First Year (Cont.)

We stood outside the Great Hall, the four of us bunched together in a corner, avoiding the rest of the over eager crowd. I certainly wasn't eager. Who cares which House you're sorted in to? You still have to attend the same lessons. I could tell Scorpius and Eli weren't that bothered either, but I think Scorpius was a bit nervous. The House he was sorted in to could determine how he was treated for the next seven years. Kayla, was nervous and she had every right to be really.

We talked a lot on the boat. It's longer than my family make it out to be, but I should know by now never to listen to what they say. Kayla is Muggle-born, so she doesn't know much about the wizarding world. She said the person who had taken her to get her school stuff was an old witch, and she only spoke about the Second Wizarding War and the Dark Wizards involved. The witch had only talked about how horrible the families were and went on about their names and pointed out which ones to avoid. Apparently they'd seen Scorpius when they'd been going around Diagon Alley. That's why she'd been so tense when she saw Scorpius. Although she ended up agreeing with me that he acted like a hyper-active child. He hadn't agreed that much.

Professor Longbottom, he shall be known as Neville in school as much as mum insisted, appeared, standing in front of the doors. He was definitely different in school from the blundering guy who brakes everything at the Christmas party. Someone who demanded respect. He was that explaining 'names will be called out in alphabetical order by last names' and the order the tables went in. I'd heard this speech plenty of times, most of my cousins reciting it to get on each others nerves or whenever Neville came round for a party. He, my parents and my aunts and uncles got drunk and forced him to say it. I'll never know why. Some weird adult humour. Or drunkness. Adults are weird when they're drunk.

I held the hem of my jumper, twisting it anxiously. I didn't know why I was suddenly so nervous. All of my family were sorted in to Gryffindor. Except James. And Rox. And if Teddy married Vic then him as well, he was a Hufflepuff as well. Maybe that's why I was so nervous. If one, or possibly three, family members could be sorted out of Gryffindor, anyone could. My dad was only half joking when he said I'd be disowned.

Scorpius nudged me as everyone had started filing in to the Hall. The four of us followed at a slower pace. As we entered the hall everyone stared. Not at our small group, they stared at Scorpius. Lot's of them were glaring. He kept his stare straight ahead, no emotion betraying the agitation he was feeling. He was good at that, I thought. Wearing a mask over his emotions. It was the first Slytherin trait I'd seen in him since I'd met him, which admittedly wasn't very long.

We stood at the back, slowly losing interest of the people close by. There was no fun from people who didn't respond to glares and quiet jeers. Professor Longbottom started calling out names, people one-by-one walking up to be sorted. I glanced right, spotting Lou and FJ sitting next to each other, smiling innocently. To anyone other than our family, it'd be fine, but I'm part of the family and I know they're planning something. The innocence on their faces gave it away.

Mol turned, waving from her place to get my attention. She gave me the thumbs up and starting clapping for the next person sorted into Gryffindor. She'd be with me if I was sorted out of Gryffindor. She'd always stand with me. So would James, but I wouldn't always rely on him in many situations. He could be an idiot at the worst of times.

I recognized a few names, like Colm Finnigan and Michael Thomas. Dad still spoke to their parents, after being room mates for seven years. My stomach started doing flips as more and more people started getting sorted and I started feeling dizzy. Scorpius grabbed my arm as I started to lean to far to one side. I smiled gratefully.

"Scorpius Malfoy," Professor Longbottom called.

People at the other end of the Hall turned round, everyone staring/glaring at him now. He held on to my arm for another second before walking forward. The crowd parted, creating a path to the front of the Hall, like when Moses parted the sea in the bible. I looked around the Hall, trying to gauge everyone's reaction.

The Gryffindor's, minus Lou and FJ, were looking uneasy and some were staring at him with hate. FJ and Lou didn't like to judge people, FJ because Rox would beat him up, and Lou because he didn't want to be like Dom. The Slytherin's were smiling and grinning, looking victorious at their catch. The Hufflepuff's were frowning, not sure whether they should judge him or not. They shouldn't really. They weren't meant to judge people. The Ravenclaw's looked at him thoughtfully, it was kind of creepy that the whole House was wearing the same expression. It was good though. The House as a whole looked like they wouldn't judge him. They value intelligence above anything else I guess. Kayla and Eli stood on either side of me. I gripped both their hands, earning a wince from Kayla.

"Are you trying to kill our hands?" Eli hissed. I shook my head and tried to loosen my grip. It didn't really work.

We waited in silence, everyone waiting with baited breath. The seconds trickled by, feeling like hours, making me more nervous. If he's in Slytherin, people will think he's a bad person. If he's in any other House, people won't treat him nicely. Maybe he'll be alright if he's in Ravenclaw. I don't know. He said he'd be fine. I should trust him, but how can I not worry? Half the school already hated him and they didn't even know him.

"Slytherin!"

The Hall was silent before the Slytherin table erupted into cheers, louder than any other House had cheered for anyone. Ravenclaw clapped politely along with Hufflepuff, although the latter looked more reluctant. Nobody in Gryffindor did anything, apart from a few glares. I guess they've all heard the stories about the Malfoy family being a Dark Wizarding family. Not that it wasn't, but people change.

