The first day of September brought not so many changes as one could expect. The same rain and chill air, the same clouded skies above. Basically the same thing I expected to see every day since the day I decided to move to live with my dad. If things were as they should be, I would begin my studies in Forks High School today. Instead I was sitting in rented car, absently looking at passing streets of London while we drove to the King's Cross train station where my journey towards probably the most strangest place in the world had to begin.
To come to think of that, this day could be a lot worse. Instead of going to Hogwarts, I could be locked up in prison. The idea still made me shiver.
When Charlie finally pulled into a parking lot, I already coped with irreversible fate. With a sigh I climbed out, then slowly walked around the car as if slow movements could put off the inevitable. Charlie helped me to get the huge trunk with school things out, then he went to get the cart while I pulled out my rucksack and cage with barn owl. The owl hooted, clearly showing her annoyment for being locked up.
"Please, shut up, okay? I won't let you out before we reach the school." Great, now I was talking to a bird. Could my life be even more stranger than it already was?
"Here you go, Bells," Charlie interrupted my pathetic internal musing. Together we lifted my trunk up and onto the cart, then he eyed the cage. "An owl, huh? Are you sure you want to keep it?"
I grinned mischeviously. Ever since the day I came back to motel with an owl, Charlie kept on asking me the same question. Not that he did not trusted me to be able of taking a proper care of the bird, but because he considered it as unusual choice for a pet.
"She's nice. And it's very popular thing among students to have an unusual pet."
It was a blatant lie, but I could not really tell him that it was rather that or cat, or toad. The first option was immediately ruled out, because I always had been a bit allergic to cats. And toads are too cold and slimy, even mere thought about taking them in hand seemed repulsing. The owl was the most suitable pet to purchase.
"I called her Amy, like Grandma Swan."
"Oh, that's an honour," Charlie grumbled, but I could tell he was kind of pleased. "Well, I hope she will keep an eye on you."
"I'm sure she will, dad," I placed the cage on the trunk, making sure there was no chance for it to fall off, then I turned and hugged Charlie. Leaving was something I did not wanted to do, but I also knew there was no other choice.
Charlie still grumbled. "I hate the thought of not seeing you until the summer break."
"I know, dad, I'll miss you too. But I promise, everything will be fine. Just imagine – Oxford," I grinned. "Imagine Renee's face when she will hear about it."
"She will jump up and down in pride. But – at least call me, Bells," Charlie sighed, but it was obvious he was running out of arguments.
"I'm not quite sure it would be possible. The educational programme is very loaded, especially in first couple of years. So it's not likely I'll have a lot of free time. You know, I'll send you a letter, okay? In a very old-fashioned way."
I hated myself for lying to him, but I knew my dad would freak out if I told him the truth about what kind of school I was going to attend – the Hogwarts, a school of magic, which young wizards and witches from entire Britain attended to learn various things about magic.
When I told Charlie I was going to stay in Great Britain, he was reluctant to let me go at first. Then I showed him acceptance letter from Oxford. He read it at least three times to make sure it was real. And then all arguments were over. Education in this country was always considered as very prestige thing, especially in Oxford. Even if I later decided to quit that whole magic thing and get a job in a Muggle world (I still could not quite get used to this word), Dumbledore already promised to get me a real diploma that would confirm that I had graduated Oxford's university.
When we reached the entrance, I said goodbye to Charlie, successfully assuring him that there is no need for him to squeeze through the crowd to escort me to platform – which I had to find yet. And it certainly will not be easy. The number itself seemed odd, Platform 9 ¾. Thankfully Dumbledore explained in detail how to get on the platform, from which the Hogwarts Express departed. I just had to run head first straight into the wall between Platform 9 and 10.
The station was crowded with people, hurrying back and forth to various trains. In spite of that, I found the right place quite fast. As I approached the wall, I spotted many redheaded kids with a woman guiding them through the passage. Her hair was just as red, so I guessed she was their mother.
There was another boy with raven black hair and glasses standing few feet away from the group. I decided to stand behind him, waiting for the others to pass through the barrier. The boy stared at redheads, gaping in surprise, obviously just as new as I was into this magic thing. It was kind of encouraging.
"Hey, there!" I decided to speak up first. The boy turned and smiled at me nervously. "Are you going to Hogwarts too?"
"Mhm," he nodded. "I just don't know how..."
"...to get on platform?" the woman heard our talk and intervened. "It's very easy, actually."
