Earring with everyone is so much fun. I learned a lot about everyone. Our house ghost is Sir Nicholas, who is "nearly headless" he can literally almost take of his head completely except for a tiny bit of flesh holding his head to his body. He was wicked cool and is insistently us winning the house cup this year so he can stick it to the Bloody Barron ( Slytherin's ghost). Seamus talked about his family, how his moms a witch and his dads a muggle. How Neville's gran, who raised him, had thought he was all muggle with the rest of his family. Apparently he found out after his Great-uncle Algie had accidentally dropped him but he bounced. That sounded awful I don't think I'd fair well in the air. Percy and Hermione had been talking about lessons, what we would go over and what to expect.

"Ouch" Harry clapped a hand in his head.

"What is it?" Percy Weasley questioned.

I looked at my twin concerned. Harry almost never complained about any pain whatsoever. His face was squinched up a bit and he has a crease in his forehead.

"N-nothing" he replied. I wasn't convinced of that though.

"Harry?" I questioned but was silenced with his look.

"Who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?"

"Oh, You know Quirrell already, do you? No wonder he's looking so nervous, that's professor Snape. He teaches potions, but he doesn't want to - everyone knows he's after Quirrell's job. No it's an awful lot about the dark arts, Snape."

I looked to the Professor in question who was decked out in all black with shoulder length greasy black hair, he wore a stoic expression. One that made someone look completely unapproachable. Next to him headmaster Dumbledore stood up, " ahem- just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a start of tour a few start of term notices to give you. First year should know that the forest in the grounds is for bidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students should do well to remember that as well." His twinkling blue eyes shifted directly to George and Fred.

"I have also been asked by Mr. filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the Corredor's. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madame hooch. And finally I must tell you that this year the third-floor Corredor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Harry laughed. I elbowed him and gave him my best what's wrong with you face.

"He's not serious? My brother muttered to Percy.

"Must be" the prefect said frowning. "It's odd, because he usually gives us a reason why we're not allowed to go somewhere the forest is full of dangerous beast, everyone knows that. I do think he might've told us prefects at least."

"What could possibly kill someone in this school?" I questioned out loud.

"Poisons"

"Buldgers"

"Certain creatures"

Fred, George and Lee replied respectively. I pulled a face but before I could respond we were all singing the school song in different tunes.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts hoggy hoggy Hogwarts teach us something please whether we be old and bald or young with scabby knees our heads could do with filling with some interesting stuff for now they're bear and full of air dead flies and bits of fluff so teach us things worth knowing bring back what we forgotten just do your best we'll do the rest and learn until our brains all rot."

The Weasley twins continued the tune in a very slow funeral march. When we finished Dumbledore dismissed us and everyone began to follow their respective houses out the door.

"Miss Potter" I looked around to find Professor McGonagall looking at me pointedly. "May I have a word?"

I looked to Harry "I'll meet you up in a bit" I said uncertain. I pushed through the crowd to her.

"Yes Professor?" I asked.

"I have been informed of a certain situation that has taken place on the train ride here." She looked at me expectantly.

"Um... im not sure Professor..." I stammered.

"So you did not get into a physical altercation with Draco Malfoy?"

I dropped my jaw. I had completely forgotten about that and the dung bomb. "Oh" I stammered.

"Oh indeed, Miss Potter we never resort to physical violence in order to handle difficult situations"

I paled. I didn't regret doing it but I regret getting in trouble for it. I certainly was not going to tell her that. I didn't want to get kicked out before I ever got the opportunity to be here.

When I didn't respond she said, "would you care to explain yourself."

"He - he sort of told me and Harry..."

She looked kinder than I anticipated as I choked on my words. She remained poised, "Miss Potter I can't defend your actions if you don't let me know the whole situation."

I looked up hopefully, defend me, she was considering that! This woman wanted the full story to see if she should defend me?...

"He said we would die the same way as our parents if we make the wrong friends." I looked down. Not knowing the full story of out parents death it could be true. I'd like to think the my parents wouldn't give in to accusations like that, nor would they want me to. "It's unfair to have your dead parents thrown in your face." I whispered.

"That it is. I can assure you that neither you or your brother will pass away from not befriending Mr Malfoy. I will have a talk with his head of house about a punishment for saying such explicit things." She stated.

"Really!" I exclaimed not believing my luck.

