Song : Witch's Hat by The Incredible String Band
Kellah and Hermione stepped off the train, huddling together as the icy wind whipped around them. When they saw the big guy holding a lamp, illuminating the darkness, they heard the flickering of the flame and the creaking of the metal handle.
"Rubeus Hagrid da grunds keepa o' Hogwarts. Firs' yers dis way. C'mon, follow muh," said the big man.
It was a moonless night. The woods were dark and foreboding, and they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Hand in hand, Kellah and Hermione walked through it, the soft rustle of leaves beneath their feet. People were whispering nervously to one another, and she could feel the collective fear in the air. They walked in silence until they finally made it to the lake, where they were greeted by the gentle lapping of waves.
"Follow muh to o' boat," he shouted. Hagrid got in the lead boat, which immediately sagged under his weight, taking up all the available room.
As Ron and Harry rowed the boat, the girls joined them and settled on the wooden bench. Neville's hopes were dashed when he realized only four could sit in a seat, and he left, feeling embarrassed. They became more irritated because of this. Kellah sat close to Harry and laid her head on his lap, causing him to look at her in surprise. She caught Ron staring at her with bulging eyes as Hermione shook her head in disapproval. She looked up to see Harry's face peering down at her. He tried to hide it, but his blush was noticeable. Kellah was uncertain if he had ever been the object of a girl's affection. He shifted his hands awkwardly, unsure where to rest them. It was funny. "Can you move?" Harry asked.
Hermione's expression turned sour. She folded her arms across her chest. "I'm afraid that's highly inappropriate," she said firmly.
Harry remained motionless as Kellah rose to her feet. "Fine, I'll just use you as a pillow," she said. "We're friends, so this should be okay." She snuggled into Hermione's lap, feeling safe and warm.
Hermione looked astonished at these words, and her voice shook as she spoke. "Of course, we should stick together since we're friends."
She watched Harry unfreeze from his spot when he craned his head to look up at something. Kellah got up, and it was the castle in full view. Big, it was enormous. This was fancy. She would strive for good grades to be away from her parents all year. Her grades had to be exceptional since she was on a scholarship, and her parents refused to pay for her education. Being friends with Hermione was a stroke of luck for her. Now they could share notes and work together on their assignments.
As soon as they disembarked from the boat, Neville rushed towards something. "Trevor," he shouted.
It was his toad. Neville's cheeks reddened with embarrassment as he ran over to join her and Hermione. And they were now adopting Neville. They were the uncoolest kids in the grade. Good lord, her stock was plummeting.
Following Hagrid's lead, they walked up the bridge to the castle entrance. Hagrid's knock on the enormous doors reverberated throughout the courtyard. Removing the doors from their hinges would have been a simple task for him. It was also weird that he knocked, and it wasn't open, and there wasn't magic to open it. As soon as the door creaked open, Professor McGonagall came into view.
The first years were led by McGonagall after exchanging a look with Hagrid."Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall, her eyes twinkling behind her spectacles. "This year-..." Kellah had stopped listening because two ghosts had passed, their voices echoing eerily in the hall. She was curious to feel the texture of their corporal bodies.
"Peeves has been given all the chances he deserves. Don't you agree, my dear Friar? You know, he gives us all a bad name."
"Come on now, quickly," McGonagall says, her voice firm as she gestures for them to move along.
"Pardon our interruption," said the Fat Friar as he floated off. The ghost floating entranced Kellah, her focus shifting away from McGonagall's lecture. She realized everyone had gone after McGonagall, prompting her to rush over to Hermione.
"You straggler, what did I just say?" McGonagall said.
"Psst, houses," Hermione whispered, elbowing her to get her attention.
Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw were the focal point of the discussion. "You were going over house points for the house cup." She was so glad she read those books this summer.
McGonagall gave her a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I hope you're always as quick as you were just now, Mrs. Onai Dellarose," she said icily, her gaze unwavering. "Now I need a single file line, please. Follow me."
As they passed through the double doors, the grandeur of the Great Hall greeted them, with the long table stretching out before them, the high ceiling looming above, and the ornate decorations adorning every inch of the walls.
They entered the room to find four long tables filled with students staring at them, illuminated by hundreds to thousands of flickering candles. The air was thick with the sweet smell of burning wax. As time passed, her nerves frayed. The clinking of silverware echoed through the hall as they filled the tables with empty plates and chalices. Good, it was dinner because she was starving. All she had to eat that day was candy. Even though the candy settled well, her empty stomach was a nagging reminder she needed to eat proper food. Candy was a short-lived source of sustenance for her.
