*Hey guys! Here's Part Two of Mady's Birthday Celebration! Hope you enjoy this chapter; Nellie's finally going to Hogwarts! I, personally, love this chapter. It sets up the relationship between Nellie and the twins in a sweet way, and I'm super excited to write the next chapter! Hope ya like, the new Tower Falling chapter is up next!*

Chapter Three

~Fred~

George and I sat with our friend, Lee Jordan, on the Hogwarts Express. It was September 1st, and the train was packed full of innocent little first years trying to find their ways around. George, Lee, and I were sixth years, and a year away from finishing our education. Frankly, I couldn't wait. I was looking forward to the freedom.

But, for now, we were stuck on the scarlet steam engine, a few minutes away from needing to change into our school robes. We'd be arriving at Hogwarts shortly.

Currently, we were working on our latest products to test out on those aforementioned first years. The assorted pieces of parchment were spread around our compartment, our quills were poised at the ready, but the ink was slowly drying on their tips, as the conversation kept getting off topic.

We'd moved off the subject of the Quidditch World Cup, as that was old news. Sure, the Death Eaters showed up and scrambled to party, and the Dark Mark was seen shining over the area, but I couldn't focus for too long on depressing subjects, and neither could George. We were just too happy of people.

"What do you think it was that Mum was talking about before we left?" George asked, leaning back in his seat.

I shrugged. "Dunno. Guess we'll have to wait and see."

Lee looked confused. "What did she say?"

"She said with all the fun going on at Hogwarts, we won't want to come home for Christmas," I answered.

"And Charlie said that he'll be seeing us soon," George added.

Lee's eyebrows merged in the center. "That's weird. Doesn't he work in Romania?"

"Yeah, he does. But, who knows? Maybe they were just joking around." I turned my head to watch out the window. The sky was gray and clouded over, but there was enough light that we didn't need the lamps to see. At least it wasn't raining like the year before.

We mostly joked around after that, throwing harmless spells at each other with our wands. When it was nearing the time for our arrival at Hogwarts, the three of us stood and unpacked our robes from our trunks. We slipped our black robes over our white shirts and helped each other with our ties. The three of us were all Gryffindors, so our ties were scarlet and gold, and we had a lion on the front of our robes. George ended up almost strangling Lee with his tie, as he had made it too tight.

The scream of the engine paired with the squeal of the brakes interrupted our playful banter and signaled that we had to grab our trunks down again. Grasping the handle of mine tightly, I led the way into the hallway, George and Lee following closely behind. George's trunk kept hitting me behind the knees, and mine was about to topple over the second year girl in front of me.

There was a drawn out delay when one of the first years dropped their owl's cage, accompanied by the shrill shriek of what I assumed to be the owl and not the frightened boy.

When we finally made it off the train, the three of us headed toward the carriages, pulled by what we'd just assumed to be invisible horses. There was nothing to see attached to the front of the carriage, but it didn't bother me too badly.

We watched the first years get into the tiny rowboats with Hagrid, Hogwarts's gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher. He was half giant and had a gigantic black beard, but he was one of the nicest people I'd ever met, and was a complete pushover. We viewed that sight for a moment longer, and then climbed into our carriage, just the three of us, like it always was.

~George~

It didn't take long to reach the castle. As soon as the carriage rolled to a stop, Lee, Fred, and I got out, dragging our trunks along behind us, and followed the mass of black-robed students all the way to the giant oak doors.

We deposited said trunks in the Entrance Hall and walked along the torch-lit passageways toward the Great Hall. We were passing by one of the many glassless windows when there was of a squeal of delight from up ahead. Fred and I exchanged a glance and a grin, and then ran toward the source.

Several students were grouped along the windows, leaning out and staring at something in the sky. Fred and I shoved our way through the crowd, ending up just behind Ginny and next to Ron, Harry, and Hermione. Luckily, Ginny was a good foot shorter than the two of us, so we could easily see.

"Look up there, Freddie," I said, nudging him with my elbow. Up above, coming closer and closer to the castle, was an enormous carriage being pulled by equally huge winged horses, gleaming white in the cloudy sky.

I could see Hagrid on the ground, holding two stick-looking things in his hands, waving them around like he was directing the horses where to go. Clearly, the horses didn't care, because they swooped right over his head, narrowly missing hitting him full force. They went on to land beside the Black Lake.

