Ali had the most amazing day with Harry Potter. They had so much in common that it was scary. He was just so sweet, so cool, and so funny. She bought all of her books and even an extra one "Hogwarts, A history." Everyday Harry would try to tell her something interesting about their school, she would laugh at him and explain over and over that she already knew. "You'd fit in real well with my friend Hermione." he always told her.
She now had an account at Gringotts, witch she didn't even known was already saving money for her that her parents had left. She bought all of her school supplies, a Nibus 2003 broom, and her own set of Wizard's Chess. The only thing left for her to get was something she had wanted her whole life.
Ali was never allowed to have a pet. Her father was virtually allergic to everything. If she got an owl, she could let it out when ever she needed, and she didn't think her father could possibly be allergic to birds. Harry had shown her Hedwig already, and she instantly fell in love with her. She too wanted a snowy owl, and that's just what she got.
Angel, her new owl, was completely pure white with the most beautiful navy blue eyes. They clicked right away, and Ali really felt like the bird understood her. Even Hedwig liked Angel, and as Harry had said, Hedwig didn't like many others.
Life was going really great for Ali. She and Harry would stay up late at night looking at the stars on the illusional ceiling, telling each other their deepest secrets, or playing a classic game of billiards down in the pub. Harry had shown her Hagrid, who really did scare the living daylights our of her at first, but she learned he was a really sweet man.
By the time the day before school came around, Ali only had two of the extra books to read, and she had finished all of her summer work. Harry was truly amazed by everything she had accomplished, while still having so much fun with him.
Harry burst into her room early on the last day of August, and woke her. She smiled up at him, until she saw it was still seven in the morning, and she liked to sleep in until at least nine when she could. He shook her and then pulled her out of the bed. "Hurry, get dressed." he pleaded. "The Weasleys and Hermione are here!"
When he left Ali dressed in her new dark green robes that matched her eyes perfectly. She ran downstairs with Angel on her shoulder. She saw Harry standing in a circle of red heads and one girl with bushy brown hair, who had to be Hermione. Harry called out to her when he saw her walking down, and everyone turned to her.
She blushed, but that ended quickly, she was getting used to a lot of attention. Ron and Hermione ran forward and introduced themselves. "Harry's told us so much about you!" Hermione said, making Harry blush an extreme shade of red. She was introduced to Ginny and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley also. They all seemed so nice. Ali wondered if all magical people were like this.
She and Harry accompanied Ron and Hermione in buying their school things. They also went into Weasley Wizard Wheezes where Fred and George operated their joking company. Ali really enjoyed the twins presence. They had met earlier in the week. They had to be the funniest people she ever met, not to mention they were totally twin hotties!
When they walked out Ali was struck by Harry's arm holding her back as they all stopped. A boy with platinum blonde hair walked by with a man who looked a lot like him but with longer hair. Everything from their silvery eyes to their evil expressions as they pasted made Ali's heart throb.
"Who were they?" She asked as they started walking again.
"That was Draco Malfoy and his father." Ron said pounding his fist into his other palm.
"Malfoy, the one from school?"
"Yes, I can't believe he didn't say anything cruel to us!" Hermione expressed.
"Maybe because his father was there." Harry pondered.
"He sure looked angry though, I don't see how anyone could be that mad when they have all the riches in the world, and they get out of everything all the time. Dad still doesn't see how he managed to get freed from Azkaban, but Mum thinks it's because of the dementors." Rom complained.
Wow, Mr. Malfoy was in jail. Now that was the real bad boy she was looking for. Draco Malfoy seemed perfect for her... and yet... she still liked Harry. She knew him so well now and she wouldn't have been thinking those things if she would have known then what Harry told her later that night. Malfoy had been sent to prison for being a Death Eater, a murdering sidekick of Lord Voldemort, the man who killed her parents and God parents. The man who killed Harry's parents and had tried to kill him. It was a Death Eater that had killed Sirius Black, and it was Death Eaters that chased after Harry for his whole life. She felt horrible now, she liked Harry so much, and she hoped he liked her too. She knew she would just have to try and stay away from Draco Malfoy.
