II. Nosy

Unduly curious about the affairs of others, prying, meddlesome

Today is the day for every Witch or Wizard to begin the school year, and one girl is excited at the thought of leaving home for the infamous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The two-toned-haired girl stands in her bedroom for the last time till Christmas, and it seems to set in the Heiress that she won't see her family for three months, and her excitement dims into nervousness at the new journey she's about to take. The new friends. The spells and magical creatures. It's all going to be new and scary and incredible.

Jayla collects herself and opens her door, holding her new trunk full of her school supplies along with her shoulder bag and a book for the train ride and takes a look at her room before grabbing Hades into her arms and closing the door to her past, walking away to her future.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

The Darkmore family reach Central London, King's Cross Station, in their car, the younger siblings crying the whole journey. Jayla tries ignoring her own feelings as they get out of the vehicle, putting Hades' pet carrier, who keeps whining for freedom as they use one of the carts for the young Heiress' luggage through the busy station platform. "Muggles, they are everywhere," Sophia mutters under her breath.

"It's fine, Sophia, let's just get to the platform," Daniel soothes his wife, pushing the trolley, and Yazmin as she sits on the trunk, holding the pet cage on her lap.

"Dad, can we go with Jayjay?" Mason asks, holding onto his big sister's hand, finally reaching platforms 9 and 10. Sophia takes her oldest daughter's hand, walking quickly towards the brick pillar; fear immediately takes over the children, making them shut their eyes. Mason grips Jayla's hand harder as they grow closer; even Yazmin lets out a little scream as they pass through the barrier.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

Jayla opens her eyes, facing a red steam engine train in front of them with people of all ages bustling around the platform. "Welcome to the Hogwarts Express," Sophia smiles, squeezing her oldest daughter's hand as Jayla glances around, trying to soak everything in all at once.

"Woah, pretty!"Jayla hears a childlike voice she can't place and looks around but can't find anyone. "Jay, are we getting on there?" The young Heiress glances back at the trolley to Hades inside her comfy wicker basket cage on her sister's lap.

"Did you just say something?" Jayla questions, not expecting a reply as her parents and siblings look at her strangely, though Sophia's face morphs into a knowing look.

"Can you hear me?" Hades asks, and Jayla looks at the kitten and nods, reaching out with her paw at her owner's face. "This is so cool!"

"Mum, why can I hear Hades talking?" She asks her mother, looking at the blond woman.

"See, the thing is, every woman on my side of the family has a unique magical trait, like mine. I can see into the future, and my mother could grow plants, and now you, it seems you can speak to cats," The matriarch explains as a trolley strolls past them with an owl inside an iron cage.

"Another year!" The barn owl hoots, passing, and Jayla gapes in shock.

"I think you mean animals, mum," Jayla corrects her, who looks at her daughter and her husband.

"Are you okay?" Sophia asks her daughter, knowing it can become too much for some people, but she has faith in her daughter.

"I think so. Can I write to you about it?" She requests, looking into her mother's brown eyes.

"Of course, even at midnight," The woman assures her oldest child, pulling her into a hug.

"Come on, let's get your things on before the train disappears, and you say your goodbyes to your brother and sister," Daniel tells his daughter, pushing the trolley off, and the others follow him, walking over to the train attendant. The man gladly takes the trunks, handing them to someone inside the car and smiling at the Darkmore family.

"Morning, Mr Darkmore, Mrs Darkmore. These must be the kids," The train attendant greets the family.

"Hello," The children greet him with a slight wave as he takes the trolley with Yazmin on top from Daniel, who takes the youngest Darkmore into his arms, letting the man take the cart and unload Jayla's things inside.

"Excuse me, sir, may I have my cat?" Jayla requests politely, and he looks behind her, asking her parents' permission, and they nod, making the attendant hand over Hades, who seems happy to be in her owner's caring hands.

"Thanks, Jay, it looks awfully dark in there," Hades comments, making Jayla smile at the kitten, stroking her head through the bars.

"I really need to get used to being able to talk to animals," Jayla ponders, looking at the adorable feline.

"Jayjay, remember to write every day," Mason warns his big sister, hugging her around the waist.

"I promise. I'll tell you all about my day, and you'll tell me everything about yours and your new pranks," She replies, hugging her brother back. Yazmin struggles to break free from her father's arms, so he crouches, releasing the youngest Darkmore, who races to her sister. Jayla sees Yazmin running toward her and crouches to hug her younger siblings. "I'm going to miss you two so much. Please be good for mum and dad." She warns them, letting go as her parents engulf the young Heiress into a hug, feeling her mother shake as she holds in her sobs. Jayla returns the embrace, squeezing her parents one last time, and the whistle from the train sounds through the almost deserted platform, meaning it was time to board.

"You be good. Get into any house you like and do your best. We'll be proud regardless of what trouble you get into or House," Daniel assures his daughter, making her nod, smiling, though she feels the threat of tears, her eyes welling up.

