Potterbook | *Started*

Samara | Hogwarts Express:

Samara tried to ignore the others, especially Allen, but she knew she wouldn't be able to keep it up for long. Even now, two sets of eye burned across her skin as if she'd poured fire on it. She scowled and flipped another page, trying to ignore the feeling. But it just wouldn't go away. Finally, she sighed, put aside her book and stood abruptly. "Fine," she said, somewhat snappishly, "I'll go first. Do take your time."

She rolled her eyes and swiftly got to putting on her blank Hogwarts robes. Her father had spelled them to change to whatever house she was Sorted into. Somehow, she knew it was going to be Slytherin. It didn't really matter what she wanted; it was just how the nature of her family went. Members of Deverux family who had attended Hogwarts had been sorted into that house, excluding the handful who had been sorted into the others. She knew what he parents thought, and beside. She was cunning. She'd been hiding part of herself for ears now, had she not?

Conversation started up between Allen and Alice, and Ben remained in his little corner, talking to his toad, as the three put on their robes. Samara tried to ignore it, to tune it out as she finished and promptly sat back down, picking up her book and returning to the page she'd left off at. She ignored the way Ben glanced her way, as if someone had directed his attention towards her, and the way Alice Potter kept glancing at, along with the thoughtful look Allen shot her as all three of them retook their seats and the compartment fell into awkward silence. Samara refused to break it this time.

A few moments later, her cat, Salem, jolted as if he'd been awakened by someone kicking her trunk when clearly no one had. And then the train shuddered, faltering to a stop. Samara twisted to look out the window in time to see a giant of a man come into veiw, standing a few steps back from the train in the middle of the platform. She blinked, twisting her head slightly as if she didn't know what to make of the man. That was when Alice glanced out the window and jumped out of her seat, almost shouting, "Hagrid!" as she leaned against the window.

Samara rolled her eyes and proceeded to tug her trunk out of the way, slip her book back into it and pick up her cat before slowly and quietly making her way towards the door. Allen watched her closely, gaze flickering between Alice and herself. Samara gave him the sickly sweet smile again and glided out the door, smile twisted into a scowl. Yes, she thought. Her father had been right to think she'd be put in Slytherin. She was sly, too. When she wanted to be.

Spoiler

Skipping forwards a little- hope that’s okay.

Bonnie - The Hogwarts Express

Bonnie had only just finished changing into her robes when the train jolted to a stop. Her head jerked upwards, and she stared out of the window.

“Oh my god, we’re actually, really HERE!” She squealed, and sprinted out of the carriage, trunk and rather alarmed owl trundling behind her. Bonnie thought she heard the girl behind her sigh in relief as she left. What had her name been again? Damn; she couldn’t remember. Oh, well!

Taking short, fast breaths, Bonnie elbowed her way to the front of the steady line leaving the train- earning herself more than a few glares in the process.

“’SCUSE ME!”

More glares, but for once Bonnie found it easy not to care. She was going to a SCHOOL, where she would learn MAGIC.

She stumbled onto the platform, letting her trunk thump down behind her. The largest man Bonnie had seen in her eleven years of life was waving a lantern, and calling for first years.

“First years...? Oh, wait, that’s me!” Bonnie nearly yelled, and bounded towards the man. This was going to be totally awesome!

Spoiler

A Very Potter Musical Reference!

Sae Carrow I Hogwarts Express

The train came to a stop, a darkened forest looming outside the window. Owen and Matt rose from their places on either side of Sae, while she stayed seated and gazing out the window. Felix purred in her lap.

"Coming?" Owen asked, watching Sae as if she were in danger of breaking.

"Yes, of course," she said, forcing herself back to focus, a smile spreading over her lips. "We mustn't keep the thestrals waiting."

Felix jumped from her lap, perching himself on her shoulder as Sae stood and led the way out of the carriage. Behind her, she could hear Matt whispering not-so-quietly to Owen "What's a thestral?".

