The train arrived at the station sooner than you expected. You saw the giant from Diagon Alley the second you got onto the platform, his beaming face lit up by a lamp he carried in his hand.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?"

"SYLVIA! YOU TROLL! Did you actually run over to Potter's? Get over here!" Draco roared from behind. He pulled you towards him, glaring at Harry and Ron at the same time.

"I'm sorry!" You mouthed at the two, who merely nodded.

"What is a girl like Caeru doing with a guy like Malfoy?" Ron whispered in Harry's ear.


After the boat ride, you and a bunch of other first-years were greeted at the front door by a stern lady in a green cloak.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the GreatHall, 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. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Alright, now let's head in."

You followed McGonagall into the hall, where all the students and teachers were. There, sat on a four-legged stool, was a patched and dirty wizard's hat. As the hat began singing, Draco began bragging besides you.

"I will definitely be in Slytherin. Right Sylvia? My whole family is from Slytherin." Draco whispered in your ear.

"I don't know which house I'll be in." You said worriedly.

"Don't be scared, I promised your mom I'd take care of you. You'll probably be Slytherin too, don't worry." Draco replied, trying to comfort you. You rolled your eyes.

"Sylvia Caeru!" You heard your name being called as you walked up to the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on your head.

"Caeru! The first Caeru to ever attend Hogwarts. But, where to put you?" you heard the hat mutter.

"Hm... not a bad mind, and a whole lot of bravery. I can see you value glory a lot, but you don't also want to be bound by the concept of it. You will be a powerful witch, my dear!"

You look towards Draco, and then the Slytherin table. If you went to Slytherin, you'd have Draco. There's also Blaise whom you just met. Sure, Pansy might be annoying, but you can deal with her later. All you had to do now was wait for an answer, wait for the hat to announce Slytherin.

The hat went silent for a moment.

"Gryffindor!"

What?! I'm in Gryffindor?!

You walked over to the Gryffindor table in a daze, unable to look at Draco. The rest of the sorting went by in a blur. Draco went to Slytherin, of course. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in Gryffindor though. At least you wouldn't be too lonely.

"I knew you would be in Gryffindor!" Ron said happily. Harry smiled at you.

"I'm happy for you, but what about your friend?" You looked towards the Slytherin table, meeting Draco's angry gaze.

"I... I don't know." You said, all of your energy suddenly drained from you.

"Gryffindor and Slytherin may be rivals, but I think you can still be friends," Hermione said, trying to comfort you. You looked at the table in silence. You had no idea what to do.


After dinner, you followed the rest of the Gryffindors to the Common Room. Your roommate was Hermione. As night fell, all you could do was toss and turn on your bed. Unable to sleep.

Unbeknownst to you, deep within the lake in the Slytherin Common Room, Draco was also wide awake.