Alina
The scarlet steam engine was waiting next to the platform packed with people. A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express, eleven o'clock. A few feet in front of her was the famous wrought-iron archway where the barrier was, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on it. Although she had seen both once before this time was much sweeter, this time she had done it.
Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks.
This view had been magical the first time she had seen it a year ago when Daphne was starting her first year. It had been a view filled with mystery, almost like a fantasy world that she felt as if she would never reach. Now though the mystery seemed to have vanished from the scene leaving only the magic behind. It was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen in her life.
"Alina darling if you let your jaw drop any further you are going to start drooling in front of everyone," her mother said laughing a little. Alina was kicked out of her daze and in a rushed panic checked to make sure there was no drool.
"So I take it from your reaction that you aren't excited to go. Well I guess we can try again next year," her father said sarcastically.
"Not funny dad! It just doesn't feel real ya know? I feel like I'm just seeing Daphne off again," she replied to her parents as she watched a large red-headed family burst through the barrier and begin to exchange goodbye hugs.
"Want me to pinch you?" her mother asked, and gave her a quick pinch on the arm before she could answer.
"Ouch mom! That hurt!" she shouted, rubbing the spot on her arm.
"Guess that means you're not dreaming," her mother said, a grin on her face.
"I guess so," Alina replied.
"You're so over dramatic," Daphne said, rolling her eyes as she picked up her luggage.
"Am not!" she tried to argue. She knew it was pointless trying to with her sis though.
"Remember this moment Alina. When times get tough or things get down you can always come back to this moment and bask in the memories of the magic and awe of emotions that you feel today. This was one of the happiest days of my life when I was your age, so you should make sure you relish in it and enjoy it. Great things begin here for you sweetie," her father said. She turned to face him, tears forming in her eyes from his words.
"Daddy are you crying?" she asked him as she saw water in his eyes. That only made her harder.
"Just got something in my eye is all!" He tried to play it off but she could tell he was crying. She closed the small gap between them and engulfed him in the biggest hug that she could, trying her best to say thank you and I love you with her arms.
"I love you dad. Thank you for everything," she told him with a smile, not caring that she was still crying in front of all her potential classmates and probably embarrassing herself.
"I love you too Alina. Now go on before you miss the train and this was all for nothing," he told her, patting her on the head as he let her go.
"Bye mom, I love you." she turned to give her mother a hug and began to try and stop her tears.
"I love you too sweetie. Make sure you write us soon and let us know how things are going. And be nice to your sister," her mother told her.
"I promise I will," she replied, and picked up her luggage. "Well here goes nothing!" she said with a final goodbye wave to both of her parents and followed Daphne onto the Hogwarts Express.
The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats. Alina dragged her luggage behind her as she followed Daphne down the train in search of an empty compartment.
They pressed on through the crowd of students in the walkway until Daphne found an empty compartment near the end of the train. She heaved her luggage over her shoulder and lifted it up onto the rack over their seats. Alina rushed to the seat next to the wind so she could watch the still bustling platform. The large red-headed family from earlier were still hugging each other and saying goodbyes a few feet away from her window, she imagined it would take quite a long time to say goodbye to that many people.
"Alina," Daphne broke the silence in their compartment after a few moments.
"Yeah sis?" She turned from the window to face Daphne.
"I wanted to say this now before we set off. I am proud of you for getting here and for all the work you put in getting to this moment," Daphne said to her. That might have been one of the sweetest things her sister had ever told her before.
"Sis. . ." she started to say something but more tears started to form and made it hard to speak.
"With that being said, I also worked hard getting to where I am now. So please don't embarrass me or do anything stupid." Now that sounded a lot more like her sister.
"I won't Daphne jeez!" She rolled her eyes and turned her head back out the window.
The train began to move. Alina saw the parents of the red-headed family along with all of the other families waving their goodbyes as the train lurched forward. She felt a familiar feeling of sympathy as she watched a small black-haired girl half-laughing, half-crying, running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed. That had been her only a year ago.