They descended the stairs of the train car and were immediately filtered into the crowd of Hogwarts students - from year two to year seven - as they moved from Hogsmeade Station toward the carriages that appeared to pull themselves. That is, unless you were unacquainted with the sight of death.

Sae was one who was well acquainted with the sight of death; unfortunate for a girl as young as she. Those living in the wizard asylums were well acquainted with death, and it was rarely a peaceful experience. Sae was grateful that her parents were kept in wards with less violent residents.

"Sae, let's go this way," Owen said, catching Sae's arm and directing her toward an empty carriage. The boys climbed up into the carriage, while Sae hesitated beside the tall thestral standing in front of it. She reached into her robe and produced an apple, handing it to the nearest thestral who munched it happily.

"What is she doing?" Matt asked, again not-so-softly.

Sae turned to them and smiled. "Coming," she said. She climbed into the carriage, sitting again between Matt and Owen. Felix jumped down into her lap again, pressing his face into her stomach. "Let's go home."

Alice Potter | Disembarking the Hogwarts Express

"Hagrid!" Alice hadn't been able to contain herself upon seeing a familiar face; so much of her perception had changed since she'd stepped into King's Cross that she wasn't sure she was living in the same dimension as she had been living for the past ten years. Allen, who had been busy staring at Samara just a while back, let his frown turn into a smile at the sight of the big and friendly face staring down at him.

"Hello, Mister...er, Mister Hagrid."

While Alice stifled her giggles behind her hand, Hagrid's cheeks turned pink and his grin got broader. "Misteh? No one's ever called me tha' before. Wha's yer name, kiddo?"

"Selwyn, sir. Allen Selwyn."

Hagrid turned to Alice. "Tha's one mighty fine friend yeh found yerself there, Alice. Be sure to keep 'im around, eh?" Allen blushed crimson while Alice nodded and patted his shoulder. Hagrid turned away from them and started walking the lake that separated the station from the big, castle-like building on the other side. Alice looked up at it in awe. "That's Hogwarts?"

"Yup!" Allen cheerfully responded. "That's Hogwarts."

"Wow..."

"Firs' years over 'ere! This way!"

Hagrid beckoned them towards a group of rickety little boats that looked as though they would sink before they even stepped on them. Alice looked around at Allen, who had his standard smiley face on. "Don't tell me we're gonna ride those..."

"Why not?" Allen looked at her questioningly, and Alice berated herself for even asking the question. Ahead of them, Samara and Ben were already at the front of the nervous little crowd that had gathered around Hagrid. "Let's go, Alice!"

"Yeah...let's..."

Matt | In the carriage with the ... things in front.

Sae was being weird. She was feeding an apple to something invisible. That made no sense. At all.

I entered the carriage along with Owen, with a Rubix cube in my hand. "I bought this at the shop from them non-magic people."

Owen eyed me strangely. "You're so strange, Matt. Is there an issue with "Muggle" or something?"

"No," I replied. "Yessss," I hissed. "One side over." Owen still looked at me strangely. "Muggle is derogatory. They've actually coped without magic. It's pretty cool."

Sae entered the carriage, as if it prompted it to move. It began to shudder, before moving and gaining speed. I held my bag tightly, close to my chest. The carriage rattled and bounced. Twigs snapped as the wheels of the carriage creaked and groaned. Then suddenly, it lurched to the right, sending my rubix cube ricocheting across the carriage.

"No! I spent £5 on that!"

I watched it, helplessly, bounce off the walls of the carriage. Owen snatched it out of the air, like a sword effortlessly slicing an opponent. And with that, the carriage stopped.

"Nice timing," I muttered.

We'd arrived.

Owen | The Threstral-mobile

Owen shrugged and handed the so-called Roobricks Cube back to Matt.

"You know what they say about that sort of catching?" he asked, waiting for Matt's traditional response. He didn't disappoint.

