"Alright first years follow me."
Anna joined the group of first years as they bunched up around their prefect.
"I'm Cedric Diggory, one of the Hufflepuff prefects. If you have any questions, feel free to come talk to me anytime. I'm always available to help, except during Quidditch games. Now, stay close behind so you don't get lost."
He turned and walked out of the Great Hall, the first years following. As he led them through the castle, Anna waved at the portraits. They smiled and some of them waved back.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!"
"Have a wonderful night!"
Anna smiled and almost ran into a fellow first year. It took her a second to realize they had stopped in front of a portrait.
"Alright, if you've been paying attention, this is the most direct route to our House. However, it's not the only way. I suggest that for the time being, you always come this way. Just remember to watch the stairs. Behind me is our portrait. Whenever you come to the dorm, you have to give a password. It changes once a month, so come to me to get it."
Cedric turned and and the Portrait looked at him.
"Password?"
"Oddsbodkins."
The Portrait opened and they walked through. Anna smiled at the bright yellow that met her eyes. It made the common room look like a bright and happy place.
"Welcome to the common room."
Anna looked around the room at some of the students who were sitting in the chairs. They glanced at the first years, but kept their conversations alive.
"Your rooms are through the hall behind me. Girls on the right, boys on the left. Your stuff has already been brought to your room. You have the rest of the night to do as you please, but remember that classes begin tomorrow."
Anna followed the first years to the dorms. She found her room and Apollo hooted happily. He flew to her shoulder and nuzzled her face.
"Um...hi."
Anna looked at the three other girls in her room. They all smiled nervously.
"Hi! I'm Anna." she said.
"I'm Katelynn." A blond girl said.
"Ashley." A girl with dark skin and curly black hair said.
"And I'm Mary." A tall girl with long brown hair said.
Anna smiled, "It's nice to meet all of you."
The girls all standed awkwardly.
"So, we all start with potions tomorrow. I hear Snape's a terrible teacher." Katelynn said.
"Did you see him at the staff table. He kept a serious face the whole time." Mary said.
Ashley laughed, "I've heard that he'd just bitter because of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Who is he?" Mary asked.
"Tha handsome one."
"You mean Mr. Lockhart?" Anna asked.
"Oh! Gilderoy Lockhart! The author of all those books! He's just wonderful!" Mary gushed.
"He is very handsome."
"Oh! Anna has a one up. She's Dumbledore's daughter, so she could probably get us all to meet him."
"Um, I don't know about that..."
"Wait, let's stop talking about Lockhart, no matter how dreamy he is. I'm really interested Anna. How are you Dumbledore's daughter. He's like, 100 years old."
Anna sat on her bed and stroked Apollo, "Well, he adopted me."
"What happened to your real parents?" Ashley asked.
"My mom was killed by a Death Eater, and my dad had to leave me when I was a baby. Dumbledore has raised me since before I was a year old."
"You know, I didn't know my real parents either." Mary said.
"Really?"
"Yeah, my dad fell off his broom in a Quidditch match before I was born and wasn't able to be healed. My mother was in a muggle accident and died. So, I'm raised by my Uncle. He works in the ministry of magic."
"So, does that mean you're a pureblood?" Katelynn asked.
"Yep. A whole line of Newtons."
"I'm a pureblood too. Both of my parents are Aurors."
"Isn't that scary?" Anna asked.
"I guess. I mean, there's always that fear that they won't come home, but they're both really good Aurors. So, I'm not too worried."
"What about you Ashely?"
"I'm a muggleborn. My parents were both very surprised when they found out. I mean, Hagrid was the one who came to tell us. So you can only imagine the look on our faces when a giant knocked on our door." Ashely smiled.
The girls laughed.
"So, I guess I'm the only muggle born in here. The rest of you are purebloods."
"I'm a half blood. My mom was a muggle." Anna said.
"And she was killed by a Death Eater! That's terrible." Katelynn exclaimed.
Anna looked at Apollo. He hooted softly and pecked her nose.
"I really like your owl. He's a lot prettier than mine." Mary said, "Ugly brown thing."
"At least you have one. I have a cat...and I have no idea where that furball is." Katelynn shrugged.
"I wish my owl was as social as yours." Ashley said, "He just hides in corners. He's probably in the owlrey lurking in the dark."
The girls laughed. Anna yawned and stretched.
"Well, I'm gonna go to bed. Good night girls."
"I'm with you. Good night." Mary said.
All four girls changed into their pajamas and climbed into their beds. They turned off the lights and went to sleep.