p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"The train about me rattled, as I glanced between my spell notebook and the Scottish countryside every few minutes, looking over its beauty. The countryside was full of rolling hills of light green, a grey sky swirling above, giving the omen of rainstorms at night. The countryside was quite different than the dense, dark green American forest surrounding Ilvermorny./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Excuse me? Are you Florence Murray?" A voice asks politely, interrupting my thoughts. I look up from my notebook at the owner of the voice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Yes?" I ask, examining the person. It was an older looking boy, his black hair neatly combed back. A head boy badge sat proudly on his green sweater's lapel./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm Jonathon Young, Head Boy this year.I heard you are a transfer, so you will be riding with the first years for the Sorting Hat ceremony," he informs, as I nod. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Alright, thank you, Jonathon."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Just, eh, look for the big oaf, you'll see him right away. He'll take you with the rest of the first years," he states, a glimmer in his eye, before he turns and leaves. Big oaf? Is the person... around 6 feet, then?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"I stroke the black cat on my lap that Dad had gifted me a year ago. A coworker found a box of kittens, and Dad chose the estranged one since he had last pick. Just by having Merida here with me made me homesick for my father. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"When Mother had come home, we went to the ocean and put his ashes to sea in silence./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"We haven't talked since the Quidditch match, really. I am truly alone, now./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"The train pulled up to the station, as I promptly exited, luggage in hand. Looking about, I spotted a large man, beard mangled and wild. Walking up to him, I tapped him on the elbow as he turned to look at me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Excuse me, sir, I'm the transfer student. I was told to look for you?" I ask, as he grinned./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Ah, y'ung Murray, then," he spoke with a thick accent. "The name's 'Agrid, pleasure to meet ya." He stuck out a big hand, and I placed mine in his as he shook it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Nice to meet you too, Hagrid," I respond, as he lets go of my hand. "Where should I place my luggage?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Put it in 'ere, Murray," he answers, patting a large cart. "It'll be placed in whatever house yer sorted in."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""What are the houses?" I ask, as we sit down in a boat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Well, there's Ravenclaw, fer the 'ntelligent; Hufflepuff, fer the kind; Gryffindor fer the brave; and, Slytherin, fer the cunning," he explains , causing my brows to furrow. I wonder which one I will be in? When I was in Wampus, it was for the warriors; however, warriors have to be all of those characteristics. "Oh, lil' man, hop on in this boat." Hagrid's massive head turns toward a little boy, thin as a twig with a large blonde bowl cut./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Thank you, sir," he smiles, hopping into the boat. "I'm Dennis, Dennis Creevey."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""'Agrid, and over 'ere is Florence Murray," he nods at me, as Dennis turns to face me, looking me up and down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I don't wish to sound mean, but you're a bit big for a first year," Dennis states, causing me to chuckle. "I am a bit big because I'm not a first year. I'm a fourth year transfer student," I answer, as he grins. "Oh! Sorry! But, that's cool!" Dennis looked past me, jaw falling open. "Woah!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Turning around, I look at the castle cast in a midnight blue, glowing lights like embers in the windowsills. Dennis stood up, craning his neck to take in all of it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""It's so, so...amazing!" Dennis jumps in joy, and missteped, falling out of the boat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Dennis!" I shout in surprise, holding back a laugh as he floating in the water, spitting out water. "It's so cold, b-b-ut so nice!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hagrid," I turn to Hagrid. "Make sure I don't fall in." Hagrid nods, grabbing the back of my cloak./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Looking back at Dennis, I hold my hand out. "Alright, Dennis, I'll pull you back in." He grabbed me by the forearm, and I held on tightly to him. Quickly pulling him out, he landed on the bench, black robes clinging to his thin frame as he shook; whether out of coldness or excitement, I'd never know. Hagrid removed his moleskin coat, draping it across the boy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Never thought this 'ould happen," Hagrid laughs, clamping a hand on the boy's shoulder. "'ow are ya, lad?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""N-N-Never better," Dennis chatters, causing me to laugh. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm glad you're alright," I grin, taking the ends of Hagrid's coat, ruffling Dennis' hair dry. It sticks up in crazy angles, but at least it isn't sopping wet, now./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"We pull into the dock, heading upstairs from the dungeons into the warm halls of the main floor. A woman draped in a green shawl looked at us, features tightened by her bun./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I am Professor McGonagall, and I welcome you all, first years and fourth, on behalf of the staff to Hogwarts," she greets warmly. "In a moment, you will go through the doors and be sorted-" she glanced at Dennis, brows furrowing. "And what happened to you, young man?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I fell into the lake," he grins. McGonagall's lips twitch upwards for a brief moment, before turning down. "You ought to be more careful in the future, alright?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"He nods, as she smiles slightly. "Good."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"We were led into the hall, as all eyes turned to us, especially the small, dripping boy in front of me. He looked at a red and golden table, and saw a similar looking boy, causing him to wave maniacally./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""That's my brother!" he said to me, causing me to smile. "That's awesome, Dennis. Do you hope to be in the same house?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Of course!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Welcome, new ones, to Hogwarts," a figure at the front said, long white beard with a silver bead in it. "I am Albus Dumbledore, but you all should call me Headmaster Dumbledore, unless you wish for detention."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"The hall lowly laughed, and Dumbledore smiled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Alright, new ones, get in an orderly fashion, prepare to be sorted by the Sorting hat," Professor McGonagall held up a scroll, gesturing towards a ratty looking hat. The hat's slit parted, revealling a sort of mouth. It began a song, and at the end we all clapped./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""First up..." McGonagall looked at her list after the song. "Adams, Ivy."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"A small girl stood up with a bush of curly hair, walking over to the hat. After a moment or two, the hat parted it's slit./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hufflepuff!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"The girl hopped off the stool, walking towards the canary-yellow decorated house. This went on for a while, and Dennis was sorted into Gryffindor, until McGonagall looked at her list again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Murray, Florence," she reads, as I step forward. The houses murmured, probably wondering why such a big-looking girl was around first years. The hat was placed on my head, as I felt it probe into my mind./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Ah, I haven't had an American in a while. They typically stay overseas,"/em he murmurs. em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Wampus, huh? Those are the warriors, which could be strongly Gryffindor. However, you are very intelligent and cunning, so Ravenclaw and Slytherin could fit you well."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""And why not Hufflepuff?" I question back in my mind, thinking of his song. "Am I not kind?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""You are, but your dominant traits would fit you better in those three houses. Ah, I see you aren't diligent with school work, however, you are of span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"that /spanperson's descent, and they were quite close and all...So you could still be...no, I see your past grades. However, Slytherin could be a good fit...yes, you are very smart on your feet with your creations and such, and it does run in the family...oh? What is this?" /em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""What is what?" I shoot back, as I feel them chuckle in my style="box-sizing: border-box;" "What you did at the World Cup, that was awfully selfless, especially after the loss of your father."/em My heart dropped in my chest when he said that, but I didn't say anything. em style="box-sizing: border-box;""I have made up my mind."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""GRYFFINDOR!" he shouts, as the red-and-gold table cheers. Hopping off the stool, I make my way over, eyes scanning over the table to see 3 pairs of eyes upon me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"It was those three people from the World Cup. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Glancing downward, I sit beside a young man with big brown eyes and curly hair, who was smiling especially brightly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You're a first year?" He asks, as I shake my head. "Fourth."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Ah, you sound American. Are you from Ilvermorny?" he asks, as I nod. "That's so cool! I've always wanted to visit America," he responds, holding out a hand. "Dean Thomas."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Florence Murray," I shake his hand, as he lets go to point at a person from across him. "That idiot over there is Seamus Finnigan."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"A boy with buzz cut hair, blue eyes and big ears frowned. "I'm no idiot! I just... eh, screw it, I am an idiot. Nice to meet you, Murray."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"I laugh, giving him a smile. "Nice to meet you too, Seamus."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"He raises a brow. "You call everyone by first names?