"Harry!" Harry Potter paused and turned toward the voice. He spotted his friend and fellow Gryffindor, Hermione Granger. Harry smiled and headed toward her. Their friend, Ron Weasley, who was also a Gryffindor, followed Hermione.
"Hey, Harry," said Ron.
"Hey," said Harry who hugged them both in turn.
"Did you get all your books for this year?" asked Hermione. Harry nodded.
"Come on, then!" said Ron. "Let's actually make it to the platform on time." They took off down Diagon Alley to get ready for their trip back to Hogwarts.
Albus Dumbledore paced in his office at Hogwarts. The students would be arriving soon. There was one student in particular that interested him and it wasn't Harry Potter. She was a transfer student from the North American school Ilvermorny. Her name was Amanda MacMillian. Dumbledore was aware that Amanda was a Thunderbird, the Ilvermorny equivalent of the Hogwarts House of Slytherin. He did not assume that she would be placed in Slytherin, however. He knew that the Sorting Hat could place her in any of the four Houses. He knew that the first years would find it strange that someone in third year was being Sorted.
Dumbledore picked up Amanda's transfer papers and started pacing again.
Ron and Hermione had already gone through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾ when Harry saw a girl about his age. She looked confused and slightly lost. She saw Harry and started pushing her trolley toward him. It wasn't until she was directly in front of him that he saw the cage with the owl on top of her luggage.
"Excuse me," she said. "But could you tell me how to get to Platform 9 ¾?" Harry smiled.
"Sure," he replied. A look of relief washed over her face. Harry pointed at the barrier between the platforms 9 and 10. "All you have to do is push your trolley directly at the barrier and walk through it. If you're nervous, just run at it." She looked at the barrier.
"Okay…" she said nervously. She did as Harry suggested and disappeared through the barrier. Harry followed her and found himself looking at the Hogwarts Express. He looked around for the girl, but couldn't see her anywhere.
Amanda was about to board the Hogwarts Express when she bumped into someone. They turned around and glared at her. He was slightly taller than her and had blonde hair.
"Watch where you're going!" he snapped.
"I-I'm sorry…" said Amanda weakly. He seemed to grow smug.
"American?" he asked. Amanda nodded and he seemed to look even more smug than before. "What are you doing here then?"
"I had to transfer since I moved to Little Whinging."
"Pure-blood?" Amanda looked at him slightly suspicious.
"Yes," she said slowly. He seemed to suddenly look at her with a tiny hint of respect. He stuck out his hand.
"Malfoy," he said. "Draco Malfoy." Amanda shook his hand.
"Amanda MacMillian," she replied. Draco smiled slightly.
"I'm guessing you'll be Sorted into a House alongside the first years since it's your first year at Hogwarts." Amanda followed Draco onto the train and sat down across from him at a table.
"Oh," she said. "I thought that I'd just be in the House that's equivalent to my Ilvermorny House." Draco suddenly seemed more interested.
"What House were you in?"
"Thunderbird."
"You'll most likely be sorted into Slytherin then. Thunderbird and Slytherin are practically the same."
They continued to talk until the train arrived at a village called Hogsmeade. Amanda followed Draco off the train.
"Yeh must be the new third 'ear," said a voice behind her. Both Amanda and Draco turned. Amanda was met with the sight of a very tall man with a bushy black beard and semi-long black hair. The man stuck his hand out and Amanda shook it. "Name's Hagrid. Gamekeeper and teacher of Care of Magical Creatures. Now if yeh'll just follow the first 'ears to the boats, yeh'll be able to get to the Sorting Ceremony." Hagrid looked at Draco and Amanda thought that there was a hint of suspicion in Hagrid's face. Amanda turned to say goodbye to Draco but saw that he was already walking away. Hagrid led her to the boats and she climbed into one with three first years who eyed her warily.
Before she knew it, Amanda was walking up the stairs inside the castle toward huge wooden doors. A woman seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"I am Professor McGonagall," she said. "Very shortly we will begin the Sorting Ceremony where you will be sorted into one of four Houses. Please wait here until we are ready for you." She walked away and out of sight. The first years began to talk amongst themselves. After a few minutes, McGonagall returned.
"We are ready for you now," she said. She turned around and headed toward the door. They opened of their own accord and Amanda and the first years followed McGonagall into the room. Four very long tables were set up. Amanda looked around and saw the boy who helped her get to Platform 9 ¾. Two tables to the right, she caught sight of Draco. He saw her and she was just about to wave to him when the room suddenly fell quiet. McGonagall was standing next to a stool with an old hat resting on top of it. She proceeded to explain that when she called someone's name, that person was to come forward, sit on the stool, and then she would place the Sorting Hat on their head.
Name after name was called and the Sorting Hat called out Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin, or Hufflepuff depending on where that person fit. Amanda was the last one to be called.
"MacMillian, Amanda!" said McGonagall. Amanda made her way to the stool. She sat on it and felt the Sorting Hat being placed on her head.
"Hmm…" said the Sorting Hat. "Transfer third year, are we? From Ilvermorny...Thunderbird, huh? I can definitely see you doing well in Slytherin…" Amanda saw Draco staring at her intently. He probably hoped she'd be placed in Slytherin. The Sorting Hat was still mumbling about where to put her. It suddenly yelled "Hufflepuff!" and cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table. As she made her way to her House table, she looked back at Draco, only to find him turned away from her.