Chapter 3: The four houses of Hogwarts

Once all the boats had arrived at a small harbor, down the cliffs of the castle, all the new students climbed out of their designated boats and gathered around Hagrid.

"Everyone here?" Hagrid called. Seeing all first years were there, Hagrid nodded and all climbed up a passageway, following Hagrid.

Helena, Ginny and Neville began to feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

Everyone climbed up a few stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.

Hagrid knocked three times at the door. When the door opened, Hagrid instructed them to go in and climb the marble staircase "Alrigh, firs' years, up the stairs you go," As all went inside and went up the stairs, while Hagrid remained behind, the giant told Helena as she bypassed him "See ya later inside, Helena,"

Helena nodded to him with a smile "See you soon, Hagrid." And followed the rest of the students together with Ginny and Neville up the stairs.

Helena couldn't keep her eyes off how massive the entrance hall was, as you could fit an entire house in it. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches and the ceiling was high.

After having climbed the few marble stairs up, they saw a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes standing there, waiting for them. It was Professor McGonagall, who gave her usual stern look.

When all had gathered around her, McGonagall said with a small smile "Welcome to Hogwarts," she then went back to her serious face "Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates," she pointed to the big door behind her before she stated "But before you can take your seats, you must 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 Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, 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," she then looked at them with a stern look "I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

Helena, Ginny and Neville exchanged a short glance, hoping that they would be put in the right houses.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly." Professor McGonagall finished before she left the chamber.

Wandering how they would be sorted, Neville asked "How exactly do they sort us into houses?"

"Some sort of test, I think," Ginny answered "Fred told me that it hurts a lot, but I felt he was joking." she then shook her head, knowing that her older twin brothers were always joking around, but thankfully barely worked on her.

Helena however felt a rise of nervousness "Wait, a test? But, what do we have to do? I don't even know any magic yet."

Some of the other first years began to look terrified too.

Pansy Parkinson smirked, being amused to see all of her fellow first years being frightened for over nothing "Well, if this is already too scared for all of you, you might just take the train back home. Believe me, Hogwarts is only for true wizards and witches that show no fear." Pansy's friends, Millicent Bulstrode and Daphne Greengrass chuckled.

Helena and Ginny glared at Pansy and her small gang. But then Ginny got a little idea and pointed down to Pansy's shoes "Oh my, is that Neville's toad at your feet?"

Immediately, Pansy, Millicent and Daphne yelled as they backed away, which made the other first years laugh.

Though Neville wanted to say that his toad, Trevor was in his big pocket, he kept quiet as Ginny just said that to scare those nasty girls.

Ginny giggled while Helena crossed her arms, mocking Pansy and her friends while giving a smirk "You're right, Parkinson. Hogwarts is indeed only for wizards and witches that show no fear," she then pointed down the stairs "If you're hurry, you might catch the train?"

Pansy was on the brink to snap, as Helena Potter had the guts to humiliate her and her friends in front of all the first years students, but Daphne patted her shoulder and whispered "Don't bother yourself, Pansy. She will get what she deserves another time."

Hermione, who was standing behind Helena and her two friends together with Padma Patil, ensured them "Not to worry. The sorting ceremony isn't about a test or anything. They will just put some sort of magical hat on your head and that hat decides in which house you belong to. I read it in Hogwarts, A history."

Helena, Ginny and Neville exchanged a look "Really? That's it? Just a magical hat that will sort you into your houses?" Helena asked.

Neville gave a shrug while Ginny rolled her eyes "Ugh! I knew Fred was joking."

"Well, at least we don't have to do a test or sorts," Helena then thanked Hermione for the info "Thanks."

Hermione gave her a nod while she smiled "You're welcome."

"In what house do you think you're getting into, Hermione?" Padma asked her.

Hermione gave a shrug "I don't know yet, but unless it's a house where I can learn everything, I don't mind."

"Well, I hope we'll get together in the same house, Hermione."

Hermione smiled at her "I hope so too, Padma."

Helena then wandered and asked Ginny and Neville "You think we could get into the same house?"

"I sure hope so!" Ginny said with a smile "Maybe we can get into Gryffindor all together? That would be amazing!"

That was when Professor McGonagall had returned and told the first years "Now, form a line, and follow me."

As all the first years got into a line, Helena was behind a boy with sandy hair, with Ginny behind her, and they walked through the corridor and later on through a pair of double doors leading into the Great Hall.

