It's been awhile but I had really bad writers block and I kept changing everything.

Disclaimer: As sad as it may be, I'm not J. K. Rowling.

I can see Hogwarts. This can't be real. I pinch myself. Nope not a dream. I haven't even stepped foot in the castle and I already feel like I'm home, like I belong. It all just feels... Right.

My escort quickly took me up to the castle on a carriage pulled by these weird horse-like winged animals that I've never seen before. I decided against talking about them, or anything for that matter, with my escort. He's kind of really scary. We silently made our way up to the huge main doors and I could see a short red-haired girl patiently rocking back on her heels.

She smiled at me as my escort and I got closer. She nodded at him, signaling his leave. He nodded back and quickly left. Yeah, thanks for being a scary man. Bye.

The girl walked over to me and I quickly scanned her over. She's short, looks to be about my age, and has long dark red hair and dark brown eyes. She also has freckles scattered all over her face, which I am extremely jealous of. I've always wanted freckles.

Her smile widened and she held out a hand, "So you must be Bethany Harper."

"The one and only," I laughed and shook her hand. "And you must be... The welcoming committee?" I question.

"I guess you could say that," she laughed and then shrugged, "I'm Rose Weasley," Well that was fast. I was told that the Golden Trio's kids were attending Hogwarts and that I would probably meet them, but I didn't think I would so soon. "This is the first time Hogwarts has ever had a transfer student, so they wanted someone, that someone being me, to get you ready before you get sorted and such."

"Oh sounds like fun," I joked sarcastically.

"Oh I don't mind, I'm a big suck-up." She laughed, "Okay, so how about we go inside so you can get your robes on and then we can go to the Great Hall for dinner and your sorting, yeah?"

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, robes?" Robes? I was never told anything about getting robes! At Barbad, we just had to wear skirts and dresses, never robes. I didn't bring a single one.

Rose cocked her head to the side, "Yeah, it should have been on your school list. Didn't you get one?"
I shook my head. Crap, what else did I not have?

"Hmm…" Rose thought for a second, "I'll talk to the headmistress about it later. For now, we'll just go up to my dormitory where all your things are and you can just put on something nice. All eyes will be on you after all." She laughed and motioned me to follow her into the castle.

All eyes on me? If I fall, I don't think anyone would let me live that down. Merlin, help me.

Rose walked me through the castle, all the while explaining the houses to me, "Hufflepuffs are hard workers and are very loyal. They're usually the people who are way too happy for their own good," she laughed, "Ravenclaws are really smart and are always studying. Everyone's surprised that I wasn't put in Ravenclaw. I mean I study a lot, but not nearly as much as my mum did. Then we have Slytherins," she rolled her eyes at this one, "Cocky, spoiled, bratty, pure-blooded prats!" She spat at the last word and I raised a brow at her. "Oh you'll find out soon enough," she sighed, "Then finally there are the amazing Gryffindors!" She grinned, "We're kind of the best. I was told not to pressure you into anything, but I'm going to anyways because I like you." Score! I made a friend! "We're all about the courage and bravery thing, and we're all awesome and amazing and nice. So if I were you, I would aim for Gryffindor." She giggled and stopped in front of a large portrait and whispered something to it, making it open.

I gaped at her for a second; we had nothing like this at Barbad. She motioned for me to follow her into the opening in the wall. I climbed through and entered a big cozy room with large armchairs, plush couches, and a huge warm fire place. Nice.

"This," Rose stated, "Is the Gryffindor common room. Hopefully we'll be spending a lot of time here together. Now if you'll follow me," she said heading up the stairs, "I'll show you to your things."

I followed Rose up to her dormitory where my trunks are being kept. I dug through one of the trunks and look for something nice, like she had told me. I picked out an outfit and begin changing.

I decided to play it simple. I mean, I don't want to be too much because Rose said that all eyes would be on me and I wanted to make a good first impression. I chose a navy blue blouse tucked into a high waisted skirt with a vintage floral print. I looked in the mirror and fluffed my long blonde hair. I've been growing it out for a long time and it was just below my bust line now, hanging in loose curls. I fixed my makeup making sure that my blue eyes really popped, then stepped out to see if it had Rose's approval.

Her jaw dropped slightly then she grinned, "You. Look. Hot!"

I laughed and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, "It's not too much is it?"

"Nope," she said as she linked her arm in mine, "It's just enough."

