"Alexandra, bring your trunk out, I need to get it loaded into the car. But make sure you have everything in it first." Dudley called to his daughter from the kitchen.
There was no need for Alexandra to check the contents of her trunk. She had packed, and re-packed it about ten times that morning.
It all seemed like a dream. September 1st was finally here. All those long years of waiting were in the past. In just a few short hours, Alexandra May Dursley would be an official student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Hurry up and eat," Dudley said as Alexandra dragged her trunk into the kitchen. "We need to be ready to leave in less than half an hour. Positive you have everything? All you're books, your potions things, you're robes?"
"I'm sure dad," Alexandra said, taking a sip of her juice. It was the only thing her stomach could manage at the moment. Her stomach was feeling jumpy, and she was sure food would only worsen its state.
While Dudley heaved the trunk out the door, and into the back of his pickup truck, Alexandra glanced at her ticket that had come with her letter. She had never studied it thoroughly before, but now that she was, something peculiar stuck out. Apparently, the Hogwarts Express was supposed to be leaving at eleven at Kings Cross station from Platform 9 ¾?
"Um, dad?" Alexandra said unsurely as her father came back into the house. "What's the platform number for the Hogwarts Express?"
"It's on the ticket isn't it?" he said, bending over her to read the slip of paper that was still clutched in her hand. "Yah, Platform 9 ¾."
"So there really is such a thing?"
"Yes. I remember it from when Harry went."
"But, how do you get on it?" she asked. "I thought Ginny said we'd just go into the train station like normal people. And I know there's no Platform 9 ¾ there."
"You have to go through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10," Dudley said in an unfazed voice.
"What, you mean I have to go through a solid brick barrier!?" Alexandra said, amazed. "Wouldn't that, you know, hurt?"
"Not sure," Dudley said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Never went through it myself. I'd imagine not though, seeing as it's magic."
Alexandra nodded, and continued to drink her juice.
"You need to eat," Dudley said, noticing his daughter's untouched kipper and toast. "It's a long journey to Hogwarts."
"I'm not hungry," Alexandra muttered. But after receiving a stern glare from her father, Alexandra took a small bite out of her toast.
Once Alexandra had forced down a good part of her breakfast, she raced out the front door and waited impatiently as her father locked all the doors of the tiny home.
The two were going to go to Harry's first and drive with him and his family to Kings Cross Station.
"Finally, we're here," Alexandra said as Dudley pulled into the Potter's driveway. "Thought we were going to be late."
"Alexandra, we still have a good hour before the train leaves," Dudley chuckled, checking his watch.
Ignoring Dudley's remark, Alexandra climbed the front steps leading to the door anxiously, and rang the bell. Albus answered almost right away.
"Hi Alexandra," he said politely, letting her and Dudley, who was carrying Alexandra's trunk in. "My parents are in the kitchen. We're almost done with breakfast."
Having been present at quite a few mealtimes at the Potter household, Alexandra knew what to expect as she entered the kitchen. It was exactly the sort of behavior that made her wish more than ever that she had siblings.
"Lily, hurry up, please," Ginny told her daughter.
Lily sat in her chair, playing with the newest addition to her doll collection, paying no mind to the plate of eggs in front of her.
"But mummy, I have to finish braiding Ella's hair," she explained as if it were completely obvious. "She can't go to the train station with messy hair!"
"Yes well, you can do that in the car," Ginny said. She spotted Alexandra and Dudley. "Oh hello, Harry should be here any minute, he's picking up Teddy. Would you like some eggs?"
"We already ate," Dudley answered.
"Are Uncle George and Fred coming with us too?" James asked.
"No, they'll meet us there. Put you're plate in the sink, please," she added as James stuffed the last of his breakfast in his mouth.
There was a loud pop, and Harry appeared, along with a sixteen-year old boy, with bright blue hair.
"Hey Teddy," James said.
"Hey," he replied, taking a seat at the table. Ginny slid him a plate of eggs. "Are we leaving soon?"
"Soon as everyone eats," she said. "Harry, take Alexandra's trunk out the car with Teddy's."
"Right," Harry said, taking out his wand. He pointed it at the two trunks, causing them to levitate as Harry led them out the door.
"'R 'On an' "Ermowne 'oming?" Teddy questioned through his egg-stuffed mouth.