"There's something you don't see every day," Fred grinned.

Out on the Black Lake, what I thought was a small boat rose up to reveal a large ship, with one of the sails emblazoned with a red symbol I didn't recognize. All I did know was that I'd never witnessed anything like this before at Hogwarts, and these newcomers were definitely strangers.

~Nellie~

As we flew toward the castle I'd seen in my vision months earlier, I felt a sudden rush of excitement. I was glad I was sitting by one of the windows so I could look out at it as we passed by. The faces of the Hogwarts students caught my eye from where they were crowded at their own windows.

The carriage touched down beside a lake with glistening black water. Madame Maxime stood up, indicating just how huge our carriage was, as she was taller than about two grown women stacked together. "Welcome to 'Ogwarts, girls. This will be our 'ome for ze next few months. Gazair your theengs, and we will go eenside."

I grabbed my brown trunk from underneath my seat and tucked Nettles's cage under my arm, and then followed right behind Madame Maxime, exiting the grand carriage.

I crossed the grounds surrounded by the hushed whispers of my peers. I shifted uncomfortably in my Beauxbatons uniform, consisting of only a short, light blue dress with a miniature cloak of the same color fastened beneath my chin. And by miniature, I mean that it only reached the bottom of my shoulder blades. On top of my head was perched an awkward pointed hat that was, again, the same color. Not really sufficient attire for evening in the fall.

When we entered the castle, Madame Maxime instructed me to leave my things with the belongings of the Hogwarts students. I was a little wary about leaving my things with strangers, but I did as I was told. Madame Maxime had informed me earlier that my new school was aware that I would be here, and that made me feel a little better about my situation.

The only thing that worried me was the entire student body that I would be joining as soon as I stepped through those doors. None of them knew me, except for Fred and George, and we were barely more than strangers, at best. Not to mention the fact that I was one of the best dancers at Beauxbatons, so I had to lead the group of Beauxbaton girls.

Shaking slightly, I took my place in front. Two girls, a blonde and a girl with black hair, stepped in right behind me, and the rest filled it the remaining spaces. When I heard the name of my old school announced by what sounded like an elderly man, followed by the name of our Headmistress, Madame Maxime, the heavy wooden doors creaked open.

I took a step forward.

~George~

After witnessing the arrival of the flying carriage and the underwater ship, Fred and I followed everyone into the Great Hall to see the Sorting. We tried our best to not laugh at the frightened and nervous faces on the first years, but it was difficult. We roared with applause every time one of them was Sorted into Gryffindor, and welcomed them warmly, just like what was done to us six years earlier.

It seemed like ages before Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher, collected the stool and Sorting Hat and carried them back to their original whereabouts. It was then that Professor Dumbledore, a seemingly centuries old man with long white hair and an equally long beard stood. He was the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and when he spoke, the entire hall went quiet.

"Now that we're all settled in and Sorted, I'd like to make an announcement," his voice rang out through the crowded hall. "This castle will not only be your home this year – " The doors to the Great Hall swung open, and in jogged Filch, the school's caretaker. " – but home to some very special guests as well."

In between our quiet silent laughing fits about the way Filch ran, Fred and I raised our eyebrows. Special guests? That sounded interesting, just as long as it wasn't people from the Ministry, preaching to us about how to "protect" ourselves from Death Eaters. That really wasn't necessary.

Dumbledore continued, "You see, Hogwarts has been chosen – "

By then, Filch had reached the Headmaster and had begun whispering feverishly into his aged ear. From where I sat toward the middle of the Gryffindor table, I couldn't make out what they were saying, but Filch seemed deeply troubled about something.

Excellent.

Once Filch was done with his message, he jogged back out of the hall, and Dumbledore went on with his speech. "So. Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event: The Triwiard Tournament."

Fred and I perked up in our seats, giving each other knowing glances. "Brilliant," we breathed in unison, our attention completely on the old man's words.

"Now, for those of you who do not know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete."

I leaned forward a little, to better hear what he said. Only one person from each school? What were the odds of it being me?

"Now, let me be clear: if chosen, you stand alone." His voice suddenly turned gravely serious. "And trust me when I say these contests are not for the fainthearted."

Fainthearted? Me? Absolutely not. The thought of it was ridiculous. I could do those contests with both hands tied behind my back. Fred looked like he was thinking much the same.