"Don't forget your cousin Draco is starting school this year too, and behave for your teachers." Sophia adds, making the two-toned-haired girl nod, giving them all one last hug before collecting her bag and pet carrier and dashing onto the red train, waving her family goodbye.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

At the same time, Harry pushes his car with all his luggage across the bridge at King's Cross Station, walking beside Hagrid, some looking at the half-giant suspiciously. "What're you looking at?" Hagrid grunts and then checks his pocket watch. "Blimey, is that the time? Sorry, Harry, I'm gonna have to leave you. Dumbledore will be wanting his, uh…." He pats his pocket with the mysterious object inside. "...well, he'll be wanting to see me. Now, uh, your train leaves in 10 minutes. Here's your ticket," He passes the boy his train ticket. "Stick to it, Harry, that's very important. Stick to your ticket." He warns him, and the raven-haired kid looks at his ticket, unsure.

"Platform 9 ¾?" But Hagrid, there must be a mistake. This says Platform 9 ¾. There's no such thing, is there?" Harry questions, looking up, but sees Hagrid has disappeared, leaving the boy alone with his cart and walking down the lane between trains.

"Sorry," A man apologises as he runs past the kid, and the bespectacled boy spots a guard.

"Excuse me, excuse me," Harry says, stepping toward the man.

"Right on your left, madam," The guard informs a woman, who walks away.

"Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me where I might find Platform 9 ¾?" The ravenette inquires.

"9 ¾? Think you're being funny, do ya?" He snaps, clearly a Muggle and walks off, muttering it again under his breath. Harry stands, wondering what he'll do, when he notices a family of redheads rushing past him, pushing carts similar to his own.

"It's the same year after year. Always packed with Muggles, of course," Molly mutters, leading her children.

"Muggles?" Harry mutters, following them.

"Come on. Platform 9 ¾ this way!" She leads her family. "All right, Percy, you first," The family stops at one of the brick pillars, and a tall boy with red hair called Percy comes forward with his cart and runs towards the wall. Amazingly, he disappears into the pillar, striking Harry as magical. "Fred, you next."

"He's not Fred, I am!" George argues, joking around with his identical twin brother.

"Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother," Fred jokes, nudging his brother.

"Oh, I'm sorry, George," Molly sighs, and Fred moves toward the wall, stopping to look at his mother. "I'm only joking. I am Fred." He runs through the wall, followed by his twin, making Harry shake his head in disbelief, and walks toward the red-haired woman.

"Excuse me! C-Could you tell me how to…?" Harry requests nervously.

"How to get on the platform? Yes, not to worry, dear. It's Ron's first time to Hogwarts as well," She mentions, looking at her youngest son, who smiles at the ravenette. "Now, all you've got to do is walk straight at the wall between platforms 9 and 10. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous.

"Good luck," Ginny smiles at the boy, who takes a breath before running to the wall, shutting his eyes and emerging on the other side.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

Harry finds himself on the magnificent station at Platform 9 ¾ with the red Hogwarts Express with people bundling around, and the whistle blows, making him sigh in relief.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

Sometime later, the Hogwarts Express travels through the countryside, Harry sits alone in a compartment, and Ron appears in the doorway. "Excuse me, do you mind? Everywhere else is full," Ron questions, peeking his head through the door.

"Not at all," Harry replies, letting the boy inside, who sits across from the ravenette.

"I'm Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley," He introduces himself.

"I'm Harry. Harry Potter," The bespectacled boy introduces him, shocking the redhead.

"So-So it's true! I mean, do you really have the… the…?" Ron questions, unsure how to ask.

"The what?" Harry asks, frowning.

"The scar?" He whispers, leaning forward.

"Oh," The ravenette smiles, lifting his bangs, revealing the scar on his forehead.

"Wicked!" The redhead grins when the door opens, startling the boys.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

Jayla walks through the train, trying to find an empty compartment, but everyone seems full. She walks past one in particular that catches her eye with two boys inside, a redhead and the other is a raven-haired boy she met at Ollivander's. The boy with glasses lifts his fringe off his forehead, and there is a scar, the famous lightning scar meaning that the boy is definitely Harry Potter, the boy who lived. She gives up, looking for an empty compartment and slides the door open, startling the boys. "Sorry, nowhere to sit, and it seems you've got space," Jayla comments, closing the door behind her. "Do you mind?" They shake their heads, and the young Heiress sits beside Harry Potter. "Sorry to interrupt. I think introductions are needed. I'm Jayla, and your, Harry Potter." The two-toned-haired girl turns, looking at the ravenette, who notices she didn't mention her last name, not sure why, but seems confident in herself already.

"N-Nice to meet you," Harry smiles nervously, his hand getting clammy as he looks at her.