"Ew, gross!" Lily exclaimed, staring at him in disgust.
"Yes they're coming," Ginny answered rolling her eyes. "They'll be here any minute."
Alexandra remained silent, but couldn't help thinking how in the world twelve people, plus two large trunks would fit into Harry's car. It was only a five-passenger vehicle after all. Dudley seemed to be thinking the same thing, for he had on a puzzled expression. Her train of thought was interrupted, however, by the sound of flames animating suddenly in the fireplace in the living room.
"Rose! Hugo!" Lily said happily, jumping down from her chair.
"Ready to go?" Ron asked, coming into the kitchen with Hermione. "Bill and Fleur already left."
"Lily still needs to eat her breakfast," Ginny said, nodding over at Lily.
"Fine, fine," Lily said breathlessly. She ran over to the table and crammed a forkful of eggs into her mouth.
"There," she said once she had swallowed. "I ate. Let's go."
Sighing, Ginny cleared her plate with her wand. "Don't complain to me if your hungry before lunch."
"Come on, come one, come on!" Hugo urged them. "I want to see the train!"
"You've seen it before Hugo," Hermione reminded him.
"Yes, but that was so long ago!" he said anxiously, causing Alexandra to laugh.
After the dishes were done, and everyone put on their coats, the group filed outside to the car. Nobody, other than Alexandra and Dudley, seemed to notice the space issue. But when she peered inside the car, she saw that the interior of the vehicle was expanded to about three times its normal capacity. There were three rows of seats, and the two in the back looked like they would each fit at least six people. Alexandra, James, Albus, Lily, Rose and Hugo sat in the back, and Hermione, Ron, Teddy and Dudley took up the second seat. Harry and Ginny rode up front.
The trip to the train station lasted nearly an hour. By the time Ron had retrieved two trolleys, they only had twenty minutes before eleven.
This is the part Alexandra was interested to see, getting onto the platform.
"Teddy, take James and Albus and go first," Harry instructed his godson.
Nodding, Teddy signaled for the two boys to come over with him by the barrier between platforms nine and ten. They leaned against the apparent solid brick wall, and without any of the passing muggles noticing, they vanished through the wall!
"Whoa!" Alexandra said softly, staring in awe at the spot where Teddy, Albus and James had been seconds before. Hermione, Ron, Rose and Hugo went next, and disappeared exactly as the others had done, leaving Lily, Harry, Ginny, Dudley and Alexandra.
"You understand how this works Alexandra?" Ginny asked her kindly. "Just go straight through the platform."
"I understand," Alexandra said. "Let's go dad." She led Dudley over to the platform. She simply stared at the barrier for a few seconds, then took a deep breath, and walked through it.
A gleaming red train stood majestically, as many students hurried on board.
"I really do wish I was going," Rose said enviously, stepping besides Alexandra. "You're going to learn loads."
"Oh I hope so, I don't know anything, just a few things from my textbooks."
"Rose, have you seen Teddy?" asked a voice behind them.
Turning around, Alexandra saw Victorie. At fifteen, she was the spitting image of her mother, with long blonde hair that seemed to radiate a glow.
"He went on the train as soon as we got here," Rose said. "He said he was going to look for you."
"Ah well, we'll meet up eventually then," she said, laughing slightly. "Hello Alexandra, I almost forgot you were starting this year too."
Alexandra nodded, unsure of what to say to this.
"You'll love Hogwarts," Victorie continued. "It's so much fun. Plus," she pulled a gold badge from her pocket. "I've been made Prefect, so if anybody messes around with you, I'll be able to give them detention."
"I didn't know you were made Prefect," Rose said, glancing at the badge. "Well done."
"Thanks, I'm already having a good time threatening Dominique with detentions, and next year when Louis is there it will be even better."
"But-but that's an abuse of your power!" Rose stuttered, looking absolutely scandalized.
"Relax Rosie, I'm only kidding. Besides, Molly's doing it to Lucy."
"Victore, you 'ad better be getting onto 'de train," Fleur said to her daughter as she, Bill and Louis came over to the girls "You too Alexandra. 'Et ez leaving in five minutes. Dominique ez alveady on."
"Oh!" Victore said in surprise, looking at her watch. She gave Rose a quick hug. "See you at Christmas. See you on the train," she added to Alexandra.
