Chapter 3: The Feast
A/N: Okay, here's the deal. I just looked back in my spiral and I found that I sort of started to write chapter three (well, the author's note and the review replies) so I'm actually going to write the chapter this time. I think in June I sort of gave up on fanfiction, apart from reading my friend's fics. Anyways, I'm back! I read it over and decided to continue! And I've forgotten a few things, like what was going to happen with my cliffie, so it's going to be really lame so sorry. And I had a really good idea for a house, but now I can't decide between two. So sorry, but if you're reading this thank you tons for continuing to read! Now some review answers.
JulyFlame: Well, it's not my fault, I just can't help it, but how can you support Harry/Ginny? (I'm assuming that.) Thanks for the beta suggestions, I'll look into it. And yes I've thought about the teachers and their jobs, and I agree with you on the house thing, and I'm either going to do that or the one you didn't mention. And obviously it wouldn't be a fic without Malfoy or someone like him, but I'm still thinking about that character. What do you think of a girl Malfoy? And yes, I've got ideas about headmaster/headmistress. Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou! I just remembered the ending to my cliffie! You're the best! Thank you tons for the review and for that!
jgils: Thanks, but what do you mean by "haooy"? Is it meant to be "Harry"?
Miss Mione: Thanks for the beta stuff – but checkmated is just for Ron/Hermione isn't it? And yes I'll review your story, if you continue Living Torture (I haven't given up yet!).
MzHissyFits: Heehee. I've never been that talented at writing cliffies, but it's good to know someone likes them. And good luck with the Katie/Oliver thing, it's a lot better than a lot of other ships. Tell me when you write it so I can read it please!
Miss Nano and Miss Alexandria: Hey! Thanks for reviewing, tell me when your story gets on.
Magicalmoments: Thanks! I found it and reviewed, as you probably know. It's super good!
Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own HP, just this fanfic.
'HUFFLEPUFF!' Stella just sat there. Mixed emotions. Relief came first. Then there was amazement. And next joy. She stood up shakily, making her way over to the table with all of the other Hufflepuffs and sat down at the end, smiling. It was only after she had heard the next person called, Jeffrey Rolland, and sorted into Ravenclaw, that Stella was able to look up and smile at the person who sat in the middle of the teachers table. In between a very short man with a beard and another man with brown hair streaked grey was the golden high chair for the headmaster. Stella had been so surprised at who was sitting there, still looking a bit uncertain, because it was Hagrid.
Stella didn't know that much about Hagrid, but Katie had told her that he had been almost like a father to Harry before it all happened. Harry had sort of pulled away afterwards, but she believed that in his heart he still loved Hagrid. Hagrid had been Keeper of the Keys and Grounds, and then in Harry's third year he had been appointed the position of Care of Magical Creatures. From what Katie had told Stella, she had gathered that he was absentminded, clumsy and forgetful, but had a way with creatures and underneath it all was just plain nice. Truthfully, Stella thought that he would be the last choice of anyone to be chosen for headmaster at Hogwarts, but, she guessed, whoever it was would have their reasons.
Stella contented herself with examining the Great Hall and its ceiling until Tory's name was called, and then she held her breath again. Come on, she thought, come on, let it be Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. The hat seemed to take an eternity to decide and open its mouth. But it finally did.
'RAVENCLAW!' the hat shouted. Stella slumped in her seat. It would have to happen, wouldn't it. The two people she had met on the train and would have had a chance of becoming her friends would both have to be in different houses. She tried to look on the bright side and smile at Tory, but it just wouldn't come. Stella sighed, and stared at her plate. Then Hagrid stood up and spoke.
'Er, good evenin' all o' the ol' students and newcomers. Um, it's been a long break fer all of you, I'm sure, an' hopefully we're all 'appy to be comin' back 'ere to 'ogwarts. As many of you know, our everlastin' friend Professor Dumbledore passed away six winters ago. Professor McGonagall took over the duty of 'eadmistress, but, unfortunately, this year she has been unable to continue 'er job. You see,well, over the summer she was hit with a spell, an' right now is lyin' on a bed in St. Mungo's recoverin'. Nobody knows anythin' 'bout it, even 'er.' A tear dropped from Hagrid's eye onto his golden platter at this point. He wiped it away. 'And so now, she's appointed me 'eadmaster of this great school in 'ope that I will, er, continue to 'elp you succeed in learnin'. To those o' you who don't know me, I'm Professor 'agrid. Now the others are gonna introduce themselves, I think.' He sat back down. 'Professor Snape,' he indicated.