"Ron Weasley," The redhead introduces himself again, and she looks closer, nodding, remembering her parents mentioning them and seems to fit the description well.

"I figured. Not in a horrible way," She replies, seeing him frown for a second. "My parents work at the Ministry too. I think my dad went drinking with yours a few times after work."

"Oh," He mutters, shrugging, and Jayla puts the pet carrier on the seat between her and Harry and opens her shoulder bag, pulling out her book, beginning to read while listening to Harry and Ron talk about random things till the confectionary trolley comes by their compartment.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" The lady asks the tweens, and Jayla peers over the top of her book, looking at the sweets on the trolley.

"No. thanks, I'm all set," Ron politely declines, holding up some mushed sandwiches from his pocket, which his mum had made for him. Harry looks at the sweets and his new friend and fishes all the coins from his pocket with a smirk.

"We'll take the lot," Harry declares, and Jayla quickly gets up before the boys, placing a few Galleons in the woman's hand and taking a box of Bertie Bott's, three peppermint toads and liquorice wands. She sits back as the boys lunge at the trolley, taking all the sweets they can carry, and Jayla moves over, sitting on the opposite bench so Ron can sit beside Harry and reaches into her back, getting another book, feeling something pawing at her skirt. The young Heiress sees Hades' black paw coming out of the metal bars, playing with her dress and leans over, letting the kitten out of the cage, who sprints out, attacking Ron's lap, which emits a terrifying screech in fear of the chaos demon attacking. Jayla leans away from her seat, taking Hades off the ugly brown rat that keeps squeaking and cursing in fright of the feline.

"You blasted cat! Get away! Leave! Evil little thing!" The rat squeaks, hiding in Ron's jacket.

"Hades, we've talked about this. No going after any of the other pets," Jayla scolds the kitten, who lowers her head and whines.

"But he was mean, saying horrible things about you," Hades whines, hissing at the rodent.

"I know, but we talked about this. No going after any of the other pets, regardless of what they say," The young Heiress whispers, making the kitten nod, and the young Heiress looks up, seeing the boys looking at her as if she'd gone mad. "Sorry about that. She's still being trained." She strokes her pet's silky fur to keep Hades from attacking the foul-mouthed rat.

"It's fine," Ron replies, and the boys dig into their large assortment of sweets; Jayla gets back to reading her new book, with Hades finally falling asleep in her lap. Ron's rat, Scabbers, seems calmer as he perches on the ginger's knee, his head in an empty box of sweets as the rodent pigs out.

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans?" Harry questions, looking at the carton of sweets, clearly never heard of the strange candy.

"They mean every flavour!" He explains, tearing into a liquorice wand. "There's chocolate and peppermint, and there's also spinach, liver and tripe," He lists the variety of flavours, freaking the bespectacled boy, who looks disgusted as he chews. "George swore he got a bogey-flavoured one once!" Harry takes out the bean quickly, coming across another sweet, the Chocolate Frogs.

"My brother got a vomit-flavoured one," Jayla adds, making the boys share a look of disgust, and she smiles, returning to her book, mindlessly eating her own sweets with Hades sleeping on her lap.

"These aren't real chocolate frogs, are they?" Harry asks, inspecting the box.

"It's just a spell. Besides, it's the cards you want," Ron explains. "Each pack's got a famous Witch or Wizard. I got about 500 meself." Harry opens the box, revealing the charmed chocolate frog, which jumps over his shoulder onto the glass and quickly climbs to the open window at the top, flying away in the wind to freedom. "Oh, that's rotten luck. They've only got one good jump in them, to begin with."

"Hey, I got Dumbledore!" Harry exclaims, looking at the card inside, seeing the Wizard's face he'd heard a lot lately.

"I got about six of him," He comments, making the bespectacled boy look up as he says this.

"My brother has him as well. He's one of the more common cards," Jayla explains, making the boys look at her again as she reads her book, chewing on a spinach-flavour Bertie Bott's bean. Harry looks back at the card to see the image of the famous Wizard has disappeared.

"Hey, he's gone!" Harry exclaims in shock, looking up at the other tweens, who don't react.

"Well, you can't expect him to hang around all day, can you?" Ron questions, and they hear a squeak from the rat on the redhead's lap, making the boys look at the rodent. "This is Scabbers, by the way. Pitiful, isn't he?"

"Just a little bit," He agrees, looking at the ugly brown rat.

"Fred gave me a spell as to turn him yellow. Want to see?" The ginger tween asks, making the bespectacled boy quickly agree in excitement at the thought of seeing magic up close again. Ron clears his throat, getting ready to perform the spell. "Sun-," He's interrupted as a girl with busy brown hair opens the compartment door.

"Has anyone seen a toad?" The girl asks without saying hello, making the Pure-blood Witch roll her eyes at the mannerless girl. "A boy named Neville's lost one."

"No," Ron answers, slightly rude at the mannerless Witch.

