Confusion?

Chapter Four

Today was the day! September 1st! Kenneth was so excited. He couldn't wait to start learning all sorts of new hexes and curses to try on his sister - but he also needed a new partner in crime. Raymond wasn't much help five hundred miles away.

He got dressed and looked at the time: 9:00 a.m. Only an hour until they left! Kenneth ran into his sister's room. "Catty, Catty, today is the day! We're going to Hogwarts! Can you believe it?"

"Yes, Ken, we're going to Hogwarts. Are you all packed? " Catharine asked.

Kenneth shook his head.

"Well, you'd better hurry up! We're leaving in forty-five minutes!"

***

"I'm not sure we should be sending the children to Hogwarts. What if they associate with Mudbloods?" said Dianne, Catharine and Kenneth's mother.

"There is nothing wrong with Muggle-borns. I'll have you know that my grandmother was Muggle-born," said Sam.

"I know, sweetie, but, what if Catharine marries a Muggle born and they have. . . ugh. . . squibs? I don't want the wizard population dying out," debated Dianne.

"That will never happen. Muggle-borns are no more likely to have squibs than Purebloods."

"Mudbloods are just below us."

"Not one more word. They are going to Hogwarts! That's why we moved out of that creepy little town anyway."

"There is nothing wrong with Candsburry!"

"If we don't stop this fight soon, the children will miss the train! It's now ten o'clock," said Sam. "Catharine, Kenneth, come on, we are leaving now. If you aren't at the door in five minutes, we are leaving without you!"

Kenneth was upstairs listening to every word of the fight. He couldn't see a problem with Muggle-borns. He hated when his parents fought about stupid things like this.

Kenneth walked into Catharine's room. "Mummy and Daddy are fighting again." he sighed.

"What are they fighting about this time?" Catharine asked.

"Muggle-borns," replied Kenneth.

"Not again."

"Anyway, you better hurry up. We're leaving in five minutes."

"I have to finish my hair."

"They will leave without you."

"Catharine, Kenneth, hurry up, we're leaving," called Dianne.

"Just one second!" called Catharine, adjusting her last bobby pin.

"We're going out the door!" yelled Sam.

Kenneth ran down the stairs.

"Ok, I'm done!" Catharine yelled to an empty house.

Luckily she caught her family just as they we're pulling out of the driveway.

***

"I don't see why we have to take an automobile. Hasn't Dumbledore heard of Apparating?" complained Dianne loudly.

"Honey, you can't Apparate onto Hogwarts grounds. Anyway, Kenneth and Catharine are not of Apparating age yet!" said Sam

"You can't Apparate on the school's grounds? How am I going to see my Kenny-Poo?"

"Mum, stop it! You're embarrassing me!" said Kenneth.

"Aww... Kenny-Poo - doesn't want the other little kiddies to hear his ickle nickname?" taunted Catharine. "We're only in the car park. Who's going to hear, Mum?"

"Whatever you say, Catty Watty," said Kenneth.

"No fighting you two!"

"Oh no, it's almost eleven o'clock! We can't miss the train!"

The family ran into King's Cross Station. Well, not the whole family: Dianne would never be caught running in high heels. They arrived at the barrier between platform nine and ten.

"Huh, where is Platform 9 3/4?" asked Kenneth.

"Oh honestly, Ken! It is obvious that it is a mistake," said Catharine, sounding frustrated. "Right, Dad?"

"Actually, it is between the two barriers. It's designed like that so we won't receive too much Muggle attention," said Sam "Come! We have to hurry! Dianne, are you coming?" he called.

"I'll catch up!" she called back from the sea of Muggles.

The three walked through the barrier. The train was about to leave. The two children quickly put their luggage in the proper place.

"Where is Mummy?" asked Kenneth.

Dianne was nowhere to be seen. The barrier must have closed.

"I don't know but the train is leaving in..." Sam checked his time-teller, "...the train is leaving NOW!"

"Come on, Ken!" said Catharine. "I love you, Dad!"

"Me too," said Kenneth,

"Send me and your mother an owl as soon as you can," said Sam.

The two children got on the train. If luck would have it they walked into an empty compartment.

"I'm going to see if I can find Hermione. Is that all right with you, Ken?" asked Catharine.

"Umm, I guess it's fine," replied Kenneth. He really didn't want her to leave. The truth of the matter was that he didn't want to be alone. Kenneth sat down and looked around. It was a pretty big. If Kenneth were still in Candsburry, he and Raymond would be plotting their next big prank. He really missed Raymond.

Interrupting Kenneth's thoughts two boys walked into the compartment.

"Mind if we sit here?" asked the taller one. "My brother won't let us sit with him because of his girlfriend."

