Violet rushed to the window, hoping to catch her first glimpse of Hogwarts. All she could see out of the dark window were fields with the occasional glow of a house. The train was definitely starting to slow down though.

"Time to get changed," Hermione chuckled at the two girls. Ginny looked like she was trying to stop herself jumping with excitement.

The corridor was packed as eager chatter as robe-dressed students piled out of their compartments. Violet tried to stay close to Ginny as the mass moved towards the doors. The train had stopped at a small but pretty little train station under a clear, purple sky. After so long on the train, the air was pleasantly cool.

"Firs' years!" Came a booming, familiar voice, "Firs' years this way!"

"Go on," Hermione gave Violet a gentle push, "I'll see you in the castle."

Violet and Ginny fought their way towards Hagrid, easily twice as tall as everyone else on the platform and holding a large lamp in one hand.

"Alrigh' you lot," Hagrid swept the lamp's light over the group, none of whom came up to his waist, "'bout ye Violet, told you you'd make it! All here? Good!"

There was a sudden flash of light.

"Wha's that?" Hagrid blinked against the sudden glare.

"Sorry," said a boy even shorter than Violet with mousy, curly hair. He was holding a huge camera.

"Alrigh'," Hagrid said gruffly, "Follow me then."

He led them against the tide of students and parted the crowd as easily as he had in Diagon Alley. Even though he was only strolling, they practically had to jog to keep up with him. Violet was a little out of breath as Hagrid led them from the platform and down a winding cobbled path flanked by tall, thick trees. The path wound down and down until they reached the edge of a huge lake with a black, smooth surface stretching into the distance. Violet was sure it must go all the way to the horizon. At the edge of the water were little wooden boats, each with a large lamp like Hagrid's.

There was a chorus of 'oohs' from the first years. The blonde girl from the train hummed to herself. There was another flash as the boy took another photograph.

"In ye ge'," Hagrid called, "Three to a boat!"

Violet, Ginny and the blond boy climbed in together. No sooner had they sat down than the boat gently slipped from the bank and into the lake. It wobbled alarmingly on the water and Violet held on tightly to the side. It was probably too late to tell Hagrid she couldn't swim. The boy wasn't helping as he bounced in his seat and rocked the boat from side to side. Violet eventually relaxed, if only because she was losing the feeling in her fingers. If the boat could take Hagrid's weight, it wasn't going to capsize any time soon. They were silent as they glided across the water with only the strange blond girl's humming.

"You'll be gettin' yer firs' look at the castle soon!" Hagrid called from the front.

The anticipation grew as they turned a corner of land. Violet joined in the gasps from the boats.

Hogwarts was perched on a hilltop, vast and yet welcoming. Its sooth walls seemed to gleam in the moonlight. Turrets and towers jutted out of every roof and in every direction. The windows glowed a buttery gold, welcoming them.

"Wow," Violet murmured. It was so much more amazing than Harry had ever described.

"I know," Ginny whispered.

The boy squeaked excitedly and took a photo.

Violet could not take her eyes from the castle as they approached; the statues that adorned every wall, the lattices at each window, the battlements and smoky chimneys.

They weren't heading to the edge of the lake but to a small cavern beneath the castle. Hagrid had to duck as they passed inside, and the boats ran softly up onto the gentle slope at the back wall of the cave. The flames from the torches danced across their faces and the rocky walls.

"Everyone alrigh'?" Hagrid looked back at the group as they each clambered out of the boats. One girl with long dark hair had gone very pale, "Anyone been sick? No? Good!"

He led them up a set of stone steps that kept winding up and up. Violet was very quickly breathless again; she hadn't realised she was so unfit. The steps came out onto a perfectly smooth lawn in front of the castle. It was absolutely huge.

Hagrid led them up to a pair of massive wooden doors which he banged on with a booming fist.

The door swung noisily open and waiting for them was a witch in black robes. She had square glasses and a tight, greying bun. She watched them with a stern look, tapping her finger impatiently. This had to be Professor McGonagall.

"The firs' years, Professor," Hagrid nodded.

"Thank you, Hagrid," She said curtly, "Follow me, please."

She led them into a small room. There was a buzz of conversation coming from a nearby door. The rest of the students must have already arrived.

"You are now ready to be sorted into your houses; Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin," Professor McGonagall cast a sharp eye over the group, "You there, take those ridiculous glasses off. You, leave that camera behind, it will be taken up to your dormitory."