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Yeah, why wouldn't I?" I ask, as Dean shakes his head. "It's an American thing, probably. Usually when we first meet people, we use last names. Within a week, we go straight to first names."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Unless you're Malfoy, then you call em style="box-sizing: border-box;"everyone /emby their last names, no matter how long you've known each other," Finnigan jokes, causing Thomas to laugh, but my brows furrowed. "Malfoy?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You'll meet him soon enough, or his father, if you tick him off," Thomas explains. "We have classes with Slytherins the most, since the professors want us to 'mend the bridge' between the houses."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""But most Slytherins are horrible," Finnigan groans, causing the boys to laugh./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Dumbledore makes a small speech, ending with a "tuck in." Before I knew it, food magically appeared before me. I gasped in surprise, causing the boys to laugh./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Don't they have this in America?" He asks, causing me to shake my head. "We have buffet style most nights, and there's always a perfect amount of food," I respond. "The chefs are culinary wizards."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""We just have the house elves taking care of the food, and everything," Thomas explains, causing my expression to pale. "Are they paid?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hm? No, they're our workers," Finnigan responds, causing my brows to furrow./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""So they're slaves?" I ask as Thomas shrugs. "House elves love working. I remember from Wizard History that during some war the house elves were freed due to the lack of wealthy families over there at the time, but the UK has always been old money. So there's always house elves."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"I sigh, piling food onto my plate. "I guess I'm not used to the cultural difference yet. No country is perfect. I mean, only recently has it been ratified in every state the marriage between no-majs and wizards."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""No-maj?" The boys questioned as I shook my head. "Sorry, muggles."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Did you have lots of half-bloods in Ilvermorny?" Thomas asks as I shake my head. "It's still mostly pure bloods. Biases are still there, obviously."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Oh, are you a pureblood, then?" Finnigan asks as if we were discussing the weather. In America, since everyone was a pureblood, this wasn't a common question you ask new people. But I guess over here it was just like asking what someone's favorite color was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""No, my mom is a witch, my dad a no-muggle- I mean, muggle," I correct myself as the boys nod./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Same here. Bit of a nasty shock when he found out," Finnigan responds, as Thomas nods. "Reverse for me, Dad was a wizard, Mom a muggle. I grew up thinking I was a muggle," he states as I grin./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm glad I can talk of the muggle world without people being confused, then" I joke, causing the boys to laugh. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""That happens too often over here," Finnigan agrees. "I'm going to bring my boombox to school after Winter break and play TLC's latest album and confuse em style="box-sizing: border-box;"everyone /emwith my 'talking box.'"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm going to bring in a box of Gushers," Thomas continues as I grin./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'll bring pens, notebooks and pencils and sell them on the down low," I joke as the boys gasp./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""How did I not think of that?" Thomas questions as Finnigan laughs. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You'll have a full vault by Sunday night. Oi, have you met Neville yet?" Finnigan nudges the boy next to him, who glanced over at me with round brown eyes surrounded by a rounded face, still fat from childhood./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hey, I'm Florence Murray," I smile as he nods, lips parting in a smile to reveal oversized buckteeth. "Neville Longbottom."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Pleasure," I nod, as he nods back. From the corner of my eye, I saw Dumbledore stand up, and the hall went silent; save for the rain slamming at the windows outside./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""So!" said Dumbledore, smiling around at them all. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it. " The boys across from me lowly chuckled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""We all know that won't stop Fred and George," Dean comments dryly, causing me to arch a brow. "Who?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You'll see." Finnigan chuckles, almost as if making an inside joke with Dean./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year." /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Hogsmeade! I've heard about that when I was researching Hogwarts. It's apparently the local Wizard village, which is filled to the brim with interesting stores. All we had in Massachusetts was a crummy little pub that overcharged for style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year. " Everyone gasped at this, looking around in confusion. "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /But at that moment, there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall slammed open. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Excuse me? Are you Florence Murray?" A voice asks politely, interrupting my thoughts. I look up from my notebook at the owner of the voice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Yes?" I ask, examining the person. It was an older looking boy, his black hair neatly combed back. A head boy badge sat proudly on his green sweater's lapel./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm Jonathon Young, Head Boy this year.I heard you are a transfer, so you will be riding with the first years for the Sorting Hat ceremony," he informs, as I nod. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Alright, thank you, Jonathon."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Just, eh, look for the big oaf, you'll see him right away. He'll take you with the rest of the first years," he states, a glimmer in his eye, before he turns and leaves. Big oaf? Is the person... around 6 feet, then?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"I stroke the black cat on my lap that Dad had gifted me a year ago. A coworker found a box of kittens, and Dad chose the estranged one since he had last pick. Just by having Merida here with me made me homesick for my father. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"When Mother had come home, we went to the ocean and put his ashes to sea in silence./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"We haven't talked since the Quidditch match, really. I am truly alone, now./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"The train pulled up to the station, as I promptly exited, luggage in hand. Looking about, I spotted a large man, beard mangled and wild. Walking up to him, I tapped him on the elbow as he turned to look at me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Excuse me, sir, I'm the transfer student. I was told to look for you?" I ask, as he grinned./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Ah, y'ung Murray, then," he spoke with a thick accent. "The name's 'Agrid, pleasure to meet ya." He stuck out a big hand, and I placed mine in his as he shook it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Nice to meet you too, Hagrid," I respond, as he lets go of my hand. "Where should I place my luggage?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Put it in 'ere, Murray," he answers, patting a large cart. "It'll be placed in whatever house yer sorted in."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""What are the houses?" I ask, as we sit down in a boat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Well, there's Ravenclaw, fer the 'ntelligent; Hufflepuff, fer the kind; Gryffindor fer the brave; and, Slytherin, fer the cunning," he explains , causing my brows to furrow. I wonder which one I will be in? When I was in Wampus, it was for the warriors; however, warriors have to be all of those characteristics. "Oh, lil' man, hop on in this boat." Hagrid's massive head turns toward a little boy, thin as a twig with a large blonde bowl cut./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Thank you, sir," he smiles, hopping into the boat. "I'm Dennis, Dennis Creevey."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""'Agrid, and over 'ere is Florence Murray," he nods at me, as Dennis turns to face me, looking me up and down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I don't wish to sound mean, but you're a bit big for a first year," Dennis states, causing me to chuckle. "I am a bit big because I'm not a first year. I'm a fourth year transfer student," I answer, as he grins. "Oh! Sorry! But, that's cool!" Dennis looked past me, jaw falling open. "Woah!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Turning around, I look at the castle cast in a midnight blue, glowing lights like embers in the windowsills. Dennis stood up, craning his neck to take in all of it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""It's so, so...amazing!" Dennis jumps in joy, and missteped, falling out of the boat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Dennis!" I shout in surprise, holding back a laugh as he floating in the water, spitting out water. "It's so cold, b-b-ut so nice!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hagrid," I turn to Hagrid. "Make sure I don't fall in." Hagrid nods, grabbing the back of my cloak./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Looking back at Dennis, I hold my hand out. "Alright, Dennis, I'll pull you back in." He grabbed me by the forearm, and I held on tightly to him. Quickly pulling him out, he landed on the bench, black robes clinging to his thin frame as he shook; whether out of coldness or excitement, I'd never know. Hagrid removed his moleskin coat, draping it across the boy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Never thought this 'ould happen," Hagrid laughs, clamping a hand on the boy's shoulder. "'ow are ya, lad?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""N-N-Never better," Dennis chatters, causing me to laugh. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm glad you're alright," I grin, taking the ends of Hagrid's coat, ruffling Dennis' hair dry. It sticks up in crazy angles, but at least it isn't sopping wet, now./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"We pull into the dock, heading upstairs from the dungeons into the warm halls of the main floor. A woman draped in a green shawl looked at us, features tightened by her bun./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I am Professor McGonagall, and I welcome you all, first years and fourth, on behalf of the staff to Hogwarts," she greets warmly. "In a moment, you will go through the doors and be sorted-" she glanced at Dennis, brows furrowing. "And what happened to you, young man?