.:Chapter 2 – Arriving and Sorting :.
As Reia rode in the thestral pulled carriage with her new friends heading towards the school, she tried to forget that she was years behind her new friends and just tried to enjoy her first night at Hogwarts before the schoolwork began. When she entered the Entrance hall she was immediately pulled aside by Professor McGonagall and told to wait for the first years. She bid goodbye to Harry, Ron and Hermione and waited by the grand staircase. Fifteen minutes later she was greeted by thoroughly soaked first years and Hagrid. Standing a good foot taller then the tallest first year she followed them into the Great hall towards the staff table, into the sea of black robes and whispers about herself.
Once the Sorting Hat had sung its song the sorting began. Not being a first year, Reia stood of to the side waiting for all the others to go and she felt her face get warmer and warmer the longer she stood there. Finally she heard her name. The sorting hat fell below her eyes blocking her view of the great hall and her peers. Suddenly she heard a voice in her ear as if it was a whisper. "Hmmm, I see a longing to belong and to find true friends. But I also see courage and bravery of heart. You could do great things if placed in the right house. The question is then Slytherin or Gryffindor?" The Sorting Hat said taking a moment before yelling "Gryffindor!" to the entire hall.
There was an eruption of applause and the hat was pulled off her head and she walk as calmly as she could towards the Gryffindor table to take her place.
"Oh I am so glad you were placed in Gryffindor with us!" Exclaimed Hermione and she hugged Reia after she had sat down.
"Yes, it is a pleasure to have so many promising faces this year" Nearly Headless Nick said and smiled at the first year beside him.
There was a tapping of a glass and all attention was turned towards the middle of the staff table were the Headmaster was standing ready to speak. "Quiet please." He started "I would like to first say welcome to Hogwarts and that we have a special student joining us this year as you already have noticed. Reia please stand up" Reia complied and nervously smiled at her peers "This is Reia Delano. Please make her feel at home here, Thank You Reia.Tuck In!" As Dumbledore and Reia sat down all of the golden plates were suddenly filled with deliciously smelling and looking food before them.
"I think that's the most I have ever eaten" claimed Ron after the last bit of food disappeared from the plates before them
"You say that every year Ron and I have yet to see any proof of that" Hermione said as she sat back.
"Now that the feast is over, time for some announcements. Mr. Filch would like me to remind you for the four-hundred-and-sixty-fourth time that magic is not permitted in the corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door. Also first-years ought to know, along with some of the older students," looking at Harry, Ron and Hermione as he continued "that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students." All three of them just smiled at each other and tried not to burst into fits of laughter "Also I would like to welcome back Professor Lupin, who was kind enough to decide to take the empty Defense Against the Dark Arts postion.
Once Dumbledore dismissed the school, Ron and Hermione left Harry and Reia alone to head towards the Gryffindor house to do their prefect duties.
"So how you feeling Reia?" asked Harry as the climbed the stair and entered a hidden passage way.
"Full, tired, excited and scared all at once" laughed Reia "but it's all good."
"That's good." Harry said as he stopped "I'm glad your enjoying yourself… hey can I ask you another question?
"You just did, but sure" Laughed Reia as she stopped too and leaned against the wall "shoot."
"Do you, or did you have a boyfriend at your last school?" he asked hoping to hear what he wanted.
"Yes, but it was a long time ago" She replied when Harry's face fell "Why, you interested?" Reia said leaning forward.
"A little." Harry said as he leaned forward a little too "I mean you are very beautiful and sweet from what I can tell."
"Just a little?" Reia asked as she leaned forward a bit more.
"Hey guys what's going on?" Neville Longbottom asked as he passed the two. He was completely oblivious to what could have been happening and to what he was interrupting.
"Um, nothing much how was your summer?" Harry asked looking into Reia's blue eyes. Reia not sure what to do looked down and away before looking back before locking eyes with Harry.
"Pretty good" Neville said as he started to continue walking on.
Deciding it was a probably a good idea, Harry and Reia followed Neville to the portrait of the Fat Lady and entered the loud and bustling Gryffindor common room.
"Well, goodnight. Sleep well Reia" Harry said and he walked away towards the boy's dormitory staircase acting as if nothing might have just happened between Reia and himself in the passage way.
"Goodnight Harry" Reia replied while smiling and shaking her head 'Boys.'