Chapter Two:
The sky was growling with thunder as the carriages pulled into the Hogwarts grounds, carrying the student body for that year. The students hurried in, holding their robes above their heads in an attempt to stay dry. However it quite obviously failed, as the stairs leading to the Great Hall were spotted with rather large puddles. Filch followed the students, grumbling the entire way about the messiness of careless teenagers. Mrs. Norris stayed close to her master's feet, hissing in anger as her paws hit the water.
The students all edged into the Great Hall, all starving and looking forward to what they knew would be an excellent meal.
The four girls stood near the back of the group, along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Ugh I hate the rain," groaned Isabelle as she wrung out her hair. "Oh here, I don't know why I didn't think of this before," Hermione said quickly, pulling out her wand. She waved it at the group and the water evaporated, leaving them slightly damp but for the most part dry.
After expressing their thanks, the group went into the Great Hall. "See ya later," Harry called over his shoulder as he, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the Gryffindor table. The girls waved at the trio before falling in line behind the first years.
Professor McGonagall walked out carrying a ratty brown hair and a stool. After placing the two items down, McGonagall addressed the group standing in front of her.
"When your name is called, you will come up here and I will place the hat on your head, and then it will be decided which house you belong in."
The four girls looked at each other with apprehension. This seemed a very strange way to get sorted; back home you filled out a lot of surveys and then got analyzed by the administration. Your personal feelings about which house you wanted to be in also could determine which house you were in, or if there was a family legacy in the house.
The four girls were unusually silent as they watched all the tiny first years go up one by one to get sorted. Soon only they were the only ones standing in the middle. "Shit this is embarrassing," whispered Indigo, glancing around at the gawking students. "Just keep looking forward," whispered back Katie, not taking her eyes off the hat. Dumbledore took this time to stand up. "Students, I would like to introduce you all to something new that Hogwarts is doing this year," he said with a sweep of his hands.
"If any of you noticed, four of our own students are not here, one from each house. We are participating in an exchange program with an American wizarding school, Helicase Academy. In their place, four American students have come to study here at Hogwarts. Please," he said with his signature twinkle in his eye, "Make these four young women welcome here."
He sat down again and the students let out a hesitant clap but kept their focus on the four girls. Isabelle felt a burning on the back of her neck and cautiously turned her head to find the source of the staring. It was Malfoy. He was glaring at her murderously. Shaken, she turned back to face the Sorting Hat.
"Makenzie Ashwell," called out McGonagall. Makenzie walked quickly up to the stand and sat down on the stool, twisting her hands in nervousness.
Hmm, a strong willed person. Not easily ruffled but still, best not to upset you too greatly. You seem to have a strong bond to your friends. Well Slytherin certainly won't do… In that case…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The hat's voice echoed in the Great Hall but was drowned out by the cheering from the scarlet and gold clad table. Makenzie couldn't stop grinning as she made her way over to the table and sat down next to Harry and a girl who introduced herself as Lavender Brown.
"Isabelle Malark," was the next name called. Isabelle walked up and sat down, shutting her eyes so she couldn't see the sea of students in front of her. Without realizing it, she was muttering to herself, anything but Slytherin, repeatedly.
The hat chortled before speaking to her.
So not Slytherin eh? Sounds like a boy I sorted five years ago. He didn't want Slytherin either. Hmm, you seem to have already gotten yourself in trouble. Well if that's true, I see that someone as stubborn as you would do well to stick with your loyal friends who can back you up…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The cheering was just as loud as when Makenzie had been sorted and Isabelle joined her friend with a squeal and a hug. She carefully chose to sit on the side that placed her back towards the Slytherin table. There was no way that she wanted to look at Malfoy while she was eating.
"Katie Quatrone," said McGonagall. Katie strode up to the stool and promptly sat down, really confident about the whole thing.
Rather confident about this aren't you? You appear to be very competitive, determined too. I'm detecting a possibility for Ravenclaw, ah but was that no? Well then if you are sure you want to be with your friends…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Again the cheering commenced and Katie slid in next to Isabelle with a similar squeal. They then all turned to watch Indigo get sorted.
McGonagall looked at her list, then kind of shrugged like, 'You know the hell who is next to get on up here. "Indigo Stringham," she called out but Indigo was already half seated in the chair by the time the last syllable had left the professor's mouth.
I'm getting a huge sense of loyalty from you… definitely a hard worker. An individual who wants to stand out but be accepted? Mhmm, you are one of a kind. Hufflepuffs do fit those qualities, but what a shame it would be to separate someone so close to their friends. In that case…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The hat had barely finished speaking when the Gryffindor table had erupted into cheers. They were quite proud to have gotten the four new students. Indigo raced over and hugged each of her friends before sitting down next to Makenzie.
Dumbledore stood up once more. "Now as most of you know the rules, and I'm sure you four young ladies know what rules are from your old school," he added, "so I am only going to say this. Enjoy!" He waved his hands and food immediately shimmered into view on the table. The students gave a cry of excitement and began to dig in.
The dishes were dramatically exquisite and the four girls couldn't believe their eyes. As they heaped up their plates with pasta, salads, breaded chicken, and so much more food, they couldn't help but exclaim their amazement at the choices out loud.
Hermione let out a snort. "The food here is made by enslaved house elves, who have been brainwashed into thinking that making food for hungry teenagers is the only life for them."
Harry laughed. "Hermione's hell-bent on saving the house elves," he said as way of explanation. "Bloody stupid too," Ron mumbled through a thick bite of steak and gravy. "Mione hasn't been able to accept that they really do want to work like dogs," he whispered to Indigo who laughed.
All too soon they had finished the dinner portion and dessert had appeared. "Oh god I'm going to be so fat," whined Katie, but couldn't help herself as she heaped some key lime cheesecake onto her now sparkling clean plate. Makenzie nodded through her large bite of strawberry shortcake and Indigo was too distracted by the dark chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce. Isabelle was staring enviously at all the food. "Man this is giving me so many ideas," she said almost to herself, the pastry chef part of her kicking in.
Their conversation continued and the girls kept up smiling while they met more of their fellow classmates. However though once the dessert had disappeared, the exhaustion set in. "I'm so ready to just sleep now," remarked Makenzie as she stifled a yawn. "Where will you all be sleeping?" asked Hermione as they started to make their way out of the Great Hall. "In the letter we got, it said that we would have our own room while we stayed here," answered Indigo. "And I do believe it's on the fifth floor and that would be…" Isabelle's voice trailed off. "Over there," Harry responded, nodding his toward their left.
"Okay thanks!" chorused the girls, breaking off from the group of Gryffindors they had been walking with. "Night!"
The night was a calm one, everyone fast asleep in the dormitories. It was just the beginning of the new year though, who knew if it would be this peaceful for the rest of the year.
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Sorry for the delay, finals and school and everything. :P Hopefully chapters will start coming out faster!
Oh and brownie points to anyone who catches the biology vocabulary used!
Please comment!!