Fast forward a couple of hours and Im gripping hold of Al's hand very tightly. I am petrified of water. Not like a shower or bath, i love the hot water rolling over my body in a shower- what i mean is lakes and oceans- deep, cold water terrifies me. I can't swim. And my first day of hogwarts involves a boat ride up to the castle on the great lake and the night is cold, dark and stormy. Perfect conditions. Not. I am sat in a boat with Al and Dominique and a small boy with sandy blonde hair and warm brown eyes- his name I didn't catch as Hagrid ushered us into the boats- "firs' years! ev'rybody in firs' years! four to a boat!"

We eventually arrive at the castle- the boats seemed to steer through a tunnel which took us underneath the castle itself. When they halted I look over at Al who had his face screwed with pain and he gestured to his hand, which had turned white as I was cutting off the circulation by how hard I was grabbing onto it.

Waiting for us in this dungeon under the castle was a tall, slightly rounded man with dark hair that I instantly recognised.

"Uncle Neville!" I cry and I see him roll his eyes and give me a stern look.

"whoops! I mean.. Professor Longbottom, how charming to see you sir!" he chuckles lightly as I put on a very proper accent and ennunciate every syllable , a few of the other first years who all climb out of their boats and gather around Uncle Neville in a half-circle laugh too.

"Good evening, I am Professor Longbottom, I am teacher of Herbology- the magical science of plants for those who do not know- and I am also the deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardy. I will now ask you to form a line before I lead you up to the great hall to be sorted into your houses. Again, for those who are as yet unaware, the four houses of Hogwarts are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, I am head of Gryffindor house. During your time at this school your house will become your family and rulebreakers will lose points for their house while triumphs will earn points. Now, if you would like to assemble yourselves and follow me."

I smiled at Uncle Neville as I took my place in line behind Al and in front of Dom and we made our way through passages, corridors, rooms, up stairs, through doors, down some steps and out through a door at the side of a huge room with big doors, the entrance hall I recognised from Hogwarts: A History. There's hush among the students- all that can be heard is the tapping of feet and nervous swallows. Uncle Neville goes through another set of doors- these evidently lead to the Great Hall. He is back within a minute and before we know it, these large doors swing open grandly, and I get my first real look at it. A large room- with a ceiling that's bewitched to show the stars and moon outside, there are four tables all the students turn to look at us as we tread towards the front of the hall, where perched on a three legged stool is the hat that will decide the next 7 years of my life.

The hat begins his song as we all take our place in front of it. I have to say, it is a particularly impressive rendition, one which brings a large round of applause from the staff and students alike.

Before I know it a fairly tall girl with light freckles and blonde hair is being called to the front of the stage- "Avery, Meredith" and she is sorted, I don't hear the hat really I am too nervous, but I know that she is the first to be sorted to Hufflepuff as the yellow-clad table erupts with cheers.

"Crumbleholme, Jason" is sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Corner, Thomas" is another Ravenclaw.

It goes on. There is a long wait I stopped listening (or at least stopped trying to hear over the frantic beating of my heart) after "Hawthorne, Aaron" is sorted into gryffindor followed by his twin brother Zach who was sorted to slytherin.

The next time I find myself listening, several more children have been sorted. The tall blonde boy from earlier, Draco Malfoy has been called and he is nervously walking towards the stool.

The hat is placed on Malfoys head. I wasn't expecting it to take as long as it did. Almost five minutes before the hat announced its decision.

"Slytherin"

Well. What a surprise. Didn't see that one coming (!).

A couple more new students are sorted and the next time I pay attention its Albus' turn.

The whole school is watching this one, though most are sure that he'll be sorted into Gryffindor like his mother and father and his brother. But everyone is so interested in our families that they can't help staring intently.

As much time passes with Al as does with Malfoy, no its longer- maybe ten minutes. A lot of people are bored now. Im nervous too. Im hoping for the hat to shout Gryffindor when something surprising happens.

"SLYTHERIN"

The whole hall is silent. nobody is breathing, all are staring at Albus, not even the slytherin table are cheering.

Thats it. I'm definitely not listening to the rest of the sorting now. I am so devastated. Me and Al- ordinarily so inseperable- have been separated (unless I am sorted into Slytherin and thats not going to happen!).

Al turns to look at me apologetically before making his way to the slytherin table- everyone including the teachers watches his descent utter shock.

Well, now we have a family member is every house.

"Weasley, Dominique"

I dont hear the name but the gorgeous blonde next to me moves to the stool. I barely see her through my tears. She sits on the stool and the hat is placed on her head.

"Gryffindor!"

"Weasley, Lucy"

"Ravenclaw!"

"Weasley, Rose"

Wait. who's name was that. There's no movement.

"Weasley, Rose" at this I get a little push from behind I turn to see the only me and two other s left, the push had come from a small boy with dark, curly hair and blue eyes.

Oh! its me.

I headed slowly to the stage. taking care not to trip in front of all these people.

I sit on the stool and Uncle Neville places the hat on my head, it drops down over my eyes.

"hmm. yet another Weasley," The hat sounds bored and lazy.

"Well, let us see. hmm. what a complicated mind this one is. a brilliant mind I see- a lot like your mother. Perhaps even more intelligence than her. but there's an edge too, I see much bravery like your father-"

"hmmmphh"

"You are very like your father Rose even if you don't want to admit it"

"I see loyalty too a hufflepuff quality-but I see anger too, A little upset with me Rose? for putting your cousin in Slytherin. You would do well there too... but perhaps... Very difficult to place..."

I sigh hoping the hat will make a decision soon, he's making me nervous.

"patience my dear. Alas... I have made my decision. It will be-"

I hold my breath.