She gave the rest of her family quick kisses on the cheek, and the hurried onto the train.
"Well, bye then," Rose said brightly. "Maybe I'll see you around Christmas."
"Yah," Alexandra replied distantly. "Maybe."
She made her was over a few yards to where her father was standing with Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron.
"Dad," she said quietly. "The train leaves in five minutes."
"I know," Dudley said heavily. He wrapped his arms around his daughter. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," she said, returning his embrace. "I'll try and send you a letter as soon as I get to Hogwarts."
Dudley smiled and nodded. "See you at Christmas then." He gave her one final kiss on the top of her head.
"Have fun at Hogwarts dear," Ginny said, giving Alexandra a short hug. "Remember, if you have any questions, just ask Victorie or Teddy."
"Alright," she responded.
Harry came over to his wife and knelt down besides Alexandra and slipped a few galleons into her hand. "For the lunch trolley," he whispered, giving her a wink. "See you at Christmas."
"Thanks," Alexandra said gratefully, grinning up at Harry.
The train gave a loud whistle, signaling for any remaining students to board. With a quick wave to Ron and Hermione, she rolled her trunk through the sliding door of the train.
The train began moving right away. She stood in the corridor, watching through her window as the platform slowly disappeared from sight.
Making her way down the hall, Alexandra finally found an empty compartment near the back of the train. She attempted to lift her trunk onto the luggage rack above, but realized after her first attempt that success was highly unlikely.
"Here, let me get that for you," a voice said from the doorway of the compartment.
Alexandra looked around and saw Teddy standing there, along with Victorie, and two boys whom she did not recognize.
"Wingardium Leviosa," Teddy murmured, pulling out his wand. The trunk swiftly floated into place above her head.
"Thank you," Alexandra said.
"Welcome," Teddy replied, storing his wand in his pocket. "By the way," he indicated to the two unfamiliar boys who were staring at her with curiosity. "These are Gerald Herman and Ralph Newman. They're in my year. And you already know Victorie of course."
Both Gerald and Ralph shook Alexandra's hand briefly.
"Anyways Alexandra, we're a few compartments down if you need anything," Teddy continued.
"Oh damn," Victorie suddenly exclaimed. "I'm supposed to be with the Prefects up front!"
"Aw, why don't you just blow it off?" Teddy asked, rolling his eyes.
"Because if I do McGonagall will probably send an owl home," Victorie answered. "I can just see my dad's face… Well, see you at the feast Alexandra." And with that, she hurried down the corridor to the front of the train.
"Well," Teddy said, staring slightly after Victorie. "Like I said, you know where to find me. See you around." He gave her a fleeting smile, and left the compartment.
Normally, a long train ride, such as this one, would have Alexandra quite bored, but on this occasion, she felt far too exited to feel such.
But then an irksome thought that had been toying with her for so long came back into her head: the Sorting.
She still had no idea how she was going to be sorted into one of the four houses, but all she knew is that she could simply not be Slytherin. Remembering the promise she had made herself earlier that year, that she would just leave if by some chance she was put into Slytherin, she wondered whether that would even be an option, or if she would be forced to stay, no matter what. And if she did have to stay under those circumstances, what would the Weasley's say? And Teddy? And well, everybody…?
"'Lo Alexandra," Fred said, sliding into the compartment, disrupting her flow of thought. He took a seat across from her. "How's it going?"
"Good," she said, trying to sound a bit more confident than she felt.
"Mind if I sit here?"
She shook her head, silently thankful that she would at least now have a companion.
"So," he said, setting his trunk down at the far end of the compartment. "How do you reckon we'll be sorted? Molly's going on about having to duel with the Giant Squid in the lake."
"No clue," Alexandra answered truthfully. "I suppose we'll have to wait until we get there."
"Suppose so," he sighed. "Anyways, want to help me pull off my prank after dinner tonight?"
"What sort of prank?" she asked cautiously.
"Nothing too big, like I told you before, I'm saving my best stuff for when lessons start up. But I found these," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few spherical objects, "in my dad's office. They're called Mystic Mayhems. They turn into some sort of vapor when you throw them, and it causes some sort of ruckus. Varies every time. What do you say?"