She explained the boy that he must walk through the wall. Her youngest son was in the same age as the raven haired boy, first year too. And so was I, only with exception that I was six years older. As soon as they both went through the barrier, I pushed my cart forward.
"Hello, dear. Never seen you here before," the woman spoke to me. There was a little girl holding her hand, looking at me curiously with her warmly brown eyes, just like her mother's. "Are you seeing someone off to Hogwarts?"
"No, I'm going to Hogwarts myself... as a student," I felt a bit awkward, trying to explain anything to completely strange person. "It's kind of complicated, actually."
"Oh, so you must be Isabella Swan," her eyes lit up with understanding. "I heard that your magical abilities came to aware only recently. Don't worry, dear, it happens sometimes. Rarely, but it does."
Great, so the news spread fast in magical world. I guessed that I just had to suck it up, so I smiled, waved at her, then start to push the cart forward, closing my eyes when I reached the wall, but collision never came. Instead I felt myself surrounded by a chatter of kids. Someone bumped on me, quickly apologized and run on. Holding my breath, I opened my eyes and sighed in relief, seeing the train with label "Hogwarts Express".
The platform was crowded. Tentatively avoiding hovering parents, excited first years and older students who greeted each other after summer break, I finally reached the car at the end of train. Two of redheads I saw before – no doubt, twins – already were there and helped the raven haired boy to get his trunk inside. Without thinking, I grabbed the edge of trunk from this side and together we lifted it inside the car. Then both twins helped to get my own trunk in train too in very chivalrous manner.
I politely thanked them and went off to find an empty compartment. Finally I found one and settled in, but before I managed to sit down, the dark haired boy shyly knocked at the door.
"May I sit here?" he politely asked. Not very common thing from kids in nowadays, must admit that.
Well, he might be my future classmate. It seemed a good thing to start some sort of acquaintance. I was pretty good with kids, mostly. Back in Pheonix, Arizona, I used to look after neighbors kids. They were seven and five years old boys. Their mother worked in two jobs, so there was no one to pick them up from school. Since I had a spare time, I agreed to do that. We actually had a lot of fun.
"Sure, come in! Here, let me help," I grabbed his trunk and helped him to pull it inside. Together we pushed our trunks under the seats. He also had an owl, very beautiful snowy owl, similar to the one that huge man bought in Diagon Alley. "Her name is Hedwig," the boy explained, seeing where my gaze was turned to.
"Nice name. I named my owl Amy, after my grandma," I pointed at my barn owl.
Just then the door opened again and the youngest of redheads poked his head inside.
"Do you mind?" he nodded at the empty seat next to me. "Everywhere else is full."
"I don't mind," I glanced at dark haired boy. "Do you?"
The boy shook his head. The redhead came in and plopped down by my side. Now there were three of us. Nice company, I thought. I never been very comfortable around girls, especially so young. The boys were much easier to deal with.
"My name is Ron Weasley, by the way," the redhead said as he plopped himself down on a seat next to me.
"Bella Swan," I shook his hand, then we both glanced at raven haired boy.
"I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
Ron's eyes widened as if seeing some kind of celebrity. As for me, the name did not meant anything worth of notice. Then Ron asked if Harry actually got a scar. Harry pushed his hair from his forehead, revealing a tiny scar which reminded a lightening bolt. Ron gasped loudly.
"Gee, where did you get that from?" I leaned closer to better examine the scar.
"Voldemort's curse left it on my head the night he killed my parents," Harry quietly said. Ron gasped again.
"You called You-Know-Who by his name?" he whispered.
"Who is Voldemort?" my gaze shifted between them both.
Ron nearly fell off his seat, hearing this name from my lips too. He stared at me like I had sprouted another head on my shoulders. "You don't know who is You-Know-Who?"
"Guess what, no, I don't!"
"But you are at... what year? Sixth? Seventh?" Ron eyed me with curiousity.
"This is my first year."
This time both boys stared at me with big eyes. I sighed and gave up. Their reaction was something I had to better start to get used to, if I wanted to successfully get through all seven magical education years. I knew there were always people who will point their fingers at me because of my age. Kids sometimes could be very merciless.
I sighed again and told them everything that happened in last few days. Soon Ron remembered that he heard about me before from his dad who was working in Ministry of Magic. That explained the leak of information. Thankfully, both of them were kind and friendly and did not looked at me as if I was a freak.
