The wizarding world is a fascinating place in which I have been blessed with being able to know and be a part of. As a full-blooded witch, it was almost certain that I would one day attend Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. I spent most of my childhood awaiting for the year I'd be able to step onto the platform with my trunk - riding the the train to school. My parents always warned me that I would never be fully prepared when I went off to Hogwarts, and that I would spend time adjusting to the new environment and being away from them for such long periods of time, but like any kid excited to be going to Hogwarts, it was ill-heard. Thus when the first day of school arrived, I found myself in a frenzy to ensure I had everything ready.

"Katie you're going to be late!" I heard my mom calling me from down the hall.

She was probably right that I'd be late, but I wasn't ready yet. I was nervous as all hell and I looked a mad wreck. No matter how much I tried to make my parents understand how important it was for me to make a good appearance on my first day at Hogwarts they just wouldn't understand. As I began tossing more of my belongings into my trunk, yet another voice could be heard from down the hall.

"Come on Katie we'll miss the train!" It was my best friend and soon to be fellow student Leanne Ghrimes calling me.

Leanne had been my best friend since I was three; she's a muggle, and as a child I was always forced to hide my secret from her. It came as a pleasant surprise when we received our letters to Hogwarts the same day. All summer we spend our afternoons together discussing the wizarding world. It would never be enough to just explain the amazing world I lived in until she experienced it for herself.

"Katherine Louise Bell, if I have to tell you one more time to get down here..."

"I'M COMING!" I shouted interrupting her.

I lugged my trunk down the hall and saw Leanne dressed up in her muggle clothes. It made me smile; I looked down at my own and noticed that my shirt was inside out, and felt myself begin to blush.

Leanne must have noticed my shirt too. Shaking her head she looked at me,"No time to fix it Kate, we need to get going!"

She was always one to keep track of the time, never wanting to be late for anything. I could see it in her eyes she was excited to see what this "wizarding world" was all about, and she had every right to be. I on the on the other hand felt sick to my stomach, more concerned with what house I would be sorted into.

We arrived at the train station with little time to spare. I looked over at Leanne and smiled as I saw her first impression of the wizarding world via platform 9¾. My mum turned to us both and embraced us in a huge hug. "No time to talk, the train will be leaving any moment. You two stay out of trouble, and Katie watch over Leanne; its hard coming into a world you know nothing about." I couldn't help but chuckle as I waved goodbye and we walked onto the train and into a compartment full of students.

"Lookie here we have some first years!" I heard one of the boys say in excitement as if we were some type of fresh meat.

"Bugger off," I said as valiantly as I could before we pushed our way through to another compartment.

"Katie!" I heard and before long I was engulfed in a huge hug. After being let loose I saw that it was Alicia Spinnet a childhood friend of mine.

I smiled.

"Alicia! I totally forgot that you would be here," I said a sigh of relief evident in my voice. I sat down and signaled for Leanne to follow.

"Alicia this is my best friend Leanne; she's all new to this so I'm trying to help her adjust." I said.

Alicia smiled.

"Hi Leanne, you're muggle born I take it?" she questioned.

"Yeah, I only just found out a few months back. I can't believe that there is a hidden world full of people like you and Katie, it's wonderful!" she exclaimed as the compartment door opened.

I looked up to see another girl and two flaming red-heads coming through and taking seats next to Alicia.

"Who are these two young gals?" one of the guys asked, looking us up and down.

"They are two first years; Katie I've known for years, our parents are practically best mates, and this is her good friend Leanne." Alicia said pointing Leanne and I out individually so they would know which girl was which.

"And before you think of it Fred, they are not going to be your next fling" the other girl that had come in with the boys warned.

I knew he had already thought of it though by the look he had given us, and he only frowned when she said that.

"So what are your names?" Leanne asked. I was surprised at how well she was adjusting and how easily it was for her to ease up.

After being introduced to Angelina, Fred, and George the trolly cart came in which was Fred and George's queue to leave.

"So are you girls excited?" Alicia asked when the two had left.

"I'm more nervous then excited," I admitted.

Angelina laughed. "I was too but you will love it at Hogwarts; between the guys and well the guys you will be in heaven!"

I laughed.

"So who are some guys to look out for?" Leanne asked inquisitively.

Alicia was all too excited to answer. "There are tons of them! You have to wait and see," she exclaimed.