The next morning it was off to Platform 9 and 3/4. Ali had been just as confused as Harry had been on his first trip to Hogwarts. He held her hand and helped her through the portal. The both came through the other end blushing. They loaded their things onto the train and then Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Ali stood off the side wishing her own parents could be there. She wished her own brother was there, he was away at college and didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to her. She just up and left with out saying anything to her friends. She didn't know what to say to them. She couldn't tell them the truth. If the magical world was so hidden, she was sure there was a rule against it.
Shannon was her best friend though. She could trust her with absolutely anything! She made up her mind as they boarded the train and sat in the last carriage. She was going to write to Shannon as soon as she was settled in at school. She had to, it was her duty as a best friend.
Ali and Hermione both sat in the corner reading quietly while Ron and Harry played a game of exploding snap. It didn't seem like a very fun game to Ali. It looked awfully dangerous, and she really didn't see the point. She looked up from "Understanding The Art of Potions" just in time to see a spark fly up and catch fire on Ron's hair.
Harry and Ali were both doubled up laughing while Hermione was frantically trying to put the fire out with her wand. Ron's hair was blackened, but Hermione worked miracles with her wand. Once his hair was back to normal; well as normal as possible, and a little shorter than before, Hermione stood and said "Ron we need to walk the train now." "Bloody prefect duties." Ron mumbled as he followed Hermione out of the compartment.
Now Harry and Ali were alone, and even if Ali tried to hide behind her book, she could tell Harry was staring at her. She placed her book back inside of her bag and said "I can't wait to be sorted." Harry finally blinked and asked, "What if you don't get in Gryffindor? I won't get to see you as often."
Ali didn't really worry about it much until now. What if she was stuck in like Hufflepuff or something?! How embarrassing! She laughed that thought away and said, "Look, no matter what, we'll still be friends. Right?"
"Of course!" Harry smiled at her. They were now sitting extremely close, a position that could lead to more than talking, but the compartment door opened. They looked up at a girl with blonde hair dressed in a Ravenclaw uniform. "Sorry, but do you mind if I stay here? I really needed to get away from my jerk of a cousin."
"Sure." Harry and Ali said together, backing away from each other.
"I'm Lauren by the way." the blonde said. "You're Harry Potter of course, but sorry, I don't know your name." she said looking at Ali.
"Alietto, but please, call me Ali."
They talked to Lauren for quite some time. She was a year under them, and the highest in her class. She told them she was going to try out for her house Quidditch team that year. "Wicked, then I can beat you!" Harry exclaimed wearing a devilish look. "Not if your too distracted by Cho!" Lauren laughed.
"Cho?" Ali questioned.
"Yeah, Cho Chang. Harry's GIRLFRIEND from last year."
"I don't know if you could consider her that." Harry blushed.
"Yeah, I suppose it was never really official. Plus, then she dumped you for Mike."
"She didn't dump me, because we were just friends."
"Friends who kiss?"
"That was once... and barely!"
"It still counts."
"Besides, she caught me by surprise!"
The whole time Ali was laughing uncontrollably that the squabbling. Harry's face was beet red, from a mixture of anger and embarrassment. When they were finally done, Ali made them shake hands as a sign of friendship. She liked Lauren, and wanted them all to be friends. Little things like that shouldn't get in the way. She could definitely tell that the only reason he was being so defensive was because he liked her, and she definitely liked that!
By the time Ron and Hermione came back, the train was pulling into Hogsmead. They collected their things and stood around outside. Hagrid walked up to Ali and told her that she'd be riding on the boats with the first years. She said goodbye to her new friends and boarded one of the magical boats.
The view of the castle was breathtaking. All that could really be seen at first was the lights dancing far away, but as they grew closer, the stone frame of the huge school became clear. Ali nearly fell out of the boat as she saw how beautiful it was.
