Quick Note: I wrote this story... 3 years ago? I'm not sure when. I was looking through my documents when I found it and decided to post it. Anyways I'm still looking for helpful criticism because I might want to keep continuing with this story. If you have any ideas, interesting plots, etc. feel free to include them because it's been a while and I don't really remember what I had planned...
Running through the brick wall barrier to Platform 9 ¾ is thrilling. It was all thrilling really. Getting to finally go to Hogwarts, the place James Potter, my cousin, has been bragging about for ages. Mum just got me a cat yesterday along with all my books and parchment. I've framed my letter and I've been practicing spells left and right.
"Rose dear, hurry up!" My mother, Hermione Weasley shouted. I was in awe of all the wizards and witches bustling around me. My father, Ronald Weasley was dragging me by the hand to meet up with James, Lily and Albus. This is Albus' first year at Hogwarts as well, so I unloaded all my anxieties on him.
"Albus!" He smiled and waved at me. Albus was an adorable, short little boy with dark black hair and a contagious smile. "Are you ready? Do you have all your books and supplies? What house do you think we'll be in? I hope I'm in Gryffindor!" I talked about a mile a minute and Albus just stared at me.
"Rose, don't get me all nervous! Mum just had a row with me because I was so nervous!" His mum, Ginny Potter, married to the famous Harry Potter. I wasn't sure what for though. Whenever I asked him he said he'd tell me another day. I guess he doesn't like reliving his glory days.
Suddenly, the happy chatter stopped and all the adults were staring far down the Platform. I looked over and saw what they were staring at. A father, mother and child all with very blonde hair and pale faces who were staring back at us. The father nodded at Harry and he nodded back.
"Who's that?" I asked my dad.
"The Malfoy's." He scowled, showing his obvious hatred.
"Be nice!" Mum smacked dad. "We're supposed to be at peace!"
"Whatever." He muttered, and then kneeled down to me. "Be sure to beat that boy at every test Rose."
"Ron!"
"Just some playful competition." He replied. The train was staring up and my heart lurched in panic. It was time! We all quickly loaded our trunks onto the train and peeked our heads out the windows to wave goodbye. I could see my dad's arm around my mum's shoulders as she waved back to us.
"Remember to do well in your studies!" She said.
"And cause a little trouble!" Dad said, followed with another hit from mom.
Then the train began to move and soon they were completely out of sight. James, Albus and I walked around the train looking for a good compartment. Within seconds James found some of his friends and completely ditched us.
"Oh look its Victoire!" Albus said. I glanced over at her laughing in a compartment with none other than Teddy Lupin. We were about to join them when they started snogging. Albus' mouth dropped open. "We have to tell mum and dad!"
"I don't think they would appreciate that. Come on, let's go." I said, wandering along the corridors with Albus. We finally gave up looking for an empty one and settled on one with only three people in it.
"Do you mind if we sit here?" Albus asked.
"Of course not." Said a dreamy voice. She had very blonde hair and big, wide eyes. She was reading a Quibbler, whatever that was. "I'm Ella Huffman. Who are you?"
"I'm Rose Weasley and that's Albus Potter."
"Oh!" She exclaimed. "I know you! My mother used to be friends with your parents. Her name was Luna Lovegood."
I still had no clue who she was, probably crazy. I looked over at Albus and his eyes lit up.
"My dad's mentioned her! It's great to meet you." We looked at the other two in the compartment, one we didn't recognize but the other…
"You're that Malfoy boy!" I almost yelled.
"I would prefer being called Scorpious." He said coolly. Albus sniggered at his name.
"I don't think we're supposed to talk to you…" I started to wish we hadn't picked this compartment. Dad made it clear that he really hated the Malfoy's.
"Why not Weasley? Scared?" He sneered. I was starting to hate him almost as much as dad did.
"No. It's just that I was brought up not to hang out with scum like you." I may be coming off snobbish but he just made me so… angry! All he could do was scowl and turn his head towards the window.
Sitting beside me, the boy was looking very uncomfortable.
"Who're you?" I asked.
"I'm Tom McLaggen." He said. The room was very awkward. I sat across from Albus and he looked as unsure as I did.
"So." Albus said, trying to start some conversation. "What year are you guys in?" He asked. "Rose and I are in our first year."
"First year." Tom replied.
"Second year." Said Ella.
We all looked at Scorpious and he said with a roll of his eyes, "First year."
"What house do you think you'll be in?" Ella asked.
"I'm hoping for Gryffindor." I said brightly. "Both my parents were and I think it's the best house personally."
"Me too!" Albus added.
"My mother was in Slytherin and my dad was in Gryffindor. I don't really know which house I want though." Tom said.
"What?" Scorpious scoffed. "A Slytherin married a Gryffindor? Your mum must've had low standards."
"Shut up Malfoy." I sneered at him. "I suppose you'll want to be in the evil house then?"
"We're not evil, we're cunning and swift. It's the only house worth being in."
"So you don't care about bravery, intelligence or loyalty then?" I spat back.
