Hello! Theodora finally meets some of J.K. Rowling's wonderful characters!
Disclaimer: Everything Harry Potter is still not mine. But I still wish it was.
Warning: It's a bit of a filler, honestly.
Hope you enjoy it!
"It's fine," Theodora sighed. "Just go on. The Minister of Magic's waiting for you."
"Yeah," Owen frowned at his daughter. "Don't forget to write, okay?"
She nodded, pushing her heavy trolley further into King's Cross Station. A scowl appeared on her face as she held out her ticket.
"Nine and three-quarters." she muttered, staring at the barrier in between platforms nine and ten.
Theodora looked blankly at the brick wall in front of her. She knew how to get onto her designated train, the Hogwarts Express, but she couldn't help but feel disappointed that her dad wasn't here to drop her off into her first year of wizarding school.
Shaking her thoughts away, she moved forward. As she got closer, her feet started to speed up. Bracing herself, she ran straight through.
It felt like she was floating for a second until she heard the sound of her flats smacking the ground.
The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was an enormous crimson train, gleaming from the ceiling lights.
"Woah." she awed. She could've stayed there and watched the glorious locomotive all day, if it weren't for the steam rising from it's silver pistols.
Taking notice of the time, she jumped onto the monorail, her luggage dragging behind her. Theodora glanced at the compartments as she passed by, not joining the other kids who were playing games like Exploding Snap and Gobstones or just pigging out on Pumpkin Pasties and Cauldron Cakes.
"Finally." she murmured, relieved, opening the empty compartment.
Theodora collasped down on the comfortable seats, getting out her favorite book: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
She was just learning about the Cerberus—which is a multiple-headed dog—when the door squeaked open.
"Excuse me?" It was a girl with bushy brown hair, her nose turned up and her voice confident. "Have you seen a toad? This boy, Neville Longbottom, has lost one."
"His name's Trevor." Neville added, meekly.
Theodora shook her head, sadly. How awful it must be, losing a pet that meant so much to you. She, out of all people, should know, raising owls and selling them for a living.
"Sorry. I haven't." she said sincerely.
With a dignified hmph, the girl left, with Neville whimpering behind her.
'What an unlikely duo of friends.' she thought.
After a while, Theodora's eyes started to feel tired. Yawning, she shut her book, clutching it to her chest like it was a pillow.
Her peace vanished however, as the door opened with a smack instead of a squeak.
It was the girl from before, her chocolate eyes were narrowed, and cheeks burning red. It seemed like she had just ran a marathon, with her uneven breathing. Her arms were crossed, and she was staring at Theodora with an expectant look.
". . . . . . hello?" Theodora greeted, uncertainly.
"I apologize for barging in." she said, not looking sorry at all. "Some boys were acting barbaric a minute ago. It was very irresponsible, really. May I sit down? Thanks. I just feel so drained from acknowledging their foolish behavior. Honestly, fighting when we haven't even started school yet! I'm Hermione Granger. And you are?"
"Erm," Theodora blinked. "Theodora Langley."
"Really?" Hermione asked, a smile blooming on her face. "As in Langley's Owl Training? I've read all about your family in Wizards That Contributed to Society. Do you really work with owls?"
"Yeah," the blonde replied, feeling more at ease. "My dad and I take care of owls everyday. It's very fun."
"Interesting! How does it work?" Hermione questioned.
"First, the owls have to study maps and globes. You know, to learn where all the countries are. After that, they go on test runs. We give them parchment, send them off to several places, and give them to a random wizard or witch. If the parchment comes back to the owl ranch, then we know they passed. We record the time they take, whenever they leave for a trip. The quicker, the better. And if they take too long, then we just get a trained owl to find them." she explained.
The girl in front of her was leaning forward in interest, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"That's absolutely fascinating!" she commented.
"Thanks." Theodora beamed, happy that she made a new friend.
The two began to chat some more as an hour flew by. Theodora had changed into her school robes by then, her hair pushed back with a headband. The girls walked out of the train, continuing the conversation.
"And you wouldn't believe how stupid he was," Hermione drawled. "He was trying to change the color of his rat. We obviously aren't going to learn that kind of transfiguration until next term at most!"
She giggled at the brunette's rambling. That boy really must've peeved her if she was moaning about it this much.
"Boys are boys," she said as Hermione laughed along with her. "Come on! Let's go!"
They ran along with the other first years to the small light of a lantern, which stood out against the dark night. She gasped once she saw who was holding their only source of seeing.
"Hagrid!" she grinned.
"Why hello Theodora," he said kindly, moving his eyes. "Alright Harry?"
Harry? She followed Hagrid's sight as it landed on the boy from the Leaky Cauldron. Once they've made eye contact, Theodora was able to see him properly. Unruly raven hair, round glasses, but it was the lightning bolt scar on his forehead that made her freeze.
Harry Potter. The boy with the stunning eyes was Harry Potter. He was the only one who had ever survived a killing curse by You-Know-Who—the most powerful dark wizard ever—himself!
