Chappie Eight
Araminta woke up in her new room at Hogwarts. She had a little fire that crackled away merrily across from her four-poster bed (which Bollocksy herself had hung in green and gold velvet). She also had her own bath, desk, couch, and closet. It wasn't quite as lush as her room at home, but it had a certain rustic charm that she couldn't deny.
After a shower, Araminta groomed herself carefully and scrutinzed herself in the mirror. What would today be like? The students had liked her last night, but they would have had all night to think about her and gossip about her. She was the daughter of the two most handsome wizards alive; this had disgruntled many women (and men) throughout the wizarding world.
Blake and Selene were waiting for her at the Slytherin table. "Have some pancakes, and there's Cheerios, too." Selene topped hers with strawberries and fresh cream.
"I'm rather fond of Count Chocula, myself. Even Professor Snape likes it. See?" Blake nodded his head to the staff table, and, sure enough, Snape was eating Count Chocula and drinking a large glass of tomato juice.
"Here's your schedule." Selene pulled Araminta's out of her schoolbag. "Snape brought them around a few minutes ago. We have--well, the Slytherins have--Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, then Transfiguration, and Potions with Gryffindor. Tomorrow we have Charms with Ravenclaw and Astronomy..."
Araminta tuned her out and looked at her schedule. It didn't look too difficult. She'd borrowed Auntie Hermione's schoolbooks last year and memorized everything in them. This year was going to be a breeze!
"...and Quidditch tryouts are on Thursday, but I hear first years never make the House teams." Blake waved a hand in front of Araminta's face. "Are you listening?"
"Sure," said Araminta. "I was just a little distracted."
Selene and Blake exchanged glances. "Hope this doesn't last all day, or we'll lose fifty points before tea!" they said together. "C'mon, there's the bell. Let's go!"