And, just as quickly as it'd come, the seriousness vanished, and Dumbledore's tone grew lighter. "But more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and their Headmistress, Madame Maxime!"

The doors opened again, but instead of Filch, a large group of girls in light blue dresses and hats came waltzing in. They were beautiful; all of them were, but my attention was immediately drawn to the girl leading the crowd. She had a head of dark curls and a set of light gray eyes.

At the same time that I noticed her, Fred leaned toward me. "George," he whispered. "It's her!"

~Nellie~

Call it a miracle, or whatever you'd like, but as soon as I walked into that cavernous room, filled wall-to-wall with students of various ages, and started the dance routine, all of my previous troubles completely vanished.

I lightly jogged a few steps in, followed by the rest of the girls. We stopped a little less than a third of the way down and leaned to our right, toward the table closest to the wall. My right arm went out as we all exhaled in unison, pleasant, if somewhat forced, smiles on our faces. Then we continued on another third of the way, repeating the process to our left this time.

The entire place was silent, except for the sound of our shoes, but I thought I heard someone say, faintly, "Bloody hell." A small grin spread across my mouth. At least we impressed someone.

Once we reached the front of the four tables, both of our arms went out, and each of us conjured a few shiny silver butterflies to fly up. I continued forward, while the two girls behind me split up and led their lines to separate sides of the room.

As soon as I saw Fleur Delacour, another of Beauxbatons esteemed dancers, come up from behind the group, I began twirling in circles, right in front of the long table that was facing the students. I started in that direction also, and ended looking that same way. Fleur stopped her own spinning at the same time as me, and together, we bowed.

The two of us exchanged a glance, complete with my narrowed eyes and her slightly curled lip. We'd never really been friends, and had competed for the spot of best dancer ever since we were young. The fact that I was the winner irritated her to no end, and she had no problem letting me know. But now that I was leaving for Hogwarts, the title would be bestowed upon her. Perhaps that'd make her a little less stuck up.

We turned away and went to opposite sides of the room, me to the left, and her to the right. The Headmaster of Hogwarts, who I remembered went by the name of Professor Dumbledore, started to speak. "Now, our friends from the north. Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang, and their High Master, Igor Karkaroff.

Through the still open doors marched a long line of young men, all carrying staffs and dressed in brown shirts and pants. They tapped their staffs against the floor, twirled them in their hands, and made their way toward the front of the room. Sparks flew whenever the staffs would hit the cold flooring.

I had to suppress a gasp when I saw who was walking in next to Durmstrang's High Master. It's Viktor Krum! I thought excitedly. So, the rumors he was still in school were correct, after all.

My attention was brought back to the display before me when some of the boys blew fire from the end of their staffs. They looked like snakes that had been caught on fire as they twisted around their caster's heads. Before they disintegrated, they turned into a phoenix in flight. It was stunning.

Igor Karkaroff and Dumbledore embraced for a brief second, like they were old friends. Then Igor stepped away and joined the other staff members at the long table facing the students. Madame Maxime returned to stand in front of Dumbledore. She turned her head and beckoned me forward.

Now that I was finished dancing, the nerves returned. Suddenly, I was feeling very self-conscious in my tiny uniform and longed to be in the robes that I'd bought for my time at Hogwarts. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I lifted my chin in an effort to gain confidence and strode toward her.

Dumbledore looked even older up close, but his eyes were lit with a playful intensity that was shocking to see in someone of his age. He held out a hand. "You must be Miss Nellie Walker, our new transfer student." He smiled at me. "I'm sure you'll fit in quite well at Hogwarts."

I placed my hand in his and we shook. I couldn't keep a small, embarrassed smile from surfacing. "Thank you, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you," I squeaked out, trying to maintain eye contact.

He turned to look at the staff table. "Professor McGonagall." A witch with graying hair and a pointed black had stood from her seat. "The Sorting Hat, if you will." Without a word, Professor McGonagall retreated to a room just off the hall.

"Sorting Hat?" I asked, confused.

"So you know which House you belong in, of course," Dumbledore replied.

Oh, of course, how did I not think of that? I thought with mild sarcasm.

Professor McGonagall returned quickly, carrying with her a brown witch's hat that had clearly seen better days. It was patched, torn, and frayed, and held together in some parts by strands of thread. How was a hat going to tell me what my House was?

