Disclaimer: only Alexandria is mine.
~*~
Chapter Two
September first came eventually. All three of us woke at the ungodly hour of 7am to have time to eat breakfast and get going. Excitement and anticipation kept me from eating more than a slice of toast smothered in apple jelly. Just after 9am we left with my trunk all packed and Zada loose for now. After about an hour's drive we hit London and headed for the station. Already the lot was filling up. Good thing we left when we did!! Any later and we would have missed the train. Dad carried my trunk in until we found a baggage cart to use. Mom added Zada's cage to it, with Zada putting up a fuss for being locked up.
The same piece of parchment with directions to Diagon Alley also included directions to platform 9¾. So we started looking for platforms 9 and 10. Soon Dad, being close to 7 feet tall, saw the platforms up ahead to the left. So we turned and followed a few families in that direction.
We stopped in front of the wall between 9 and 10 and stared at it. Dad went first with the cart; Mom and I followed once we saw he went through.
The red and black train was immense. The crowd was loud, filled with good byes and so longs. Younger siblings were crying because they couldn't ride the train. Older siblings were meeting up with friends not seen in a few months. And we stood there, alone, and watched.
Dad and I boarded to find a car for Zada and me. He stowed my truck up overhead and I placed Zada on the empty bench to hold my seat. We met up with Mom and she introduced us to her companion. Mrs. Black was sending her son Sirius to his sixth year at Hogwarts. He smiled at us and offered to get me acquainted with other students. He was kind of cute, so I said sure and grinned back. The 5-minute whistle blew just then and everyone scrambled for final good byes. I kissed my parents on their cheeks and promised to write often.
"I already have a car, if you want to follow me," I told Sirius as we headed for the train. "Sure, why not?" he agreed. On the way down the corridor we passed his buddy Remus, who followed us to the car I was holding. I noticed the door was already open and I could hear some people talking inside.
"What luck!! You're here! And in such gorgeous company. My name is James and this is Peter," he said, waving vaguely behind him. I nodded to both and introduced myself.
"I'm Alexandria. My parents and I just moved over here this summer from America -"
"Obviously. You have a Yankee accent," said James. "Come, sit. I'm afraid someone's left their howling cat here but maybe if we set it out in the corr-"
I stiffened and briskly moved towards Zada. "No one insults my cat like that." I reached in and pulled her out. I slide her traveling cage under the bench and sat down in the now vacant spot. Sirius and Remus stepped into the compartment and closed the door. It was a bit crowded with five people in there, but four of us were skinny. James sat down next to Peter while Remus and Sirius sat on my bench. Zada was now quietly purring and keeping an evil eye on James. It'll be awhile before she forgives him.
Conversation was slow at first, but it eventually got interesting. The guys talked about their summer practicing Quidditch. Well, I should say the guys except Peter. He sat and intently followed the conversation back and forth, staring at the speaker and soaking in every little detail. He unnerved me. We also talked of the differences between American and British wizardry worlds.
"Whoa! You mean to tell me that you can use magic all summer?" Sirius said, amazed. The others looked just as wowed.
"Yes, and school was more Mugglish. I didn't go to a boarding school like this. Mom drove me in and picked me up everyday. It was presented to Muggles as a special school for gifted children." I chuckled. "I got asked often how I got in. It was of course by invitation only and no one could apply. The Muggles just accepted it and went on."
The guys pooled some money together and bought snacks when the cart came around. They wouldn't let me pitch in anything, saying it was a welcome present. Peter dropped a chocolate frog and Zada enjoyed stalking it around the compartment.
Talk continued. They discussed the professors and explained the houses. Apparently, they were all in Gryffindor and three of the houses were bitter enemies of Slytherin. They were amazed that my classes were all of an hour long and I went to the same six every day all school year long. I learned about the ghosts and the moving staircases. They laughed at the Muggle health inspector seeing the "cleaning" closet full of brooms.
Soon the train slowed and the station came into view. It sat near the edge of a huge lake. There was a man not much taller than Dad but three times as wide holding up a lamp and calling for the first years.
"That's Hagrid," whispered Remus in my ear. "He's huge but he's gentle. He's been taking the first years across the lake by rowboat for years."
I panicked. "Am I supposed to go with him? I mean, I'm fifteen but this is my first year."
James laughed. "No! Of course not! You're a fifth year. Hop in the carriage here with Remus and Sirius." He followed me and apologized to Peter. "Sorry, mate. There's no more room." He closed the door and sank back into the seat sighing.
"What kind of creature is pulling the carriages?" I asked in general. And for an answer I received three blank stares. Remus finally spoke up. "None. There aren't any creatures attached to these things." Instead of getting into an argument I just sat back and tried to enjoy the ride.
~*~
Hogwarts was beautiful. It was tall, majestic, spooky. I imagined it on October 31st and smiled. I felt at home here. The students went through the front double doors. From there they headed to the Great Hall. I, however, was pulled aside by a gentleman that introduced himself as Professor Dumbledore. He took me to a little room off the Great Hall. In there were a couple more professors and an ugly old hat on a stool.
Professor Dippet introduced himself as the head master (AN: yeah, I know. I goofed in her letter in Chapter One. Sorry) and the witch as Professor McGonagall. "Miss Foster, this is the Sorting Hat," said Professor Dippet. "It'll decide what house you belong in. After that Professor Dumbledore here will escort you to the correct table while Professor McGonagall will attend to the first years. Now," he bent and picked up the Hat. "Have a seat and we'll get started." He smiled big, trying to be friendly.
I walked up to the stool and sat down. All I knew was what the Gryffindor boys told me and that of course was all one-sided. I could feel the Hat reading my thoughts and I tried to blank my mind.
"Hmmm," it purred in my ear. "Yes, you could easily be in Ravenclaw; you have so much knowledge here. But then, you could be in Slytherin. Definitely have the slyness for that house, no doubt there. How about Gryffindor? Or could that bravery really be loyalty? Then you would go to Hufflepuff."
I sat there and waited. I listened to the Hat go on forever about which house I should belong to. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Professor Dippet tap his toes and look at his watch.
Eventually, after discussing it for over five minutes, the Hat stated that I should be in Gryffindor. The Professor sighed and congratulated me and scurried to their positions to Sort the first years. Professor Dumbledore took me to the long table. James scooted over and a seat was made between him and Remus for me. The Sorted went on its usual way and the Headmaster made his long-winded announcements. The dinner was announced and the food arrived magically on the tables. The Hall was buzzing with excitement. Everyone wondered what classes they would have in the morning. Speculations appeared on the first years. Quidditch was discussed and it was decided that everyone was excited about this year's teams.
Dinner was over and the four houses went their separate ways to their common rooms. The castle was put to sleep and the house elves went to work cleaning.
~*~ author's note: I am so glad I visit the doctor soon. My back still hurts. I think I am getting old. *sigh* I despise growing up sometimes.
~*~
Chapter Two
September first came eventually. All three of us woke at the ungodly hour of 7am to have time to eat breakfast and get going. Excitement and anticipation kept me from eating more than a slice of toast smothered in apple jelly. Just after 9am we left with my trunk all packed and Zada loose for now. After about an hour's drive we hit London and headed for the station. Already the lot was filling up. Good thing we left when we did!! Any later and we would have missed the train. Dad carried my trunk in until we found a baggage cart to use. Mom added Zada's cage to it, with Zada putting up a fuss for being locked up.
The same piece of parchment with directions to Diagon Alley also included directions to platform 9¾. So we started looking for platforms 9 and 10. Soon Dad, being close to 7 feet tall, saw the platforms up ahead to the left. So we turned and followed a few families in that direction.
We stopped in front of the wall between 9 and 10 and stared at it. Dad went first with the cart; Mom and I followed once we saw he went through.
The red and black train was immense. The crowd was loud, filled with good byes and so longs. Younger siblings were crying because they couldn't ride the train. Older siblings were meeting up with friends not seen in a few months. And we stood there, alone, and watched.
Dad and I boarded to find a car for Zada and me. He stowed my truck up overhead and I placed Zada on the empty bench to hold my seat. We met up with Mom and she introduced us to her companion. Mrs. Black was sending her son Sirius to his sixth year at Hogwarts. He smiled at us and offered to get me acquainted with other students. He was kind of cute, so I said sure and grinned back. The 5-minute whistle blew just then and everyone scrambled for final good byes. I kissed my parents on their cheeks and promised to write often.
"I already have a car, if you want to follow me," I told Sirius as we headed for the train. "Sure, why not?" he agreed. On the way down the corridor we passed his buddy Remus, who followed us to the car I was holding. I noticed the door was already open and I could hear some people talking inside.
"What luck!! You're here! And in such gorgeous company. My name is James and this is Peter," he said, waving vaguely behind him. I nodded to both and introduced myself.
"I'm Alexandria. My parents and I just moved over here this summer from America -"
"Obviously. You have a Yankee accent," said James. "Come, sit. I'm afraid someone's left their howling cat here but maybe if we set it out in the corr-"
I stiffened and briskly moved towards Zada. "No one insults my cat like that." I reached in and pulled her out. I slide her traveling cage under the bench and sat down in the now vacant spot. Sirius and Remus stepped into the compartment and closed the door. It was a bit crowded with five people in there, but four of us were skinny. James sat down next to Peter while Remus and Sirius sat on my bench. Zada was now quietly purring and keeping an evil eye on James. It'll be awhile before she forgives him.
Conversation was slow at first, but it eventually got interesting. The guys talked about their summer practicing Quidditch. Well, I should say the guys except Peter. He sat and intently followed the conversation back and forth, staring at the speaker and soaking in every little detail. He unnerved me. We also talked of the differences between American and British wizardry worlds.
"Whoa! You mean to tell me that you can use magic all summer?" Sirius said, amazed. The others looked just as wowed.
"Yes, and school was more Mugglish. I didn't go to a boarding school like this. Mom drove me in and picked me up everyday. It was presented to Muggles as a special school for gifted children." I chuckled. "I got asked often how I got in. It was of course by invitation only and no one could apply. The Muggles just accepted it and went on."
The guys pooled some money together and bought snacks when the cart came around. They wouldn't let me pitch in anything, saying it was a welcome present. Peter dropped a chocolate frog and Zada enjoyed stalking it around the compartment.
Talk continued. They discussed the professors and explained the houses. Apparently, they were all in Gryffindor and three of the houses were bitter enemies of Slytherin. They were amazed that my classes were all of an hour long and I went to the same six every day all school year long. I learned about the ghosts and the moving staircases. They laughed at the Muggle health inspector seeing the "cleaning" closet full of brooms.
Soon the train slowed and the station came into view. It sat near the edge of a huge lake. There was a man not much taller than Dad but three times as wide holding up a lamp and calling for the first years.
"That's Hagrid," whispered Remus in my ear. "He's huge but he's gentle. He's been taking the first years across the lake by rowboat for years."
I panicked. "Am I supposed to go with him? I mean, I'm fifteen but this is my first year."
James laughed. "No! Of course not! You're a fifth year. Hop in the carriage here with Remus and Sirius." He followed me and apologized to Peter. "Sorry, mate. There's no more room." He closed the door and sank back into the seat sighing.
"What kind of creature is pulling the carriages?" I asked in general. And for an answer I received three blank stares. Remus finally spoke up. "None. There aren't any creatures attached to these things." Instead of getting into an argument I just sat back and tried to enjoy the ride.
~*~
Hogwarts was beautiful. It was tall, majestic, spooky. I imagined it on October 31st and smiled. I felt at home here. The students went through the front double doors. From there they headed to the Great Hall. I, however, was pulled aside by a gentleman that introduced himself as Professor Dumbledore. He took me to a little room off the Great Hall. In there were a couple more professors and an ugly old hat on a stool.
Professor Dippet introduced himself as the head master (AN: yeah, I know. I goofed in her letter in Chapter One. Sorry) and the witch as Professor McGonagall. "Miss Foster, this is the Sorting Hat," said Professor Dippet. "It'll decide what house you belong in. After that Professor Dumbledore here will escort you to the correct table while Professor McGonagall will attend to the first years. Now," he bent and picked up the Hat. "Have a seat and we'll get started." He smiled big, trying to be friendly.
I walked up to the stool and sat down. All I knew was what the Gryffindor boys told me and that of course was all one-sided. I could feel the Hat reading my thoughts and I tried to blank my mind.
"Hmmm," it purred in my ear. "Yes, you could easily be in Ravenclaw; you have so much knowledge here. But then, you could be in Slytherin. Definitely have the slyness for that house, no doubt there. How about Gryffindor? Or could that bravery really be loyalty? Then you would go to Hufflepuff."
I sat there and waited. I listened to the Hat go on forever about which house I should belong to. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Professor Dippet tap his toes and look at his watch.
Eventually, after discussing it for over five minutes, the Hat stated that I should be in Gryffindor. The Professor sighed and congratulated me and scurried to their positions to Sort the first years. Professor Dumbledore took me to the long table. James scooted over and a seat was made between him and Remus for me. The Sorted went on its usual way and the Headmaster made his long-winded announcements. The dinner was announced and the food arrived magically on the tables. The Hall was buzzing with excitement. Everyone wondered what classes they would have in the morning. Speculations appeared on the first years. Quidditch was discussed and it was decided that everyone was excited about this year's teams.
Dinner was over and the four houses went their separate ways to their common rooms. The castle was put to sleep and the house elves went to work cleaning.
~*~ author's note: I am so glad I visit the doctor soon. My back still hurts. I think I am getting old. *sigh* I despise growing up sometimes.