The bus stopped two blocks down from kings Cross Station, in a deserted alley way. To my surprise, Jr—Moody I mean, did not get off.
Instead he winked at me as Draco and I picked up our belongings and exited.
"I wonder if he will play favorites like that stupid git of a teacher Professor Lupin!" Draco asked when we were safely out of ear shot.
"Was that the werewolf one from last year?" I asked casually. Rumors get out about Hogwarts these days, only because it is where Harry Potter is I'm sure.
Draco brushed off the question; it seems he thought it obvious.
I left it alone, apparently not being the teachers favorite student was a touchy subject with Draco, which that thought made me almost laugh.
"Alright then, how do we board this sucker, I've been through many ways… none in a muggle train station before!"
Changing subjects made Draco a bit better mood.
"It is right up here, in between the pillars—Right where—oh the Weasleys are trying to get through." Draco wanted to push them out of his way, but I stopped him.
There were just four people left: a red headed girl, the twins and Ron.
"You guys were here first… So… Hurry!" I bit my tongue when I looked at Draco's face.
The Weasleys were also very confused but they hurried through the platform.
"What was that about?" Draco asked.
"Oh come off it Draco, be polite in public! You don't want people thinking you are a snob!"
That was my only excuse, but I did say HURRY pretty forcefully, so it still showed annoyance! I
think? All I know is it is awkward not telling Draco exactly what was going on.
It was our turn to go through the pillars. Once I got to the other side I was amazed.
People were everywhere, noise and smells filled the air. "They aren't very organized!" I called over the crowd.
"That is because we have Dumbledore running the place; his mind is off the rocker, if you know what I mean." Draco called back.
I smirked. Draco led us straight to the back of the train, and we were pushed through the doors.
"Slytherin house always gets the back of the train… Habit I suppose, but Marcus will be here already, let's find him!"
He threw me an evil smirk, to which I rolled my eyes.
Draco and I were friends, but for some reason Draco still tried to annoy me like he does everyone else.
Maybe it was just his way, but he doesn't do a good job… I never find myself absolutely hating Draco…
Even when he—"Oh look there he is! And he has seen us, you go head Calli, I have to find my dorks for friends!" LEAVES ME WITH MARCUS! Ok I admit I feel a bit annoyed.
"Hey Calli, how are you? Come on, I saved you a spot in my compartment. Draco never sits with us." He added that, I am assuming, to make sure I was still going to follow him.
At this point I really had no choice because I knew no one else. He slid open the doors. There were four people already sitting in there, all guys.
"These guys play Quidditch with me! I told them you liked to play—"
"So you are going to let a girl on the Slytherin team?" One of the boys cut in.
I raised my eyebrow, "Does that not normally happen?"
A few of them shook their heads, "There hasn't been a girl on the team for about fifty years now…"
"And why is that?" I asked.
"Well.. It's obvious; girls just aren't as good as guys!" Everyone laughed.
I rolled my eyes for the second time today, "We will see about that."
"That a threat?" Marcus teased.
I smirked at him, "Take it how you will."
The others made noises like 'oh dang' and 'bring it on' and other things like, 'you two should just kiss already.'
I made my spot in between the door the guy who said boys were better then girls.
I learned his name was Montague, and he was a seventh year. Marcus looked a bit angry that he was not sitting by me.
What made him madder was that all the guys were asking me questions and seem interested in me.
Just then I had a feeling that I should walk around, maybe I was just getting antsy from sitting for so long, but I stood up, "I'll be right back…"
"Where are you going?" Marcus stood up too.
"Look Marcus, I am glad you care but you can't follow me to the bathroom." I tried not to laugh, but everyone else's laugh was contagious.
It was the first time I've seen Marcus blush but I bet it was more out of anger then embarrassment. I grabbed my Hogwarts robes and left.
Ok my feeling; lead me to wherever I am supposed to go! I passed the bathrooms, but I really didn't have to go. As I passed more passengers, I tried to guess the house they were from.
Ravenclaw had blue.. ok then I saw Hufflepuff, or at least a lot of different colored badges and scarves. Finally I reached the front part of the train.
The Gryffindor' 'area'. It didn't take me long to realize why I needed to walk up here, Fred was walking my way.
"Are you lost?" He stopped right in front of me. I noticed for the first time how tall he actually was. I am not a short person; I stand about five nine… But Fred towered over me.
Luckily we were the only two in the hallway at the moment, because we were blocking it.
"And what if I am? Am I not allowed up front with you guys?" I smiled innocently.
"Normally I don't like to categorize people, but you hang around Malfoy and Flint… Both of whom point to trouble."
That was a harsh statement, but I could tell from his eyes he was just joking with me.
"Well maybe I am trouble." I winked, turned around and walked away.
I could feel his stare after me; I was just glad he did not follow me because my face was bright red.
Whatever made me act that way was new to me. Normally I am cool, calm and collected! But I didn't lie to him, I am trouble…
Luckily I brought my clothes with me, because by the time I got back to my compartment, the train announced we will be arriving in ten minutes, and we should all change.
I quickly changed and walked back in. My excuse for taking so long was a line and I had to change. Marcus bought it, and I didn't care if anyone else did.