Alina waved back one more time as she watched her mother and father disappear as the train rounded the corner. Houses flashed past the window. Alina felt another great leap of excitement. She didn't know what she was going to - but she was sure it was going to be something great.
The door to their compartment slid open and two girls in Slytherin robes came in.
"Daphne!" both the girls said in unison as they entered and gave her sister a quick hug before they took the remaining two open seats. Both of them seemed to not notice that she was sitting in the compartment too.
"We missed you!" the girl next to Daphne said, sounding genuine.
"Are you excited to be back?" the other girl asked. Alina had a hard time believing Daphne enjoyed being with girls this peppy.
"Yes, I am. Pansy, Rachel this is my sister Alina. Alina this is Pansy Parkinson and Rachel Toombs. They are both Slytherins in my year. Alina is starting her first year this year." Daphne introduced everyone.
"Ooh that is so exciting! Are you nervous at all?" the girl named Pansy asked her.
"A little bit yeah," she answered.
"Well, I'm sure if you are half as good as your sister than you will be fine," the girl named Rachel interjected.
"Mhmm." Alina rolled her eyes. That complement was probably the reason Daphne enjoyed being with these girls, they were groupies.
"So Daphne me and Rachel were hanging out this summer and we ran into Malfoy. Did you know he is coming back to school this year? His father apparently got his suspension appealed." The girl named Pansy started up the new conversation.
Over the next hour her sister and her groupies made small talk about random things, all of which Alina had zero interest in. She tried to dig into one of the books she had packed for the ride but it was impossible to read when every so many minutes their compartment was filled with the annoying Pansy girl's laugh. So after a few failed attempts trying she settled for just looking out the window and counting sheep.
It was starting to get dark she could see as she peered out the window. She could see mountains and forests under a deep purple sky. It was a beautiful sight, and after a few minutes of staring at the mountains in awe it felt as if the train was slowing down.
Alina stood up and pulled on her robes as a voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."
The train slowed down and finally stopped. People pushed their way towards the doors and out on to a tiny, dark platform. Alina shivered in the cold night air. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and a large booming voice called out.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" a man who looked like a giant called out over the sea of shorter students.
"Follow him Alina. And good luck on your sorting," Daphne whispered into her ear as she disappeared into a different direction with her friends.
Slipping and stumbling, they followed the half-giant down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark on either side of them that Alina thought there must be thick trees there. Nobody spoke much.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," The half-giant called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud Oooooh as they all walked forwards.
The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky. It was beautiful. The most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life.
They were all escorted into small boats in groups of four where they were then pushed off into the lake. Out on the water there was a silent bliss that she immediately fell in love with. You could hear the waves crashing into the boats like drums and the wind skimming across the surface like a song made from nature. Added with the magic of the castle the scenery nearly brought tears to her eyes, it was almost too much to handle.
The boat ride was over unfortunately a little too quickly. She had been hoping to stay out on the water for a while, and get to experience its blissfulness a little longer. Once they docked ashore they were lead by a ragged looking man carrying a lantern up to the large front gate of the castle and into the school.
Alina relished the moment she took her first step into the school. She was finally inside Hogwarts. She was finally here!
Her moment of jubilation was short lived though as once again their group was ushered further into the castle until they arrived at two large doors. A tall black-haired witch Alina recognized as Professor McGonagall was waiting outside the doors for them.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your hoses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will 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. Each house has its own noble history and each house has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours," said Professor McGonagall. "Now form a line."
Feeling oddly as though her legs had turned to lead, Alina got into line behind a boy with sandy hair, and they walked through the pair of double doors into the Great Hall.
Alina had heard countless stories and descriptions of what the Great Hall looked like but never in a million years would she have been prepared for seeing it for the first time like this. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles, that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting.
These tables were laid with glittering golden goblets and plates. At the top of the Hall was another long table where the professors were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candle light. All of the first years stood nervously planted to the floor as they waited on edge for something to happen.
