I walked into the Great Hall with Luna, Neville, and Ginny, my heart pounding. I was really here. My hands curled into fists, and I pressed my nails against my palms. I bit my lip. The pain was real, and I wasn't dreaming. I looked around, my eyes wide with wonder. Students all around me chattered as they headed towards their tables. The ceiling above me glittered with the light of the night stars. Candles hung from the vaulted ceiling, and all the plates and platters on the table gleamed with their light.
Ginny nudged my arm. I glanced over to see a big grin on her face. "Come on, Charlene," she said before pulling me to the Gryffindor table with her. I glanced down at my robes and bit my lip. They were the only robes in the entire hall besides the first years' that didn't have any color. How embarrassing.
Apparently, Ginny noticed. My cheeks must have been a bit red or something, because as I sat down, smoothing my robes, she said, "Don't worry. Nobody's going to notice."
I gave her a small smile. "Thanks," I said softly.
Ron and Hermione soon joined us, along with Neville and who must have been Dean and Seamus. I could tell who was Dean because he sat next to Ginny and took her hand, and she greeted him with a warm smile. They were cute, but I couldn't help smiling to myself. They wouldn't last too much longer. Well, they would, but not really. I'd always liked her better with Harry. It was one of my favorite parts of the sixth book - when they finally got together.
I looked up as someone else slid onto the bench beside me.
"You got Tonks to take care of getting Harry?" Devin asked me.
I nodded and looked him up and down, raising an eyebrow. Why did he look so good in his crimson and gold-edged robes? "Did you think I wasn't going to do my job or something?"
He only rolled his eyes. "I'm just double-checking. Calm down."
"Calm down? When you question every little thing I do?"
Before I could say anything more, he'd put a finger to my lips. "The Sorting is starting, Charlie. I'd be quiet if I were you," he said before removing his finger. I sent him a glare but turned towards the staff table to watch the Sorting. I was a bit anxious to watch this, seeing as I hadn't gone through it myself. Maybe I'd get to later? I wasn't quite sure yet. I was a little worried they'd just put me in Gryffindor without a Sorting just to keep an eye on Harry.
The Sorting Hat started speaking. It was almost as if the leather folds of the worn old Hat formed a mouth. It was so incredible.
Professor McGonagall called out the first name. Devin leaned in behind me, then whispered in my ear, "You'll want to go to Dumbledore's Office after the feast. They'll do a Sorting for you then," he said before straightening up.
A tingle rushed down my spine, and I tried to keep my cheeks from going red. I wasn't sure if it was because of Devin or my excitement. I was going to get sorted!
Not too long after the Sorting began, it was over. There were a handful of new additions to each of the houses. As the last of the students sat down, Dumbledore stood and began the feast.
Delicious looking food filled each of the platters sitting on the table - chicken legs, chips, potatoes and carrots, and so much more. My mouth watered looking at the delicious spread. Others started dishing up, so I followed suit, noticing the still empty spot between Ron and Hermione. Hermione and Ron were obviously both worried as well and kept glancing between the open seat and the entrance hall as if Harry were going to magically appear.
A silvery figure ran to the staff table, and I noticed Professor Snape rise. He left the Great Hall, and I knew Tonks had found Harry okay.
Soon, Harry came into the great hall. The entire school had noticed by the time he'd passed the Hufflepuffs. My eyes widened at his appearance, and I watched as he sat between his best friends. Dried blood covered most of his face, and there seemed to be a little bit on his shirt as well. And next to his muggle attire, my uncolored robes didn't seem so horrible.
"Where've you - blimey, what've you done to your face?" Ron asked, goggling over Harry's appearance.
"Why, what's wrong with it?" Harry asked as he grabbed a spoon and tried to look at himself in it.
Hermione started fussing over him and used a spell to clean the blood off his face. Harry touched his nose and asked about it. I shook my head slightly. I was glad Tonks had been able to heal that.