"I'll think about it," she said carefully, thinking to herself she wouldn't get within ten feet one of those.
"Right well," Fred continued, cramming the balls back into his pocket. "Gonna try out for Quidditch?"
"Er, no," she said unsurely. "I've never flown before."
"Neither have loads of people," Fred said dismissively. "Don't worry about it. You know, first years aren't even allowed on house teams."
"Then why bother trying out?"
"Because Uncle Harry got on in his first year," he said. "So apparently if you're good enough, they'll make an exception. And Neville, or Professor Longbottom, is head of Gryffindor. He'll let me play if I'm really good."
"If you're in Gryffindor, that is," Alexandra reminded him.
"Of course I'll be in Gryffindor," he answered as if she had pointed out something completely obvious. "I'm a Weasley."
"So it goes by families?" Alexandra asked anxiously. Harry was the only person who she was the slightest bit related to in the wizarding world, and he was in Gryffindor…
"Not all the time," Fred admitted. "But still, I'm bound to get in there. Can you imagine if I got put in Slytherin?" he let out a short laugh. "I think I'd die of embarrassment!"
Alexandra forced herself to laugh.
"So," Fred said after a few minutes of silence. "Wanna play chess? I brought my old set along."
"Sure," Alexandra shrugged. "I've never played before though."
"Eh, no problem, I'm not too good. I've tried to have Uncle Ron teach me and everything, but it's no use… You can be white."
Alexandra had only watched games of Wizard's Chess before. She had never gotten used to the fact, however, that the pieces were more like members of an army then of a game. But when her Knight took Fred's Rook for the first time, she felt a sort of rush of adrenaline, captivating her emotion for the game.
"This is actually really fun," she stated as Fred cleared the remains of his piece off the board.
"Oh yah," Fred said darkly. "Loads of fun."
The two continued to play until the compartment door slid open once more reviling a kind looking old lady, pushing a trolley full of al sorts of delicious sweets.
"Anything from the trolley dears?" she asked, beaming down at the two.
Fred dug into his pocket and retrieved a few silver coins, and traded them for many packages of Chocolate Frogs and Acid Pops.
Feeling a rush of gratitude towards Harry, Alexandra got some of everything, with the exception of Cockroach Clusters, which James had tricked her into eating when she was eight.
"You know, I've never had my own Chocolate Frog card," Alexandra said as she pulled the wrapper off one of the frogs. "I've always given them to James and Albus. Maybe I'll start collecting."
"'ou 'ould," Fred remarked, his mouth filled with a handful of chocolate. He swallowed. "I've got tons of them. Just need Bathilda Bagshot and Rufus Scrimgeour."
The pile of sweets was gone almost as quickly as it had come. The sky grew steadily darker, and droplets of rain began splashing down the windows.
"Better get our robes on," Fred said, kicking open his trunk. "We must be nearly there by now."
Alexandra stood on the seat and pulled out her brand new robes. She looked at her reflection on the window once she had put them on. She thought she looked quite nice.
At last, the train slowed to a stop. With Fred's help, Alexandra brought her trunk down, and the two set off down the crowded corridor.
The rain was now heavily falling, causing Alexandra to pull the hood of her robes over her messy hair.
"Firs' years!" she heard a gruff voice call. "Firs' years over here!"
"Hey Hagrid," Fred said, walking over to the large man.
"'Lo Fred, Alexandra," Hagrid greeted them, still waving over first years.
Alexandra had only met Hagrid one time. On that occasion, her father made sure to stay a certain distance away from him, and she never knew why. She found Hagrid very friendly.
"How are we getting to the school?" Fred questioned, watching the horseless carriages take the older students from the train.
"We'll be ridin' across the lake," Hagrid said simply. "Don't fancy it in this weather, but I've seen worse… All right, I think this is it." He looked over the group of students who had now joined Alexandra and Fred. "'Right you lot, follow me! Leave you're trunks along here. They'll be brought up separately."
With some difficulty due to the rain, he led them a short ways to a large lake, with boats sitting along the edge.
"Four ter a boat now," Hagrid instructed the students, who were climbing into boats. "Careful not ter fall into the water." A few looked wary at this comment, but continued into the boats anyways.
