Scarlet and Steam

Rain dripped along the rooftops of Cavendish Road. As the gray September morning unfurled around rows of terraced houses, most the inhabitants still slumbered peacefully. Inside number thirty-two, however, the damp and gray had done nothing to lower the mood.

"Mum, Dad, come on get up! Get up, we're going to be late!"

Dean Thomas rolled over in bed, eyes still closed.

"Sweetie, we have hours to spare, go back to bed." Padma's voice, half-asleep, floated up from the pile of blankets beside him.

Dean squeezed his eyes tighter. "Yeah, what your mum said."

"But Daaaad—"

"Hey, cheeky, don't you 'but Dad' me," he grinned, finally meeting the insistent stare of his daughter. "Riley, we know you're excited but can we just sleep a little longer?"

"I don't think so." Dean's older daughter, Anna, popped her head in the open bedroom doorway. "She's gotten me up," she said, brandishing a toothbrush, "so you two can get up and all."

Padma laughed. "Fine, fine, we're up. It's a big day, we wouldn't want Dad to sleep through it now would we?" she grinned, ruffling her husband's hair.

"Me sleep through it?"

"Yes you!" she laughed again. "Right. Riley, get dressed. Anna, I know you haven't finished packing so shake a leg. Your dad and I will make breakfast."

"Can we have bacon?" Riley asked.

"Sure, sweetie, whatever you like," Padma replied.

"And sausage?" Dean asked with a grin.

"Now who's cheeky?" Padma said with a laugh, swatting his shoulder. "Go on, Riley, get dressed and come downstairs."

"Okay!" Riley bounced down the hallway to her room, full of excitement. She couldn't believe it. She was going to Hogwarts! Ever since watching Anna go three years ago it had been absolute torture having to wait. Every Christmas, Easter, and summer she'd come back with more and more stories about spells and potions and boys and Quidditch! Riley was so excited for Quidditch. It was so unfair that first years weren't allowed to have their own brooms, she thought, looking at her Cleansweep. The corner it leaned in was covered in evidence of her Quidditch obsession, from the quaffle her dad got her for her eighth birthday to her prized possession—a Wimbourne Wasps poster signed by the entire team. While she almost couldn't bear to leave it at home, the fear of it being stolen was enough to convince her.

Her trunk stood neatly next to her door, filled to the brim with school supplies and books. Not for the first time that morning, her stomach did a somersault. What if she didn't make friends? What if no one liked her? What if she didn't get Gryffindor? She pushed the nervous thoughts down.

Slipping into her favorite pair of jeans and a Wasps sweatshirt, she set about taming her mass of curly black hair. Anna was forever using potions, creams—and what Riley suspected was a little magic—to turn hers silky, straight, and manageable. For Riley, though, two braids to keep it out of her face was more than enough to satisfy.

The owl they would be sharing squawked in the next room as she made her way down stairs. "Ronaldo," her dad called the owl. Something to do with football, but she didn't know very much about muggle sports. She was happy enough that Ronaldo was Anna's responsibility, not her own.

"That smells good," Riley grinned, sliding into a seat at the kitchen table. Bacon flipped in the enchanted frying pan while the coffee mugs refilled themselves.

"Tastes alright too" Dean laughed, stealing a piece. "How are you feeling?"

"Uh, a little nervous I guess," Riley admitted, shifting in her chair.

"About what?"

"Well I dunno, just if people like me and stuff."

"Sweetie, you're wonderful, of course people will like you." Dean put his hand on her shoulder. "You're my cheeky monkey, all you've got to do is be yourself."

"Yeah, I guess so. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"Well I just really want to be in Gryffindor. Like you, and Anna, and Auntie Parvati."

"I know, sweetie, and I'm sure you will be," Dean smiled. "But even if you're not, whatever house you end up in will be the right one for you. And we'll be proud of you no matter what." He wrapped his arm around Padma's waist. "Besides," he said, kissing her cheek. "Your mum was in Ravenclaw and she's the smartest, most beautiful woman in the world."

"Gross," Riley giggled, blushing at her parents' display of affection.

"It's because she's cleverer than us," he said with a wink.

