Sorry for the late hour guys. First I had a project going this morning/afternoon. Then a birthday party for my best friend so :)
Anyways, here we are for the week folks! Enjoy.
Amalthea mewed at her feet and Lizzie looked down at her.
"I guess you're right, we should find a compartment." With a sigh she picked up her cat in one arm and went in search of one, dragging her trunk behind her as the train rocked under her feet. Students milled around here and there, ducking in and out of full compartments. She squeezed past them all, heading further down the train. Before long she bumped into another young girl, obviously a first year as she was looking around a little nervously. She had honey blonde hair and a face spotted with freckles. Lizzie approached her with a smile.
"Found anything?" She asked. The girl whipped around. "A compartment I mean. Hello, I'm Lizzie! And this is Amalthea." She lifted her cat a little higher in her arm and the girl smiled.
"Hollis." She said. "And this is Atlas" Hollis poked her sweater pocket and a little cats head popped out, a Siamese with pretty grey blue eyes.
"Hello Atlas." Lizzie waggled a few free fingers but Atlas only slid back into his owner's pocket, disappearing from view. Hollis sighed.
"Sorry, he does that. And I think I might have found a free seat. It's just this way." She led Lizzie a few doors down and slid one open, revealing an empty compartment. Lizzie grinned.
"Fantastic!" She slid her trunk next to a similar one by the window. "Is this yours then?" She asked, pointing to it. Hollis nodded as she tried to dig her cat out of her pocket. "If you don't mind my asking, why were you out in the hall if you had a compartment?" The other girl shrugged, a light blush dusting her cheeks.
"I was thinking of going to find my brother. He's with all his Quidditch teammates though." She said. Lizzie couldn't stop the flood of questions that followed.
"Your brother plays Quidditch? What position? What year is he? My brother plays too, he's a chaser, Slytherin. What House is your brother in?" Lizzie gasped in delight. "Do you play?" She was bouncing on her toes now and it took an effort of will to stop, smiling apologetically. Hollis was sitting across from her, mouth gaping and eyes wide.
"Erm . . ." She said. Lizzie plopped down.
"Sorry. I love Quidditch. I'm going to be on my House team in my 2nd year." She declared. Hollis let out a surprised laugh.
"Really? How do you know? That you'll be on the team I mean?" She asked. Lizzie shrugged one sidedly.
"Because I want to be." She answered. "And every good Slytherin is ambitious."
"And you know that too? That you'll be in Slytherin?" Hollis asked slowly. Lizzie's smile dropped a little.
"It's not true you know, that being in Slytherin means you'll be bad. All my family, except my mum, have been in Slytherin and they're not bad. My Father's the best person I know, besides my brother. He loves us a lot and he's really nice. And he's a Slytherin." She finished defiantly. Hollis flashed a small, apologetic smile.
"What House was your mum in?" She asked quietly.
"Ravenclaw." Lizzie said, beginning to smile brightly again. "And she's really, really smart and kind and pretty. I suppose I wouldn't mind Ravenclaw but," Here she wrinkled her nose, "I'm right awful with puzzles and riddles."
This set Hollis off on a round of giggles which in turn set off Lizzie.
"Well, I'm fairly certain that I'll be in Ravenclaw so if you do end up in there I'll help you out." Hollis grinned at her and Lizzie grinned back.
"In that case . . ." Lizzie held out her hand. "Do you, Hollis- oh, what's your surname?"
"Belby."
"Thank you. Do you, Hollis Belby, agree to aid me, Elizabeth Blishwick, in all cases of riddles and puzzles no matter how rubbish at them I am?"
"I, Hollis Belby, hereby agree to aid you, Elizabeth Blishwick, in all cases of riddles and puzzles no matter how rubbish at them you may be."
They shook hands and sealed their promise. The solemn silence was immediately broken by giggles as both girls realised they had made their very first friend on the way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It was a little past twelve when the trolley cart came rumbling down the hall followed by a dumpy old witch with a kind smile. Hollis and Lizzie, both eager for a spot of lunch, dug into their pockets for their coins. With wide grins they fell upon the cart, loading up on all manner of sweets including a single box of Bertie's for them to share. For a moment all that was heard were the wheels of the train and the murmurs of students as Lizzie and Hollis divided up their spoils. Lizzie had just bitten into a delicious pumpkin pasty when their compartment door slid open. Both girls jumped and Lizzie coughed on her pasty while Atlas scrabbled back into Hollis' pocket and Amalthea woke abruptly from her nap on the seat across from them.