A man stood up with greasy black hair, waxy skin, needlelike eyes and a long, hooked nose. He introduced himself as Professor Snape and he taught Potions, also being head of Slytherin house. Stella already decided she didn't like him. Next there was a lady who looked sort of out of it, the one who Stella had seen earlier with radish earrings. She said she was Professor Lovegood and taught Herbology along with head of Hufflepuff house. Professor Rosmunda was after her (Stella had also noticed her earlier, the one with a hippogriff tattoo), and she taught Care of Magical Creatures and was head of Ravenclaw house. After Professor Rosmunda was Professor Kora, teaching Muggle Studies, and Professor Flitwick, who taught Charms and was head of Gryffindor house. Professor Hagrid then went to the other side of him with Professor Renault, the Arithmancy teacher, and Professor Washlepot, the assistant headmistress and Transfiguration teacher. After her was Professor Jethro (History of Magic) and Professor Gemma (Astronomy).
Stella thought Hagrid and the teachers' speeches were never going to end, but finally Professor Hagrid said his last comments.
'Lastly, there 'ave been a few changes at 'ogwarts. Fer instance, ev'ry Friday at mealtimes you can sit wherever you want, not just at yer 'ouse tables. An' also, on Fridays you can wear whatever you want, not just yer uniforms. An' oh yeah, 'bout the classes. In yer first year you've got to take all o' the basic ones an' such, but you can also take a few others like Arithmancy an' Divination. It depends on yer schedule about which ones an' how many you get. You'll get yer schedules firs' thing tomorrow mornin'. I think that'll be all though. Well, er, then I guess it's on with the feast!' Stella cheered with everybody else about the new rules. Maybe, she thought, it won't be too bad having friends in other houses. I'll probably make some in Hufflepuff as well. She felt a lot happier as she dug into her Yorkshire Puddings. She turned to the girl next to her and the boy across from her and started to introduce herself.
That night, lying in bed, Stella felt very contented. Her luggage had been brought up and she lay under the freshly warmed sheets in pale green pyjamas. She had met all of the boys and girls in Hufflepuff in her year and so far she disliked none of them. There were five other girls and seven boys. The girls were Jocelyn, Holly, Ellen, Danielle and Abbie. The boys were Gil, Carter, Art, Jude, Mike, Leo and Kurt. So far Stella knew that Holly, Danielle and Abbie all had muggle parents and Ellen was half-and-half. She also knew that Jocelyn and Gil had wizard parents like her. As for the others, Stella didn't know. Abbie and Danielle had owls, and Holly had a cat but Ellen and Jocelyn didn't have any animals.
Stella lay there, listening to the others drift off to sleep, and thought about what the day had brought. So she hadn't made any real friends, but she had talked to quite a few people and even the older people seemed nice. She had so much to learn about Hogwarts, like the classes, the teachers, the students, even her way around! She couldn't wait to get her schedule tomorrow. Even though she wasn't in the same house as Tory and Neville, she might still have some classes with them, and on Fridays she could sit with them at mealtimes. Stella like the looks of a lot of the teachers too. She was really looking forward to Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology and Charms, even though there was a chance that she wouldn't get to take some of them this year. The only ones she didn't look forward to were Muggle Studies and History of Magic.
'Stella, are you awake?' The voice jerked Stella out of her thinking and she sat up quietly.
'Yeah, who else is up?' Stella whispered back.
'It's only me, Ellen, I think. I've just been listening to everyone's breathing and you're the only one I can't hear. I was just wondering, what do you think of it? I mean about Hogwarts. It's nothing like I expected. I mean, my dad told me all about it when I got the letter, but I never thought it would be like this. I mean, it's not like I imagined it, in a good way.'
'Yeah, I know what you mean. We've only been here for a few hours or so but I already feel like I fit in, like it's my home.'
'I agree. I still sort of miss my house, but it just feels right here. Like I'm moving on for a while.'
'Me too. I love Hogwarts already.' Stella stopped talking as she heard a cough. 'Whoops, we'd better go to sleep now, we don't want to wake anybody else up.'
'Yeah, okay. It's just nice to know that someone feels the same as me. I just can't believe we're actually here. Good night, Stella,' Ellen whispered.
''Night, Ellen,' Stella said back. She lay her head on her pillow and went to sleep.