"Nope," Jayla replies, popping the "P" and looking at the bushy-haired girl, already dressed in her uniform.

"Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see then," Hermione demands, and Ron clears his throat again, preparing himself.

"Sunshine, daises, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!" Ron tries performing the spell, zapping the rodent, but nothing happens apart from spooking Scabbers, making the box fly off his head, and the boys share a look, shrugging.

"Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? Of course, I've only tried a few simple spells myself, and they've all worked for me. For example…" Hermione takes this as a cue to walk inside and sits next to Jayla, getting out her wand and pointing it in Harry's face, making him tense. "Oculus Reparo," A tiny spark shoots from the end towards the battered glasses, mending the noseband return to normal and the glass un crack. Harry takes them off, looking at his repaired spectacles in amazement. "That's better, isn't it? Holy cricket, you're Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger… and you two are?" She questions, looking at the Pure-bloods.

"I'm… Ron Weasley," The redhead introduces himself with a mouthful of sweets.

"Jayla," She answers curtly, not seeing the point of introducing herself properly just yet, as they will have that done once they reach the school if what her mother told her is true and what she read in Hogwarts: A History.

"Pleasure," Hermione cringes a little, looking at them for two reasons. "You three better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon," She gets up, leaving the compartment with her head held high, and continues her search for the boy's toad.

"She's got attitude. I like her," Jayla muses, grabbing her bag, and Hermione stops in the doorway, looking back at Ron.

"You've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know? Just there," The bushy-haired girl points to the side of her nose, making Ron scratch his with embarrassment. Jayla walks out of the compartment with her bag in hand, needing to find somewhere to change.

"Don't touch my thing. I'll know, and Hades will tell me," Jayla warns the boys, leaving to get changed, and Harry can't help but watch the two-toned-haired girl walk away, unaware that his new friend noticed his gaze, grinning at the bespectacled boy.

"She is kinda pretty," Ron comments, making the Potter boy snap his eyes at him, glaring, but it disappears when he sees the grin on Ron's face.

"Shut up," Harry grumbles, glaring again at the redhead, who can't help but grin back, and the ravenette goes to the door, locks it and pulls down the blind as Ron closes the window blind, allowing them to get changed. Once the boys are dressed, they unlock the door, and it soon slides open revealing Jayla in her uniform, making the bespectacled boy blush a little.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

The Hogwarts Express finally reaches its final destination at Hogsmeade Station long after the sun has set, filling the sky with stars. Jayla puts her book and remaining sweets into her bag before placing the sleeping Hades into her cage and dashes out of the compartment with the boys, dashing off the train to put her things with the rest of the students' effects, leaving the boys behind. She finds what she's looking for, placing her bag and Hades' cage with the rest of the students' luggage as the attendants place them onto trolleys to be taken to the castle. "Right, then! First years!" A booming voice comes over all of the chattering students. "This way, please! Come on now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry!" Jayla sees a large man holding a lantern standing with Harry and Ron at the front, and the young Heiress steps up with the rest of the first years.

"Hello, Harry," Hagrid greets the boy.

"Hey, Hagrid," Harry replies.

"Whooa!" Ron gapes like the rest of the first years at the tall man.

"This must be the man mum, dad and Yazz were talking about," Jayla ponders, looking at him in awe.

"Right then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me," Hagrid booms, turning around and walking off with the tiny students following behind him, looking around in awe at their new surroundings.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

The first years reach the lake's edge with boats bobbing along the water to take them to the castle. "Four to a boat now!" Hagrid orders them, and they climb in; Jayla goes to the far side with some well-known faces.

"Wicked," Ron mutters as the boats glide through the lake towards the castle, and the redhead keeps looking into the water, trying to spot the legendary Giant Squid that lives below the Great Lake.

"Ron, if you keep doing that, you'll fall in and meet the Giant Squid," Jayla warns him, making him promptly straighten up.

"Not funny," Ron grumbles, making her giggle, and she looks at Harry, seeing him looking back at her, trying not to laugh. "Be quiet, Harry," He scolds his friend, and the boats make it to the castle's base.

"Can I ask you something?" Harry questions, catching Jayla looking at him, and she nods. "How is it that you knew it was me?"

"I saw you showing Ron your scar, and well, my parents have told me stories about you and You-Know-Who. Every Wizarding family knows about you, even Muggle-borns," Jayla explains, and it seems to be enough for now. "And we've met before."

"No-No, I know, at Ollivander's," He stutters, smiling, and Ron and Hermione look at the pair, wondering what will happen in the coming years between them.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

The first years climb the stairs from the Chamber of Reception to the Entrance Hall, where a woman dressed in all green and a pointed hat stands to greet them. Jayla looks at the elderly woman standing near the back of the group and makes her way up front as the students come to a stop. The strict professor peers down at the first years with judging eyes for a second before giving her little speech she repeats every year. "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few minutes, 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, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your House will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule-breaking and you will lose points, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup."

