A/N: Told you I'd be back soon!


Chapter Twelve: The New Beginning

I was sure I had died and gone to Heaven when seeing the castle for the first time. It stood tall and bountiful, flags waving proudly at the top of numerous towers. Even in the darkness, its beauty was leaking towards us uncontrollably. I was practically bouncing in my seat with excitement, eager to be inside.

The boats made it to shore smoothly, and in a rushed second, we had all scrambled out of them and were waiting for a struggling Hagrid to climb out of his own boat. Several of the taller and stronger boys eventually helped him to his feet, and regaining his composure, Hagrid bounded off towards the castle entrance, working off a deep blush. Giggling to ourselves, we followed.

I caught up to James, smiling widely. "This is it! Are you excited?"

His grin was even larger than mine. "What do you think?"

Suddenly, I remembered, and my face fell. "You haven't seen Liana, have you?"

"No…I'm sorry."

A spell of silence cast upon us all as Hagrid led us through monstrous, wooden doors that creaked open magically as we approached. My heartbeat skipped as I spotted yet another hint of magic. Even at the Leaky Cauldron, the portal to the magical world, I never witnessed much spell work and charms. Mum made meals by hand and Dad would wash dishes manually – they told me that this was to teach my siblings and me that no one should fully depend on magic to do everything.

From the doors, we entered a bright, high-ceilinged room, with elegant, old-looking portraits hanging from the walls – the figures in each painting waved jovially at us, shouting out their welcomes.

A gaunt and aged man met us at the top of a flight of curving stairs. He shot us students a nervous smile, and then glanced over at Hagrid. "The new batch, Rubeus?"

"O' course, Professor. All yers." Hagrid brushed past the man, who stumbled a bit as he did, and slipped through an even wider set of doors. A thought flashed through my mind – it must be the Great Hall.

"Welcome," the professor beamed at us, but he couldn't shake off the jittery demeanor. "I am your Transfiguration teacher, Professor Cole. I'm also the head of Gryffindor House, so perhaps I'll be seeing many of you more often."

Towards the back of our hue, someone snickered. Professor Cole paused, as if daring the offender to continue, but when no other sound was heard, Cole spoke again.

"You're about to witness your Sorting ceremony, which will affect your entire school career. Your Houses are your homes; your housemates are your family. There's Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. Each holds their own set of attributes that a member fulfills in some way."

I spied on the faces around me – none seemed impressed. Apparently, they too knew how the following was going to go.

"You'll be rewarded House points from teachers, at the point of success or exceptional actions. Teachers may also deduct points at a time of detention or improper behavior. At the end of the year, the section with the most points will earn the House Cup."

I began tapping my foot impatiently. From reading Hogwarts, A History, I knew all of this. Couldn't formalities be postponed until later?

"…Now I'll bring you into the Great Hall to be Sorted…" Cole seemed unsure of himself, and I wondered if this was his first year teaching. "And it will take place in alphabetical order, so I apologize to anyone whose last name is towards the end…" Behind me, Fred Weasley scoffed.

"Right then…" Professor straightened up to his full height and swirled on his heel. "This way, please!"

We followed him up the landing, and as we approached the doors Hagrid had entered beforehand, they squeaked open for us. I held my breath as Cole led us in, we students in a single file behind him.

The very first things I saw were the flickering candles floating in mid-air nearly about ten feet above us. The enchanted ceiling I had read about radiated a jet black color, to resemble the darkness outside, and four tables stretched from one side of the Hall to another – the four House tables. Professor Cole brushed up the aisle between two tables, and halted at about three steps that led to the staff table. We all fought past each other to earn a front-row view for the ceremony.

I was at the very end of the line straggling down the room's length, stuck between the wall and a towering blond boy. I could just about spot my father sitting several chairs away from the Headmistress's throne-like seat. He sat calmly, speaking with the teacher next to him, as if his own daughter wasn't there about to be Sorted.

Professor Cole was now placing a three-legged wooden stool in the center of the staff table's platform, a scroll in his hands. Cole seemed to be delaying the start of Sorting, glancing back at his coworkers questioningly.

Then I noticed why – the Headmistress's chair was empty. A faint buzz was traveling throughout the tables' occupants – several students behind me, who I'd later identify as Ravenclaws, murmured among each other loud enough for me to hear.

"McGonagall's with some first-year who didn't send in her acceptance letter in time," a female voice snickered. "Jenny said that she saw them head to her office."