"I know what you mean,," said Kenneth trying to befriend the boys. "My sister just ran off to meet some Hermione girl. I'm Kenneth McDonald, by the way."

"I'm John Finnigan, and this is Chris Mac Pherson," said the taller boy. "We're first years. What about you?"

"I'm a professor," replied Kenneth with a smile.

"Oh really? Of what subject?" asked Chris.

"Umm... Potions?" said Kenneth.

"Nice try! My brother Seamus told me that Snape is the Potions Master. Real nasty git," said John. He was starting to think this boy was a little bizarre.

"Okay, you caught me. I'm in first year,"said Kenneth chuckling.

***

"Catharine!" exclaimed Hermione, when Catharine found her compartment. It was pretty empty, just her, Harry and Dean. Ron was off with Lavender, Seamus and Parvati doing the couple thing, while Ginny was with her friends in fourth year and Neville was with some Hufflepuffs. Harry and Dean were deep in conversation about Quidditch. Dean was going to try out for the new Chaser position and Harry was giving him some pointers. Hermione was bored out of her mind.

Harry was not pleased to see Catharine. She was so annoying. She seemed like a snob. What was she doing at Hogwarts? Couldn't she just stay at her old school? God, it's not like she lived far away. Hogwarts was only in Edinburgh. She was living closer to Hogwarts before she moved! He just decided ignore her.

"Hiya, Harry," said Catharine.

"Hmm?" replied Harry, half-heartedly.

"Who is this beautiful girl?" asked Dean.

"Dean, this is Catharine. Catharine, this is Dean," said Hermione.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Dean.

"Same to you, Dean," said Catharine, batting her eyelashes. She was happy a boy was flirting with her. She hadn't had much male attention since that slug Robert.

"Anyone up for Exploding Snap?" asked Harry, realizing that this was getting awkward.

They were about to start when they heard an announcement.

"Would all Prefects please go to compartment number seven?" said a voice that seemed to come from nowhere.

"That's us! Come on Hermione," said Dean.

"See you, Catharine," said Hermione waving.

"Well, I guess I am going to go see Ron, Lav, Seamus and Parvati," said Harry leaving

As he left he saw Catharine pull a book out of her trunk: "Purebloods Throughout History: We Are the Better Race."

***

"Catharine Mc Donald, are you in here?" called a boy about seventeen.

"I'm here," she answered.

"Flitwick wants to see you. Come with me," said the boy.

They walked to the front compartment and all the Prefects were sitting in a circle. Hermione waved. In the middle of the circle was a short man.

"You must be Catharine. Your situation is quite peculiar. We haven't had a transfer student in over one hundred and fifty years, but I can understand why your father wanted you out of Constance, " started Flitwick.

Catharine didn't understand a word the man said. He had a very, very, very high voice. Catharine just nodded.

"You don't want to be sorted with the first years, do you?"

"Uh... no, I guess not," replied Catharine.

"Then, come with me. We will take a Portkey to Hogwarts."

***

"Firs' years, this way. Firs' year, Anymore firs' years?" said a huge man with a wild beard, entering Kenneth's compartment.

Kenneth, John and Chris followed the huge man.

The man took them to a bunch of boats. The three boys got into one together.

When they arrived at Hogwarts, they were sent to the Great Hall to be sorted. An old ugly hat opened up in a rip and started to sing:

Oh, my job is to place you

In the house where you belong.

Pay close attention now for which house is your home:

Gryffindors show much bravery.

Ravenclaws are wise.

Hufflepuffs are loyal

In every shape and size.

Finally, there is Slytherin where the ambitious folks dwell.

Now, don't you first years worry,

Though there is quite much to master.

Keep a good attitude.

And learn, learn, learn.

The hall exploded into cheers. The Sorting Ceremony began with, "Aclett, Amber," who became a Hufflepuff.

"Bejoing, Henry."

The Sorting Hat took a moment with this one.

"SLYTHERIN!" shouted the hat.

This process went on, with "Dingwall, David," who became a Ravenclaw, and "Earmus, Shane," also a Ravenclaw. Then it was John's turn.

The moment it touched his head it shouted:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

John seemed very happy to join his brother.

Kenneth was really nervous now. The Hufflepuff lot looked like a bunch of d'oh heads. Before he knew it Mc Goncagall was calling, "Mc Donald, Kenneth!"

Kenneth sat down on the stool. Everyone was staring at him. The hat whispered in his ear.

"Another Mc Donald? Your sister was very hard to place, and it seems you are too. Hmmm, very interesting. You show many Hufflepuff traits - unlike your sister. You also shine with Gryffindor traits also - very unlike your sister. Hmm... I think it should be Hufflepuff. How about you?"

"Not Hufflepuff, please not Hufflepuff," Kenneth thought to himself.

"Fine then - it's GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the hat.