The three first years had no luck in finding poor Neville's lost toad. After dropping a gloomy Neville back at his compartment with earnest promises that they'd keep an eye out, Hermione and Revati headed back to their own compartment. Suddenly, a loud yell sounded from a compartment down the corridor, and exchanging looks of alarm, the two young witches raced towards it, only to find three boys slinking away. Revati peered inside the compartment to see that it was the one Hermione had invited herself into, Harry's and Ron's.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"Are you both okay?" Revati added.
The boys ignored them both, as Harry began cleaning up spilled sweets and Ron checked over his rat. "Unbelievable! He's gone to sleep!" Then, still ignoring the girls, Ron turned to Harry. "Have you met Malfoy before?"
"Malfoy?" Revati asked before she could help herself. "What's this about Malfoy?"
Ron looked at her with thinly concealed suspicion. "Why, are you a friend of his?"
Revati shrugged. "Don't know him, but my mum works in the Ministry and she says his dad's a nasty piece of work."
Ron glanced at her again, but this time his gaze was appraising. "My dad says the same thing." He turned back to Harry. "How do you know him?"
Harry ran a hand through his hair, revealing a jagged white scar running down his forehead like a bolt of lightning, as he explained that he'd met Draco Malfoy before when he was shopping for his school things. He'd said something about blood, it seemed, and seemed to care a great deal that Harry's parents were magical, even before he knew who he was.
"I've heard of them," Ron said again. "Seems they were one of the first families to go to the Dark Side when You-Know-Who was in power."
"They said they were bewitched," Revati added, crossing her arms, "But mum doesn't believe it. She said Mr. Malfoy was a prefect when she started at Hogwarts, and he seemed to really believe in it."
Ron nodded in agreement, then, seeming to realize just who he was talking to, shook himself out of it and fixed Revati and Hermione with a sharp look. "Can we help you?"
Taken aback at the rude tone, Revati and Hermione exchanged a surprised glance. "Erm," Revati said, "Have you been fighting? We heard a lot of yelling down the corridor, that's why we came in."
"By the way, you both might want to change into your robes," Hermione said, bouncing on the balls of her feet in anticipation. "We're almost at Hogwarts!"
Ron scowled at them. "Scabbers has been fighting, we haven't." Revati supposed he meant the great big rat sleeping among the candy. "Would you two mind leaving so we can change?"
Hermione looked annoyed now at the rude boy. "We only came in because people were yelling and running about quite childishly." She got up and began to flounce out. Revati followed her. Just as she was about to close the compartment door, Hermione called, "Oh, by the way, you've got some dirt on your nose!"
Revati had to hide a laugh at the look of embarrassment and annoyance that crossed Ron's face at that.
Just ten minutes later, the train was slowing to a stop. Revati and Hermione started walking to the exit—there was no sign of Mango, but Revati wasn't worried. Her toad was nothing if not loyal.
Revati followed Hermione out of the train and immediately heard a loud shout.
"Firs' years! Firs' years, over here!"
"There!" Hermione said, grabbing Revati's arm and pointing at a lantern bobbing over everyone's head.
Revati knew, as she got closer, who the man was. Her mum had been one of his favorites, after all, as she'd been one of the few that shared his passion for dangerous creatures. She'd never met him before, but she'd wager her life that this man was Rubeus Hagrid, groundskeeper at Hogwarts. He was easily the tallest person there, at least seven feet, with a bushy beard and warm, beetle black eyes.
"Alrigh' — that everyone? Follow me!"
As the older students got into horseless carriages, Revati, Hermione, and the other first years followed Hagrid down a long, winding path. It was so narrow that they had to squeeze in one at a time.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid said. Sure enough—
"Whoa," breathed Revati as she took in the view.
In the distance, just across a lake, stood a giant stone castle, stately and beautiful. The sky behind Hogwarts was lit up by the moon and stars, and there was barely a cloud in sight to mar the view.
"It's beautiful," Hermione sighed.
"No more 'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called. Grinning at each other, Hermione and Revati hastened to the front and clambered on the first free boat they saw.
(It was just their luck that it was Harry and Ron's).
"FORWARD!" Hagrid bellowed.
