AN: CHAPTER 11! HOGWARTS TIME.

Her last day at the Malfoy manor was spent reading, as was implied at the end of the previous chapter.

So enjoy this! September 1st.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of it's characters, or settings... BUT I OWN VESPERA, and puppet over others. :D

I walked with the Malfoys down the mass chaos of Kings Cross Station. They had given me a ticket, but had walked ahead saying if I walked any slower the gate would shut on all of us. They were giving me space to just admire the vastness of the station.

When I reached station 9, I looked up, looking for station 9 3/4, only to find 10. I looked at the platforms questioningly, then stuck my hand on the wall between the two. My hand went right through, so the rest of me decided to follow.

I looked up and saw 9 3/4. I had found it. I saw a magnificent train waiting, and parents saying goodbye to their children all around. I saw Mrs. Weasley wiping off Ronald's nose, as if he had dirt on it or something. Everyone in the station though seemed to be overly excited. Apparently, Harry Potter had been spotted in the station, and this was news to them.

I walked up and down the train on the outside, admiring how new it looked. Next, when I looked up the train station was full of parents waving good-bye to the train, and one of the adults closing the door. I ran forward and jumped on the platform, and handed the man my ticket.

"Don't cut it so close next time," he scolded me. I simply nodded, then walked into the train. The inside was even more fantastic than the outside.

I walked down the corridor, looking for Draco. All the compartments looked full to me. The ones that weren't had people who snubbed their noses when they saw me, as if I was the bad guy for wearing black and green clothes with silver jewelry.

I kept trudging further back into the train, when I finally spotted the blond head I had been looking for. I walked to the compartment, then slid open the door. Only to see an almost full compartment.

"It took you long enough to get here." He pointed to the seats around him, "This is Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, Tracy, Millie, and Daphne." He then looked up at me, "Our compartment is already full Vespera." Draco said in a snobby voice, "Maybe you should go find you another place to sit." He was being absolutely cruel, any other time he would have offered to come sit with me, but since he was with his friends, I guess our friendship was out. I glanced at the one empty seat and was immediately stopped in my thought process, "That's Jaelah's seat, she went to the loo, but she was here long before you were. Go away Vespera."

I glared at him, well if that was how he was going to be, "Fine Draco Malfoy. I didn't want to sit with you anyways. You're a right twit you know." With that I walked out, slammed the door, and walked off to find somewhere else to sit, all the while hearing the compartment I just left laughing at me.

I finally found a compartment that seemed to be empty, it had a few trunks at the top, but there was nobody inside. I walked in, and sat down far against the wall, looking out the window. When the door opened, I jumped, realizing that someone did have claim to the compartment.

"Well, it seems as if little Vespera has found her way to a proper seat on the train." I looked up, and saw the guy that had been at the Weasley's house, "The twins, Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Roger Davies, and I sit here every year. It just so happens, our 8th person graduated Hogwarts. You'll fit right in with the rest of us, we're all quidditch fans. What the twins tell me, is that you are quite a seeker, and have even secured you a spot on the Slytherin and Gryffindor team, depending on which house you get into. Why though, are you sitting in here by your lonesome, when you could be sitting with your precious Slytherin friends you have such a kind spot for?" He spoke kindly, not as if he was judging me. While he had been talking he sat across from me.

"I'm glad I happened to find a good compartment to find then. My supposed friends, didn't think to save me a seat. I guess it's only right, they've been together since birth practically, and I just arrived from the muggle world a few weeks ago." When I realized what I said I stopped talking and looked out the window, just what I needed, someone else knowing the truth.

"You know, a lot of Wizards are from the muggle world, a lot of us grew up there. Not everyone is a prat about where you grew up at, or what your blood status really is. Don't ask, don't tell. I feel as if that will be a large factor in your life Vespera. As far as anyone needs to know, you're a pureblood. Everyone will assume you are a pureblood, until you tell them otherwise." He smiled at me, then the door burst open.

"STAR! You found our compartment!" Fred smiled, then sat next to me.