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I fell into the lake," he grins. McGonagall's lips twitch upwards for a brief moment, before turning down. "You ought to be more careful in the future, alright?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"He nods, as she smiles slightly. "Good."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"We were led into the hall, as all eyes turned to us, especially the small, dripping boy in front of me. He looked at a red and golden table, and saw a similar looking boy, causing him to wave maniacally./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""That's my brother!" he said to me, causing me to smile. "That's awesome, Dennis. Do you hope to be in the same house?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Of course!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Welcome, new ones, to Hogwarts," a figure at the front said, long white beard with a silver bead in it. "I am Albus Dumbledore, but you all should call me Headmaster Dumbledore, unless you wish for detention."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"The hall lowly laughed, and Dumbledore smiled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Alright, new ones, get in an orderly fashion, prepare to be sorted by the Sorting hat," Professor McGonagall held up a scroll, gesturing towards a ratty looking hat. The hat's slit parted, revealling a sort of mouth. It began a song, and at the end we all clapped./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""First up..." McGonagall looked at her list after the song. "Adams, Ivy."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"A small girl stood up with a bush of curly hair, walking over to the hat. After a moment or two, the hat parted it's slit./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hufflepuff!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"The girl hopped off the stool, walking towards the canary-yellow decorated house. This went on for a while, and Dennis was sorted into Gryffindor, until McGonagall looked at her list again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Murray, Florence," she reads, as I step forward. The houses murmured, probably wondering why such a big-looking girl was around first years. The hat was placed on my head, as I felt it probe into my mind./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Ah, I haven't had an American in a while. They typically stay overseas,"/em he murmurs. em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Wampus, huh? Those are the warriors, which could be strongly Gryffindor. However, you are very intelligent and cunning, so Ravenclaw and Slytherin could fit you well."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""And why not Hufflepuff?" I question back in my mind, thinking of his song. "Am I not kind?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""You are, but your dominant traits would fit you better in those three houses. Ah, I see you aren't diligent with school work, however, you are of span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"that /spanperson's descent, and they were quite close and all...So you could still be...no, I see your past grades. However, Slytherin could be a good fit...yes, you are very smart on your feet with your creations and such, and it does run in the family...oh? What is this?" /em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""What is what?" I shoot back, as I feel them chuckle in my style="box-sizing: border-box;" "What you did at the World Cup, that was awfully selfless, especially after the loss of your father."/em My heart dropped in my chest when he said that, but I didn't say anything. em style="box-sizing: border-box;""I have made up my mind."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""GRYFFINDOR!" he shouts, as the red-and-gold table cheers. Hopping off the stool, I make my way over, eyes scanning over the table to see 3 pairs of eyes upon me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"It was those three people from the World Cup. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Glancing downward, I sit beside a young man with big brown eyes and curly hair, who was smiling especially brightly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You're a first year?" He asks, as I shake my head. "Fourth."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Ah, you sound American. Are you from Ilvermorny?" he asks, as I nod. "That's so cool! I've always wanted to visit America," he responds, holding out a hand. "Dean Thomas."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Florence Murray," I shake his hand, as he lets go to point at a person from across him. "That idiot over there is Seamus Finnigan."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"A boy with buzz cut hair, blue eyes and big ears frowned. "I'm no idiot! I just... eh, screw it, I am an idiot. Nice to meet you, Murray."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"I laugh, giving him a smile. "Nice to meet you too, Seamus."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"He raises a brow. "You call everyone by first names?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Yeah, why wouldn't I?" I ask, as Dean shakes his head. "It's an American thing, probably. Usually when we first meet people, we use last names. Within a week, we go straight to first names."