The people sitting at the head table appeared to be teachers, based on their age and demeanor, she assumed. Everyone else in the room was young enough to be their grandkids. She glanced up. They spellbound the ceiling with stars, adding to the beauty of the artificial night sky.
Hermione saw her looking and said, "It's enchanted to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."
"I know I read the book," Kellah replied confidently.
Hermione's reaction to that statement was a mixture of annoyance and begrudging admiration.
McGonagall interrupted the group and revealed a stool and hat from her robes. She placed the hat on the stool, the brim casting a shadow on the seat. Suddenly, the hat twitched and erupted into song, its smile growing wider with every note.
First year's this might seem strange
But it's time for a change
Let's not be bleat
I'll get you on your feet
For I'm no ordinary hat
So don't you be a brat
I have years of knowledge
I'll help you get in college
Now that you've had all the rest,
It's time to be with the best
For I don't make mistakes
Now students take your place
The hat was good for doing a cappella song. Although she personally felt it needed a beat and some drumming on the table, it was hard to deny the charm of a singing hat. As the performance ended, Kellah succumbed to peer pressure and joined in the clapping.
The sound of McGonagall's voice became a dull buzz as she called out a few more names, but Kellah's ears perked up at the sound of Justin Finch-Fletchy's name. Despite having seen him before, it wasn't until he was at Diagon Alley with the other Muggle-born that she noticed how cute he was. She blamed her parents for that. His smile left much to be desired, but he was attractive otherwise.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Hermoine Granger."
Hermione's speedy ascent made the stool skid as she plopped down. She yanked the hat on her head. The hat seemed determined to make her wait, taking its sweet time to place her in a house. Kellah pondered the likelihood of this occurring frequently as the night went on. One hour will be needed for a task that should take fifteen minutes. What if she had to pee? She didn't, but still. After silently debating for what seemed like ages, the hat finally came to a decision.
"GRYFFINDOR!" boomed the Sorting Hat, causing the students at the Gryffindor table to stand up and applaud. Her friend's happiness was all that mattered, and she was glad when the hat finally stopped stalling.
Kellah's ears picked up a faint sound of protest from Ron. No matter how much he protested, it didn't change the situation. She gave him a swift kick and quickly averted her gaze, pretending to stare at the ceiling. People were groaning at her friend, not while she was present.
Kellah was ready for her turn. The minutes ticked by at an agonizingly slow pace. Neville took a good long while on his turn. He brought the hat to his table, returned to the stool, and handed it over. This was one of her few friends currently. She had to remedy that fast. He was a sweet boy, and she would help shape him up, but she and Hermione couldn't do all the heavy lifting. She would need to do all the heavy lifting. She acknowledged she couldn't handle it alone and required someone else's involvement. He was accident-prone, and it was not uncommon for him to break or drop things.
After some time had passed, it was Malfoy's turn with the hat. She was so mesmerized by him she barely registered the word "Slytherin" escaping the hat. So cute but so awful. It's such a pity.
"Kellah Onai."
Of course, they forgot her second last name, Dellarose, or she would have been earlier.
As they placed the old dusty hat on Kellah's head, a cloud of dust rose around her. The darkness under there was absolute, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. She tried to hide it, but the fear of the dark still lingered within her.
You're an odd one. I see, and it looks as though you see as well. You're a brave one with a sound mind to boot a talent for things that most typical witches can't do but mundane with ordinary. You are driven by an insatiable hunger to excel in all areas of your life. Hmmm, now where to put you?
Gryffindor.I want to be with Hermione so much,she thought.
Your unwavering allegiance could land you in Hufflepuff, while your intellect might earn you a spot in Ravenclaw. If greatness is what you crave, a Slytherin would be your best bet.
Many wizards who go bad come from Slytherin. And I'm too lazy to be in Ravenclaw.
That's hurtful. Slytherin might suit you with that attitude. Then you leave me no choice. You shall be in "GRYFFINDOR!"
It was as quick as Malfoy's. That's how you do it. That's how you do it. Don't second-guess yourself, be confident and make a conclusive decision. There were starving children in this room, and she was one of them. Kellah placed the hat gently on the chair and dashed over to Hermione. Giggling, they looked at the next in line.
It was Harry Potter's turn, and he was sitting there forever. Kellah's stomach growled, and she tried to muffle the sound by coughing. The situation was becoming absurd. She wanted to doze off. She liked him, but how hard was it to pick a house? Unless he fits every house. I bet there was a record for the most prolonged hat stall, and he would win the prize.