"Well, that's never happened before," a voice an octave deeper chuckled. "Good way to kick off the year, eh?"

My stomach tightened – this girl was without a doubt Liana. I was just about to turn and ask these students what they believed would happen to her when a smaller door behind the staff table opened and a witch with snow white hair tied up in a bun emerged, her robes dragging across the floor as she quietly sat down in the center chair. Looking over half-moon glasses, she nodded in Professor Cole's direction, and the latter cleared his throat as he began unrolling his scroll.

A boom sounded throughout the Hall, and we first-years jumped just as we spotted a patch, black hat now perched on the stool Cole set out. I held my breath reverently – the Sorting Hat. The Hall fell to a hush as the Hat's seam opened, and a song spilled out.

To this day, I still don't recall the exact words to the tune that began my Hogwarts life, but I do remember talks of chivalry, smarts, graciousness, and cunningness. How our House would define us later in life. How the entire future depended on this moment.

Let's say that I never believed much of what the Hat said.

The Hall broke into applause as the Hat finished, and then Professor Cole consulted his list for the first of the life-changing events. I began to get comfortable in my squished spot, with the guarantee that it would be quite some time until he reached Longbottom on the list.

"Anderson, Thomas!"

A chubby boy stepped out from the far end of our line, tripping over the steps to the stool. He sat down on it, and the Hat was placed on his head. The Sorting Hat murmured incoherently for several seconds, and then called out Thomas's destiny.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The third table from the left cheered in delight. Thomas ripped the Hat off his head, handed it to Cole, and stumbled back down the steps to his new assignment.

And so it continued. I recognized several names ("Creevey, Laura…GRYFFINDOR! Finch-Fletchley, Peter…HUFFLEPUFF!) and picked out several students whose parents I could have swore I met at the Leaky Cauldron once or twice ("Bobbin, Emmanuel…RAVENCLAW! Kopeck, Samantha…SLYTHERIN!").

Finally, just after Zachary Landers was Sorted into Hufflepuff, the dreaded, yet eager-filled, moment arrived for me. Professor Cole ran his finger down the scroll and his voice now growing hoarse, he called out...

"Longbottom, Alice!"

My heart dropped, my thoughts blurred. Behind me, the same students who had joked about Liana were whispering of my surname.

"She can't be Professor Longbottom's daughter?"

"You heard Cole, didn't you?"

"Well, Professor's got a new favorite…"

My knees shaking, I slipped out past the blond boy next to me and climbed the steps to Cole and the stool. I caught sight of Dad's bright face and he smiled gently at me before I sat down on the stool, my back now facing him. I partially lost my vision as the too big Sorting Hat was placed upon my pounding head – it blocked my view of the shining House tables in front of me.

There was a minute of silence before an ambiguous voice filled my ears.

"Well, the first of the new Longbottom era, I presume?"

I could hear my mind replying: Yes.

"I remember the others so well…there was your father, of course. Almost Sorted him into Hufflepuff, that I did, but then I caught that shimmer of courage deep inside. And your grandparents didn't even need negotiating…they were Gryffindors from the days they were born…

"But your mother's family…all Hufflepuffs, that they were, except for old Artie Abbott, that dreadful Ravenclaw. Now, where to put you…I see loyalty, plenty of it too…"

My heartbeat skipped a bit – loyalty was a well-known trait of Hufflepuffs.

"What's that, my dear? You do not want to be a Hufflepuff?"

My thoughts spoke again: I'm not very sure.

"Well, calm down now…I see something more in you…there's courage…a fair amount of it too…"

Me? Courageous?

"Perhaps not the type your father and grandparents were…but you have courage to stand up to others, to speak your mind…well, you'd best be in GRYFFINDOR!"

The Hat shouted the last word to the entire Hall and the second table from the left broke into applause and whistles. As I rose from the stool, Cole lifting the Hat off my head, I found myself relaxing, a beam easing onto my face. Dashing down the steps to my new House table, I plopped myself on the bench next to a dark-skinned girl who had been Sorted several people before me.

Turning back towards the front of the room, I suddenly made eye contact with my father. Dad's face was alit, his eyes twinkling proudly as he applauded the Hat's decision of me in Gryffindor. I felt more proud of myself than I ever had before when seeing this expression.

The Sorting continued, and I lost interest quickly until Professor Cole reached James's name. I was the daughter of people who had been in separate Houses. James's parents were housemates. If I was selected for Gryffindor, then James ought to be too.