Alexandra and Fred climbed into a boat, and were joined seconds later by two girls. After everybody got situated in his or her boat, Hagrid tapped a pink umbrella to his own boat, and the others instantly began their way across the lake.
"Whoa!" Fred said in awe as the boats neared their destination. "Look at the castle, it's huge!"
Huge was an understatement in Alexandra's mind. She had imagined what Hogwarts might look like many times, but her imagination didn't compare to the real thing. Towers sat beautifully on top of the many stonewalls that seemed to go on forever, and the windows were made from exquisite looking glass that gave the castle even more of an appealing appearance.
Once the boats reached the castle, Hagrid led them through gigantic doors into castle.
A rush of warmth spread over Alexandra's body at once, making her appreciate the castle that much more. Looking around at the amazing structure, Alexandra had difficulty keeping up with the crowd as they continued on through the castle to a closed door.
"I've got them from here Hagrid," called a man, descending down the stairs. "I'm filling in for Professor Flitwick, has a sore throat. Must've been awful taking them through this."
"A bit," Hagrid admitted, walking over to the man. "Fine though, feast will be worth it."
"Hi Neville," Fred said to the man. "I mean, Professor Longbottom."
"Hello Fred," Professor Longbottom greeted him.
Once she heard his name, Alexandra knew who the man was. Neville was talked very highly of in the Potter's house, and even though she had never met him, she knew from James, Albus, Lily and the Weasley's, that he was extremely nice.
Hagrid slid through the door, mouthing the words 'good luck' to Fred and Alexandra.
Neville cleared his throat loudly, captivating the attention of the first years.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," he said professionally. "For the next seven years, this castle will be your home during the semester. While here, you'll be sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. You'll show loyalty to your house while here, earning points for your triumphs, though losing points for unacceptable behavior." His eyes hovered over to Fred at this part. "Now then," Neville went on. "You will kindly form a line and follow me through this door for the sorting ceremony. Once you discover your house, you'll go and sit with them, and wait for the feast to begin."
He stared into the awaiting young faces, and seemed to be satisfied with his speech. "Alright," he said. "Come along." He pushed the doors open wide, and led in the young pupils. The hall was already filled with the elder students, who watched the first years file in with interest.
"Look at the sky!" Alexandra pointed out, gazing, transfixed, at the ceiling, which imitated the night sky perfectly.
The group finally came to a stop in front of the table filled with teachers. At first, she was at a lost to why they had suddenly stopped, but as a space cleared up in front of her, she saw that they were huddled around a three-legged stool with an old, worn-out hat placed on it.
"What are we doing?" Fred whispered, confused. "It's just a mangy old hat, what's so great about it?"
No sooner had those words left Fred's mouth, the hat made moved, and the brim of it opened like a mouth.
Torn as I may be, and sewn up at the hem,
I know what's going on within,
You're busy, little head.
For years and years, I've done my job right,
Placing the young where they belong.
For each of you is different,
Though somehow all the same,
Let me look into you,
And tell where you'll do best.
Maybe in Ravenclaw,
A choice surely worthy and wise.
There you will shine,
With your wit and pure mind.
Perhaps a spot in Hufflepuff,
Will do you the best.
The kindest of the kind,
The friendliest of all.
Slytherin may suit you,
If you seek the best.
Always cunning to get,
What you feel is prided.
And last is Gryffindor,
They're the ones who will fight,
For what they believe is right.
Brave at heart, brave at mind,
Is what they truly are.
So try me on,
Do not fear.
I speak only the bare truth.
I can find the secrets in your mind,
That even you don't know.
But keep in mind,
Divided you may,
We really never part.
United we are at best,
United we shall not fall.
So try me on,
I will ponder,
The traits that you possess
Try me on for it is I,
Who really knows you best.
The hall broke out in applause as the song ended. Alexandra was too stunned to clap, but simply gaped at the now still hat.
"When I call your name," Neville said loudly as the hall quieted down. "You will come up here and I will place the hat on your head." He unrolled a long sheet of parchment.
"Artmen, Jasper." A boy with golden blonde hair and freckled skin walked meekly to the stool, where Neville placed the hat on his head. After a minute, the hat spoke again, this time calling out; "Ravenclaw!" There was a polite applause, and Jasper went to sit down at the Ravenclaw table.