"GRRYFINDOR," it said finally.
"Dean Thomas."
Oh, he could go right to bloody hell. As he walked by, she shot him a fierce glare, causing him to make an embarrassed face.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The hat seemed to be deliberately tormenting her. Dean joined her, and they both sat in comfortable silence. "I'm sorry about the other day. I just wanted to know why everyone else's parents were there but yours."
"They are religious and think the devil possesses me, and this school is full of devil worshippers."
Dean's eyes went wide with shock. "Glad my mum didn't have that reaction."
He struck up a conversation with Seamus, a boy who had arrived earlier. She judged him quickly, deciding he wasn't cute enough to warrant her attention.
The sorting hat finally came to Ron, who was the last to be sorted, and declared him a Gryffindor. The sound of clapping erupted from a small group of redheads nearby. She suspected they were his brothers based on the resemblance in their facial features. Kellah eagerly anticipated the arrival of her meal, only to be greeted by the sight of a man with white hair and a wizard hat, his crescent moon glasses glinting in the light. She assumed he was the headmaster that wrote her letter Albus Dumbledore. The one McGonagall threatened to bring to speak with her mom. His appearance may have been deceiving; he looked like a kind, elderly man giving out candy.
"Welcome, before we begin our feast." They were starving her to death. Kellah's rocking of her bowl caused an obnoxious clanging sound that filled the room, resulting in people giving her annoyed glares. Had she known about the delay, she would have packed some food from home. Her mother was always vigilant about the fridge, so she would immediately know if anything was missing. With a flick of her wrist, she twirled the fork in the air before catching it and playfully scraping the empty bowl. Before she knew it, the table was piled high with steaming dishes. The menu featured an array of dishes, including pork, chicken, ribs, and Yorkshire pudding. The act of looking didn't concern her. She ate as if she had never tasted food before, not bothering to savor the flavors. Hunger overpowered her desire for ladylike behavior. Manners be damned. Her eating habits were not ideal, but Ron's way of consuming two chicken legs simultaneously was far worse. Kellah's spirits lifted, and she didn't feel as bad as before. As Kellah sipped her drink, Hermione elbowed her, causing her to cough and sputter. Why was everyone trying to choke her with food?
"Pay attention," said Hermione.
She swallowed her food, trying to push down the lump in her throat. "No, you'll tell me later. You seem the type," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Next to her was a cold drink, condensation dripping down the sides of the glass. Did she dare? Before Kellah finished everything, she drank it in one gulp. It felt deliciously forbidden but oh so satisfying. She was truly free. She leaned to the left. Apathy and indifference were the prevailing responses from those around in the face of the situation. She was fully embracing the rebel within her. What would she do next, not wrap her hair at night? She might be adventurous, but she wasn't that crazy. Her hair was just done.
She felt her stomach distended and the waistband of her pants digging into her skin, but as soon as she thought she couldn't eat anymore, the food disappeared. After a satisfying meal, she rubbed her tummy in relief. The clatter of empty plates and chalices signaled the end of the meal and the beginning of dessert. She was glad she was wearing a dress and robes because there was no way she wasn't eating dessert.
Indulgent desserts such as Strawberry Fool, jam Roly Poly, and knickerbocker glory were available to satisfy any sweet tooth. The mere thought of savoring new, exotic desserts had always been a dream for her. Her mom's baking skills outshone her cooking abilities, but her dad had the final say in the kitchen. So it was all traditional food that was his favorite. A world of culinary delights was now accessible to her. A crepe topped with chocolate and cream drizzle caught her eye earlier, or so she thought. She savors every dessert, each one more decadent than the last, packed with excessive amounts of sugar. A sugar overdose was looming for her. How was she going to deal with classes tomorrow?
Now she was really done. The Great Hall was alive with chatter and clinking of plates, but Hermione and Kellah were so engrossed in their food and announcements that they failed to notice nobody was talking to them.
Hermione's exhale was followed by the start of another song from the group. Second, effortlessly sang each word as if it were second nature. How did she know the lyrics? No, wait, she probably read it in a book. The book was likely read by Kellah as well, but she did not join in singing. The cacophony of voices filled the room as everyone sang at their own pace, offbeat and out of sync. She couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness as she realized how much she missed the hat. He was impressive in his performance. This song needed a remix bad or an actual choir to sing it. Later, she planned on crafting a beat to complement it.