"That's why you're a Keeper!"

The boys high-fived and whooped. Sae looked at them with a bemused expression.

"And you two think I'm strange," she said as she slipped gracefully from the carriage. Owen laughed and followed her.

The sight before them never failed to impress. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly towered before them, all towers and parapets and (for those who knew where to look) tunnels.

Owen's eyes were drawn to the windows of the Great Hall where a feast awaited them. His stomach grumbled and he patted it sympathetically. Matt squinted in the direction of the Quidditch stadium, but only the tops of the stands were visible in the darkness of the evening. Owen felt a pang of regret as he remembered he wouldn't be playing this year -- apparently it was just Matt who'd be a Keeper. Sae appeared to be talking to the invisible horses so they waited for her to finish before following the other students to the castle.

They walked in silence, just enjoying the cool air and the starlight, letting the magic of the school wash over them once more. Then Sae spoke and changed everything.

"I wonder if Alice Potter will be sorted into Gryffindor."

Matt almost tripped up in surprise. "Alice Potter? Seriously? You don't mean..."

"The Girl Who Lived..." finished Owen.

"That's the one," said Sae. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "She's coming to Hogwarts this year. Didn't you know?"

Leopoldina Rockharrow | On the train

Noli intrare.

Leopoldina didn't speak Greek, or whatever that was. Besides, she had checked every other part of the train and Quin and Ara were nowhere to be found. This was the final carriage.

Leopoldina pushed the door open.

It was dark- dark like her father's wine cellar at midnight, not that Leopoldina went down there without a sister. But here she was. There could have been anything in this place.

But she had messed up in that carriage. It wasn't right of her to blow up with pride like that. That was Slytherin behaviour. And Leopoldina had to be in Gryffindor. She had to be.

And to do that, she had to be brave.

She stepped into the carriage and nearly tripped over something. Something warm and soft.

It was a person.

Leopoldina held back a scream, and dropped to her knees to check who it was. It was a girl about her own age, with lots of dark hair flung over her face.

"Hello? Hello can you hear me?" Leopoldina grabbed the girl's shoulders and shook them.

The girl opened her eyes with a start. "Where am I?"

"On the Hogwarts Express, you're fine..." Leopoldina took this chance to take a look at the rest of the girl's body. There was something holding her down. Leopoldina reached out and touched it.

At the warmth of her hand, the tendrils of the plant came to life.

Leopoldina was trying to be brave.

She was trying so, so hard.

But it was impossible. She screamed and shrieked and started writhing. "Get it off, get it off, get it off!"

"Stop panicking!" the other girl barked but it was no good, and the plant had them both tangled up.

Merlin, thought Leopoldina. I'm going to die before we get to Hogwarts.

That's when the door opened and light streamed into the place.

"W-w-what on- relashio!"

The plant jumped back at the wandlight. Leopoldina immediately took her own wand out- why hadn't she thought of this sooner? and lit it the way her parents and eldest sisters always did. "Lumos."

It was a teacher in a purple turban.

"W-w-what are you girls doing here?" he asked with a frown.

"We got lost." Leopoldina pulled the girl up from the ground. "Thank you so much, Professor..."

"Q-q-quirrell," he said. "Pleased to meet you. Now run along. Students aren't meant to be in here."

Leopoldina caught the still groggy girl by the arm and pulled her out of the carriage.

"That was close," she said. "I'm Leopoldina by the way, Leopoldina Rockharrow. And you are?"

"Valentina Esparza." The girl eyed her warily. "Thank you for helping me."

Then she walked the other way.

Leopoldina watched her go, completely confused. But she had been helpful. Just as she had been friendly to that Selwyn boy. Was she just not going to make any friends in Hogwarts?

Definitely not with that Alice Potter one anyway. Leopoldina had never met anybody so self-absorbed in her entire life. Even if you were a celebrity, you still had to try and be nice.