After a few moments a stool floated its way in front of their large group. Out of thin air a large wizard's hat formed itself on the stool. The Sorting Hat stood itself up and began to sing.
A thousand years or more ago
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Sharp Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And Slytherin, Loved those
of aspiring ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favourites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
Twas Ravenclaw who found the way,
She whipped me off her head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
She jumped at the sudden applause that followed the hat's speech. The four house tables around her had risen in applause as the hat bowed its pointed tip to the students. She stole a quick glance at the Slytherin table as it did. She could see her sister was applauding along with everyone else in the Hall.
Would she end up in Slytherin like her mother and sister had? Or would she take more after her father and end up in Gryffindor? Or would she be different and end up in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff? She couldn't help but wonder to herself. Whatever the decision about to be made was she was anxious for it to just hurry up and get made. She was too excited to rid the butterflies that had started their fluttering in her stomach on the as they entered the Hall.
Slytherin Something inside her head told her.
She wasn't against the idea of being in Slytherin. She knew first hand from her mother and sister that the Slytherin house produced good students, and she certainly knew she was going to be a good student. However, the idea of not being hidden under her sister's shadow all the time was intriguing to her.
If she was in Slytherin her sister would always be there. In Slytherin no matter what she did she would always be compared to her sister. Plus the Slytherin girls on the train had been kind of annoying. If she was in another house she would have more freedom to be herself and create a story of her own, and that sounded more appealing to her.
So maybe not Slytherin. She thought to herself. Any of the other houses she would be okay with though. If she ended up in Gryffindor her dad would be so proud, although honestly he would be proud at just about anything she did. He always was. Plus Harry was in Gryffindor, so she would go into the house knowing someone. Although she wasn't sure how much Harry would enjoy sharing a house with his cousin, after all they weren't even that close.
Both Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff did not seem like a bad places to end up either. From everything she had read over the summer both houses had just as many stories of success as the other. Harry's friend, or girlfriend, whatever she really was, was in Ravenclaw if Alina remembered correctly and she seemed pretty smart.
"First Years listen up!" Professor McGonagall announced loudly resulting in silence filling the Hall and waking her from her train of thought. "I will call you up one at a time. When you hear your name called you will come up to the stool and place the sorting hat on your head. After you have been sorted you will find a seat at your house table," the professor announced.
"Franklin Adams!" The professor called out the first boy's name and he went up to the hat where he proceeded to be sorted into Ravenclaw. The first few names that were called were a blur to her. She was too anxious to really pay any attention. This was a moment she had been waiting on for seemingly forever and she wanted to know where she would end up already so the real magic could begin.
Coming to Hogwarts was everything to her. From when she was little, learning magic and getting her eventual start at Hogwarts had been what her entire life revolved around. Memories of the broomstick mobile that hung over her crib to the first time she had an accidental magic burst and set her dad's hair on fire. Ever since the beginning of her life magic had been a part of her life, and ever since she had learned of Hogwarts she had been anxious for this moment. Luckily since they were going alphabetically she would not have to wait long.
"Alina Black!" the professor announced her name. After taking a moment to prepare herself she made her way up to the stool at the center of the Hall. The old Hat was waiting with a slightly creepy smile as she approached it and placed it upon her head.
She laughed a little inside as she thought of all the jokes her father had told her about the Hat. Daphne had been so angry in her first letter when she found out the sorting hat did not actually speak in Spanish and dad had just been joking. It felt strange as the hat wriggled on her head. She could feel it almost moving around inside her brain.
"Miss Alina Black… Interesting very interesting… Difficult yes… Your mind seems to me to be very. . . divided… You seem very. . . split on things… hmm. . . How strange. . . A part of you strongly wishes to be in Slytherin…I see that with every part of you that you are ambitious and dedicated to becoming something of your own… Slytherin would help you achieve your ambitions, and achieve the greatness you desire. . . I see though that more than this that you value loyalty to your family above everything. . . But yet you wish to be sorted in a different house than your sister. . . Well with that hmm… You already have a dedication to magic that few have so young…" the hat was said to her.