It only took about thirty seconds for the Hat to make its decision, among loud whispers all across the hall – people were eager to learn which House the son of the Boy Who Lived would join. It called out triumphantly, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Our entire table rose to their feet and cheered, whistled, clapped, and did nearly every imaginable sign of joy. Across the Hall, James's cousins Victoire and Dominique – both Ravenclaws – looked dismayed. Michael Scamander, however, leaned across the Gryffindor table to give James a greeting hand pound as he approached.

"Congratulations!" I whispered over to him after the commotion died down and "Quinn, Natasha" was being Sorted.

"You too," he beamed at me, only to be overpowered by more cheers at our table as Natasha also became a Gryffindor.

And once again it continued. Fred Weasley also became a Gryffindor, as well as the blond boy ("Wood, Matthew") who had been next to me in line. Several minutes after the final first-year was Sorted, the snow-white haired witch who had entered late stood from her chair and the Hall quieted.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," the lady's voice was calm and postured. "I trust that you all had a safe and pleasant journey here."

I let out a quiet snort at the thought of the miserable train ride.

"For those who do not know, I am Professor McGonagall, Headmistress to this school. If you wish to be liked by me, I suggest you stay out of trouble."

Some bold laughs tittered across the room. McGonagall narrowed her eyes, but continued.

"Classes start tomorrow morning immediately after breakfast. The Heads of Houses will hand out schedules to all students then. If first-years have any further questions, they should ask their House's prefects or the Head Boy or Girl. Now…let us begin our feast."

She raised her arms, and the golden plates in front of us filled to the brim with hundreds of delicacies. We began snatching up our own plates and scooping food onto them. As medium-range chatter broke, with old friends conversing and new friends getting to know each other, James began speaking to Fred and me.

"Poor old McGonagall…Dad told me that she's getting way too old for working, but she won't quit her job. Something to do with her last promise to Dumbledore…"

We three all knew well of the former Headmaster, due to him being James's brother's namesake. But when it came to interpersonal relationships between these figures of the past, we were as clueless as any other eleven-year-olds.

"My mother says that the best class to take in third year is Divination," the raven-haired girl across from me stated to no one in particular. Referring back to the Sorting Ceremony, I remembered her as Julianne Corner. "She told me that she learned more in that class than any other – lots of predicting the future, you know?"

Fred snorted and stabbed a baked potato with his fork. "Divination's known for being a load of rubbish. My mum took it for a couple of months before dropping out. It was a school wide joke."

Julianne pursed her lips. "Not according to my mum."

"No worries, Fred, you're right," the black girl who was sitting next to me grinned at him. "My dad didn't even take it and he knew what a waste it was." When she caught me staring, she smiled. "Hello. I'm Arria. Arria Jordan."

"Alice Longbottom." We shook hands.

"Fred's dad and mine are good mates," Arria explained.

"So are James's and mine."

"Your dad's the Herbology teacher, isn't he?" the girl named Natasha quipped. "My older sister said his name was Longbottom."

I was reminded of all the late-night conversations Liana and I had had, in which we wondered about other students who might dislike me for Dad's position. Hesitantly, I nodded. Natasha only bit her lip and returned to her chicken.

As the traces of dinner faded on our plates, new dishes appeared on the tabletop – dessert time. We helped ourselves to tarts, puddings, etc. As magic once again cleared the plates, McGonagall gave prefects the word to bring the first-years to our dormitories. As I rose from my seat, about to follow Arria and James away from the table, there was a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find my father there, badly attempting to blend in with the taller students around him.

"Alice, come with me."

"But Dad…" I kept my voice low, not wanting to be labeled as a daddy's girl my first night at school.

"Just come." He took off back towards the staff table, and I embarrassedly pushed past students to follow him.

He led me into the back room McGonagall had come out of earlier in the evening. In it, the only light source was a roaring fire underneath the mantle. A figure sat by the fire's glow, but I didn't recognize this person until I noticed the cage carrying the snow white owl next to the figure. "Liana!"

My best friend turned, her eyes red and puffy. When seeing me, she simply held out her arms and hugged me. When we parted, she burst into tears, which shocked me.

"It's all my fault!" Liana managed to say through her sobs. "I was stupid and didn't send in my acceptance in time! And Uncle Rolf, he never knew, I just told him I'd send it in myself..."

