Over the next month, Samantha was bombarded with questions from her siblings, and especially from Harry, who was starting sooner.
"What's it like there, at Hogwarts?" he asked.
"It's brilliant. They've got the best food you can imagine, and the Common Rooms are warm and comforting places to hang out in, and there are plenty of unused classrooms to sneak into, and I've heard there are secret passageways, but I haven't discovered any yet. I plan to, though," Samantha answered.
"Are classes hard? What spells do you know?" asked Harry.
"Classes can be hard, depending on the spell. They're fairly easy for me, although not to brag or anything, but I got the highest grades of the year. It just kind of came naturally," Samantha said.
"I know the one I showed you in Diagon Alley, Wingardium Leviosa, which is a levitation spell, I also know Petrificus Totalus, the petrification spell, I know how to light and unlight my wand tip, how to make a tiny portable fire, how to make a smokescreen, the knockback jinx, how to soften things, breaking and mending things, locking and unlocking things, the curse of the bogies, green and red sparks, and how to transfigure a few things" Samantha told Harry.
Harry seemed overwhelmed. "That's a lot of spells to learn," he said. Lauren nodded.
"I don't know. I think I could've done with learning more," Samantha answered.
"More? Are you crazy?" Lauren asked.
Samantha shrugged. "I want to go to nonverbal spells, those seem widely useful. And more defensive magic. We taught ourselves most of the defensive magic, because the teacher was complete trash. At least Quirrell can say your name, Cemp would barely say Potter, associated it too much with Voldemort," she said.
"Sounds fun," Lauren said.
"Very," Samantha said, rolling her eyes.
Soon enough, it was the first of September. The Dursley's had agreed to take them to King's Cross, because Dudley was getting his pig's tail removed that day.
"Samantha, Platform 9 and ¾ is a real place, right?" Harry asked as they walked out of the door.
"Of course! They wouldn't tell you to go somewhere that doesn't exist, would they?" Samantha replied.
As soon as they got there, Samantha said a hasty goodbye to Lauren and rushed off with her trunk and owl, disappearing in the crowd. She ran straight from the car to the barrier between Platforms nine and ten, and next thing she knew she was on the platform, surrounded by students and their families.
She walked around and found Leslie with her mom and Jack. "Leslie!" Samantha cried, hugging her.
"Oh, it's so good to see you again!" Leslie said.
"And you," said Samantha. "Writing letters just isn't the same thing. Although, getting an owl made it better."
"It certainly did," Leslie agreed. "By the way, I love her. She's gorgeous," Leslie said.
Athena hooted in response. "She says thank you," Samantha said, and she and Leslie laughed.
"Come on, you two, you've got to get your stuff on the train," said Mrs. Carter. "Jack, help them."
Jack helped Leslie and Samantha put their luggage above them in an empty compartment, and they got back off the train to find everyone else.
"Oh, there's Harry!" Samantha said. Harry was farther down, walking onto the train with his trunk. "You can meet him later. Come on, I see Ellie."
The girls rushed over to Ellie and her family. They all hugged, and then the girls helped Ellie get her stuff onto the train after she said bye to her brother, sisters, and parents.
The three of them stayed in the compartment then, and they felt the train start to move, chatting about their summers the whole time.
A few minutes in, they went to look for Elias, Connor, Damon, Max, Bella, Riley, and Hudson. They found the first four in a compartment at the opposite end of the train. After a brief catch up with them, they decided to meet them later too, and bring everyone else that time.
They found Bella and Riley in a compartment with a few other Slytherins, and this time they talked to them in the hall to tell them of the plan to meet up that afternoon in the boys' compartment.
Finally, Hudson was found in a compartment with just one other person, a plump boy holding a toad that Samantha had never met before.
"Sorry, Hudson, we would've come sooner, but we found the others first" Samantha said.
"It's fine" Hudson shrugged. "I've been talking to Neville. First year."
"Oh, cool. Nice to meet you, Neville" Samantha said. "I'm Samantha, this is Leslie" Samantha gestured to Leslie, "and this is Ellie" she finished, now pointing to Ellie.
"Hi," Leslie and Ellie said together.
"Hello," Neville said nervously.
"Hudson, we wanted to invite you to meet up with us in the boys' compartment this afternoon, it's the second to last one this way," Ellie said, pointing to the right.
"Sounds nice. See you then," Hudson said.
"See ya, Hudson," said Samantha, and they walked back to their compartment.