"Trevor!" A boy shouts, interrupting Professor McGonagall and nudging Jayla to the side as he jumps to grab his toad off the top step by the woman's feet. "Sorry," He apologises, ducking his head in shame and stands behind the young Heiress with his toad, putting him in his robe pocket with the rest of the first years, slightly smiling at the sudden outburst that cut the tension.

"The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily," Professor McGonagall informs them, walking inside the large wooden doors in front of the students, leaving them in silence for a moment.

"It's true, then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts," Draco comments, making Jayla look at her cousin, who leans against the railing with Crabbe and Goyle on either side of him, being his little minions and all. The first years whisper amongst themselves at the news of the famous boy who lived, making Jayla roll her eyes at them. "This is Crabbe and Goyle," The bleach blond introduces his friends. "And I;m Draco Malfoy." Earning a snicker from Ron, who nudges him, but Draco snaps his head at the redhead in anger. "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. You'll soon find that some Wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there," Draco imposes, extending his hand to the bespectacled boy for a friendly handshake.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," Harry answers, earning another glare from the youngest Malfoy, but before anything else can happen, Professor McGonagall returns, tapping the bleach blond on the shoulder with a scroll of parchment, gaining his attention. Draco looks to see the Deputy Head looming over him and retreats to his friends with one last glare directed at the ravenette.

"We're ready for you now. Follow me," Professor McGonagall announces, leading the first years toward the door of the Great Hall that opens on their own, allowing them entrance.

"I don't think so," Jayla snaps, pulling her cousin to a stop. "You do something like that again. I'm telling Aunt Cissa."

"You wouldn't!" Draco hisses, pulling away from her, following the others into the Great Hall.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

Professor McGonagall leads the first years inside the famous Great Hall, which consists of four long dark wooden tables full of older students with the ends empty for the new students. The first years walk in pairs down the middle of the tables toward the front of the grand room where the professors all sit. Jayla walks next to Neville, watching the toad in his robe pocket as the first years walk forward, where a ratty old pointed hat sits atop a stool. The young Heiress looks up at the ceiling to see the beautiful scenery of the night sky and floating candles above their heads. "It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read it in Hogwarts: A History," Hermione explains to the girl next to her, making Jayla look behind her to see the bushy-haired girl walking behind her, and they finally reach the front of the Great Hall, where the professors sit at the High Table.

"All right, will you wait along here, please?" Professor McGonagall instructs the first years, who fan out along the narrow area. "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words," Every student in the hall turns their head as the elderly man dressed in luxurious robes stands from the golden throne to address them.

"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, has asked me to remind you that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." Professor Dumbledore announces before sitting back in his chair, slightly frightening the first years; though some aren't bothered, their curiosity is peaked.

"At least I learnt why mum was always getting into trouble when she went to Hogwarts. The squid, Mr Filch and his cat Mrs Norris," Jayla smiles, looking toward the back of the Great Hall to see the grumpy old man with his red-eyed cat, standing with a grim look. Professor McGonagall silently places the four-legged wooden stool in front of the first years with the ratty old pointed Wizard hat that was patched, frayed, and extremely dirty.

"Maybe we have to try and get a rabbit out of it," Harry ponders wildly, thinking it seems the sort of thing - noticing everyone in the hat is now staring at the ratty Wizard hat, and he stares at it, too. For a few seconds, there's complete silence. Then the patched-up pointed hat twitches. A rip near the brim opens wide like a mouth - and the magical hat begins to sing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on, and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet, in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole Great Hall applauds as the Sorting Hat finishes the song, takes a bow to each of the four tables, and becomes quite still again. "So we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron whisper-yells to Harry in disbelief. "I'll kill Fred. He was going on about wrestling a troll." He grumbles, making his friend weakly smile, and Jayla giggles.

"That sounds like fun," The young Heiress jokes, making the boys look at her funny and the Deputy Headmistress unfolds the long scroll of parchment that hits the stone floor.

"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you'll be sorted into your Houses," Professor McGonagall explains, holding the ratty old hat and placing it back on the stool. "Abbott, Hannah!" A pink-faced girl with blond pigtails stumbles out of the crowd of first years, and the professor puts the hat atop her head, which falls over her eyes, and the girl sits down. There's a moment's pause when the Sorting Hat suddenly shouts.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The table on the right cheers, clapping as Hannah rushes to sit at the House table. Harry looks back and sees the ghost of the Fat Frair waving merrily at her, which seems normal.

"Bones, Susan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouts again, and Susan scuttles to sit beside Hannah, both girls seeming happy, talking amongst themselves.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!" The table second from the left claps this time, and several Ravenclaws shake hands with Terry as he joins their House.

"Brocklehurst, Mandy." The girl goes to Ravenclaw too. "Brown, Lavender" Becomes the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left explodes with cheers. Harry sees Ron's twin brothers catcalling, seeming the loudest of the lot.

