Once inside Madame Malkin's, the trio started talking again, much to the distaste of Madame Malkin herself.
"Always chattering, always making it harder on me," muttered the old woman whose silvery grey hair stringed out from under her hat.
They also gained a friend as well. Her name was Michelle Longbottom, daughter of Neville and Mellisa Longbottom. Michelle had shoulder length mousy brown hair, hazel green eyes, and was almost as tall as Lindy, wearing muggle clothes. She told Lindy and Lonni of a muggle store down the street during their conversation.
Next they (Michelle included) went to Flourish and Blotts. Lonni and Jacob practically had to drag Lindy out, followed by Michelle who carried their bags.
"I can't help the fact I love to read," complained Lindy, looking like she did whenever her father's team lost.
"Trust me, we know," replied Lonni.
At the Apothecary, foursome got all their potions ingredients. For lunch, they stopped at Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlor. Lindy ordered chocolate, Lonni-mint chocolate, Michelle-strawberry, and Jacob decided to try bat-wing ice cream.
"Gross!!! This is disgusting!" protested Jacob after taking a bite of it. "I'm going to get some vanilla."
"K," said the girls as he left.
"He sounds like a prep," said Lonni as she licked her spoon.
"Don't all British boys?" murmured Michelle.
"I'm starting to think so, though that Nick Riddle wasn't too bad. Actually, he seems human," replied Lonni. "Of course Lindy likes him, don't you?"
"I do not," she lied, making both Michelle and Lonni grin.
"What about Jacob?" asked Michelle, making both Lindy and Lonni grimace.
"Let's change the topic," muttered Lindy, starting to finish off her cone.
"Hey," said Michelle as a sudden thought, "you guys want to go to that muggle mall down the street that I mentioned earlier? I can take Jacob around while you're gone."
"You sure you can handle him?" asked Lindy uneasily.
"Yeah," Michelle replied, noticing Jacob was on his way back. "Go now!"
Thanking Michelle, they left. On their way out Lindy stopped at an owl post and sent a note to her mum, telling her were they were going.
"Just in case something happens," Lindy told Lonni as they exited.
They returned that with shopping bags on both arms. The weight pulled as they trudged up the stairs to their room. Lindy quickly put her clothes she'd purchased away, as well as her new shoes. Then there was the bags.
With no garbage bag in sight, she picked them up to throw away downstairs. However, there came a knock at the door.
"Lindy," said a voice who she supposed was Jacob, "come on! We're heading downstairs to eat."
"Hold on!" Lindy hollered back under the pressure of evidence they'd ditched him. 'A spell,' she muttered to herself in her mind. Pointing her finger at the bags she said the incantation that was supposed to causing the bag to rip up into a thousand pieces.
A whisp of smoke came out but nothing more. Frowning, Lindy tore the bags up and stuck them a drawer before opening the door to just find Jacob.
"Where's Lonni?" she asked, looking past him in attempt to find her friend.
"Already downstairs," said Jacob as she closed the door. The raced down the stairs and over to the booth Lonni sat at, looking at the menu.
"I'll just have some soup," said Lonni, handing the menu to the two.
"Same here," said Lindy.
"I'll have some chicken and baked potatoes," said Jacob, sitting it down.
Lindy caught Lonni's eye and told Jacob politely that it was a very unique order.
That night they went shopping a bit more, then went to their rooms to rest. Lindy looked in the mirror for a moment and thought her reflection winked back at her, but she hadn't winked. Ignoring it, she laid down and went to sleep. Again she had her normal dream, tossing and turning as the night went on.
Come September 1st, Lindy, Lonni, and Jacob brought all their supplies, plus extra. Lindy had more than enough books from the Cozy Pub and Flourish and Blotts to form her own library. Lonni visited her Uncle's shop and stocked up on prank and joke supplies. Jacob had purchased a bunch of sweets and products from the Weasley's shop as well.
"Come on," said Lindy before throwing the floo powder in the fire. "Platform nine and three quarters."
Suddenly, the fire smoked and ashes swirled around her. Squeezing her eyes shut , Lindy prayed it would all soon end. A second later she felt a small thud beneath her. Her feet were now touching solid ground.
Quickly she crawled out of the fire place, then started dusting off her glasses when she heard a familiar voice shout, "Oi! Lindy!"
Rubbing her glasses with the end of her t-shirt, Lindy hastily placed them back and grinned as Michelle came running up to her.
"Hi," said Michelle, hugging her. "Where's Lonni and Jacob?"
"Back here!" said a voice from behind Lindy, causing her to turn. Lonni's pigtails were uneven and Jacob was covered in ashes. The three promised to sit with Michelle on the train, then left to go load their trunks.
"We packed too much," complained Jacob on their way back to a compartment. "I had a fun time trying to hold on to it-"
"You big baby," said Lonni, cutting him off. He glared at her but said nothing.
Michelle joined them a few moments later. Lonni and her chatted while Lindy took out a tattered copy of "Ancient Runes: A Guide" and Jacob leaned back, starring out the window.
