I honestly had no idea what to expect on the first day of school.
That was the one thing I absolutely hated about going to Hogwarts, the fact that you didn't know exactly what you'd be doing or who was going to be in your class or what the other kids would be like killed me on the inside.
My cousin Albus felt the same way. Granted, he was probably going to get sorted into Slytherin just like James had been saying for practically the whole summer.
Poor Al, having the mickey taken out on you must suck for a younger sibling.
I, on the other hand, thankfully do not have to worry about mean older brothers.
In my family, I am the eldest (and wisest) – my younger brother Hugo is another story.
Quidditch Champion in the making, he's been taking flying lessons from my Aunt Ginny since the day he'd been born – so he's already got the sporty thing sorted out alright.
I prefer book smart people myself, but I don't mind a round of Quidditch here or there every once in a while – I just don't let it consume my entire life like some people in our family (meaning everyone else) does.
At least I will always have Albus, who could honestly care less about the sport – much to his mother and father's disappointment (my words, not theirs).
Anyways, the school thing…
I guess being sorted into another house wouldn't be so bad.
I reckon I'm a shoe-in for Gryffindor though, that's what dad keeps harping on about all day long and so does my mum occasionally, though she's the more sensible one that says things like "it doesn't matter what house you're in, it only matters who you are on the inside" blah blah blah.
It would make sense that she is a sensible person, after all, she is the Minister For Magic.
Ravenclaw seems nice though, being around like-minded people like myself and also my Aunt Luna's children would be fun.
Hufflepuff doesn't seem too bad, but I don't know if it would be the exact right fit for someone like me.
Slytherin, on the other hand, is out of the question. Not because it's a bad house, it's not, it's just I don't see myself as anything other than a Gryffindor (or Ravenclaw) but I guess only time will tell…
It wasn't too far away at this point.
By the time you're reading this, I'm already walking into the Great Hall with Albus by my side and his new best mate Scorpius Malfoy.
Go figure! I managed to leave him alone for a few minutes and he'd already found the one person my dad warned me against making friends with… Scorpius is alright though, so far. He gave us practically half his sweets and even offered to buy us more from the trolley as it came past.
Such a friendly chap.
It seemed to happen rather quickly at this point, Scorpius' name got called from that really long list Professor McGonagall had been reading from for the past ten minutes I'd been standing here. The poor kid seemed like he was shaking when he finally managed to get up.
I couldn't help but glare at the others who started whispering about him, they didn't even know what he was like and they already started to call him names.
I'll be remembering their faces for sure in the future.
Surprise surprise, he got sorted into Slytherin.
I had a weird feeling inside of me as I watched him join the Slytherin table, I guess a small part of me hoped he'd get into another house, considering that he's so different from the rest of his rather awful family's history.
At least we could still be friends, though.
That was something that we discussed on the train ride to school, no matter what we'd stick together.
Oops, I almost missed telling you about Albus' sorting!
He's heading up there now!
Poor kid looks even more scared than Scorp did.
Oh gosh, it hasn't even been a full day and I'm already calling Scorpius by a nickname.
Damn that sweet, good natured Malfoy kid…
Now that was a surprise for sure!
Slytherin! Albus looked mortified but then expressionless as I watched him hop down to go join Scorp at the Slytherin table.
I felt a little bit sad that he wasn't a Gryffindor but, Slytherin did seem quite fitting for him – he was very different than the rest of our family.
In a good way, of course.
At least he'd have Scorpius, though.
It was probably a good thing he didn't end up in Gryffindor, because then he'd be stuck with me and James tormenting him on a daily basis.
I mean tormenting in a good way, just a few light jabs here and there wouldn't hurt him…
Damn, I'd been so focused on what pranks I'd be pulling on Al if he'd ended up in Gryffindor that I completely missed hearing my own name being called.
Please don't tell my mum and dad before I do, okay?
I didn't realise how scary it could be just to sit on a podium in front of all your classmates like this with a silly little hat on your head.
He didn't seem to appreciate my calling him silly, but he still gave me what I wanted, nonetheless.
I'm a Gryffindor!
It didn't take too long for me to react and hop down to join my other fellow Gryffindors.
I couldn't believe it.
No, okay, I could believe it. I admit I was a little disappointed about not making Ravenclaw though, but I knew that the Sorting Hat knew what it was doing.
I guess I just had to trust the hat's judgement and hope for the best.
So, there's that.
My first day at Hogwarts – well, not the first, because tomorrow was actually the first full day of lessons.
I'd better get some shut eye before then, so I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Hopefully I haven't bored you all so far & you'll still be around to hear more of my schooling journey.
Until next time…