"Bulstrode, Millicent." Becomes a Slytherin.

"Darkmore, Jayla," Professor McGonagall calls out the young Heiress' name, and it goes silent throughout the entire Great Hall. Jayla walks calmly up the three steps towards the stool and sits facing the four tables as the Deputy Head places the Sorting Hat on her head.

"Well, now, a Darkmore, the first of many. Now where to put you? Slytherin? Your cunning mind is enough, but you're smart like a Ravenclaw, much like your mother. You have so much potential for great things," The Sorting Hat muses, speaking through her mind, and she looks up, smiling as she thinks about what the magical hat says. Harry looks at Ron, seeing the look of shock come over the redhead's face and can't help but look around to see the same thing from almost everyone in their group of first years and the Great Hall; even some of the professors are the same way.

"What's the matter? Who is she?" Harry asks his only friend.

"She's a Darkmore. They're a powerful American family. They're known for their knowledge of the Dark Arts," Ron explains in a small whisper as the boys look at the girl with black and platinum blond hair, whom they'd only just met as she sits waiting for the hat to sort her into her House.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat shouts, making the House of the Brave stand, cheering at the new arrival, but Ron can't help but fidget a little, and it doesn't go unnoticed by the young Heiress, who walks toward the table, becoming the next student to become a lion. As Jayla walks to the Gryffindor table, some other students look at her with worrisome eyes, and she sits next to Lavender, who tries avoiding eye contact and fidgets a little. Still, everyone watches as the other students get placed into their Houses.

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Harry couldn't help but notice the Sorting Hat shouts out the House at once, but with others, it takes a little while to decide.

"Finnigan, Seamus," The sandy-haired boy next to Harry in the line sits on the stool for almost a whole minute before the Sorting Hat declares him a Gryffindor. "Granger, Hermione!"

"Oh, no. Okay, relax." Hermione mumbles, taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself down and cautiously walks up the steps to the ratty old Sorting Hat.

"Mental that one, I'm telling you," Ron whispers not too quietly, and Harry nods, agreeing with him as Professor McGonagall places the hat on the girl's head.

"... GRYFFINDOR!" After a few moments, the Sorting Hat announces with cheers from the table. Hermione seems happy enough as she jumps down from the stool and walks off with a smile, joining Jayla. Ron groans, not liking the two girls too much.

"Longbottom, Neville," When he's called, the poor boy falls over on his way to the stool. The hat takes a long time to decide with Neville. When it finally shouts.

"GRYFFINDOR!" Neville quickly runs off, still wearing the hat and jogs back with a gale of laughter from the others as he gives it to the next student.

"MacDougal, Morag." "Malfoy, Draco," McGonagall calls out, and the bleach blond swaggers forward when his name is called and gets his wish at once: the hat barely touches his head when it screams.

"SLYTHERIN!" Draco strides to join his friends, Crabbe and Goyle, looking pleased with himself.

"There isn't a Witch or Wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin," Ron whispers to Harry, who nods back, looking a little lost and looks over in the corner, seeing Snape and Quirrell talking amongst themselves. Harry suddenly hisses in pain, and Ron looks over, seeing the boy touch his forehead where his scar is. "Harry, what is it?"

"Nothing… It's nothing, I'm fine," Harry assures him, and the Sorting Hat seems to finish with another student, and there don't seem like many first years left.

"Moon"..., "Nott"..., "Parkinson"..., then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil"..., then "Perks, Sally-Anne"..., and then, at last -. "Potter, Harry!" Professor McGonagall comes to his name, and he steps forward with whispers suddenly breaking out like little hisses firing all over the Great Hall.

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Harry Potter?" The last thing Harry sees before the Sorting Hat drops over his eyes is the hall full of people craning to get a good look at him. The next second, he looks at the black inside the hat and waits.

"Hmm," The Sorting Hat says in a small voice by his ear. "Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage. I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh, yes. And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?" Harry grips the edges of the stool in fear.

"Not Slytherin, not Slytherin," Harry mutters under his breath.

"Not Slytherin, eh?" The small voice questions. "Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that - no? Well, if you're sure - better be… GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat shouts, and the whole table cheers and chants.

"We got Potter!" The Gryffindor table chant as he runs over, sitting across from Jayla with a big grin. He glances at the High Table, spotting Hagrid nearest the end to him, who catches his eye, giving him the thumbs up. Harry grins back and recognises the man on the golden throne at once from the card he'd gotten out of his first Chocolate Frog on the trail. The ravenette spots Professor Quirrell, the nervous man from the Leaky Cauldron, with his sizeable purple turban. Soon there are only three other first years left to be sorted.

