Vanishing Doorways and Materializing Friends
The following morning, Daisy and the other first year Hufflepuffs struggled to navigate the hundreds of corridors, and one-hundred-forty-two staircases of Hogwarts - even with the maps they had been given. There were several occasions when someone was sure they had found the classroom.
"I think this is it!" Sophia might say while pointing over to a door.
Regina would leap towards it excitedly, and grab the handle. The door would promptly disappear, or move to the other side of the hallway. A couple of doors they found were normal, but locked, or needed to be tickled in the right place to open up.
Jasper came up with what seemed to be a great idea of using specific portraits and suits of armour as markers of where they had already been, but they soon discovered that their markers were completely useless, because they kept getting up and moving after the herd of Hufflepuffs walked away.
Even with all the distractions, they eventually made it to all of their classes, the first of which was English, located in the newest corridor of the castle. Their first class of the week was with the Slytherin first years, which (and Daisy was displeased to find herself following the usual Slytherin prejudices) looked like the most unpleasant group she'd seen so far.
As it was a Muggle class, Daisy knew what to expect from English. Aside from the fact that everyone was wearing robes, and writing with quills and parchment instead of pencils and paper, everything was normal. Professor Ryder, a friendly talkative bloke, taught English the same way Muggles did. Or at least, he seemed to towards the end. They spent most of the class playing games to get to know each other's names.
During the games, Daisy's suspicions of the Slytherins were verified to be at least partially true. Every time Daisy spoke, she noticed a couple of them smirk. Connell Adair, and Bella Castle even had the nerve to layer their voices with disgust when saying Daisy's name - even in front of the teacher.
"Just ignore them," Sophia whispered. "You're just a target because you're Muggleborn, and related to Harry Potter, who put a couple of their parents in prison when he defeated Voldemort."
"That's really comforting," Daisy whispered back sarcastically. "It really helps to know that this isn't a temporary thing, and that I wasn't imagining it."
After charms with Professor Flitwick, which they had with the Ravenclaws, was the first class with Gryffindor: World History. Daisy was a bit nervous for this class, simply because she didn't know what to do about Lily, or if there was even anything she could do besides wait.
Luckily, there wasn't actually anything to be worried about. Lily came and sat next to her before class started.
"Hey. Look, I'm sorry if I seemed kind of mad yesterday, I just thought… that how my parents made friends was the only way to make friends. I thought that all my plans were ruined because we were in separate houses, but that isn't true. Forgive me?"
Daisy smiled. "Of course."
Lily continued to introduce them to her fellow Gryffindor first years, Wyatt Warner, and Gracie Ellis, before Professor Anthony Goldstein ushered them to sit down and gave them a pretest on how much they already knew about different historical points in time.
Following a delicious lunch, was Daisy's first potions class. Daisy had mixed feelings on how this class would go, as according to James it was 'the worst class ever taught at Hogwarts,' but Albus considered it one of his favorites. And surely it couldn't hurt that Daisy's Head of House taught the class.
Professor Sawyer held an inviting smile while waiting for all the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students to shuffle in and find seats. The potions classroom was located on a hillside, meaning that it was in the dungeon, but one side of it faced the sloping outside of the hill. Windows let in natural light and air, making it more cozy and friendly than a couple of the other dungeon rooms Daisy had peered into on the way down.
Although Professor Sawyer maintained her friendly, approachable appearance as she talked, it soon became clear that this manner was not to be confused with that of a relaxed teacher that would pass by any missbehaviour.
"Although there may not by frequent wand waving or casting of spells in this class, potions is a very advanced and dangerous magic. Students who do not pay attention may be given detention, have points taken from their house, or, worst of all, be injured because of simple, foolish mistakes! So please," She paused to glare at two Hufflepuff boys who were already whispering to each other, "Pay Attention!"
The room dropped into silence again. "Potions is one of the most important branches of magic, as potions can be used to give the drinker luck, force a person to tell the truth, or poison an enemy. A good potions grade is required to get into many careers, so I expect you all to try your hardest. Today, we'll start with making a simple cure for boils. Let's just hope that none of you will need it as the year goes on," She said sternly.
The class divided into pairs, each group working at a cauldron together to finish the instructions written in their potions books.
Daisy looked around for Sophia, but she was already at a table with Jasper. Sophia shrugged, and mouthed the word 'sorry' before turning to read from her book. Daisy, a bit nervous, turned to the rest of the room. Almost everyone was already partnered with their friends, and at first, Daisy didn't think that she could see any empty space at all. She was just about to ask Professor Sawyer if she should make a group of three, or do it by herself, when a Ravenclaw boy across the room waved at her.
She walked over and stood next to him over the cauldron. He introduced himself as Jonathan Clavis, and as people went, Daisy was glad that he was the one she had to work with. They both easily worked together to follow the instructions precisely, while still managing to keep up a conversation.
"So, how do you like classes here?" Jonathan asked her. "Are they what you expected?"
