Chapter one: The Wand Chooses the Witch
"Cordelia! Wake up!"
"Ugh, five more minutes, Poseidon."
Poseidon laughed and pulled the blankets off making me shiver. I glared at him and said,
"Real funny, Poseidon, real funny."
"Did you forget we have to get our Hogwarts supplies?"
"Now? It's only 6:30!"
He smiled and said,
"Get dressed, m'kay? Then we'll head to Diagon Ally."
I sighed and got up as he left the room. After putting on my black skinny jeans, red tank top, and my Hello Kitty socks I walked downstairs. Zeus greeted me with ninja death toast...not really. He has terrible aim even when spell casting. It's really funny to watch. After breakfast Hades, my eldest brother, took us to Diagon Ally since mom was doing other errands. Personally I like shopping with Hades more because he lets me wander around, like the inner blond I am.
"All right you lot," he said acting like a fake drill Sargent, "Get in the van! Up two, up two!"
Apollo rolled his eyes as I lead everyone to the van.
"I call shot gun," I yelled and got in the passenger seat as Poseidon, Zeus, Apollo, and Hercules pouted. Hades chuckled and started to drive to the Leaky Cauldron. From there we entered Diagon Ally through a wall, which I still find kick-ass. First we went to get my wand seeing as how I'm starting Hogwarts. Hades looked at me and said,
"Remember, Cordy, Mr. Olivander knows what he's doing, so don't stress okay?"
"'Kay, but I don't stress anyway," I replied smiling.
Hades laughed and ushered me into the shop. I walked in and asked,
"Hello? Anyone here?"
Suddenly Mr. Olivander appeared and almost scared me half to death.
"Ah, I finally get to meet you, young miss Black."
Obviously he knew I was coming... weird and kinda creepy. He returned to the back and got a box, pulling out the wand, Oak with Unicorn mane as the core 12 and a half inches, he handed it to me. I gave it a wave and nothing really happened. It went that way until he pulled out a wand made of Mahogany with mermaid hair as the core, 14 and a half inches. When I touched it it felt as if I was a goddess drinking Nectar or eating Ambrosia. It was an amazing feeling, actually. Mr. Olivander smiled and said,
"Looks like we found a match."
I thanked him and payed for my wand and met my brothers at Madame Malkins' to get my robes, seeing as how they had gotten everything else. Afterwords we payed for all of our robes and went home and we sorted through all that was bought. When everything had been separated I carried my stuff up to my room and prepared for the day I went to platform 9 and three quarters. And trust me it came quickly. That day I woke up early and was extremely excited. Lugging my trunk down to the door as I had seen my brothers do my new barn owl looked at me. I named her Athene because the owl was Athene's symbol. I smiled and said,
"Morning, Athene. You ready to go to Hogwarts? I know I am."
"Ya know they say talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity."
I looked up and saw Hercules smiling. I laughed and said,
"So bro what's for breakfast?"
"Pop tarts, baby sis."
We walked to the kitchen and he grabbed the s'mores flavored pop tarts. We watched a bit of TV until we left for Kings Cross. In the van I was bouncing in my seat.
"Slow your rolls, Sailor," Zeus said, "We ain't there yet. And you still gotta get sorted."
Apollo rolled his eyes and muttered,
"I don't see why she's so excited. It's just school."
I stuck my tongue out at him and replied,
"Because, Grouchy Smurf, I've been waiting for this since we went shopping for our brothers' supplies."
After a few minutes of bickering from Zeus and Apollo we were able to get to the platform. This is where we went our separate ways. I peeked in a compartment door and asked the two boys who were there,
"May I sit with you? There's no where else."
Both boys nodded and I sat across from the boy with jet black hair. I smiled and said,
"I'm Cordelia Black."
"Ron Weasley," the red headed boy said.
"Harry, Harry Potter," The boy with jet black hair said smiling.
We sat and talked until the trolly came with sweets.
"Anything from the trolly, dears?"
"No thanks, I'm all set," Ron said showing us a few sandwiches.
"No thank you," I said politely
Harry looked at us and said while pulling out a handful of coins,
"We'll take the lot."
"Woah," Ron said in response.
Harry picked up a box of Bertie Bot's Every Flavor Beans.
"Bertie Bot's Every Flavored Beans?"
"They mean every flavor. There's chocolate and peppermint and there's also spinach, liver, and tripe. George sweared he got a boogie-flavored one once."
After that Harry took out the bean he had been eating and I giggled. He then picked up a Chocolate Frog. I absolutly love the cards.
"These aren't real frogs are they?"
"It's Just a spell, besides it's the card you want."
"Each packs got a famous witch or wizard," I added.
"I got about 500 meself," Ron said.
Harry opened the pack and the frog jumped up and out the window.
"Watch it," I nearly yelled.
"That's rotten luck. They've only got one good jump in them to begin with," Ron said after we watched the frog jump out the window.
"I've got Dumbledore!"
"I got about six of him," Ron said.
Harry looked back at the card and exclaimed,
"Hey, he's gone!"
"You can't expect him to hang around all day, can you," I asked.
Harry and I looked at the rat in Ron's lap.
"This is Scabbers by the way. Pathetic isn't he?"
"Just a little bit," Harry replied.
"Fred gave me a spell as to turn him yellow. Want to see?"
Harry smiled and said,
"Yeah."