About half way there, Lonni looked over at Lindy and asked, "Why are you reading that? We don't have that class till third year, if you even sign up for it."
"I happen to like ancient runes," she replied, not even looking up. Lonni sighed and rolled her eyes. Just then, someone poked their head in and looked around.
"Excuse me, can I sit with you guys?" asked the person (who happened to be a girl.) She had to be about five foot one, her brown hair passing her shoulders and her emerald green eyes sparkling. "I'm Katherine, and who are you all?"
"Lonni Weasley," said Lonni, shaking Katherine's hand.
"Jacob Davis," he replied, not looking away from the window.
"Michelle Longbottom," said Michelle, also shaking her hand.
"I'm Lindy," Lindy answered casually.
"Lindy what?"
Lindy hesitated before curtly saying, "Potter."
"Are you? Well, my parents have told me all about your parents," she said while taking a seat by Jacob. "So, which house do you want to be in? I hope I'm in Hufflepuff."
"Houses?" asked Jacob, finally looking away.
"Oh, you must be a mudblood," said Katherine, eyeing him.
"Watch it," said Lindy warningly.
"I mean, muggleborn. Anyway, at Hogwarts you get sorted by the Sorting Hat into four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
"I want to be in Gryffindor," replied Lindy, now back to reading her book.
"Me too," replied Lonni and Michelle.
"I hope I'm with some friends," said Jacob as he looked back out the window.
Soon after the woman with the cart popped in and asked if they wanted any candy. Lindy bought a lot of chocolate frogs and other varieties, introducing each one to Jacob. He grinned and tried every one. The rest remained silent, a few words exchanged here and there.
"I'm going up front to ask how much longer," said Katherine, breaking the silence. Once she was gone, Lonni and Michelle let out two sighs, and Lindy asked, "What is it?"
"Obvious, isn't it?" asked Michelle back in response.
Just then Katherine came back in, and she wasn't alone. Jade Malfoy stood behind her looking very smugly at the four.
"Hi," said Michelle politely, having not met Malfoy.
"You're a Longbottom, aren't you?" she asked smirking. "What are you looking at Potter?"
Lindy, who was looking at the door right behind her, had a disgusted expression on her face.
"Trying to figure out which hex to use on you," replied Lindy. "Any suggestions?"
"That's rather rude," Katherine spoke up.
"Well no one said you had to stay," shot back Lonni.
Katherine glared at each in turn, then tapped on Jade and muttered, "Let's go. I see we're not wanted here. And by the way, there's 15 minutes till we arrive."
The two girls left and Jacob got up and went to the bathroom to change. The others, being all girls, switched the clothes in their compartment. Suddenly, the train came to a jerky stop, causing all three girls to thud to the ground, still in the process of changing.
"Oh goodness!" muttered Lonni, except she didn't say "goodness". Lindy opened her mouth to say something, but closed it.
"She lied," said Michelle, looking at her watch (which happened to be magical to not only tell their time, but time around the globe). "If I'm correct it was 10 minutes, not 15."
"That butt hole," replied Lonni as they grabbed their things.
Once they exited the train, the four handed their belongings to a middle aged man, who took them over to a car, and walked toward a large man shouting, "Firs' years over her'!"
This man definitely had giant blood in him. He had smoke grey hair with black strands mixed in. His eyes were beady black and his laugh could warm anyone's soul on a cold day. Lindy looked up and saw the stars twinkle above her. Lonni leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Man! That guy must have a huge case of gigantism."
The giant spotted Lindy, Lonni, and Michelle and said in a booming voice, "'Ello you three! You can ride with me."
Lindy and Lonni walked toward him, but Michelle stood behind. Jacob instead joined them and once all four were on the boat the giant introduced himself.
"I'm Rebeus Hagrid, Ground Keeper o' Keys and Care o' Magical Creatures teacher. An' I know everyone o' yer parents."
"Even mine?" asked Jacob.
"Er-well no, but yer last name is Davis, right? I knew yer cousin that came her' a while back. Hannah?"
"Yep," he said smiling.
The boats landed on the other side and Hagrid helped everyone out. Then they headed up the path and through the oak doors, finally stopping in front of another set of oak doors, however these were different. They had all sorts of markings all over them. Standing in front of them was none other than Professor Potter.
"Hello! Welcome to Hogwarts. In a moment I'm going to take you into the Great Hall where you'll be sorted into your houses. There are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Any questions?"
Everyone remand quite and still, most likely out of nerves.
"Ok, follow me!"
The doors spread apart at her command and they entered. That night the stars above their heads twinkled. The tables were packed with students in each house, and the first years felt a bit more comfortable by starring in awe at the decorations. They stopped a foot away from the stool were a hat sat. Yet there was something different about this hat. It had a face. What seemed like a mouth moved and the hat began to sing:
The years, they pass,
Students come and go,
But things stay the same,
Now matter where some go.
However, the peace,
Begins to break.
The bonds that once were,
Are now fake.