Harry shortly explained who is Voldemort. He did not know much himself, but the bit of information he was able to give alongside with what Ron had heard, clearly told me that this guy used to be the evilest person the world has ever seen. I felt sympathy for Harry and the way how he had lost his parents. From what he told me, I could tell that his remaining relatives were not very fond of him. He was basically all alone in the world. I felt an urge to take some sort of guardianship over him.
During our trip to Hogwarts, we had only two more encounters. First there was a girl with wild, bushy hair. Her name was Hermione Granger. She was kind of funny, though, with all her bossy and obvious know-it-all attitude. But our second guest turned out to be the first real test to my patience.
A blonde boy, who named himself Draco Malfoy, strolled into our compartment as if he owned the whole train. There were two more boys hanging around with him, both a bit oversized for their age. They held behind Draco's back like a pair of bodyguards.
Malfoy's snobbish behaviour instantly caused dislike from my part. When I told him my name, I could tell the feeling was mutual. Malfoy apparently tried to befriend Harry, who also seemed to dislike the blonde and he rejected the boy's offered hand. Then Draco made a big mistake by speaking disapprovingly about Ron and his family.
In that moment an enormous wave of anger swept over me.
"Okay, that's it! Get out!" I leapt up and literally pushed the boy and his buddies into the corridor. "If I see you again in this part of train, blame yourselves!" I shut the door firmly in front of Draco's face.
"His family always been in Slytherin house," Ron said when I returned to my seat. "I would rather hang myself than be sorted in Slytherin. Most of dark witches and wizards once were in Slytherin house, You-Know-Who included."
I frowned, listening how they discussed the four houses of Hogwarts, both hoping to be sorted into Gryffindor. Personally I did not really care where I wind up as long as it was not Slytherin. Both me and Malfoy in the same house? It would be only matter of time before one of us would kill the other.
The day passed. It was near twilight when Hermione Granger appeared again to tell us that we will arrive at Hogwarts soon. I went out in corridor while the boys changed into school robes, then it was their turn to wait outside while I dressed up.
The uniform itself was okay, but the black robe felt kind of strange. It fitted perfectly, but only after putting it on I actually start to realize where I am going and what awaits me when the train will stop. By that time it was almost dark outside, the lights were on in compartments. I saw my reflection on window and first almost did not recognized myself. The figure in black wizard robes looked gloom and scary, as if stepped out of children book illustration. Was that really me, simple, clumsy and insignificant Bella Swan, who now stared back at me from cool glass reflection?
Harry and Ron came back in, we had barely time to exchange a few words before train slowed down and finally stopped. I sighed and walked out along with my new acquaintances on our way to the unknown – at least for me – world of magic which awaited us inside of Hogwarts.
* * *By the time we, the first year students, walked inside of Great Hall, I stopped wondering about nearly impossible things around me. Neither moving paintings, nor thousands of candles floating above our heads could surprise me anymore as we walked between long wooden tables where hundreds of other students already sat and waited for their new housemates joining them.
I was the tallest one as well as the eldest among the first years and even without looking around I could feel everyone staring at me. It was incredibly awkward. I tried to focus my eyes on the floor to avoid tripping. My usual lack of coordination would be out of place right now. Just imagine the sight of me, falling on my face in front of entire school.
I kept my eyes downwards even as we stopped and the harsh-looking witch, Professor McGonagall began to call our names one by one in alphabetical list. The one she called out came forward and sat on three legged stool, then he or she had to wear very outworn hat, Sorting Hat, which sorted the new students into houses.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Gryffindor. Lucky one.
"Malfoy, Draco!"
Slytherin, of course. I expected nothing else.
"Potter, Harry!"
I crossed my fingers. The Sorting Hat thought for a while, then put my new friend in Gryffindor house.
"Swan, Isabella!" Professor McGonagall called the next name on list.
Everyone immediately turned to stare at me. If the whole situation seemed awkward before, it was nothing in comparison with being forced to stand up in front of the whole school to face the music. Trying not to trip over my own feet, I made a few tentative steps and sat down on stool, while Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on my head.
"My oh my," I nearly jumped, hearing a tiny voice within my mind. It took me a few seconds to realize it was coming from the Hat. "What a courage we have here! And temper too, that's a sure thing to say. Beware the one who shall ever dare to get on your bad side. Such a strong drive to stand up for the right thing and protect the weak ones. A real Gryffindor you are, girl! Smart and logical wits – could fit in Ravenclaw too. And what a loyalty and patience – most valuable Hufflepuff abilities. And... nothing of Slytherin. You could fit in any of those three houses, girl, but – no, I think it's time to make a major change in this school. So, my decision would be – SLYTHERIN!"