"Has anyone seen a toad?"
A girl, already in her Hogwarts robes, stood in the doorway. She had very bushy brown hair, and a very bossy tone. Lizzie swallowed her bite of pasty and sat up straighter.
"And you are?" She asked. The girl blinked before sticking her hand out.
"Hermione Granger, did you know Harry Potter is on the train? Who are you?" This was all said very fast and Lizzie and Hollis glanced at each other before Lizzie stood up, offering her own hand gracefully.
"I'm Elizabeth Blishwick and this is Hollis Belby. I don't know about a toad but I did know about Harry Potter, I met him in Diagon Alley and he seems rather nice." Lizzie shook hands with Hermione then gestured to the seat across from Hollis. "Would you like to sit with us?"
"No thank you." Hermione turned to Hollis. "Are you related to the inventor of the Wolfsbane potion?" Lizzie couldn't stop her jaw from dropping. This Hermione girl obviously had no idea how rude she was being! "I suppose that means you'll probably be in Ravenclaw?" Hollis nodded mutely. "I'm hoping for Gryffindor myself but Ravenclaw would be good too. I've learned all our course books by heart of course. I hope it'll be enough, no one in my family's magic so it was such a surprise when I got my letter."
She was muggleborn! Hermione's rudeness made sense to Lizzie now. She simply didn't know how young witches were supposed to comport themselves. She opened her mouth to begin explaining to Hermione just how rude she was being when she stepped out of the compartment.
"I'd best get back to searching for Neville's toad, bye!" And with that Hermione Granger was gone, sliding the compartment door shut behind her. Lizzie sighed and plopped down across from Hollis, scooping Amalthea into her lap.
"Well. She definitely won't be in Slytherin but if she ends up in Ravenclaw I hope a Prefect teaches her better manners." She said matter-of-factly. Hollis giggled.
"Or Gryffindor." She added. Lizzie grinned back at her and another knock sounded on the compartment door. It slid open halfway to reveal a girl with dark blonde hair and blue eyes peeking into the compartment.
"Erm . . . Hi. I don't suppose I could sit with you? I was looking out the window at everything and just now noticed the time and I have to change and everything and I haven't even eaten anything since breakfast!" At this the girl looked truly distressed as her fingers began to tap against the door.
"We have some cauldron cakes left if you'd like some?" Hollis asked and Lizzie pursed her lips before sighing inwardly.
"And a Pumpkin Pasty. The last one actually." She offered the treat and the girl took a small step around the door.
"Really? Are you sure?" She asked. Lizzie fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"Come on then, we don't bite!" She chided. A small smile appeared as the girl finally stepped fully into the compartment, closing the door behind her. "I'm Elizabeth Blishwick and this is Hollis Belby."
"Oh right! My name's Megan. Erm, Megan Jones." Megan sat beside Lizzie and took the proffered pasty gratefully, swinging her legs gently against the seat. She turned her head to look at each of them in turn. "So are you two magic? I mean, are your parents magic?" She asked. Lizzie blinked. Another muggleborn? She sighed, aloud this time.
"Yes. I'm a Pure-Blood and Hollis is a Half-Blood, I take it you're Muggleborn?" She asked dryly. Megan nodded, working to swallow the mouthful of food she currently had.
"Mm-hm. It's just me and Dad and well, he said he always knew I was special just not quite how special. It was a real shock when Professor McGonagall dropped by. And then Diagon Alley! And getting a wand! Oh but going to Gringotts first! That was really cool! All those goblins! And then we had to get the scholarship set up and then they gave Dad a bag of real gold!" She frowned for a moment. "Those are called galleons right? I've been trying to cram my head full but I feel like I'm about to burst." Indeed Megan looked quite ill all of a sudden and Lizzie blurted out the first thing to pop into her head.
