Author's Note - ! AH ! I can't believe it took me so long to update. I'm SO sorry. I didn't realize so much time had passed. I feel so horrible. I hope you all can forgive me and i hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review. It'd make me feel better knowing you all don't hate me :(


Chapter 4

Good To Be Back

By the time the Hogwarts Express pulled into the Hogsmeade Station the sky was dark and stars sparkled overhead. Following the herd of people Arianna climbed off the train and onto the platform. She smiled as she caught sight of the castle ahead. It was good to be back.

"Come on," Peyton said taking hold of Arianna's hand. "Let's get a carriage."

Ian nodded. "They're filling up."

The group of friends headed over to the carriages and all managed to squeeze inside one. Soon enough the wheels started turning and they were on their way to Hogwarts.

"This year is going to be so busy. If O.W.L.S. are as hard as they say they are I'm going to have to work extra hard," Ian sighed shaking his head. He wasn't the brightest of the bunch and had the most difficulty with getting good grades. His mother Julie, a simple Irish girl Seamus had met during the war, had been keen to point out that Ian could do much better if he tried harder. Ian would just role his eyes and nod. Why try harder when you're already trying your hardest? This is when Hermione would point out that Ian was just like his father sometimes. Seamus may have been a slacker in school but he was a great help during the war and he was a great father now.

Arianna nodded. "Mum told me she breezed through them but then again Dad didn't do that well."

"You'll breeze through them too," Lila exclaimed. "You're the hardest working here. I'm sure you'll do amazing."

"I agree," Shane piped in. "You have nothing to worry about."

"And on top of O.W.L.S. we got quidditch," Ian shot his friend a look. "Shane, you aren't going to go nuts with training again like you did last year are you?"

"I didn't go nuts last year," Shane frowned.

Arianna laughed. "I'm going to have to agree with Ian. You did go a bit crazy. After we almost lost to Slytherin in third year you really bumped up practices."

"Well, I still don't think I went nuts but we'll just have to see about practices."

The friends continued to chat and in no time at all they were sitting in the great hall with their fellow school mates watching the sorting hat ceremony take place. McGonagall sat at the head of the table, her duties as deputy headmaster had been passed on to the new transfigurations teacher and head of Gryffindor house, Professor Spinnet. Professor Spinnet was now the one placing the hat on the heads of the frightened looking first years.

"Weasley, Bill," she called to the few remaining students.

Bill stepped forward cautiously. Arianna watched her cousin take a seat on the stool. His face was extremely pale and Arianna couldn't help but feel sorry for the little guy.

After a moment of silence the hat yelled out its decision. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Arianna, along with the rest of the Gryffindor table broke out in applause. A very relieved looking Bill made his way over and situated himself next to Seth and his friends.

"Weasley, Trisha," Professor Spinnet called next. Trisha approached the stool looking a lot more confident than Bill. She looked like an exact replica of her mother except for her noticeable red hair.

The hat took longer to make a decision this time. It seemed to be deep in thought. More time passed and Trisha started to look nervous. Arianna sat still, holding her breath as she waited for her cousin to be sorted. At long last the hat made up its mind. "RAVENCLAW!"

All the Weasleys and Potter at the Gryffindor table sat in shock. Had they heard right? Had the hat just shouted Ravenclaw? Trisha seemed stunned too and slowly made her way to the Ravenclaw table. She had been the first Weasley to ever be placed in a house other then Gryffindor.

The sorting finished soon after and Headmistress McGonagall stood up for her opening speech. "I'd like to welcome back all returning students and give a warm welcome to all the new ones. We are all looking forward to a wonderful year. And without further ado," McGonagall raised her hands and the gold plates before everyone suddenly filled with food. Within seconds the clatter of forks and spoons could be heard across the hall.

"Really weird isn't it?" Lila leaned across the table toward her cousin. "Poor Trisha, she looks like she's going to cry."

Arianna shook her head. "Well, I mean, we're forgetting that Aunt Chelsea didn't go to Hogwarts. Maybe if she had she would have been in Ravenclaw or something. Just because Uncle Ron was in Gryffindor doesn't necessarily mean all his kids will be too. It is kind of sad though."