"Oh hush," Padma laughed. She fixed Riley a plate of bacon. "He's right, though, sweetie, whatever house you're in will be the perfect one for you. And one last thing," she added, smoothing her daughter's hair. "Mind you don't go calling her 'Auntie Parvati' once you get there."

Riley laughed. "That's Professor Patil to you, young lady," she said, putting on a posh accent and holding up an imaginary monocle.

"There's my goofy girl," Padma smiled.

"I can't find my lipstick anywhere!" Anna's voice frequently entered the room before she did nowadays. "I think Ronaldo must have gotten at it," she complained as she made her way down the stairs.

"Awfully dressed up, aren't you?" Padma eyed the dress, jacket, and mountain of jewelry her daughter had opted for.

"Yeah and whaddyou need lipstick for?" Riley asked through a mouthful of food.

"It's a train ride. You change into your robes before you even get there," Padma said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well…well you never know who you're going to meet," Anna protested. "After all, you met Dad at school."

Dean laughed. "Not by looking like that. Go on, off upstairs and change."

"Dad—"

"Go," Padma reiterated in a kind but firm voice. "Trust me on this one, An."

"Fine." Anna rolled her eyes and flounced back up the stairs.

"Is this that whole teenager thing we were warned about?" Dean asked.

"As the half of this relationship that has experienced being a teenage girl, I'm going to say that's a definitive yes," Padma told him. "It's a phase, everyone goes through it, she's still our sweet girl. Just with a few more eyerolls."

"Well I'm not going to be like that," Riley piped up. "I'd rather put this ketchup all over my mouth than use lipstick."

"You can stay our little cheeky monkey forever," Dean laughed, clearing her now empty plate. "But go on and get the rest of your things together. We'll be off in a bit."

The train whistle screamed as the Thomas' made their way down platform nine and three-quarters with trunks, bags, and Ronaldo in tow.

"Right, Anna, make sure that Riley finds somewhere to sit on the train before you go off and find your friends," Padma told her older daughter. "And Riley, try to find people your age to sit with."

Riley gave her mother a nervous smile.

"It will all be great, sweetie," Padma said, putting her arm around her shoulder. "You'll be nervous, it might be awkward at first, but they will be some of the best years of your life. And the best friends you'll ever make." She nodded at where Dean was reenacting a story with his school friend Seamus, much to the chagrin of the latter's 12-year-old daughter Abigail.

"You're right, I know," Riley nodded.

The train whistle sounded again as Dean returned to the group.

"Right then," he grinned, "best get you ladies going."

They left their luggage with the porter and made their way to the train door. "Take care of your sister," Dean said, wrapping Anna in a big hug.

"I know, I know," Anna smiled. "She'll be just fine."

"Have fun, sweetie, write us when you get there. We're so proud of you both" Padma hugged each of her daughters in turn, fighting back a single tear.

Dean squeezed Riley in a bear hug. "Bye, cheeky," he grinned. "We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

Anna and Riley clambered aboard as the Hogwarts Express began to pull away from the platform. Leaning out the still-open door, they waved goodbye to their parents one last time before the train disappeared through the tunnel, Hogwarts-bound.

"Right then, let's find you a compartment," Anna said, as they made their way down the corridor. "How about them?" she asked, gesturing at a group of nervous-looking girls. "They look like first years. And look, one of them's got a Quidditch sticker on her trunk."

"Um, yeah, okay," Riley said, shifting awkwardly.

"Look, there's nothing to be nervous about," Anna said smiling. "They're just as uncomfortable as you are. Go ask if you can sit with them, they won't say no."

And with that, Anna was off down the corridor in search of her friends. Or more likely, whatever boy she had been after with that monstrosity of an outfit she'd put together earlier. A good strategy, however, as it left Riley with no choice but to approach the girls in the compartment.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" she asked, popping her head in. "I'm a first year, I don't know anyone else."

"Oh, sure. Us too." The response came from the girl closest to the door. "We were just saying it would be nice if we had a fourth person." She flipped her long blonde braid over her shoulder and nodded at the empty seat.

"Cool, thanks," Riley grinned as she sat down.

A beat passed. The awkward silence, broken only by the roar of the train, was deafening. "I um…think it's really cool how the train knows where to send your stuff once you've sat down," Riley offered, gesturing at her trunk that had materialized overhead.

