Aloria Krym sighed. Standing at the King's Cross Station all by herself, there was quite a long time before the Hogwart's Express came. With long, dark hair, and thick eyelashes framing her large violet eyes, many pedestrians wondered what a lovely young lady was doing all by herself. Aloria would go onto platform 9 ¾ to avoid the stares, if only she knew how to. She had to wait for someone to come along and show her how to get on the mysterious platform before she could board.
After waiting for nearly a half hour, a tall girl with wavy brown hair wandered into view, muttering about "stupid Muggles, crowding up the place." Aloria had a moment to herself to celebrate, before politely shuffling up to her.
"Um, excuse me? Would you happen to know how to get on the platform 9 ¾?" Her brown eyes met Aloria's, filled with amusement.
"You're new, aren't you? Transfer student? Hmmm, weird. Oh well, I'll show you." The girl moved farther down the pathway. She motioned for Aloria to watch her, before charging straight toward a column. Aloria watched with fascination as the other girl vanished into the stone column. Used to the strange quirks of the wizarding world, Aloria followed suit. The world around Aloria went black for a moment, before the loud noises of a train station returned. A scarlet train sat patiently on its tracks, as students boarded and parents waved goodbye.
No wonder nobody came. I was waiting at the wrong spot, Aloria thought to herself. The same girl from the Muggle station stood patiently a little away from the spot Aloria come through. She smiled warmly and said "Welcome to Hogwarts!"
Aloria stared around her in amazement. After not seeing a single other wizard besides her father for months, Aloria was glad to see the liveliness of her fellow students.
"...and was built by an ingenious fellow, can't remember the name right off the top of my head..." Aloria tuned out the words of the older girl and wandered off, trying to find the trolleys laden with sweets Aloria hadn't tasted in months.
About five minutes later, the other girl stopped talking and turned toward where Aloria should have been. Scratching her head, she shrugged and left to find her other friends.
Aloria lugged her baggage into an empty compartment. Hoisting her suitcase over her head, Aloria pushed it onto the ledge above the seats. Settling herself comfortably in a corner by the window, she watched the people outside milling about, parents waving goodbye, and students hanging out compartment windows to shout at their parents.
A few minutes passed, and a soft knock sounded at the door. Aloria looked up from staring out the window. A tall girl with curly blonde hair stood outside nervously.
"Can I sit here? Everywhere else is taken." She pointed hesitantly at the other seat. Aloria smiled and nodded.
"Of course." The other girl's face broke out into a smile and she plopped down, adjusting herself until she was comfortable. An awkward silence passed over the pair, before Aloria's companion stuck out her hand and said "I'm Keah Warhald. Nice to meet you." Aloria placed her significantly smaller hand into Keah's and smiled.
"I'm Aloria Krym. What house are you in?" Keah smiled, glad to not have to initiate conversation again.
"I'm a Ravenclaw. What about you? I don't think I've seen you around here before."
"I'm new. I've been home-schooled ever since I was eleven. My dad was really against Hogwarts, but I convinced him to allow me to come."
"Oh, really? I've never heard of that happening. Anyways, if you need any help ever, you can come ask me."
Just then, the old lady that pushed the trolley up and down the length of the train knocked on the door.
"Anything from the trolley, dears?" Aloria jumped and hastily grabbed a few coins from her pocket.
"One box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, two chocolate frogs, and a pumpkin pastie, please." Aloria handed the witch the correct amount of change and, loaded with her treats, sat back down. She offered the box of beans to Keah, who eagerly took one. Looking at it with slight distrust, she shrugged and popped it into her mouth.
"Mm, pear. I thought it would be booger for a moment." The two amused themselves the rest of the ride by eating different flavored beans and watching each others' reactions when getting a strange flavor. A prefect interrupted right after Aloria swallowed an ear wax, and told them it would be best to change into their school robes.
Quickly changing, Aloria and Keah resumed to eating the treats. Aloria split the pumpkin pastie in half and handed some to Keah. Munching happily, the two chatted about school, previous relationships, and family (a topic Aloria chose to avoid.)
The Hogwarts Express soon came to a halt as it pulled into the Hogsmeade train station. Clambering off with bags in tow, Keah showed Aloria where to go.