"Hold on, I should go check on my brother," Samantha said. "Either of you want to come?"
Both Ellie and Leslie said yes, so Samantha made her way down the train once more, looking for Harry inside each one. They eventually found him in one with just one other boy.
"Hello, Harry," said Samantha, walking in. The boy he was with had red hair, freckles, and a long nose.
"Samantha. Where'd you go? You didn't tell me how to get to the platform," Harry said.
Samantha felt a sudden surge of guilt. "Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry, I was just so excited to see my friends, it didn't occur to me that you didn't know how to get on," she said.
Harry smiled. "It's fine. I asked this family, and the mom helped me. Then I met Ron and his brothers," he said.
"Oh, you're Ron Weasley, aren't you? Fred, George, Percy, and Charlie's little brother, right?" Samantha asked.
"That's me," Ron said glumly.
"Your brothers are great people, I'm sure you're great too," Ellie said.
"Yeah, Fred and George are hilarious, and Charlie was pretty great. Percy's... smart. Teachers love him," Samantha added.
"He was made Prefect. Wouldn't shut up about it all summer once he found out," said Ron.
"Sounds like him," Samantha said.
"Anyways, I'm really, really sorry for leaving you alone, Harry," Samantha apologized again.
"Like I said, it's alright," Harry said.
"Oh, by the way, these are my friends Leslie and Ellie. Leslie's in Gryffindor with me, and Ellie's in Ravenclaw," introduced Samantha.
"Cool," Harry said, waving slightly at Leslie and Ellie.
"What Houses do you two think you'll be in?" Ellie asked the boys.
"My whole family's been in Gryffindor, I don't know what they'll say if I'm not," Ron said.
"I'm sure they'd be fine with it, they're very nice people," Leslie said.
"What about you, Harry?" Ellie asked.
Harry shrugged. "I hope I'm in Gryffindor with Samantha," he said.
"That would be nice," Samantha agreed. She heard a faint "Anything from the trolley, dears?". "Oh, the trolley's coming, we'd better get back to our compartment. I'll probably swing by later harry, but if not I'll see you at Hogwarts," she said.
"Bye," Harry said.
"Bye," Samantha and Ellie said together.
They went back to their compartment and bought food off the trolley, snacking on it in their compartment until it was time to meet everyone in the boys' compartment. They brought their extra food and walked down, where they saw everyone.
They all talked in depth about their summers. Connor and his family had taken a trip to America to visit some of his cousins, and Damon had gone to Australia with his family. Samantha told them about Hagrid visiting, and her uncle's crazy attempts at keeping Harry away from the school.
"He really thought a hotel and a hut would keep Harry's letter away?" Bella asked with disbelief.
"Yeah, crazy, right?" Samantha said.
"Definitely," Elias agreed.
"The Muggles you live with sound mental," Damon commented.
"They really are," said Samantha. "It's a wonder we turned out alright."
"Mm, I wouldn't be too sure about that," Bella said sarcastically.
"Oh, shut up, you," Samantha shot back, and everyone started laughing and didn't stop for minutes.
"This is so nice. I missed this over the summer," Riley said.
"I know. We should try to get together next summer. I mean, I know we all live far away, and some of us go on vacation a lot, but we should try to meet up in Diagon Alley at the same time," Elias suggested.
"Let's do that for sure," Max said.
"Yes, that sounds amazing," Samantha agreed.
"Great. We can work out details over letters and figure out the best time for us all to go," Ellie said.
"You're gonna be head of organizing, you're the best at it," Damon told Ellie.
"Fine, I will," she responded. "Sounds fun."
"Oh! I just remembered," Samantha said.
"What?" Hudson asked.
"I met the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in Diagon Alley," Samantha explained.
"You did?" asked Elias.
"What're they like?" Connor questioned.
"Are they afraid of your name too?" Damon joked.
"No, he said my name. Super stutter-ey, though. Nervous guy. Don't think he'll be much better than Cemp was," Samantha said.
"That's a shame," Ellie said.
"I was really hoping for a competent Defense teacher this year," Max said.
"Think we'll ever get one?" Bella asked.
"I hope so," Leslie said.
"That would be nice," agreed Hudson.
"It sure would be," Riley said.
After a little while longer of catching up, everyone went back to their compartments and changed into their robes, and soon enough they were at Hogwarts. Samantha, Ellie, and Leslie made their way to a carriage and were soon joined by Hudson.