She felt so old around all of the first years. They were so tiny, so scared, so...did I mention tiny?! As they all walked inside they were greeted by the Deputy Headmistress and soon all of the first years walked into the Great Hall. Ali was asked to wait there.
She heard everyone get sorted, there was plenty of applause, and then the announcement came. An old, gentle voice, came "Welcome everyone, to another year at Hogwarts. I have a very special announcement to make. I'm sure most of you have heard or read about a very horrible mistake the Ministry of Magic has made.
"A young lady has been striped of her right to know that she is in fact a witch for her whole life. She was adopted as a young baby, and grew up in the United States of America in a small town called Piney Hollow for her childhood years.
"Now that she has found out who she really is, she has been accepted to our wonderful school, and has come. Her name is Alietto Lynn MacVerrich and she had studied very hard this summer to be caught up with her fellow sixth years. She must now be sorted into the house which suits her best. Ali, dear, please come forward."
Ali took a deep breath and pushed open the oak doors. Instantly thousands of heads turned to her. She forced herself not to turn pink. She walked through the great hall and greeted Professor McGonagall. She sat upon the stool, and felt the sorting hat on her head.
"Ah, a MacVerrich. I remember your parents well. They both were very difficult to sort." it spoke inside her head. "They both were so brave, so smart, and nice, and so powerful. They had the traits of every house. They were very well rounded."
"M-my parents went to Hogwarts?" she hadn't even wondered about it before.
"Yes, they were very good student. I can see that you are very much like them. Photographic memory. You'd do well in Ravenclaw."
"And spend all my time studying? No thanks."
"Quite right, all work and no play isn't fun. Then, how about Hufflepuff?"
"Er, well no offense but I had something a little more exciting in mind."
"Your father said that same thing. I put him in Gryffindor. He was very brave. I can tell you are also, but... there's something else."
"You're thinking about Slytherin then?"
"Well... your mother was in Slytherin. I gave her a choice between Gryffindor and Slytherin and she chose Slytherin. She wanted to prove that not all of them would turn out bad."
"It doesn't seem that she proved it."
"Oh but she did. She didn't join the death eaters. She didn't engage in any of their evil activities. She even fell in love with your father, a Gryffindor. Gryffindors and Slytherins have been rivals for many, many years."
"So, she made a difference?"
"A small one, but yes. I think you could do the same."
"No, no I couldn't. I don't want to be in Slytherin."
"It'll do you good. I've made up my mind."
Ali couldn't believe it. The hat yelled out "SLYTHERIN!" and her jaw dropped. She looked out over the impatient crowd as they finally began to clap. She stood and scanned the room. Harry was staring at her with shock written all over his face. He looked oddly pale and almost heart broken. Ron and Hermione were exchanging worried looks.
Could Slytherin really be that bad? As she crossed the room she looked over her shoulder at Lauren how smiled and waved at her. Lauren didn't seem to have a problem with it. Her mother had been in Slytherin. She turned out fine. It wouldn't be that bad, she reassured herself.
She sat at the Slytherin table on the very end. She looked down the long table at the evil and angry faces of her fellow house members. As she looked at them a great feast appeared before her eyes. "mmmMmmm" she thought and dug in.
"Move!" she heard someone say. She looked next to her and saw the girl to her right getting up. Someone else was taking her place. It was... DRACO MALFOY. Ali's heart raced. He looked even better close up! "Draco Malfoy." he said reaching out to shake her hand. "Ali... well you already know my name, huh?"
"Yeah. So, welcome to Slytherin. If you need help, I'm your man. I know everything there is to know about this school, and if not... well I have my ways of finding out. I suggest you find your place here and stop associating with...people... like that Harry Potter I saw you with in Diagon Alley. That won't make you fit in well here at Slytherin, and it could really...hurt...you later in life."
"Thanks, Draco, but I'm already friends with Harry and there's no changing that now. If I need help, I think I can figure it out on my own, but just in case... I do hope you'll still be there."
"Well, I here you're a pure blood. That better at least be true."