The Prefect badge glinted as the redhead boy gestured towards the direction of Gryffindor's first years. "This way, first years."
Even though they had eaten so much, the kids still managed to walk a considerable distance. The portraits on the walls appeared to come alive, and watch their every move. Her wish was to observe while staying vigilant. She searched for the two hidden doorways as the candle sticks flew past her head while they were heading to their house dorms. Kellah had a moment of uncertainty, wondering if her mom's words held any truth.
Peeves' cackling echoed through the castle as he chased the Gryffindor's first years in a suit of armor. The suit, which had tripped Neville moments before, suddenly fell apart and nearly hit him. But Peeves didn't emerge from the armor Mrs. Norris did, darting away with her tail flailing behind her.
"Come out, Peeves!" Percy's command reverberated off the walls.
"Firstie worsties at my mercy. You can't hide behind Percy," said Peeves.
With lightning speed, he dived towards them. Everyone else crouched down, but she stood her ground. He might have been a poltergeist, but she was unfazed. Kellah had reached her limit. Her body felt heavy and swollen from the food, making her tired. She wanted a bed to sleep in.
"Don't make a scene," Percy warned, "or I'll have the Bloody Baron deal with you."
"Go get the Baron then and leave all the firstie worsties alone with me," Peeves instructed, giving the first years a mischievous grin.
Peeves disappeared with a wicked cackle, leaving behind a fallen candlestick that had narrowly missed hitting Neville. He was like a puppy. People kept kicking, always eager to please but getting no love in return.
Percy's annoyance dissipated as they walked down the hall and approached a plump woman in a dress made of silk. Her hair was in tight, bouncy curls that framed her face, and her clothing was a vibrant shade of pink. Her attire and mannerisms indicated she belonged to the Renaissance era.
"Password," The Fat Lady said with a yawn.
A hole in the wall appeared when the words Caput Draconis were muttered by Percy. Kellah felt a sense of urgency to jostle her way through the crowd. She and Hermione linked arms and walked away after patiently waiting for the crowd to disperse. They didn't wait for Percy to lead the boys, instead; he directed the girls to their side, and they set off together.
When she entered the room, she saw her decorations strewn across the bed. All the boxes were empty, and she had carefully arranged her possessions on the shelves and drawers. In a rush, Kellah set stuffed animals, fluffy pillows, and posters of boy bands: Take That and Bell Biv DeVoe.
She noticed that the other girls were also done with decorating in a short amount of time. In her possession, Hermione had a stuffed bear, a few flower pillows, several photos of her family's trips and nature, and a small stack of cards. Hermione had gone above and beyond with the decorations, filling the room with an unexpected abundance of colorful flower decorum. The bathroom was filled with the sound of zippers and rustling fabric as they changed into their pajamas one by one. Hermione's pajamas were bursting with pink flowers like a garden had been sewn onto them. Kellah was surprised to find out that Hermione loved girly things. The pattern on Kellah's pajamas was that of cheetah spots. Her mom always had a matching sleep set for her, complete with a cozy robe and slippers, to ensure she was both comfortable and stylish. The clothes a person sleeps in say a lot about them, especially at sleepovers. All the girls gawked at her.
"It's like touching a fluffy cloud," said the blonde girl, her fingers sinking into the softness. "The name's Lavender Brown. Parvati Patil and Layla are the other two."
Parvati's mom was worse than Kellah's. Parvati Patil's attire included a long shirt that gave the illusion of a dress but was paired with pants. Lavender stood out in the crowd, wearing a unicorn onesie that made her look stunning, while Layla was indifferent to everyone, walking around with a Discman in hand and wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts.
"How did you get it to work?" Kellah yelled.
"Magic instead of batteries," Layla said, removing her headphones.
"Cool, I-" Kellah's words trailed off as Layla slipped her headphones back on. "Okay then. Anyway, did you guys see all the boys? They were so cute?"
Amidst the chaos of Lavender and Parvati's screams, Hermione's quick thinking led her to retrieve a book from her bag.
"Draco is so cute, and I have a chance since he's a Pure-blood. What about you? What do you think, Kellah?" Lavender inquired.
"Hermione and I are Muggle-born."
"I'm Half-blood," Parvati declared proudly.
Instead of answering the question, Layla waved her hand dismissively. Even though she wanted to sleep, Kellah didn't want to stop having fun until she spotted Hermione reading.
"Hermione, I've heard you have an impressive collection of books. Would it be okay if I borrowed some of them? They look interesting," Kellah commented.