I was booted out of the compartment again so they could all change. "Man she could stay if she wants!" Warrington smirked. Marcus punched his arm and closed the door.
When they finally finished, the train was already slowing down. "Geesh and they say girls take forever!" I laughed when I came back in.
Once the doors opened it was all chaos. I was herded into an area where carriages were waiting for us. I rubbed my eyes; those were Thestrals pulling the carts!
Those animals were amazing, and I have been waiting to see one! Not that watching someone die is a good thing, but one must always look at the positive outcomes.
The person I watched die was dying anyways… It was the final act of Bellatrix showing me the unforgivable curses. That story is for a different time.
Back to the Thestrals, I was almost so amazed that I forgot to get on the carriages.
"It shouldn't be that scary to get on. There is even a ladder!" I spun around. There stood Fred and George, George was the one who spoke.
I coughed, "Yes well.. Are you getting on this one?"
"Well, we want to, whenever you decide to get out of the way." George smirked.
"Um.. Right.." He got me there, and I climbed aboard.
Fred was watching me, and for some reason I could not find a comfortable spot.
"You seem squirmish!" So he does speak!
"Yes well, if you think I am nervous, think again, because I have been to my share of new schools."
"Well, that was my guess. I'd say you are still nervous. So you have a hint of few accents, where are you from?"
I shrugged, "America, Romania, just down the lane in France near Beauxbatons…"
"Wow! Why do you move around a lot?" George asked.
I watched Fred as I answered, "Just my parents' job.. My mom is high in the ministry and my dad is high in the muggle world relations committee."
"Wait, your last name is Carlson?" Fred asked.
I nodded uncertain of if this was a good or bad thing.
George smiled, "OH my dad knows her! Says she is very respectable and polite."
My mind went off; my mother never spoke of their father… But he likes her so that is a plus, "Oh, well that is very nice of him!"
"I don't think he will like that you are in relations with the Malfoy family though." Fred pointed out.
I didn't have an answer to that… However lying is what I am brought here to do!
"Yes well, you know how those pure-blood families; they have to be best friends with each other; besides Mr. Malfoy basically corners my parents to getting them over for dinner."
I never believed that lie would work, but they agreed with me,
"I could see him doing that. Well hey if you don't like hanging with them, we are always looking for new people to test our tricks with!" Fred winked.
"I will keep that in mind!" Our carriage has reached the castle. I do admit, the picture did not do the castle justice.
The tall towers glowed under the moon light, and the candles burning from inside gave it a welcoming feeling. "Wow!"
Fred smiled and helped me down the steps, "Yup, this is your new home for the year!"
A new home, a tinge of sadness hit me; I have not had a stable home in years.
The stairs seemed never ending, and half way up I realized I have been talking to Fred and George so much I forgot to look for Draco. However, I didn't have to.
"Calliandra Carlson!" I shuttered at my full name, it was the same as my mothers.
Fred nudged me when I didn't step forward, "That is Professor McGonagall, and you should probably tell her where you are."
"Right here Professor!" I made my way over.
"Oh there you are dear, Hagrid was supposed to find you off the train to bring you with the first years… Anyways that is beside the point now; hurry along you must be in the room to hear the rules in order to be sorted!" She dragged me through the crowds with ease; they seem to move for her.
The room she took me to was kind of small, I noticed the other students filing into a bigger set of doors.
"Ok! Now that we are all here!" McGonagall started reading off a list; that was when I zoned out.
Rules were always the same, don't wander alone, don't go out after dark…
Stay away from these certain rules…
You can not go into other house's common rooms…
"Everyone form a line by this door!" I blinked and forced myself back to reality and followed the others to the correct spot.
No one seemed interested in the sorting after the first three names; but they still clapped politely.
Luckily my name was towards the front of the alphabet.
"Calliandra Carlson!"
I sat down. The hat was placed on my head.
*Ahh I have not seen a mind like yours for awhile.*
"What's that supposed to mean?" I heard laughter, I must have said that out loud.
*No need to shout dear, just think what you wish to say.. But I mean exactly as I say. Your mind is very confused….
You seem lost… Trapped behind a shell of sarcasm. You view yourself following your parents footsteps.. Do you honestly feel like that? I can sense doubt.*
'I didn't know you were a shrink.' I stated firmly, I did not like hearing my thoughts bounced around in someone else's voice.
*I am not. But I do have a voice of caution; do not lie to your true friends. Trust yourself, it will lead you out of trouble.*
'Oh, you are sounding like you are about to make a decision, I need to talk to you about a house...'
*I hear your thoughts Calli, and I have chosen a house based off them, not off of any stories you have created for me..*
"GRYFFINDOR!" I heard the table go crazy. My cheeks were bright red; this was not what I expected.
I didn't dare to even glance towards the Slytherin table. I felt scared, was this really the right choice? I would feel much better sitting in the dungeons with my fellow soon-to-be death eaters.
"Well I suppose you must not be that much trouble!" Fred grabbed my arm and made me sit by him.
I sighed, "Oh I can still bring trouble from your house."
"It's your house now to, Ms. Intimidating." Fred smirked.
Right.. it is.. For the first time I searched for Draco. It wasn't hard to find him, only he and Flint were staring at me.
I shrugged and rolled my eyes, 'stupid hat' I mouthed.