Chapter 2
Albus and Rose stood on either side of me as we waited to be sorted. Professor Longbottom carried to the front of the great hall a stool and an old-looking hat. He cleared his throat and started to read off the list. "Athens, Ruben" he called out. A tall boy walked confidently up to the stool and allowed the hat to be placed on his head. Seconds later, the hat called out "Gryffindor!" The Sorting went on in the same fashion.
"Cambrid, Penelope!"
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat bellowed.
"Everford, Lawrence!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Fabion, Zeke!"
I didn't hear what house Zeke had been sorted into because I suddenly turned toward Albus and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to look at me. "Would we still be friends if we went to different houses?" I asked him. I wanted him to tell me that we would because I wanted him to be my friend. He thought for a moment and answered, "Yes."
I beamed. I had already made a good friend at Hogwarts and I hope we would stay friends.
"False, Ella" Professor Longbottom called. Albus gave my hand a squeeze and Rose gave me a reassuring smile. I thanked them silently and walked shakily to the stool. Professor Longbottom smiled at me as I sat down upon the stool. He placed the hat on my head.
"Hmm…not very cunning I see. You're loyal and brave, but will run away when things start to go bad. My, my very intelligent and you can catch the meaning in almost anything. Well, your not very hard to sort. You belong in…" I held my breath.
"RAVENCLAW!"
I saw Albus' face fall and Rose's disappointed face. I felt really lonely as I walked to the Ravenclaw table that Professor Longbottom pointed out to me. As I sat down, the Ravenclaws clapped me on the back and welcomed me. I stared at the table as Albus and Rose both got sorted into Gryffindor.
I ate in silence all the while thinking about what the Sorting Hat had said to me earlier. "…will run away when things start to go bad…" is what it said. It bothered me. Would it mean that if my family was at stake, I would run away and save myself? My train of thoughts was interrupted as a person came to stand behind me.
I turned to look at the person. He sort of looked like Albus except for the red hair and brown eyes. "You Ella False?" he asked. I nodded and he handed me a letter. "From my brother," was all he said. I turned to thank him but he already went back to the Gryffindor table. I looked at the letter in my hands.
I opened the letter and started to read.
Hey Ella,
I wish you would have been sorted into Gryffindor. We'd spend much more time with each other if we were in the same house. Anyway, I bribed James(my brother) to let me use the Marauder's Map for a week. Meet me at the entrance hall when your finished eating. The entrance hall is located in front of the Great Hall. Right when you get outside of it. See you there!
-Albus
I looked at the letter in confusion. Marauder's Map? If I meet Albus at the Entrance Hall though, I won't know how to get to my common room. I looked around for a napkin and asked one of the nicer looking students close to me. "Excuse me," I said. "Yes?" she replied. "Umm…do you have a writing utensil?" she checked her pockets and brought out a pen. "Sorry, I don't have a quill, is a pen okay?" she asked sheepishly. "It's fine," I assured her. "I'm Kelsy by the way, Kelsy Coleman." She introduced.
I introduced myself and we went back to our respective meals. I wrote a letter to Albus saying that I wouldn't know how to get into the common room if I don't follow my Prefect and that I'll meet him tomorrow.
I asked Kelsy if she could deliver the letter to Albus Potter. She looked hesitant at first and then went over to the Gryffindor table. I saw her come back and watched Albus open his letter. His eyebrows furrowed and then looked disappointed. He scribbled another letter and I turned away.
Minutes later, the same person (who I learned was James Potter, Albus's brother), came and handed me a letter. It read:
Ella,
We won't be able to meet tomorrow because you don't even know your way around Hogwarts! You'll be too busy doing homework! Also, if you come with me, we can explore the castle and I'll give you 5 chocolate frog cards!
-Albus
I sighed. It did sound tempting. I liked adventure, but there wasn't much adventure where I lived. I thought it over and wrote another letter.
Albus,
I'm sure we'll meet plenty of times tomorrow. And, I'm sure I could find my way around the castle thank you very much. I've already got a lot of friends here in Ravenclaw anyway. We'll do it next time Albus.
-Ella
"I'm really sorry Kelsy, but could you take this letter to Albus Potter again?" I pleaded. "Ella…" she started but she saw my face and took the letter to Albus. I saw him read it then roll his eyes. He scribbled another letter and asked James to deliver it. He walked toward me with an annoyed expression on his face.
"Here," was all he said.
I opened the letter.
You're scared aren't you?
I'm sure I looked offended because most of the house table had watched the exchanging of letters and were trying to get a closer look of what the letter said. I wrote one word.
No
I had Kelsy deliver the letter one last time. "Ella, you owe me a lot after this," she told me. I nodded. One last letter came back.
"What am I?" James muttered, "His personal owl?" He shoved the letter into my lap and I read it.
Fine. Now I know why you weren't sorted into Gryffindor, you don't have the guts to explore. You're scared you might get caught huh? I thought friends stayed together. I guess we aren't friends then.
I only knew Albus Potter for less than a day and now I dislike him. I don't hate him. I just don't like him anymore. What hurt me more about his letter was that he said earlier that we would be friends even if we were in different Houses. He broke that promise and I felt tears spring to my eyes.
That moment all the food disappeared and all eyes were on Dumbledore as he said his speech. I heard the shuffling of feet and heard the distant call of, "First years, follow me please!" I walked toward the rest of the Ravenclaw first years and followed the Prefect.
I was amazed of all the things Hogwarts held. Moving portraits greeted us as we passed. Ghosts appeared at different intervals. We climbed a tall tower until we came to a door. The Prefect knocked on it with a bronze knocker. The eagle opened its beak and asked a question.
"What is the wand movement for the spell, Wingardium Leviosa?" it asked. "Swish and flick," the Prefect answered. The door swung open to reveal a spacious room with arched windows, a midnight blue carpet, bookcases, tables and chairs. We looked around in awe and the Prefect showed us our dormitories. I went up the girl's staircase and found my dorm.
When I entered my dorm, I saw that Albus was right (I cringed when I remembered our past conversation). My luggage was already there as were my roommates. I later found out that my roommates names were Maricel Lugo, Debbie Franks, Rebecca Silan, and Mandy Boot.
I went to the bathroom and changed into my nightgown. I bid them all goodnight and climbed into bed, excited for the first day of school and dreading seeing Albus the next day.