She could tell that she wasn't the only one who noticed, as the rest of the crowd was watching his every move. Sympathy melted her heart, as she felt so sorry for him. His parents dying just to save him. It's tragic.
As a little girl, Theodora had admired him greatly for his courage, and had always thought of him as a hero. But now, all she could see was a regular, sparkly-eyed boy, who wanted to learn just like she did.
She gave him smile. Her heart swelled when he returned it.
"Theodora! Let's go!" Hermione demanded, tugging her arm to the boats.
Another pair of girls joined them as they soon were on the surface of the Black Lake.
"I'm definitely going to go giant squid watching this weekend. It would be a fantastic way to end my first week at Hogwarts!" she declared, looking down at the water.
Hermione rolled her eyes, fondly. "Only if you finish your school work first."
Theodora didn't say anything, ignoring her friend's disapproving look.
"Everyone's adoring the castle right now," Hermione commented. "I think you're the only one who still cares about the squid."
Castle? Were they there, already? Moving her head, her jaw dropped. Hogwarts was magnificant; standing tall and proud.
Her breathing quickened, as she stumbled out of the little canoe and onto land.
"Is this yer toad?" Hagrid said, pointing to the creature, sitting on a rock.
"Trevor!" Neville's voice echoed, as he reunited with his beloved pet.
Theodora and Hermione shared an amused smile, as they went inside their new home for the next seven years.
On the other side, was a lady with a pointed hat propped on her head, with posture stiff as a board, and her lips in a straight line. Intimidated, Theodora ducked her head, avoiding all eye contact.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." Hagrid gestured to the group.
"Thank you Hagrid. I'll take it from here." she said, her large eyes scanning them from head to toe.
She lead them to the Entrance Hall, as Theodora took in everything. The friendliest pictures that waved at her as she passed by. The never-ending staircases! It was all so wonderful!
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."
Doubt seeped into Theodora's mind. Classes with the rest of your house? Spend free time in your house common room? Her eyes darted to Hermione. What if they weren't in the same house? Will they ever see each other again?
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rulebreaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."
A frown popped onto her face. She has heard all about the House Cup from her dad. The Slytherin House had a winning streak for a long, much to her dad's displeasure, as he was a Hufflepuff. Determination flared up inside her. The House Cup was now her main priority for the school year!
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Everyone, including Theodora, fussed with themselves, straightening their clothes. Looking around, Theodora stifled a laugh. Even Harry was patting down his hair!
"Oh, I'm so nervous! I've been studying many enchantments you see," Hermione blabbered. "But the Standard Book of Spells only go so far!"
Everybody was glaring at her as she kept on muttering. Theodora gave them a hard look, while patting Hermione on the shoulder.
"Don't worry Hermione," she said. "Dad said that the ceremony's quite simple!"
"They could've change it!" she protested. "I've heard someone saying that we had to fight a troll!"
Theodora scoffed. "You're a muggleborn aren't you? Trolls aren't exactly the most brightest creatures. They are rather strong, though . . . . . ."
That didn't assure Hermione at all. As she kept on thinking of all the possible spells she could use for defense, a scream was heard.
"What the—?"
It was ghosts. Theodora watched eagerly as they floated by.
"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance —" one said.
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost — I say, what are you all doing here?"
A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years.
Nobody answered.
"New students!" said the Fat Friar, smiling around at them. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"
"Yes. I'm a bit nervous, myself." Theodora admitted, gaining shocked looks from her peers.
"Now, now. Don't be scared." he said to her, with a wink. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know."
"Move along now," Professor McGonagall returned. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start."
One by one, the ghosts disappeared into the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told the first years. "And follow me."
They entered to the Great Hall, passing by four long tables, each with a pack of students, wearing a different colored ties, indicating their house. Floating candles provided warm yellow light, contasting with the black ceiling.
"It's bewitched to look like the night sky," Hermione informed. "I read that in Hogwarts: A History."
Nodding, Theodora stopped with the others in front of the staff table. The only thing in between them was an old stool, with a hat that's just as ancient. Bewildered, the first-years stood there quietly. A second later, the hat began to sing, resulting in multiple gasps and yelps of surprise.
"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 folk 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!"
Her hands started to sweat and Theodora forced herself not to wipe them off on her brand new robes. Professor McGonagall called out names as student after student flew by, with a new family in their wake.
"Hermione Granger." Professor McGonagall called, looking up from her scroll.
With a comforting smile, Theodora gently pushed her friend forward. She smiled as she heard Hermione reassuring herself.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat yelled.
Beaming, Theodora clapped the loudest, banging her hands together until they burned.
She fiddled with her thumbs as a couple of more kids got sorted. Hermione was sending her encouraging looks, flashing her large front teeth.
"Theodora Langley."
Her legs felt like jelly as she went to sit on the stool. Scrunching up her eyes, she bit her bottom lip, waiting for the moment of truth.
"Well, well, well," the hat hummed. "What do we have here?"