Choices

Chapter 1

Aria stood there blankly looking at the big read steam train in front of her. She'd seen it many times before but she had never actually had to get on. There was something holding her back. Aria had heard so much about where she was going; she had panicked that she wouldn't receive her letter. When she had finally received it, she hadn't felt relief but more panic. Isn't this what she wanted? She stood there for a while, her hair whipping around her face in the wind. She continued stare at the Hogwarts Express until her thoughts were interrupted.

'Aria, come on, you need to get on! I'm sure the Weasleys will be here soon – you know what they're like' her mum said, thinking she was holding back due to the fact Ginny wasn't by her side.

Aria nodded still feeling rather dazed and her mum gave her a big hug and attempted to usher her on the train with her brother Fergus.

'Why did Ella have to rush off so quickly! Look after her Ferg' she pleaded as Fergus gave a look that implied he'd rather eat his own foot.

'It's fine mum' Aria muttered. Aria hated feeling like a liability.

She forced a big smile and guiltily gave her 6 year old brother, Charlie, a hug. He had cried all day about being left with their parents alone. At that moment the Weasleys dashed onto the platform bringing with them the hustle and bustle as always. Fred and George jumped on the train and went to find a carriage with Fergus and some other third years meanwhile, Ginny, who looked absolutely terrified, gave her mum a hug goodbye. Aria gave her mum a warm smile and a big wave as they boarded the train. The whistle went meanwhile a frantic Mr Weasley searched for the missing Harry and Ron. The train started to pull away and the two girls frantically waved to their concerned, and crying in Mrs Weasley's case, mothers who waved back enthusiastically. After the station was no longer in view the two girls stood their dumbfounded not quite sure what to do. Aria squeezed Ginny's hand comfortingly.

Later that evening, Aria stiffly walked up to sit on the stool in the Great Hall. She felt as if hundreds of eyes were boring into her back. Ginny smiled encouragingly at her among the gaggle of first years standing in the hall. She could see Ella and Fergus on the Ravenclaw table watching her eagerly. Aria felt uncomfortable as she concentrated on stopping herself from shaking.

'SLYTHERIN' the hat boomed.

What! She wasn't ready. She heard a faint hearted clap from the Slytherin as she froze dumbfounded. This wasn't supposed to happen. Mum had been in Slytherin but this was different. She couldn't be. She was supposed to be in Ravenclaw like the rest of her siblings and the other countless generations of Brooks'. Fear started to take over her body but somehow Aria managed to force herself to walk over and sit on the table with her fellow housemates. They paid no attention to her while she held back the tears. What was she to do? She knew no-one. Would Ginny even want to be friends with her anymore? She'd heard everyone slag off Slytherin, even her mother, who as one of the rare Slytherins who hadn't turned to dark magic in her later years. Aria just wanted to leave. To run away and hide and pretend this had never happened. She sat there in a daze for the majority of the evening, barely eating. What seemed to be days later Aria was finally shown to her dorm and on entering she saw two girls who clearly knew each other squealing in delight.

'This is so perfect!' one screamed hysterically

'I can't wait to tell Daddy' the other one said proudly.

Aria numbly stood there daring her day to get any worse. Suddenly two other girls appeared behind Aria with the same unamused look. They smiled warmly at Aria and asked which bed she wanted. Hopefully this wouldn't be too bad after all; she hoped.

Aria fiddled with a piece of grass as the breeze gently blew her hair off of her face. That was one of Aria's most vivid memories. She stared at the sun rising and at the endless fields ahead. Aria often got up early to watch the sunrise. It allowed her to mentally prepare for the day, calm her. It got her thoughts in order. She often reflected a lot during these sacred mornings.

She started to day dream again. Eventually her mind wandered to the Yule Ball Hogwarts had held in her 3rd year for the Triwizard Tournament. At the time it was the best night of her life. She had bought a pale blue dress for the occasion. Her mother had said it complemented her dark blue eyes perfectly. For once, she felt pretty despite her friends and family often telling her she was, they didn't count Aria thought. She had decided early on she'd only be an average at best. However, the best part of the night was Jack. Jack O'Leary. An extremely tall, Irish boy from Hufflepuff, he'd shared many classes with Aria for years but she'd never spoke to him properly. He had dimples and a cheeky grin and Aria fell head over heels for him. He'd walked her back to her common room in the early hours of the morning and there they kissed under the winking fairly lights that had decorated the whole castle.

However this memory was bittersweet. Despite Jack promising to write to her throughout the summer she never received a single letter. On returning to school he'd avoided her and when she finally gathered the courage to confront him he told her there was someone else, a muggle girl he liked back in his little town of Argale, in Ireland. Aria had ignored the pain in her chest and answered indifferently.

'And that makes you avoid me why?'

Jack spluttered and looked confused.

'Jack its fine, sheeesh it's not like we were serious or anything. We're just friends!' Aria tried to say convincingly.

Since then Aria hadn't had much to do with boys. And her and Jack weren't friends unless you counted awkward smiles in the corridor. He had got even better looking over the past couple of years and now had throngs of girls flicking their hair and winking at him whenever he walked past. She still thought about it a lot; even though it was three years ago.

Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her destroying her solitude. It was Ginny. She smiled apologetically and sat down next to her. She knew how Aria treasured these mornings alone.

'Sorry, it's just I couldn't sleep and if I stayed in the house mum would make me help her sort out the lunch.'

Aria suddenly remembered. There was a big lunch today as it was the Brooks' last day staying at the Weasleys and Harry and Hermione were arriving too.

'You excited?' Aria said referring to Ginny's and Harry's on off relationship.

'Nervous really, he changes how he feels every time I see him I swear!'

The two girls sat happily for as long as they could until they were finally called into the house.