"Thomas, Dean," A boy even taller than Ron joins Harry at the Gryffindor table. "Turpin, Lisa," She becomes a Ravenclaw, and then it's Ron's turn, who turns pale green. Weasley, Ronald," Professor McGonagall calls, making him gulp in fear as he walks up the steps to the stool, sits down, and the Deputy Head places the Sorting Hat on his head.

"Ha! Another Weasley. I know just what to do with you." The Sorting Hat says, spooking Ron, and Harry crosses his fingers under the table, and a second later, the hat shouts. "GRYFFINDOR!" Ron sighs in relief, and some cheers come from the table as his siblings stand up, cheering the most, and the young redhead joins them, sitting next to the twins. Harry claps loudly with the rest as Ron collapses onto the seat beside him.

"Well done, Ron, excellent," Percy pompously says across Harry, with only one student left.

"Zabini, Blaise," Professor McGonagall calls him up, and the boy makes it into Slytherin; once he sits at the table, she rolls up the scroll, taking the Sorting Hat away. Harry looks at his empty gold plate, only realising his hunger. The pumpkin pasties he had on the train felt like ages ago. Harry's thoughts are interrupted when Professor McGonagall uses her spoon to tap her glass cup, silencing the students. "Your attention, please." Professor Dumbledore gets to his feet, beaming at the students, his arms open wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.

"Welcome," Albus greets the various students. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are, Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He sits back down as everybody claps and cheers, though Harry isn't sure if he should laugh.

"Is he - a bit mad?" Harry questions, looking at Percy uncertainly.

"Mad?" Percy asks airily. "He's a genius! Best Wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?" Harry's mouth falls open, looking at the dishes in front of him piled high with food. He's never seen so many things he likes to eat on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire puddings, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and for some reason, peppermint humbugs.

"Wow," Harry gapes like the rest of the first years, and Jayla looks to her right to see Ron stuffing his face full of food. The young Heiress quickly picks things up, placing them on her plate so the redhead won't take everything.

"I'm half and half. Me dad's a Muggle. Mam's a Witch. Bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out," Seamus announces to Neville and Dean, who sit on either side of the boy. Neville laughs, and Harry leans over to Percy with some questions.

"Say, Percy, who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?" Harry asks, pointing to the High Table in the far left corner.

"Oh, that's Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin House," Percy answers, continuing to teat.

"What's he teach?" He asks another question, needing to know, growing curious, not knowing as much as everyone else seems to know at Hogwarts.

"Potions. But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrell's job for years," The older redhead replies, and Jayla grabs some more roast potatoes from the middle of the table when her sleeve rides up, and Hermione notices the Darkmore insignia on her inner right wrist.

"Is that the Darkmore insignia?" Hermione inquires, and Jayla nervously pulls her hand back, covering the mark again.

"Yes. I've had it my whole life," Jayla answers, continuing to eat, feeling their stares.

"Is it true that all your family favour the Dark Arts?" She questions, not minding the sharp looks she gets from others at the table.

"Yes, but not because we're Dark Wizards. It's to help destroy Dark Magic," The young Heiress explains, and the bushy-haired girl nods, seeming to understand, continuing to eat. Ron goes for another chicken drumstick after his tenth and reaches into the bowl when a ghostly head pops out, startling, making the young redhead yelp a little in fright, which makes the others around him jump.

"Hello. How are you? Welcome to Gryffindor," The ghost politely welcomes them, and more spirits pour out from the walls, sailing through the air, making noises.

"Look, it's the Bloody Baron!" Daphne shouts from the Slytherin table as the ghost swoops above the table, cackling and waving his sword around.

"Hello, Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer?" Percy inquires, not bothered by the ghost, as he floats out from the table into the air.

"Dismal. Once again, my request to join the headless hunt has been denied," Sir Nicholas replies in a moody voice, returning to leave.

"Hey, I know you! You're Nearly Headless Nick!" Ron exclaims rather rudely, turning around and looking up at the ghost.

"I prefer Sir Nicholas, if you don't mind," He remarks, looking at the younger redhead about to leave.

"Nearly headless? How can you be nearly headless?" Hermione questions, looking utterly confused.

"Like this," The Gryffindor House ghost answers, grabbing the top of his head, pulling it to the side, revealing his head hanging on by just a thread and the inside of his throat. Ron makes a noise of outright disgust, and Hermione joins him, shivering in disgust. Jayla turns to them, trying to keep her dinner down and loses her appetite, pushing her plate away.

"You had to ask," Jayla groans, turning her head away from the food, not feeling like eating now, thanks to the gruesome discovery.

"Sorry, Jayla," Ron and Hermione grumble.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

The feast finally ends, and the students begin to leave the Great Hall; Percy leads the first-year Gryffindors to their Common Room, heading out to the Grand Staircase with Ravenclaw. "Gryffindors, follow me, please. Keep up. Thank you," Percy orders the tweens as the other Prefect instructs the Ravenclaw first years. "This is the most direct path to the dormitories. Oh, and keep an eye on the staircases… they like to change." The students look around at the tall tower of staircases, moving from one end to the other. "Keep up, please, and follow me. Quickly now, come on. Come on." He orders them, beginning to walk up a flight of stairs.

