The carriage rolled slowly into the school, and Carrie got her first look of the year at the big castle of Hogwarts. The entire first floor was filled with bright light, illuminating the night sky. The upper floor had only two visible lights on, one for the Gryffindor Common Room, and one for the Hufflepuffs. Ravenclaw and Slytherin Common Rooms were on the other side of the school. The classrooms were all dark, as the teachers were preparing in the Great Hall. The carriage slowed to a stop, and Carrie was about to jump out, but Coleen got out first. She stepped lightly out, and Draco held a hand out to her. She accepted it, and her escorted her away from the carriage door. They waited outside the carriage for Mallory, Sabrina, Jen, and Carrie to get out. Carrie quickly repositioned herself, and stepped lightly out of the carriage like Coleen had done. The three other girls followed, they made their way to the castle doors, where they were greeted by Professor Snape.
"I want you all on your best behaviour," he snarled at the large group of sixth years surrounding him. Carrie noticed Dani had saved their usual spot at the very front of the group. However, Carrie stayed with Coleen and Draco and the other girls near the middle of the group. "This is your sixth year at this school, and you only have one more to go after this. I expect nothing more than perfect from you bunch of children. Understand? This will be a touch year, as you are preparing to enter the wizarding work force, and taking your N.E.W.T.S next year, so we will be preparing you for those tests. Now the Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. Go to your respected tables, but I must ask that all prefects stay here. I must have a word with you."
Carrie flushed. She was a school prefect, and next on the line to become Head Girl. Hermione was in the running, but her frequent ability to get herself into trouble allowed Carrie to have a better chance. Coleen and Mallory gave her a cheerful smile, and Sabrina gave a small wave. Jen had gone off to find her boyfriend.
"See you later," said Coleen. Mallory and Sabrina walked with the group to get to the Slytherin table, but Coleen and Draco went the other way.
"Where are you going?" asked Carrie. She walked closer to the front of the group, in front of Professor Snape with Ron and Hermione and the other school prefects.
"To have some fun before the feast," replied Coleen mischieviously. Carrie studied her friend, but then smiled.
"Okay, but be back soon. I can't cover for you forever, but I'll make sure McGonnagal and Snape don't go looking for you too soon. See you guys later." Carrie smiled, and Coleen beamed happily. She took Draco's hand, and they sneaked off quietly away from the group. Carrie was pleased with their reaction, but couldn't help but feel guilty. She stood beside Ron and Hermione, who were waiting for Professor Snape to talk to them.
"Hey Carrie," said Hermione. Ron grinned. "How was your summer?" Carrie could tell that Hermione was only talking to her to act responsable and be polite. If she wasn't a prefect, she probably wouldn't even talk to her.
"Hi Hermione. Hi Ron. I had a pretty cool summer. My dad had to take a trip out to Italy to talk to the Italian Minister for Magic, and I got to accompany him. It was actually pretty cool, seeing how Italian witches and wizards learn magic. Their school, Grandimagia, was so much bigger than Hogwarts, and the kids there were so smart. They were all so smart and professional and great wizards. It was really cool to see. They have school all year round, but they only go to school from Tuesday to Thursday, and the rest of the week they have off."
"That's pretty cool," replied Hermione enthusiasticly. "I went to Holland, but they're not to fond of wizardry, so I had to act like a Muggle all the time. It was kind of annoying, since a country with such an exciting history didn't allow magic, so I couldn't even have my wand on me. But your summer sounded so cool Carrie. I would love to go to Italy sometime." Carrie smiled, and Hermione smiled back. Ron grinned, but he didn't participate in the conversation, probably because he just stayed home over the summer.
