The more things change, the more they stay the same
Hogwarts express
Of all the compartments on the train, Moni figured theirs must be the most boisterous.
Rose (the first Weasley not to be in Gryffindor) and Albus were practising the spells they had learnt during their one year at Hogwarts, worried that others in their grade had learnt new things over the holidays.
Herself and Roxanne were in the middle of a loud debate (although fight was possibly a more accurate word) over which house was the best, casting basic hexes on each other until Lucy had put a stop to it before going back to her book called 'A closer look at Golpalots laws for advanced wizards'.
Then Roxi and Fred had started telling jokes, and Moni satisfied herself by using the compartment window to admire her long silvery blonde hair, deep blue eyes and tiny feature passers-by were so stunned by.
And then they saw Tia. (Moni's parents had thought that Vicky didn't suit their eldest daughter, as it wasn't pretty enough.)
"It eez time to get veady," said Tia, who had come to wish her little sister good luck.
If there was one thing Moni hated about her sister more than anything else, it was the fake French accent she had started to put on after the trip to France. She declared it was elegant, but Moni just found it irritating.
"Okay, just as soon as I have figured out how to do my hair,"
"'Ere, let me 'elp"
Dominique gladly agreed to let her sister do her hair; it was one of the many things she was good at.
Tia left, making sure Fred and Albus did with her, and the girls got dressed.
"God these robes make me look big," Roxi joked at Rose's expense. Everyone knew how the first time Rose had put her robes on she was nearly in tears because she thought she looked big, only to discover that it was because James had performed some kind of charm that made the robe look as though it had been stuffed with pillows.
"I hope I'm in Gryffindor," Moni said.
"I'm sure you will be," Rose assured her younger cousin.
"Hufflepuff wouldn't really be so bad, would it?" Roxanne asked. "I mean they're all really nice." This was the first time Moni had seen her look the slightest it doubtful since they were 5, and could help but try to reassure her friend.
"So long as you aren't in Slytherin you'll be fine"
"There isn't really anything wrong with Slytherin," said Rose, clearly trying to sound more mature than she actually was.
"Yes…Well…still." Moni wasn't convinced, but she really didn't feel like starting that argument again, it was just getting tired. And she didn't want to get her hair messed up, from unnecessary duelling, she was eager to at least make an impression on the younger children, even if the others were used to Tia's beauty.
"I'd rather Slytherin to Ravenclaw," Roxi teased.
"Hey, there is nothing wrong with Ravenclaw, It's better than Gryffindor," Rose retorted.
"Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart, I think not!"
"Hey, slow down, you don't even know you'll be in Gryffindor."
"But I know that the sorting hat would be an idiot not to put me the best house."
"Opposites don't always attract."
Moni sighed.
"Guys, I don't want to…" Moni trailed off, neither of them were listening, Rose was continuing jibing Gryffindor.
'"Oh come on, even hufflepuff's better than Gryffindor."
The fighting was ended when the train slowed to a stop. Moni sighed, this time of relief, and followed the others off the train, and onto the crowded ground below.
Once Moni looked up all her attention was taken by an enormous figure who was calling out over the noise of the crowd.
"First years, first years o'er 'ere, now."
Moni was unsure if she wanted to do as he said, but Rose pushed her forward.
"He won't bite, you know."
Accompanied by Roxi and Fred, Moni stepped towards the giant. As they were some of the lasts to get there, many people were already setting out in the boats.
Following the others' lead, the trio hopped on to the last boat there was.
They sat in silence for a while, mesmerised by the view.
"Look, the Agrippa card, someone must have dropped it!"
"So?"
"So it's the last one I need for my collection! Dummy (Moni grimaced, this was Fred's personal nickname for her) hold my legs, so I don't fall in."
"Fred, you can't honestly be thinking – you don't know what's in there – I mean…" Roxi was clearly worried about her twin.
"I'll be fine. Are you holding on tight, dummy?"
"Ye-e-es, but I don't-"
Fred dived in. Roxi covered her head with her hands.
"I've nearly got it," Moni thought he said, though she wasn't sure because his face was covered by water. All around her people started whispering. She assumed people were talking about how dumb Fred was, until she heard someone whispering the word Hogwarts.
She looked up just slightly to see the brightly lit castle, and was astonished by the sight.
She sat up fully so as to get a better view and felt herself losing balance.
She gripped on tightly to the sides of the boat and breathed a sigh of relief when she realised she had saved both herself and her hair. This relief only lasted for a moment though, for it was interrupted by Roxi leaning over the side of the boat, to see Fred thrashing in the water.
"Fred!"