I wondered for a moment if she came to school to study magic or to find a boyfriend. Alicia and Angelina assured us if we needed anything while at school just to ask them, and assured us it would all be okay.

Changing into our school robes, the train slowly came to a stop. I was nervous and looking over at Leanne I could tell she was starting to tense up as well. We became even more cautious as we left the trains and became immediately bombarded by the likes of a giant yelling for us first years to follow him.

"Here we go," I said looking at Leanne as we got into the boat that went across the lake. She looked at me with a big smile and held my hand as we sat and waited. When we arrived at the castle a short time later, Leanne and I both began to tremble.

"Good luck," I told her squeezing her hand lightly.

"You too Katie," she said squeezing my hand back.

"Welcome first years to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry," An older woman wearing spectacles said as we all assembled in the great hall. From her looks I assumed it was a professor. She gave us a few instructions and than told us to wait.

'so much waiting,' I thought to myself.

Finally the doors opened and exposed a huge hall full of students. We all walked towards the front and stood still while we listened to the headmaster explaining how the sorting hat worked. A smile came to my face and I was curious to hear what the sorting hat would sing; I had remembered my mom telling me it sang a new song every year. And then it began:

I sort you into houses

After all that's what I'm for,

I look into your mind

And take the ground ole' tour.

I decide where you belong

I make the choice for you

When it's all said and done,

You'll surely agree with me too.

Made and frayed from times long past,

I'm certainly a hat who's built to last.

Chosen to select so carefully,

A mistake is never made by me.

So lend me your head just for today,

And I shall decide where you should stay.

For those of valiance and strength indeed,

Gryffindor's exactly what you need.

But Hufflepuff could surely be my choice,

If you have loyalty an an honest voice.

Dearest Ravenclaw, let's not forget,

Is for open minds who are of great wit,

And if shrewdness and ambition is your name,

Slytherin is surely your way to fame.

Your brains I'll rack, and your mind I'll pry,

So step right up, and don't be shy.

The entire great hall erupted in cheers as the sorting began. I knew my name would be called rather quickly, but it never dawned on me that I would be first.

"Katherine Bell," I heard my name called from a tawny looking professor and nervously I crept up to the stool with the hat on it.

I took a glance towards the Hufflepuff table assuming I'd be there in a matter of minutes, seeing as both my parents had been sorted into the house.

I put the hat on top of my head and was shocked to hear it talking to my mind. "Yes Ms. Bell you are a lot like your mother; very intelligent and clever. Oh and you have your fathers loyalty too. I see a lot of potential in you; an ability to show strength and courage beyond what normal witches and wizards show."

"GRYFFINDOR" the hat yelled and I was astonished. The table erupted with cheers as I slowly looked back at Leanne before walking over to the table and sitting near the end. I waited patiently for Leanne to be called; when she was I was saddened to hear Ravenclaw.

"Katie!" Alicia yelled as she came down and sat next to me, Angelina following closely behind.

"Hey guys I didn't know you were in Gryffindor," I smiled.

"Look it's the girl from the train!" I heard the red-head say scooting down next to Angelina. I couldn't tell whether it was Fred or George.

"That's me," I giggled putting the food that had just appeared onto my plate.

I mostly listened as the three of them talked through dinner, not having much input to add.

"Tomorrow after classes we will show you around, okay Katie?" Alicia asked me.

"Sounds like a plan," I smiled back.

When everyone in the hall was finished eating we all headed towards what I assumed was the Gryffindor common room . After arriving and being told that the password was one-eyed witch, I quickly walked up to my room where I found my trunk already there in front of my four-post was only one other first year girl that had been sorted into Gryffindor with me. Figuring it is best if we were introduced now rather than later I spoke up.

"Hi I'm Katie I don't think we've met yet."

"Hi I'm Yvette," she replied with a smile.

"Have you gotten your schedule for classes?" I questioned and she shook her head no.

"My brother is a seventh year Gryffindor and he told me that we would get them tomorrow in the great hall before breakfast."

"Oh well that's relieving." I let out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, well have a good night sleep Katie," Yvette said before heading into her bed and closing the drapes so she could have some privacy.

"You too," I answered before doing the same with my drapes. After all of the days activities it didn't take long as I feel asleep for the first night of my new school.