Helena smiled as she had never imagined such a strange, yet splendid place. The Great Hall was lit by thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting with in front of them plates, cutlery and glasses made out of gold. At the top of the hall was another long table where all the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years along the Great Hall, while the students stared at the first years. Trying to ignore all the staring eyes, Helena looked up the ceiling and saw it was dotted with stars, like there was no roof at all.

Hermione whispered to her friend Padma "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside."

Helena looked in front of her, seeing they approached a four-legged stool with on top of the stool a pointed wizard's hat, which was patched and frayed and looked very dirty. Helena figured that that must be the hat to be used to sort all the first years into their houses.

Then suddenly, the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like mouth and 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're a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your 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 whole hall bursts into applause as the Sorting Hat had finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

Helena thought it was a great song too and had actually learned a lot from it how each house of Hogwarts was divided, depending on peoples characteristics and things they want to achieve in life.

Professor McGonagall then rolled out a long roll of parchment, saying "When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head," she lifted up the hat "And you will be sorted into your houses," she read the first name on her parchment "Abbott, Hannah!"

The girl with blond pigtails stepped forward, sitting on the chair as Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head.

After 10 seconds…

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Sorting Hat shouted.

The table second to the right, being of the house of Hufflepuff, cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down with her assigned house.

"Bones, Susan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Sorting Hat shouted again, and Susan went over to sit next to Hannah.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

The table to the far left clapped this time, with several Ravenclaws standing up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.

Mandy Brocklehurst went to Ravenclaw too, but Lavender Brown became the first new Gryffindor, and the table second to the left exploded with cheers. Ginny could see her twin brothers being the most enthusiastic.

Millicent Bulstrode was sorted into Slytherin, which wasn't surprising to Helena as Ginny told her that most evil witches and wizards have been in Slytherin.

While Millicent Bulstrode took her seat at the Slytherin table, which was on the far right, Helena felt her nervousness was getting worse while Justin Finch-Fletchley was sorted into Hufflepuff and Seamus Finnigan sorted into Gryffindor.

"Granger, Hermione!" Professor McGonagall called.

Hermione was getting nervous as she stepped forwards while telling herself "Okay… just relax." As she sat at the stool, Padma gave Hermione an encouraging nod while Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head.

For over a minute, the Sorting Hat was in deep thought, trying to see in which house Hermione Granger would be sorted into. Then, it finally shouted…

"RAVENCLAW!"

Hermione's nervousness disappeared and a big smile grew on her face as she almost jumped from the stool and nearly ran to the Ravenclaw's table.

After a few more students, including Daphne Greengrass being sorted into Slytherin, McGonagall called "Longbottom, Neville!"

Neville slowly stepped forward, but was seemingly even more nervous than Helena was. Ginny gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder "It'll be alright, Neville," that seemed to help Neville a bit as he slowly sat on the stool and the Sorting Hat placed on his head.

After 5 seconds…

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Neville ran off to the Gryffindor table, still wearing the hat and had to jog back while some students laughed "Sorry." He quickly said to Professor McGonagall when giving the Sorting Hat back and went over to his designated table.

Helena and Ginny only shared a small chuckle, as it was kinda funny.

A few sorting students later, it was Draco Malfoy's turn. Surprisingly, the Sorting Hat too took over a minute to think before he finally shouted "SLYTHERIN!" and Draco joined his friends Crabbe and Goyle, looking both pleased and a bit relieved.

'If I was placed in a different house, my father would kill me,' Draco nervously seemed to be thinking while sitting between Crabbe and Goyle and being greeted by other Slytherins.

Another few sortings later, Pansy Parkinson stepped forward. The hat had barely touched her head when it screamed "SLYTHERIN!"

Proudly, with a smirk on her face, Pansy joined the Slytherin table.

Then, both Padma Patil and her twin sister Parvati were being sorted. Padma was sorted into Ravenclaw, which made both her and Hermione very happy as they were both in the same house. Parvati was sorted into Gryffindor.

While it was Sally-Anne Perks' turn to be sorted, Helena looked at the teachers at the High Table for a moment, seeing Hagrid sitting with them and the man she recognized from the card she gotten out of the chocolate frog back in the train, Professor Albus Dumbledore. She then noticed Professor Quirrell talking to a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin. Helena saw that he too was looking at her, with him giving her what seemed to be the face of someone who hadn't seen someone he cared about for many years.

But suddenly, a sharp, hot pain shot across Helena's scar on her forehead.

"Ow!" Helena rubbed her forehead with her right hand. She never had that kind of pain to her scar before.

Ginny had seen what troubled her friend "Helena, what's wrong?" she asked.

