Chapter 3

At Hogwarts

Arriving in the great hall, Beth felt another lifting of spirit. As bad as the weather was, and as horrible as peeves attempt to bomb them with water balloons seemed, Hogwarts was most definantly Bethany Shielding's Home. The dark walls, and glinting windows seemed to beckon her home, and she felt gratitude, as she stepped toward the Slytherin table, decorated in green and black. Nothing could make her feel more welcome.

Eliza and Cassandra sat opposite Beth and Nott, Avery who had been the victim of one of peeves water bombs, was swearing under his breath, glaring hatefully through the big doors into the entrance hall.

When all the students where more or less seated, a long line of first years entered the great hall, lead by a very young woman Beth didn't recognize.

"Who's that?" Eliza whispered, but everyone shook their heads. A new teacher it seemed.

When the line of first years passed the Slytherin table, Avery stuck out his foot, and made one of the small boys stumble slightly. The youngster glared at Avery, who glared back, making a hissing sound.

The line approached the head of the hall, and the sorting began.

Several new students where sorted into Griffindor, such as Gideon Longbottom, and Barbara Shell, but the students soon fanned out, as the hat started shouting all the different houses in turn.

There seemed to be an unusual big amount of first years this year, Beth pointed this out, just as Rufus Scrimgour, the small boy Avery had tripped was sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Must have been breeding," Cassandra grinned, and showed off her rather sharp teeth. "But most of them look like Mudbloods," she finished.

Avery looked sour. "Dirty little things, shouldn't be allowed to come to Hogwarts anyway-"

But his hate speech of Muggleborns was interrupted by the headmaster standing up and the hall went silent. Professor Armando Dippet looked as frail and old as ever. He spread his arms and started to speak:

"My dear students. Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I have a few announcements to make, before we embark upon the delicious feats that is awaiting our hungry bellies. As you all know full well, the forest is out of bounds to everyone. Furthermore, our game keeper Ogg, wanted to tell you all, that he is keeping a vicious Snorkak, in his cabin at the moment, so please don't go near it in the next few days.

The normal rules apply to you all, the curfew is as always nine o'clock at night, after which the corridors will be patrolled and all students caught out of bounds, will be punished most severely, by our caretaker Gregory Filch.

I am also very pleased to introduce to you, a new teacher, Miss Tamara Figg, who will be taking over the post of Care of Magical Creatures lessons this year."

He indicated the very young witch, who had lead the first years to the sorting hat.

She looked pleased, and waved as the school applauded politely. She had sparkling blue eyes that seemed to take in the whole hall in one sweeping glance.

The headmaster continued as the applause died down.

"That would be all. I can see you are all very hungry, please eat and drink to your hearts content!"

At that the tables filled with the richest foods imaginable. Avery stuck out his hand immediately, and helped himself to some roast. Then he offered it to Eliza but set it down at once when she shook her head. Beth slowly reached for some patato mash, and frowned to herself. It seemed Avery was the next one to court for her dear friends heart.

As Beth lay in bed that night, Tom Riddle drifted back into her mind. Somehow she guessed that this year would be a bit different to all the others that had passed.

"Psst, Beth," Eliza whispered loudly. Beth opened her four poster bed hangings, and looked at her friend. She was sitting up in her white night gown, her black curls cascading down her shoulders to her thighs.

"Want to know what happened in the train?" She asked lightly. Beth nodded and tip toed to her bed, sitting on the foot end of the bed, facing Eliza.

"Well, we saw Black," she said grinning, "and Cassy made a right fool of herself!" She laughed, but it died down immediately.

"I think she really likes him, you know," she continued hastily. "She told him how good his hair looked, you know how good he looks, and he totally blushed. I think they will be going out together, soon enough." She sighed and pulled at a curl.

"So," Beth was confused, "I already knew that Cassy has the hots for Black, its been like that since winter last school year." She looked at her friend suspiciously.

"Is there by any chance, another thing you want to talk about?"

Eliza, glared at her, but her look softened, and she gazed at her pillow.

"I know you like Avery," she said it as fast as she could.

"What do you mean?" Beth's eyes widened. Had it been so obvious?

"What do I mean, Beth come off it, you have adored him since third year, and, wait, let me finish!" for Beth gasped in protest. "And I think we should do something about it, you and I," she said significantly.

"What do you have in mind?" Beth was skeptical, "Avery likes you, you know that!"

"Yes, I do, and that is why I was thinking of changing your looks a little." She closed her eyes, ready for a blast of foul words, but none came.

Beth sat there, thinking fast.

"What do you have in mind?" she asked again.

"Well, a bit of a make over would be going in the right direction." She smiled and held up a handful of dirty blonde curls that fell lifelessly from Beth's shoulders.

"How about on the week end? You, me and the prefect's toilets?"