The twin readheads sitting across from each other by the window shared a derogatory glance. "I guess." Riley was taken aback by the blunt, and definitely sarcastic response. She felt her face flush. This was not off to a good start.

"No but it totally is though," the blonde girl said, rescuing her. "I was worried sick about how I was supposed to get my massive trunk and my cat down the corridor with me." She laughed. "Of course they've thought of that, though. They've thought of everything."

"You have a cat?" Riley asked.

"Yeah, he was my mom's." She gestured to the cat carrier beneath the seat where a ball of fur was sleeping contentedly. "He's really old. His name is Pudge," she laughed again. She had a nice laugh, Riley noticed, like little bells. "You can probably guess why."

"Pudge, I like that," Riley said smiling. "I'm Riley, by the way. Riley Thomas."

"Elsa," one of the twins piped up, still seeming wholly uninterested. "That's Bella."

"I'm Georgia," the blonde girl said, "Georgia Bagman."

"Wait," Riley said. "Are you related to Ludo Bagman?"

"Um, yeah," Georgia said, shifting uncomfortably. "He's my dad's brother, but we don't really talk about him that much given…everything."

"Oh…yeah sorry," Riley grimaced. "I just, well the Wimbourne Wasps are my favorite Quidditch team" She gestured at her sweatshirt. "And obviously he played for them for a while, and even played for England. So that's still pretty cool to me I guess…"

"Don't worry about it," Georgia said, smiling again. "I like Quidditch too. I follow the Falcons." She pointed at the sticker on her trunk. "Do you play?"

"I've played a little," Riley grinned. "But the junior league where we live isn't so good really. I want to be a chaser though. I really want to be on the Gryffindor team."

"Me too!" Georgia said. "But, well, I want to be a keeper…and for Ravenclaw, so I guess not really the same" she laughed. "But it's cool to have met someone who's also into Quidditch. I can't wait to try out."

From the corner, Elsa piped. "Yeah but first years never make the house teams. That's like, impossible. You're probably wasting your time."

Taken aback by the girl's rudeness, Riley and Georgia exchanged looks. "Yeah," Riley said. "Almost never. Harry Potter did. And there were people before him who did it too."

"Oh and you're as good as Harry Potter are you?" Bella snorted. "Relax, Chosen One."

"There's no need to be rude," Georgia said, looking upset.

"Forget them," Riley said. "We know we're good."

That put the smile back on Georgia's face. "Yeah," she said. "Yeah, you're right, we are."

The soft rolling hills of English countryside flashed by past the window, turning first into forest, then mountains as the Hogwarts Express climbed northwards into Scotland. Rain continued to fall, as it had back at home, but Riley's spirits sailed high. She began to picture what it would be like to really be at Hogwarts. To learn magic, even the simple spells her mum and dad did around the house. To learn to fly from a proper instructor, not just putting around. She couldn't wait to explore all the curiosities of Hogwarts. She pictured suits of armor and ancient portraits and lavish banquets. Her dad even told her there used to be a giant who worked there! She had learned about the Battle of Hogwarts, of course. Every wizarding child knew about it. But now, so many years later, everything was finally returning to normal.

Riley happily jabbered about Quidditch with Georgia for what seemed like hours, feeling that possibly she had made her first friend. The world flew by outside, taking with it all her anxieties, bringing her closer to the place she had waited so long to go.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" The words and the kindly face that popped into the compartment startled her, almost as if from a reverie. Riley pulled out her coins, counting how many she could spare on sweets while Georgia puzzled over the merits of a Chocolate Frog.

"Nothing for us, thanks," Elsa said.

"Sweets are fattening," Bella said pointedly. Seriously what was with these two?

"Um," Georgia cast her eyes down, going slightly red in the cheeks. "Nothing for me either, thanks."

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, please." Riley was not about to let some stupid stuck-up girl make her pass up a sweet treat. Who cares if they were fattening anyway?

Handing over her money, Riley tore into the box, offering a handful to a grateful-looking Georgia. "You know," Riley said, popping a blueberry one into her mouth, "I know all the flavors by sight."

"Really?" Georgia asked, her eyes widening. "How?"