The last word Sorting Hat shouted out loud for everyone to hear. I barely realized when McGonagall took the Hat off my head while I sat there in complete shock, unable to move to join the most loathed house of the Hogwarts, where I just had been thrown in head first.
"Miss Swan?" Professor McGonagall gently pushed me toward the Slytherin table. "You must join your housemates over there!"
My brains were an absolute mess, legs barely obeying, I slowly walked to the furthest wall and tentatively sat across the blond, annoying boy I met in the train earlier. I struggled to remember his name. Draco, I believe it was.
"Welcome to the Slytherin!" A dark haired, well-build boy who sat next to me, adressed to me. He looked to be fifteen years old. "It's a high privilegue to be sorted in this house. Marcus Flint, by the way." He reached out to shake my hand. "And you're Isabella, right?"
"Bella," I corrected. "Though I'm not sure if it's a privilegue to be in this house. I heard enough about this house history to get a general idea for what kind of witches and wizards it's meant for."
Flint scowled, but thankfully did not argued. As the Sorting Ceremony went on, I took a chance to observe the teachers sitting at the High table. As my curious gaze traveled to the end of table, I heard Ron's name being called out. After a few moments he was sorted in Gryffindor house where Harry already was.
Oh, come on, you must be kidding me! Of all houses I was being sorted in the most loathed one. Someone up there really hates me!
As soon as this thought crossed my mind, I saw him.
A man with pale skin and shoulder length black hair, sitting at the High Table, abruptly paused on his conversation with his companion and turned his head toward Potter. I immediately noticed how dark his eyes were, almost black. His stern features were like carved in stone, totally emotionless, like one of those guys who has written "stay away from me" all over the face.
"Hey, do you know who is he?" I nudged Flint and nodded toward the mysterious man. "There, at the further end of the High table. The one with black hair."
"Oh, that's Professor Snape," Flint looked at said man and friendly patted on my shoulder. "You're lucky, Bella. He is the Head of Slytherin house and Potions Master."
"Professor Snape?" I thoughtfully drawled. "Does he have a name too?"
"It's Severus. But you can only call him Professor Snape. He doesn't tolerate being called by his first name, especially by his students, no matter how supportive he is towards us. I think only few of staff are allowed to call him by his given name, like Headmaster and Professor McGonagall, for that instant." Flint made a warning glance at me. "Don't fool yourself by thinking that being adult among us would give you some advantages of how to behave in here. It doesn't matter how old you are. For the time being you are a student and must behave like one."
"Of course," I murmured under my nose, already deciding to ignore his advice. I was not going to listen in any advises coming from my new housemates, that much I knew already. After everything I heard both from Ron and especially from Sorting Hat, this house was not a place for me.
As Sorting Ceremony ended and Headmaster opened the feast, the students eagerly dove into eating. In spite of everything, the meal was great. I settled on my favourite French fries and steak, choosing vanilla ice cream for desert. Everything tasted good, but my thoughts kept on returning to many questions I had no answers to, not yet at least. Mostly I wondered why did Sorting Hat put me in house which qualities I obviously lacked. What did the hat meant by spouting this crap about "major changes"? What could that possibly do with me anyway?
During the meal I caught myself throwing an occasional glances at Professor Snape, but he never lifted his eyes again. When the feast came to an end, the Prefects of each house led the new students to their rooms. Before leaving, I was able to catch Harry's look and give him tentative smile. He smiled back and waved at me. Ron, however, was a bit more reluctant, but eventually waved too. That gave me a hope that maybe we will be able to continue our acquaintanceship in spite of being sorted in separate houses.
The first unpleasant surprise was that Slytherin rooms were located in dungeons. The dungeons were cold and dark. Those few torches did a poor job of enlighting the place and I tripped several times, causing the laughter from the others. I did my best to ignore them, wondering how would I survive the next seven years in a place like this.
The Prefects showed the first year students to where the boys and girls dormitories were. Without saying a word I went to the girls dormitory, pleased to find that someone already had brought my trunk, cage and rucksack there. Another four first year girls settled down along with me. They tried to engage me in conversation, but I quickly crawled in bed and pretended to be fast asleep.
Maybe it was due to the fact I was extremely tired or maybe it was the square meal, but I actually fell into a deep sleep before the lights were turned off. This was a damn long day and I knew that there were many more waiting ahead.