McGonagall set the hat on top of my head and stepped back. The accessory fell over my eyes. Immediately, a voice spoke in my ear. "A first year got lost, did she?" Before I could protest, he continued. "No, no, not a first year. A sixth year? From Beauxabtons? Oh, I see. Interesting."

I didn't want to sound stupid by talking out loud, so I really hoped that the hat could read my thoughts. You're a hat, and you're talking to me?

"Of course I'm a hat. What did you think was on your head, a shoe? I'm enchanted, so, yes, I'm talking to you. Perhaps we should get on with Sorting you, yes?"

Okay. Um, what are my options?

"Oh, no, dear girl, you don't get to pick. It is ultimately my decision. But, if you'd like to offer an opinion, I will take it into consideration."

But I don't even know –

Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, a vision took over my mind. It was of Fred and George, sitting at one of the tables. The second one on my left, to be precise. The image was bathed in scarlet and gold, and a lion roared at the back of my consciousness.

The second table from the left, I answered, a bit proud of my visions at that moment. The one with the lion, and the scarlet and gold.

"So you're a Seer, eh?" the hat whispered quietly, low enough that if he wasn't also in my head, I wouldn't have heard him. "And Dumbledore doesn't know?"

I swallowed. Only Madame Maxime knows. And she's promised not to tell. And you mustn't either! I just want to be normal for once! I begged.

The hat paused. "Very well. I will keep your secret." I sighed in relief. "Anyway, onto the matter at hand. You think you are Gryffindor material?"

If that's the table I described, then yes.

"I see, I see. A Gryffindor must possess bravery and a strong sense of loyalty. And you think that you have that?"

Yes.

What sounded like a laugh resounded in my ears. "Very well, then. GRYFFINDOR!" The hat yelled out the word so that everyone in the hall could hear it. The chatter that had been going on ceased, and hundreds of pairs of eyes turned to stare at me. Then, slowly but surely, the Gryffindor table, the one I'd described to the hat, the one with the twins, began to clap. Most of the boys clapped louder than was really necessary. I assumed it was because of my attire.

Thanks, I guess, I told the hat. Guard my secret well, okay?

"I promise," the hat replied, and then McGonagall whisked it off my head. She smiled at me, lightening her stern-looking appearance.

"Well done, Miss Walker," she said. "I am the Head of House for Gryffindor. Come to me if you have any questions. You can ask one of your classmates to show you the way. For now, you should go and sit with them."

"Thank you," I mumbled, nodding in her direction. I gave Madame Maxime a slight wave, which she returned, and managed a small smile in Dumbledore's direction. He smiled back.

I convinced my feet to carry me toward the Gryffindor table. I could feel everyone's eyes following my movements. I kept my head down and stared at the floor, all confidence lost. Where was I supposed to sit?

"Oi! Beauxbaton!" shouted a male voice. I looked up to see both Fred and George waving at me. "Come sit over here with us!"

Relief washed over me in heavy waves. I'd never been so happy to see someone before, and it was better because there were two of them. I walked a little faster to reach them. Automatically, the two of them slid away from each other to make room for me between them.

As soon as I sat down, they both put a hand on my shoulder. "Ladies and gentleman of Gryffindor," Fred, the one on my left, announced. "This is Kelly Walker."

George poked his brother in the back. "You git, her name's Nellie Walker. Isn't that right?" He phrased the question at me, and I quickly nodded.

Fred laughed. "Oh, right! Sorry about that. Guys, this is Nellie Walker, a friend of ours. And we expect you to be nice to her; otherwise you'll have the two of us to answer to. Okay?"

The rest of the table laughed. Apparently, Fred and George's threats weren't serious. But, still, it felt nice that they called me their friend. And the way that most of the other Gryffindors sitting near me greeted me warmly made me feel accepted.

Soon after, plates, goblets, and bowls filled up with food. My eyes widened as I watched. I was so caught up in my observation that I didn't notice everyone filling their plates around me.

George bumped me with his shoulder. "Hey, Nell, are you gonna eat or what?"

Fred leaned toward me and stuck his fork in my mouth. "Try the chicken. It's excellent."

I laughed around my mouthful of food as I pondered over everything that had just happened to me. I was sitting between my two new favorite people, who I only really just met for the first time and already liked. And they'd given me a nickname, which I found amusing.

I swallowed the chicken (Fred was right, it was excellent) and grinned at the both of them, which they quickly copied.

I think I'm going to like it here.