September 1st dawned bright and early for Theo. His trunk was packed, and he had a satchel with pocket money, his change of clothes and supplies for the train ride. His new kitten, who's name was now Nova, was ready to go. She wasn't pleased about another trip in her carrier, but went with little fuss and lot's of angry looks.

His father had business at the Ministry of Magic, so wasn't able to escort him to the train platform. He had hosted a going away dinner for Theo the day before, and invited his extended family. All of them were adults though, so the boy had found this quite boring. He'd rather have been re-reading his school texts. He tried to push the boring incident away and focus on how beautiful the Hogwarts Express looked. Freshly washed it gleamed in the sun from the skylights, letting out occasional puffs of white smoke.

He had floo'd to the Platform so he could bring Nova without risk of being mixed up in apparation. The far wall was lined with fireplaces flaring green as magical families entered the station. Muggle-born families and the poor, occasionally stepped in through the portal to the muggle world. Some people apparated into the large circles outlined for them on the floor.

Theo dragged his belongings along, enchanted with feather weight charms by his father. As he was passing the muggle entrance he was nearly run over by a red-haired family. They stormed past him in a disorganized mob, pushing their trunks on rattly carts. Nova mewled displeased with their noise and hustle but Theo just tried to push past and onto the train.

He muscled his way onto the train, still relatively empty as people said farewell to their families. He looked out neutrally. His father was not the sort to give hugs and kisses at a goodbye. He had given Theo a passing pat on the shoulder and encouraged him to do well. It was affectionate, in his father's way, but the families fawning over their children on the platform tugged at an empty place in Theo's heart.

The first train to Hogwarts was the only one where almost everyone rode the train. Nobody was technically required to, since they could apparate or flu to Hogsmede and walk from there, but it was a longstanding tradition and some families couldn't afford magical transport. Theo remembered his father talking about a cost hike for apparation licenses, saying it would "keep out the riffraff".

Flu powder wasn't very cheap either, so as far as he knew, poor wizards were forced to travel like muggles.

Theo settled into his own compartment and pulled out a book, trying to ignore the happy red-headed family, now sniffling and laughing outside his window. A couple moments later there was a tap at the glass door, outside stood Hermione grinning in at him. He opened the door for her and was startled by a mass of bushy hair in his face.

He puffed it away from his mouth and realized her arms were around him. In a hug. He was hugging a muggle-born. Thank goodness his father wasn't there. He stood awkwardly for a moment before giving into his instinct. He put his arms around her and squeezed a little, unsure of himself.

When she pulled away she was smiling so he assumed he had done something right. "I'm so glad to see you Theodore. I wasn't sure I'd be able to find you with all this crowd."

He smiled at her unassuming way, glad she either hadn't noticed or wouldn't bring up his hesitation. "It is pretty rough out there. Let me help with your bag."

Together they stuffed the book laden trunk under the seat with Theo's, locking it in place carefully. Hermione undid the window and leaned out eagerly to wave goodbye to two people standing on the platform. The woman had Hermione's hair and Theo assumed they were her parents. He peered over her shoulder interested and caught her father staring at him. He pulled back a little intimidated. Those people were muggles.

They had worn strange clothing but otherwise didn't look any different to the witches and wizards on the platform. The train was whistling it's departure and people had started waving farewell from the train and the ground. A girl from the red-haired clan tried to run after the train as it pulled away.

Sitting back the two students talked about their summer. Both had spent it reading their school texts. Hermione and him practiced a couple simple spells together and when a lady came around selling sweets and they both bought a couple things. Hermione looked guilty and explained that her parents weren't fond of sugary things.

Time passed and the scenery out the window changed from city bustle to fresh countryside. Cows and sheep grazed and horses trotted around manicured paddocks as crops swayed in the breeze. About an hour into the trip, as Hermione was explaining the benefits of having a swimming pool there was a soft knock at the door.

Theo opened it to find a small pudgy boy with red cheeks and messy brown hair. He shuffled nervously and didn't speak. "Erm..." Theo glanced back at Hermione who shrugged. "Can I help you?"

