Chapter 7 – Life at Hogwarts Begins

"Before the sorting begins, I would like to welcome Rose Monika Davis, an exchange student from Salem Academy. She will be joining our fourth years, but she still needs to be sorted. This year, we will be starting the sorting ceremony with Miss Davis. So, Professor Flitwick, would you please start the Sorting?" I felt myself going red with embarrassment after the Headmistress' welcome speech. Why did I have to do this in front of everyone?

"Davis, Rose," little Flitwick piped up. I nervously walked away from the crowd of chattering first years and sat on the stool in front of the school. I took the old wizard's hat in my trembling hands and placed it on my head until it covered my eyes.

"Ah! Hermione Granger's daughter, I'm presuming? You definitely have her brains all right, and her bravery. The question is where to put you? Not Slytherin or Hufflepuff. Maybe Ravenclaw – they could do with a student like you. I can see in your mind though that there's a certain boy in Gryffindor that you don't want to be apart from. You are the most difficult person to sort since Harry Potter. Well, if you're sure that you want to be in Gryffindor so that you can be with this boy, then I better do as I'm told: GRYFFINDOR!"

Relief flowed through me when I heard the hat shout the last word to my fellow classmates. I heard shouts of happiness coming from the table to my left. I looked over and my eyes locked with James' – sapphire blue meets emerald green. I practically ran over to sit beside my best friend.

"Well done Rose," Sam patted my back.

"Congrats Rose!" Darina and Dave said simultaneously.

"Welcome to the club!" Fred shouted across the table.

The sorting continued for the first years and by the end of it, we had eleven new Gryffindors, all ready to prove that they were brave enough to be placed in the house of lions, just like me.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I shall save the speeches for later, but now I think it's time we all filled up on the glorious foods sent from the kitchens. Enjoy!" As McGonagall sat down, the golden platters filled up with food and drinks flowed into the silver goblets. I had never seen a feast like this. At Salem, we each went up to a counter, ordered our food and collected it from the lunch elves. I was in so much awe with all the different foods (roast beef, chicken, pork chops, lamb, sausages, bacon, steak, boiled potatoes, chips, Yorkshire puddings, vegetables, gravy, ketchup, mint humbugs, you name it) that I didn't realise my mouth had dropped open slightly.

"Are you just going to sit there and gawp at the food or are you going to eat?" James asked with a grin. I started piling food onto my plate and poured myself a glass of cold pumpkin juice. When all main courses were cleared, many different desserts replaced them. I had a slice of hot fudge pudding and it was to die for! I couldn't believe how good the food tasted; Hugo was going to love it here! I'd have to remember to include a description of this in my letter to him.

After the desserts were cleared, McGonagall once again stood from her chair. The Great Hall was silent for the first time all evening.

"'To our new students welcome. To our old students welcome back': the words of Albus Dumbledore. The best thing that ever happened to Hogwarts, everyone said. He died during the Second Wizarding War, as many others did. This year, we celebrate the war's 25th anniversary. To remember those who we have lost, and to welcome those who we have welcomed to our side, we will celebrate by having the Forget-Me-Not Ball on the eve of Christmas this year. More details of the Ball will be posted nearer the time. New students must be told that the Dark Forest near the Game Keeper's hut is strictly forbidden and I remind older students of the same. There is to be no duelling in the corridors at all times. If anyone would like to join their House Quidditch team, please notify your Quidditch captain: for Hufflepuff, Eliza McMillan; for Ravenclaw, Katie Samuels; for Slytherin, Scorpius Malfoy; and for Gryffindor, James Potter!" Applause erupted from all four tables – obviously the captains only found out that they were captains now, or else James would have told me, wouldn't he?

"Why didn't you say anything James?" Sam asked his best friend with a huge smile on his face.

"I didn't know! I thought Jason would get it!" He turned to the eldest Weasley. "Why didn't you get it? You were captain last year, and the best thing to happen to the Gryffindor team since Oliver Wood himself!"

"I was offered, but I turned it down. I think I need to focus on my studies this year, or else I'll be repeating again. I suggested to McGonagall that she give you the slot. Surprise!"

"Congratulations James! You must be the youngest captain Hogwarts has ever seen!" another Gryffindor said.

"Along with Malfoy," James said with a tone of disgust in his voice.

"Yeah, but you'll be better. I've seen you play," I said with a smile on my face.

"Thanks," he returned the smile and squeezed my hand that lay on the table. We looked into each other's eyes. Not for the first time, it felt like we were the only two people in the world, no one else mattered.

"Oi! Get a room you two!" I let go of James' hand with a jump, being brought back to reality. Sam let out a muffled laugh.

"Very mature Sam." James glared at his best friend, who suddenly stopped laughing. "Come on; let's get to the common room."

As I looked around the Great Hall, I realised that the other students were starting to head out of the room, following prefects and forming groups.

"Are you coming Rose?" James was looking at me, as I watched the students head out the door.

"Yeah," I said as I got up from my seat.

I walked with James and Sam up seven flights of twisting stairs with some that move and others with a missing step. The two boys gave me some of their secrets for getting around the castle.

"Leo Fortis," Sam said to the portrait of a Fat Lady in a Pink Dress. The portrait swung open to reveal a passage way. We crawled through, one by one, until we came face to face with a large circular room. There were plump red armchairs in different areas of the room. A large fire filled the room with an orange glow. This was my new home.

"Your dorm is up the stairs on the right. Ask one of the other students where the fourth year dorm is," James said to me as I looked at the only notice on the bulletin board ("Have you got your wand? If not, write to Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.").

"Thanks James. Night Sam," I said as I passed him to go up the stairs. "Goodnight James. I'll see you in the morning." I walked passed him, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug. I held on to him, not wanting to let go.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I don't know what came over me," he said as he quickly pulled away, blushing. I didn't care; I liked the tingly feeling I got in the pit of my stomach when he touched me.

"It's ok. Night James," I said again. I kissed him softly on the cheek and went up to my dorm.

I found it easily enough, even though a second year put me in the wrong direction. I found my trunk at the bottom of a bed that I presumed was mine. A Gryffindor tie and scarf were left there for me as well. It was finally real, I was a Hogwarts student.

There were three other girls in the room: Samantha Roberts, Kate Evans and Rebecca McLaggen. They looked at me, introduced themselves (Rebecca starting them off) and I soon got to know what type of people they were, and what secrets they covered up: Samantha was quiet and stuck to herself mostly, but had a crush on the most popular boy in school; Kate was a brainiac, who disliked anyone who didn't share her love of books; Rebecca was the bubbly, outgoing girl and was secretly smart but wouldn't tell anyone. I could tell I was going to become great friends with these girls, but I wasn't comfortable enough just yet to tell them my life story.

I quickly said goodnight to the girls and we all went to bed. They were probably all falling asleep thinking about me and my secrets. Luckily for me, I always keep my secrets to myself. I closed my eyes, but couldn't stop thinking about James, my so-called soul mate, my best friend, my Quidditch captain, my reason that I chose Gryffindor!