George continued, "I hope Samuel here,"

"Hasn't been giving you too much trouble."

"He's a right prat usually."

"Although maybe he took a liking to you."

"Doubtful though."

George sat across from Fred, then 2 guys and 2 girls walked in behind them. The girls sat on George's side, the 2 guys sat on Fred's side. Samuel, the guy now had a name, took it upon himself to introduce me to everyone. "Everyone, I have an announcement! This little girl here is going to be the next quidditch star! Plays like a pro seeker already, and as a first year she has already been promised a spot to play in Hogwarts Quidditch."

The girl next to George spoke up, "And what is this magnificent girl's name?" She asked me.

"I'm Vespera Salazar," I said quietly and smiled.

Fred poked me, "Come on Star, where'd your voice go? I know you're louder than that."

George laughed, "We've heard you talk to Ron, you're never that quiet."

I glared and stuck my tongue out, "Well sorryyyy if I don't feel like constantly being loud."

Everyone in the compartment laughed at me, and the girl who spoke up earlier said, "I'm Angelina, this here is Katie." She pointed to the guy directly across from her, "This is Lee Jordan, and that is Roger Davies."

Katie spoke up next, "Which team offered you a seeker spot? Gryffindor or Slytherin? they're the only 2 searching for a spot. Unless," She leaned forward and looked around at Samuel, "Did you finally give up playing seeker this year?"

He laughed, "No way, I am still playing. Diggory is playing seeker for Hufflepuff last I heard."

The all looked at me, waiting my answer I assumed, "I was offered a spot on the Slytherin team."

Their eyes opened wide, and I could swear that the 4 who didn't know me scooted further away from me. Of course, a Slytherin is never accepted anywhere. I sighed, and looked back out the window, letting them have their normal conversations without me eavesdropping. Slowly, several of them walked out leaving just the twins and Samuel.

I then felt something hitting my knee, and looked up. "Vespera, what has you in such a daydream?" George asked me.

I shrugged, "Just thinking about Hogwarts and about how much fun a year it's going to be."

Fred raised his eyebrow, "I sense sarcasm."

I nodded, "I lost my wand when I was at your place, and haven't replaced it. My mother disowned me, signed away all of her rights, when she realized that I really was going to a school for witchcraft. Draco is treating me as if I were his worst enemy, and the others in this compartment don't like me because I've been offered a spot with Slytherin."

George held out his hand, "Come on Vespera, we have someone you need to visit." I took his hand and he drug me out of the compartment, down towards the front of the train. I was practically running to keep up with him. He knocked on a door that read "Prefects Only. Knock Before Entering," then he opened the door.

I saw a red-headed Weasley who smiled at me, "Hello Vespera. If one of the twins hadn't found you on here, I was going to come to you after the welcoming feast." Percy stood up and walked over to me, handing me a holster with my wand in it. "It fell off your arm when you took that fall. I've kept it safe from the others. Fred and George wanted to see how many curses they could do on it, while Ron wanted to snap it in half."

I smiled at him, taking the holster, "Thank you Percy. I really appreciate it." I put the holster back on my arm, "It's nice to have it back, I missed it. One less thing to worry about I guess."

Percy raised his eyebrow, "Why are you worried?" He looked at George, "Go on back to the compartment, I'll make sure Vespera get's back in one piece." George nodded, then left. Percy pointed me to one of the seats in the compartment. "Go ahead and talk."

I sighed, "My mom disowned me as a person. As far as she's concerned I no longer exist. If I show back up at home, she has assured me she will send me to a mental institution. The Malfoys said it was fine, and took me in as their own. For two days. When we got to the station, they left me alone, claiming it was because I was taking too long. Once I got into the platform, they were already gone, no where in sight. I got on the train, almost missing it, and then Malfoy basically told me he didn't want anything to do with me because all of his friends were there. Then the people I was sitting with, half of them hate me, because I told them I had been offered to play on the Slytherin Quidditch team. When the figured out about my Slytherin intentions,in combination with my last name, they stopped talking to me. Then the others didn't talk to me, they just let me in my own thoughts, but they didn't make any efforts. None of them are going to like me anywhere in this school, and I'll just be the outcast. What if the sorting hat tells me I'm not fit for any house and kicks me away? I'll have no where to go, I'll have to live on the streets of London, because I'll have no where to go to. I won't be able to do anything with my life. I'll-" Percy put his hand over my mouth.

