A couple of minutes later, an elderly witch came past, pushing a trolley full of snacks and sweets. "Anything off the trolley, dears?" she called after tapping on the closed door.
Ember pulled the door open, revealing the variety of sweets and snacks the witch had to Hermione. "What do you think?" she asked.
"One of each?" the brunette suggested, thinking it would be a good idea to try it all given that neither of them had ever had snacks from the wizarding world.
The ginger nods in agreement, taking out a handful of coins from her pocket. "One of everything, please", she politely requested and the witch complied. The two new students took their purchases into the compartment, pulling the sliding door shut behind them.
"Do you think it literally means 'every flavour'?" Hermione questioned, eyeing the box in her hand warily: Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
"Only one way to find out", Ember remarked, taking the box from her and opening it. She picked a bean out at random, popping it in her mouth. After a couple of chews, the hybrid made a face and spat out the offending sweet into a tissue. "Ugh, pear", she muttered, disgusted.
"Not a fan, I take it", Hermione comments, trying a bean and hummed appreciatively when she got a strawberry favoured one.
"That's an understatement", Ember told her "I hate pears. They're evil" the hybrid shuddered.
"Perhaps you best steer clear of these then", the brunette said, taking the box and tossed it onto the padded seat across from them.
The hybrid mused over the remaining confectionery and selected a chocolate frog, thinking it had to be better than pear flavoured beans. Ember pulled open the packaging, yelping when amphibian leapt out and landing on the open window. "Ook", she said slowly as they watched it escape.
"I really hope none of these others are 'alive'", Hermione mumbled, tentatively prodding the nearest packet.
The ginger plucked a card from the chocolate frog box. "Dumbledore", she murmured, reading the name.
"He's the current Headmaster of Hogwarts", Hermione told her "Extra reading", she added when Ember cast a glance at her.
"Ah", the hybrid nods, not needing anymore of an explanation than that. She turned her attention to the card, doing a doubletake when she that the wizard had disappeared! "He's gone!"
"Probably gone to visit another portrait/picture", the brunette comments "that's a common occurrence in the wizarding world".
"Is there anything you don't know?" Ember questioned, astounded by her knowledge.
"I don't know how to make friends", Hermione admits "all the kids at my last school thought I was a 'smartie pants' and a 'know-it-all'".
"Sounds like they were jealous that you're smarter than them", the ginger points out "personally, that doesn't bother me at all. Just means that you'd be the perfect study buddy when it comes to homework. Oh, and about the whole not knowing how to make friends, you've already figured that out".
Hermione frowned, confused "I have?"
Ember nods "of course. You've already made one friend and we're not even at Hogwarts yet".
"Y-you want to be my friend?" the brunette repeats, surprised.
"Well, why wouldn't I?" Ember countered "You have compassion. I doubt that very many people would be as considerate as you were about the topic of my parents. You're smart, which'll be handy in keeping up with those students who grew up in the wizarding world. You're also really easy to talk to so it'll majorly suck if we aren't in the same house". Hermione chuckled at the last part.
"Well then, here's to new friends and hopes of being sorted into the same house", she declared, holding up a bottle of something labelled Pumpkin Juice. Ember grinned and tapped it with the second bottle of the drink.
Ember and Hermione left the train with the rest of the students when the train finally reached its destination. "Firs'- Years! This way please! Come on now, don't be shy", a large man with a lantern called.
The ginger smiled at the half-giant, took hold of Hermione's sleeve and navigated their way through the gaggle of children. "Hello Ember", he greeted warmly.
"Hey Hagrid", the girl greeted back "he's the one who told me about being a witch", she murmured to Hermione as the Gamekeeper waved over more students.
"Right then. This way to the boats!" Hagrid said to all the first-years and led them down to the water where several small wooden boats were waiting. Ember and Hermione hopped into one but much to their annoyance, Ron also joined them. The two girls opted to ignore the boy when he attempted to make small talk as the boat sailed across the vast lake.
"Oh wow", Ember breathed, taking in the huge castle that would be her home for the better part of a year with wide eyes.
"Wicked", Ron said in agreement.
The first-years climbed up the marble stairs to a set a huge gold doors where the deputy head mistress, Professor McGonagall, was waiting patiently for them. Once everyone was gathered on the top few steps, she spoke "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup…" McGonagall's explanation was abruptly cut off by a shout of
"Trevor!"
Neville stepped out from behind a couple of students and scooped up his toad, mumbling an apology before disappearing back into the crowd. "This sorting ceremony will begin momentarily", Professor McGonagall informed the first-years and left.
"At least Neville found his toad", Hermione remarked quietly to Ember, who hummed in agreement.
"Hello again Ember Potter", Draco piped up. The hybrid internally groaned at the whispers and murmurs which started up as a result of the blond practically announcing who she was. To be honest, she should've been expecting it. She was after all, famous. However, it didn't mean she had to like all the attention to was giving her. Personally? She would much rather be some anonymous nobody just trying to make her way through school like everyone else.
"Hello Draco Malfoy", Ember greeted back, with faux politeness. From her right, Ron snickered causing the boy to turn his attention to him. "Think my name's funny do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley", Malfoy said scornfully looking Ron up and down "remember how I said I can give you pointers? The Weasleys aren't the kind of family you should associate yourself with".
"Gee thanks Draco but I think I can figure out who I want to 'associate' myself with", Ember sarcastically remarked "and I'm going to start by putting Malfoy in the 'no way in hell' column". While she didn't like Ron that much, she wasn't about to stand by and let him pick on the boy and his background. She didn't abide bullies, no matter who their victims were.