Professor continued to call out names, crowd becoming ever smaller. Al's name was called out and I watched as he walked forwards, being stupid and acting confident. He was a nervous wreck and it made his big swaggering walk look really awkward. He's not a confident person. Never has been and it took a lot of effort not to laugh. The hat slipped onto his head, way to big for him, and covered his eyes. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath. I didn't. It didn't matter what House James got into, Al acts like a Gryffindor. He was a true Gryffindor at heart. Less than a second later;

"Gryffindor!"

No big surprise there. The Gryffindor's burst in to cheers, claps and whistles, louder than Slytherin had for Scorpius, but I guess the snakes are more reserved. They need to keep their 'no bull-shit' attitude. Professor Longbottom took the hat off him and Al stood up and glancing over to the Slytherin table. Damn. His eyes widened slightly but he kept walking towards the Gryffindor table. I winced. He saw James. Oh hell. This is going to involve a lot of shouting and curses, from James. Al would be hysterical mainly. Rox was going to have a hard time.

When Kayla's name ass called out, she hesitated before walking forward. She kept her eyes to the floor, her petite form made it's way up to the wooden stool slowly. I gripped Eli's hand again. This time he tried to pry my hand off, not caring who's attention he caught. I hardly noticed. She was so nervous. I worried my lower lip as the hat fell on to her head. Eli and me waited in silence. The Hall wasn't as quiet as it had been when Scorpius or Al went up, but that's because no one knew who Kayla was.

"Ravenclaw!"

Ravenclaw burst into clapping. Kayla's face lit up as she bounced over to the table, honey coloured hair flying everywhere, eyes alight.

"She looks happy. Wouldn't be that way if she was in Slytherin," Eli muttered, something dark in his voice.

"She doesn't understand what it's like to be hated by everyone," I murmured, more to myself than him.

"And you do?"

I shook as the next person walked up. My life was near perfect, I wasn't going to lie. I was pampered and looked after when I was younger and they harm I suffered was usually from tripping down the stairs or falling out a tree. I didn't like it, people judged me by my last name and treated me like a princess or a hero. It wasn't me who saved the world, so I wish people would stop acting that way.

The next person walked up to stool, sorted in to Hufflepuff. I'm glad Eli's last name is Zanbini. I wouldn't like to be the last person who walks up there. You'd have everyone's attention.

"Rose Weasley," Professor called.

The Houses seemed to slump. Every Weasley gets sorted into Gryffindor. I bet they thought that when James and Rox went up as well. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Saying that I'll probably be sorted in to Gryffindor. I sat on the stool, nerves trying to make me break down. Not this time. I kept a calm façade on, copying Scorpius, even when the hat covered my eyes. It was better that way. I couldn't see all their staring faces, open curiosity. I caught a glance of Scorpius before my eyes were covered. He gave me an encouraging grin. I smiled slightly.

Weasley, eh? There seems to be no end to you. But this isn't the time to talk about that. Which House I wonder? You are brave but intelligent. Non-judgemental and ambitious. You fit all the Houses. A strange one at that.

Yes, but this isn't about me being strange, is it? I thought back.

Indeed not. Hmm… you want equality. That rules out Slytherin. I felt a slight pang as I noted I wouldn't be in the same House as Scorpius. Made friends with the Malfoy boy, eh? He would have been fine in Ravenclaw, but he didn't want to spoil their reputation. Non-judgemental indeed. What would you do if someone tried to curse him?

Tell him to fight back and protect him till he was back on his feet, I thought. Then I'd tell him off and he can defend himself.

Bluntly truthful as well, the hat mused. Well, you are a strange one. That means I have to choice to but to put you in…

"Ravenclaw!"

Silence. Then cheers and clapping erupted around the Great Hall. The hat was pulled off my head. I stood up and made my way to the table. Scorpius grinned at me from his table, clapping. Fireworks went off on the other side of the Hall. I cringed and risked a glance. FJ and Lou had their wands in the air, sparks and noise shooting out of the tips, shouting 'Congratulations' at me. My cheeks heated slightly.

I laughed at their antics and caught Al's eye. My smile faded. He was staring at me, shock on his face. I looked away quickly and sat down next to Kayla as the teachers tried to stop FJ and Lou. Good luck to them. Those two were like a typhoon together, a tsunami with James. I guess the teachers should know that by know.

I looked down at the table. I'd broken my promise. I promised Al we'd get into the same House, no problem, and we'd have all kinds of fun here. I didn't mean it seriously, not completely. You never know which House you get sorted in to before you do. But so he's hard headed. He's going to try and make me feel guilty. He won't be friends with anyone in Slytherin, no matter what Uncle Harry told him. He definitely won't accept Scorpius as my friend. He'll probably say I've been cursed or something, so Scorpius can get close to our family and tear us apart. That sounds paranoid and slightly far-fetched. Definitely what Al will think.