"What is your brother's problem"? Jayla groans behind Ron. "He got a date with a book?" Having heard her, some of the first years around her can't help but snicker.

"Seamus, that picture's moving!" Neville exclaims, pointing to one of the paintings on the wall of a knight who stands to attention.

"Look at that one, Harry!" Ron adds, pointing to a girl in a white dress who waves at the Gryffindors.

"I think she fancies you," Harry teases his friend.

"Oh, look! Who's that girl!" Lavender asks, pointing to the painting next to them.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," The man in one of the paintings greets them.

"Who's that?" Parvati asks, and the first-year group walks down a dark hallway towards a large painting of a woman in a pink dress; for a few moments, she remains still but begins to move.

"Password?" The Fat Lady requests, looking Percy dead in the eye.

"Caput Draconis," Percy answers, and she nods curtly, allowing the painting to open, revealing a secret passageway inside the wall where the Gryffindor dormitory resides. "Follow me, everyone. Keep up, quickly, come on." He orders them as they walk inside.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

The first-year Gryffindors walk into the Common Room, murmuring in amazement at the cosy room with a fire burning and desks to study; along the walls are paintings everywhere and red comfy-looking couches. This was their Common Room for the next seven years. "Oh, wow," Parvati gasps, looking around.

"Gather 'round here. Welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room. Boys' dormitories, upstairs and down to the left. Girls', the same on your right. You'll find that your belongings have already been brought up." Percy informs them, leaving quickly up the stairs, and they walk along, still taking in their surroundings and see golden plaques with their names on and soon find their dorms.

⒴⒠⒜⒭ ⑴

Inside the red-themed dorm room, Jayla finds Hades' pet cage on the middle of the floor atop her white leather trunk. She quickly walks to her pet cage, opens it and lets the kitten out as two other girls walk inside. Hermione and Parvati. The girls grab their trunks from the middle of the room. "I know I've said this already, but oh wow." Parvati smiles, stepping inside the dorm with five beds, but only three are there now.

"Which bed do you want?" Hermione asks the other girls, looking around at the dorm at the five beds, meaning they'd get two new roommates over the next few years.

"I'll take this one," She answers, taking the one in the middle, moving her belongings, and placing them on the bed.

"Then I'll take this one," Jayla adds, walking to the one on the far right and taking Hades along with her trunk, placing them on the bed, and Hermione takes the one between her and Parvati. The girls unpack their things, and Jayla looks through the clothes her mother packed and the others she hid after she finished packing. The young Heiress knew how her mum left about her style of clothes, but Jayla hated hiding them and getting poor Flora to buy them for her. Hades plays with her toy mouse as the young Heiress unpacks her toys first to stop the kitten from ruining anything in the dorm.

"I never got your name. I was really nervous, even sitting down. It was so nerve-wrecking," Hermione politely asks Parvati as she unpacks her clothes, placing them in the chest of drawers by the bed. The girl stops and looks over at the bushy-haired brunette.

"That's okay. I was feeling the same way. I'm Parvati Patil. Nice to meet you," She introduces herself and unpacks her things. "It's strange. I'm not in the same House as my sister," She comments, fussing over a picture frame of her family.

"I'm Hermione Granger," The brunette adds, turning to Jayla, walking to the desk by her bed and placing her studying equipment, envelopes and journal into the drawers.

"I'm Jayla Darkmore, but you already know that," The two-toned-haired girl replies reluctantly and goes back to unpacking her accessories next, putting them on the top of her chest of drawers and sees everything is put away, then picks Hades up into her arms, cradling her like a baby.

"Jay, can I go for a walk now?" Hades asks, and Jayla shakes her head at the feline, causing the kitten to whine in protest. "Why not! I'm bored!"

"No, Hades, it's time for bed. Maybe tomorrow, and you might get lost and I can't go and find you," Jayla warns her, gaining the attention of her two roommates.

"Why are you talking to your cat?" Parvati questions, looking at the young Heiress, confused, seeing as she forgot other people were in the room.

"Apparently, I can talk to animals. It's all-new," The two-toned-haired girl answers and sees Hermione looking at her, trying to process this new information. "According to my mum, every female on her side of the family gets a magical trait It's different for every female. I can talk to animals, and my mum can see into the future. Glimpses mind you," She looks at them, and they smile, no longer looking at her strangely and seem to grow fond of the young Heiress somewhat. "I think I just made some friends."

"We should get to bed. Lessons start tomorrow," Hermione instructs, and the others agree, getting into their pyjamas before climbing into their new beds. Hades sleeps on the pillow by Jayla's head, not in her bed, and the two-toned-haired girl closes her eyes and lets the dreams come to life for the night.