The long awaited chapter 4..
"Hmmmm.. Very difficult," came the voice of the old hat that sat upon Alex's head; she was now looking up at it in amazement just like all of the other first years had ahead of her. "Very cunning I see, yet you have heart enough to know right from wrong. Hufflepuff is not the place for you either. Very smart, much potential, but too lazy for Ravenclaw. Hmm, yes, I see now. Very brave, you always fight for what you believe in. Which leads me to believe you'd be best in GRYFFINDOR!"
A loud cheer erupted from the far side of the room. Alex went and took her place at the Gryffindor table next to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Soon the sorting was done and the feast began. Alex's focus drifted in and out of listening to Hermione's concern on the welfare of house elves, and the taunting of Fred and George. She was greatly distracted by the enchanted ceiling, and the all around appearance of the room she was in.
"SO!" Alex flinched a little at the sound of Dumbledore's voice bringing her back down to Earth. "It is my painful duty to inform you all that the Interhouse Quidditch Cup will not take place this year." The shock was quite evident on everyone's face, Alex's face however, still did not show any sign of disappointment. "Instead, Hogwarts will have the great pleasure of hosting the TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT!"
The Great Hall then erupted into a mix of cheers and disturbed whispers. "As a safety procaution, however," Dumbledore continued, "the ministry has ruled that no student under the age of 17 shall be permitted to participate in the tournament." This time it was an echoes of whines and boo's that filled the Hall, but all were overtook by the arguing of Fred and George.
Dumbledore continued over their shouts of protest, "Please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of Beaxbatons Academy of Magic!" For the first time since Alex had entered, the room went silent as a group of girls entered through the giant doors in the back.
"Whoaa..." Ron barely managed as his and Harry's mouths dropped.
"Both of you close you mouths before you drool on something," said a disgusted Hermione as she rolled her eyes. They both wiped their mouths.
"The students of Durmstrang!" Everyone watched, intimidated, as the group went by. "As they all took their seats, Dumbledore continued once more, "Now I bid you all good night. Get a good night's sleep, as classes begin in the morning."
"Follow us," Hermione said, "we'll show you where the common room is." Alex nodded. All of the fourth year Gryffindor walked in a pack back to their common room.
"Come on, I will take you to the girls dormitory," Alex waved goodnight to Harry and Ron before following Hermione up the stairs.
"Alex was almost done with unpacking her things slowly from her many bags when Hermione turned to her.
"You have been oftley quiet today, Alex. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah. I guess I'm just not really myself yet," she said as she placed the last thing of nail polish on the nightstand and dropped down on her new bed. "It's just a lot to take in, I'll be better in the morning," she said and forced a smile for what she hoped would be the last time while she was here.
Hermione nodded, smiled back, and turned out the lights. Hours passes and Alex continued to roll around, unable to fall asleep, like the other girls, as she had wished. everything was so new to her, and she couldn't help but think of what Hermione had said. Had she really come off as shy? Though she was somewhat uncomfortable, she was not the type to be silent. What was this place doing to her?
Tomorrow things would be better. This is not the end of her time here, and not the way they had to be while she was here. Yes. Tomorrow would be better, and she would soon be back to normal.
This was only the beginning.
Hope you liked it! I will try to post again soon but between school which is now over, and the job that I just got, not to mention finding time to myself, things have been pretty crazy but I hope you all can forgive me!