We made our way down to the Great Hall laughing and telling jokes. I told her all about Barbad and how I really hope I'll be sorted into Gryffindor with her.

"Oh I wouldn't worry about it. You'll be sorted into Gryffindor and get a new best friend, me." She said reassuringly.

Thank Merlin! I've been so worried about being alone at Hogwarts, and Rose just totally eliminated that fear. I mean, I just met the girl and we're already talking about being best friends. Awesome? I think so.

"Almost there!" She sang.

Oh Merlin. I could feel my palms sweating and my face heating up. This is it. I'm going to die.

Suddenly, an old woman with sharp eyes and an even sharper voice approached us, "Miss Weasley, I assume this Miss Harper?"

Rose nodded sternly at the woman, "Yes Professor."

I bit my bottom lip watching the woman look me over, "And where are Miss Harper's robes?" She looked pissed. There goes the faculty liking me...

Rose stuttered, trying to find the right words. I have to fix this, and I know just the trick. "I'm sorry ma'am." I said, overdoing my southern accent a bit, "I never received my school list so I didn't know I needed robes and we didn't have them at Barbad, so I never thought twice about it. I'm extremely sorry ma'am." I bated my lashes. Southern charm always comes in handy.

Her features softened and she even smiled, "It's okay dear, you can just purchase some robes at our next Hogsmeade visit. Now I'm sorry we haven't been introduced yet, I am your headmistress, Professor McGonagall."

I smiled sweetly, "It's nice to meet you ma'am."

She smiled back, "And the same to you. Now Miss Weasley," she turned back to Rose, her voice sharp again, "You may go be seated at the Gryffindor table, the sorting will being once you are seated."

Rose nodded to Professor McGonagall and mouthed, "Good luck," to me, leaving into the Great Hall. Thanks, I'm going to need all the luck I can get.

"Are you ready Miss Harper?" Professor McGonagall asked.

I looked up at her and nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be." I'm going to die.

"Okay then, just follow me to the front of the room, there will be a chair next to the sorting hat where you may sit to be sorted. Understood?"

I nod again, feeling a lump in my throat, "Yes ma'am." I'm going to die.

I watched Professor McGonagall walk to the doors and swing them open like some kind of display. The room fell silent. I'm going to die. All eyes are on me, just like Rose had said. I'm going to die. I take a deep breath and follow after Professor McGonagall, trying to avoid all eye contact. I'm going to die. People began whispering. "Where're her robes?" "You hear she's from America?" bla bla bla I'm going to die.

I reached the front of the room and sat down in the seat like McGonagall had told me and crossed my ankles and folded my hands in my lap. They're shaking. I'm going to die. She began talking about me and explaining where I'm from and that I'll be attending Hogwarts for the remainder of the year. I tuned her out immediately. I have more important things to think about, like how to breathe. I'm going to die.

I scanned the crowd and locked eyes with Rose, who smiled at me, then gasped and threw something at a dark-haired boy who was sitting across from her. I strained my eyes to get a better look but McGonagall finished talking and placed the hat on my head.

"I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die…"

"And why do you think that?" A voice in my head asked.

"Fuck. Oh, sorry Mr. Sorting Hat sir"

"Americans…" The voice sighed, "Now what house should I place you in?"

"Gryffindor, duh." I smiled.

"Gryffindor? Why so sure?" The hat asked.

Oh come on, hat! "It seems like it would be the right fit, yah know? Just trust me Mr. Sorting Hat, I'm a Gryffindor."

"Is this what you truly want?"

I made a small nod and thought, "More than anything."

The hat was silent for a moment, "Well then, GRYFFINDOR!"

I smiled, hearing the last part be called out over the Great Hall and saw the entire Gryffindor table stand and the whole room applaud. I'm not dead. Chuck one up for Bethany. I grinned and headed over to the Gryffindor table feeling happy and confidant.

Rose waved me to her and I rushed over sitting down beside her. She quickly pulled me into a tight hug, crushing me, and began to sing, "I knew it! I knew you'd be in Gryffindor!" She let go of me and I laughed, acting like its big deal.

She turned from me to look across the table to someone, "I told you I know everything. And I especially know a good Gryffindor when I see one." She grinned, pointing at me and then bit into an apple.