However, the pain had gone as quickly as it came. Helena ensured Ginny "N-nothing. Nothing, I'm fine."

When Helena looked back at the teacher, but he didn't looked at her anymore and had his attention back to what Professor Quirrell was telling.

When Sally-Anne was sorted into Gryffindor, McGonagall called "Potter, Helena!"

A silent fell to the Great Hall as Helena stepped forward, still very nervous. She begged in her mind not to be placed into Slytherin. And as she sat on the stool, her thoughts went silent as McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head.

She heard the hat speaking with a small voice in her ear "Hmmm… difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either, very determined to accomplish your goals. And there's talent, oh yes. And also a thirst to prove yourself. Very interesting… But where to put you?"

Helena closed her eyes and quietly whispered, nearly begging the hat "Please not Slytherin. Please not Slytherin."

"Not Slytherin, eh?" the hat asked with his small voice "Are you sure? You could become great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that."

But still, Helena begged in her mind 'No, not Slytherin. Please not Slytherin.'

"No?" the Sorting Hat asked with some surprise, but seeing she'd made her decision, he'd accepted it "Well, young lady, if you're sure… better be…" it then shouted "GRYFFINDOR!"

The moment the Sorting Hat had called Helena being placed into Gryffindor, she was getting the loudest cheer yet, with all the students of Gryffindor standing up and cheered and clapped. Even Neville was glad that his new made friend was in the same house as he is. Helena felt relieved that she wasn't placed into Slytherin and walked towards her designated table and was immediately met with some shaking his hand, including Percy. The Weasley twins yelled "We got Potter! We got Potter!"

Though she didn't really liked the big attention, Helena was glad to be in a house where she felt was the best for her. She could see at the High Table that Hagrid was giving her a big thumps up and Professor Dumbledore gave her a small smile as he raised his glass.

When Helena sat at the Gryffindor table and her fellow Gryffindors' cheering died out, Professor McGonagall continued on with the sorting.

Dean Thomas, a black boy, joined Helena at the Gryffindor table, while Lisa Turpin was sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Weasley, Ginevra!" McGonagall called.

A shot of nervousness came to Ginny as she stepped forward. Despite believing she was going to be in Gryffindor like the rest of her family, she began to shake a bit as she sat on the stool.

As soon as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head, it said with a smirk "Ha! Another Weasley. I know just what to do with you."

Helena crossed her fingers, hoping Ginny would be in her house too.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shouted.

Ginny gave a big sigh of relief while Helena clapped loudly with the rest, and Ginny sat next to her.

"Well done, little sister. Excellent," Ginny's older brother, Percy said.

Last, Blaise Zabini was sorted, being placed into Slytherin, and the Sorting Ceremony was finished.

After McGonagall had rolled her parchment and took away the Sorting Hat, the stool magically vanished, Professor Dumbledore rose up from his big golden chair and said "Welcome, welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce. The first years, please note, and as a reminder to our older students, that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. I have also been asked by our caretaker, Mr. Filch, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that for this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

While a few students laughed at that, the others did not.

Helena was a bit worried after Professor Dumbledore had told and asked Percy "Is he serious?"

"Must be," Percy answered before frowning at Dumbledore "It's odd, because he usually gives us a reason why we're not allowed to go somewhere. The Dark Forest is full of dangerous beasts, everyone know that. I do think he might have told us prefects, at least."

This did sounded a bit strange to Helena too as to why the headmaster wasn't telling the students the true reason either the Dark Forest is forbidden or why part of the third-floor is out of bounds for the rest of the term. Helena felt a bit conflicted if Dumbledore was to be trusted. She promised herself that she would keep an eye out.

Helena then looked down at her empty golden plate and realized how hungry she was as she didn't paid attention to it because of her nervousness to be sorted into which house. Helena sighed as those wizardry candy seemed ages ago.

Professor Dumbledore then said with a smile on his face "Now, let the feast begin."

And within a second, the dishes in front of all the students were now piled with food. Helena's mouth nearly fell open as she hadn't seen so many things she liked to eat on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon, steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fires, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and peppermint humbugs.

Having never had the chance to eat this many things, as the Dursleys never allowed her to eat as much as she liked, Helena piled her plate with a bit of everything except the peppermints and began to eat, enjoying every single bite she took. It was all delicious.

In fact, everyone was enjoying their food.

At the Ravenclaw table, Hermione and Padma had a few laughs here and there, and even got to know the other Ravenclaws.

Helena, Ginny and Neville too shared a few good talks with the other Gryffindors, including Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, getting to know them better. Even sharing a few laughs.