Violet bit her lip as her stomach lurched uncomfortably. Harry had told her all about the sorting but that didn't make it any less nerve-wracking. What if she was sorted into a house she didn't like? What if she wasn't sorted at all? What if she tripped and everyone just laughed at her?

Professor McGonagall pushed the door open and led them out.

The Great Hall had gone very quiet and Violet looked down at her feet. There were the four long benches packed with students. She glanced up to try and find Harry but she didn't even know which table was the Gryffindor one. She didn't dare look up again.

In front of the teacher's table, which Violet couldn't look at either, was a small stool. On top of the stool sat a grotty looking hat. There was a moment of silence, aside from the odd cough, before a rip opened up on the front of the hat.

"Oh, it was a long time ago,

Through summer suns and winter snow,

That four wizards, their power spun,

But what great magic had they done?

They built a school, proud and true,

One to last the ages through,

One where all could come to learn,

Were there none that they would spurn.

The Hufflepuffs that were strong and true,

Most loyal of friends they are to you.

The Ravenclaws that were sharp of wit,

The wisest of all did they permit.

The Gryffindors who were mighty brave,

And daring deeds would they engrave.

The Slytherins who knew their needs,

And knew the power of their deeds.

But what to do once they were gone?

From where would their pupils be drawn?

But then Godric called out with glee,

Whipped off his hat and created me!

Now I've got you all to sort,

A serious task, it is no sport!

But that's enough of idle chat,

And enough from me, your Sorting Hat!"

There was a moment's silence. Then the hall filled with ringing applause as the hat bowed to each of the tables. Violet chanced a look up at the staff table; she saw Hagrid sitting at the end, taking up the space of three people. In the centre could only be Professor Dumbledore, long haired and bearded with a sparkle behind half-moon spectacles. Gilderoy Lockhart stood out in robes of vivid aquamarine and as broad a smile as she could imagine.

Alongside Dumbledore was an empty chair. Violet frowned. Was one of the teachers sick? Wait. She scanned the table again. There was no sign of a man with greasy hair, a hooked nose and sallow skin. Where was Snape? The applause had died down and all other thoughts went out of her mind.

Professor McGonagall stood beside the stool with a roll of parchment, "When I call out each of your names," she said clearly, "Come up to the stool and the Sorting Hat will place you into your house."

She cleared her throat, "Akinfeev, Kristoff!"

A tall boy stepped up nervously. Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat to let him sit and placed it on his head. It was only a few seconds before it called out, "Ravenclaw!"

The Ravenclaw table cheered as Kristoff Akinfeev hurried to join his new housemates.

Arnott, Andrew and Barrow, Barnabas became Hufflepuffs while Bastian, Felix and Burns, Catherine both joined Ravenclaw.

"Creevey, Colin!" The mousy boy with the camera practically leapt towards the stool and stumbled over his own feet. A ripple of laughter ran around the student tables.

The hat was very quick, "Gryffindor!"

Professor McGonagall had to snatch the hat as he rushed past her to more laughter.

On and on it went.

"Flint, Silas!"

"Slytherin!"

"Gilchrist, Magnus!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Malfoy, Atia!"

Malfoy's sister strode up to the stool as if it were a throne. Violet frowned. Why was it taking so long? Surely, she was Slytherin to the core like the rest of her family?

At last, the rip in the rim of the hat opened.

"Gryffindor!"

There was a stunned silence quickly filled with muttering.

Atia Malfoy had gone even paler than normal. She was holding the stool so tightly it looked like she would snap it in half.

Professor McGonagall plucked the hat from her head, "Off you go, Miss Malfoy."

Malfoy stared up at her, then slid off the stood and trudged over to the Gryffindor table. They made a wide space for her as if she were poison. Draco Malfoy wore a rigid grin as if he had just been slapped.

"McLaggen, Theodora!"

The dark-haired girl who had looked sick after the trip across the lake stepped up to the stool. The hat did not take so nearly so long to repeat, "Gryffindor!"

The applause rang out again and McLaggen swaggered off to the table.

The group of first years was thinning out. Violet's knees felt so weak she was sure she would collapse at any moment. That was the last thing she needed on her first day, in front of the entire school.

McNory, Gavin went to Ravenclaw, Neill, Euan went to Gryffindor and Polter, Anthony went to Ravenclaw. And then.

