Sunday September 1st, 1991

Ara and the Rosier kids went to King's Cross together, and one by one they walked through the brick wall that led to Platform 9 ¾. Their parents didn't see them off, as they had said their goodbyes before they went off to work. Miranda was a sixteen year old Prefect, so the families felt perfectly fine sending their kids off alone to the Muggle train station.

Ara smiled primly as she absorbed the scene of the bustling platform. She had been looking forward to this day so long, and she couldn't wait to take her rightful place as the princess of Slytherin. Ara recognized a few faces from play dates, frequent Diagon Alley trips, being forced to play nice at their parents' dinner parties, and Ministry holiday parties. But Ara didn't really like any of the witches in her year. Though there were quite a few other Sacred 28 purebloods in the year, Ara doubted any of them would be talented or cool to befriend. Therefore she was extremely glad to have her adopted brothers and her cousin Draco as guaranteed friends and housemates.

Right as she thought about the pale blonde blond boy, she spotted him saying goodbye to his parents. "Oh, I've got to go fetch Draco and say goodbye to my aunt and uncle, don't board without me," Ara said. She ditched her luggage with her cousins so they'd have to do what she said.

Her aunt Narcissa noticed Ara walking over and rushed towards her with a warm smile on her face. "Ara, good to see you again," the witch said as she embraced her sister's daughter. "Look out for Draco for us dear, make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble," Narcissa said with a light laugh and a wink at Lucius.

Narcissa's husband Lucius affected the overly formal yet playful attitude he always employed with Ara. Ever since she and Draco played royalty as toddlers during Ara's frequent visit, Ara had a special rapport with her uncle in law. Rather than hugging, he reached for her hand and kissed it. "Miss Lestrange, always a pleasure."

"Lovely to see you again, Sir Malfoy," Ara giggled back. He bowed slightly and she returned the gesture with a curtsey.

"Dad, don't embarrass me," Draco said through gritted teeth as he looked around the Platform. "We've got to go before all the good compartments are taken," he said, clearly ready to be shot of his parents for the next four months.

The Malfoys hugged Draco and Ara before releasing them to rejoin the Rosier kids. They boarded the train, and the older students parted ways to sit with their friends. Miranda headed to the prefect's compartment for the first meeting of the year, and Elaine and Emmett went to go sit with the other Slytherin Quidditch team members.

Ara, Cassius, Julius and Draco were left to find an empty compartment. They were lucky to get the back compartment, the largest on the train, all to themselves. It could comfortably sit ten people, so the family spread out across the seats after putting their luggage way.

"My parents' friends' kids are supposed to be looking for me," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass. Prestigious enough to associate with publicly, but not exactly who I'd want as real friends," said Draco derisively.

"There are a few decent kids thoug," Cassius said. "Theodore Nott's pretty cool, I've hung out with him and his friend Blaise Zabini."

Ara cringed. She hated almost all the obnoxious kids that Cassius and Julius invited over. Ara was at the point where she was still repulsed by most boys, definitely the boys who weren't related to her and awkwardly tried hit on her. Being naturally beautiful and a Metamorphmagus definitely had its cons in that regard. Anyways.

Ara cast Colloportus! on the compartment door right as the scarlet train began to move. Draco snickered, but Cassius and Julius tried to cast Finite Incantantum on the lock. They failed though, because they weren't nearly as good as magic as Ara was, and her charm held.

"So, I ran into Potter in Diagon Alley," Draco said conversationally, but his voice was bitter. "He seemed like a huge prat. Plus, he doesn't even know about the houses, or Quidditch. What a disappointment."

Ara nodded in agreement. "You would expect him to have become this powerful wizard already, considering he beat the Dark Lord as a stupid baby." Everyone held a moment of silence for the deceased wizard who all their families had served.

"Well, he's not," Draco said. "Seems absolutely clueless." They all laughed and started making jokes at Potter's expense.

The ride passed quickly, as the cousins practiced spells from their textbooks. They relished being able to use magic without restriction, or fear of the Trace detecting their underage wand use. Ara taught everyone some of the harder spells she had studied over the summer, and everyone was super thankful and impressed at how far ahead she was in the material.

Once they were about thirty minutes away, they all went to change into their uniforms. By the time they returned, the train was slowing and it was time to take their luggage down from the overhead storage. Ara levitated everyone's down so no one had to struggle with the bulky trunks.

The first year students were all herded off to ride to the castle in these dinky little boats. Ara knew they were enchanted, but still, they looked apt to sink.

"Ew, it's that oaf," Draco whispered loudly as Hagrid introduced himself and started boarding students. "He was with Potter in Diagon Alley. Perfect example of the kind of company he keeps," Draco said as the four cousins stepped into the boat.

The view was undeniably breathtaking and Ara was so excited to finally enter her new home for the next seven years. When they reached the castle, they disembarked and headed through the open doors of the entrance hall.

They were walked to a side room off the Great Hall where a stern witch in moss colored robes stood waiting for them. The witch introduced herself as Professor McGonagall and explained the sorting process and the importance of houses. She discussed the House Cup and the concept of house points. Ara already knew almost everything about Hogwarts so she let herself tune out until McGonagall lined them up in alphabetical order by last name.