"Can you believe this?" Fred whispered furiously to Alexandra as Atan, Jacob went to be sorted. "All we have to do is try on the hat! Man, I was all worried for nothing!"
Aton, Jacob became and Slytherin, and was followed right after by Balvew, Kira, who went to Ravenclaw.
Knowing her name would be called soon, Alexandra held her breath as Durmus, Madiline went to Hufflepuff.
"Dursley, Alexandra." Called Neville as Madiline went off to her respective table. She noticed his eyes widened a bit as he read her name, but he said nothing. A few of the teachers were looking at her curiously too. Ignoring it, Alexandra sat down on the stool, and waited breathlessly as Neville topped her with the Sorting Hat.
"Well now," said the hat's voice in her head. "This is rather interesting. A relative of the famous Harry Potter…"
Alexandra did not respond to this, but sat silently, gripping the edge of the stool with anticipation.
"Yes, I can most certainly see you following his path," the hat went on. "A proud, brave Gryffindor. But perhaps, you'd do better to follow your other path… Slytherin would do you fine."
What? Alexandra thought desperately. No, no you said I was a Gryffindor!
"That is true, but I can tell you would do great in Slytherin. However, the choice all lies in your head…
I want to be in Gryffindor! She thought firmly.
The qualities of Slytherin outweigh Gryffindor…
No!
"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted aloud before Alexandra knew what happened. She felt slightly stunned by the sudden decision of the hat, but the knot that had been forming in her stomach loosened as she rose from the stool
Cheers from the Gryffindor table broke out, and still dazed, Alexandra made her way over, taking a seat at the edge of the bench.
"Well done Alexandra," said Dominique, swinging her long, red hair out of her face. "Yah," Lucy, who was sitting next to her chimed in. "Congratulations."
Teddy and Victorie each gave her a thumbs up as she looked their way, and Molly nodded approvingly at her.
She was joined at the table, shortly after, by one of the girls who was in her boat, Tiffany, Finnigan, and then by a boy named Trent Lurero. She watched the line slowly thin, as Macmillan, Grace, the other girl in her boat became a Gryffindor, and Heather Peters became a Slytherin. Pretty soon, Fred remained one of the last, along with two other boys, to be sorted.
"Weasley, Fred." Neville said, picking up the hat and presenting it to Fred. The hat had no sooner touched his head when it called out, "Gryffindor!" Alexandra clapped enthusiastically, along with the other Gryffindors, as Fred took his place across from Alexandra.
"Told you I'd be a Gryffindor," he said loftily to her. "Had nothing to fear."
Finally, Wood, Monica became a Ravenclaw, and Neville rolled up his slip of parchment, picked up the stool and hat, and exited through the doors Alexandra and the others had only minutes before, entered through.
Chatted had started up once more, but as the stern looking woman seated at the center of the staff table rose, it died at once.
"Welcome, to our new students, and welcome back, to our returning students. Before the feast begins, I would like to direct you attention to a few start-of-term notices." Her eyes swept over the hall, and then continued. "First of all, as always, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, wishes for me to remind you that the hallways are NOT a place for practical jokes and dueling. Kindly use them only for getting to and from classes. Second, broomsticks are absolutely prohibited on any section of the grounds except for the Quidditch pitch. And finally, I would like to wish everyone an excellent term, and let us now enjoy out fabulous feast." She tapped her goblet with her wand, and instantly, the long table was covered with steaming foods that made Alexandra's mouth water.
"Oh, yes!" Fred said, grabbing a plate of chicken that was sitting adjacent to him.
Alexandra's amazement did not end at the sudden appearing food; for right as she went to reach for the bowl of peas across from her, the entire hall was suddenly filled with pearly white transparent figures, gliding to all four tables.
A few of the first year students seemed startled by this, but the majority continued tucking into the feast.
"Looks like we've got a healthy bunch of new Gryffindors this year," said the ghost of a man wearing a large ruffle around his neck. "Glad to see it!"
"Hi Nick," Dominique said, spooning mashed potatoes onto her plate. "Good holiday?"
"Very good, very good," the ghost, Nick, nodded, his head wobbling a bit.
"Are you Nearly Headless Nick?" Fred asked abruptly.
"Yes, I daresay I am," he answered heavily. "But I do prefer being known as Nicholas, my proper name."
