Belle Ame

Chapter 4: Hagrid, Hats, and Hatred

Roxy, Thomas, and Riley now stood in the center of a large, swarming platform. Riley, the tallest of the three, stood on her toes to survey the platform. All she could possibly see were hundreds of heads that looked to be floating in a sea of blackness. Nobody could see anything, and between the black robes and the gloomy sky, it was nearly pitch black. Then a light came swinging over to the platform from some sort of path in the woods. The students were thankful for the light, but when the first years looked up to see who or what was providing it, a few gasped and a few made vulgar noises. Standing there was the largest and scariest person nearly any of them had ever seen. He looked like a giant, a hairy man who lived in the mountains. But, at the same time, some of the older students breathed a sigh of relief to see him, and some even called out, "Hi, Hagrid!" or, "Good to see you again, Hagrid!"

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?" he cried out, as all the first years gathered around him. After a few moments of first years pushing their way through the crowd and toward Hagrid, everybody seemed to be in their right places. "C'mon, follow me -- any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

The first years crowded tightly into a small, steep path with Hagrid leading the way easily. On either side of the path was a wall of darkness; no one could see past a foot or so on either side of them. They were compressed so much that only two people could stand next to each other.

Roxy was paying very little attention to where she was going, occasionally glancing up to make sure she was still following the lantern. She was gazing into the dense forest that was beside her, and, every so often, she could've sworn there was a pair of eyes staring back at her. But then she would think to herself that she was just being paranoid. She was pulled sharply out of her reverie by an earsplitting snap. She jumped back and grasped the arm next to her. Then she felt many eyes looking at her and realized she had only stepped on a stick and snapped it in half, and that she was currently gripping Thomas's arm firmly.

"Oh, um - sorry." Her face flushed as she heard a few people laugh at her. Thomas tugged on her sleeve gently for her to continue, Riley just poked her in the back and giggled.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec!" Hagrid's voice pierced through the night air sharply, but it was soothing to those who felt lost. A few moments later the narrow path opened onto an embankment of some sort and many students looked in awe as they saw Hogwarts, sitting perfectly on a hill with turrets reaching towards the stars.

"Get a load of that!" Riley said, ruining the moment of admiration, however unintentionally.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid bellowed out, waving towards a fleet of empty boats.

Between the students and Hogwarts was a placid, murky lake. Although Roxy admired the beauty of the lake, she was very reluctant to ride small boats across it. But they quietly and obediently climbed into each boat. Roxy, Thomas, Riley, and a small timid boy stepped into one boat. Roxy's gaze fell over the small boy who sat shyly in the corner: he was very small with short, blondish-brown hair. He had large round glasses that made him to look slightly like a frog; he even had a greenish tint to his skin, but Roxy supposed it was from nervousness. He fiddled anxiously with the hem of his sleeve. Then she glanced at Riley and saw that she was also eyeing the small fellow.

"Everyone in? Right then -- FORWARD!" Hagrid cried as the boats began moving across the lake.

Roxy tugged on Riley's sleeve. "Say something," Roxy mouthed.

"Like what?" Riley mouthed back, but Roxy only shrugged.

"So, what's you're name?" Riley said awkwardly.

"Very subtle," Roxy whispered sarcastically.

"Sp-Spencer," he stuttered slightly as he peered out from behind his thick, round glasses. "Cogswell," he added on quickly after a moment of silence.

"Riley Treller."

"Roxy Stone."

"Thomas Pratley."

They repeated their names to him promptly and kindly. They were now nearly three quarters of the way there and were nearing a large cliff that didn't seem to have an entrance anywhere.

"Where are we going?" Roxy questioned to nobody in particular; she just wanted to know if anybody knew.

"In those vines o'er there," said a gruff voice from behind her that made her jump. When she looked around, Hagrid was alone in a boat in front of the group of first years.

"Oh, thanks," Roxy said, smiling coyly.

"Heads down!" Hagrid yelled out to everybody, while he bent half of his body over so that he wouldn't hit the roof of the small opening that was hidden behind the vines. All of the students followed Hagrid's orders and ducked.

As Roxy passed through the curtain of vines, she saw nothing but a dark tunnel. Water could be heard being parted by the small boats and lapping on the sides of the small cave. Nobody could see anything for a few minutes until they reached a small underground dock with pebbles and stones along the waterside.

The boats kept slowly appearing from out of the dark tunnel until it all students were ashore. Then they carefully climbed up a path that was etched between the large rocks, following Hagrid's lamp closely. And, at last, they reached the long awaited grass that surrounded Hogwarts.

Many gasps and awed looks came from the students as they stumbled over their own feet from trying to see Hogwarts and walk forward at the same time.

"It's so beautiful," Roxy said as she marveled over every turret, tower, and flaming window.

"It's indescribable, beyond words, inexpressible - " Thomas went on.