In the front, Professor Snape cleared his throat. "Come now prefects. I expect you of all students to be well behaved. Now, shut your mouths, and listen." The small group of kids immediatly stopped talking, and Hermione looked up at Professor Snape, listening intently. "Good, now, this year, Hogwarts is opening it's doors to other schools, to let them learn how us in England learn. A select few of the brightests and best behaved from Grandimagia Castle, Beauxbatons Acadamy, and Durmstrang Insitute will be coming, and arriving in a week. They will be sorting according to our ceremony, participate in your classes, sleep in your dormitories, try out for Quidditch Teams, etcetera. Now, the house prefects will be in charge of informing your houses, and making sure they are on their best behavior. They will come to your for help, and you will all be expected to learn their language. The Beauxbatons students were here before, and they have learned more English, but the Grandimagia students are only familiar with a few English words, so many of you will need to learn Italian. You will have three students from each school joining your house. Everyone understand?" Everyone nodded excitedly. "Good, now, go to your tables and inform your peers. Professor Dumbledore will be telling the school more in his opening remarks after the feast and Sorting Ceromony.Now, go."
Professor Snape made a motion with his hands, telling them to go in. Carrie looked around for Coleen and Draco, but they weren't there. "I hope they come back soon," she muttered quietyly. She adjusted her robes, and processed slowly into the Great Hall, where all the students were already seated. The first years who were getting ready to be sorted looked at them fearfully, and went back to nervously chatting with their friends. A few people recognized Carrie from the newspaper articles she was in with her father. She took a seat at the Ravenclaw table, beside Dani, who didn't look at her at all. Instead, she was talking with someone who Carrie didn't know, so she ignored Dani too. She started telling a few people across the table from her about the different schools that would be arriving in a week. The younger children were really excited, but the older ones weren't as enthusiastic. This just meant more crowded common rooms, and more homework.
The Sorting Ceromony had started, and it arrived at Grace Greshin, Coleen's little sister. Carrie smiled: they looked exactly the same, only Grace looked so small and scared. She sat on the stool, and the old hat was placed on her head. The Hall was quiet for a moment, then the hat yelled out "Ravenclaw!" The Slytherin table cheered, as did the Ravenclaws. Grace took a seat beside Carrie.
"Hi, I'm Carrie," she said, smiling at Grace. "I know your sister, Coleen."
"Hi," replied Grace shyly. She had blonde hair like her sister, and a small voice. By now, the Sorting Ceromony was nearly over, and the cheering was nearly finished. She had already caught the eye of about six boys, but only two of them were in her year. The other ones were in at least their fifth year. "Do you know where Coleen is? We got onto the train together, she left with her friends, and I saw her get off. I didn't see her at the Slytherin table either."
Carrie blushed. She couldn't tell Grace where Coleen had really gone. It would probably scare her. "I think she went to go with Professor Flitwick to do something." Carrie felt bad, having to lie to Grace about her sister, but she couldn't tell the truth.
"Okay, thanks Carrie," responded Grace in her same small voice. "I need to tell her I'm in Ravenclaw, so I'm going to ask Professor Flitwick where Coleen went." She got up, then blushed. "Carrie, which one is Professor Flitwick? I only know who Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonnagal are, but thats it."
Carrie giggled. "He's the short one with the long nose and white hair. The one sitting on the three books and a cusion." Grace laughed, then walked up to the table, then spoke to Professor Flitwick. Carrie couldn't hear what they were saying, but Grace's face grew dark, and Professor Flitwick shook his small head, then scanned the area. He turned to Professor McGonnagal and spoke to her in a quiet voice. She too scanned the Hall, but didn't see Coleen anywhere. She spoke to Grace, then stood up. The Great Hall grew silent.
"Is Coleen Greshin present?" Professor McGonnagal's clear voice rang out the Hall, echoing against the high ceiling. Nobody spoke, but a few murmurs travelled throughout the Hall. Carrie shrunk back in her chair, hiding herself from view. "I will repeat, is Coleen Greshin, sixth year Slytherin house here?" Nobody spoke. "Then I ask that all students go to their dormitories immediatly. This is a Missing Student Emergency, and we must take action. For all hungry students, please ask your house prefects to perform a simple Gourmet spell, and you will eat there. The prefects will be more than happy to do so. Now, please follow the prefects to your dormitories immediatly. Anyone who has information on Coleen Greshin, please come see Professor Flitwick or myself. Thank-you."