Slytherin… She found herself thinking to the hat.
"Slytherin you say?" the hat asked.
"Wait no I didn't mean that, I don't know what I was thinking. Not Slytherin!" she said to the hat confused.
"Hmm your mind is quite the puzzle Miss Alina…Quite the puzzle. . . Well Miss Alina I think with all this in mind, no pun intended, that it better be… Hufflepuff!" the hat announced its decision to the whole Hall.
The Hufflepuff section of students immediately rose to their feet following the announcement of her name. She couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face as she made her way over to the table and all of the students greeted her and welcomed her in. She was having such a rush of emotions that she ended up forgetting all the student's names who greeted her. It was all still so surreal and was almost impossible to believe that this was all actually finally happening. After she had shook all the stretched out hands around her she found a seat at the middle of the table next to another first year Hufflepuff boy.
As she sat down she finally was able to relax as the butterflies began to settle down their fluttering in her stomach. She was a Hufflepuff! But even better than that she was finally a student at Hogwarts! All of her dreams were slowly coming true! Her cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling she was doing.
After the greetings stopped and the sorting ceremony continued she could not help but turn her eyes to where her sister was sitting. When she found her sister she was met by an icy glare. Daphne was apparently disappointed that she had ended up in Hufflepuff instead of Slytherin. A part of her felt the same disappointment for some reason. She averted her eyes from her sister and back to the sorting ceremony.
Most of her was happy for the house the Hat sorted her into though. She had been dreaming of coming to Hogwarts ever since her parents had told her about magic. She figured that her dream was different than her sisters and her parent's though, so it was only right her house be different than theirs too. There was no denying that she wanted to be the best witch in her year during her time at Hogwarts just like her mother and Daphne had wanted, and she certainly wanted to out perform Daphne. But unlike them she wanted to be the best so she could create her own story.
Daphne was all about living up to their mother's standards and doing everything to make their mother proud. While she certainly wanted her mother to be proud of what she did, unlike Daphne, her desire to be the best and learn everything she could was more focused on filling her curiosity of all things magic and not making her parents proud. She figured she took after her father more in this way.
Her father was every bit as talented as her mother was, the only difference was he did magic to fulfill his own happiness and the happiness of those around him. And from all the stories he had told her growing up he certainly had not learned and practiced magic to make his parents proud. She looked at magic in much of the same light as he did, although thankfully she was more interested in the academic side of magic and did not have his same passions for pranks and jokes. And now she finally had her chance to begin her story! And Hufflepuff house would be where that story began.
The rest of the sorting ceremony went by fairly quickly. She did not know any of the students in her year outside of a sibling to one of Daphne's friends from the train so she found herself mainly just staring at the professors as the ceremony took place instead of paying attention. It was a good time passer until one of the professors awkwardly made eye contact with her. She had tried to pretend she had been looking at the wall behind the professor in hopes that he would look away but he never did so she was forced to awkwardly move her eyes back to the Hat on the stool. A little while after the awkward eye contact incident the sorting ceremony was over and the Headmaster made his way to the center podium.
"Welcome and congratulations to all of our new first year Hogwarts students. We wish you all the best of luck and the greatest of magic. Now before we start the feast we will first begin the Special Recognition Award Ceremony. Professor McGonagall will announce last year's first year honors." the Headmaster announced to the Hall and the Professor McGonagall made her way to the podium.
"While I am announcing the following honors we ask that if your name is called that you please come up to the front of the teacher's table. First I will begin with subject awards. In Herbology the student who received the title of Master of the course was Neville Longbottom," the professor announced the boy's name and the Gryffindor table erupted into applause. The second year boy looked like he was seeing a ghost as he made his way slowly to where the professor had announced for the students to stand. The professor smiled proudly at the pale boy and continued her announcement once he arrived.