The boy startled a little and looked down. He looked like a frightened mouse. "Ilusmehtod..." the boy muttered.

Hermione stood up and came over, "Sorry could you say that again?" Her voice was soft and encouraging.

The boy breathed slowly and eventually managed with a stutter, "I've l-l-lost my t-toad."

Theo blinked. What a strange boy and a strange pet. "I haven't seen a toad unfortunately." He told the poor guy.

His chubby cheeks started to quiver and he looked like he might cry. "O-oh. T-thanks." He turned to shuffle to the next compartment.

Hermione called after him, "Wait! We'll help you find your toad. What's your name?"

The boy stopped and looked back cautiously. "Neville." He said simply.

The girl smiled and stepped out towards him, "Alright Neville," she offered him her hand. "I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Theodore Nott. Where did you last see your toad?"

Although Theo hadn't been planning on helping the boy with his toad, he didn't see any harm in it. And the poor thing did look absolutely lost. "Hang on," he told the two others. He turned to the carrier on the seat and opened it. Nova stepped out, now weighing in at 12 pounds she was the size of a full grown cat and only 4 months old. She stretched happily and sat looking up at the humans. Theo petted her happily, "Hey Nova. Think you can find us a stray toad? Go on smell the boy and go fetch."

The cat purred and gave a little demanding mew as if expecting more. "Oh don't worry you glutton, you'll get your tuna, when you bring the toad back. Alive." Theo told her.

Seemingly satisfied the Siamese tabby hopped off the seat and pranced out the door. She sniffed at Neville for a moment then teetered off down the corridor. Theo sat back down.

"Aren't you worried about her? Will she find the toad?" Hermione asked concerned stepping back into the compartment. She gestured Neville inside too.

Theo shrugged, "She's a cat, she'd go where she wanted anyways. But I've been working with her since I got her, she knows commands like fetch now. Familiars will do stuff like that. I hear Headmaster Dumbledore has a really old powerful familiar that can fight in battles and teleport and stuff but I don't know what it is."

Neville sat down cautiously. "S-so you t-two known each other?" He asked carefully as if expecting the questions would upset them.

Hermione smiled across the way from him, "Yes, we met in Diagon Alley. Have you read your school books Neville? Do you know what house you'll be in?"

The boy looked embarrassed, "Y-yes and well... my great uncle w-wants me to be in G-gryffindor. But I t-think I'll be in H-hufflepuff."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "What's your last name?" He had never met the boy before which to him seemed unusual he thought he had met all the good wizarding families.

Easing into conversation just a little the boy replied, "Longbottom."

The name brought to mind an article Theo had seen laying around once at home. "Your parents are war heroes right?"

Neville looked like he was about to cry again but nodded. "I... I ought to g-get my t-trunk if I can s-sit here?" He was looking at Hermione.

"Of course you can Neville." She assured him with a kindly half smile, her buck teeth showing widely.

The boy scurried off out the door. "He's not... bad." Theo said once he was gone.

Hermione gave him a look. It was a little unimpressed but playful. "He's just nervous. The poor thing. His parents are war heroes? Did they fight against Vold-"

"Shush!" Theo leaped forward and laid a hand across her mouth. "You don't say his name! We call him He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or the Dark Lord if we have to refer to him."

Hermione blinked but relented. "Alright then. I suppose you couldn't say Hitler right after World War II either."

Neville returned soon enough with his trunk and a small toad cage. He stowed them and sat down again facing the two. Theo coughed a little nervously and they made awkward conversation as they tried not to push Neville too far.

Eventually they managed to pry the fact that he loved plants from him and Theo pulled out "How to Grow Healing Herbs" from his trunk giving it to Neville to borrow. The boy seemed thrilled and showed the pair a small potted plant he had brought with him called bamboo. As he described it's properties, losing his stutter, there was a scraping sound on the door.