"Well, that's what I've been told at least. I guess I wouldn't know, growing up with Muggles and all. However, I wouldn't mind not being. Hermione Granger isn't a pure blood and she's a very intelligent witch, whom I look up to already."
"Looking up to a mud blood!? No decent Slytherin would ever do that! No decent pure blood would ever do that! Perhaps all of those years with those dirty Muggles has disrupted you!"
Ali slapped Draco in the face. How dare he say all of those things about her, her friends, and her family. He didn't even know her. They just met! How could she have ever thought he was hot? It was lucky for them both that just than everyone started getting up and heading to the dormitories.
She managed to slip off for a minute to see Harry. She told him what the hat said to her and what Draco had said. "He's such a git, Ali don't worry about him. I'm glad your not evil though! You had be a bit scared for a while. Well, you better get in with the rest of the Slytherins before you get lost. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Harry hugged her, blushed, and disappeared into the crowd.
She blended in with the Slytherins and followed them through the castle, down a few flights of stairs, through dark corridors, and into their dungeon common room. She went right to a desk and started writing to Shannon.
Dearest Shannon,
First you must know, that you are now, and always have been my best friend. I have always been able to count on you for anything and everything. Now is one of those times. I'm not sure if you have tried to contact me within the past week. I do not know what my parents would have told you if you did.
There is something I need to tell you. Something I could only trust a best friend with. You can not tell a soul. If you do your memory will be swiped of it, and I will be in huge trouble. I won't be in school anymore, I won't be back in town until Christmas, or maybe not even until the summer.
I am going to miss you so much. I'm going to miss band, choir, the play, and all of my friends! However, I am happy to be here. I am in England, in a place called Hogsmead. I am now going to a school called Hogwarts. It's a hidden castle that most people don't know about.
Let me retrace my steps. It all started when I received two letters. Both from schools. Both telling me the secret. I am a witch. I am of magical powers. My parents and God parents were murdered by a powerful wizard. That is why I was adopted.
You are a Muggle. Muggles are non-magical people. It seems so odd, thinking of you as anything but Shannon McGregor. This must be hard for you to understand. You probably don't believe it. I will try my hardest to show you later.
I have a wand now, magic books, robe school uniforms, and a pet owl; who will deliver this letter. I have some new friends now. There is Harry potter. He's so very cute. He's so sweet, I hope you can meet him someday. He's so much better than Andy will ever be! I've been becoming really close to him, and I have the HUGEST crush on him. sigh I hope he likes me too.
Then there's Hermione Granger. She's a Muggle born with no magical background. It's real easy to get along with her. She's super smart and funny. And Ron Weasley. He's pretty cute too. You'd like him. He has five older brothers and a younger sister. Wow, I wish I had that many.
I also met another girl just today. Her name is Lauren Felton. She's really understanding, I know I'll be able to count on her when I can't talk to you. You will always be first and foremost though! Anyway, today I've come to the school by train and I've been sorted into my house.
They put a really old hat on your head (and I mean really old!) and it talks to you, inside your head! It put me into Slytherin. Let me explain the houses. Ravenclaw; for the smart, Gryffindor; for the brave, Hufflepuff; for the loyal, and Slytherin; for those who want power...and usually the evil!
I know what you're probably thinking. I should have been in Ravenclaw, but I asked the hat not to place me there. I didn't want to be in Hufflepuff, because they have a pretty low reputation. I wanted to be in Gryffindor. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all in it. My dad was in it, the hat told me so. However, my mother was in Slytherin. She wanted to prove that not everyone from there would turn bad.
The hat seems to think that I can do the same thing. Now I really want to. It'll mean less time with my friends than if I was in their house, but I might be able to change something around here over the next two years. I met this boy named Draco Malfoy. His looks make Andy look like a dog! Oh gosh is he hot, but what a jerk! I'm determined now to try and change him.
I start classes tomorrow, and it's getting late. I'm going to go unpack my things and turn in for the night. Remember I love you and you are my best friend! If you have any trouble understanding this, please go to my house and talk to my parents. Best of luck with school and marching band this year. Write back as soon as you can. Oh and, if my owl Angel needs to, can you let her stay there over night? It'll be a long flight!
