As Hogwarts became ever closer Albus and Fabian lead the group down to a general landing area next to Hogsmede village. More and more students were coming in from all over the country and they all diverged on the grassy area.
A middle-aged witch was overseeing the landing of the students. Al could only assume that she was a Hogwarts teacher but beyond that he didn't recognize her. She saw the four of them then shot sparks out of her wand indicating a small space of ground on the left side of the clearing.
Fabian touched down first, followed by Albus then the others. Al touched down, grateful that the ride was finally over. As much as he liked flying he was really worn out by that long trip. He wasn't looking forward to flying back home in December when it was bound to be below freezing on the ground, let alone in the atmosphere.
The warm early September air heated his hands as they rubbed them vigorously together. He looked around to see the rest of his group all warming themselves as well. The witch was instructing the students where to go.
"First years follow Mr. Kod to the boats." She instructed. "All others head to the carriages."
"Well, you're on your own little bro," Said Adele, mussing his hair with her hand. "Be good now, and good luck on the sorting."
"Yeah, bop the troll one in the nose," Fabian joked. Albus chuckled and shook his head.
"You'll be fine." Albus said, passing Al. "I'll see you after the sorting."
They walked off, Edgar and Cassandra together, Rathus by himself, and Albus, Adele, and Fabian walking off, Adele perusing Albus and Fabian perusing Adele. Al was left alone with Markus Wesley. The red-haired boy was slightly taller than him on the ground but still fairly short and small.
"Well, I suppose we get on the boats," Said Markus nervously.
"Yeah," Said Al, and they walked off together. Al could tell that Markus was nearly as nervous as he was.
"So you're friends with Albus?" Asked Markus.
"Yeah," Said Al. "He's a family friend, used to watch me when I was little."
"He visits us too." Markus said. "My sister Emily fancied him even though she was three years older."
"My sister fancies him too!" Al chuckled.
"Is she your only sibling?" Markus asked.
"Yeah," Said Al. "Do you have any others besides Emily?"
"One," Said Markus. "Marielle, she's two years older than Emily but she was in Slytherin. Became distant with the rest of the family. Then she went off and married a Malfoy."
"A Malfoy?" Al asked.
"You heard of the Malfoy family, right?" Markus asked darkly.
"A little. I just know their pretty rich." Said Al.
"Rich and powerful, that is!" Said Markus. "Dad tells me that they're influencing the Ministry and Hogwarts too! He says Headmaster Nigellus is an old friend of theirs. Mind you, the House of Black isn't any better."
"Surely they can't all be bad!" Said Al.
"Yeah, my dad's friends with Craig Black, and he's nice," Said Markus. "But he's sort of a family outcast. Weaslys don't usually get along with Blacks and Malfoys."
Al felt suddenly jealous that the Perkins family name didn't carry as much weight as Black or Malfoy, or even Wesley. Al was only a third generation wizard—his great grandfather had been a muggle farmer. Although he liked to say he was a pureblood, most would consider him only a half-blood since most Pureblood families can trace their ancestry back at least eight to ten generations.
But the moment of jealousy passed. Everyone knew Black and Malfoy were two families you didn't want to mess with. Al was happy to be in a little-known family than a dark one.
"Do you fly?" Asked Al, changing the subject.
Instantly Markus's face lit up. "Yeah!" He said excitedly. "I fly all the time at home!"
"Me too!" Said Al. "Are you trying out for the team?"
"Yeah," Markus said. "If I get into Gryffindor, I can take my sister's place! She was a beater, and a captain!"
"Isn't there a chaser spot open too?" Al asked.
"I think so." Markus said. "No spots on Ravenclaw or Slytherin, from what I've heard, but I think half of Hufflepuff's team graduated last year."
"Well, I hope I get into Gryffindor then!" Said Al, thinking about the quidditch pitch with a yearning feeling.
They had reached the area where the boats were docked. A large and gruffy man who could only be Mr. Kod was helping the students onto the boats.
"Hand me your things, you'll get them back once you get to your dorms." He said through a mouthful of tobacco. Al and Markus gave Mr. Kod their things, both wondering if the school already knew which dorms they would be delivering them to.
Mr. Kod helped them up onto a small rowboat on the dock. Al and Markus looked at each other nervously as they sat down. Adele had said the first years traditionally rode across the lake in a boat; the only thing is he didn't know what would be waiting for them on the other side.
Al felt the boat rock slightly and looked up to see two girls joining them. One was dark haired and thin, the other was brown-haired and slightly heavyset.
"Hi," Said the brown-haired girl as she sat down.
"Hi," Said both boys. There was a pause.
"Well," The brown-haired girl said, sounding slightly annoyed. "Aren't you going to tell us who you are?"
"Oh, uh…" Said Markus. "I'm Markus Wesley, and this is…uh, Alan Perkins."
"Perkins?" The brown haired girl said, looking at Al. "My sister knows your sister. They're in the same year but different houses."
"Uh, right," Said Al, not sure what to say.
"I'm Nancy Prewitt by the way," The brown-haired girl said.
"And I'm Amanda Brown," Said the dark-haired girl.
"Nice to meet you," Markus mumbled. Al merely nodded.
"Wesley, is it?" Nancy said, eyeing Markus curiously. "Do you happen to have a cousin Charles?"
"Yeah," Said Markus. "He's in fifth year here but he lives in a different part of the country, I don't see him often."
"My sister knows him too," Nancy informed him. "They dated for a year but broke up."
"A Prewett and a Wesley together, imagine that," Amanda said. Both girls giggled.
"What, is there a feud between your families?" Al asked. Just as he said it, he wished he hadn't because it sounded nosy.
"Well, not really," Said Markus. "More of a, I dunno, a bit of a running joke." Both he and Nancy giggled.
"What?" Said Al, really confused.
"Well, this is what happened." Nancy said. "Last year when Charles and my sister Jane broke up, Charles got into a conversation with Cassandra Trelawny."
Both Markus and Brown rolled their eyes. Al looked confused; he didn't understand
"Cassandra's a Seer," Said Nancy. "Not just a crackpot either, she really has the second sight, a really good one too."
"She's creepy," Said Amanda, a touch of awe in her voice.
"Well, Charles was all upset about breaking up with Jane, and he was desperately trying to ask Cassandra if she could see any romantic prospects for him." Nancy said.
"So what happened?" Al asked.
"All she said was this:" Nancy said, preparing to recite the words from memory: "The houses of Wesley and Prewitt will stand apart for a century henceforth, but thereafter will be joined by blood and a bond of love."
She, Amanda, and Markus all laughed. Al had to admit it sounded pretty funny.
"So, apparently, one of my descendents is going to end up with one of his descendents," Nancy said, still giggling. "But when we get older Markus we can't date, because that would go against Cassandra's prediction."
Markus didn't look at all upset over this news.
"All aboard!" Kod's voice sounded over the harbor. A second later the boats gave a little lurch as they started forward across the lake. The talk almost completely died out as the boats sailed closer and closer to the castle, anticipation taking over the young first years as they passed under Hogwarts Castle for the first time.