"Potter, Violet!"

Violet's legs would not work at all, like her shoes were full of lead. Ginny pushed her forward. Why did the stool have to be so far away?

The stool was sturdy when she finally reached it. Thank goodness, she felt like she had ran a marathon. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head, and it slipped down to her ears at once, hiding the hall from view. It smelt a little of damp.

Nothing happened. Was there something wrong with the Hat? She was just starting to worry when there was a sharp intake of breath right in her ear and she jumped.

"Well, well, another Potter. Let's see what we have. Hmm, a very sharp mind, no doubt about that. Plenty of courage as well but, my oh my, so much doubt fogs your mind, young Potter. There's fear here, a real fear. Where best for your talents…not enough ambition for Slytherin I think. Hufflepuff perhaps, no. That won't help. How about Ravenclaw?"

Violet tightened her grip on the stool. Her breath was caught in her chest.

"That would be a good fit but…yes, I think this suits you best. Gryffindor!"

The table of scarlet cheered loudly. Violet took a deep breath as the Hat was removed from her head and she hurried over to the Gryffindor table. The Weasley twins shuffled up to make a space between herself and Percy.

"Very good, Violet," said Percy pompously, "Very well done!"

"Welcome to Gryffindor," Fred grinned at her.

"Yeah, hope you have as quiet a first year as Harry did," George laughed.

Violet smiled weakly. Was her pounding heart was ever going to settle down?

There were only four students waiting their turn with the Hat. Tallow, Matilda went to Slytherin and Vane, Romilda joined them at Gryffindor before:

"Weasley, Ginny!"

Violet heard her gulp from across the hall. The freckles across her cheeks were even more obvious as her face had gone very pale. Professor McGonagall placed the Hat on top of her flaming red hair. It took only a few moments before it shouted:

"Gryffindor!"

Violet clapped loudly as Ginny grinned though she still looked like she might faint.

"Jolly good," Percy called as she sat down beside Violet, "Really, jolly good!"

"Glad you didn't let the side down," George banged on the table, "Imagine having to tell mum and dad you ended up in Slytherin!"

"Imagine having to tell Great Aunt Mabel," Fred pulled a face.

The last student, Yaxley, Melba, went to Slytherin and then the Hat was placed on its stool and removed from the room.

Dumbledore stood from his chair and an expectant silence filled the room.

"Tuck in!" He called with a broad smile.

In the blink of an eye, the empty plates were overflowing with food.

Violet stared in astonishment. There were so many different dishes, so many wonderful smells. They all looked so amazing. The snacks from the Hogwarts Express felt like so long ago and her stomach rumbled longingly. What ones should she try? There was succulent beef, sticky pork, buttery mash, crispy roast potatoes, lakes of thick gravy and plates of honied carrots. Harry had written about how good the feasts were, but they were so much better than even that!

Her heart dropped a little. Where was Harry? There was no sign of him at the table. Had the Weasleys brought him to Hogwarts yet? Hopefully he had seen her sorting.

Everyone else had filled their plates and started eating. Violet had never been a big eater, but everything looked so good that she took a little of everything.

"This, is, amazing!" shouted the mousy haired boy with a mouthful of cocktail sausages, "I wish I still had my camera!"

"I'm guessing you're muggle born?" Ginny said, "What's your name?"

"Colin! Colin Creevey! Yeah, I'm muggle born, my dad's a milkman! I think he was pleased to find out all the weird stuff I could do was magic. He kept bringing me to doctors because my hair was going purple, and I set fire to things I touched! My younger brother was so jealous when I got my letter, but he does the same things I do so he'll probably end up here too! How about you!"

Ginny glanced at Violet. She was trying not to laugh, "We're all wizards, apart from a second cousin of my mum's who does something with muggle money somewhere."

Violet shrugged, "I don't really know. I grew up with my aunt and uncle and they're both muggles."

"But they must have been so happy when they found out right?" Colin pressed eagerly.

"Not exactly."

"Oh well I'm sure they'll be so much happier when they find out all the amazing stuff you can do!" Colin didn't seem to have taken so much as a breath, "I was reading some of my textbooks and it's amazing! Did you know you can turn things into other things with your wand? I did it once to a saltcellar by accident in a restaurant, it turned into a mouse and ran into the kitchen. It was mental, everyone was running around and screaming!"