She went and put her robes on in the carriage's toilet. Just as she finished adjusting her hair and make-up in the mirror, the train began to roll to a stop.

The platform was a mess of people. She couldn't see her sisters anywhere. But then there was a voice.

"Firs' Years, over here, Firs' Years!"

Allen Selwyn | Towards the boats

"Firs' years over 'ere!"

Allen felt unbelievably happy today, and he had a very good feeling that this happy daze was going to last for a while longer yet. He wished he could actually track back to the first moment he knew he wanted to be a real wizard; because he felt as if this was the vindication of that moment. Even as they clambered into the rickety boats, even as Alice's hands formed a vice-grip around his left arm and cut its circulation off, he didn't care. He was simply too happy to wonder about anything right now.

Including where he was putting his foot.

SPLASH!

Someone was laughing; a girl, he realized, but it wasn't Alice; she was trying to pull him away from the water. It was that other the girl, the Gryffindor-wannabe that had insulted Slytherin earlier. For one moment, he felt something like a fire flicker in his brain; then it died out, and he was standing on solid ground again, his robes dripping wet like the fur of a dog. He blushed furiously as Alice helped him into the boat a second time. "Next time, look where you're going!" she reprimanded, wagging her finger authoritatively. "Now look at you..."

"I'll be fine..." he murmured. "I'll be fine." He looked around as the boats started moving across the lake towards the castle. Even though he had a bad start, he knew he was going to like it all the same.

He would have to.

Samara | In the boats, approaching Hogwarts:

Samara glanced back at the sound of splashing to find Alice pulling Allen back out of the water. She snickered, receiving a dark look from Allen and turned back to the school. The castle towered over them on the far side of the lake, and they were moving towards it now.

Salem, who had joined them in the boats, perched his front paws on the lip of the little wooden boat and peered over the edge, blinking into the water below. Samara frowned at him and grabbed him with one hand, snatching him back from the edge. She glanced back to see Allen sitting behind her, and Alice Potter beside him. The boy was soaked. Samara smirked, and when she turned back towards the school, the boat began to slow down and eventually bumped into a stone pier below it. The castle towered over them even more now, casting the group of boats into darkness.

Samara gingerly stepped out of the boat, Salem clutched tightly to her chest. someone cast a light spell, bathing the group in a soft golden glow. She blinked and heard Alice and the boys hopping out of the boat to join her on the stone pier. Samara turned to give Allen an assessing look then sighed. The boy looked annoyed. She swiftly withdrew her wand and cast a spell that would dry his clothes and warm him up at the same time--thanks to her mother, she knew that at least. Allen shot her a grateful look before she turned away again.

"This way firs' years," boomed the giant of a man that Samara now knew as Hagrid. He lumbered up the stone staircase and the first years moved to follow, Samara among them.

After a few minutes, she found herself walking beside Allen. Samara peered at him thoughtfully for a moment, petting her cat. He looked right back and then muttered a quick 'thank you' and abruptly dropped back to walk beside Alice again. Samara chuckled and shook her head. And then they were in Hogwarts and waiting outside the Great Hall with a tall, imposing woman standing before them. Samara could only stare.

Alice Potter | Entrance Hall


The woman adjusted her spectacles promptly as Hagrid lumbered towards her, ickle first years in tow. The first thing Alice noticed about her was the tightening of her eyebrows, the pursed lip, the stern look, and immediately knew that this wasn't someone she could mess around with and escaped unscathed; not easily, at any rate. But magic was magic, and Alice was sure it would open up a big realm for her pranks. "The firs' years are 'ere, Professer McGonagall."

"Thank you Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She turned to the gaggle of children looking up at her, her eyes resting for a moment on Alice. The Potter girl wondered if it was simply her or whether McGonagall seemed to...relax, a little? Alice fidgeted nervously and Allen patted her on the arm. "It'll be alright."

"Welcome to Hogwarts," the professor began. "The start-of-term
banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great
Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rulebreaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Her eyes lingered briefly on Bonnie's cloak, which she had worn inside out, and on Allen's shoes, which were basically now a mold of mud. Alice pulled at her braid nervously, hoping it didn't have any strands sticking out. McGonagall's eyes ran over the small congregation again. "I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

"Sorting Ceremony?" Alice murmured to Allen and received a shrug in response. She frowned. "I wonder what she was talking about?"

"We'll see soon enough, I guess?"

However, Alice barely had any warning for what came next; at least a dozen translucent figures flowed into the hall gracefully, floating along and through a couple of first years. Someone screamed; probably a Muggle-born. "G-g-ghosts!" Alice went numb. Ghosts? Magic was one thing; turning someone's hair colour purple, or making them sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" all day. It was strange and unexplainable yes, but it was...only magic. But ghosts were something she was unprepared for. Allen patted her on the shoulder reassuringly.

"Don't worry. They don't hurt...most of the time." But that was either a misplaced sentence, or the ghosts were really angry for some reason--all of them were chasing another strange little ghost which was busy bouncing all over the place. "Well. I did say most of the time," Allen mumbled. "But that one's a poltergeist."

"PEEVES! COME BACK HERE!"

"A...a poltergeist?" But Alice didn't have enough time to compose herself. Professor McGonagall appeared, looking somewhat irritated for some reason. Allen rubbed his shoes one more time on the carpet.

"Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin." She sniffed. "Form a line and follow me."

The enormous doors creaked open behind her as she turned around, and Alice gawped in wonder. She had never seen anything like this back in her old life, obviously. Beside her, Allen was beaming broadly. "This is like a dream!"

"You're right, it is..." She looked at the four long tables that straddled the length of the great hall, and the people who sat at the other end of the room at yet another table; the staff table, Alice realized. She looked at the professors, and one of them caught her eye; a man dressed completely in black, staring at her as if she was a ghost of some sort. Beside him, Quirrell grinned nervously.

She turned back to McGonagall again, who was now standing near a ancient hat that looked as if mice had gnawed at it through the years. But to her surprise, it 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 Hufflepuff's 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!"

Alice didn't think it was possible for her mouth to get any wider. Beside her, Allen was basically jumping up and down on his feet. "Oh, I hope I get Slytherin!"

"I don't want to be in Slytherin." Samara murmured, making both Allen and Alice turn to her questioningly. But before they could ask her anything else, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and stepped forwards, holding what looked to be a...scroll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to
be sorted," she said. "Devereux, Samara!"

Samara | Great Hall - The Sorting:

Samara jumped as her name was called out, glancing towards Alice, Allen and Ben (who was currently talking to his toad again) and sighed. She shook her hair back and strode forward, tucking a strand behind her ear as she took a seat on the stool, facing the crowd of first years and the four long tables beyond them. She glanced up at Professor McGonagall, who stood holding the hat above her head. The woman frowned at Samara and lowered the hat. Samara went still as the Professor set the hat down and closed her eyes.

Hmmm, said the hat, as if considering her thoughts. Samara thought about anything but Slytherin as she sat there. Suddenly, she felt something prowling around in her head and flinched. She didn't like it. At all. You're an interesting one, the hat added after a moment, Anything but Slytherin, eh? Oh, but you'd fit in so well there, Miss Devereux. Samara's eyes shot open at the sound of her last name. No, she was not going to Slytherin. She didn't want to! Samara scowled and the hat merely prowled through her head one last time, and then the presence vanished. No, no, commented the sorting hat. You hide things; you are cunning and sly, and know just how to get what you want. I know exactly where to put you, and you may not like it, but this is where you shall feel most at home. There was a long pause, as if it were reading her mind again. And then it chuckled. Slytherin is not as evil as you may think, Miss Devereux. And then it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!" and the table on far right of the hall erupted into somewhat contained clapping and a few cheers.

Samara winced and the hat was taken off. She hopped off the stool and slowly made her way towards the table, grimacing at the way the other houses looked at her. She shook off the expression as she approached the table and sat down between a dark-haired girl and an older boy. They were a few years above her, and Samara didn't know them, but she thought she might have seen them on the train at some stage. Samara stared at the table, her expression blank. She really didn't like or had wanted to be Slytherin.

While she stared at the table, she heard the Professor called out another name. And it was one she knew. "Selwyn, Allen."

Allen Selwyn | Sorting Ceremony, Great Hall

Allen literally sprang like a kangaroo on energy drinks when his name was called, crossing the distance within a couple of strides and slamming the hat down on his hat. He was so happy he thought he could burst. I want to be in Slytherin, I want to be in Slytherin, I want to be in Slytherin...

Hmph. The hat responded. First we have a girl who does not want to be in Slytherin, and then comes a boy who wants to become one. This year is already far ahead of me. Well. He mentally coughed. I can see that you have the both charisma and the wit to make it in Slytherin. Ah yes, there is also quite the slyness in there. Normally, this would make you the best candidate for Slytherin...however...

However? Allen's heart stopped. He wanted to be in Slytherin. That was the only place that would truly accept him, he just knew it. But apparently, the hat had other ideas.

You do not have enough ambition. You are also trusting, sometimes stubborn, and rash. You, would rather think about helping others than worry about yourself. I am afraid that all of those traits will not help you in Slytherin.

But...I...

I'm afraid the best house for you is... "GRYFFINDOR!"

Allen took off the hat, all energy drained out of him. A Gryffindor. Him. One of the lions. What would his parents say? His godfather? Were they rolling in their graves, right now? He walked towards the Gryffindor table to muted applause, and watched the rest of the Sorting.

"Rockharrow, Leopoldina!"

It was the Gryffindor-wannabe, now looking smug and important. Even as the hat touched her head, it yelled out "GRYFFINDOR!" and Allen found himself being strangled by the thought that he would have to deal with that sort of 'family' as well. She took a seat far from Allen, however, for which he was thankful.

"Jutsonberg, Regina!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Feldon-Wood, Alistair!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Fletcher, Benjamin!"

It was the boy from before, and Allen could see his eye twitching briefly just as 'Benjamin' was called. But he put on the hat, all the same. "RAVENCLAW!"

"Esparza, Valentina!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Wray, Bonnie!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

A dozen more names were called out, and Allen was beginning to wonder if Alice was ever going to be sorted. She herself seemed to look a bit wild-eyed, and he couldn't blame her. To be saved for the last moment was probably at least somewhat unnerving.

Alice herself, however, was thinking something else. What if her name never got called? What if she wasn't really a witch? Thoughts upon thoughts began piling themselves on her, when Professor McGonagall shouted.

"Potter, Alice!"

Leopoldina Rockharrow | The Great Hall

"Rockharrow, Leopoldina!"

She took the steps up to the stool and sat down nervously. Even from here, she could see three sets of blue eyes- Lavinia, Quintinia and Araminta all staring at her expectantly. I'm coming your way, she thought, as she sat down.

ANOTHER Rockharrow? Do your parents have nothing better to do with their time but have daughters with ridiculous names?

No.

Hm. Not very smart, not too ambitious- nice enough...

I'm brave, I'm brave, I'm brave-

That's true. GRYFFINDOR!

Leopoldina's eyes shot open and she grinned as the whole Gryffindor table- surely on her sisters' orders, started whooping. She jumped up before the hat had a chance to change its mind and went to sit at the Gryffindor table. She couldn't help but smirk at the Selwyn boy who had been so disparaging of Gryffindor. But he didn't really deserve to be here, not really.

"Come sit with us!" Quin called to her and she sat down in the midst of the Third Years. Leopoldina grinned. "Congratulations!"