"We get it: it's astounding," Riley said shortly, cutting Thomas off.

As they approached the large, oak door, Hagrid raised his rather large fist and knocked three times. Instantly the door swung open, revealing a stern-looking witch in forest green robes.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said politely.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here," she said shortly. The students, almost frightened of McGonagall, followed the professor.

Roxy leaned over to Thomas and whispered, "So that's McGonagall?"

He nodded in response.

"Is she made of stone?" Riley said sardonically.

"Quiet!" Professor McGonagall snapped, looking forward the whole time.

Riley shook her finger at Roxy and made a stone-like face. Roxy let out a diminutive giggle.

Professor McGonagall turned around this time and eyed Roxy and Riley. "I said quiet."

"Sorry, Professor," Riley said cautiously.

They continued past another large door, from which hundreds of chatting voices could be heard. But they didn't go in this door; instead, they continued into another small chamber next to this room. Once they were all condensed inside the chamber -- and quiet -- Professor McGonagall turned to face the students.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. 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 rule-breaking 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. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly," Professor McGonagall finished her speech and after she looked around at the group of first years, she left the chamber.

"I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to her class. I was reading the Transfiguration book, and I loved it, but she seems - uh - strict," Roxy said in a low voice.

"She just comes off that way. My brother said she's one of the best teachers at Hogwarts - besides Dumbledore of course," Thomas whispered back.

For a few minutes, they stood in the chamber looking at their fellow students and the paintings on the wall, questions racing through everybody's minds.

Is it a test? Do we have to do magic? I don't know any spells! How come we weren't told about this in the acceptance letter? Roxy reflected in her mind while she waited.

Suddenly a few people screamed toward the side of the chamber. Many ghosts were drifting through the wall and across the chamber ceiling. They were talking amongst themselves simply. Then one of the ghosts noticed the staring first years. He had asked what the first years were doing there, but nobody answered.

"New students! About to be Sorted, I suppose?" A large ghost, who looked like an ancient friar, said gently.

Nobody said anything, a few students nodded, including Roxy.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know," the ghost said cheerfully.

"Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony's about to start. Now, form a line and follow me," Professor McGonagall dictated from the door of the chamber.

The students obediently shuffled into a line behind Professor McGonagall. They entered the most beautiful room Roxy had every seen; it was a great deal better than even Gringotts. Thousands of candles were floating in mid air. There were four long tables full of hundreds of students in black robes. The ceiling looked exactly as it had when they were outside: it was dark and millions of stars were scattered about the midnight blue. There was one table that was facing the other four tables, where many adults, who seemed to be teachers, sat. In the center, Roxy saw one chair which was much more elaborate than the others. The man who sat in it was elderly and had long silver-white hair. His hair and beard were the most luminescent things in the whole hall.

Professor McGonagall brought out a wooden stool with a tattered, patched hat sitting on top of it. The first years looked at it with clueless expressions upon their faces, but the other students and teachers looked at it with expectancy.

Suddenly a large rip formed in the hat and it took a mouth-like shape near the brim of the hat. Then, it abruptly started to sing.

A singing hat! Hogwarts has everything doesn't it? Roxy pondered, ignoring the hat's luring song. Even though she found it interesting that it could sing, she was far too nervous to pay any attention.

I wonder what house I'll be put into. I hope it is Gryffindor. I like that house, even if Professor McGonagall is the head of the house. And Thomas and Riley, I hope we're in the same house. Thousands of hands clapping together pulled her out of her trance.

The hat had finished its song and was now bowing proudly to each table. The students were clapping and cheering, and any student that was sitting before was now on his or her feet, except for one table who clapped boringly, but remained seated. They looked rather grim and a large silver serpent was painted scathingly across a magnificent green banner above their table.

Professor McGonagall stood facing the students as she pulled out a long scroll of parchment.

When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she announced simply.

"Abbott, Hannah!"

A girl stepped out of line and walked to the stool, placing the hat on her head.

"Hufflepuff!" the hat shouted only seconds later.

Roxy drifted into her thoughts once again, pondering what house she'd be in. She snapped back to her surroundings as she heard a familiar name.

"Brewer, Emily!"

Emily stepped out of line slowly and walked to the stool hunched over. A few snickers could be heard coming from the Slytherin table. She reached the stool and put the hat on her head roughly. For most students, the hat fell over their face and covered their eyes, but the hat's brim only went as far as Emily's bushy eyebrows.

Emily shut her eyes and, even from a distance, it was clearly seen that she was whispering over and over, "Gryffindor, Gryffindor, not Hufflepuff, Gryffindor."

After a few moments the hat made its decision. "Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table broke into applause; however, it was applause of pity.

Three more people were sorted and then it was Spencer Cogswell's turn. He nervously stumbled up to the stool and carefully placed it on his head. The hat fell so far over his head it was practically sitting on his shoulders. He sat fidgeting for a few moments with his fingers crossed on his knees.

