*WARNING*
Spoilers are located in this chapter, so if you haven't read (or watched the film) to at least the Half-Blood Prince it'd be wise to NOT read this chapter
*WARNING*
I shifted a bit more towards the girl than forwards and replied with, "Hello, I'm Nicole, or Nicky" The girl smiled and nodded seeming quite intrigued by me, "Wow, that's a nice name" She exclaimed placing her hands in her lap, "I'm Ivy, nice to meet you Nicky" She added sticking out her hand. I gratefully shook it, glad I had already made 2 friends. 2 more than I had made my whole school time at my private school,
"So... Are your parents wizards?" She asked curiously. I was about to shake my head, and was actually in the motion when I realized I had never been notified if my parents were wizards or not, since they had died when I was 8, "Actually..." I began, "I don't know" Ivy tilted her head, obviously confused, but she brushed it off not pushing me any further. But, someone else did,
"Why don't you know?" Victor asked, who was staring at me and Ivy our whole conversation. I gulped softly, kind of creepped by the gester, "Well... They- left before they could tell me" I explained twiddling my thumbs. Victor tossed me a confused look as he tilted his head, "Left? Why'd they-" "VICTOR SHUT IT!" Ivy snapped standing in the boat,
"You know what she means you numb-skull!" She shouted sitting once again. Victor scowled, but I could tell he felt quite terrible about what he'd done, and it almost seemed as if he really didn't get what I meant about left.
"You know him?" I whispered softly to Ivy. She nodded her face tense, "Everyone does, that's read the novel" She replied her gaze fixated on Victor. I shrugged, not really knowing what she meant by: novel, "He's Snape's son... And he was a death eater, for all we know he may be one as well" Sure, I didn't know who Snape was, but when she said Death Eater, I understood immediately. Victor had told me about them on the train and how everyone judged him and treated him like one just because of his father's mistake. I nodded, but didn't change my friendship status with Victor. It seemed he had no friends, and I was going to be there for him. I didn't want him to have no friends like I did for the longest time.
Soon after Ivy had told me about Victor's dad we arrived at the other side of the lake that held the school Hogwarts on it's grounds. I gasped at the sight of the huge school, that was more like a 19th century castle. But, once we docked Victor had ran ahead, he probably had heard mine and Ivy's conversation about his dad, but that wasn't going to stop me. I sprinted up to the front where I found Victor frowning up at Hagrid as he lead us to the front gates of Hogwarts,
"What'cha doing up here?" I asked slowing down to a steady pace. He shrugged slipping his hands into his pockets, "I haven't been here in ages, I guess I just want the first look inside" He answered still scowling at Hagrid. Then, I leaned into his ear and whispered, "How come you hate Hagrid?" I exclaimed. Victor laughed softly and replied with: "Long story, I'll tell you later"
Soon we were all inside the building, and were now following an older professor that led us to some huge doors that supposedly led to a dining hall, "Now..." She began, "Before you all sit down, you must be sorted into your houses" She explained, and with that she opened the humongous doors that revealed what I expected, a dining hall. There were 4 long tables with kids of all ages sitting at them. They applauded as we entered and wandered up to the front where an aged brown wizard hat sat.
The lady picked up the hat as a man strolled up to a podium in the center of the stage. The applause departed as the man coughed preparing his throat for a speech, "Greatings, old students and new! Today you will be sorted into your houses by the sorting hat" He explained, then continued on, "First up, we have probably our most known student" Victor grunted at the statement, "Victor Snape" Everyone clapped, but not out of free will, since there faces showed pure disgust. Even the sorting hat, who surprisingly folded into a face, showed a face of nothing but anger.
Victor plopped himself onto the seat as the lady placed the hat on his head, "Well, isn't this obvious? SLYTHERIN!" The hat declared. The Slytherin house applauded the remark, and some actually stood. I smiled as Victor highfived one of his fellow house members as he sat beside them. After a few more people got sorted, as well as Ivy being sorted into Hufflepuff, it was my turn.
"Hmm..." The hat exclaimed as it was placed on my head, "Wait..." It muttered softly, "Slytherin?" It asked itself. I nodded slightly, hoping it'd sort me into the house, but then the hat's face tensed up as it muttered something, then shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hufflepuff table cheered as I fist pumped Ivy sitting down beside her. But, then I made a huge mistake. I peered over at Victor whose face was full of loneliness and regret. Suddenly, I didn't feel so happy that I was sorted into Hufflepuff, since I did really like the name when Victor told me it, but now Victor was alone with no friends in a house he'd thought be perfect for him.
Then, I wondered if I could go sit with him... Not today, but maybe tomorrow. I grinned as I turned my attention to the headmaster, who I was sure was the person who'd make the decision.