"I don't really think the Trolley Lady would appreciate that." She said anxiously. Her cheeks burned as both Hollis and Megan gave her queer looks before glancing at each other. She looked down at her skirt. Giggles filled the air. Her head snapped up to see Megan's shoulders trembling with laughter and Hollis fighting a growing smirk.
"She wouldn't would she?" Megan said around a wide smile. "I don't imagine cauldron cakes would help much with someone's sick." She made a face and Lizzie cracked a smile. "Although," Megan began, sobering, "I'd think a lot of people feel anxious. I mean, I heard that there might be some sort of test and another girl was talking about how she's already memorized all our course books. I've only read the first chapter of most of them." She said glumly.
"Oh that's rubbish." Hollis said immediately. "All we're doing tonight is being Sorted and only the strictest teachers assign homework the first day of class." She folded her arms primly. "And I don't see how cramming your brain full of knowledge you won't even use yet is helpful. You'll do just fine. Besides, there are plenty of muggleborns at Hogwarts and obviously they do just fine."
"Oh, alright then. That does make me feel a little better. Did your parents tell you about all this?" Megan asked. Lizzie lifted a shoulder.
"A bit but Hollis and I also have older brothers. My brother's in Slytherin, his name's Alex." Lizzie said.
"And my brother's Marcus, he's in Ravenclaw and their both on their House Quidditch teams." Hollis said. Megan smiled a little wistfully.
"I've always wanted siblings but . . . Could you tell me a bit more about the four Houses? Dad says you should always ask different people's opinions so you can get a clear idea for yourself." She stated. "And maybe explain Quidditch? All I know is it's played on brooms? Like, in the air?" She pointed up with a slightly scared look but all Lizzie heard was "explain Quidditch". She grinned just as Hollis groaned.
"You had to ask about Quidditch." She sighed but Lizzie only glared at her before turning to Megan and beginning to explain the Wizarding World's greatest sport.
"So, there are seven players on a team and the first is the Keeper . . . "
At around six-thirty, after Megan's brain was stuffed full of detailed knowledge about Quidditch and about the four Houses of Hogwarts, Hogwarts itself, and anything else that came to mind, the three new friends decided they should probably change into their uniforms. Unfortunately Megan was having a slight tussle with her tie.
"I'm used to helping Dad tie his but now it's the other way 'round and I can't! Figure! It! Out!" With a frustrated huff she wound it around her neck and tossed it over her shoulder like a scarf. "There!" She said. Lizzie and Hollis laughed until their sides ached and Megan gave in, letting out a small giggle. Still hiccuping with laughter Lizzie took the tie from her and tied it properly, straightening it out and making sure the Hogwarts crest sat neatly.
"There you go. Make sure you ask someone in your House to teach you next time." She said smiling. Megan grinned back before seeming to come to a realisation.
"I don't know what House I'll be in. I might not be in the same House as either of you." She bit her lip. "Can we still be friends? Even if we're in different Houses? I don't know anyone else." Lizzie caught Hollis' eye and they made a decision right there. Each taking a bewildered Megan's hands they began,
"I, Elizabeth Blishwick, hereby promise to remain friends with Hollis Belby and Megan Jones from this moment onward."
"I, Hollis Belby, hereby promise to remain friends with Elizabeth Blishwick and Megan Jones from this moment onward."
Both girls looked expectantly at Megan whose smile had grown into a full-blown happy grin.
"I, Megan Jones, hereby promise to remain friends with Elizabeth Blishwick and Hollis Belby from this moment onward."
The moment was broken by a frantic croak and a soft thud. The three friends whirled around to see Atlas holding onto a small chocolate frog.
"Oh there it is!" Hollis exclaimed. "Atlas give me that! Chocolate is not for kitty's!" As Hollis struggled to detach her cat from the seat a voice echoed through the train.
"We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."
Lizzie suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach and, chancing a glance at her new friends, could see they felt the same sensation. The train slowed, slowed, stopped. Quietly she and Hollis coaxed their familiars into their carriers and then joined Megan in the hall.