"Take a deep breath Vespera," I did so, and he took his hand off my mouth. "You're going to be okay. If the Malfoys won't accept you, I'll make sure you get taken in by a good wizarding family, okay? The sorting hat will place you somewhere, and you'll fit in perfectly well. You're going to be able to make it. Come on, I'll introduce you to the Slytherin Prefects, they'll reassure you." We stood up, and he walked me over to a girl, "This is Prefect Gemma Farley, Miss Farley, this here is Vespera Salazar. She's dead set on being in Slytherin. However, it seems the other first years have decided to currently outcast her. Mind talking to her?"

Gemma nodded, "Sure. I can give a first hand experience. Just leave her in my caring hands Percy."

Percy shook his head then looked at me, "I'll be back shortly. I have something to go do."

I nodded, and Gemma started talking, "So you're the famous Vespera. Flint told me all about your quidditch skill and your talk back to him. Although talking back isn't a good thing for Slytherin, standing up to him was pretty different for him. With the kind of determination you have, good luck making it anywhere else. You're a strong girl, you'll be able to make it into slytherin. If the other firsties won't accept you, you'll be okay still. I was quiet my first 4 years at Hogwarts. Only 2 slytherins talked to me, because I didn't want to talk to them. Now look, I'm a prefect. I was put in Slytherin, because it's where I belonged. You'll be able to know the same once you've been sorted, so it's no problem."

I smiled at her, still not saying anything. I thought about it, then sighed, "So basically I could even get into slytherin and still be a nobody. That's comforting."

She shook her head at me, "Vespera, you won't be a total outcast no matter where you go. I can tell you've already charmed your way into the Weasley clan. They'll accept you no matter what house you end up in. They're good company to keep. If you're into the whole it doesn't matter how pure your blood is."

I nodded, "Yeah I guess they are. Unless it's Ronald, he's just horrid." She looked behind me, and we saw Percy approaching. "Well Percy, your friend here will fit right into wherever. She's quite charming."

he nodded, "Indeed she is. She has a way with words." He handed Gemma and me a plate, each had a piece of cake on it.

I grinned, "Thanks Percy. Cake is always fantastic." I took a bite of it and lit up. "This is the best cake ever."

He shook his head at me, "You're a strange one Vespera. Now, get on out of here. You might want to change into your robes. And tell those brothers of mine to do the same, and not to spell the first years, I can take points away."

I nodded, and walked out of the compartment, and down the hallway. I went back to the compartment I had been sharing with the others, then I realized, I actually had no idea where my trunk was, as the Malfoys had taken it ahead of where I was. I would have to go to Draco's compartment. I knocked on the door of the compartment, then opened it. Only Tracey and Daphne were inside. "Excuse me, have either of you seen Draco?"

They shook their heads, and Tracey replied, "Last I heard he was going to go try to find Harry Potter."

Daphne then replied, "Hey, sorry about earlier. Draco was completely out of line. We heard you wanted to be in Slytherin, and wanted to meet you. personally, I think Draco just doesn't want to share you with the rest of us." She smiled at me, and I had to smile back.

"Yeah, but hopefully we'll all get to know each other later on. We'll be rooming together for the next 7 years." They looked down at me, then Tracey asked, "Why aren't you in your robes yet? We'll probably be getting to Hogwarts soon."

I grinned sheepishly, "The Malfoys took my trunk because I was walking too slow through the Station, and I'm not sure where they put it. I was hoping Draco would know."

"Draco would know what?" Came the obnoxious voice from behind me.