Sincerely,
Ali
She now had an account at Gringotts, witch she didn't even known was already saving money for her that her parents had left. She bought all of her school supplies, a Nibus 2003 broom, and her own set of Wizard's Chess. The only thing left for her to get was something she had wanted her whole life.
Ali was never allowed to have a pet. Her father was virtually allergic to everything. If she got an owl, she could let it out when ever she needed, and she didn't think her father could possibly be allergic to birds. Harry had shown her Hedwig already, and she instantly fell in love with her. She too wanted a snowy owl, and that's just what she got.
Angel, her new owl, was completely pure white with the most beautiful navy blue eyes. They clicked right away, and Ali really felt like the bird understood her. Even Hedwig liked Angel, and as Harry had said, Hedwig didn't like many others.
Life was going really great for Ali. She and Harry would stay up late at night looking at the stars on the illusional ceiling, telling each other their deepest secrets, or playing a classic game of billiards down in the pub. Harry had shown her Hagrid, who really did scare the living daylights our of her at first, but she learned he was a really sweet man.
By the time the day before school came around, Ali only had two of the extra books to read, and she had finished all of her summer work. Harry was truly amazed by everything she had accomplished, while still having so much fun with him.
Harry burst into her room early on the last day of August, and woke her. She smiled up at him, until she saw it was still seven in the morning, and she liked to sleep in until at least nine when she could. He shook her and then pulled her out of the bed. "Hurry, get dressed." he pleaded. "The Weasleys and Hermione are here!"
When he left Ali dressed in her new dark green robes that matched her eyes perfectly. She ran downstairs with Angel on her shoulder. She saw Harry standing in a circle of red heads and one girl with bushy brown hair, who had to be Hermione. Harry called out to her when he saw her walking down, and everyone turned to her.
She blushed, but that ended quickly, she was getting used to a lot of attention. Ron and Hermione ran forward and introduced themselves. "Harry's told us so much about you!" Hermione said, making Harry blush an extreme shade of red. She was introduced to Ginny and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley also. They all seemed so nice. Ali wondered if all magical people were like this.
She and Harry accompanied Ron and Hermione in buying their school things. They also went into Weasley Wizard Wheezes where Fred and George operated their joking company. Ali really enjoyed the twins presence. They had met earlier in the week. They had to be the funniest people she ever met, not to mention they were totally twin hotties!
When they walked out Ali was struck by Harry's arm holding her back as they all stopped. A boy with platinum blonde hair walked by with a man who looked a lot like him but with longer hair. Everything from their silvery eyes to their evil expressions as they pasted made Ali's heart throb.
"Who were they?" She asked as they started walking again.
"That was Draco Malfoy and his father." Ron said pounding his fist into his other palm.
"Malfoy, the one from school?"
"Yes, I can't believe he didn't say anything cruel to us!" Hermione expressed.
"Maybe because his father was there." Harry pondered.
"He sure looked angry though, I don't see how anyone could be that mad when they have all the riches in the world, and they get out of everything all the time. Dad still doesn't see how he managed to get freed from Azkaban, but Mum thinks it's because of the dementors." Rom complained.
Wow, Mr. Malfoy was in jail. Now that was the real bad boy she was looking for. Draco Malfoy seemed perfect for her... and yet... she still liked Harry. She knew him so well now and she wouldn't have been thinking those things if she would have known then what Harry told her later that night. Malfoy had been sent to prison for being a Death Eater, a murdering sidekick of Lord Voldemort, the man who killed her parents and God parents. The man who killed Harry's parents and had tried to kill him. It was a Death Eater that had killed Sirius Black, and it was Death Eaters that chased after Harry for his whole life. She felt horrible now, she liked Harry so much, and she hoped he liked her too. She knew she would just have to try and stay away from Draco Malfoy.