"I didn't see you two at all on the train," Leopoldina complained. "Did you find whoever you were looking for?"

"Owen? No, we got distracted," Ara said. "But he's just over there." She pointed to a Fourth Year boy sitting a little way down the table. There was a cluster of people around him, all listening closely to something he had to say.

"Are they all getting Quidditch tips as well?" Leopoldina asked unsure.

"Possibly." Quin waved it away. "So! Meet any of your fellow Gryffindors."

"Her," Leopoldina said, nodding to the girl whose name, she had discovered, was Valentina Esparza. "She's a little weird. But I'm sure she's nice enough. And..." she held up a finger in disgust, "him. The Selwyn boy. Now, him, I don't like."

"Who on earth does like a Selwyn?" Quin and Ara wrinkled their noses in disgust.

"Alice Potter, apparently."

"You met her?!" the twins said in unison.

"Yes. And I don't think I like her much either. I hope they don't put her in Gryffindor too. Look, there she is."

Alice Potter sat down on the stool and the Hall fell silent.

Bonnie – The Great Hall

Student after student was sorted while Bonnie waited, eagerly craning her neck over the crowds to catch a glimpse of the Hat.

It was a HAT. And it TALKED. And not just that, it SUNG.

“Wray, Bonnie!”

That was her! Bonnie bounded up the steps, very nearly tripping over on the way up. Eagerly, she snatched the hat, and pulled it down tight over her eyes.

Hmm... You’re an odd one, aren’t you? You’d make a good Hufflepuff if you’d just work a touch harder. But you don’t want to work harder, do you? You just want to have fun, and take what life throws at you. That rules out Slytherin.

But you are intelligent. If you worked harder, you could go far academically, but of course you won’t work hard, as I’ve said before. You love knowledge. Intelligence is the trait you prize most in your friends. Ah, yes. You’ll do well in...

“RAVENCLAW!”

Relief coursed through Bonnie’s veins. She hadn’t realised that she’d been anxious until now.

She took the hat off, and scampered away to the cheering Ravenclaw table. She noticed several people she recognised from the platform, but found she couldn’t remember any of their names.

Happily, Bonnie looked down at her now blue and bronze uniform. It had taken nearly all of the journey to attach all her unused badges to it, and she thought it looked very smart.

She glanced up when she noticed the silence. The girl she’d collided with at the platform was now sitting down, and everyone was staring at her. Was she someone special?

Oh, yeah! She was that famous girl! Abby -no, Anna...Parker, that was it! Anna Parker! The one who defeated the Dark Lord Moldivort!

Bonnie stared interestedly at “Anna Parker” who was now placing the hat on her head.

Fiona O'Connell | Slytherin Table


Fiona twirled her hair around her finger, watching, but not really paying attention to the sorting ceremony. Her friends cheered and whooped loudly whenever a new Slytherin was announced. Fiona, however, clapped half-heartedly, contributing only a few words to her friends’ rapid-fire conversation.

She rolled her eyes. There were way too many first-years at the school. Her fingers closed around her wand, wanting to cast fireworks over the Great Hall. She smiled with the mental image.

“Ugh, forever.” One of her friends groaned as Bonnie Wray was sorted into Ravenclaw. Fiona wrinkled her nose, recognizing Bonnie as the girl who didn’t answer her on the train.

“Patience, Maggie.” Fiona sighed. Pick your battles, Fee, her sister told her time and time again. She released her death grip on her wand and began to toy with the ring on her necklace. Her friends continued the conversation, as Fiona didn’t pay attention. She kept a semi-polite smile on her face as Alice Potter stepped up to the stool. Confused whispers marked the Slytherin table.

“Alice Potter?” Maggie said. The girls looked around, adding whispers to the quiet noise

“Big deal.” Fiona said, “It’s just a girl. Not even Slytherin material.” She slid her ring on and off her finger as she said this, “really now.” She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, watching the girl with her cold stare.