"In history of magic the student who received the title of Master for the course was Hermione Granger," the professor announced the second name, which was a name that Alina actually recognized. Hermione made her way up to where Professor McGonagall was standing, a large smile beaming on her face.
The Ravenclaw section along with two other students had risen to applaud her. She recognized the other two non-Ravenclaw students who were standing. One was her cousin Harry, who had made it obvious over the summer that he had a thing for Hermione, so it was no surprise to find him cheering for her. They were such a thing! The other was the Marik boy who was one of the winners in the dueling tournament and from what Harry had told her the guy who beat him and Daphne in the Hogwarts dueling tournament. She couldn't help the smile that came to her face at seeing the two boys cheer for their friend. The professor cleared her throat and continued.
"In potions the student who received the title of Master in this course also was Hermione Granger." The same students who had risen before rose again to applaud her for her second mastery honor. Hermione seemed to be blushing at all the applause. "Due to your abilities shown in the course combined with your grade and end of year project Professor Snape has deemed you worthy of receiving private lessons this year on the subject with him. As well the Ministry of Magic has offered you a research grant to begin further research into the course beyond your studies here at Hogwarts, in the hopes of you making new discoveries in the field," Professor McGonagall finished saying.
Hermione now resembled the pale Neville boy next to her following this announcement. Her face was a mixture between shock and excitement, both fighting for dominance. All of the previously standing students took to their feet a third time to applaud the girl. She noted that Daphne looked pissed on the other side of the Hall. For some reason that made her a little bit happy to see.
"In Astronomy the student who received the title of Master for the course was Harry Potter." The Gryffindor section erupted into applause. She couldn't help but stand up and clap along with them for her cousin. Yeah they were not close by any means, but he was still kind of family.
Harry was greeted by a congratulatory hug from Hermione as he made his way to where they were standing. Hermione began to blush again when students started whistling around the Hall as a result of their hug.
"Professor Sinistra has asked that you continue to work on and better your end of year project this year and that he is excited to see where you take it. In Transfiguration the student who received the title of Master in the course was also Harry Potter," the professor announced and again the Gryffindor section began applauding. The Marik boy from the tournament was also giving a standing ovation from the Slytherin section, although he was the only happy Slytherin among a sea of angry snakes.
"Due to your performance and abilities shown in the course, I have decided to give you private lessons in the course throughout the year. Do not disappoint me Mr. Potter!" Harry joined the pale face club as the professor announced this. The Hermione girl wrapped him in another hug. Both of their faces went from white to red as a result of more whistles that could be heard coming from the house tables, specifically from two redheaded boys at the Gryffindor table. Alina laughed at her cousin's reaction.
"In charms, the student who received the title of Master in this course was Marik Ose." Part of the Slytherin section erupted into applause at the announcement of the boy's name. However the entire section around her sister remained seated. The boy also received applause from small groups of students from each of the other house tables as he made his way to the front of the Hall.
"Due to your performance and abilities shown throughout the course along with your victory in the European Magic Students Dueling Championship Professor Flitwick has decided that he will be giving you private lessons in both charms and dueling throughout the year." Unlike the other students who had gone pale following their announcements the Marik boy kept the same smirk on his face the entire time. It was a cute smirk. He also received a congratulatory hug from Hermione as well as a friendly handshake from Harry.
She knew the three of them were good friends from what she had heard from Daphne and Harry, so it was no surprise to see how happy they looked up there on the stage together. It sort of reminded her of her dad and how he was with his friends. That had been part of the reason her family had decided to join the trip to France to see the dueling tournament. Her dad had to go wherever Harry's dad went after all.
After the incredible magic she had seen the Marik boy perform during that tournament over the summer it came as no surprise to learn he was the best charms student in his year. It had also explained why Daphne did not like him. She slightly enjoyed seeing people beat her sister in something, whether that was wrong or not.