Seamus shared something about himself "I'm half-and-half. Me Dad's a Muggle. Mum's a witch. She didn't tell him 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."

The others laughed after Seamus had told them that.

Not long after, dozens of ghosts flew into the Great Hall, like; the Grey Lady, The Bloody Baron and the Fat Friar.

One of them, being the ghost of Gryffindor, who was dressed in 15th century noble clothing, floated down at the Gryffindor table with a smile "Hello! How are you? Welcome to Gryffindor. Allow me to introduce myself. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, at your service" One student felt the touch of the ghost of Sir Nicholas, feeling it was as cold as ice.

Percy greeted Nicholas "Hello, Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer?"

The ghost sighed with annoyance "Dismal," he stated "Once again, my request to join The Headless Hunt has been denied."

"Hey, know you." Ginny said "My brothers told me about you – you're Nearly Headless Nick."

"I would prefer Sir Nicholas, if you don't mind." Nearly Headless Nick said, preferring to be called by his official name rather than his nickname.

Neville was a bit confused "Nearly headless? How can you be nearly headless?"

Sir Nicholas gave a shrug "Like this," he grabbed his left ear and pulled. His whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge, looking like someone had tried to behead him when he was still alive.

Many first years Gryffindors looked in shock.

Satisfied with the stunned looks on their faces, Nearly Headless Nick flipped his head back onto his neck and said "So – new Gryffindors! I hope you're going to help us to win the house championship this year? Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning. Slytherin has gotten the cup six years in a row! The Bloody Baron's becoming almost unbearable – he's the Slytherin ghost."

Helena looked at the Bloody Baron ghost that floated near the Slytherin table, with his robes stained with silver blood."

"How did he get covered in blood?" Seamus asked curiously.

"I don't know. I've never asked," Nearly Headless Nick stated before he flew off.

After everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded magically from the plates, leaving them clean as before. A moment later, the desserts appeared, consisting of blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate eclairs, jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O and all kinds of pudding.

While Helena helped herself taking some ice cream and strawberries, they began to talk about their families. Neville told that he had been raised by his grandmother, who's also a witch, even telling that for years everyone thought he was a squib until his magical abilities finally showed when he was eight, with a bit of help from his Great Uncle Algie, who was so pleased that he bought him his toad.

When Helena asked what a squib was, Neville stated that they are people that are born in wizardry families but cannot perform any magic.

As for Percy, he was mainly talking about lessons, with him ensuring that first years start small until over the years they're able to learn more.

Helena then wandered and asked Percy as she glanced to the black haired teacher with a hooked nose and sallow skin "Say Percy, who's that teacher next to Professor Quirrell?"

"Oh, that's Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house."

"What's he teach?" Helena curiously wandered.

"Potions," Percy answered "But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years."

Helena raised an eyebrow after hearing about this Professor Snape. She watched him for a while, but Snape didn't looked at her.

Somehow, Snape reminds Helena of a few stern teachers she'd known at her previous school. Though she did wandered why he gave her that strange look during the Sorting Ceremony, Helena was curious to what he could teach her all about Potions, as it was one of the classes that interested her 'Hmmm… better be on his side if I want to learn all about Potions, as it looks like he's perhaps the most stern teacher of the staff,' Helena mentally thought, she then shrugged with a smile as she continued eating her dessert 'Reminds me of a few teachers back at my old school,'

When everyone had eaten enough dessert, Dumbledore said "And now, before we got to bed, let us sing the school song!" Helena noticed that the other teachers smiled as they stood up, followed by the other students.

Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike into words, showing the lyrics of the Hogwarts song.

While everyone picked their favorite tune, all students and teachers sang the song.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

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."

-:-

Later, the first years of every house followed their prefects to their designated common rooms.

Helena, Ginny and Neville, along with the other Gryffindor first years followed Percy through one of the corridors "Gryffindors, follow me, please. Keep up. Thank you."

Next to them, the Ravenclaw first years followed their prefect and said as they entered a large pair of staircases "Ravenclaw, follow me. This way."

Padma gave a quick hug to her sister Parvati "Sleep well, Parvati."

"You too, Padma. See you tomorrow,"

Padma then quickly went with Hermione, following the rest of their Ravenclaws.

Percy gave a quick explanation to the first year Gryffindors about the staircases, which seemed to move, which astounded the first years "This is the most direct path to the dormitories and other classes. Oh, and keep an eye on the staircases. They like to change."

Helena, Ginny and Neville looked up, seeing how the staircases changed from time to time, fascinating them.