Together they waded through the throng of students and out onto the small platform. They clutched each other by the sleeves of their robes as older students made for horseless carriages while all the first years hovered near the scarlet Express. Lizzie shivered in the night air.
"Lizzie? Lizzie!" A girl's voice pierced the air and a small shape came running up through the darkness. Pansy Parkinson threw her arms around her and Lizzie hugged back just as fiercely.
"Pansy! I didn't see you on the train! I thought maybe your parents kept you home! Oh I'm so glad to see you!" They stepped apart, both beaming at each other.
"I thought they might too but Mum convinced Dad and, here I am! I'm so happy to see you too! Oh," Pansy looked behind Lizzie and placed her hands on her waist. "You've made new friends already? I feel replaced!" Pansy kept the offended look for all of half a minute before laughing and extending her hand to Hollis. "Pansy Parkinson, a pleasure."
"Hollis Belby, likewise." Hollis said politely. Pansy nodded and turned to Megan. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Megan Jones and now I know three people! Oh erm, a pleasure." Megan smiled lopsidedly and Pansy smiled back just as another voice split the air, this one much deeper and louder.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" The person bellowed. A lamp appeared, bobbing in the air, held aloft by the large man Lizzie had seen accompany Harry Potter to Diagon Alley.
"All right there, Harry?" She heard him say. A faint voice answered him and the large man beamed.
"C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" He called. Lizzie clasped hands with Pansy and wound her other arm through Hollis' as Hollis held tight to Megan. Together the four of them, along with all the other first years slid and slipped down a steep, narrow path. It was so quiet and dark and Pansy squeezed Lizzie's hand a little tighter. Lizzie remembered suddenly how often Pansy would lose a game of hide-n-seek simply because she refused to hide in the small, dark spaces. She looked up then leaned over to Pansy.
"Look how bright the stars are Pans! Almost as if we could reach out and touch them!" Her distraction worked as together they took furtive looks at the bright pinpricks of light and Pansy's grip relaxed.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," the large man called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a long gasp ahead of them and then the four girls turned the bend themselves. The path opened suddenly onto the shores of a great black lake but that wasn't what really prompted the reaction. A vast castle, covered with turrets and towers, perched on a high mountain across the lake. Brightly lit windows winked across at them and Lizzie could feel herself gaping. It was magnificent.
"No more'n four to a boat!" The man called, interrupting the moment of pure awe for Lizzie. Startled, she looked to where he pointed and indeed saw a fleet of little boats just waiting to be filled with first years. The four girls scrambled into a boat and settled in, still gazing in wonder at their new home.
"Everyone in?" The man shouted. "Right then - FORWARD!" He bellowed.
And the little fleet was off, gliding smoothly across the lake. There wasn't a single sound except that of the little ripples made by the boats, stirring the stars reflected on the black water.
"Heads down!"
A curtain of ivy brushed their heads as the boats drifted into a dark tunnel until they reached a sort of underground harbor lit with torches. Lizzie climbed out onto a beach of rocks and pebbles then turned to help the others out.
"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" The large, hairy man stood hunched over a boat, reaching in and holding a fat green toad in his hand.
"Trevor!" A boy cried out, obviously delighted to be reunited with the slimy thing. Lizzie wrinkled her nose and shared a look with Pansy. After that they were led up a passageway carved from the rock in the cliff before coming out onto smooth, damp grass. Now they stood right in the shadow of the castle and Lizzie craned her neck back in order to try and take it in. But they were still moving and she hurried to keep up as they ascended a flight of stone steps and crowded in front of a huge, oak door.
"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" Satisfied the man raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times. The door swung open and a tall, dark-haired witch in emerald green robes stood there. Her face was very stern and Lizzie instantly recognized her from Alex's description.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall." He said. The Professor nodded.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She said. She pulled the door wide to reveal a massive entrance hall lit with flaming torches. Lizzie looked up but the ceiling was lost in the dim shadows. They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged-stone floor, past a doorway to the right. A hundred voices drifted through it but Professor Mcgonagall led them into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They all shuffled in, everyone peering around nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw," She paused for a single second. "And Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year,the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours." Lizzie stood a little straighter, feeling the eyes of her family on her.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Feet shuffled as hands nervously combed through hair and straightened cloaks. "I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor MCGonagall. "Please wait quietly." And with that she swept from the chamber. Lizzie traded looks with her three friends and they immediately set to checking each other's cloak fastenings and making sure their ties sat straight and their shirts were tucked securely into the waistband of their skirts. The only sound in the room was hushed whispers and frantic shuffling as they waited for Professor McGonagall to collect them. Lizzie bent down to pull up her stocking when people began screaming.