Hermione opened it and Nova strolled in looking extremely pleased, a panicking toad clutched in her jaws. "Trevor!" Neville called and reached down taking the warty beast from the cat. "Oh I'm glad you're okay." He shut the toad safely in it's cage.

"Thank you." He told Theo, and repeated it to Nova who hardly spared him a glance as she was being served a can of skipjack tuna.

"Not a problem. We should probably get ready, we'll be there soon." Theo replied.

Hermione went down to the loo to change and the two boys quickly slipped out of their casual robes into their school attire. Hermione returned and soon the train pulled into the station as the sun was setting.

Instructions over the intercom told them to leave their luggage on the platform and for first years to seek out their escort. With nothing more than that the three students pushed their way through the crowds and left their trunks in a pile. Nervous Theo almost refused to leave Nova in her cage to be collected but ended up relenting, telling her to come find him if there was any trouble. Neville after a moments consideration put Trevor into a pocket.

Across the platform there was a shout "Firs years! Firs years o'er here please!"

They approached as the older students exited to what looked like carriages drawn by black skeletal horses with leathery wings. Theo recognized the Thestrals, having seen them pull funeral carriages as well. He thought of his mother, who died when he was very young. All he remembered was her being too weak to play, and then one day holding his hand and closing her eyes for the last time. Theo shook his head and turned away from the carriages.

They walked across the platform to the milling first years. The voice shouting was from a very large man up front holding a lantern. He was looking out and calling to the students who were depositing their luggage still. He spoke greetings to some of them but ignored the trio.

As soon as everybody had gathered he turned and marched off the platform towards a path into the forest. He called back, "Alrigh! This way now!"

They all followed him not knowing what else to do, and assuming he was the escort the announcement had mentioned. Some of the students whispered as they made their way through the thick wooded path but Theo stayed silent. The woods were disconcerting. Something lurked in the depths of those trees... or maybe his imagination was just getting carried away.

A moment later there was a bend in the path and gasps from the head of the column as they turned. Theo and the others rushed forward and looked at the glittering castle rising from the rock over a still lake. The last light from the dying sun caught on the windows and candles beamed outward from shadowed corners. At the shore of the lake sat dozens of boats.

"Come on now! Four teh a boat!" The giant was lighting lanterns along the boats prows. "Four teh a boat!"

Hermione, Theo and Neville clambered into one boat, and a disinterested girl joined them not making eye contact. The ride was silent as they all admired the castle with its spiraling towers and the still water. Eventually they passed into a simple looking boathouse and disembarked. Then there was a long trek up endless flights of stairs along the side of the cliffs. Up and up until they reached a huge door. The giant knocked happily and it was opened by Professor McGonagall. She looked severe with her hair up in a tight bun and official looking robes.

"The firs years Professor McGonagall." The bearded giant gave a firm nod as if very proud.

She nodded back politely, "Thank you Hagrid." Then her stern eye turned the students. "Follow me please."

So they followed, through a huge ornate hall decorated with moving portraits, knights of armor and mounted tapestries. A staircase four times the size of the one at the Nott Manor reached up to the next floor and McGonagall led them past it into what looked like an antechamber. There was another door and the sounds of chatter drifted through.

McGonagall turned to survey them again, her eyes seeming to focus on the students with messy hair and clothing. "Momentarily you will walk through these doors and be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. While at Hogwarts, your houses will be like your family. You will eat, sleep and take classes with your housemates. Your triumphs in class will earn your house points, while rule breaking will lose points. The house with the most points at the end of the year wins the House Cup. I hope you shall all be an asset to your new house." She paused here for a moment, "I shall return when we are ready for you, smarten yourselves up."

The milling students fidgeted with their robes and hair and wands stuck into pockets. Many looked nervous. A dark skinned boy nearby seemed to think it would be a trial by fire and if you didn't pass they kicked you out. Theodore had no idea how houses were chosen and no-one would tell him. It seemed silly.

Shortly McGongall appeared again and smiled tightly, "We're ready for you now."

