As we walked in a huge group to the Slytherin common room, we had to go through flights of stairs. Moving stairs, mind you. But before that, the head of our house` introduced himself to us.
"Hello, first years, I am Professor Snape, the head of your house. I teach potions, and would like to welcome you to Slytherin. Our prefects will lead you to the common room, and will split into boys and girls to lead you to the dormitories," explained Snape. He left the room, leaving us eleven year olds clueless. Suddenly, a group of older teenagers walked over to us, their faces with disgust as they led us through the castle.
"Beware the staircases, they move, so you have to be very careful," a female prefect said. She led us onto the staircase, which began to move. It led down to the bottom floor: the dungeon. I gulped, as we walked down the steep stairs. Finally, we reached the bottom. The prefects moved to reveal a stonewall.
"The password is 'pure blood'," explained a male prefect. The stone suddenly parted, revealed a large entryway into a green lighted common room.
"Girls, go with Megan, Riley, and Lillian. Boys, go with Brach, Chester, and me," a boy said. And so, the group split into two. I had no one to hang out with, until a girl with black, curly hair walked up to me. I knew she was Bellatrix Lestrange's daughter, but had never approached her. She was in the Weasley's care, but had little showing off it except for a orange streak in her hair.
"Olive, right?" the girl said. I nodded, smiling. It felt nice for someone to be nice to me… only Draco had ever been kind.
"And you are…" I couldn't think of her name. "You are…"
"Violet Lestrange," said the girl, holding out her hand. I shook it, and we both followed the group. Suddenly, the crowd moved, revealing windows, that opened to water. The lake. A few fish swam by. I was awestruck for a moment, before catching up with the group. We were led up some stairs, until we saw a maze of rooms, with fairly nice beds on them.
"You have been assigned rooms, but you can choose your bed. Mind you, if a bed is taken, there will be a red flag appearing above it tonight. Just tonight, though. This will be your bed for the rest of your stay at Hogwarts. Choose wisely," the prefect said. They left the room, leaving about five of us girls lost. First, I made sure to get away from Pansy Parkinson. But Violet and I found beds by a window. We waved our wands, and the green flags about our beds turned red. I quickly found my luggage sitting beside my bed, including my pet cat Ink in her cage. Her silky black fur looked sparkly, and the water in her cage was almost gone.
"Ink!" I said out loud, and my cat's ears twisted to see me. I opened her cage, and stroked her silky fur. She licked my hand, and I whispered to her, "Welcome to Hogwarts."
The next day, we awoke, and were instructed to go to the Great Hall. I walked with Draco and Violet. Draco brought along Crabbe and Goyle. I wasn't too fond of them, they were too rude. We walked up the stairs, to find the great hall bursting with favorites of mine, from when my parents actually cared about me. I closed my eyes, and shook my head. Horrible memories.
"Welcome, again, to a morning feast. As you know, I am professor Dumbledore, and I am the headmaster. This morning, you will receive your schedules. After breakfast, you will go to your first period class," explained Dumbledore, before he stepped off the podium. And so, the head of each house went around to pass out the schedule. In no less than five minutes, Snape handed me my schedule.
Period 1 I had transfiguration. Period 2, I had potions. There was a thirty minute lunch break, and Period 3 was free. Period 4 was Defense Against the Dark Arts, abbreviated as "D.A.D.A." Next was Astronomy, and herbology. Then came charms and history of magic. Then afterwards, flight school. But I noted, it read potions was only on fridays. Astronomy was on Wednesday nights only. I checked to find any other notes, but there were none.
I ate the biscuits and gravy so quickly. The white gravy dripped down my chin. Although bad memories filled me, at least it tasted good.
Next was Transfiguration. Draco, Violet, Crabbe, Goyle, and I all headed to the next class. Violet and I walked closer together, drifting from the boys. I knew the castle like the back of my hand, because of my parents. They wanted me to know all secret escape routes so I could join the death eaters when I was ready.
We walked inside the classroom. It was lit by a couple lanterns, with candlelights flickering. I took my place at a desk in the front row, next to Violet. A cat sat on Professor McGonagall's desk. I leaned over to Violet.
"That must be her pet cat," I said quietly to her. Once the entire class showed up, we took our seats and waited for the Professor to arrive.
Suddenly, the cat transformed into the Professor. The entire class was awestruck, as she walked to my desk, and looked me in the eye.
"Come up to my desk," she said. I got out of my desk and walked to her desk. "Class, this is… what is your name?"
"Olive Riggs," I told her. The Professor looked to the class.
"Olive, and I am going to have her volunteer to attempt at a spell. Now, Miss Riggs, please step back as I explain. Aim your wand at the mouse, and repeat this spell. Mousis Rattis!" The Professor aimed her wand at the mouse, and suddenly its fur became dark. The mouse was now a rat! She aimed her wand and whispered the counter curse, which was Rattis Mousis. It quickly transformed back. I finished the spell, and she congratulated me.
"Meet me after class," the professor whispered. Once the class was finished, I walked into her office, where the Professor stood. "Would you like to learn how to transform into an animagus?"
I nodded quickly. I could get away from my parents. Escape them. Of course I wanted to.
"Then either Dumbledore or I can teach you how to become one. It will be very challenging. I've only seen few students with a knack for transfiguration like you- but I think you could do it," said the professor. I nodded quickly, and smiled.
"Thank you Professor. When will we begin?" I asked her.
"At Christmas, or after, based on if your parents would like you home," at the mention of my parents, I knew I wouldn't be going home. They already told me.
"I'll be here," I said. The Professor smiled, and I left her room thinking about what lay in the future.