Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That privilege belongs to JK Rowling.
Chapter 14
As they got onto Platform 9¾, whispers broke out among those closest to them. They ignored this and made their way down the platform. James quickly left to find his friends, and shortly after, Hugo, Rose and Lily also got their trunks on the train, before going back outside to say bye to their parents, and the various aunts and uncles, who had also come with them to make sure that they were ok.
The three of them got onto the train, and went to find the compartment that Scor had told Rose he would be saving for them.
When they found the compartment, Shaun and Scor were already there. As they opened the door, the two lifted their heads looking concerned.
Rose sat down next to Scor and he put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"How is Al?" Shaun managed to say.
"He's a lot better than he was to begin with, but it will still be at least another month until he'll be able to come back to school. And when he does, we'll look after him." Rose replied.
"Yeah, of course we will." Shaun and Scor said in unison.
Their compartment was very quiet that journey to Hogwarts. Occasionally people came in to find out about Al, and James came in at one point to see if they were all right.
When they reached Hogsmeade, Lily and Hugo followed Hagrid, who had also asked about Al, and Rose, Shaun and Scor followed everyone else to the carriages. As the carriages moved towards the school, Scor put his arm around Rose's waist, and she put her head on his shoulder.
The next thing they knew, they were seated in the Great Hall, waiting for the first-years to come in. People were looking over at them and staring. Alan, Duncan and Violet sat across from them, and had already asked how Al was doing. The ceiling above them showed that the weather outside was grey and overcast to match the mood of the three.
The door into the Hall opened, and Neville led the procession of first-years between the tables to the front. They saw Hugo and Lily near the front, looking nervous, but excited.
The sorting began after the sorting hat had sung its song for the year. Soon, Neville called, "Potter, Lily."
Lily walked to the sorting hat, and put it on her head. 'Oh, a female Potter at last. You have the same courage and fortitude as your brothers and parents. GRYFFINDOR!'
Lily took off the hat, smiling, and went to sit beside Rose. Later, there were only two left, Hugo, and a girl who looked familiar, but they couldn't place her.
"Taylor, Gabriella."
Then they knew who she was, Isabelle's sister. She was also pronounced in Gryffindor, and then it was Hugo's turn.
"Weasley, Hugo."
'Oh, another Weasley. You are also like your sister and cousins. GRYFFINDOR!'
Hugo looked immensely relieved, and came to sit beside Lily. The sorting hat and stool were taken away, the Headmistress gave the start of term announcements, and the feast began.
Hugo and Lily looked with amazement as the food appeared out of no-whereH. Every food they had ever liked in one place. Rose laughed at their reactions and settled down to eat.
After the feast, Lily and Hugo followed the prefects to Gryffindor Tower, and Scor, Rose and Shaun caught up with James and his friends. They found out the password from them, and went up to the common room.
Sitting beside the fire, they talked about what they had done in the holidays, and managed to cheer up enough to be smiling when they went up to their dorms.
Lily and everyone else in her dorm had introduced themselves. As well as Isabelle, there was Vicky, Emma and Kari.
The same thing happened in Hugo's dorm, where he had met Matt, Alex, Shane, and Kari's twin brother, Kris. Hugo, Kris and Alex had become close friends, and Hugo had been considerably happier that night.
Harry had spent most of his day with Al in hospital, before going home to make sure that Ginny actually remembered to eat.
After he had gone, Al and Zoe resumed the conversation they had been having before Harry had appeared that morning. They were soon laughing and joking. Zoe asked Al all about Hogwarts and they spent the rest of the evening talking about this.
Zoe hoped that she would be in Gryffindor when she went next year, so she would be near Al. He was kind and friendly, and didn't care what she looked like, even though she knew she looked horrible with the marks she had received from Dragon Pox.
They both fell asleep very happy.