The next morning it was off to Platform 9 and 3/4. Ali had been just as confused as Harry had been on his first trip to Hogwarts. He held her hand and helped her through the portal. The both came through the other end blushing. They loaded their things onto the train and then Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Ali stood off the side wishing her own parents could be there. She wished her own brother was there, he was away at college and didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to her. She just up and left with out saying anything to her friends. She didn't know what to say to them. She couldn't tell them the truth. If the magical world was so hidden, she was sure there was a rule against it.
Shannon was her best friend though. She could trust her with absolutely anything! She made up her mind as they boarded the train and sat in the last carriage. She was going to write to Shannon as soon as she was settled in at school. She had to, it was her duty as a best friend.
Ali and Hermione both sat in the corner reading quietly while Ron and Harry played a game of exploding snap. It didn't seem like a very fun game to Ali. It looked awfully dangerous, and she really didn't see the point. She looked up from "Understanding The Art of Potions" just in time to see a spark fly up and catch fire on Ron's hair.
Harry and Ali were both doubled up laughing while Hermione was frantically trying to put the fire out with her wand. Ron's hair was blackened, but Hermione worked miracles with her wand. Once his hair was back to normal; well as normal as possible, and a little shorter than before, Hermione stood and said "Ron we need to walk the train now." "Bloody prefect duties." Ron mumbled as he followed Hermione out of the compartment.
Now Harry and Ali were alone, and even if Ali tried to hide behind her book, she could tell Harry was staring at her. She placed her book back inside of her bag and said "I can't wait to be sorted." Harry finally blinked and asked, "What if you don't get in Gryffindor? I won't get to see you as often."
Ali didn't really worry about it much until now. What if she was stuck in like Hufflepuff or something?! How embarrassing! She laughed that thought away and said, "Look, no matter what, we'll still be friends. Right?"
"Of course!" Harry smiled at her. They were now sitting extremely close, a position that could lead to more than talking, but the compartment door opened. They looked up at a girl with blonde hair dressed in a Ravenclaw uniform. "Sorry, but do you mind if I stay here? I really needed to get away from my jerk of a cousin."
"Sure." Harry and Ali said together, backing away from each other.
"I'm Lauren by the way." the blonde said. "You're Harry Potter of course, but sorry, I don't know your name." she said looking at Ali.
"Alietto, but please, call me Ali."
They talked to Lauren for quite some time. She was a year under them, and the highest in her class. She told them she was going to try out for her house Quidditch team that year. "Wicked, then I can beat you!" Harry exclaimed wearing a devilish look. "Not if your too distracted by Cho!" Lauren laughed.
"Cho?" Ali questioned.
"Yeah, Cho Chang. Harry's GIRLFRIEND from last year."
"I don't know if you could consider her that." Harry blushed.
"Yeah, I suppose it was never really official. Plus, then she dumped you for Mike."
"She didn't dump me, because we were just friends."
"Friends who kiss?"
"That was once... and barely!"
"It still counts."
"Besides, she caught me by surprise!"
The whole time Ali was laughing uncontrollably that the squabbling. Harry's face was beet red, from a mixture of anger and embarrassment. When they were finally done, Ali made them shake hands as a sign of friendship. She liked Lauren, and wanted them all to be friends. Little things like that shouldn't get in the way. She could definitely tell that the only reason he was being so defensive was because he liked her, and she definitely liked that!
By the time Ron and Hermione came back, the train was pulling into Hogsmead. They collected their things and stood around outside. Hagrid walked up to Ali and told her that she'd be riding on the boats with the first years. She said goodbye to her new friends and boarded one of the magical boats.
The view of the castle was breathtaking. All that could really be seen at first was the lights dancing far away, but as they grew closer, the stone frame of the huge school became clear. Ali nearly fell out of the boat as she saw how beautiful it was.
She felt so old around all of the first years. They were so tiny, so scared, so...did I mention tiny?! As they all walked inside they were greeted by the Deputy Headmistress and soon all of the first years walked into the Great Hall. Ali was asked to wait there.