"Since you're new, you'll probably have to go by boat. The rest of us get to go on carriages. Lucky for you, the weather's not that bad. I'll see you later then, Lori." Keah had already decided on a nickname for her.
A loud booming voice rang across the platform. "Eh, would Aloria Krym please come over 'ere?" Aloria whirled around. A giant towered over the first years, a mix of fascination and fear on their faces. "Aloria? Where are ya?" he called again. Aloria pushed her way through the crowd and went to stand in front of the giant.
"Aloria Krym, present." The giant glanced down.
"Oh, there y'are. I been lookin' all o'er fer yah. Me name's Hagrid. Keeper o' Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Well, Dumbledore's informed me o'yer...er...special case, and wanted me to tell ya he want's ter meet ya later on, after the Sorting." Aloria nodded. "Well, you'll be goin' with them firs' years now. Follow me, everyone. Don't want anyone getting lost." Hagrid turned around and slowly walked toward a huge lake, looking back a few times to make sure no one was lost.
Rows of small boats were lined up on the shore line. Stepping into one of them, Hagrid motioned for them to follow. In groups of three or four, the first years and Aloria sat down. Waving his hand at apparently nobody, the boats suddenly moved forward.
Aloria gazed wide-eyed at the flickering candles sitting in the countless windows of Hogwarts. The first years were impressed; they murmured to each other, their voices filled with excitement.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!"
"I know, isn't it?"
The murmurs combined with the soft rocking of the boats lulled Aloria to sleep. Curled up in the back of one of the numerous crafts, she remained unnoticed from the first years; she was just another 11 year old girl excited to start her magical education, when in fact she was a 14 year old girl about to start her fifth year.
The hull of Aloria's boat hitting dry land shook her awake. Jumping out lightly, she walked after Hagrid up the winding road that led to Aloria's new home for the next year.
Hagrid led them up to the entrance to the school before stopping them.
"Thats's far as I go. Jus' go up those steps o'er to the left and you'll see the Great Hall. Someone should be waiting for you up there." Aloria led the smaller first years into the castle and up the marble staircases.
At the top, an old thin witch wearing a pointed hat and deep green robes appeared and stopped the horde of first years climbing up into the hall where they would be sorted.
"Good evening! I am Professor McConagall, your Transfiguration teacher. Please wait a few moments out here. When we are ready for you, the doors will open and you will follow me into Great Hall to be Sorted." A few uneasy moments passed as the young witches and wizards pondered how they were going to be sorted.
"I think its some sort of test you have to take."
"In that case, you'd be kicked out for failing!"
"Ooh, Lily, do you see that boy over there? He's so cute!" (Obviously not everyone was thinking about the Sorting.)
Professor McConagall cleared her throat impatiently. Silence swept over the crowd of newcomers. "Can Aloria Krym come up to the front please?" Aloria nervously stepped up. "Now, I want you up in the front. Dumbledore'll want to see you, even though you're going to be sorted last." Aloria nodded. Professor patted her shoulder and went off to scold some rowdy first year boys. The great wooden doors of Great Hall opened creakily, revealing the many faces of the already Hogwarts students.
Aloria walked down the marble aisle in the center of the four long tables set up around them each table decorated in different colors. She spotted Keah sitting at a table covered in blue and bronze; Aloria assumed it was the Ravenclaw table.
The first years and Aloria let out cries of amazement when they saw the enchanted ceiling, displaying a peaceful scene with fluffy white clouds and shooting stars. They stopped right in front of Dumbledore's spot at the table. He stood up slowly, but steadily.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts! We hope you enjoy another fine year here. Now, I would like to say a few words before we begin the Sorting Ceremony. Please welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge." Dumbledore gestured to a short fat woman that resembled a squashed, pink, toad. She smiled a sickly sweet smile. Already Aloria didn't like her. Apparently many other students agreed. The applause for her was only half hearted. Dumbledore coughed politely, he motioned towards Professor McConagall. She stepped forward with a large roll of parchment.
"Abelton, Markus!" A small skinny boy nervously stepped up. He sat on the wooden stool placed in front of the teachers' table. Professor McConagall placed a worn hat on his head.