"Nearly headless?" Alexandra asked aloud before she could stop herself.
Without a word of response, the ghost pulled his neck ruffle back, and his head fell limply to the side, hanging onto his head by the tinniest amount of skin.
"Neat!" Fred exclaimed as Alexandra made a face of disgust.
"Yes, it is an exceptional trait. But apparently not so exceptional as to be able to join the Headless Hut…Well, farewell for now." And with that he floated down the table to greet the other students.
By the time desert came, Alexandra's stomach was near bursting. As the last of the chocolate cream pudding vanished, Professor McGonagall stood once more. "Now that we have divulged ourselves in such an outstanding fest, I believe you will all find you are in need of a good nights rest for tomorrows lessons. First years, the Prefects will lead you all to your respective common rooms. I bid you good night."
The students all began to come to their feet, and made their way out of the Great Hall.
"Gryffindor first years!" Molly called, standing next to Victorie. "Come on, follow us."
Fred and Alexandra, along with the rest of the new Gryffindors, trailed behind the two girls as they squeezed through the crowd up a magnificent staircase.
"This is the quickest way to get to the Gryffindor common room," Victorie explained as they climbed the staircase. "Careful about the staircases though, they'll move on you." As she said that, the staircase above them shifted its position loudly, causing Alexandra to jump a little from the startle.
"Time for my Mystic Mayhems," Fred said in a mischievous voice. As the group reached the top of the staircase, and began down a corridor, Fred ducked out of site and set off in the opposite direction.
Alexandra grinned slightly, imagining the chaos that was sure to come.
Fred reappeared as quickly as he had left. "Should be getting the results any minute now," he whispered to her slyly. "Oh, and if anyone asks, I never left you sight,"
"Got it," Alexandra whispered back.
"Here we are," Molly said to the first years as they stopped in front of a portrait of a fat lady in light pink. "Gryffindor common room."
The woman in the picture sprang to life at the arrival of the Gryffindors. "Password?" she asked curtly.
"Dumbledore's Army," Molly responded promptly. The fat lady nodded, and the portrait door swung open.
The common room was rather cozy looking in Alexandra's opinion. Many cushiony armchairs sat around small tables, and there was a warm fire whipping away in the fireplace.
"Girls dormitories are to your left, boys to your right," Victorie told them. "Better head off to bed, you have lessons tomorrow."
Obeying, Alexandra bid Fred goodnight, and followed three other girls up the staircase to the left.
The rooms were a bit plain, just four, four-poster beds and a bedside table next to each, but Alexandra liked it all the same. Her trunk was already sitting at the foot of her bed.
The other three girls all began pulling off their robes, and getting into their pajamas, so Alexandra followed in suite. She had just placed on her nightgown, when she caught the girl at the bed across from her, Grace Macmillan, staring at her shrewdly.
"Er, hello," Alexandra said, trying to sound friendly.
"You're surname is Dursley, right?" she asked, not returning Alexandra's friendly tone.
"Yes," Alexandra replied, confused.
"Are you at all related to Harry Potter?"
"Oh, yah. My father is his cousin."
"I thought so," Grace said, nodding. "Well, I know all about your family then."
"Huh?" Alexandra said, not understanding at all where this is going.
"I'll have you know," Grace continued, crossing her arms. "That my father was, and still is , a good friend of Harry Potter, and I happen to know that your father and his family were quite horrible to him growing up."
"I've heard that too," Tiffany Finnigan said, stepping next to Grace. "I heard they hated magic so much, that they didn't even tell Harry Potter he was a wizard until he got his Hogwarts letter."
"Right, and my father told me Harry Potter told him specifically it was impossible not to live with the Dursley's and not hate them."
"But-but my father and Harry made up," she stuttered. "Six years ago."
"Yah right," huffed Tiffany. "I don't believe it."
"Neither do I," Grace agreed.
And with that, both girls climbed into bed, and pulled their bedside curtains around them, leaving Alexandra standing dumbfounded, in the middle of the room.
Thought the worst part was getting sorted, Alexandra thought miserably as she climbed into bed. But I suppose it's only begun…
AN- I had no idea this chapter would be so long, sorry! Anyways, I hope everybody's happy where Alexandra got sorted, I know I had a lot of reviews giving me advice about where to put her. Read and review please!