The book Hermione was reading muffled her voice, but she managed to say, "Sure, anytime."
"Really," Lavender said. Kellah's eyes narrowed into a piercing glare. "I mean, yes, really, me too."
Lavender nudged Parvati, who turned to look at her with a questioning expression. "Same here."
"No," Layla said flatly. As they prepared for bed the girls began their hair routines. Removing her black hijab, Kellah exposed her sister locs styled in a tight bun, showcasing her natural beauty. She wrapped a silk head scarf around her hair, protecting it for the night.Upon seeing this, Kellah immediately reached for her hair bonnet and put it on.
Lavender watched in amazement as the magical rollers floated toward her and applied themselves to her hair with ease. Lavender then sprayed a cloud of lavender-scented mist over her head and let it settle around her. "We're getting off track. Let's go back to discussing the boy," Lavender said.
With a slight eye-roll, Hermione returned her attention to the book in front of her.
"Cedric Diggory, the most handsome guy I've ever seen, was on the train," Kellah said.
Lavender mentioned, "Cedric, the Hufflepuff Seeker, was technically a pure blood and had been friends with the notorious Jacob siblings."
"Cedric Diggory? I heard he knows Bill Weasley because he tutored Defense Against the Dark Arts from 1989 to last year," said Parvati, her voice filled with curiosity. Parvati took out a bottle of coconut oil and began massaging it into her hair, while Hermione left her hair untouched.
"Too bad he's not coming this year. Bill Weasley is cute too. What's Ron like," Lavender asked.
"Ron's manners are terrible, he eats voraciously, and he's fixated on his pet rat," Hermione remarked, crinkling the page of her book. "Oh, no," she groaned, realizing her mistake.
"Ron and Malfoy got into a fight, and even Ron's rat got involved. I thought it was quite bold," said Kellah.
Lavender scoffed and said, "Oh, did he now guess he's more than a pure-blood with hand-me-downs."
"Yeah, his clothes were so horrible. Did you see his robes? They're ancient?" Parvati answered.
"He comes from a big family," Hermione stated.
"Yeah, he's not bad, just poor. He can't help that," Kellah said in a sympathetic tone.
Lavender couldn't help but roll her eyes situation's absurdity. "Whatever, what about Harry Potter? I heard you two got to talk to him?"
Her true motive for being nice was revealed at that moment.
"Yeah, what's he like," said Parvati. "He's Indian like me, well, at least half. I want to know more."
"He was sweet but sassy, and you can almost see the scar on the center of his head," said Kellah.
"He was humble and knew little about himself," said Hermione.
"That's tragic but kind of cute. He doesn't know he's famous," said Lavender.
"He has the most beautiful green eyes like his Mata, I heard, and he gets his dark skin and hair from his Pitah," said Parvati.
"His what?" said Lavender, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"His mom and dad, that's how you say it in Hindi and Sanskrit," said Hermione.
"She's a genius," Kellah said in admiration.
Parvati's eyes crinkled as she smiled with delight. Lavender's hand moved in a quick wave, signaling for them to follow her. "Whatever, back to Harry."
"He's rich. He had loads of candy when we went in his compartment," said Kellah.
"Well, the Potters were a pure-blood family. They invented a bunch of potions. I forget which." Lavender said.
"Linfred Potter is credited with inventing Skele-gro and Pepperup Potion, while Sleekeazy's Hair Potion was created by Harry's grandfather, Fleamont Potter. He, along with his wife, died of Dragon Pox shortly after Harry's mother and father married," said Hermione.
"You're quite the gossip, Hermione," Parvati observed with a smirk.
"It's not gossip, just facts. It was in a history book called The Sacred Twenty-Eight. You're not in it, Lavender, even though you're a pure-blood," said Hermione.
"The Potters aren't in it either because we don't see Muggle-born as a problem. I'm surprised the Weasley's were on the list. They feel the same way." Lavender said.
"The author of the list, Cantankerus Nott, purposefully excluded pure-bloods he held a grudge against but included his relatives."
"That's what my twin sister said," she replied with a shrug.
"The Ravenclaw one," Lavender said.
Before she begins her prayers, Layla takes out her rug and positions it so that she is facing the east. As she prepares for bed, Kellah considers praying but ultimately decides against it.
While Layla goes to bed early, others stay up all night talking in circles and munching on snacks. Nestled amongst Hermione's books and trinkets, Kellah slept soundly in the cozy embrace of her friend's bed.