Grace looked close to tears. Carrie wanted to tell her the truth about her sister, but couldn't risk it. She stood up, and the Ravenclaw table followed her out, toward the Ravenclaw dorm on the second floor.
"I want you all on your best behaviour," he snarled at the large group of sixth years surrounding him. Carrie noticed Dani had saved their usual spot at the very front of the group. However, Carrie stayed with Coleen and Draco and the other girls near the middle of the group. "This is your sixth year at this school, and you only have one more to go after this. I expect nothing more than perfect from you bunch of children. Understand? This will be a touch year, as you are preparing to enter the wizarding work force, and taking your N.E.W.T.S next year, so we will be preparing you for those tests. Now the Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. Go to your respected tables, but I must ask that all prefects stay here. I must have a word with you."
Carrie flushed. She was a school prefect, and next on the line to become Head Girl. Hermione was in the running, but her frequent ability to get herself into trouble allowed Carrie to have a better chance. Coleen and Mallory gave her a cheerful smile, and Sabrina gave a small wave. Jen had gone off to find her boyfriend.
"See you later," said Coleen. Mallory and Sabrina walked with the group to get to the Slytherin table, but Coleen and Draco went the other way.
"Where are you going?" asked Carrie. She walked closer to the front of the group, in front of Professor Snape with Ron and Hermione and the other school prefects.
"To have some fun before the feast," replied Coleen mischieviously. Carrie studied her friend, but then smiled.
"Okay, but be back soon. I can't cover for you forever, but I'll make sure McGonnagal and Snape don't go looking for you too soon. See you guys later." Carrie smiled, and Coleen beamed happily. She took Draco's hand, and they sneaked off quietly away from the group. Carrie was pleased with their reaction, but couldn't help but feel guilty. She stood beside Ron and Hermione, who were waiting for Professor Snape to talk to them.
"Hey Carrie," said Hermione. Ron grinned. "How was your summer?" Carrie could tell that Hermione was only talking to her to act responsable and be polite. If she wasn't a prefect, she probably wouldn't even talk to her.
"Hi Hermione. Hi Ron. I had a pretty cool summer. My dad had to take a trip out to Italy to talk to the Italian Minister for Magic, and I got to accompany him. It was actually pretty cool, seeing how Italian witches and wizards learn magic. Their school, Grandimagia, was so much bigger than Hogwarts, and the kids there were so smart. They were all so smart and professional and great wizards. It was really cool to see. They have school all year round, but they only go to school from Tuesday to Thursday, and the rest of the week they have off."
"That's pretty cool," replied Hermione enthusiasticly. "I went to Holland, but they're not to fond of wizardry, so I had to act like a Muggle all the time. It was kind of annoying, since a country with such an exciting history didn't allow magic, so I couldn't even have my wand on me. But your summer sounded so cool Carrie. I would love to go to Italy sometime." Carrie smiled, and Hermione smiled back. Ron grinned, but he didn't participate in the conversation, probably because he just stayed home over the summer.
In the front, Professor Snape cleared his throat. "Come now prefects. I expect you of all students to be well behaved. Now, shut your mouths, and listen." The small group of kids immediatly stopped talking, and Hermione looked up at Professor Snape, listening intently. "Good, now, this year, Hogwarts is opening it's doors to other schools, to let them learn how us in England learn. A select few of the brightests and best behaved from Grandimagia Castle, Beauxbatons Acadamy, and Durmstrang Insitute will be coming, and arriving in a week. They will be sorting according to our ceremony, participate in your classes, sleep in your dormitories, try out for Quidditch Teams, etcetera. Now, the house prefects will be in charge of informing your houses, and making sure they are on their best behavior. They will come to your for help, and you will all be expected to learn their language. The Beauxbatons students were here before, and they have learned more English, but the Grandimagia students are only familiar with a few English words, so many of you will need to learn Italian. You will have three students from each school joining your house. Everyone understand?" Everyone nodded excitedly. "Good, now, go to your tables and inform your peers. Professor Dumbledore will be telling the school more in his opening remarks after the feast and Sorting Ceromony.Now, go."