The first years filed into the next room following the Professor. They thinned into a line and Theo got a look at the place. It was a huge golden hall, with four long tables filled with students boasting different colours and crests on their robes. Above the tables hang banners proclaiming the houses. A silver serpent for Slytherin, a gold lion for Gryffindor, a yellow badger for Hufflepuff and a bronze eagle for Ravenclaw. Above the flags the ceiling disappeared into the night sky, stars and moon shining down on the chattering students.

Some first years waved to older brothers or sisters. Others trembled or muttered to their neighbors. They approached a long table staffed by adults. An unhappy looking man with black greasy hair, the gigantic man who had escorted them, a small elfish looking man with a long mustache sitting on some books to reach the table. They stopped facing the teachers table. Behind them the students sat at their tables and in front of them on a three legged stool there was a wide brimmed wizards hat. Tattered, brown and patched.

To their utmost surprise the hat's brim seemed to open up in a mouth like tear and began to sing.

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

The hat finished it's song, and bowed to each of the four house tables and then fell silent. Professor McGongall stepped for with a long scroll and began to read names.

"Abbot, Hannah." Was the first student called up, she walked up to the stool and McGongall placed the hat upon her head. It jerked about a bit and the blonde haired girl had her eyes screwed shut concentrating hard on something.

After a moment the hat startled them again by roaring out "HUFFLEPUFF!" for the whole hall to hear.

The Hufflepuff table erupted into cheers and applause. Hannah set the hat down and relieved went to join her house mates. So it went with the next students called up. A Slytherin, a Hufflepuff, the first Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, another Slytherin.

Theo was suddenly aware of Hermione standing next to him. She would be sorted first. Where would she end up? Would he join her? Could they be friends if they were from different houses? He breathed in sharply as she seized up when McGonagall called, "Granger, Hermione."

Stiff, the girl approached the stool and the hat was set on her head. It moved quite a bit and took a long time deciding. Eventually to Theo's horror the hat eventually bellowed "GRYFFINDOR!"

His heart had fallen. All his family had been Slytherin, now he would be doomed to spend his years without the smart quirky girl who was his friend. He was startled by the realization he didn't think of her as muggle-born despite having seen her muggle parents. She seemed as magical as he did and now he missed her.

Halfheartedly he watched as she smiled at him from Gryffindor table. Soon Neville was called up and they were forced to wait through the longest sorting yet. The hat took several minutes before finally deciding on "GRYFFINDOR!"

Neville ran off with the hat still on his head and hat to return it, red in the face. Theo watched as the other boy sit across from Hermione and greet her. He sneered a little and tried to harden his heart. The Slytherins leered from their table only clapping for students that made it into their house.

Eventually, after Nerman, Zachary, it was his turn. McGongall called his name in the same calm tone, "Nott, Theodore."

Taking a deep breath he walked up and sat on the stool. The hat was placed on his head and he closed his eyes as he had seen other students do. It helped to block out the expectant faces.

He was startled by the voice of the hat, "Interesting. Witty, cunning. You could do well in Slytherin or Ravenclaw."

A little bitter Theo replied in a mutter, "Hermione was way smarter and you put her in Gryffindor."

The hat hummed thoughtfully, "True I did. She admires the brave and wishes to emulate their nerve and morals. Though I suppose you too wish to walk the path of the lion?"

Surprised that he was being asked, Theo said, "Well, I want to be with my friend. I always thought I'd end up in Slytherin automatically but I don't like their parties." He didn't notice that he was only replying in his head now.

"Not interested in ambition then." The hat paused for a long moment, "That is a show of loyalty, and daring by defying your father's expectations... Very well, you'll do alright in..." it shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Theo opened his eyes to a couple raised eyebrows from the Slytherins, but an eruption of cheers from Gryffindor. Hermione was standing up clapping her hands in delight and Neville smiled at him. He went to join his new housemates dropping the hat on the stool and quietly thanking it. Later Theo imagined he was insane, but then he swore the hat had winked at him.