The journey from King's Cross Station was quite pleasant; no unexpected mishaps or anything that would disrupt another normal day for some young witches and wizards. The Hogwarts Express, a scarlet-colored steam engine, gleamed as smoke billowed from it while its passengers tucked themselves comfortably inside their own compartments.
One compartment contained a certain blonde-haired teenage witch whose eyes were tightly shut; well-rested while in her peaceful slumber. Venus Labyrinth would sometimes shift her position until she'd feel ease as to continue her nap.
But what she didn't knew, and probably didn't care about, was that she had an audience; one who would stare at her for a second, the next he will shift his gaze towards the wonderful scenery outside the window. Draco Malfoy, the fourth-year Slytherin, seated across Venus with a leg crossed on top of another as he read a copy of the Daily Prophet.
In some occassions, he would mutter a few complaints with the newspaper he's reading, the journey, other people who'd wander near their compartment, or about anything his mind would think of.
It wasn't long though until the sleeping witch, arms already stretched high in the air as she stifled a small yawn. Small tears began escaping from her eyes.
"Have I slept for too long?" The blonde-haired witch said, tidying her blonde hair with her hands.
"Quite a bit. Don't worry, you've entertained me well enough while I watched you drooling on your stupid face." Draco answered with a smirk visible on his face.
Her face turned into a pink shade, complementing her pale cheeks, and abruptly wiped a handkerchief near her mouth, careful not to leave a mark that would evidently say she just woke up.
"I love sleeping, especially in long travels like these, they're the only times we can rest, you know." She said.
"I could easily tell that," Draco shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows as form of agreement.
Venus beamed at him, suddenly feeling a surge of energy from the quick nap she just had. Now, she can finally interrogate her long, lost best friend.
"Now, now, Draco…" she began with a smirk, "tell me, you already have a girlfriend?" She teased.
Draco just rolled his eyes at her remark. A great way to start a conversation.
"No, and I'm not intending to, not yet," he replied casually, as if he's asked this question a hundred times before. "No one at Hogwarts have achieved my standards of extravagant beauty."
"Maybe what you're looking for in a lady isn't really possible - a fantasy."
His face heated up at her response, as well as his ears were now resembling a tomato. Venus giggled at her friend, who was muttering some kind of something about his father whish she barely understood.
The remainder of the trip consisted of the two childhood friends bantering and bickering about random topics they could think of. It was just like the good, old days. Venus recalled how they used to be like this as kids, and the nostalgic feeling of home made her homesick already. She realized it was too soon to miss home so she mustered all the courage she could get before arriving at her new school.
From the dusk which emerged to total darkness wherein the only source of light was the line of torches along the rail of Hogwarts Express, the train have finally arrived to its destination.
Witches and wizards dressed in black robes began exiting the train, emptying their compartments behind. Even the newly transferred student already had her new set of robes worn, but without the house colors just yet.
There were lots of chattering, students walking her and there, Venus wasn't quite sure what to feel anymore - excitement or anxiety - she doesn't know. Fortunately, Draco was with her the whole time, accompanying her until they have reached the Hogwarts Castle.
"Woah," she muttered under her breath, and the first time her eyes laid upon the castle, she knew for in fact that it was wonderful - no, more than that. Just like an old palace with hundreds of lights illuminating its architectural aesthetics in the dark evening. She thought it was like hundred times bigger than her own school at America, or probably she's just exaggerating.
The gates opened, students began pushing one another to be able to enter the castle as soon as possible. The foreigner's eyes followed along, making sure Draco won't get lost in this sea of people.
"Attention, everyone! Old students, as usual, move along to the Great Hall! Quickly!"
Venus noticed an old-looking lady with and emerald green cloak and rectangle eyeglasses. White hair from her head were already quite noticeable, too, and her curiousity got the bit of her to ask her companion.
"Draco," she whispered, "who's that?" She pointed a finger at the lady she was intrigued with.
"Oh, that. That's McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress and also a Transfiguration professor." He answered stoicly, not amused at all. "She's also the Head of House of Gryffindor, where that bloody Potter and his rat Weasley and his bushy-haired girlfriend-"
He was cut off when she waved a hand in front of him, "oh come on, and Hermione Granger, the bookworm - yes, Draco, you already told me about that at the train."
With furious eyes, he barked, "Why you bloody git, I'm not done talking yet, I - "
"First year students! Come along with me!" McGonagall announced which cut Draco from finishing his talk once more.
"Oh, and announcement. Miss Venus Labyrinth!"
Upon hearing her name called, Venus instinctly jerked her arm high which made McGonagall see her in the crowd.
"Come with us, dear, you will also be sorted! Come along!"
Venus bid goodbye to Draco, replying a nod, and continued walking with the others. Her heart beat fast upon walking against the crowd to join the first year students. Anxiety and excitement seem to make her stomach lurch, but clenching her fists so hard made the feeling go away.
The tall door opened, and immediately she was struck with the sight.
People in black robes were seated in four, long tables. Huge banners of four colors were hung in all corners and empty wall of the Great Hall, as Draco told her. But what amazed her most was the ceiling which showed constellations of all kinds, and clouds formed into random clump of things or animals. It was an ecstatic feeling for a first timer.
Venus, McGonagall, and the others walked the long isle until they reached the front. She was obviously no first year due to height differences, but she still strolled with elegancy and confidence, despite the number of eyes focused on her.
"When I call your name, you will sit on this stool, place this hat on your head and you will be sorted into your House. Your house will be as like your new-found family until you're here at Hogwarts." Stated Professor McGonagall.
She began calling the students one by one and the old, ragged sorting hat sorted them in either house of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff.
After the long line of first years had finished which left Venus the only one left to be sorted, clinking of spoon to goblet was heard on the highest table in front. All eyes turned to where the sound came from. An old-looking man with thick silver beard, wearing blue robes, stood up and everyone silenced. He must be the Headmaster that Draco told me about, he looks quite nice though, Venus thought.
"I would like to announce to everyone," he started, eyes smiling behind his half-moon spectacles, "that this year, we will be joined by a student transferee from the Witchcraft School of Salem, America. Let's give a warm welcome to Miss Venus Labyrinth! She will be in her fourth year, but since it is her first time here at Hogwarts, she will be sorted into a house tonight!"
Suddenly, thunder of claps echoed in the room, and Venus couldn't get much happier being welcomed by almost all students at Hogwarts. She turned to smile at the silver-bearded Professor who greeted her back with a warm, reassuring smile.
"Venus Labyrinth!" Called McGonagall.
Carefully, she moved to sit at the stool and placed the hat on top of her head. Silence turned into existence. Her fists clenched as she waited for the answer of the hat.
"Please Slytherin, please Slytherin, please…" she focused on her thought carefully.
Immediately, the hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
People from the table on the end side roared with cheers and claps, and she caught the sight of Draco as she ran towards their table. The Slytherin prince smiled at her, welcoming his friend to their house.
On the other side of the table, three pairs of eyes from the Gryffindors were certainly staring at the newly-placed student at Slytherin house.
"Who's that?" Harry Potter asked, a raven-haired boy with a visibly lightning scar on his forehead.
"Blonde-hair, blue eyes, pale skin - must be a Malfoy." Ron Weasley, a tall wizard with orange hair stated, a hand on his growling stomach.
"Probably Malfoy's sister." Said Potter as Weasley shrugged.
"But Malfoy does not have any siblings. And aren't you listening? She's a Labyrinth, Venus Labyrinth." Corrected Hermione Granger, a witch with brown, wavy hair, portraying her know-it-all attitude again in front of her friends.
Weasley said derisively, "Whoever she is, I bet she has the same rubbish attitude like Malfoy there."
They didn't need to tell Weasley they agree with him, because he's sure they also thought the same. They continued watching the new witch while she talked animatedly with other Slytherins at their table. She looked quite at-home already.
