DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. All rights go to J.K. Rowling for writing such a brilliant story.
A/N: Also, I had a comment saying that Astoria was a year below Draco and I just made her in the same year, it's easier that way. So Astoria is in Draco's year and Daphne is in the year above. Thank you!
Chapter 3
The train lurched to a stop and the six of them exited the compartment, Olivia leading the way and Draco closely behind. She checked her pockets for her wand and sighed visibly when she felt it through her robe pockets. She couldn't even fathom what would happen if Olivia was without a wand. Her grey eyes scanned her surroundings. They were all at an outdoor station and a rather large man with a lengthy beard was holding up a lantern. He was shouting in a loud voice, "First years! This way, please!"
Astoria grabbed Olivia by the hand and dragged her along, "He's very large."
Blaise snickered besides her, "And hairy, looks like an ogre."
Olivia peered up at the man and he looked down at her and smiled, "Hello there, on the boat please."
The man pointed to a random direction and numerous boats were lined along a shoreline, each of them with a lantern lighting the way. Draco stood near a boat and helped Astoria into the boat. Olivia stepped up next and shot a smile in thanks to Draco before scrambling into the seat next to Astoria. Draco got in next with Blaise following suit. The boat magically directed itself towards Hogwarts and Olivia gaped at the castle before her.
"Merlin, it's beautiful." Olivia sighed, wrapping her robe around her frame tighter.
The boat finally came to a stop and Olivia followed Draco and Blaise and everyone else into the castle. They were greeted by a severe looking witch and she cleared her throat before announcing, "Welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Professor McGonagall. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup."
"That will definitely be the Slytherin house, my father said he was in it." Draco boasted as Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Follow me into the Great Hall please." McGonagall instructed.
Olivia looked around the magnificent architecture of the castle as she followed the group of first years deeper into Hogwarts. She marveled at the paintings that moved and conversed with each other. She waved at some who waved back excitedly. Suddenly, a solid body rammed into her, knocking her onto her butt.
"I am so sorry!" a boy cried out, getting on his knees and kneeling over Olivia. His green eyes showed concerned and he stuck a hand out, offering to help her up.
"S'okay, I wasn't paying attention." Olivia muttered, rubbing her sore bum.
Draco rushed forward, grabbing Olivia's hand and hoisting her up, "You alright?"
Olivia nodded, looking at the boy's lightning shaped scar. "You're Harry Potter." she stated.
He sighed, clearly hearing the phrase one too many times. He stood up and asked, "Yeah, and you are?"
"Olivia Riddle." she said and winced as the ginger head boy next to him gaped at her with an open mouth.
Draco smirked, "It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts. I'm Malfoy… Draco Malfoy."
At this, the boy next to Harry laughed. Draco sneered down at him and snapped, "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley."
"Draco, cut it out." Astoria hissed next to him as the Weasley boy turned pink.
Draco ignored her and continued, head held high, "Well soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
Draco extended a hand of which Harry looked at it in disdain. "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." he replied coldly, walking past Draco and bumping into his shoulder harshly.
"Who was that other kid?" Olivia asked, watching the red and raven headed boys walk away.
Blaise glared after them and answered, "Ron Weasley, huge family, annoying lot."
The double doors opened revealing the Great Hall. Four tables took up most of the space where candles floated above the other students. Whispers erupted at the new first years and Olivia felt herself becoming smaller and smaller. The roof was enchanted to look like the night sky and at the very front of the room was a table full of staff, one of which was a man with midnight blue robes and a long white beard.
The man stood up and started his speech with a twinkle in his eyes. Olivia leaned against Blaise who yawned, clearly bored. The man finally ended his speech and McGonagall walked forward, standing next to a stool with a tattered hat on it.
"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses." McGonagall said, pulling out a scroll and reading out the first name, "Hermione Granger."
A bushy haired girl who stood between Harry and Ron walked up to the hat and McGonagall placed the hat on her head. The hat muttered a few words and yelled out after a minute, "Gryffindor!"
The table sporting red and gold cheered loudly and Hermione walked over, taking a seat.
"Draco Malfoy." McGonagall called out and Draco sauntered up to the stool.
The Sorting Hat skimmed his platinum blond hair before yelling out, "Slytherin!"
Susan Bones, Hufflepuff. Blaise Zabini, Slytherin. Astoria Greengrass, Slytherin. Hannah Abott, Hufflepuff. Michael Corner, Ravenclaw. Harry Potter, Gryffindor. Ron Weasley, Gryffindor. Olivia waited impatiently as students were sorted into their respective house.
"Olivia Riddle." Professor McGonagall announced as her eyes widened at the surname.
Minerva watched Olivia to the stool with skeptical eyes. Olivia looked up at Professor McGonagall with curiosity and sat on the stool. "I remember those eyes. How could a little girl, so sweet and innocent, be related to him?" Minerva whispered to herself. She glanced over to Professor Dumbledore and noticed his twinkling eyes and hands folded on the table, slightly leaned forward with interest.
Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on top of her head. Olivia jumped at the booming voice that sounded in her head, "AH, ANOTHER RIDDLE!"
"Yes, sir?" Olivia said, her voice small so only her and the Sorting Hat could hear.
"Well, very different from your father. Brave and compassionate, Gryffindor would be interesting. Smart, passion for books. Ravenclaw would be suitable. Like your mother, Penelope Mayweather. What a bright witch." the hat commented.
"It's Riddle now but yes, I share the same passion for books and learning." Olivia whispered to the hat, loud enough so the two of them would only hear.
"So eloquent for a little girl, perfect for Ravenclaw. But I see you are quite reserved. Very kind, Hufflepuff could be another house of choice." Olivia shrugged, letting the hat continue, "But your father's blood runs deep. Cunning, witty, manipulative and alluring when needed. You will be undefeatable in due time. I feel like you belong in Slytherin. I believe it would be best if you were in Slytherin, Ms. Riddle. Would you like to be in Slytherin?"
Olivia looked at Astoria who looked on nervously twiddling her thumbs, Draco who was impassive but Olivia could see the anxiety in his eyes, and Blaise who looked on, his head tilted in curiosity. "Whatever seems the best fit, Mr. Hat." Olivia replied, daintily shrugging as she fixed the pleats in her skirt.
The Sorting Hat chuckled before bellowing, "SLYTHERIN!"
The table decked in green and silver cheered loudly and Olivia took a seat between Astoria and Blaise, relieved that she wasn't the center of attention anymore.
The rest of the sorting finished and Dumbledore smiled, standing up with his hands spread wide, "Let the feast… begin."