"I just do, I keep track of them when I eat them. Like this one," she said, holding up a bright red one, "looks like cherry, but is actually cinnamon. Try it!"

Georgia took it. "Wow, you're right! Do another."

"Okay, uhh….this one," green this time, "is lime."

"Right again," Georgia said, laughing.

"Okay now this one," Riley said, digging around in the box, "is one of my favorites." She pulled out a light-colored tan bean. "It's toasted marshmallow. You should try it," she said, holding it out to Bella. Bella looked at it warily. "Come on," Riley wheedled, "one bean won't kill you."

"Fine, but it better be good," Bella said. She popped it into her mouth. Not a second later her face was screwed in horror and disgust. "Ew!" she screamed, spitting it out. "What the hell was that? That tasted like…like puke or something. What is wrong with you?"

"Oh no," Riley mumbled, putting on an exaggerated sad face. "I'm so sorry, I think I got that one wrong."

Georgia burst out laughing as Elsa and Bella shot her dirty looks. "Hey, it's not my fault," she said. "The ones she gave me were right!"

Riley giggled. She knew she shouldn't have been petty, but the twins had been rude to them the entire journey and shamed Georgia out of her sweets. She wasn't bothered if they didn't like her. Friends like those were not ones she wanted. Not that they had showed any desire to be friends with her anyway.

"We should probably get changed," Georgia said, once she had stopped laughing. "I think we're going to be there soon. I'm so excited!"

"Me too," Riley smiled warmly. "Me too."

"First years, this way!" The groundskeeper's voice rang out loud and clear above the puffing smoke of the train as the students scrambled down the steps of the scarlet cars. "First years, follow me!" A lantern held aloft lighted the way for the tiniest and newest members of Hogwarts, fighting the tide of older students making their way to horseless carriages. With Georgia following close behind, Riley made her way through the sea of people. Her clean black robes felt heavy and luxurious on her shoulders, waiting for a colored tie, hood, and crest.

Following the beacon of light down to the lakefront, Riley felt her stomach begin to twist again. She and Georgia clambered into one of the neatly aligned rowboats that waited to take them onward to the beginning of their new story. Nestled into a cove, they could not yet see the castle, only the faint glow of lights dancing along the water. They managed to avoid the twins, instead finding company with three boys exuberantly talking what seemed to be absolute rubbish. They were loud and boisterous, threatening to push each other in and to the 'mercy of the giant squid,' as they put it.

"Now there will be none of that," the groundskeeper chastised sternly. He was young, tall and muscular with a short, stubbly beard. Riley remembered Anna gushing to her over the Christmas holiday that the new groundskeeper was gorgeous, and for once she had to agree. "Please keep still in the boats, do not touch the water, and do not," he shot a look at the boys, "under any circumstances push each other in. Now," he waved his hand and the boats began to glide into the still night water, "welcome to Hogwarts."

Softly cutting through the water, the lake was as smooth as glass before the boats. As they rounded the corner of the cove, an audible gasp went up from every vessel. It was truly as breathtaking as everyone made it sound. Hogwarts castle, perched high atop a bluff, sparkled with light like thousands of stars against the night sky. Turrets loomed higher than Riley though possible, and candles danced in every window. This, she realized, was her new home. This awe-inspiring spectacle was hers to experience every day for the next seven years.

"It's beautiful," Georgia whispered beside her.

When the boats finally bumped against the other side of the lake, it was like being woken from a dream. "Everybody up and out," the groundskeeper said, lifting his lantern one again. "Follow me."

Up, up, up he led them, staircase after staircase, until they stood before the massive and ornate wooden doors. The groundskeeper knocked three times and the doors swung open as though they were light as a feather. In the archway, a silhouette against the brilliant golden light that billowed from inside, stood a wizard festooned in flowing emerald green robes. "Good evening," he smiled, peering out from behind silver half-moon spectacles. "I am Albert Braeburn, deputy headmaster and head of Slytherin House." He ran his hand through graying, though perfectly arranged chestnut hair. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I hope you have had a pleasant journey. You stand before me now as newcomers to our storied institution, and our first order of business is to determine where each of you fits within our marvelous school. I am talking of course, of the sorting ceremony. Here at Hogwarts, we have four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has a noble history, and has produced fine witches and wizards. You will learn more about the houses when the ceremony begins. Which, if you would please form a double-file line, will be, well, now" he chuckled.

