat before her, not really intending the glare for the hat but for the Headmaster who was still too close for her liking. She breathed a sigh of relief when she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up into the reassuring face of her father. At once all the tension left her and Skyler flashed the briefest of smiles and nodded when she saw the questioning look on her father's face. She knew he was wondering if she were ready, and she was. If only just to get this whole meeting over with and to get as far away from the old wizard as possible. Though she had to admit she wouldn't be going very far since she would be coming to school here.

Sighing once more at the new obstacle she now found in the upcoming year, Skyler shrugged. What the hell. She picked up the old hat gingerly, looking at it one last time in doubt, and placed it on her head. It was rather large and sunk below her eyes, and the last thing she saw was her father's grin, the very one she had inherited from him, before all she saw was the dark inside of the hat.

Skyler stood for a moment feeling utterly ridiculous yet still anxious as she had no idea what was supposed to happen. And even though she had been expecting something, the witch was still unprepared for the voice that suddenly sounded inside her head and she jumped what she was sure was half a foot in her surprise.

Another Riddle eh?

Skyler, who felt like a fool for being startled into physically showing it, let her sudden anger flare as she mentally thought, Damn hat! Someone could've at least warned me it talked!

Now where would the fun be in that?

Skyler had the sneaky suspicion that if the hat had a face it'd be smirking. Though this gained a bit of respect from her (how many hats could provide you with a mental picture of it smirking) it did nothing to improve her mood. She huffed, rolling her eyes under the seclusion of the hat, and crossed her arms. It was then that what the hat had first said caught up to her. Another Riddle? Is that what it said? She wondered mentally.

Yes, that is precisely what I said. A relation to you, if I'm not mistaken. And I never am. Was the response Skyler received.

All of a sudden the fact that she was mentally conversing with an old hat didn't seem like it was so crazy as she all but forgot about it in her curiosity. It couldn't be her father. She knew for a fact he hasn't attended Hogwarts. Her brows drew together in thought under the hat. But then who? She wondered to herself more than anything.

Fine boy he was. Intelligent mind. A bit rough around the edges, but those might have been smoothed out. The hat seemed to be reminiscing, but Skyler was much to curious to be patient with it.

So who was he then? She snapped at the hat. But it seemed the hat had other ideas, because she heard it's mental chuckle.

I see you're not one for patience either. It seemed there may be more in common between you two than just the name. Now where should I place you? Hmm?

Skyler's hackles rose, thinking up scenarios which depicted herself tearing the hat up or setting it aflame. Damn thing was purposefully not telling her. But it was no matter. There were libraries for a reason. She'd figure it out one or another. She turned her thoughts back to what the hat was saying, catching it mid-sentence.

.....Resourceful, Intelligent mind, hmm, yes. Courage too. My, my we are tricky aren't we?

Skyler had had just about enough of the hat. Well if you'd rather not sort me I could always just sit here and chat with you. We could talk about all sorts of things like nail polish, and hair styles. Oh! And this just gorgeous dress I saw just the other day too. Skyler feigned excitement in her thoughts, but she was sure the hat could tell, and she smirked when the silence stretched on, knowing she had been victorious when suddenly the hat replied, sounding half peeved and half amused.

Very well. You must be a SLYTHERIN!

Rolling her eyes one last time at the hat, she grinned both on the outside and in her thoughts at the hat before she pulled it off her head and set it back on the desk, patting it fondly and then turning to her father. Skyler tilted her head questioningly, and her father only grinned proudly. She looked to her mother, who gave her a nod of acceptance, though Skyler could also read the smal amount of pride in her eyes. She half glanced at her grandmother who sniffed and stuck her nose in the air as if to say, 'very well then.' Finally it was over. Skyler hoped they could just leave now.

The girl stood there with the hat over her head for what seemed like ages. The two other witches in the room busied themselves with discussing the four Hogwarts houses. One seemed to think the girl had the makings of a Ravenclaw, while the other thought it would serve the girl right if she were made a Hufflepuff. Albus felt either of the houses mentioned was preferable to what the hat ended up calling out. Albus frowned beneath his long bushy beard. This was not either what he had expected nor wanted. He would've much preferred Gryffindor and had told the hat as much. Why had it done the exact opposite? Maybe it was time to stop entrusting such an important task to a mere hat.

Immediately Albus began to make plans now that it was easier with the sorting being down. He still had time to salvage the problem before he would need to follow the same steps he had with Tom. But first, his image had to be protected. He smiled his best warm smile at the girl. "Congratulations. A fine house to be placed in. Even if a bit misunderstood." Pretending came second nature to Albus so it was easy for him to fake the warmth he did not feel. To the girl's parents he said, "You must be proud. I am sure you will find everything you need in Diagonal Alley for the upcoming year. Here is the list of supplies." He handed the father a rolled up piece of parchment as he gave his little helpful speech, clearly wrapping up the meeting.

Skyler wasted no time in narrowing her eyes on the old wizard when he congradulated her, and only acknowledged it with a curt nod of her dark haired head. She was glad this sorting was over, a weight having been lifted from her now that it was done. Though she had no idea why he should say Slytherin was misunderstood, or how. But this was the last thing on her list of things to find out. Her first order of business was to figure out who that hat had been talking about.

She watched vaguely interested as the adults talked, getting snippets of what was being said. From the little she listened to, she knew they would be going shopping. A new light burned within her eyes. Good. She had a feeling she would need to buy a few more books than what was on that list.

Finally, after one last handshake, they left the Headmaster's office, and Skyler, for some reason, was glad she had not had to enter it alone, and never wished to.