"Righ' then! Firs' years! This way please! Come on now, don' be shy! Come on now, 'urry up!" The trio followed along to the end of the platform and Bella's eyes widened when her eyes locked onto the source of the loud booming voice; an extremely large man towered over everyone on the platform, his big shaggy beard and equally shaggy beard nearly obscuring his face from view.

"'ullo, Harry." The huge man said in a softer, yet still loud voice.

"Hey, Hagrid." Harry replied with a smile.

"Whoaa!" Ron gasped.

"You can say that again." Bella added, linking her arm through Ron's as they stood within the group of eager first years.

"Righ' then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me." Hagrid led the group of youngsters through a gap in the trees and they followed the path further and further until the path bled into the grass and the trees opened to reveal the biggest expanse of water Bella had ever seen. "Four to a boat, come on." Hagrid directed. Bella froze in the middle of the path, Ron walking straight into her back.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Bella doesn't water, never has." Ron replied. Bella's brain was cloudy as she internally panicked.

"Wha's goin' on?" Hagrid asked, stepping up beside Harry.

"Bella's too scared to get into the boats." Harry explained.

"Oh come on, you'll be alrigh'" As quick as a flash, Hagrid had hoisted Bella into the air as though she weighed nothing and placed her gently into one of the boats, Ron and Harry scurrying in behind her. Bella gasped, trying to get breath to her lungs as a panic attack engulfed her. Ron rubbed his hand up and down her back, trying to calm her down while Harry looked on, helpless. Hermione, the girl from the train, hopped into the seat beside Harry and her nose wrinkled when she spotted Bella, head between her knees as Ron rubbed her back.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"She's having a panic attack, what does it look like?" Ron snapped.

Hermione didn't open her mouth for the rest of the boat journey and neither did anyone else. Bella's breathing had returned to normal but she still sat with her head between her legs, too afraid to lift her head. When the gentle thud of the boat making contact with the harbour rocked the boat gently Bella was the first out of her seat. She scrambled from where she sat and clambered onto solid ground again and gripped the wall, trying to gain back her breath. Ron pulled her into his side as Hagrid directed them towards a large stone staircase. When they reached the top they noticed the woman stood there: she had a stern face and her lips were formed in a tight line, an equally tight, if not tighter, bun perched atop her head.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup." The woman recited her speech, her tight expression never faltering. A voice cut through the silence that followed as a pudgy boy leapt to the floor at the woman's feet. "Trevor!" He cried. Bella peered over the crowd and watched as he ushered a small green toad into his hands. "Sorry." He added, faltering under the woman's sharp gaze. "The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." She stated. She turned on her heel and walked quickly through the large oak doors behind her, leaving the group of first years alone in the corridor.

"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." I'd know that voice anywhere, Bella thought, it's Draco Malfoy being a git, wouldn't be the first time today. "This is Crabbe, and Goyle" He said as he inclined his head towards two boys who look more like animals than human. "and I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." He continued while Ron and Bella snickered. "I'd know you two anywhere. Little Bella and Ron Weasley. Don't go getting a big head now you're at Hogwarts, you're still scum." Draco sneered down at the twins. Turning back to Harry he speaks again "You'll soon learn that some wizarding families are better than others, I can help you there." Extending his arm, Draco smiled smugly, assuming Harry would take him up on his offer.

"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks." Harry said, staring Draco down.

"That put you in your place didn't it." Bella laughed.

"You should be more careful Weasley." Draco said. His face was straight, no hint of his usual sneering or smirk.

"Is that a threat?" Ron asked, glaring at Draco.

"It's a promise." Draco replied, smirk returning.

Just then the tight lipped woman returns.

"We're ready for you now."

The new first years followed behind her and gasps emitted from the assembled group when the doors of the Great Hall swung open. Four long tables filled with waiting students filled the large space, the long Professors table lined against the back wall. The ceiling depicted the night sky; as though there was no ceiling and they were staring straight at the sky outside.

"It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History." Hermione's voice carried across the silent hall.

"All right, will you wait along here, please?" The woman at the front of the group gestured to the front of the large room where a stool sat, an aging hat perched upon it. "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbldedore would like to say a few words." She said, turning towards the head table. Dumbledore got to his feet and smiled down at them.

"Thank you Professor McGonagall. Now, I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." Following his speech Dumbledore took his seat again, as though the words he had just spoken were as normal as 'hello'.

"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses." Professor McGonagall lifted the hat from the stool and staring down at the scroll in her hand. "Hermione Granger."

"Oh, no. Okay, relax." Hermione spoke to herself at Bella's side and took a deep breath. She pushed her way through the crowd and sat on the stool, the fat falling over her eyes as Professor McGonagall sat it atop her head.

"Mental that one, I'm telling you." Ron whispered and Harry nodded in agreement.

"That is not nice Ronald Weasley!" Bella whisper scolded.