To her other side, Fred and George were speaking to an older and stocky looking boy with intense eyes,
"Relax, Oliver," Fred was saying as he cut up his roast potatoes, "We were closer to the Quidditch Cup last year than we've ever been."

"Yeah," George nodded, "It's not Harry's fault he ended up knocked out for a week."

"That's not the point," Oliver said with a haunted look in his eyes, "The biggest defeat in 300 years! To Ravenclaw!" He groaned, "Well, it won't happen this year!"

"I dunno, Oliver," Fred pointed a drumstick at him, "I mean, winning the Quidditch Cup is easy. Someone does that every year but to lose by a record amount two years in a row. We'd be famous!"

"The Shocking Seven," George spread his arms as if picturing a banner in front of him, "The Terrible Team, the Sh-"

"Shut up!" Oliver was glaring at them, "We're going to win that Cup if it's the last thing I do!"

"Better check with Harry then," Fred grinned at the reaction, "Make sure he's not planning on throwing himself into any more under-castle passages this year!"

Ginny and Colin were discussing teachers.

"Flitwick is meant to be really good," Ginny was explaining to him and Romilda Vane, "He works you hard but he's fair. Binns is the worst, he'll put you to sleep no matter what he's talking about."

"Isn't he a ghost?" Violet asked.

"Yeah," Ginny nodded, and Colin dropped his fork with a clatter, "Died hundreds of years ago and never noticed."

"He's a ghost!" Colin squealed, "A real, live ghost?"

"Well, not live, exactly," Ginny shrugged.

"That's so cool! Can he go through walls?"

"Yeah," sighed Romilda, not listening, "but have you seen Professor Lockhart?" She was staring at him with chin resting in her hand, "He's so dreamy."

Ginny frowned, "I thought he was a bit full of himself when we met him."

"And his hair," Romilda went on, "It's so thick…"

"He's really powerful," Violet said eagerly, "Have you read how he defeated the werewolves in-"

Colin opened his mouth but Romilda interrupted him dreamily, "And his smile. It's perfect…"

"Snape is the worst," Ginny shouted over her, "He hates Gryffindors, and he hates your brother especially," She looked at Violet, "Potions won't be too much fun."

Violet glanced up at the staff table but his chair was still empty. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had disappeared as well.

The plates cleared themselves as soon as everyone was finished and refilled, this time with countless mouthwatering desserts.

"Oh, I've seen Snape," Romilda sniffed as she pushed some chocolate eclairs away, "He's vile. You would think as potion's master he would brew something to sort that awful greasy hair."

"I think there's worse things than his hair," said Ginny as she took a slice of carrot cake.

"Hardly," Romilda looked aghast, "It all starts with your appearance."

Violet looked further down the table. Atia Malfoy sat alone with a space to either side of her as if she had some contagious disease. Her plate alone was untouched.

"Do you think she's okay?" Violet asked Ginny.

"Dunno," Ginny shrugged, "Why do you think the Sorting Hat put a Malfoy in Gryffindor? It's never happened before."

"Maybe she's brave?" Colin suggested.

"She's a bully," Romilda snorted, "I heard her picking on some of the other first years. Her and that brother of hers. Maybe the Hat wanted her to leave."

Atia's eyes were fixed on the table, determinedly not looking up. She looked as pale as when the Sorting Hat had put her in the wrong house, lips thin. No one was even pretending to pay attention to her, like she was a ghost. Violet knew that feeling only too well, it had been every single dinner with the Dursleys for the past year.

"Oh, Dumbledore's back!" Colin was looking up at the staff table.

Dumbledore had indeed returned, as had Professor McGonagall and a rather thunderous looking Professor Snape.

"Oh goodness," Romilda hissed as Dumbledore raised his hands for silence, "It's even worse than I thought, that haircut is so 1950s."

A silence had fallen over the hall. The headmaster seemed to have that effect on people. Even so, his eyes twinkled kindly, and he smiled broadly.

"Welcome, welcome everyone to another year at Hogwarts," his voice carried clearly across the room, "Now that we are all fed and watered, I would like to make a few announcements before some welcome sleep. The third-floor corridor is once again accessible to students. The…little problem that closed it last year has been moved to somewhere a bit more suitable."

Violet glanced at Hagrid. Harry had told her all about the massive three-headed Fluffy that made its home in that corridor. She was surprised to see he looked rather sad.