"Harry, what happened? We've been terrified!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I'll tell you later," Harry said, glancing around. I understood why he didn't want to say anything in front of everyone. If he did, the entire school would know by the end of the feast.
As Harry reached for some of the chicken, it disappeared and was replaced with puddings. I couldn't help a small smile as he glanced up exasperatedly and took some treacle tart instead.
I glanced at Devin beside me. He was watching me, an eyebrow raised.
"What?" I asked, slightly annoyed. I turned a bit more fully towards him. I couldn't believe I was going to have to deal with him for an entire school year, at the most magical place in the world. Why couldn't he just go away?
"Don't get too attached," he muttered.
My eyes widened, and I pushed him away. "Don't you have an off switch somewhere?" I asked before turning away, beyond annoyed. And now I didn't feel at all hungry, even when I looked at the delicious-looking treacle tart.
I picked at the rest of the pudding on my plate while listening to the Golden Trio talk. Nearly Headless Nick entered the conversation. I looked up, curious to see what a real Hogwarts Ghost actually looked like.
"Once again, you show all the sensitivity of a blunt axe," he said, offended. He got up and floated away. As he did so, Dumbledore stood at the staff table. Everything quickly went silent.
"The very best of evenings to you!" he said, sending a warm smile to the whole room and opening his arms wide in a gesture of welcome. Gasps and whispers permeated the room as people noticed his blackened and withered hand. Dumbledore adjusted his sleeve to cover the hand and smiled again.
"Nothing to worry about," he said. "Now… to our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back!" he started.
Harry and Hermione started whispered, but I didn't pay much attention to them. This was my first ever welcome feast speech, and I was determined to soak it all in.
I grimaced as Professor Dumbledore introduced Professor Slughorn. I really didn't like the old man and thinking back to the train ride only made me frown. I hoped I never had to deal with him outside of classes again.
I quietly sighed as Dumbledore announced Snape would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts and looked towards Harry, knowing he'd react strongly. In fact, most of the students did. The hall was once again buzzing.
Dumbledore waited a few seconds more and continued, mentioning Voldemort and the need to follow safety restrictions. I bit my lip. Harry was so bad at following those restrictions. And since he was terrible at following the rules, and I had to keep an eye on him, I was probably going to have to ignore several of them, too. It was one of the reasons Harry had always bugged me as a character.
"-that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!" Dumbledore finished.
A cacophony of sounds filled the great hall as benches scraped and students left for their dormitories. I got up along with the rest of the students, but instead of heading towards the dorms, I headed towards Dumbledore's Office.
Soon, I stood outside the door to the Headmaster's Office and waited for Dumbledore to come back. To my surprise, Professor McGonagall walked up. I probably shouldn't have been surprised, seeing as McGonagall had helped me during my stay here at the beginning of this all.
She walked over and gave me a small smile. "It's good to see you've made friends, Charlene."
I returned the smile. "I just hope I'll be able to stay with them."
She nodded, a sober expression returning to her face. "Of course. But if not, we'll make sure you at least have the same classes," she said before shepherding me into the office.
Dumbledore already sat at his desk, and I could see Fawkes beside him. I smiled a little at the sight of the majestic phoenix. He was such an incredible bird.
Dumbledore stood and walked over. "I see Mr. Findlay found you. I trust you've been getting to know each other?"
I nodded slightly. "I actually know Devin from home. Let's just say it was quite the surprise to see him here."
The Headmaster's eyes widened slightly. "Indeed? Fascinating."
Professor McGonagall pulled a stool out and brought the Sorting Hat down from its perch. "Albus, please," she said, turning to him.
The Headmaster smiled at her. "Of course, Minerva. I won't hold her up any longer," he said before stepping back. He gestured me towards the stool, and I walked over.
Professor McGonagall fussed over me for a second before letting me sit down. Butterflies filled my stomach, and I was suddenly glad I hadn't eaten anything more at dinner. I wasn't quite sure I'd be able to keep it down. My palms started sweating, and I rubbed them on my robe. After a couple more seconds, the Sorting Hat was on my head. It sprang to life.
"Hmm, another reader? How interesting," it mused. "And a late sorting. Those can be tricky."
I glanced up towards it, the excitement from earlier lingering but mostly replaced with anxiety now that I was here. "Just get on with it, please. I'd like to get to bed. It's been a long day," I said, trying to hide my nervousness. I closed my eyes. What if I wasn't supposed to be in Gryffindor? Or any of the houses for that matter? Would I have to keep proving that I belonged here, in this world?
"Hmm, a thirst to prove yourself. And ambition as well. You'd do well in Slytherin. But I see you also have a kind heart and would be a good addition to Hufflepuff. You've got smarts as well and would fit well in Ravenclaw. You also have the courage of a lion, and you are plenty brave, entering this new world and facing it each day," it said.
My heart pounded in my chest. Having it go through each of the houses wasn't helping any. I wished it would just decide already.
"Well then, it had better be…Gryffindor!" the Hat exclaimed.
My heart lifted as the butterflies in my stomach calmed down. I'm in Gryffindor! I thought ecstatically. I opened my eyes to see Professor McGonagall clasp her hands together in delight. "Oh, I just knew it," she smiled softly.
Professor Dumbledore gave her a small reassuring pat on the back before walking over and taking the Sorting Hat off my head. "I know you're probably quite tired, Charlene, but would it be okay if we kept you here for a bit longer to discuss your schedule?" he asked.
I glanced between him and Professor McGonagall. "That would probably be best," I said as he put the Hat and stool away. That way, we'd avoid any awkwardness at breakfast tomorrow.
He nodded towards me and walked back to his desk. Professor McGonagall followed him and stood next to the desk while I sat across from the Headmaster.
"Now, I know you haven't gone through all the schooling the other sixth years have. Are you willing to enter N.E.W.T. level classes and apply yourself to those, while also doing private tutoring in most of these subjects so you can catch up?" Dumbledore asked me.
I glanced between him and Professor McGonagall. "Yes. I think I had best be in the same classes as Harry. It would be the best way to keep an eye on him," I said softly.
Dumbledore nodded sagely, and McGonagall nodded, pursing her lips.
"I'll be taking on your Transfiguration tutoring myself, Charlene. I think it best I prepare you for what you'll face in the N.E.W.T level classes," Professor McGonagall said. "As for potions, Horace mentioned he'd sit in on lessons with Mr. Findlay. If you're okay with that, so are we," she said.
I quickly nodded. As much as I disliked Devin right now, I'd much rather deal with him than Slughorn.
Dumbledore spoke up. "Severus has said he will help you catch up in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but that you must pay attention and apply yourself," he said. "And for charms, Filius and I thought it best you learn from Miss Granger, seeing as she is so skilled in the subject. For Herbology, Pomona, and I thought Mr. Longbottom would be a suitable tutor."
This brought a smile to my face. Charms with Hermione sounded terrific, and Herbology with the future herbology professor was going to be fantastic. "I'm fine with that," I said, smiling at him and McGonagall.
He nodded, a small smile turning up the corners of his mouth. "I think, perhaps, that should be all for this year, seeing as you will have so much work to do."
I nodded. "Of course. Thank you. Both of you," I said.
He nodded. "I'll let you get to bed, then. Tomorrow will be a busy first day of classes for all of us," he said, rising from his seat. "Minerva, you'll see she gets to the dorms?"
Professor McGonagall nodded and said good night to the Headmaster before leading me out of the office and to the Gryffindor tower. She explained how things worked before showing me into a dorm.
As I walked in, Hermione sat up in her bed. "I wondered how long it would take you to show up, Charlene. I'm glad you finally made it," she said, smiling at me. "I saved you a spot," she said, gesturing to the bed next to hers.
I flashed her a smile, a warm feeling in my stomach. This all felt so amazing and so right. "Thanks, Hermione," I said before bringing my things to the bed and laying down. My head hit the pillow, and I was asleep within seconds, exhausted from the amazing day I'd had.