Thankfully, the two girls didn't have to make small talk, because all four first years were equally in awe as they approached the castle by boat. They headed underneath a sort of tunnel that took them straight through the cliff onto the other side of Hogwarts. Once they'd reached, they clambered out of the boats as Hagrid checked them.
"Oi, anyone missing a couple o' toads?" He asked.
"Trevor!" Said Neville happily, picking up his pet. Mango, who seemed to have made friends with the other toad, hopped over to Revati and jumped inside the pocket of her robes.
The first years trudged behind Hagrid as he led them up a set of stone steps and knocked on the front door.
It swung open, revealing a woman in emerald robes, a tight bun, and glasses. Her expression was kind but stern.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid." She said. She opened the door wider, and the children followed her inside. Professor McGonagall led them all through the grand entrance hall to a small room. Across from them now was a door, behind which a low rumble of voices could be heard—the Great Hall, then.
Professor McGonagall gave a brief statement welcoming them to Hogwarts and telling them how houses at school worked, warning them against rule breaking. Revati knew they wouldn't have to worry about her—she'd never felt the need to cause trouble.
With a final nod at the first years, Professor McGonagall walked out of the room, leaving the first years to talk amongst themselves.
"Oh dear," Hermione said in a quiet voice.
"What's wrong?" Revati asked.
"All of a sudden, I'm a bit scared," Hermione murmured. Her brown eyes glanced towards Ron and Harry. "I think it'll be quite difficult for me to make friends here, except for you. What if we end up in different houses?"
"We're still going to be friends, aren't we?" Revati pointed out. Hermione looked unconvinced. "I'm not going to just ditch you because you're a Gryffindor and I'm a Hufflepuff or something, that'd be silly."
"You sure?" Hermione asked.
"Positive." Revati reached out and squeezed the other girl's hand comfortingly. Hermione gave her a quick smile.
"Thanks, Revati."
"Call me Reva." Revati said. She winked. "It's what my friends do."
Professor McGonagall returned.
"Follow me." She said.
The students fell into a line and marched behind Professor McGonagall as she led them into the Great Hall.
It was beautiful.
Her mum had tried to describe it to her once, but nothing could prepare Revati for the sight before her. Candles floated in midair, illuminating the four long tables. Above them, the ceiling was enchanted to look like the night sky, as Hermione was telling whoever was behind them, and stars glittered in the distance. Revati looked forward once again, towards the higher table where the Professors sat. Professor McGonagall took them all the way to the front, then turned them around so they were facing the student body. She pulled out a stool, and put an old, frayed hat on top of it.
Revati blinked as the hat opened its brim and began singing. Her mother had left that part out. A quick glance around showed that none of the first years, except Hermione who probably read about it in Hogwarts: A History, was expecting that.
When the hat had finished its song, Professor McGonagall stood by the stool with a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name," she said, "Please sit on the stool to be Sorted. Abbott, Hannah!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat yelled.
One by one, the first years were Sorted into their new houses. After Finnigan, Seamus became a Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall called, "Granger, Hermione!"
"Good luck," Revati whispered as Hermione shakily made her way to the stool. The hat took its sweet time with her, deciding after four minutes—
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Revati clapped loudly as Gryffindor cheered for a very pleased Hermione. She slipped the hat off her head and joined her new house.
Somewhere behind her, someone groaned. Revati whipped her head back and glared furiously at Ron Weasley, who seemed put out at Hermione's Sorting.
Pamela Hooper became a Hufflepuff, and Jeffrey Jones soon joined her. Finally,
"Kumar, Revati!" Called Professor McGonagall.
Revati sat down on the stool with a deep breath. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on top of her head.
Well, now, said a little voice, Isn't this interesting?
What? Revati thought defensively.
Oh, nothing, the voice said. You're a lot more like your father than I imagine anyone expected.
My… father?
Oh, yes, the hat said. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean you should go where he did. I wonder… what would you do with the opportunities he had?
The Sorting Hat went silent for a few seconds before declaring, "GRYFFINDOR!"
As if in a dream, Revati took off the hat and handed it to McGonagall, before walking to the Gryffindor table and sliding in next to Hermione.
"Well done, Reva!" Hermione squeaked, looking pleased. "We're here together!"
Revati smiled warmly at her friend, but her mind was on something else.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked in a quiet voice. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Revati said. Her brows furrowed together. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that the Sorting Hat said something about my dad. It said I was a lot like him."