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Unless you're Malfoy, then you call em style="box-sizing: border-box;"everyone /emby their last names, no matter how long you've known each other," Finnigan jokes, causing Thomas to laugh, but my brows furrowed. "Malfoy?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You'll meet him soon enough, or his father, if you tick him off," Thomas explains. "We have classes with Slytherins the most, since the professors want us to 'mend the bridge' between the houses."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""But most Slytherins are horrible," Finnigan groans, causing the boys to laugh./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Dumbledore makes a small speech, ending with a "tuck in." Before I knew it, food magically appeared before me. I gasped in surprise, causing the boys to laugh./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Don't they have this in America?" He asks, causing me to shake my head. "We have buffet style most nights, and there's always a perfect amount of food," I respond. "The chefs are culinary wizards."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""We just have the house elves taking care of the food, and everything," Thomas explains, causing my expression to pale. "Are they paid?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hm? No, they're our workers," Finnigan responds, causing my brows to furrow./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""So they're slaves?" I ask as Thomas shrugs. "House elves love working. I remember from Wizard History that during some war the house elves were freed due to the lack of wealthy families over there at the time, but the UK has always been old money. So there's always house elves."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"I sigh, piling food onto my plate. "I guess I'm not used to the cultural difference yet. No country is perfect. I mean, only recently has it been ratified in every state the marriage between no-majs and wizards."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""No-maj?" The boys questioned as I shook my head. "Sorry, muggles."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Did you have lots of half-bloods in Ilvermorny?" Thomas asks as I shake my head. "It's still mostly pure bloods. Biases are still there, obviously."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Oh, are you a pureblood, then?" Finnigan asks as if we were discussing the weather. In America, since everyone was a pureblood, this wasn't a common question you ask new people. But I guess over here it was just like asking what someone's favorite color was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""No, my mom is a witch, my dad a no-muggle- I mean, muggle," I correct myself as the boys nod./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Same here. Bit of a nasty shock when he found out," Finnigan responds, as Thomas nods. "Reverse for me, Dad was a wizard, Mom a muggle. I grew up thinking I was a muggle," he states as I grin./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm glad I can talk of the muggle world without people being confused, then" I joke, causing the boys to laugh. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""That happens too often over here," Finnigan agrees. "I'm going to bring my boombox to school after Winter break and play TLC's latest album and confuse em style="box-sizing: border-box;"everyone /emwith my 'talking box.'"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'm going to bring in a box of Gushers," Thomas continues as I grin./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""I'll bring pens, notebooks and pencils and sell them on the down low," I joke as the boys gasp./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""How did I not think of that?" Thomas questions as Finnigan laughs. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You'll have a full vault by Sunday night. Oi, have you met Neville yet?" Finnigan nudges the boy next to him, who glanced over at me with round brown eyes surrounded by a rounded face, still fat from childhood./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Hey, I'm Florence Murray," I smile as he nods, lips parting in a smile to reveal oversized buckteeth. "Neville Longbottom."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""Pleasure," I nod, as he nods back. From the corner of my eye, I saw Dumbledore stand up, and the hall went silent; save for the rain slamming at the windows outside./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""So!" said Dumbledore, smiling around at them all. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it. " The boys across from me lowly chuckled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""We all know that won't stop Fred and George," Dean comments dryly, causing me to arch a brow. "Who?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""You'll see." Finnigan chuckles, almost as if making an inside joke with Dean./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;""As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year." /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;"Hogsmeade! I've heard about that when I was researching Hogwarts. It's apparently the local Wizard village, which is filled to the brim with interesting stores. All we had in Massachusetts was a crummy little pub that overcharged for style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year. " Everyone gasped at this, looking around in confusion. "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts -"br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /But at that moment, there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall slammed open. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; color: #555555;" /p