The outraged boy didn't have a chance to say anything to her response as Professor McGonagall returned holding a scroll of parchment. "We're ready for you now, follow me" and with that, she led the first-years through a large golden door. The group walk into a long room with students sitting either side of four long wooden tables. Above the tables were dozens of floating candles. Ember turned her attention to the ceiling and was very surprised when she saw a star studded sky instead of the wooden supports. "Its bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A history", Hermione explained to her as they walked.
"That's incredible", the ginger breathed, taking it all in. The view was certainly better than the cobwebby ceiling of the cupboard.
Professor McGonagall stopped to stand beside a three legged stool where a rather old and battered pointed hat sat. The hybrid and the others watch as a rip near the brim opened 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'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 folks 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!
When the hat finished, the whole hall burst into applause. When it eventually died down, Professor McGonagall spoke "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words".
The wizard in question stands up from where he sat at the teachers table "I have 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. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch…" he nodded to the scruffy looking man standing by the doors of the Great Hall "…has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you"
They sure know how to make us feel welcome Ember thought making a mental note to stay well away from the 3rd floor. She didn't particularly want to die a most painful death in her first year of Hogwarts. In fact she'd much prefer to get through all her school years without any life or death situations.
Professor McGonagall unrolled her parchment and picked up the Sorting Hat. "When I call your names, the sorting hat will be placed on your head and you will be sorted into your house", she explained. The first name she called was Hermione's.
"Good luck", Ember said quietly to her and the girl gave her a nervous smile. She made her way to front, sat down on the stool and the sorting hat was placed on her head.
"Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!" Hermione hopped off the stool with a smile on her face and went to sit at the Gryffindor table.
Then it was Malfoy's turn. The hat didn't even touch his head when it shouted "Slytherin!"
"There isn't a witch or wizard that went bad who wasn't in Slytherin", Ron whispered to Ember. She wisely didn't say anything as she didn't really want to have anything to do with that particular Weasley. However, she couldn't help but think that house fitted Draco to a 'T'. She prayed to anyone who was hopefully listening not to let her be placed in the same house.
Susan Bones was next to be sorted and the hat chose Hufflepuff as her house. Once Susan was seated, Professor McGonagall called Ron up. Him being a Weasley was automatically placed in Gryffindor like his brothers. "Ember Potter", the Transfiguration teacher called. The ginger haired girl felt her twin hearts start to race as she stepped up to the three legged stool and sat down. She opted to focus on her feet to avoid meeting anyone's gaze, ignoring the whispers that began at the mention of her name. I really don't like being famous she thought, internally grumbling.
"Hm difficult very difficult", the hat hummed after being put on her head "Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind either. There's talent oh yes, and thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you…"
"Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin", Ember whispered.
"Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that! No?"
"Not Slytherin...anything but Slytherin", Ember quietly pleaded.
"Well, if you're sure...better be...GRYFFINDOR!" the entire Gryffindor table exploded with cheers very happy to be having the Ember Potter in their house. The ginger's hearts soared in happiness and relief. She hopped off of the stall and hurried over to their table, flashing a smile at Peter, who'd been cheering her on the Ravenclaw table.
She along with everyone else watched the remainder of the first years be sorted. Other first years that ended up being sorted into Gryffindor included Lavender Brown and the Patil sisters, Padma and Pavarti.
Not long after the first years where sorted into their houses, food appeared on all the tables. Ember grinned at how much food was in front of her. She was certainly going to eat well while at school if this was anything to go by. Ember piled up her plate with chicken and vegetables. "Who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?" she asked the older student sitting next to her.
"Oh, that's Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house", the prefect answered.
"What's he teach?" Ember questioned looking up at the teacher's table, eyeing the raven haired wizard.
"Potions. But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years", the teenager informed her.
The rest of the feast was fairly uneventful save for the House ghosts making an appearance. Ember snickered at the shock Ron received when the Gryffindor House Ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, popped up out of the table the moment he was reaching for another chicken leg. She was definitely filing that away as a highlight of the evening.
Once everyone had eaten all they could, the prefects led the first years to their respective houses. Percy Weasley led the new Gryffindors through to the staircases, warning them to keep an eye out as they had a tendency to change at a moment's notice. He took them all up several flights and through various twists and turns until he made them stop in a corridor. In front of them, floating in the air, were a bundle of walking sticks. "Peeves", Ron's brother whispered to them "a poltergeist" he raised his voice "Peeves! Show yourself!" he ordered.
Ember raised her brows when there was a rude sound, rather like an air being let out of a balloon. Then a small man with wicked eyes and a wide mouth appeared, clutching the walking sticks. "Oooh!" he cackled "Ickle firsties! What fun!"
He swooped overhead, causing them all to duck. "Go away Peeves, or the Baron will hear about this!" Percy barked. The poltergeist stuck his tongue out and vanished, dropping the walking sticks on poor Neville's head. "You want to watch out for Peeves", the prefect warned "the Bloody Baron is the only one who can control him". Percy set off along the corridor, the first years following him. He stopped again, this time in front of a fat lady.
"Password", the lady asked.
"Caput Draconis" the prefect replied. The lady nodded and the portrait swung open. They all climbed through into a large room. There was roaring fire and comfy red chairs everywhere. "Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. The boy's dorm is upstairs and down to the left. Girls the same on your right. You'll find that all your belongings have already been brought up", Percy explained.
When they got up to the dorm, Ember took the bed next to Hermione's. This was another highlight to the evening, having her new friend in the same house as her. At least she'll have one person that she can rely on not to gawk at her because she was 'famous'. Someone who'll just treat her as Ember Potter, student of Gryffindor House.