I clapped as Eli got sorted into Slytherin. At least Scorpius won't be alone. Al caught my eye again as we began eating, a small amount of accusation in his eyes. I looked away. I didn't want him spoiling the beginning of my year. I threw myself into a conversation with Kayla. She was already looking lost and we were only eating.

I woke up the next morning. I yawned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Al hadn't managed to reach me after dinner, all the Houses left at different times so there wouldn't be a mad rush outside the Hall, but that hadn't stopped me from worrying. I'd stayed up until past midnight, thinking about what I should do, before I realised there was nothing I could do and went to sleep. Besides, I had to eat or my stomach would kill me through humiliation. When it grumbled it was a full on roar and nothing but food could quench it. It was actually a really bad problem. I slipped out of bed, pulling on the first pair of jeans and t-shirt I could find.

"Oh good, you're finally awake," a voice said.

I turned around and smiled at Kayla, who was standing in the doorway. She eyed my outfit critically, shrugging after a few seconds. It had taken her more than an hour to put all her clothes away, neatly and in order. She was our room's fashion police.

"Whatever, come on, me and Lyssa have been waiting for ages," she complained. She also liked to exaggerate.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming," I relented, grinning as I followed her downstairs.

I smiled at Alyssa when I saw her. She was, well, a bouncy person. She was hyper active and a happy, positive person, which is great until everyone's trying to fall asleep and she's still talking. She really looks like that would be her personality though. Her eyes were wide and warm, taking in everything and her hair just sort of flew around the place as she skipped. She never walked anywhere. She had to bounce, skip or dance. It was amusing to say the least.

We all skipped down the stairs, trying to guess which ones would move next, using our supposedly smart minds to remember the way to the Hall. I was probably five minutes away from stomach roar of the century.

Surprisingly, we found the place before humiliation killed me. Finding ourselves in the middle of the table we helped ourselves to food while I kept an eye out for Scorpius and Eli. Houses could mix at breakfast and lunch, it was just dinner that we couldn't. I waved when the two Slytherin's wandered in, looking like they hadn't a care in the world. Well, Scorpius didn't until he saw me. A grin lit up his face, and to Eli's obvious embarrassment, he decided to skip to our spot on the table. At that point in time I shared Eli's disappointment in our friend. Like he didn't already have enough to be picked on about him. Now he's gone and added skipping to the list. I mean, I know me, Kay and Lys did it before, but we're girls! We're meant to do weird girly stuff like that.

Eli arrived as Scorpius was beginning to dig in to his food, shaking his head at his dysfunctional friend, and I noticed the girl that was with him. She had an Asian look to her, black hair falling just past her shoulders. She wasn't smiling, and was fingering the bottom of her t-shirt, but I had a feeling she was very nice. I grinned at her.

"Hi, I'm Rose Weasley," I said. "And that's Kayla Roberts and Lyssa Lockwood."

"I'm Marisa Wood, nice to meet you," she said.

Wood. She must be Oliver and Cho Wood's daughter. She was in Slytherin? I wonder what her parents will say? I wonder what my parents will say when they find out I'm in Ravenclaw. The other two greeted her, both smiling sweetly. It somehow made me feel slightly scared, but I pushed the feeling away. I'd spent too much time around FJ, Lou and James and plots and sweet and innocent smiles. Nothing good amounted when those things were thrown together. Ignoring that train of thoughts, I turned and started teasing Scorpius as waved a piece of toast in the air, talking randomness that only Lyssa seemed to understand. Those two are actually quite similar in personality. It's scary.

Marisa took the seat next to me hesitantly. Eli, climbed over the table and plopped down next to Scorpius, offering his hand for Lyssa to shake. She pumped it up and down enthusiastically before going back to eating. And talking. At the same time. It wasn't attractive and I hope it's just excitement. I don't think I could deal with seven years of watching that.

"Mind if I sit with you?"

We all looked up in unison, staring at the boy. He smiled, a cheeky, friendly smile. On top of his sat short curly brown hair, framing tanned skin and brown eyes. He was leaning back one his left leg, looking quite relaxed despite talking to a bunch of strangers.

"Oh, there you are," Lyssa smiled, turning to the rest of us. "This is Colin Creevey. I was sitting with him on the train, he was sorted in to Hufflepuff."

"Call me Col. I was named after my deceased uncle," he said, slipping next to Marisa. "It's nice to meet you all."

We all greeted him. That's how our group began. I looked up in awe as the owls entered the Hall. It was like a storm, but it wasn't scary or as loud. They started swooping, and us along with most the first years in the Hall, ducked when they dropped near our heads. Letters and parcels were dropped like bombs, with some cheers and cries from people in older years. Letters were suddenly dropped on our group.

I picked the letter dropped in front of me, dad's messy scrawl on the front with my name. I tore it open. I'd kill James if he'd wrote to tell them I was in Ravenclaw. I almost dropped the parchment after I read it. No. No way. They can't think that. They haven't even heard from anyone if it's true. Oh God, dad wasn't joking at all when he'd said that. I was going to be disowned.

They thought I was in Gryffindor.