"Hufflepuff!" A loud booming voice cried, echoing throughout Great Hall. A few of the first years were caught off guard and jumped, startled. After the first name, Aloria entertained herself by the counting the clouds and stars on the sky, only half listening to the names being called.
Once Zubia, Elizabeth was sorted into Slytherin, many of the students raised their silverware, ready for the food to begin appearing. However, Dumbledore stood up again.
"We have one more student joining us. However, she will be sorted seperate from the rest. She will be joining all you fifth years. Aloria Krym, could you come up here?" Noise rippled through the Hall. Aloria just rolled her eyes. Transfer students were incredibly rare, no wonder they would talk.
Settling on the worn wooden stool, she felt all the eyes in the Hall turn to her. Professor McConagall placed a worn hat onto Aloria's head.
Hm, interesting. You've got quite a personality, young miss Krym.
So you can see inside my head, then?
Of course I can, how else would I sort the others? Anyways, don't interrupt me. I'm trying to sort you here.
Okay.
Lots of wit and cunning, lots of smarts as well, hmm, courage, and a dark sense of humor. I know!
"Slytherin!" the Hat cried out loud. Aloria slid off the stool and made her way over to the green and silver table that had erupted into applause.
Aloria sat at the end of the table, away from people her age. Dumbledore raised his hands, and the Hall fell silent.
"Let the feast, begin!" The food appeared on the golden platters the sat on the long tables. Aloria grabbed mashed potatoes and steak, eating ravenously.
"Where'd you come from?"
"How do you keep your hair so soft?"
"Interested in Quidditch?" Aloria was bombarded with all types of questions as she ate, satiating her grumbling stomach. Several of the students gaped at her in shock, amazed by her ability to make mashed potatoes and drumsticks disappear without a wand. She glared at all of them, her eyes chips of ice. Before she could yell for them to scram a tall, blonde boy with light grey eyes strutted into the crowd of people surrounding Aloria. They all parted obediently, looking extremely scared or with expressions of dreamy content on their faces. The blonde boy swept his fair hair out of his eyes and looked Aloria up and down. Aloria stared boldly back. He smirked.
"So you're the new celebrity, eh? You looked a lot taller on the stool. How old are you? Eight?" His cronies laughed at his jokes. The onlookers who were scared of him laughed along nervously. Most of the females were too oblivious to notice anything, and continued sighing and murmuring about his hair or his eyes or his body. Aloria just rolled her eyes. She had been teased about her height since she was eight.
"No, I'm actually turning fifteen soon." She said calmly. Mr. Blondie raised his eyebrows.
"Really? Doesn't look like it. Short, no chest, no ass, you're just a little kiddy, aren't you? Aww, you going to cry now? Go running back to mummy?"
Had he honestly thought she was going to cry? Anger dangerously flashed in Aloria's eyes before she stood up, knocking over the bench she was sitting on. Even standing, she only reached Mr. Blondie's shoulders. He raised an eyebrow cockily at her, before smirking again.
"Excuse me, but who are you? I like to know the names of my opponents, unless you would like me to call you Mr. Man-whore-with-an-ego-the-size-of-the-sun." He blinked a little in surprise, not expecting such a fiery comeback from such a timid looking girl. He brushed it off and scowled.
"Ms. Lamppost, you wouldn't be needing to talking to me. I don't deal with stupid half-bloods like you." He chuckled at the plain fury on Aloria's face, and walked away before Aloria could retort. Halfway down the table, he pivoted on his heel. "By the way, the names Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." Tunring around, he huffed and sat back down with his thugs. Resisting the urge to knee him where it would be incredibly painful, Aloria sat back down, glaring at the other students.
"Well, shows over! Get back to stuffing your faces!"
Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled in merriment. Professor McConagall followed his gaze, and smiled knowingly.
"She's quite a character, is she not?" Dumbledore nodded slowly. Sighing he picked up his fork and began chewing his cut up steak.
"Someone with a destiny as significant as hers will need a wild personality, Professor." Professor McConagall nodded.
"I just hope she's not such a terror in class.
A/N Yay! First fic! Please review, I'd like to know what all of you are thinking.