Peyton took a sip of her pumpkin juice and then turned to Arianna and Lila. "Well, look at Rayanna and Amrita. They ended up in Ravenclaw and I ended up in Gryffindor. Plus, both out parents were in Gryffindor too," Peyton referred to her two sisters. "I guess it's just what the hat decides," she shrugged. "I could talk to Amrita if you want. She's only in her second year. Maybe she'd be willing to help Trisha out."

Lila smiled. "That would be great. I think Uncle Ron and Aunt Chelsea would appreciate it," Lila cast a glance down the table. "I'll be right back. I'll go talk to Mira," Lila stood up and disappeared down the table.

"I wonder what house Megan will be in when she comes to school," Shane spoke up from beside Arianna.

"It's kind of good when they're in the same house. There isn't added rivalry between Katrina and I," Ian laughed a bit. "We both support the same house."

"For me, it's the complete opposite," Peyton said lowering her fork. "I don't think I could stand Rayanna in the same house as me. We argue too much," she grinned. "As mean as it sounds I'm glad she didn't make Headgirl. Imagine all the gloating I'd have to endure." Arianna smirked. That was exactly something Rayanna would do.

"Well, it's her last year and then she's gone. You'll be the reigning Jordan here," Shane spoke up.

Peyton laughed. "I like the sound of that."

After dinner was over Arianna was quite content with the idea of a good night sleep. Latching arms with Lila and Peyton the girls made their way up to the portrait of the fat lady, the boys right behind them. A lot of the Gryffindor students were there when they arrived. Most of the first years had gone to bed while returning students greeted old friends and milled around the common room.

"I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to turn in," Arianna yawned.

Peyton nodded. "Me too."

"I'll be up in a bit," Lila stretched. "I just have something to do."

Arianna eyed Lila suspiciously but decided to let it go. "Night Ian. Night Shane," she waved at the boys who had thrown themselves on one of the couches in front of the fire.

"See you girls," Ian waved back.

"Night," Shane gave Arianna one of his lopsided grins.

Arianna trudged up behind Peyton as they made their way up to their dormitory. They climbed one flight of steps and past the first year floor. They continued to climb up another, then another and another. Finally they made it to the fifth year landing.

Arianna seemed out of breath. "I can't imagine being in seventh year. The stairs are going to be murder."

Peyton laughed as she opened one of the room doors. Four beds stood around the room. Arianna spotted her stuff next to one near the window and headed over, flopping lazily onto the soft mattress. Peyton walked over to one of the beds and tried to read the top of the trunk.

"Summer Thomas," she read out loud. She shrugged. "Never heard of her, have you?"

Arianna sat up and thought for a second. The name didn't ring a bell so she shook her head. "Maybe she's new."

"You don't think she's like, Professor Thomas's daughter, do you?" Peyton asked, staring wide eyed at Arianna.

Arianna rolled her eyes. For as long as Arianna could remember Peyton had had a huge crush on their Charms teacher Professor Thomas. Arianna found it gross and what made it worse was that Professor Thomas had been friends with her Uncle Harry, Uncle Ron and her mum back when they all went to Hogwarts. He even dated her Aunt Ginny for a while. "As far as I know Professor Thomas isn't married and I don't think he has kids."

Peyton let out a breath and placed her hand over her heart. "Thank Merlin."

Arianna reached over and grabbed a pillow. She whipped it across the room at her friend. "You're horrible you know that?"

Peyton nodded. "I know. And now that I know my new roommate isn't my professor's daughter I think I'm going to bed."

Arianna dug into her trunk and pulled out a pair of pajamas. "I think I'll do the same. Goodnight," she said getting up and heading to the small lavatory on the other side of the room. She changed, splashed some water on her face and brushed her teeth. When she immerged Lila was tiptoeing across the room towards her own bed. Peyton was already sound asleep.

"Night," Arianna said as she climbed into her bed.

"Sweet dreams," Lila whispered before she disappeared into the bathroom.

Arianna snuggled into her bed, pulling the thick blanket tightly around her. She had no idea that her dreams weren't going to be sweet at all. In fact, that's where all the trouble was going to begin.