"Vespera was wondering if Draco knew where her trunk was placed at." I told Draco.

"If Draco knew where Vespera's trunk was, Draco surely would be kind enough to tell her wouldn't he?" He grinned mischievously.

"Draco definitely would tell Vespera, because Vespera just got her wand back from a Weasley, and is perfectly capable of turning Draco's skin Gryffindor colors again. Vespera hopes that Draco does remember the spell Vespera used on Draco yesterday evening, and how long it took before said spell was wiped off of Draco." I grinned evilly up at him, recalling a slight incident that had happened yesterday, while I was practicing a simple fabric changing spell, using Draco's wand.

Draco's eyes opened widely, "I surrender." He jumped up on the seats, then pulled down the trunk that was at the very top, and handed it down to me. "I didn't even hex anything in there, although I should have for payback."

"Draco, you hoped that she would be in Slytherin, with that kind of personality, she's definitely going to be one to join the Snakes." Daphne and Tracey laughed with each other.

"Thank you very much Draco." I opened my trunk and got my robes out, then closed it. "Now if you'll just be a kind gentleman and place my trunk back where you found it." I then pulled my robe on over my shirt and skirt, then skipped out of the compartment, back to the one with Fred and George.

As I was about to enter the compartment, I looked across and saw a boy with black hair, talking to a ginger. The ginger was holding a pet rat. It must be Ronald. I rolled my eyes, wondering what creature had such luck as to have to share a compartment with Ron.

I entered the compartment I was in earlier, and everyone was in there, more relaxed this time. I smiled at them, then sat down next to Lee Jordan, who happened to be on the end still. "Gred and Forge, your ever so perfect, I mean Prefect, brother said to remind you to change into your robes, not that you would ever need reminding. He also said that you better not prank the first years this time, or else he would take away points from your house, before you even have the chance to earn any." The entire compartment was laughing at this. "Personally, I would just love it if you would prank the first years. As long as you prank them all, except me. I'll even convince Percy that it wasn't you who did it."

Samuel looked at me, "How can such a little thing like you convince Percy to not take Gryffindor points away? He's been itching to do it ever since we arrived."

"Have you met me? I have the cunning slyness of a slytherin remember? I can convince him if he asks any questions." I grinned at them all, "Plus, who could disagree with such an innocent face."

The shook their heads, then we heard the door from across the hall slam open. I could hear Draco from where I was sitting, asking if the boy was Harry Potter. He introduced the two fiends I had met earlier, Crabbe and Goyle, then introduced himself. He tried the whole "Malfoys are better than Weasleys" argument with this boy, the same he had done with me a few weeks before.

I shook my head, "Draco. The guy that's just great at making friends. Sure, let's just burst into a compartment and ask if Harry Potter is in there. That's just genius." I rolled my eyes, "I thought Slytherins had some smarts." The others, once again, laughed.

Of course, only a few minutes had past and we heard Draco and Ron going at it. I looked at Fred and George, "That little bit of peace was short-lived, although, the fight broke out 30 seconds after I thought it would have."

They shrugged and George started, "Ronikins can beat up lil Malfoy."

"he won't do much harm."

"He's never been that good at fighting."

"He's more of a trouble maker than a fighter."

"Your precious Malfoy will be safe Vespera." George finished, and I smiled.

Angelina looked at me, "So, just how good are you at quidditch? I know Samuel said you would be in pro-quidditch, but I want something to judge that by."

I looked at her, "I've caught the snitch in under 15 minutes? I've done that all the times I've caught the snitch, although it's not many times, because I hadn't gotten on a broom til the 11th of August, and then I spent a lot of that day on a broom, until I caught the last one. Then yesterday, Draco and I played a little," Fred glared at me as if he were about to start fussing at me for being too rough, "but not very rough."

Katie raised her eyebrow, "Why didn't you play any for nearly 3 weeks? You must have either been at the Weasley's house or the Malfoy's house. surely you could have flown more there?"