She heard everyone get sorted, there was plenty of applause, and then the announcement came. An old, gentle voice, came "Welcome everyone, to another year at Hogwarts. I have a very special announcement to make. I'm sure most of you have heard or read about a very horrible mistake the Ministry of Magic has made.
"A young lady has been striped of her right to know that she is in fact a witch for her whole life. She was adopted as a young baby, and grew up in the United States of America in a small town called Piney Hollow for her childhood years.
"Now that she has found out who she really is, she has been accepted to our wonderful school, and has come. Her name is Alietto Lynn MacVerrich and she had studied very hard this summer to be caught up with her fellow sixth years. She must now be sorted into the house which suits her best. Ali, dear, please come forward."
Ali took a deep breath and pushed open the oak doors. Instantly thousands of heads turned to her. She forced herself not to turn pink. She walked through the great hall and greeted Professor McGonagall. She sat upon the stool, and felt the sorting hat on her head.
"Ah, a MacVerrich. I remember your parents well. They both were very difficult to sort." it spoke inside her head. "They both were so brave, so smart, and nice, and so powerful. They had the traits of every house. They were very well rounded."
"M-my parents went to Hogwarts?" she hadn't even wondered about it before.
"Yes, they were very good student. I can see that you are very much like them. Photographic memory. You'd do well in Ravenclaw."
"And spend all my time studying? No thanks."
"Quite right, all work and no play isn't fun. Then, how about Hufflepuff?"
"Er, well no offense but I had something a little more exciting in mind."
"Your father said that same thing. I put him in Gryffindor. He was very brave. I can tell you are also, but... there's something else."
"You're thinking about Slytherin then?"
"Well... your mother was in Slytherin. I gave her a choice between Gryffindor and Slytherin and she chose Slytherin. She wanted to prove that not all of them would turn out bad."
"It doesn't seem that she proved it."
"Oh but she did. She didn't join the death eaters. She didn't engage in any of their evil activities. She even fell in love with your father, a Gryffindor. Gryffindors and Slytherins have been rivals for many, many years."
"So, she made a difference?"
"A small one, but yes. I think you could do the same."
"No, no I couldn't. I don't want to be in Slytherin."
"It'll do you good. I've made up my mind."
Ali couldn't believe it. The hat yelled out "SLYTHERIN!" and her jaw dropped. She looked out over the impatient crowd as they finally began to clap. She stood and scanned the room. Harry was staring at her with shock written all over his face. He looked oddly pale and almost heart broken. Ron and Hermione were exchanging worried looks.
Could Slytherin really be that bad? As she crossed the room she looked over her shoulder at Lauren how smiled and waved at her. Lauren didn't seem to have a problem with it. Her mother had been in Slytherin. She turned out fine. It wouldn't be that bad, she reassured herself.
She sat at the Slytherin table on the very end. She looked down the long table at the evil and angry faces of her fellow house members. As she looked at them a great feast appeared before her eyes. "mmmMmmm" she thought and dug in.
"Move!" she heard someone say. She looked next to her and saw the girl to her right getting up. Someone else was taking her place. It was... DRACO MALFOY. Ali's heart raced. He looked even better close up! "Draco Malfoy." he said reaching out to shake her hand. "Ali... well you already know my name, huh?"
"Yeah. So, welcome to Slytherin. If you need help, I'm your man. I know everything there is to know about this school, and if not... well I have my ways of finding out. I suggest you find your place here and stop associating with...people... like that Harry Potter I saw you with in Diagon Alley. That won't make you fit in well here at Slytherin, and it could really...hurt...you later in life."
"Thanks, Draco, but I'm already friends with Harry and there's no changing that now. If I need help, I think I can figure it out on my own, but just in case... I do hope you'll still be there."
"Well, I here you're a pure blood. That better at least be true."
"Well, that's what I've been told at least. I guess I wouldn't know, growing up with Muggles and all. However, I wouldn't mind not being. Hermione Granger isn't a pure blood and she's a very intelligent witch, whom I look up to already."
