Somebody knocked on the door. Damien Crimson stretched out on the sofa, throwing his comic aside. He shuffled out of the lounge into the hall, his hair ruffling in the breeze coming from the fan in the corner. He opened the door, and his mouth fell open.
It was a slightly portly man, wearing long navy robes and a thick grey cloak. He smiled down at Damien and stretched out a hand.
"Professor Longbottom," Smiled the man. Damien shook it, staring at awe at Professor Longbottom. "Damien, I assume," it was not a question. "Can I speak to your parents?"
"Yes, of course. Come in," said Damien, not taking his eyes of the strange man. Professor Longbottom followed Damien into the parlour, where his parents sat chatting, cups and saucers in their grips. They gawked at Professor Longbottom, who promptly introduced himself and sat down in a high-backed arm chair.
"I'm here to talk to you about Damien, so I would like him to remain in the room," He said, smiling over to the door, where Damien was sliding out of the door. He sat down, completely shocked.
One very long hour later, the Crimsons sat staring at the Professor.
"I'm really… I'm really… a wizard," gasped Damien, in complete disbelief. Longbottom chuckled.
"Yes, you are Damien," He was smiling. Well, I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts. You're sure you'll find Diagon alley?" Damien's father nodded. "Well, until we meet again Damien!" and with that, he vanished with a loud crack. Damien stared open mouthed at his parents, then laughed out loud in shock and happiness.
***
Damien watched his parents disappear around the corner, then turned around to face the train interior. For the first time in his life, he felt inferior. He dragged his heavy trunk over to the nearest compartment, and sat down. He twirled his new robes around his fingers, little beads of sweat sliding down his face. The compartment door banged open, and two boys burst through. Damien was startled to see that one had a mass of bright turquoise hair.
"Sorry!" said the blue haired boy. "Mind if we sit down?" Damien shook his head. The two boys sat down.
"I'm Chara," Said the black-haired boy "and this is Teddy," He said, gesturing at the blue haired one.
"Damien," He squeaked. "It's weird isn't it?"
"What?" said Teddy, looking politely confused.
"Finding out we're wizards, of course!" Said Damien
"Oh… well, we were raised by wizards and witches, so we already knew," said Chara. Damien's stomach tightened. He already knew? So, Damien was behind them in knowledge of the wizarding world? Damien stopped feeling sorry for himself, and launched into conversation once more.
***
"Clearwater, Kelly," Called the thin professor. Teddy and Chara waved enthusiastically at the girl as she walked up to the stand. Damien felt nervous, any moment now…
"Hufflepuff,"
"Crimson, Damien," she said, at long last. His legs were shaking as he made his way forward. It seemed like a very long walk. If Damien had thought he would spend ages under that hat, he was wrong. The brim had barley brushed his hair, when it emitted a blood-curdling scream, louder than any of the others.
"SLYTHERIN!"