It's up to you all,
To keep the peace,
It's not that hard,
So try please.
Now that that's
Out of the way,
Let me introduce each house,
And their ways.
In Gryffindor are the bold and great,
Daring with great nerve.
Or you might be placed in Ravenclaw,
Great Acknowledgment they deserve.
Perhaps in Hufflepuff,
With the loyal and just folk.
You might even end up in Slytherin,
Who fend for themselves and make sly jokes.
So try me on,
And I shall tell you where you ought to be.
After the song all the house tables applauded. Professor Potter waited for the applause to die down before starting the sorting.
"Adams, Amelia."
A girl with pretty blonde hair and sea grey eyes sat on the stool. A few seconds passed before the hat responded, "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindors students cheered.
"Avark, Daniel."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Azzy, Greg."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Bronze, Angel!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Byone, Lisa!"
"Slytherin!"
Lindy looked up at the table and caught her mother's eye. She grinned, Hermione beaming at her. "Cathro, Joseph" was then placed into Ravenclaw. Lonni's gaze followed him, but was snapped back to the to the stool as "Davis, Jacob" was called.
Lindy and Lonni starred at him as her approached the stool. After a minute or so the hat shouted, "Gryffindor!" He jumped up and ran down to the Gryffindor table, taking a seat beside Amelia Adams.
"Darn it," said Lonni. "I was hoping he'd be in Slyth."
"Fawkes, Fiona!"
"Slytherin!"
"Franklin, Gage!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Grinuald, Mary!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Gwennor, Jenny!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Havard, Katherine!"
Both Lindy and Lonni were betting it would say Hufflepuff, but were shocked when the hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!" Katherine, looking disappointed, joined the Slytherin which was roaring and cheering for her.
"Jander, Andrew!"
"Gryffindor!"
"Laken, Kaitlin!"
"Slytherin!"
"Laken, Paige!"
"Gryffindor!"
"Longbottom, Michelle!"
Michelle walked up and grinned as she sat down. The hat was placed on her head and after a few minutes of thinking, the hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"
"Malfoy, Jade!"
Malfoy smirked and sat on the stool. The hat barely even touched her head when it shouted, "Slytherin!" She joined her table gladly, taking a seat by Katherine.
"McKinnly, Ayreana!"
"Gryffindor!"
"McKinnly, Davy!"
"Gryffindor!"
"Nightly, Hayley!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Nika, McKenzie!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Patricia, Courtney!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Patrick, Kaylee!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Potter, Lindy!"
'Relax,' Lindy told herself as she walked up to the stool. She wasn't scared or nervous. Once the hat was placed on her head, she started wondering where the hat stayed during the year and how the four founders made it.
'Me? Well, aren't you a curious one m'dear, no doubt mix of Potter and Granger I have here I sense,' said the hat in her ear. 'Now you are most difficult to place. Clever and knowledgeable, yet just and loyal. Brave and great nerve, but slyness and thirst for power lurks. My, my."
'Gryffindor,' she asked the hat, practically begging.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the hat, and the Gryffindor table erupted with cheering. She handed the hat to her mum and ran down to the Gryffindor table, taking a seat by Ayreana McKinnly.
"Raven, Lena!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Ruby, Caleb!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Riddle, Nicolas!"
"Gryffindor!" Lindy grinned.
"Shandler, Gale!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Sinder, Kevin!"
"Slytherin!"
"Suken, Nathaniel!"
"Slytherin!"
"Treble, Sam!"
"Gryffindor!"
"Trixen, Kerry!"
"Slytherin!"
"Wanderfold, James!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Wang, Cho!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Weasley, Lonni!"
After a second, the hat hollered, "Gryffindor!" This concluded the sorting ceremony.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor Andrew
Dumbledore," said an man who looked about in his forties, his red hair starting to grey. "Take note the Forbidden Forest is off limits. That's about all I wanted to say. Let the feast begin!"
Suddenly, the plates filled and everyone was pigging out. Jacob was grinning from ear to ear, making Lindy want to laugh.
"So, what did the sorting hat say to you?" probed Lindy, leaning back in her scarlet chair. They were in the Gryffindor common room.
"Oh, just that I would be wanted here, and that I was meant to do something important," replied Jacob.
"Really? I told it that if it put me in Slytherin I would kill it, and that dumb hat told me that it would put me in a house that needed me," said Lonni.
"What about you?" they asked.
"Oh, nothing."
"You sure?" asked Lonni, raising her eyebrow.
"Positive," replied Lindy, starring into the glowing fire in front of her. She was trying to make out everything that was going on about her and why she could fit into all houses.
Jacob went to bed a little early, just after eight. Lonni left second. However, she stopping at the door and starred at her friend like she wanted to say something. But instead she closed her mouth and left.
"Good job Potter, you're in a fix now. I still haven't told anyone about the men in that house and I just lied to my friends," said Lindy quietly to herself. "Well, there's no use in staying here." And with that thought she got up and went to bed, having a surprisingly dreamless sleep. The first in a long time.