Behind me, Dad cleared his throat. "I'm sure you weren't keeping track, but there were only four girls Sorted into Hufflepuff. Every other House had five of each gender. The extra spot was Liana's."

She whimpered once more. "Does that mean I would have been a Hufflepuff?"

"No, no, no!" Dad sought to correct himself. "We'll never know."

"Can't you just accept her now?" I questioned.

Dad glanced at the floor and shook his head. "It's impossible to do at Hogwarts. Once acceptance letters come in and the deadline passes, the book is bound and those are the only students that can attend – it has to do with the ancient magic the founders set on the school."

"Professor McGonagall is Flooing to France," Liana whispered. "She's trying to get me a spot at Beauxbatons."

"Beauxbatons!" My mouth dropped. "But why?"

Liana shrugged. "To make up for my mistake, I guess. But…France…" Her voice trailed off uneasily.

I squeezed her arm. "I'm sorry, Liana. But…we'll still be friends and you'll do amazing at Beauxbatons."

Liana sighed heavily and glanced away. The door to the chamber creaked open and McGonagall entered, a miniature vial of liquid in her veined hands. "Miss Scamander? Madame Pierre states that she couldn't be happier to accept you into Beauxbatons, should you choose to go."

Liana was quiet for several minutes, and we waited. Finally, she spoke quietly. "I…I guess I'll go. But I don't know how to speak French."

Professor McGonagall gestured to the bottle in her hands. "That is what this is for. Just drink this and whenever you require the need to speak French, the words will just come out. You'll understand what you're saying and what others are saying. It's quite impressive actually."

With shaking hands Liana accepted the potion and swallowed it in one try. She grimaced as it traveled down her throat.

"You leave for France immediately," McGonagall said gently. "Beauxbatons' term started several days ago."

Liana hugged me one last time. "'Bye, Alice. See you at Christmastime?"

I nodded. "Definitely. Write me, okay?"

She agreed, and then glanced over at my dad. "Thank you, Mr. Longbottom. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble."

"No problem at all, Liana."

"This way, Miss Scamander," McGonagall was motioning towards another door that had suddenly appeared – or was it always there?

Liana shot us one last smile before lifting her owl's cage and dragging along her trunk. She disappeared through the doorway, and before the headmistress followed, McGonagall looked back at my father and me.

"Thank you, Neville," she nodded firmly towards Dad. "And Miss Longbottom – welcome. I'm sorry you had to see off your friend on this particular day."

"It's all right," I murmured, clearly not all right with the situation.

"I suggest you get to bed immediately," McGonagall's robes swished as she turned towards the door. "Morning always arrives quickly for a first-year…"

And she too disappeared, shutting the door behind her. I made an effort to dry my slightly misty eyes, Dad patiently waiting until I was ready to leave. Then he personally brought me to Gryffindor Tower, where we came across the infamous portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Thanks, Daddy," I smiled wistfully up at him, hugging his waist. "I love you."

"I love you too, Alice," My father returned the hug promptly. "But when we're in public, I'm Professor Longbottom, all right?"

Hiding my grimace, I nodded.

"Password?" The Fat Lady snipped impatiently for about the hundredth time.

"Veritaserum," Dad – Professor Longbottom – replied. I made note of the entry code, although I was certain I'd forget it sometime soon.

The Fat Lady's portrait swung open, but not before she squinted her eyes at him. "Are you like your father, little missy? A terribly forgetful student who'll misplace a password-filled paper for a serial killer to find and then rip me to shreds?"

When I glanced at Dad questionably, he only blushed and pushed me through the hole. As I scrambled up into it, I could hear him lamenting at the Lady, "That was ages ago and it was not a serial killer…!"

The Gryffindor common room was circular, several armchairs, tables, and sofas surrounding a crackling fire. Two separate staircases were seen, presumably leading to the girls' and boys' dormitories. A frazzled prefect came rushing down one set of steps, scolding me and asking just where I had disappeared to.

At first I was in fear of being punished by this girl in a superior position, but cunningly, I simply replied, "I was with Professor Longbottom."

The prefect froze and brushed off this remark, sending me up to find the correct dormitory on my own. When I was doing this, I couldn't help but laugh to myself at the prefect's reaction. Perhaps, Liana had rubbed off some of her boldness on me, or maybe I was just living out on my Gryffindor attributes. What I did know was that my new life was beginning, and it was time to be strong and face the music.


A/N: Please review!