"Gryffindor!"

He instantly jumped off the stool and fell flat on his face with the hat still pulled over his eyes. He stood up timidly as he pulled the hat off. The Slytherin table was literally keeling over with laughter and the other tables were either applauding kindly or looking at Spencer sympathetically.

Roxy fell into her reverie once again, thinking about the houses and the empty spot that was forming in her stomach.

Forever seemed to go by, but Roxy came sharply to attention when McGonagall called out, "Potter, Harry!"

Oh, my God, is that really him? So that's the famous Harry Potter? Roxy thought as she stood on her toes for a better look.

"That's him! Can you see his scar?" Riley whispered from behind Roxy.

"Wow, it's like lightning," Roxy whispered back.

Harry was sitting on the stool now, gripping the edge of it. But finally after about a minute or so, the hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"

He took the hat off and shakily walked to the Gryffindor table and sat across from the ghost who was sitting at that table. The Gryffindors were beside themselves with joy, yelling and shaking his hand.

Then "Pratley, Thomas" was called and Roxy became focused on him. As he casually walked to the stool and hat, Roxy admired how calm he was. So careless, he seemed, as he glided to the front of the hall.

He had barely let the hat touch his head when it shouted, "Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindors seemed to like the look of Thomas because there was a noticeable difference in the level of applause he received, compared to that of some other students.

A few students were sorted, after which "Stone, Roxanna" was at last called. Roxy flinched slightly as she heard her name shouted. She slowly walked to the stool, chewing at her lip nervously. She placed the hat over her head and it fell down resting on the bridge of her nose. She caught a glimpse of Thomas giving her a thumbs-up and a hopeful look just before the hat took her into a vast darkness.

"Intelligent, very intelligent. A will to learn and to prove yourself to a certain someone," a voice said.

Do I talk back? Roxy wondered.

"If you think it, I will know it."

Oh, silly me. Roxy thought.

"You could succeed in Ravenclaw," the hat said slyly.

No! Ravenclaw's not that bad, but, Gryffindor. It has to be Gryffindor! Roxy thought sternly.

"That's what I'm looking for! The heart of a true GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted.

Roxy tore the hat off to see the Gryffindor table applauding and Thomas looking overjoyed. She instantly ran down to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Thomas.

Not long after, Chloe Travers was called. As she walked up to the stool, a few whistles were heard.

She gracefully sat down as she placed the hat on her head. After a few seconds, her mouth clearly formed the words, "Ew, Slytherin," as she wrinkled her nose. After another minute or so, of what looked like constant arguing, the hat seemed to cave in to Chloe's relentlessness.

"Gryffindor!" it said less enthusiastically than usual.

She grinned triumphantly and sat across from Thomas and next to Emily, who people seemed to avoid.

"Isn't this great? We're both -- I mean -- all in Gryffindor," Chloe said, looking into Thomas's eyes dreamily. Roxy scowled across the table as Chloe attempted to distract Thomas from the sorting.

"Treller, Riley!"

Thomas and Roxy turned to see Riley practically sprinting towards the stool. Once she had the hat on her head, it took only a few seconds before a decision was made.

"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted at practically the same time Riley had tore the hat off of her head. She ran over to Roxy, grinning the whole way.

"The hat said that it was no doubt that I'm a Gryffindor!" Riley said excitedly as the few remaining students were sorted into their houses.

When everyone was seated and Professor McGonagall had taken away the stool and hat, Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat. The students instantly extinguished all conversation.

"Welcome!" His eyes twinkled excitedly. "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 sat down and the hall erupted with applause. Roxy wasn't sure whether to applaud or laugh. As the hall grew quiet, food suddenly appeared on the empty plates before them. Roxy's mouth fell open at the sight. Then she felt a gentle push on her jaw, closing it.

"I suggest you put food in there or close it," Thomas said teasingly.

* * *

The last of the dessert was now sinking through the tables. Roxy was exhausted, but she couldn't shut her eyes if she wanted to. Dumbledore stood once again and the students, who were mostly groaning anyway, quieted themselves.

"Just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death," Dumbledore smiled eerily. A few students laughed but many didn't. After a few moments of students murmuring to each other, Dumbledore continued.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore said as he flicked his wand and a long golden ribbon unraveled itself from the tip. It bent and pulled itself into words. "Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go!"

The Great Hall sounded terribly off key, but somehow Roxy felt better singing the school song horribly than she had doing any thing else today. Soon everybody in the Great Hall was finished singing except for two Gryffindor boys, who were twins; they were singing in a slow, mournful tune. When they had finally finished, the Great Hall was filled with applause, like thousands of church bells ringing in an empty sanctuary.

"Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!" Dumbledore was shouting tearfully over the applause.