I frowned and looked down, "I went to catch the snitch and kinda got hit with a bludger, Ronald hit it with his broom. Then I fell off my broom, nearly 15 feet. Charlie hit me with some spell that knocked me out for a while. So, I was in the hospital for nearly 3 weeks, until the spell wore off." I looked up, expecting looks of disappointment for falling off my broom, but instead I saw looks of shock.

Samuel looked over at me, "I'm shocked to say the least. After that happened you still want to play quidditch? Most people will have a panic attack after something like that happens." He shook his head, "Maybe you will be in Gryffindor. Too brave for your own good."

Angelina smiled, "If she was in Gryffindor, we'd surely have a great team. Either way, I hope to play quidditch with you sometime Vespera."

I smiled back, "I'm sure we will be playing together at some time. Slytherin will try not to kick your butts too badly."

Fred looked out the window, "Guys it's time." I tried to see what he was looking at, but everyone else was in the way. "Star, come on. It's Hogwarts, your first time seeing it." Everyone scooted down a seat so I could walk over next to Fred and sit, and be able to see out the window.

Hogwarts looked magnificent. It looked just like a medieval castle, with boats and everything.

I looked into the sky and saw what looked to be winged horse skeletons. "What are those?" I pointed up at them.

"Those are called stars Vespera?" George answered in a questioning tone.

"I know what stars are smart elic. I meant what are those creatures? The winged horse skeletons?"

The others in the compartment looked out the window with me, and looked at me as if I were crazy. "Star, are you sure you're okay after the quidditch incident?"

I looked outside again, and could still see them flying around, but approaching the Castle just as we were, some of them were even landing. 'I'm not imagining them, I really do see them.' I thought to myself. However, I said out loud, "Maybe it's just the stars fooling tricks on my eyes. Thank you for allowing me to keep your company on the train ride. I really appreciated it."

The smiled at me, and Lee Jordan said, "I wish you well on your sorting. Don't be worried." Slowly, everyone walked out of the compartment, as the train was slowing down.

Samuel looked at me, and I realized he was the only one who hadn't gotten up to see what I was pointing at. "I can see them too. They're called thestrals. They can only be seen by those who have witnessed death. The others that were in here, they're lucky enough to have not seen any such pain in their life." He looked straight into my eyes, as if he were trying to connect with my soul. "Who did you see die at such a young age little Vespera?" He said mysteriously, then stood and walked out of the compartment, leaving me alone.

I stood there in shock, my mind flashing back to the death I had witnessed. The murder I had seen. My loving father and brother being taken from me.

I knew I had somewhere to go, I knew I had to go to school. I had to get off the train. Instead, I could do nothing but stand there.

I wasn't still standing there when the prefects came through the train, laughing with each other, making sure everyone was off the train.

By time they had come around, I was on the floor, terrified by my thoughts.

Terrified by my memories.

I heard the door slide open, and heard a gasp and someone say, "Is she cursed or something?"

I felt someone picking me up, the voice that was closer now said, "I'll take Vespera to the Hospital Wing. Will one of you inform Madame Pomfrey and McGonagall? She's a first year, and will have to be sorted once she's better."

With that, I felt myself being carried, then sat in a carriage of sorts, and the a bumpy cold ride. I once again felt myself being lifted and carried, then placed in a bed.

And this, was my first entrance into Hogwarts and my first visit to the Hospital Wing.

I didn't know what the entrance looked like, or what house I would be in.

The next thing I knew, someone was being very hover like, then forced a liquid, I assumed a potion, down my throat. I almost immediately calmed down, then fell asleep.

AN: The end of Chapter 11!

I hope you don't mind, but the next chapter will be in another character's pov.

I personally, am thinking it will be in Jaelah's POV. SO. There will be a lot of Jaelah in the next chapter.

The Sorting.

P.S. This story may be anywhere from 20-30 chapters long, depending on how much stuff I throw in. Right now it'll be about 21, because I changed the way this chapter is, so now I have to change what the next chapter was going to be.