"Oh, Reva," Hermione said, concern in her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, really," Revati reassured her. "I just wish I knew what it meant by that, that's all."
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but whatever it was, she didn't get a chance to say it, because that was when McGonagall called, "Potter, Harry!"
Harry Potter walked forward, anxiety written across his face, and the Hat slipped over his eyes. Around Revati, everyone was whispering and talking amongst themselves, shocked that Harry Potter was a student now. Revati felt a pang of sympathy for the boy—it must have been difficult for him, being famous for something he couldn't remember, something that got his parents killed. She wouldn't wish that on her worst enemy, not that she had one necessarily.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat yelled, and Gryffindor House went absolutely mad with excitement. A giant roar started down the end of the table and was picked up by all the students, who welcomed Harry Potter with the biggest cheer of the night.
He sat down a few places away from her and Hermione, looking very relieved all of a sudden. Revati caught his eye and gave him a quick smile. He grinned back, happier now than she'd seen him all day.
The Sorting was drawing to a close. There were only a few students left—Dean Thomas joined them at Gryffindor, Lisa Turpin went to Ravenclaw… and then Ron Weasley was put into Gryffindor within a second of the Hat falling on his head.
The Sorting ended when Blaise Zabini was put into Slytherin, and almost immediately, Dumbledore had them sing this ridiculous song about Hogwarts that Revati decided she loved. He gave them a few quick warnings about the Forbidden Forest and the third floor corridor, for some reason—but Revati didn't think too deeply on it. She was really hungry and distracted, and she figured she could always ask Hermione for a rundown later.
Finally, finally, they were allowed to eat.
Revati had never seen so much food in her life. Oh, her mother tried, but she wasn't exactly the best cook, and the two of them ordered takeout from the Muggle Chinese place down the road at least once a week.
But this—this was absolutely heavenly.
Revati had eaten so much that she didn't possibly think she had room for any more. That all ended when the plates cleared and she saw the dessert pop up. Upon seeing her wide eyes, two identical redheads—Ron's older brothers, if she remembered correctly—laughed heartily.
"I think the feast broke the ickle firstie, Fred," said one.
"Too bad for her," said the other, apparently Fred. "Just means more dessert for us!" He reached out with his fork for the slice of chocolate cake she'd just loaded on her plate. Reacting just in time, Revati grabbed her own fork and fended him off.
"Get your own, you cake thief!" She cried. Next to her, Hermione was deep in conversation with yet another ginger (how many were there?), who Revati soon learned was Percy, a fifth year. The two of them were talking about classes, and though Revati wanted to do well in school, she really wasn't so invested yet that she'd interrupt the feast for it.
(She supposed it was different for Hermione, though. Reva had grown up around magic—for Hermione, it was a whole new realm. Revati supposed that if she was Muggleborn, she'd be doing the same as her new friend).
At long last, the feast ended and the students all headed to bed. As they followed Percy Weasley to the Gryffindor common room, Revati did a quick head count. There were nine new Gryffindors, four girls and five boys.
The Gryffindor common room seemed warm and inviting, but all of a sudden the exhaustion hit and Revati headed to her dorm, Hermione at her side and Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil right behind. There were exactly four beds in the room, one for each of them, and their things, which had evidently been sent up, were lying neatly by their beds.
Reva turned to Hermione, beaming. "First night here." She let Mango out of her pocket and onto her bedside table, before rummaging in her suitcase for pajamas.
"First night—and we have seven years of this," Hermione replied in a voice full of awe. "Reva, can you imagine?"
"We're lucky, Hermione," Revati grinned, pulling on an old t-shirt of her mum's. "We don't have to."
Hermione gave her a huge, beaming smile and the two girls got ready for bed. After brushing her teeth and clambering under her warm blankets, Revati blinked sleepily, reflecting on the nights events and the nine new Gryffindors.
Lavender and Parvati already seemed to be close, which was okay with Reva because at least she had Hermione and Neville Longbottom to count as friends. Ron and Harry were close, of course, and Dean Thomas was sitting next to Seamus Finnigan. All in all, Revati was hopeful that they'd all become friends in time—yes, even Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.
hope you enjoy! stay safe 3 keeping all of you and your loved ones in my thoughts, and i hope our global community can come together and help each other out.
-alidfi