"Yes really" she stated " and you will accompany me in setting up my classroom tomorrow after dinner for your own detention."

"Detention?" I asked.

"Yes detention. You are the third student I've ever had who has had to receive detention before they were even sorted." She gave me a stern look, however it was very soft. As if she was extremely amused by something.

"Who were the first two?" I asked excitedly.

"That's a story for another day Miss Potter" the old woman said.

"I look forward to is ma'am" I smiled at her.

"Now off to your dormitory"

"I don't know how to get there Professor"

" Misters Weasleys are waiting for you behind the 4th pillar."

"Huh" I turned around. Sure enough Fred and George were sticking their heads around a tall marble pillar.

" you two make sure she gets to the Gryffindor common room swiftly and with no detours" she stated and gave the twins that same pointed look and walked away.

" wouldn't dream of a detour Professor" Fred said in mock shock.

"Absolutely not we would never lead little Hope here a stray" George said with a hand over his heart.

I laughed and began to follow the boys up the stairs.

"So what did MG want with you?" George asked. Using a nickname for McGonagall.

"I got a detention." I sulked.

" oh for the dung bomb? She normally won't discipline harmless pranks." Fred said.

"Well it was for punching Draco Malfoy not the dung bomb. She didn't even mention the dung bomb so I didn't either"

The boys burst out laughing.

"You punched"

"Draco Malfoy?" They asked together.

"Yeah, it wasn't my best decision of the week but he really did deserve it" I explained

"That explains his black eye at the sorting ceremony" Fred laughed.

"What'd he do?" George asked.

"Well... uh"

"Come on we won't bite" Fred said sympathetically.

"He insulted my parents because me and Harry wouldn't be friends with him"

"He didn't!" George said outraged.

"Scumbag Slytherin" Fred replied just as outraged as his brother. " we'll get him back Hope" he said with a strange glint in his eye.

"I think I may have already got him with my right hook" I laughed.

"We can show you how ginger back at him without getting detention" George said slowly.

I looked between the two boys who were obviously having a silent conversation.

" that'll be the first thing we teach you as our apprentice" Fred grinned.

"If you say so" I giggled.

The boys stoped I front of a huge portrait with a huge woman in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" The lady asked.

"Caput Draconis" George replied. " we use a password to open out common room. It changes your every now and then so make sure to keep up"

"Got it"

We walked in to a cozy looking room with worn in sofas and armchairs and a roaring fireplace.

"That staircase is the girls when you go up your dorm should be the first floor up." Fred replied.

"Don't worry about that detention either, Hope, MG goes easy of her firsties. You'll be fine." George said.

"Thanks George! Good night you two" I smiled.

"Goodnight"

I went to the dorm and opened the door revealing a large circular room containing six beds, 5 of witch are already occupied by the other girls in my dormitory. I went to the bed next to Hermione Granger and Cleo Perrin. It had all my things on it my purple star bedding, fluffy pillow and my grey tuxedo cat. Across the room Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown were conversing. Cleo was fast asleep and Hermione was organizing.

"What did Professor McGonagall want with you?" Lavender asked.

"Just to talk" I shrugged and went to put on my pjs. Judging by the tone of her voice the girl was already annoyed. It wasn't worth the energy to possibly argue.

"Don't worry about them they're just gossips" Hermione whispered.

"Thanks" I smiled. Surprised by her support. She had seemed like a goody goody. Yet she was comforting me when I sort of didn't deserve it. I maybe should have looked deeper into her before writing her off.

"You really should try to stay out of trouble. You don't want to start your magical life out of the wrong foot" she stated.

"I'll keep that in mind Hermione" I giggled.

"Goodnight Hope"

"Goodnight"

She drifted off in a few minutes and the other girls about 30 minutes later. I laid awake a while longer. It was weird not sharing a room with Harry. This is the first night we've ever been separated. I wished for a owl to send him a message and make sure he was okay. Mooney helped tho curling up next to me in my pillow.

It had been an eventful day the train ride, getting sorted in to gryffindor, creepy looking snake Professors, detention, pranks and meeting so many people. The whispers about Harry and me by extension are weird. Neither of us had ever been the center of attention. It was really nice meeting new friends. Harry really was thriving it seemed everyone loves him. I made a good handful of friends. Which is amazing considering I had zero in primary school.

It'll all be okay. Hopefully there's a peaceful and easy year ahead.