Chapter 4:
They were all laughing about one of Freds jokes when the compartment door was opened again. Leaning on the doorway was Charlie. He meant to find the twins after Percy ratted them out. He wasn't mad or anything. He quite enjoyed their pranks and their energy. He only came here to see how they were adapting and to get rid of Percy.
'- So first you almost get crushed by your trunk and now you just befriended the biggest troublemakers of Hogwarts.' Charlie said with a smirk on his face.
'- What can I say. I attract trouble.' Ruby said shrugging. Amusement in her voice.
'- Wait you know Charlie?' The twins said together.
'- Yeah he helped me with my trunk' she answered.
'- I saved you.' He said with a wink.
'- Yes you are my new found hero.' Ruby said rolling her eyes.
All of them laughed. They quickly realized Ruby was never short for words. Same as Angelina. Both girls were rather feisty with Angelina being slightly more confident than Ruby.
'- I knew you two would have no problems finding a group of friends. I just hoped they could keep you on track and not encourage you to cause more trouble than you already do.' Charlie said shaking his head but smiling.
'-We are angels !' The twins said dramatically overacting their statement.
'- I think you should all get changed we arrive shortly.' Charlie said leaving the compartment.
'- I think you just chased him off.' Ruby said with tears in her eyes.
During the train ride, they all discussed in which house they wanted to be sorted into. They all stated they would be Gryffindors. Ruby remained silent. When they noticed they said they would remain, friends, even if she wasn't sorted into the same house. Her mother didn't want to tell Ruby in which house she was in so that ruby would go into the sorting without any expectations. She knew her mother only wanted the best for her but hearing her group of friends she would have been grateful for an indication on which house she may belong.
Just don't get sorted into Slytherin her friends said. That is what she was afraid of. Slytherin traits were cunning and ambitious which she was both. And there was nothing wrong with that. She could not see how a house could be so hated. She never met a Slytherin but she was certain that not all Slytherin was bad.
When the train stopped they slowly got up. Fred leaned to Ruby and whispered.
'- Don't worry Ru. Even if you get sorted into Slytherin we will remain friends. But you are too good to be one.' Ruby smiled at the comforting words and her newfound nickname. He held his hand out and she took it. He was leading her out of the train following the group of friends. When they saw the number of people she tightens her grip. She was walking next to Angelina and gripped her hand too. They both shared a look and made their way through the masses.
'- Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!' A massive man said. Ruby was speechless. She has never seen such a tall man. With his beard, he looked scary. When she looked him in the eyes she relaxed. They were twinkling and she could see that he was happy to see so many new faces. She could see that despite his look he was kindhearted. They were walking along a shady path that leads to a fleet of small boats.
All five of them boarded a boat. She sat between Angelina and Fred with George and Lee in the front. The boats sailed themselves over the lake.
'- Now around the corner you're going to see Hogwarts for the first time.' The man stated in his boat, which he occupied for himself.
'- Ohhhhhhh.' Came from all the students at once. Ruby has never seen something this beautiful in her whole life. Hogwarts was breathtaking. It was unbelievable.
Ruby was leaning on the edge of the boat and put her hand in the water. The water was cold and something slippery touched her fingers. Instead of pulling out her hand she left it. She was wondering what creature has just touched her hand and was eager to find out. When they arrived at Hogwarts they made their way up to a large stairway. Waiting for them was a rather stern-looking woman.
'- Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw. Your house will be like your family. You will have classes together, share a dorm and gain or lose house points.' McGonagall said. She looked over the crowd of first years.
'- I think we are ready for you. Please follow me.' McGonagall said leading the way into the great hall.
The whole school was waiting for them. She looked up seeing that the ceiling was enchanted to look like the night sky outside. She squeezed Angelina's hand to show her the ceiling. They both nervously smiled at each other. She could be beginning to feel more and more nervous. They stopped and stood in front of a rather battered hat. It was patched, frayed and extremely dirty. The hat began singing a song.
'- 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.' The sorting hat began. For it to sing a tear along the brim opened like a mouth. The hat continued singing about the houses and house unity. When the hat was finished McGonagall stepped forward.
'-When I call your name please step forward. I will put the hat on your head and he will decide which house you belong to. You will then join your house and wait until the sorting is over.' McGonagall said while looking at the first year if they understood.
'- Roger Davies.' McGonagall said. Roger walked in front oft he school and the hat was placed on his head.
'-Ravenclaw.' The hat said. A sea of blue wearing students erupted cheering. When they calmed down the sorting continued.
'-Cedric Diggory.' Cedric stood behind Ruby. She let him through while giving him an encouraging smile. He smiled back thankfully and took his place.
'-Hufflepuff.' Cheers erupted.
'-Ruby Fineau.' She reluctantly let go of Angelina's hand. She was shaking. She slowly made her way up and took her seat. It didn't take long for her vision to fade. She could only see black.
'- Ah Miss Fineau. I can see a lot of potentials. Each house would benefit you in another way. I see you're extremely loyal but I can also see your ambitious and cunning side. You would do great in Slytherin. You are also intelligent and Ravenclaw would help pursue an academic career. Otherwise, you could be in Hufflepuff where they value hard work and dedication. You could be placed in every house.' The hat said.
While Ruby was sorted the great hall was becoming more and more excited with every passing minute. Ruby was a Hatstall. They never witnessed a Hatstall. Five minutes passed. McGonagall was looking at Dumbeldore with wide eyes. He, on the other hand, was perfectly calm like he expected nothing else.
'-I think I have found you a house. You've got a Lion's heart. You are protecting and loyal to your friends and family and you are brave. So I have no other choice than put you into GRYFFINDOR.' The last word the hat said out loud and the hall erupted into cheers. The whole Gryffindor table was standing and clapping euphorically. Her friends had the biggest smile on their faces and when she turned to McGonagall she had a proud look on her face. Ruby smiled brightly and made her way down to the Gryffindor table. She saw Charlie with a grin on his face. He indicated the empty seat next to him and she gratefully took it.
'-I knew you would be Gryffindor.' Was the only thing he could say before the sorting continued. Angelina and Lee were also sorted into Gryffindor. Ruby was cheering alongside her house when Angelina took the seat next to her. Adrian Pucey was sorted into Slytherin while Alicia Spinnet was a Gryffindor. The sorting continued with and it ended with the twins each being sorted into Gryffindor.
Charlie leaned over to congratulate his brothers.
'-Look Dumbeldore is giving a speech.' He said while pointing at a very old looking wizard. He had a long white beard and half-moon glasses. He looked over the crowd of students.
'- The very best of evenings to you!... Now… to our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you… Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you." Dumbeldore said.
Ruby was laughing and she jumped on her seats when she saw the amount of food appearing in front of her. She was starving. She was so nervous this morning that she couldn't eat and during the train ride, she was too busy talking to her newfound friends. They all looked at each other and began to eat. It was delicious. There was not much talking during the meal. They were all to busy trying to eat everything. So when the dessert arrived they were all mourning because they were already full. That, however, didn't stop the twins from eating twice as much dessert than they did dinner. When they finished there was a comfortable silent around them.
Dumbledore got up again.
'- Now that we are feed I would like to make some announcements. I am delighted to Welcome Mr. Coldmore as our new defense against the dark arts teacher. ' Coldmore got up and the hall applauded.
'-Mister Filch would like to inform you that every item from Zonkos Joke shop is forbidden and I would like to remind you to stay away from the Forbidden forest. Now off you go. Have some good nights sleep before we can rise early tomorrow for your classes. Prefects take the first years to your common room.' When Dumbeldore ended he sat back down and watched the students getting up and leaving the great hall. All with a smile on their faces.