"Looking up to a mud blood!? No decent Slytherin would ever do that! No decent pure blood would ever do that! Perhaps all of those years with those dirty Muggles has disrupted you!"
Ali slapped Draco in the face. How dare he say all of those things about her, her friends, and her family. He didn't even know her. They just met! How could she have ever thought he was hot? It was lucky for them both that just than everyone started getting up and heading to the dormitories.
She managed to slip off for a minute to see Harry. She told him what the hat said to her and what Draco had said. "He's such a git, Ali don't worry about him. I'm glad your not evil though! You had be a bit scared for a while. Well, you better get in with the rest of the Slytherins before you get lost. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Harry hugged her, blushed, and disappeared into the crowd.
She blended in with the Slytherins and followed them through the castle, down a few flights of stairs, through dark corridors, and into their dungeon common room. She went right to a desk and started writing to Shannon.
Dearest Shannon,
First you must know, that you are now, and always have been my best friend. I have always been able to count on you for anything and everything. Now is one of those times. I'm not sure if you have tried to contact me within the past week. I do not know what my parents would have told you if you did.
There is something I need to tell you. Something I could only trust a best friend with. You can not tell a soul. If you do your memory will be swiped of it, and I will be in huge trouble. I won't be in school anymore, I won't be back in town until Christmas, or maybe not even until the summer.
I am going to miss you so much. I'm going to miss band, choir, the play, and all of my friends! However, I am happy to be here. I am in England, in a place called Hogsmead. I am now going to a school called Hogwarts. It's a hidden castle that most people don't know about.
Let me retrace my steps. It all started when I received two letters. Both from schools. Both telling me the secret. I am a witch. I am of magical powers. My parents and God parents were murdered by a powerful wizard. That is why I was adopted.
You are a Muggle. Muggles are non-magical people. It seems so odd, thinking of you as anything but Shannon McGregor. This must be hard for you to understand. You probably don't believe it. I will try my hardest to show you later.
I have a wand now, magic books, robe school uniforms, and a pet owl; who will deliver this letter. I have some new friends now. There is Harry potter. He's so very cute. He's so sweet, I hope you can meet him someday. He's so much better than Andy will ever be! I've been becoming really close to him, and I have the HUGEST crush on him. sigh I hope he likes me too.
Then there's Hermione Granger. She's a Muggle born with no magical background. It's real easy to get along with her. She's super smart and funny. And Ron Weasley. He's pretty cute too. You'd like him. He has five older brothers and a younger sister. Wow, I wish I had that many.
I also met another girl just today. Her name is Lauren Felton. She's really understanding, I know I'll be able to count on her when I can't talk to you. You will always be first and foremost though! Anyway, today I've come to the school by train and I've been sorted into my house.
They put a really old hat on your head (and I mean really old!) and it talks to you, inside your head! It put me into Slytherin. Let me explain the houses. Ravenclaw; for the smart, Gryffindor; for the brave, Hufflepuff; for the loyal, and Slytherin; for those who want power...and usually the evil!
I know what you're probably thinking. I should have been in Ravenclaw, but I asked the hat not to place me there. I didn't want to be in Hufflepuff, because they have a pretty low reputation. I wanted to be in Gryffindor. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all in it. My dad was in it, the hat told me so. However, my mother was in Slytherin. She wanted to prove that not everyone from there would turn bad.
The hat seems to think that I can do the same thing. Now I really want to. It'll mean less time with my friends than if I was in their house, but I might be able to change something around here over the next two years. I met this boy named Draco Malfoy. His looks make Andy look like a dog! Oh gosh is he hot, but what a jerk! I'm determined now to try and change him.
I start classes tomorrow, and it's getting late. I'm going to go unpack my things and turn in for the night. Remember I love you and you are my best friend! If you have any trouble understanding this, please go to my house and talk to my parents. Best of luck with school and marching band this year. Write back as soon as you can. Oh and, if my owl Angel needs to, can you let her stay there over night? It'll be a long flight!
Sincerely,
Ali