"You said yourself that you preferred Gryffindor the best. So you don't care about being cunning, intelligence or loyalty either!" We were having quite a row now, but I couldn't stop. Something in me needed to beat him and be better than him.
"I said it's the best in my opinion. I still think the other houses are fine, except for Slytherin." I gave him my best sneer.
"You're just jealous that Slytherin can beat Gryffindor in everything."
"Do you really want to bet on that Malfoy?" He hesitated for a moment.
"Yes. How about we see which team wins in the first match against Slytherin and Gryffindor. And if Slytherin wins, you have to do my potions homework for two months and you have to do it well."
"Fine. But if Gryffindor wins, you have to say out loud that Gryffindor is better than Slytherin and do my potions homework for one month."
"We have a deal then. And if you don't mind, I'm going to go change into my robes."
Scorpious walked out of the compartment and Albus, Ella and Tom were all staring at me.
"First day here and you already have an enemy?" Albus said.
"I didn't mean for it, it just kind of happened." I said. I really meant it too. I didn't want anyone here to hate me, but I guess it was too late to change that.
The train stopped in a matter of minutes and we all had to rush to get our robes on and get outside.
The castle was beautiful. Enchanting. Mesmerizing. Albus and I stopped in awe as we got out at a place called Hogsmead. There was a huge, magnificent lake in front of the castle that we had to cross in boats. I hopped on one with Albus and Tom as we made our way to Hogwarts.
My heart was beating a mile a minute, preparing for the sorting. I would probably get in Gryffindor, but you can't help but be nervous about this sort of thing. My house is going to define my time at Hogwarts and which friends I make! Plus, I'd love to win the house cup, so I don't really want to be sorted into Hufflepuff. The Ravenclaws seem sort of stuck up. They are extremely smart, which my dad says I've inherited from my mum, but she was in Gryffindor as well! As for Slytherin, I would despise being put in there with that Malfoy bloke.
Albus hear me muttering my insanities under my breath.
"What are you saying?" He asked.
"I'm just really nervous about the sorting." She said.
"Well, I don't know about you, but my dad said he'd be proud no matter which house I was in."
"Even Slytherin?" I asked.
"Especially."
"Wow. My dad would murder me if I was in Slytherin. Literally." My face was twisted in worry, and I knew Albus could tell.
"Rose. Don't make this about pleasing your dad. If he wanted you to be in Slytherin, would that be the house you wanted as well?"
"I guess not…"
"Then don't worry about it. Even if you don't get Gryffindor, I'm sure you'll be fine."
I tried to breathe as evenly as I could, but even that task seemed impossible.
We got out of the boats and I made sure to stay close to Albus. We were lead up to the castle by a strict looking woman in emerald green robes.
"That must be Professor McGonagall. Mum told me that she used to be the head of Gryffindor. Now she's the headmaster." Albus whispered to me.
The inside of the castle was intimidating. It looked ancient and prestigious and… I had read about those! Mum bought me, Hogwarts: A History, last year when I was complaining about not being able to go to Hogwarts yet. She said it'd helped her out a lot. Anyways, I read that the staircases moved. It was really a sight. Rows and rows of stairs shifting whenever they pleased.
We finally got to the Great Hall and Professor McGonagall asked us to wait outside. We were all huddled in a big group. I could see Scorpious a few feet ahead of me and I scowled under my breath. I barley knew him and I hated him! We chatted a bit with other people and I met Henry Steels, Kathleen Clearwater, Melissa Dumphin and William Terrey. Sooner than I would've liked, we were called in to be sorted.
"Adler, George."
I watched anxiously to see what would happen. The old, musty hat was placed on top of his head. It muttered a bit, so no one could hear and it soon called out,
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table cheered as George sat down with them. The sorting went quite quickly. So far Kathleen had been placed in Hufflepuff, Melissa was in Gryffindor, Ella was in Ravenclaw and there had been more people that I couldn't remember.
"Malfoy, Scorpious."
He strutted up to the seat and the hat was placed on his head. He was sitting there, more anxious than I'd ever seen him, sitting silently until the hat made his decision. It took a fair bit of time for the hat to decide. Then,
"Ravenclaw!"
I almost gasped. That git got into Ravenclaw! I thought they were supposed to be smart? Next was Tom, who got put into Ravenclaw as well. That surprised me a bit; he didn't come off as smart.
"Potter, Albus." I scanned the room and saw James give Albus a thumb up as he sat down. I could see Albus muttering something, though I wasn't sure what.
"Gryffindor!" The hat screamed. I smiled at the look of joy on Albus' face as he sat down next to James. Then Henry went up and he got put into Gryffindor.
"Weasley, Rose." My hands were shaking as I approached the stool. Everyone was watching. What if I got put into Slytherin? What if that's where I belong? So many things were running through my head that I got a jolt of surprise when the hat started talking to me.
"Hm… a brave soul I see…very courageous and there is lots of love in you." My heart rose. That sounded like Gryffindor! "But also very wise. You have a broader mind than I've seen in a while… oh and very witty I see. Which house…" I closed my eyes waiting for the impact of its words.
"Ravenclaw!"