"Oh my gosh!" Megan shouted. Lizzie looked up to see about twenty ghosts streaming through the back wall. She swallowed tightly as the pearly-white and slightly transparent figures glided across the room. They hardly noticed the gathered first years as they were deep in discussion about something. She and Megan clung to each other tightly.
"They're just ghosts." She said. "Just ghosts. Friendly ghosts." She repeated. A fat little monk shook his head.
"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-" He said but another ghost interrupted him.
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost - I say, what are you all doing here?" The ghost, wearing what looked like a ruff and tights seemed to suddenly notice them all. Nobody answered, too shocked by the display of people sweeping through walls.
"New students!" Said the Fat Friar happily, smiling down at them all. "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"
Lizzie nodded.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" He said. "My old house, you know." Lizzie couldn't help the little huff of laughter that escaped her.
"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall had returned. The ghosts drifted, one-by-one, through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," Professor McGonagall told them, "and follow me."
They all scrambled into line and Lizzie felt the butterflies return full force, along with a thrill of excitement. She grinned at Megan beside her and the other girl returned it shakily. They exited the chamber, back across the hall, through the pair of double doors they'd passed earlier, and into the Great Hall.
Lizzie gasped. The Hall was lit by thousands and thousands of thin, white candles floating in the air over four long tables. She turned her head to the left and searched the table against the furthest wall. Her brother was twisted all the way around in his seat, catching her eye and winking at her. She giggled and waved then poked Megan softly.
"That's my brother, Alex!" She whispered loudly. Megan smiled and waved tentatively and Alex smiled at them both before motioning them to look ahead. They did and Lizzie could feel herself gaping again. At the top of the Hall was another long table where the teachers sat. Professor McGonagall led them to a halt in a line facing the table with the students behind them. The Professor stood next to a stool with an old, patched hat sitting atop it. There was a hushed silence when suddenly the hat twitched. Beside Lizzie, Megan jumped as a rip near its brim opened wide like a mouth. The hat began to sing.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The hall burst into applause as the hat finished and bowed to each of the four tables. Then it went still and Professor McGonagall stepped forward, unfurling a long roll of parchment.
"Now, when I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." She said. "Abbott, Hannah!" A pink-faced girl with blonde hair stumbled out of line and approached the hat. When she put it on it fell right over her eyes and nervous giggles swept through the gathered first years. There was a moment's pause-
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The table to Lizzie's right burst into applause, cheering and clapping as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table. The Fat Friar waved cheerily at his new house member.
"Belby, Hollis!"
From behind Lizzie, Hollis stepped forward.
"Good luck!" Lizzie whispered. Hollis shot her a small, fluttery smile and went to sit on the stool. The hat descended-
"RAVENCLAW!"
Beaming, Hollis skipped to the table next to Slytherin and Lizzie clapped heartily along with Ravenclaw.
"Blishwick, Elizabeth!"
"Oh dear." Lizzie gulped and forced her feet to move forward. She barely heard Megan and Pansy's whispers of encouragement as she stepped up to the stool. She glanced at Professor McGonagall as she perched carefully. The hat slipped over her head and the Great Hall disappeared as it fell over her eyes.
"Hmm plenty of loyalty waiting to be tested, a little bit of courage." The hats voice startled her. It felt like it was inside her head! She gulped. "Ahh but there is ambition in you. A drive. Yes, yes."
"SLYTHERIN!"
With a great sigh of relief she felt the hat being lifted off her head and she quickly went to join her brother at Slytherin. She slid into the seat he had waiting for her and gladly accepted his tight embrace.