Ron picked up his wand and cleared his throat and said,
"Sun-"
Suddenly a girl with bushy brown hair looked around our compartment.
"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one."
"No," Ron replied.
"Oh are you doing magic? Let's see, then."
"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow."
the box flew off of Scabbers' head and we all shrugged.
"Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it?"
Ron sent us a look and I almost giggled...more.
"Of course, I've only tried a few simple ones myself, but they've all worked for me," the girl said taking the seat next to me, "For example, Oculus Reparo."
Harry took off his newly repaired glasses and looked that them.
"That's better, isn't it?"
Harry and Ron looked at each other then me.
"Holy cricket, you're Harry Potter! I'm Hermione Granger."
She looked at me and I replied,
"Cordelia Black."
"And you are," she asked looking at Ron.
"I'm Ron Weasley," he replied with his mouth full.
"Pleasure," Hermione said looking disgusted, "You two better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon."
I smiled slightly thanking Hades that he told me to get changed into them before hand. Hermione got up and walked to the door the turned around and said to Ron,
"You've got dirt on your nose by the way. Did you know," she said, "Just there," she pointed to where he had the dirt on her nose.
With that she left and the boys went to change into their robes. We finally arrived at Hogwarts and we gathered in front of a man I assumed to be at least half giant.
"Hello, Harry."
"Hi, Hagrid," Harry said.
Ron looked at him and said,
"Woah!"
"Right, then. This way to the boats. Come on now, follow me."
We got to the boats and the sight of Hogwarts all lit up like a Christmas tree was amazing.
"Wicked."
We filed up the stairs to a stern-looking woman.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, "Now in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while your here your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will ear you points. Any rule-breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year the house with the most points is awarded the house cup"
"Trevor!"
I saw a boy grab the toad and go back to his spot behind me, Ron, and Harry.
"The Sorting Ceremony will being momentarily."
With that the woman left through the doors.
"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
This started an abundance of whispers among the other students.
"This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Ron snickered a bit and Malfoy turned his gaze on him.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe. You must be a Weasley. You'll soon find out some wizarding families are better than better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there," he said extending his hand.
Don't take his hand, Harry, I thought.
Harry looked at Malfoy's hand and said,
"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks."
The stern-looking woman came back and tapped Malfoy's shoulder with the roll of parchment. He went back to his spot.
"We're ready for you now. Follow me."
We entered through the Grand Hall doors and the older students looked at us. Hades and Poseidon gave me a thumbs up from their table. I heard Hermione say from behind me
"It's not real the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."
We stepped up to the front and the stern-looking woman said,
"Can you wait along here, please? Now before we being, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
"I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce. The first years pleas note, that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you."
"When I call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger."
Hermione walked up and Ron whispered to us
"Mental that one. I'm telling you."
We heard the sorting hat yell out,
"Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table cheered. Hopefully which ever house I get sorted into, it won't be Slytherin.
"Cordelia Black."
I walked up and as the sorting hat was place on my head it said,
"Ah yes, another Black. Hm...a very bright girl, more than your fair share of courage too, and a bit of a trouble maker as well. You'll do your father and brothers justice, Gryffindor!"
I smiled and bounded over to my brothers as Hercules hugged me.
"Draco Malfoy."
"Slytherin!"
"Susan Bones."
"Let's see. I know. Hufflepuff!"
"Ronald Weasley."
"Ha! Another Weasley. I know just what to do with you. Gryffindor!"
The look on Ron's face could only be described as relief. Our entire table cheered as we walked over.
"Harry Potter."
"Better be...Gryffindor!"
We all cheered louder than ever as Harry took a seat next to Ron. After the Sorting Ceremony Professor McGonagall tapped her spoon on her glass and said,
"Your attention, Please."
Dumbledore stood up and said,
"Let the feast begin."
I watched as my brothers and Ron loaded up their plates and I did as well. Just as Ron reached for another drumstick a head popped out of the plate and said,
"Hello there. Welcome to Gryffindor."
We looked around as ghosts flew in from every corner.
"Hello Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer," Ron's brother Percy asked.
"Dismal. Once again my request to join the Headless Hunt has been denied."
"I know you," Ron said, "Your Nearly Headless Nick!"
"I prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind."
"Nearly Headless? How can you be Nearly Headless," Hermione asked.
"Like this," Sir Nicholas replied pulling his head to the side.
Hermione looked like she was gonna hurl. I patted her shoulder and said,
"If you hadn't asked, I would have."
After dinner Percy, being a prefect, showed us the ways to our dorms.
"Gryffindors, follow me, please. Keep up. Thank you."
We stopped and Percy said,
"This is the most direct path to the dormitories. Oh, and keep an eye on the stair cases. They like to change. Keep up, please, and follow me. Quickly now, come on. Come on."
We walked by the most beautiful paintings I've ever seen.
"Look at that one, Harry."
"I think she fancies you," I whispered to Harry.
He only smiled in reply. We got up to the painting of the Fat Lady.
"Password?"
"Caput Draconis."
We entered the common room through the painting hole.
"Gather around here."
We scrunched into the room.
"Welcome to the Gryffindor common room. Boys' dormitory is upstairs to the left. Girls the same on your right. You'll find all of your belonging have already been brought up."
We went to our dormitory and I got the bed next to Hermione. I started talking to a girl named Lavender. She was very nice, really.