"In Spell creation the student who received the title of Master in the course was also Marik Ose," the professor announced the next course and again the Marik boy was engulfed in another hug from his two friends, luckily for Hermione's cheeks there were no whistles this time. "Due to your magic creations and ability shown in the course Professor Yarnsley has decided that he will be giving you private lessons in the course. As well the Ministry of Magic has awarded you with a research grant to further advance your studies," the professor announced and continued.
"Finally in dark arts the student who received the title of Master for the course was also Marik Ose." The students in the Hall erupted into applause another time and a groan could be heard from the Slytherin table. "Due to your performance shown in the class Professor Shacklebolt has decided to also provide you with private lessons over the year."
Wow! He had managed to get three Master scores! That was impressive. Daphne had worked her ass off last year and not even gotten one Master score. With all these private lessons the three of them were all sure going to be busy. It was certainly impressive to see who was the best students in each course were. She imagined it must feel good to be seen by everyone as the best in your year. She would have to make sure that her name would be one of the ones called for next year's award ceremony so she could find out.
"Congratulations to each of you for achieving the highest ranks in each of these courses. We would also like to acknowledge the top five ranked students in the year. Ranked fifth in the first year class was Cho Chang. Fourth was Daphne Black. Third was Harry Potter. Second was Hermione Granger. And the top ranked first year student was Marik Ose." The entire Hall erupted one last time in the loudest burst of applause yet. Her sister and the Cho girl made their way up to where the rest of the students were standing. Her sister still looked pissed.
"As a reward for your excellence each of you have earned 100 points for your house for the start of this year." More cheers followed this announcement. "To all of you the best of luck in your second year courses. We all expect continued excellence, greater magic, and that you all continue to strive to be the best. For the remainder of you we hope that this year you aim to surpass these students and that next year we will have the opportunity to call out your name," Professor McGonagall finished her announcements and made her way back to the teacher's table.
The rest of the award ceremony for the remainder of years went by slowly. Her stomach had started to growl in hunger at the announcement of each students name for the remainder of the award ceremony. As much as she hated how long it took and how hungry she was getting while waiting for it to end, the ceremony was quite inspiring.
She had been waiting for her chance to become a great witch since she got her first toy wand for christmas. Now her opportunity was finally here. All her work, studying, and reading growing up was all in preparation for this. She would be one of those top ranked students soon. Even her sister would not be as good as she would be. She had already been motivated coming into Hogwarts and the award ceremony only added to that motivation.
The award ceremony finally ended and the feast thankfully began. She was much too hungry to talk to the students around her and immediately dove into the nearby bread basket and butter on the table; only pausing between bites a few times to answer a question here and there from another first year near her.
After the feast and a few more quick announcements from Dumbledore the opening ceremony ended and the students all made their way to their common rooms. She was excited to learn that the Hufflepuff common room was only a short walk away from the Great Hall and right next to Hogwart's kitchens. Nothing was better than studying next to a fire with some snacks and she would have easy access to both here!
The Hufflepuff Prefect went over their password of entry and a few different rules before letting them all go free. Upon arrival to the Hufflepuff girls' dorm she found her luggage on a bed next to a window at the far end of the first years girl's dormitory. Still feeling the motivation from the award ceremony she decided unpacking could wait until another time. Tonight she would continue reading her school books to get ready for classes tomorrow.
She ruffled through her luggage, finding her pajamas, books, and her diary and got into bed. There was no way she would be able to sleep tonight with all of this excitement. So instead of sleep her night would be filled with transfiguration and charms. After all it was only a few more hours until she finally got to start her first classes at Hogwarts!
Soon. She thought to herself.
She set down her school books and grabbed the other book she had brought to bed. Before she forgot any of the day's magical events she opened up her diary to make sure she got down every little detail of the day. She titled the entry of the page for today's date, The Beginning. It was a fitting title she thought. Today was the beginning. The beginning of her time at Hogwarts and in Hufflepuff, the beginning of of her magical career, and most importantly the beginning of her story.
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