The Lioness of Ilvermorny

Chapter Two: Lioness's sorting

All were gatherered in the Great Hall, listening to Dumbledoor introduce the ladies of Beaubaton, a girls only French school, and the sons of Durmstrang, a boys-only Bulgarian school...

After Dumbledoor greeted Headmaster Karkarov, he returned to his podium and silenced the room once more...

"Now that everyone is here, I would like to introduce our final guest- one most dear to me as she is my kin..." he paused, "...many of you know her. Some of you may even be fans of her work, whether it be in Quidditch or battling against the dark of the Wizarding World..." he paused once more for dramatic effect, "I give you my niece, Clarabelle Shaw!" he held out a hand toward the grand doors and everyone looked...

But no one was there...

The hall fell silent as all knew her name...

Then, a great roar echoed into the Great Hall. A lion's roar to match the bellow of a dragon...

In through the doors came trotting there a lioness of a stately golden brown coat, eyes as blue as aquamarines. The lioness stopped just before the table isle, scanning the rows of wide eyed students. She snarled over her shoulder and a faithful little six-legged panther came cantering along after her as the lioness began a slow strut, her head low, shoulders high as if on the prowl.

As she came to where Harry Potter sat with his friend Ron Weasley she bowed her head to him at a glance...

When the lioness finally neared the end of the tables, she instantly picked up in pace, sprinting and frightening most of the room as she leapt into the air...and seemed to engulf herself in blue light, transforming and changing...

When she landed, she landed in a tuck and roll, having taken the form then of a young girl, taking a knee before the podium. She slowly stood and turned to the room as all were still silent...

Her skin was tanned and freckled, her hair in dirty blonde waves, set free like a true lions mane of volume. The girl's eyes hadn't changed a single shade either, remaining soul piercing as she scanned the room carefully.

She wore black leather leggings, with a blood red Harley Davidson tank top and a black leather jacket over that, with black leather boots stopping at her knee, bearing a three inch heel. Not that she would need the height to be intimidating...she just liked the feeling of power she had while walking in them.

The room remained silent until a shout rang out, "Shaw, I'm your biggest fan!" across the Hall, triggering cheers and whistles.

Clara smiled at that very faintly before turning back to her Uncle as he approached her and she grinned, hugging him tightly.

"I missed you, my dear," he said.

"I missed you, too, Uncle Albus," she looked down at Eila after they parted, "We both did," she added with a chuckle.

Dumbledoor smiled warmly and turned to the Hall, "Clara Shaw will now be sorted into her House here at Hogwarts, where she will stay and live for this, her fifth school year," he announced.

The room was quiet once more as Professor McGonagall brought over the sorting hat and Mr. Filtch brought a stool.

Clara thanked the custodian and sat down, sitting with her head held high as McGonagall lowered the hat on to her head...

"Hmm...my...I've never in all my years sorted a Wampus girl...very interesting indeed..." the sorting hat hummed, "You could suit any House here...you are compassionate, intelligent...brave and cunning...but your ambition is intriguing," it thought aloud, "You fight for what you believe in...yet now, you are a ronin warrior without a purpose...without a driving fire in your belly..." the hat chuckled, "Yes...I feel it now...I know just the house for you, young lady," it stated proudly.

"GRYFFINDOR!!!"

Every Gryffindor in that Hall cheered at once and Clara hugged her uncle, elated and relieved. He offered to let her give a speech if she liked and Clara agreed.

She stepped up to the podium and took a deep breath, "It's an honor to be here this year, especially in the same house that my Uncle was in," Clara began, "Here at Hogwarts...I mean to get my education like the rest of you...even perhaps play a bit of Quidditch on the side, but I need everyone to know that I am first and for most...a Wampus. And I always will be," she announced, getting a few whistles at the mention of Quidditch.

"I'm sure many of you have questions about Ilvermorny and what all goes on across the pond...and I'm happy to answer a few. Within reason, of course," she offered.

Hands shot up across the room...

"You, the Slytherin girl with a fabulous wedge cut," she called on Pansy Parkinson.

The girl stood, "Is it true that Americans all listen to the loud muggle rock music?" she asked.

Clara chuckled that that, "Not all of us, but this American grew up with rock and roll...the louder the better," she replied, "Next, the handsome boy from Hufflepuff," she called on Cedric Diggory and many 'oooh's rung out at that.

He stood, "Have you ever left America before now?" Cedric inquired.

"Yes, I came to England every summer to spend time with my Uncle when I was little...but I've also gone to Istanbul, Turkey, Romania, and let me tell you, the dragons are fun," Clara smirked and picked the last person.

They didn't stand though...

"Is it true that you're all hick Yankees?" they asked.

"Mr. Goyle!" Dumbledoor shouted.

"No, Uncle...it's fine, he wants to know," Clara smirked wider, stepping down from the podium, "I was born in Nashville Texas," she stated, "I love country music. My father owns a pick up truck and I can skin a deer faster than you can think..." she approached his table, "And I wear cowboy boots with old blue jeans...also, unlike you, I treat people by their actions, not their names or fancy toys," she stopped in front of him, "But hey, I will admit to bein' just a little red neck because snake meat is my favorite. Best served skinned, gutted and roasted on a spit," she glared down at him, "Did that answer your question...?" she asked, her blue eyes looking dark.

He nodded nervously...

"Good. Gryffindors, I'll see you all later!" she laughed and just walked out of the Great Hall while they cheered her on...