Professor Snape made a motion with his hands, telling them to go in. Carrie looked around for Coleen and Draco, but they weren't there. "I hope they come back soon," she muttered quietyly. She adjusted her robes, and processed slowly into the Great Hall, where all the students were already seated. The first years who were getting ready to be sorted looked at them fearfully, and went back to nervously chatting with their friends. A few people recognized Carrie from the newspaper articles she was in with her father. She took a seat at the Ravenclaw table, beside Dani, who didn't look at her at all. Instead, she was talking with someone who Carrie didn't know, so she ignored Dani too. She started telling a few people across the table from her about the different schools that would be arriving in a week. The younger children were really excited, but the older ones weren't as enthusiastic. This just meant more crowded common rooms, and more homework.
The Sorting Ceromony had started, and it arrived at Grace Greshin, Coleen's little sister. Carrie smiled: they looked exactly the same, only Grace looked so small and scared. She sat on the stool, and the old hat was placed on her head. The Hall was quiet for a moment, then the hat yelled out "Ravenclaw!" The Slytherin table cheered, as did the Ravenclaws. Grace took a seat beside Carrie.
"Hi, I'm Carrie," she said, smiling at Grace. "I know your sister, Coleen."
"Hi," replied Grace shyly. She had blonde hair like her sister, and a small voice. By now, the Sorting Ceromony was nearly over, and the cheering was nearly finished. She had already caught the eye of about six boys, but only two of them were in her year. The other ones were in at least their fifth year. "Do you know where Coleen is? We got onto the train together, she left with her friends, and I saw her get off. I didn't see her at the Slytherin table either."
Carrie blushed. She couldn't tell Grace where Coleen had really gone. It would probably scare her. "I think she went to go with Professor Flitwick to do something." Carrie felt bad, having to lie to Grace about her sister, but she couldn't tell the truth.
"Okay, thanks Carrie," responded Grace in her same small voice. "I need to tell her I'm in Ravenclaw, so I'm going to ask Professor Flitwick where Coleen went." She got up, then blushed. "Carrie, which one is Professor Flitwick? I only know who Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonnagal are, but thats it."
Carrie giggled. "He's the short one with the long nose and white hair. The one sitting on the three books and a cusion." Grace laughed, then walked up to the table, then spoke to Professor Flitwick. Carrie couldn't hear what they were saying, but Grace's face grew dark, and Professor Flitwick shook his small head, then scanned the area. He turned to Professor McGonnagal and spoke to her in a quiet voice. She too scanned the Hall, but didn't see Coleen anywhere. She spoke to Grace, then stood up. The Great Hall grew silent.
"Is Coleen Greshin present?" Professor McGonnagal's clear voice rang out the Hall, echoing against the high ceiling. Nobody spoke, but a few murmurs travelled throughout the Hall. Carrie shrunk back in her chair, hiding herself from view. "I will repeat, is Coleen Greshin, sixth year Slytherin house here?" Nobody spoke. "Then I ask that all students go to their dormitories immediatly. This is a Missing Student Emergency, and we must take action. For all hungry students, please ask your house prefects to perform a simple Gourmet spell, and you will eat there. The prefects will be more than happy to do so. Now, please follow the prefects to your dormitories immediatly. Anyone who has information on Coleen Greshin, please come see Professor Flitwick or myself. Thank-you."
Grace looked close to tears. Carrie wanted to tell her the truth about her sister, but couldn't risk it. She stood up, and the Ravenclaw table followed her out, toward the Ravenclaw dorm on the second floor.