"Welcome home Lizzie." He said proudly. Around her Slytherin cheered. Yes, this definitely felt like a home. She beamed at her new housemates and at the smiling face of her brother. She barely paid any attention as "Boot, Terry!" became a Ravenclaw, began to realize how hungry she was as "Brown, Lavender!" became a Gryffindor, but she cheered with the rest of her house when Millicent Bulstrode, an old playmate, joined Slytherin. Millicent sat down across from her, all big shoulders and thick, curly hair. They were soon joined by Vincent Crabbe and Tracey Davis. Crabbe was big and shaped like a boulder but Lizzie clapped when he joined their house. With Tracey she was a touch more enthusiastic as the short haired girl slid into the seat next to her, straightening her glasses as she did so.
"Finnegan, Seamus!" became a Gryffindor, followed by a "Goldstein, Anthony!" to Ravenclaw before "Goyle, Gregory!" lumbered over to Slytherin. He sat down next to Crabbe and the two made quite the pair. Then the bushy-haired, slightly rude muggleborn, "Granger, Hermione!" was Sorted into Gryffindor and Lizzie sniffed. Exactly as she thought. Gryffindor was obviously full of rude people and she was right happy about not being in that house! "Greengrass, Daphne!" was called and Lizzie cheered loudly, waving to Daphne excitedly. Daphne waved back and settled neatly beside Tracey amid the loud cheers of Slytherin house. "Hopkins, Wayne!" joined Hufflepuff and then, "Jones, Megan!" was called. Lizzie leaned past her new housemates and silently encouraged her new friend. Timidly, Megan stepped forward and climbed onto the stool. The hat was barely on her head for a moment before,
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Lizzie sighed in relief. Hufflepuff suited Megan, she'd be warmly welcomed and would have a hundred opportunities to make new friends. At least she wasn't a Gryffindor! Megan skipped down quickly, nearly tripping over her feet before falling into a seat beside her new housemates. She looked over and waved at Lizzie and then Hollis. Lizzie waved back before beginning to tap her fingers against the wooden table. Those sweets on the train had been ages ago and she was positively starving now!
"Malfoy, Draco!"
Lizzie looked up to see her friend's white-blond hair disappear under the brim of the Sorting Hat for all of one second before-
"SLYTHERIN!"
Wearing a smug smile Draco strode over to join the cheering Slytherin house, squeezing in between Crabbe and Goyle. He and Lizzie smiled at each other. "Malone, Roger!" went to Hufflepuff and then "Nott, Theodore!" joined them in Slytherin, swiftly followed by "Parkinson, Pansy!". Pansy tapped Tracey on the shoulder lightly.
"Budge up then!" She said with a smirk. Tracey scooted over and Pansy plopped into the space next to Lizzie. A set of twins went to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor respectively and then-
"Potter, Harry!"
The hall quieted instantly then filled with whispers. Someone further down Slytherin leaned forward.
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?"
Harry Potter stepped forward and climbed onto the stool. The brim disappeared over his bright green eyes. They waited.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry took off the hat and walked over to Gryffindor table among the loudest cheers of the entire night. She sighed in disappointment. He'd seemed like a nice person. Well, she thought, maybe he'll still be nice. Across the hall she could hear shouts of "We got Potter! We got Potter!" She wrinkled her nose. A handful of people were left. "Weasley, Ronald!", a gangly boy with flaming red hair and a rather green face joined Gryffindor. He slid into the seat next to Harry and Lizzie's nose wrinkled again as they beamed at each other. She'd heard a lot of talk about the Weasley family from various adults. Finally, "Zabini, Blaise!" slid in across from Daphne and the Sorting was over.
Albus Dumbledore got to his feet and spread his arms wide.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words, a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years, please note, that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of Gryffindor table. "Also, our caretaker Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds. To everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death." At this Lizzie twisted to look at Alex, opening her mouth to ask what the Headmaster meant. But Alex was frowning and shook his head. She turned back to Professor Dumbledore. "And finally, the good news! Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. Thank you! Now, tuck in!"
