The hours gently slid by as Harry, Ron and Hermione played exploding snap,
wizard chess, and any other game that suited their fancy. Aliyah sat and
watched quietly with her pets sitting in cages that had gone unnoticed by
the others. Suddenly, Hermione stood up from the latest game of Gobstones
after being squirted in the face and made an announcement.
"We should put on our robes; we will be at Hogwarts in less than half an
hour."
Aliyah stood up and took off her sari, and held it up in the air. She
flicked her wand a few times at the sari, muttering indistinguishable
words, and it hung in the air like a curtain. Her face peeked around the
corner as she said, "This will serve to hide Hermione and I as we change."
She and Hermione disappeared behind the curtain for a few minutes and while
they did, the boys changed as well. Aliyah made sure to change into pants
and a tee-shirt before putting on her robes. She took down the curtain
with another flick of her wand and flicked her wand as she cried, "Pack!"
all her things folded themselves as they flew into her suitcase neatly in
stacks. Harry noticed her trunk had seven locks, just like Moody's trunk
had.
In a few minutes a dull whistle sounded and the doors of the train opened. Aliyah swept out the door, seeming to float, instead of walk. She made her way to one of the carriages, but instead of entering it, she went to the front and started to stroke the thestral pulling it. She whispered words in Punjabi as Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at her. She suddenly turned on them and gave them a look that seemed to freeze them. "Haven't you ever heard of kindness, or love, or animal rights?" she hissed at them as she got into the carriage.
One silent carriage ride later, it seemed to have been the longest of Harry's life, they stood outside the front steps. Aliyah immediately marched up the stairs without even a glance. Once inside she saw Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown waving at her and motioning her into a seat between them. Lavender and Parvati talked excitedly with hushed voices to her as Harry, Ron and Hermione. "I know you'll just looooove Hogwarts!" Parvati said. "Finally, someone with at least a chance to not snub us!" Lavender said. "For years, we've known all these people, they'll never change to be more of our friends, but we have a chance with you!"
Up on the stage, Professor Flitwick carried in a small, three legged stool with a battered hat on top of it. "Now, this year, we have a few, transfer students; so, any new students above first year please step onto the stage." Dumbledore said, and Parvati and Lavender nudged Aliyah up to the stage. All the eyes in the Great Hall were centered upon the hat. It opened the rip near its brim and began to sing. "Oh, at Hogwarts are, The Houses Four, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Each founder chose his pupils well, At least to his or her taste. To Gryffindor, the brave ones go, Deeds of valor, honor, truth, He chose the Bold and Strong.
Sweet Ravenclaw, the smartest are, Wits and smarts are traits of choice, Be clever if you go.
Kind Hufflepuff, the caring friends, The ever kind and always true, This house will make a friend in you.
Last Slytherin, chose pure blood, Above all other things, Beware to make a friend of them.
So the houses four, Stand straight and strong, And keeping ever, Traditions on.
The choice is mine, I see your thoughts, And I will put you, Where you belong."
The sorting hat made a lopsided bow as the Great Hall erupted with clapping and cheers.
In a few minutes a dull whistle sounded and the doors of the train opened. Aliyah swept out the door, seeming to float, instead of walk. She made her way to one of the carriages, but instead of entering it, she went to the front and started to stroke the thestral pulling it. She whispered words in Punjabi as Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at her. She suddenly turned on them and gave them a look that seemed to freeze them. "Haven't you ever heard of kindness, or love, or animal rights?" she hissed at them as she got into the carriage.
One silent carriage ride later, it seemed to have been the longest of Harry's life, they stood outside the front steps. Aliyah immediately marched up the stairs without even a glance. Once inside she saw Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown waving at her and motioning her into a seat between them. Lavender and Parvati talked excitedly with hushed voices to her as Harry, Ron and Hermione. "I know you'll just looooove Hogwarts!" Parvati said. "Finally, someone with at least a chance to not snub us!" Lavender said. "For years, we've known all these people, they'll never change to be more of our friends, but we have a chance with you!"
Up on the stage, Professor Flitwick carried in a small, three legged stool with a battered hat on top of it. "Now, this year, we have a few, transfer students; so, any new students above first year please step onto the stage." Dumbledore said, and Parvati and Lavender nudged Aliyah up to the stage. All the eyes in the Great Hall were centered upon the hat. It opened the rip near its brim and began to sing. "Oh, at Hogwarts are, The Houses Four, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Each founder chose his pupils well, At least to his or her taste. To Gryffindor, the brave ones go, Deeds of valor, honor, truth, He chose the Bold and Strong.
Sweet Ravenclaw, the smartest are, Wits and smarts are traits of choice, Be clever if you go.
Kind Hufflepuff, the caring friends, The ever kind and always true, This house will make a friend in you.
Last Slytherin, chose pure blood, Above all other things, Beware to make a friend of them.
So the houses four, Stand straight and strong, And keeping ever, Traditions on.
The choice is mine, I see your thoughts, And I will put you, Where you belong."
The sorting hat made a lopsided bow as the Great Hall erupted with clapping and cheers.