I looked over to see who Rose is talking to and I swear my heart skipped a beat. Like, for real. Sitting across from me is the most gorgeous boy I have ever seen in my life. He has dark messy hair that looks like it belongs on a rock star and beautiful piercing green eyes that met mine immediately. He smirked. May the wizarding God forgive me for the thoughts running through my mind right now. Pull yourself together Bethany.

He rolled his eyes and looked back to Rose, "Yeah whatever. All hail Rose, queen of knowing shit." He and two boys sitting next to him laughed.

Rose narrowed her eyes at him but then smiled, "You're as bad as a Slytherin, I hope you know!" She laughed. "You're just jealous of my all-knowing house skills."

He smirked at Rose, "Yes Rosie that's it, I'm jealous," He laughed looking back at me and my stomach tightened. How did he do that? "Anyone could have guessed she'd be a Gryffindor."

"And why is that... Umm..." Shit, I don't know his name.

"Potter. Albus Potter." He laughed, "And it's because you have the Gryffindor strut."

I blinked, "Say what now?"

"The Gryffindor strut," One of the boys next to Albus said, "Is the way a true Gryffindor girl walks."

"Oh shut it Quentin," Rose said as she rolled her eyes and turned to me, "They wouldn't shut up about you."

"Whatever Rose," the other boy said. "We were just talking about quidditch."

"And by quidditch Miles, you mean poor Bethany's arse?" Rose asked, raising a brow.

I looked from Rose to the boys, "Y'all said what now?"

"Nothing!" Albus blurted, his face turning red.

Miles cocked his head to the side, "You're accent is cute."

"Rose?" I asked. I was actually rather enjoying this.

Rose sighed, "Quentin complimented you on your 'sexy long legs.'" She said making air quotes with her fingers, "Al's eyes were following your hips like one of those old-school cat clocks and then oh so classily went, 'Damn' at which point I threw my fork at him." Well that explains the throwing right before my sorting. Rose sighed and shook her head, "Then Mr. Finnegan," She glared at Miles, "Was the one who proposed that you had the best butt at Hogwarts, at which time the other two agreed."

The boys opened their mouths to speak, but no words came out.

I laughed feeling myself blush and ran my fingers through my hair, "You're very observant, Rose."

She shrugged and took a sip of pumpkin juice, "I try."

I sighed looking over at the boys. "And are those three features what make up a Gryffindor strut?" I asked with a smirk.

They opened their mouths again, but still no words. Rose and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.

I've just met Rose but it seemed like I've known her forever. She's just one of those people who make you feel warm and welcome and can carry on conversations about nothing for extended periods of time. I couldn't see how anyone wouldn't like her.

"What are you laughing about, Weasley? Finally look in the mirror and see how funny your face looks?" A voice mocked from behind me and Rose. The boys snapped out of their daze and stood up.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Albus spat, his beautiful eyes going dark.

I turned around and looked up at the boy. He was tall with light blonde hair that fell in his eyes and was smirking at Albus.

He raised a brow and looked down at me, "Just came to introduce myself to the new girl." He smiled.

I blinked and stared up at him, "Well she doesn't need to be meeting the likes of you." Albus said coldly.

The boy rolled his eyes, "You aren't her father, Potter. You just met the poor girl." He held out his hand, "I'm Scorpius Malfoy."

I looked at his hand for a moment, then shook it. I may not be home, but I still had my manners. Although I did let go quickly, "Charmed I'm sure," I said dryly.

He ignored my disinterest, "I'm always charmed to meet a beautiful young lady such as yourself, Miss Harper" I couldn't keep myself from blushing. Ah, I love manners. Miss, mister, ma'am, sir. I love it all.

"You can go now, Malfoy," Albus said. The boys were still standing, glaring at Scorpius.

"And if I don't want to?" Scorpius shot back.

Albus looked at me quickly and then looked back at Scorpius. What was that? "Then I'll make you," he growled.

"Fine, fine," Scorpius said, rolling his eyes, "I'll see you around, American." He winked at me and strutted over to the Slytherin table.

The hell?

"I'll see you around, American," Rose mocked and made a pretend gagging sound.

Albus and the other boys laughed and sat down and I couldn't help but laugh too. I looked over at Albus, and he was smiling at me. I smiled back and pulled on a strand of hair. Did a million cocoons just explode in my stomach or something?

Soo... Thoughts? Concerns? I know the whole getting to the castle and Sorting hat thing was weird, I was really stuck on those parts.

Mneh. Please review! Reviews make me happy.(: