As I walked with the crowd following Hagrid, I kept a look out for one particular person. Still, I didn't find him. Why even bother? He'd probably be in all of my classes anyway. But the person I did keep spotting was that blond. The one with that stupid smirk. I guess he is a Malfoy...

"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called, "jus' round this bend here."

There was an annoyingly loud, "Oooooh!" when they saw it. I mean it was just a castle. All a castle meant was more space to clean, more ways to remember, and more loneliness in between. I mean, my house was basically a smaller version of it!

"No more' n four to a boat!" Hagrid called again, pointing to some boats resting in the great black lake. Almost as soon as he said it everyone started clambering in them like the idiots they were! I got in a boat gracefully then felt more weight getting in from the back. I turned my head to look at who did it and was surprised to see exactly who I wanted to see.

I grinned widely as he said, "Well hello there Cece!"

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't think you'd ever show, Zabini!" Behind him were a boy and a girl who looked familiar, but I couldn't place them.

He smirked, "Well I did. And I have a name, thank you very much!"

Before I could respond Hagrid yelled, "Everyone in? Right then- FORWARD!"

All the boats moved at once. Everyone looked amazed by it, but it was just magic. what was so amazing about it? I looked back to see a boat with Harry, Hermione, Neville, and a Weasley I saw with the others earlier.

I scoffed and turned back around right as Hagrid yelled, "Heads down!" I swiftly ducked my head. We were going through a tunnel now, and I couldn't see anything or anyone. Right as we exited the tunnels the boats stopped on a rocky shore. I looked behind me to see Zabini standing up with his hand out. I took it and he helped me up. The other two were already out and looking at the castle that was now about 7 feet from us.

"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" Hagrid asked as he checked boats one by one.

"Trevor!" Neville jumped up to grab the toad. I couldn't help but smile. He must love that toad. I'd stoop to that too if I didn't have parents. I was glad he had someone. But I still don't blame Bella for what she did.

Then Hagrid led us up the stairs to a big wooden door and asked, "Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" before knocking on the door three times. At once the door swung open to reveal Professor McGonagall.

"The firs' years Professor McGonagall," Hagrid smiled.

She answered, "Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

Once Hagrid walked off she immediately walked us down the entrance and into a room. "Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, "The start-of-term banquet will begin..." I tuned her out as she continued her utterly boring lecture. I already knew I wouldn't like her all that well and it hadn't even been a day yet! Once she concluded she walked off.

Then all of a sudden several people jumped and gasped at the ghosts streaming in the room. I rolled my eyes and didn't pay any attention to them. Blaise snickered beside me at my annoyed face.

He took a breath to say something but before he did the Professor came back and ordered, "Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony's about to start. Now form a line and follow me." All the ghosts were gone now and she was already strutting ahead. She reminded me an awful lot of Hermione. Still, the jagged line followed her.

Then we were in the Great Hall and Professor McGonagall put a hand p to stop us then walked forward and placed a stool down. Then she placed The Sorting Hat on it. I sighed, knowing what it was about to do, for my Mother warned me about this.

A rip near the brim of the hat suddenly appeared and the hat started singing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

Everyone applauded the hat and he bowed to each table. Then he went still

Professor McGonagall announced, "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!"

A pink faced girl with pigtails broke out of line and put on the hat, which fell down over her eyes. Soon afterwards the hart bellowed, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

And it carried on like that. The professor would call a name and another clumsy witch or wizard would put the hat on for the hat to determine the person's house.

When Hermione was called she ran to the hat and yanked it on only to become a Gryffindor. The girl that was on my boat, Daphne Greengrass, made her way to the hat to become a Slytherin moments later. When Neville was called the hat pondered and then surprisingly announced Gryffindor. I guess he was surprised too, because he left the stool with the hat on. The boy that was on my boat was named Theodore Nott and he was sorted to Slytherin. That blonde's name was Draco Malfoy, and the hat barely touched his head before announcing Slytherin. Then soon it was Harry Potter's turn.

Everyone whispered as he put on the hat. After a minute or two after, the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" He got the loudest cheer yet as he took off the hat and wobbled to their table. I guess that was expected. The Sorting Ceremony went on. More people got sorted and I figured out that the Weasley that was on the boat with Harry name was Ronald, who was a Gryffindor too.

Then right after Ronald was done Professor McGonagall announced the next person, "Whirlwood, Celia!" I heard more whispers as I walked to the hat gracefully. I picked the hat up, sat on the stool, and let the hat cover my eyes.

A small voice I knew was The Sorting Hat said, "You try so hard to be something you are not. No not good, you try to be bad so much. That isn't you. Hard, very hard. Not Hufflepuff because they're all dumb? You don't actually believe that. But not Hufflepuff I suppose. Certainly not Ravenclaw! Your missing the steady mind! Smart, you are very smart. Gryffindor might suit you. Haha! I knew you'd be angry, but I am just kidding. I guess the one that suits you best better be SLYTHERIN!" The hat yelled the last part for everyone to hear. I took the hat off and feigned confusion. I sat it back down and walked to the Slytherin table just as Blaise Zabini was called. I sat down and moments later Blaise joined me.

Now that everyone was done Dumbledore stood and said, "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"

He sat down and almost everyone clapped and cheered while I laughed. He was so unqualified to be the headmaster. I mean he's lost his mind!

Draco looked at me, "Are you really so surprised? Would you rather be in Gryffindor?"

Blaise answered for me, smirking, "You'll see. Very, very soon."

I rolled my eyes and put on an innocent expression, "Whatever do you mean? I am genuinely surprised to be in such a evil house!"

Blaise snickered and I couldn't help but smile at him. He was my best friend after all.

Draco looked confused but turned away to eat his meal. That Daphne girl piped up, "We're not all evil. I'm pretty good myself."

This time the girl named Pansy cackled loudly, "Sure, sure! You keep telling yourself that!"

After dinner and a warning from Dumbledore to stay away from the 3rd floor unless we wanted to "die a very painful death" as he put it, and our prefect lead us to the Slytherin dungeon. When we got inside the common room I immediately went to a chair by the fire. I was told I would be living in a dorm with Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Daphne Greengrass, and Tracey Davis. Great. We had to share rooms.

Blaise, Draco, Pansy, Daphne, Crabbe, Goyle, and Theodore came to sit in the couches around me. I guess after all that talking at the table we were friends. Or rather acquaintances.

I sighed loudly so Blaise said, "Let it out Cece."

"I can't believe they let that stupid mudblood into the school! Did you see her ugly face trying to act smarter than us?! And she thinks she can boss me around! I don't think she knows who I am! And those blood-traitor Weasleys. I had to ride with them the whole train ride and they are very annoying! The whole time talking about pranks, and making jokes and acting as if they didn't do anything wrong! It's all rather stupid. Even the Potter boy was rather dumb! Believing me that easy! And to top it off, even the headmaster is stupid! He's gone mad and is certainly not fit for this position! Ugh! He's letting a giant, basically, that can barely talk right be the gamekeeper! The oaf! What has this school come to? And worse yet, I have to be nice to them all!" I complained.

The others looked at me confused. Probably because earlier I "took up" for the mudblood and said Dumbledore was a genius.

Blaise, the only one who knew how I was, smirked, "I know Cece! It's all so horrible that you insist to be a two-faced brat!"

I rolled my eyes and said, "This is who I am and if you don't like it then bye!" But then I thought of what the hat said.

He laughed, "I know. but if you can deal with me, then I'll tolerate you."

I laughed with him as Draco cut in, "Are you the same Celia?"

Blaise snickered again, "Nope. This is real Celia. The one you met downstairs is dead until tomorrow when she has to face other houses."

I punched Blaise's arm, "Shut up."

"Okay then," Daphne mumbled.

Draco smirked a stupid smirk, "So your one of those."

I frowned, "No. I'm the only one of my kind."

Blaise snickered some more, "Sure are. I don't think there's anyone more annoying."

I slapped the back of his neck and he leaned forward and rubbed his neck. We talked some more and soon after we went up to our dorms. Millicent and Tracey were already there. My bed was the closest to the door and the bed beside mine was Tracey's. Beside her bed was Daphne, then Pansy, then Millicent.

I went to my bed which had my night clothes on it with Lucky right beside them. I patted her head and then changed into my night clothes. I put my robes in a hamper then went to my bed to lay down.

By the time everyone was settled in I was snuggled up with Lucky.

"Someone turn the light off!" Pansy ordered from her bed.

I grabbed my wand from my bedside table and pointed it towards the light bulb, "Nox!"

The light immediately went out and Pansy said, "There's a light switch you know. Now in the morning it won't work!"

"I'll just cast another spell," I yawned.

A couple minutes later I smiled wickedly and yelled sweetly, "Goodnight!"

Pansy sat up quick until she realized it was me then narrowed her eyes and coldly said, "Goodnight."

I kept my smile until I drifted off to sleep.