"I don't really know what I expected," Daisy hesitated before going on. Would he have a problem with her being Muggle-born? "Although I have Wizard relatives, I'm actually Muggle-born. I didn't know anything about magic until I got my letter."
"I guess it must have been a big surprise to find out members of your family knew how to use magic then! I'm a half-blood. My dad is a Muggle, but my mum is a witch, and went to Hogwarts when she was our age. I can't imagine what it would be like not living with magic."
Daisy and Jonathan continued to discuss the pros and cons of living as a muggle, and had covered a wide variety of topics by the time their potion was done.
At the end of the class, the two of them were the only pair to have completed a usable potion, even though they were also the only group to receive no help from the Potions Master. For this, they both earned five points for their respective houses.
The last class of Daisy's first day was transfiguration with the Slytherins again, taught by Professor Padma Patil, who compared to Cressida Sawyer, was no where near as strict. Professor Patil was almost like one of the students herself, stopping to chat with students as well as helping them in trying to transform a toothpick into a needle. No one succeeded that first day, but she assured them that it wasn't unusual.
o0o0o0o00
"I can't believe the first day of classes are over," Jasper yawned at dinner later that evening. Even though it was their first day, they had still been given homework, and each had finished before going to eat.
"Neither can I," Daisy said, "But we still have all new classes tomorrow.*"
Sophia groaned. "To be honest, we're only one day of school in, and I'm ready for a holiday!"
"I'm not," Daisy finally responded, as they exited the great hall. She pointed to a sign on the hall's notice board. "Flying lessons start Wednesday."
As tired as Daisy was, her excitement for the next classes (especially flying) kept her alert, so she decided to spend a few minutes to write a letter to her sister, and text Emma.
Dear Poppy,
You told me to tell you 'everything' about Hogwarts as soon as possible, so here's a summary. Sorry, but to write everything would be impractical, I'll just tell you over Christmas break in person.
So, I got sorted into Hufflepuff, which is supposed to be the house that most values loyalty and hardwork. You should get Uncle Harry to explain the rest of the houses for you, as I haven't got enough space, but I think that you would be in Gryffindor. That's where Lily and James are. Albus is in Slytherin, another likely house for you. You'd never be put in Ravenclaw (sorry), and you're loyal, but can't seem to remember the concept of hard work, so Hufflepuff may be unlikely.
My Hufflepuff friends are named Sophia and Jasper. Maybe you'll get to meet them over break too.
So far, my favorite classes are Potions and Wizarding Culture and History. Of course, quidditch is sure to be a great adventure as well. You can't get into the teams as a first year, but I've heard that team captains com to look for natural fliers while you practice, so I hope I do well.
Anyway, how is school for you? How's your pygmy puff doing? Have you finally chosen a name for it?
Love,
Daisy
0o0o0o0o0
Emma: HI!
Daisy: Hey, how was the first day of school?
Emma: It was pretty good, I guess. It's kind of strange, living in a dorm, don't you think?
Daisy: Yeah, but I think I'll get used to it.
Emma: I won't. My roommate is the most annoying git I've had the displeasure of meeting. And I've met Poppy!
Daisy: Lol, Poppy isn't that bad. Just energetic.
Emma: True. Do you have a roommate? What are they like?
Daisy: My school is set up in four houses. Each house has 2 rooms, girls and boys, for each year of school. So I share a room with all the other 1st year students in my house.
Emma: Wow, that must be a pain. How is it that I'm the one complaining?
Daisy: It's really not that bad. Also, you're pickier than I am.
Emma: So tell me about all of your new friends. Anyone I should worry about replacing me? :P
Daisy: Don't worry :). I have my cousins, of course, and then a girl and boy in my year, Sophia and Jasper. But no one will ever replace you.
Emma: Glad to hear it. I've only made one possible friend so far, a girl named Chloe. She says you've met at a summer camp?
Daisy: About two years ago? Sounds familiar, can't be sure though. Have any enemies?
Emma: Yeah, my roommate!
Daisy: XD is she really that bad?
Emma: Yes! What about you? Enemies?
Daisy: I'm not sure yet. A group from another house seems pretty unfriendly…
Emma: Well good luck with that! I've got to go. XOXO
*No, the next chapter will not go through these classes, but if you wanted to know what they are, there's: Math, Herbology, DADA, Science, and Wizarding Culture and History.
Yes, I am alive guys! Sorry it took so long to update, now that it's summer I should get a couple more in per month than usual (I know sometimes I didn't even get any written in a month... or a few months). Thank you all for being patient, and still reading my story. Real life issues and writers block can be a pain sometimes, am I right?
About Jasper... I'm not really sure where this character came from. I originally was going to have Jonathan be the third member of Daisy's trio, and Jasper didn't even exist in my head until the sorting chapter, but now it looks as if there's going to be four friends instead of three. Jasper just sat next to Daisy the first day, and then just kind of stayed there, I guess.
If I took the time to draw some of the characters, would any of you look at them? I could put them on deviant art, wattpad, or make them the temporary cover photo. Just an Idea though. Thoughts?
As always, reviews, follows, and favorites are always appreciated.