"Keep up, please, and follow me." Percy said as he went up one of the staircases. Seeing not everyone was following him, still looking astounded at the staircases, Percy called to them again "Quickly now, come on!" seeing they all now followed him, Percy nodded.

Helena then looked at the hundreds of paintings on the wall, being surprised that the people in the portraits were moving "Hey, look. The pictures are moving."

Ginny nodded "Yes, nearly all the paintings."

Some of the people in the portraits waved to the first years, with one saying "Welcome to Hogwarts."

Helena even heard a few people in teh portraits whispering "Hey, look! It's Helena Potter."

Helena was getting not only tired cause she wanted to go to sleep, but also was tired of all the attention. She sighed 'I just hope this won't become a habbit.' She hoped deep down that the people will just accept her for who she is and not for what she'd accomplished against Lord Voldemort as a baby.

Suddenly, as they made it to the corridor, leading to the Gryffindor common room, a couple of walking sticks floated in midair ahead of them. Percy stopped while the sticks started to throw themselves at him. Percy raised his voice to the one who was doing it "Peeves! Show yourself!"

There was a pop, and a little man with wicked, dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, holding the walking sticks. The man evilly laughed "Hahahahaha! Ickle Firsties! What fun!"

The seemingly ghost or whatever Peeves was, suddenly swooped at them, making them all duck while Peeves laughed with humor.

Percy warned him "Go away, Peeves, or the Bloody Baron will hear about this! I mean it!"

Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished. The walking sticks nearly fell on Neville, but Helena pulled him out of the way just in time. Peeves, now being invisible, zoomed away, rattling coats of armor as he passed.

Neville thanked Helena as he wiped the dust from his coat "Thanks, Helena."

"You're welcome," Helena gave a nod, but then asked "Who or what was that?"

"That's Peeves, a poltergeist," Percy answered "You should watch out for him. The Bloody Baron's the only one who can control him, he won't listen to prefects."

As they went further, following Percy, Helena thought to herself 'This castle even has a poltergeist? And I thought hearing about dark creatures in the Dark Forest was bad enough.'

"Here we are." Percy said as they stopped at the very end of the corridor, where a portrait hang of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress. This was the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she said.

"Caput Draconis," Percy said. The Fat Lady gave a nod and the portrait opened like a door, revealing a round hole in the wall. Everyone followed Percy through it.

They all found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, which was a cozy, round room full of squashy armchairs.

"Gather around here." Percy instructed.

With all gathering around Percy, he began to say "Welcome to the Gryffindor common room. As you have already noticed, the common room is only accessible by given the Portrait of the Fat Lady the password being used for this year," Percy then pointed to each spiral staircase to the right and left "Boys' dormitory is upstairs to the left. Girls, the same on the right. You will find your belongings have already been brought up." As everyone was very tired, they all went to their dormitory.

"Goodnight, Neville." Both Helena and Ginny said to Neville.

He gave a nod while taking his toad, Trevor from his pocket "Goodnight. See you tomorrow," and went up with the other boys to the boys' dormitory.

Ginny and Helena went together with the girls. At the top of the spiral staircase, they were in one of the towers, they went through the door and found their beds at last: five four-posters hung with deep red, velvet curtains. Their trucks had already been brought up.

As they were all very tired, all the girls pulled on their pajamas and got into bed. Helena had a small talk with Lavender and Parvati before they too went to sleep.

That night, Helena had a strange dream, with Quirrell's turban talking to her she should be in Slytherin as it was her destiny. Helena refused before the turban began to form into Pansy Parkinson and laughed at her, followed by the other Slytherins. But then, a dark cloud appeared before Helena, telling something Helena couldn't understand.

And then, there was a bright burst of green light before her while the dark cloud evilly laughed!

Helena woke up with a shock. She panted while she was sweating and shaking.

Finding herself in the girls' dormitory, seeing everyone was still asleep. The clock showed it was still in the middle of the night.

Helena sighed with relief as she lay down again "A nightmare…. It was just a nightmare…" and went back to sleep.

A/N: This chapter might be a bit shorter, but I couldn't really think of much to add. Not to worry, more is to come with the next following chapters.

Yeah, it probably came as a surprise to you all that I placed Hermione in Ravenclaw than Gryffindor. For myself, as she's very bright, that Ravenclaw is more suited for her, which will be shown in later chapters why and how I've changed some things about her and her being friends with Padma Patil.

I will do my best to make more chapters of this story, but that depends on how everything goes and me being focused on my other stories too.

See you all then!