Whispers went up among the first years as they shuffled into line. "What do we have to do?" some asked. "I heard everyone in Slytherin is evil," others conjectured. All around Riley were conversations regarding people's hopes, fears, and what houses their parents belonged to.

"Everyone is nervous," Georgia whispered. "I'm just excited."

"Yeah…" Riley mumbled.

Once they assembled in their lines, Professor Braeburn waved his wand and the doors to the Great Hall slowly swung open. For the second time, Riley's breath was taken away. The Great Hall was lined with four massive tables, each filled with students from one of the houses. A sea of crimson, emerald, sapphire, and gold banners adorned the walls, which flickered with candelabras and smiling, waving portraits. Most beautiful of all was the ceiling, enchanted to look like the night sky outside. Rain left behind in England, it twinkled with thousands of clear, perfect stars.

At the front of the hall at the high table sat the professors, adorned in their finest robes. As the first years filed down the center aisle, Riley hoped to catch a reassuring glance from her Aunt Parvati. Her mother's twin, Parvati had become the divination professor after finding a passion for it at school—not to mention head of Gryffindor House! Wearing deep fuschia robes, she occupied the place to the Headmistress' right, regal as a queen. Sure enough, though, when Riley drew near, Parvati beamed at her.

Coming to a halt in front of the raised dais on which the high table stood, the first years were faced with a simple stool and a lumpy old wizards' hat. Was this some sort of joke? What could a hat have to do with finding your house? Whispers echoes among the group while the teachers looked on knowingly.

Braeburn pulled out a scroll and stood by the side of the stool. "When you're ready," he said.

Thank you. What? Riley could swear she was going crazy. Did that hat just speak?

Welcome, friend, to Hogwarts,

I think you will adore

This marvelous institution

Where you always can learn more

But to truly live the life

Our founders sought for you,

A house you must be allocated.

So that is what we'll do.

You may think you're a Ravenclaw,

A friend of knowledge and wit.

Your bright and shining intellect

Will never let you quit.

Or perhaps you are a Slytherin,

Those clever, cunning souls.

Who always find the means to reach

Their ambitions, dreams, and goals.

If Gryffindor is what you seek

Then bravery you'll need.

Courage and a stout heart will prevail

In every deed.

Hufflepuffs are loyal folk

Who fight for what is right.

Fair and just and trustworthy,

They work with all their might.

And I can tell you which of these

True spirits you possess.

Just put me on your little head,

And I will do the rest.

As the hat finished its song, the Great Hall burst into applause. The hat curled its head in a bow before silence once again fell over the assembled crown. "Thank you very much," Braeburn said to the hat. "When I call your name, please sit on the stool. I will place the hat on your head. When it has sorted you, you may join your fellow house-members at your table.

"First up, Archer, Bella."

The first twin from the train took her seat on the stool, as Braeburn placed the sorting hat on her head. Within a few moments, the hat had decided. Slytherin! It bellowed and the Slytherin table erupted in cheers.

"Archer, Elsa." Again, within a few moments, Slytherin!

"No surprises there," Georgia muttered under her breath.

"Assad, Hamum." Gryffindor!

"Attlee, Jacob." Hufflepuff!

"Bagman, Georgia."

"Good luck," Riley whispered as Georgia made her way to the stool. After a moment's pause: Ravenclaw! Riley clapped for her new friend, she had gotten what she wanted! After Georgia, the list seemed to drag on forever, with each new member of a house being celebrated with uproarious applause. So far, the students were relatively evenly distributed, and no one seemed disappointed.

"Turner, Benjamin." Gryffindor!

"Thomas, Riley." That's me, Riley thought, her stomach doing cartwheels. She was so excited, but so nervous. It will be fine, she knew, every house is a good house.

Ah, Riley Thomas. It was talking to her! Could everyone else here it? Or just her? I remember your sister, and your mother and father well. Aunt too, I believe. Wonderful people, all of them. But what to do with you? I know just where you belong. Better be…"