In a small town, not far from Little Whinging Surrey, an eleven year old girl was miserably packing her trunk for school. Holly Longbottom was a pretty little girl with thick, dark, red hair that fell to her shoulders and had round hazel eyes. She was, what everyone at 'muggle school' considered normal, but they were wrong. Like her 'brother' Neville she was a magical being. Neville isn't her real brother though, because Holly was adopted when she was 2 as her parents died in a horrendous accident.

At the time Holly was at her friend's Halloween party, while her younger brother and both of her parents were at home having an almost normal night. Not long after midnight the Dark Lord Voldemort, more commonly known as he-who-shall-not-be-named, was out roaming the streets killing all of the muggle borns and anyone else who got in his way. Holly's mum, Lily Potter, was born into a muggle family therefore making her one of Voldemort's main targets. And that's how they died, Holly's dad, James Potter tried to stop Voldemort, but the Dark Lord was stronger. As Voldemort progressed up the stairs Lily jumped in-front of Harry, giving up her own life for her only son. As Albus Dumbledore, the greatest non-evil wizard of all time, didn't want to put too much pressure on Harry by making him live in the wizarding world, he sent him to live with his only known relatives, his aunty and uncle Petunia and Vernon Dursley. But as for Holly, Dumbledore sent her to live with Augusta Longbottom as Augusta was already taking care of her orphaned grandson, Neville.

"Have you got all of your books and robes?" Augustus asked Holly. Previously that week they had already had to go back to Diagon Alley three times due to the fact that they kept on forgetting little bits and pieces.

"Yes Gran," Holly replied, "but, you know, I don't have to go Hogwarts. I mean I'll stay home if you want."

"Holly, I have already told you this ten times before. You're going to Hogwarts and that's the end of it. Besides Albus Dumbledore has already requested that I make sure you turn up!"

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"Have you both got everything?" Augusta confirmed with both Neville and Holly.

"Yes Gran," they both replied simultaneously, and slightly annoyed as Augusta had already asked them that question a million times.

Both Neville and Holly stared in awe as they walked through the wall onto platform 9 ¾. Stationed at the platform, was a bright red, old-fashioned steam train with four carriages. It was mesmerising. As they looked around, they were soon to realise they were definitely not the only ones leaving home for the first time.

"Hop onto the train then, quick, before it leaves," Augusta said as she ushered the two of them onto the train.

Neville and Holly hopped onto the closest carriage and grabbed the first available compartment. The compartment had two rows of seats that faced each other, both rows with about three seats. They hadn't even been seated for less than 5 minutes when there was a quiet rap on the door.

"Come in," Holly yelled out.

"Hi, all of the other carriages are full." The girl who knocked on the door said, "Do you mind?" she asked gesturing towards an empty seat.

"Sure," Holly replied.

"Oh and I'm Hermione Granger by the way."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Neville and this is my sister Holly."

"What houses do you guys want to get sorted into? I've done a bit of light reading and I don't think I'd mind being sorted into Ravenclaw but Gryffindor sounds by far the best."

"I'm not sure about Neville, but I hope I get sorted into Slytherin," Holly cautiously replied.