"What are those horse things called?" Samantha asked.
"What are you talking about?" Leslie asked.
"There are no horses," added Ellie.
"They're... right there. How do you guys not see them?" Samantha asked.
"Sam, there's nothing pulling these carriages," Leslie said slowly.
"No, there is! The horse things are right there! You can see them, Hudson, right?" Samantha asked desperately.
Hudson shook his head. "No," he answered quietly.
Samantha sighed in defeat. "They're right there," she said under her breath, and then stayed silent for the rest of the ride.
She stalked off when they got to Hogwarts and sat between Max and Katie.
"Can you see the horse things pulling the carriages?" she asked Max as they waited for the first years.
"Huh?" Max asked, but before Samantha could question him further, Professor McGonagall walked in with the first years.
Samantha spotted Harry instantly. He was next to a sandy haired boy and Ron Weasley. A few spaces away from him was a girl with bushy brown hair standing next to Neville, the boy Hudson had been with when they'd found them on the train.
The Sorting Hat was placed on the stool and began to sing.
Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
When the Sorting Hat finished, there was a great round of applause before Professor McGonagall began calling out names to be sorted.
Samantha saw as the bushy-haired girl, who turned out to be named Hermione, was sorted into Gryffindor and came to sit a few spots away from Samantha.
"Hi. Congratulations on being sorted into Gryffindor, it's by far the best house," Samantha told her, smirking.
Hermione smiled back, then turned to watch as the rest of the year was sorted.
After a few more Gryffindors joined, it was Harry's turn.
He walked nervously up and put the hat on.
After a minute or two the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" and Harry ran down to the table. He had the loudest cheering yet.
"I'm in Gryffindor with you, Sam!" Harry said excitedly.
"I knew you'd be here," Samantha said, smiling happily at Harry.
They turned their attention back to the Sorting. Finally, when only two people remained, it was Ron's turn.
He walked anxiously up, but the Hat had barely touched his flaming red hair before shouting "GRYFFINDOR!" and Ron ran down and sat next to Harry.
Finally, after "Zambini, Blaise," had been sorted into Slytherin, Professor Dumbledore walked up.
"Welcome! I have a few words before the start of term feast. Here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Dumbledore said. "Thank you!"
The Great Hall erupted into cheers.
Harry looked curiously at Samantha. "Is he- is he mad?" Harry asked timidly.
"He's a genius! But all geniuses are a bit mad, so yes," Samantha answered. "Oh, you'll want to try the Yorkshire pudding, it's amazing," she told Harry. She smiled when his eyes widened as he saw the food that had suddenly appeared on the table.
After everyone had eaten their fill of dinner, the desserts appeared. "Harry, get some apple pie, too, it's the best I've ever tasted," Samantha told Harry as he went for treacle tart.
Suddenly, she heard Harry exclaim "Ouch!"
Quickly, she turned to face him, as did Percy Weasley and Hermione Granger.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Samantha asked.
"Er- nothing," Harry lied. "Who's that teacher, the one talking to Quirrell?" he asked/
Samantha wrinkled her nose. "Snape," she said with disgust. "He teaches Potions. He's out for the Defense job, though. Defense Against the Dark Arts," Samantha added when Harry looked confused. "He hates me, and I get really good Potions marks, so expect him to hate you too. He hates Gryffindors in general, but us especially," Samantha told Harry.
"Great," said Harry glumly.
After dessert was finished, and the memory of the strange horse creatures had faded from her mind, Dumbledore stood up once more.
"Now that we are all fed, I have a few more reminders. First off, Mr. Filch would like me to tell you once again that no magic is to be used in the hallways between classes," Dumbledore started.
"Secondly, first years, please note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all. A few of our older students could do with that reminder as well." Dumbledore seemed to look right at the Weasley twins when he said this.
"For anyone interested, Quidditch tryouts will be held after the second week of term. See your heads of houses for exact times," said Dumbledore. "And finally, I need to tell you all that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds for anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
"What doesn't he mean by that?" Samantha asked Max.
"No clue," Max replied, shrugging.
"Sam, was it out of bounds last year?" Harry asked her.
"No, last year we could go anywhere," Samantha said. "I wonder why we're not allowed anymore."
After singing the school song, they were led by Percy back to the dormitory through a series of twists and turns Samantha had memorized the year prior.
Samantha met up with Leslie again and the girls walked up to their dormitory and fell asleep.