Bella turned back to watch Hermione's sorting just as the seam of the hat ripped open and it roared it's choice. "GRYFFINDOR!" The whole Gryffindor house erupted and Hermione leapt from the stool with the biggest smile on her face as she made her way down the steps to the Gryffindor table.

The sorting continued much like it had for Hermione. There were students placed in each of the houses and before long the worst Pureblood of them all was called. "Draco Malfoy." Draco sauntered up to the stool proudly. The tattered old hat was barely on top of his head before it yelled what everyone expected it to yell. "SLYTHERIN!"

"There isn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin." Ron whispered to Harry and Bella nodded her agreement. Harry turned towards the Slytherin table and turned back with a shudder. Harry groaned loudly, clutching his forehead. "Harry, what is it?" Ron asked. "Nothing, it's nothing, I'm fine." Harry replied, turning back to the sorting.

"Ronald Weasley." Bella placed a comforting hand on Ron's arm as he gulped. He turned his nervous eyes on his sister and she ushered him forwards. He climbed the steps slowly and sat down on the stool, his chin the only thing visible as the hat enveloped his head. Bella fidgeted on the spot as she waited for the hat's verdict. "GRYFFINDOR!" Bella released a sigh on relief as Ron ripped the hat from his head and pushed it into McGonagall's hand. He raced down the steps with a beaming smile and was greeted by an enthusiastic Fred and George as he sat at the Gryffindor table.

"Emily Anderson." A small girl with long chestnut brown hair and freckles to match a Weasley's stepped up to the stool next. Her nervous looking face stared out at everyone in the hall before the hat fell over her eyes. "GRYFFINDOR!" Bella watched the girls shoulders sag as she released the breath she was holding. When the hat was pulled from her head she had the most genuine smile Bella had seen and skipped down the steps, heading off to meet her new house.

"Bella Weasley." Harry patted her shoulder and she smiled at him. She stumbled on the steps and was grateful that the hat covered her reddening cheeks as she sat on the stool. "Ah! Young Miss Weasley. Where to put you? Gryffindor is where your heart lies but you would do so much good in Slytherin." Her eyes widened and her heart rate quickened as the hat confessed its thoughts. "Please not Slytherin." She whispered, hoping the hat would listen. "I suppose the best place for you would be... GRYFFINDOR!" Bella's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't be more glad to be sorted with her brothers. Fred and George were chanting her name as she stopped at the table beside them giggling.

She sat down, taking a breath as she willed the redness in her cheeks to disappear. She noticed the nervous looking girl with the freckled face at her side and decided to introduce herself. "Hi, I'm Bella." She held her hand out to the girl who shook her hand in return. "Hey, Emily." She replied with a heavy Scottish accent. "I take it those twins are your brothers?" Emily asked, pointing towards Fred and George who were making faces behind Percy's back. "Yeah. Ron's my twin too." Bella answered, inclining her head towards Ron who sat on her other side. "That's so cool." Emily replied.

They turned back to the sorting just as the next student was called; "Freya Scott." A girl with tanned skin and beautiful blonde hair stepped up to the stool and took her seat. She fidgeted with her fingers on her lap and within seconds the hat had made its decision. "GRYFFINDOR!" Emily and Bella cheered along with the rest of their house as the girl came jogging down from the stool and dropped into the seat across from Bella.

"Hey." She breathed, trying to catch her breath.

"Hey." Emily replied.

"Freya." She introduced herself with a smile, her Irish accent shining through now.

"Bella." She said at the same time Emily introduced herself.

"Lovely to meet you both." Freya said.

"You too." Bella smiled.

Bella's attention was drawn back to the sorting as Harry's name was called. A wave of silence washed over every inhabitant in the hall as they stared at the young boy making his way cautiously up the steps. He wriggled nervously on the stool as Professor McGonagall set the hat on his head.

"He looks terrified." Ron whispered to Bella over his shoulder, his eyes locked on Harry. "I don't blame him." Bella replied. "He's famous in our world, it's got to be a lot of pressure."

The hat took longer than everyone else to decide Harry's fate and Bella was fearing the worst when the seam of the hat opened and roared its verdict. "GRYFFINDOR!"The whole table erupted in cheers. Bella climbed onto the bench and was beaming over everyone's heads at Harry as he jumped from the stool and rushed over to the Gryffindor table. Fred and George were chanting 'We got Potter!' as Harry sat in the seat beside Ron, his face as red as the Hogwarts Express.

The atmosphere in the hall died down and Bella took her seat on the bench again. She turned her head towards the Slytherin table and found Malfoy staring at her. She scrunched her nose up at him and he glared at her. 'Sod off' she mouthed across the hall to her and he smirked. Shooting her a sly wink he turned his eyes back to the sorting and she rolled her eyes at him. When the final student was sorted into Slytherin, Filch moved the stool and withered old hat from the front of the hall as Dumbledore rose to his feet again; "Let the feast...begin."