"Secondly, our caretaker, Mister Filch, has requested that, during the wet autumn months, would all students be so kind as to wipe their shoes before entering the castle. He would be most grateful for them doing so," the corner of Dumbledore's mouth twitched.

"And finally, I am delighted to announce a new member of staff to the school this year. Please welcome to the role of Defence Against the Dark Arts, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart."

The hall burst into wild applause. Violet clapped until her palms hurt while Romilda joined in the chorus of high-pitched screams. Lockhart rose from his seat and brought his hands together gratefully before bowing deeply, that toothy grin growing even wider.

"Thank you, Gilderoy. I think that's all. Ah yes, anyone who would like to try out for their House Quidditch teams, please contact Madame Hooch. I would also remind first years that flying outside of Madam Hooch's lessons is strictly forbidden. And now, I bid you all goodnight."

Dumbledore gestured to the doors and people stood with another round of clapping.

"First years, follow me!" Percy called with his chest puffed out importantly, "First Years, this way!"

They snaked out of the Great Hall and up the marble staircase. It was only when she had stood up that Violet realised how full she was. Colin was gawping and looking frantically in every direction. He led them through a dizzying number of turns and up endless staircases. Every corridor was filled with moving paintings and tall, intimidating suits of armour.

Violet looked back over her shoulder to double-check what she thought was a dragon picking its nose when she saw Atia Malfoy. She was keeping her distance, walking with her hands in her pockets and her head down. Violet slowed until Atia looked up. Her expression went from miserable to cruel in a flash.

"What do you want?" She snapped.

Violet recoiled from the venom, "Want to walk with us?"

Ginny had slowed as well and raised an eyebrow but didn't speak.

"With you?" She sneered, "Hardly. I'd rather walk with a house-elf."

She pushed past Violet and made sure to hit her shoulder painfully as she did so.

Ginny shook her head and glared after her, "That's a Malfoy for you. You remember what Hagrid said in Diagon Alley; rotten to the core, all of them."

Violet rubbed at her shoulder and sighed.

They finally reached a corridor with a dead end. Against the far wall was a portrait of a portly lady with a kind face.

"Password?" She asked in a haughty voice.

"Wattlebird," Percy answered importantly.

The portrait swung open. Violet's first impression of the Gryffindor common room was that it was large, warm and very, very packed. The entire house must have been waiting for them with giddy faces.

"What's going on?" Percy frowned, "Everyone go to your dormitories, now."

"Ginny! Violet!" It was Fred and George who elbowed Percy out of the way, "It's Harry and Ron! They're here! They flew the car!"

"What?" Ginny gasped.

"They flew dad's car into the Whomping Willow! All the way from London," George shook his head in disappointment, "I can't believe they didn't tell us! What an entrance!"

"Snape caught them," Fred went on, "Wanted them expelled but old Dumbledore wouldn't do it!"

Violet was still trying to process this when the portrait opened again. The roar of laughter and applause that filled the Common Room told her it had to be Harry and Ron. Why had he taken the car? He had to know how much Mrs Weasley hated flying it. Mr Weasley was going to be in so much trouble.

Pushed this way and that by the larger students, Violet fought her way to the nearest wall. She would wait until the morning, then she could speak to Harry in private. She caught only a glimpse of her brother, still wearing the same baggy t-shirt and jeans from that morning. He had a large bruise above his left eye and a cut on his right cheek. He gave her a sheepish smile before he was pushed back into the adoring crowd.

"Come on," Ginny grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards the dormitories, "We'll talk to the mighty heroes tomorrow."

The dorm room was exactly as Harry had described it; with big inviting four-poster beds, a large window looking out into the darkness and a small fire that crackled happily against one wall. Her trunk was already here, and Violet changed into her pyjamas before settling into her bed. She sank deep into the mattress; it was so warm, so comfortable that she felt herself relax at once.

"What were they thinking," Ginny's asked from the bed beside hers, "Mum and Dad are going to kill them."

Violet's insides squirmed with guilt. Mrs Weasley had been so kind to them this summer and made Violet feel welcome for the first time in her life. Her brother in return had stolen their car, flown it across the country and crashed it into a tree. Was the car okay? Was it ruined? Surely Mr Weasley was going to get into trouble, and he had been so careful with his changes.

She drifted into a troubled sleep. Were they ever going to leave a house in someone's good books?