Lizzie gasped with delight as the golden plates filled with food. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, potatoes of every kind, pudding, peas and carrots! Everyone around her dug in and Lizzie hurried to join them, piling her plate full of her favorites. The hall was suddenly the noisiest place she'd ever been, everyone was talking at once! Plates thudded against the tables and goblets clinked together as the feast began. She began to eat, hardly pausing for breath. Alex laughed at her gusto and she stuck her tongue out at him, something she was never allowed to do at home.
"Slow down! You know there are desserts right? Save some room!" He chortled. Lizzie considered this as she chewed on her bite of roast beef. Perhaps that was some sound advice. Still, she shrugged and continued eating.
Before long the dinner food vanished and was replaced with dessert. She and Pansy exchanged an excited grin before falling on the strawberry shortcakes. They giggled together as they ate the fluffy cakes and bit into the sweet strawberries.
"I can't wait 'till I'm a second year so I can try out for the team." Lizzie mentioned around her bite of cake. Pansy shook her head.
"I'll never understand your's and Draco's obsession with flying hundreds of feet above the ground. I'll stay right here thank you very much." She shuddered.
"You're just scared Pans. It's not so bad once you get used to it." Draco said from across the table. Lizzie nodded.
"Yeah and besides, we have to take flying lessons anyways. Draco and I can teach you, right Draco?" Lizzie turned to him and he shrugged.
"Sure. I'm a great flier. I'm going to be on the house team next year." He announced. Lizzie narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Sure, you'll be my reserve!" She said. He glared at her.
"Hey! Most likely you'll be my reserve!" He shot back. Lizzie lifted her head.
"I suppose we'll see then won't we." She said primly. Next to her Alex snorted into his pumpkin juice. Lizzie had just quoted their mother word for word when she and their father had a disagreement. Most often, their mother won the argument. Lizzie hoped she would win this one too. Draco stretched out his hand across table.
"A bet then, for whoever gets on the team first." He proposed. Lizzie considered.
"What's the winner get?" She asked. Draco's face gained a thoughtful look.
"Alright, how about, the loser has to be the winner's personal servant for a day." He said. Lizzie thought about this before taking his hand in hers.
"Draco Malfoy, you've got yourself a bet." She said.
"You two are unbelievable. The term hasn't even begun and you're already competing against each other!" Pansy huffed.
Soon enough, just when Lizzie was beginning to feel sleepy and full, the food disappeared. Dumbledore stood once more and gave his wand a little flick. Alex groaned and it was only a moment before she understood why. A long golden ribbon flew out of the tip of the Headmaster's wand, high into the air, and began to twist itself into words.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"
And the hall filled with the worst singing, more like roaring, that Lizzie had ever had the misfortune to hear.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,"
Lizzie exchanged glances with her fellow first years before they slowly began to join in, each voice hesitant and unsure. But even Alex sang along behind her, though with a voice so deadpan she could feel tired giggles slipping out here and there.
"Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Everyone finished singing at different times until only two voices could be heard, singing in a slow funeral march. Mercifully, they finished with Dumbledore conducting the last few lines and when they finished he clapped the loudest. Lizzie shook her head. The Headmaster was definitely getting on in years.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping at his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"
Alex pulled her close and dropped a kiss to the top of her head.
"I'm betting you'll fall asleep as soon as you drop onto your bed so I'll see you in the morning all right? Goodnight Lizzie." He said. She nodded as she stood, yawning.
"Goodnight Alex." She said. He followed the rest of the older Slytherins out of the hall as one girl stayed behind. She was smiling and waiting for them at the end of the table. As they got closer Lizzie noted the way her dark hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders and how pale her green eyes were. She was very pretty and instantly Lizzie decided she wanted to be as pretty as this girl someday. The shiny "P" badge on her robe glinted in the torchlight.
"Alright then, first years?" She asked. A few of them mumbled tiredly and she laughed. "My thoughts exactly. Now, my name is Gemma Farley and I am one of Slytherin Houses Prefects." She smiled. "Come on then! It's this way." With that she turned and led them from the Great Hall.
All right, bit of a long chapter there but that's how it went. Chapter two is up! Chapter 3 is coming - October 9th!
P.S. Thank you for the lovely reviews TheObsessory and Ophiusa! They are much appreciated!