The Gryffindors were told to follow a prefect who had furious red hair and looked very stern.

The first years dragged their feet along corridors and many stairs before they finally reached a large portrait of a very fat lady in a pink dress.

"Password?" she asked brightly.

"Caput Draconis," the prefect named Percy said, and the portrait swung open revealing a large round hole in the wall, which led to a rather comfortable looking room.

As they entered, many squashed armchairs, a large couch, and one warm fire that was crackling merrily greeted them.

"The girls' dormitories are up this staircase and boys' dormitories are up this one," Percy said, gesturing to each staircase.

"See you tomorrow, Thomas," Roxy said as she trudged along to the staircase with Riley close behind. Although, Riley seemed to already be asleep and merely gave Thomas a pathetic wave.

"Yes, I certainly will see you tomorrow, Thomas." Chloe waved as she batted her long eyelashes.

"Come on, Chloe, we better hurry off to bed," Roxy said in a sharp tone as she yanked Chloe's arm.

"She's right Chloe," Riley said, pushing Chloe in the back.

Roxy, followed by Chloe, Riley, and Emily, traipsed up the stairs until they reached a door that read "FIRST YEARS" and opened it to reveal a cozy bedroom. There were seven beds, each with a trunk near the base. The four new first year girls were sitting on their beds when three other girls came up the stairs, two of who were chatting and giggling.

"Oh, hello, I'm Lavender," the one in front said.

"And I'm Parvati," said the girl behind Lavender.

Then, a girl with bushy, brown hair and buckteeth came from behind both of them.

"Honestly, do you two ever stop gossiping?" Then she turned to see four sets of eyes looking at her. "Oh, sorry, I'm Hermione."

"I'm Roxy and this is Riley, Chloe, and Emily," Roxy said sleepily.

Everybody settled down and soon they were all asleep, except Roxy. She sat by the window writing to her parents.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Hogwarts is fascinating! I'm in Gryffindor! The Sorting Hat almost put me in Ravenclaw, but I kept thinking Gryffindor and then the hat said I had the true heart of a Gryffindor. Riley and Thomas are both in Gryffindor too. There are six other people in my dormitory: Riley, Chloe, Emily, Lavender, Parvati, and Hermione. They seem very nice. But I have a serious question. If you two are a witch and wizard, why don't you have Wizarding jobs? You know, like with the Ministry of Magic. I guess what I really want to know is why didn't you tell me for so long that I was a witch? All right, I'm going to send this with Cassidy, so this can get to you quickly. Love you both!

Love always, Roxy

Roxy rolled the piece of parchment into a tight scroll and got out of bed, still in her light blue robe and slippers. She crept out of the room carefully and made her way down the spiraling stairs. The common room was quiet and peaceful. Nobody was in it and the fire was slowly dying, giving the room a faint orange tint. Roxy walked slowly over to the portrait that had let them in before and was just about to go through when a voice came from a dark corner.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Roxy turned sharply to the corner and squinted, but all she could see was an outline of a person. "Whoa! Who's that?"

Thomas came out of the corner, laughing. "Don't panic, it's just me. I wasn't very tired."

"Don't scare me like that! I was just going to send this letter home with Cassidy," Roxy said, loosening the tension built up in her shoulders.

"I'll go with you. Even if it's after hours," Thomas added with a devious expression on his face.

"It's not like we're doing anything wrong. We're just sending a letter," Roxy commented as they walked out of the portrait hole.

The lady in the pink dress snorted abruptly as they walked out.

"Lovely," Thomas snickered as he looked back at the sleeping portrait. They walked quietly until they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Thomas, I just thought of something: where's the Owlery?"

"Wait, I think I remember. It's one of the towers, come on, let's just walk around a bit. I'm sure we'll find it."

"All right." Roxy raised her eyebrow at him. "But, I swear, if you get us in trouble, you'll never hear the end of it."

They walked in silence, wandering around for at least a half hour before they heard a faint whoosh of feathers.

"Finally! It's got to be just up these stairs," Roxy said, fiddling with the scroll of parchment in her hand.

They climbed the many stairs and came out in a tall circular room full of hundreds of owls. Many were flying in and out through openings in the wall, windows with no glass. Roxy glanced around and spotted Cassidy perched near by. She motioned for the owl to come down and it obediently did so, landing gracefully on Roxy's arm. "Take this home to mum," Roxy told Cassidy as she tied the parchment to the owl's outstretched leg.

Roxy walked over to one of the windows and, with Cassidy perched on it, held her arm out. Cassidy spread her large, stunning wings and took flight into the dark sky.

She grinned as they turned and walked out of the door. "Now, the real challenge. Can we can find our way back to the Gryffindor tower?" As they reached the bottom of the staircase, a meow came from their right side and then the sound of quick, soft footsteps filled the air as a cat swiftly ran away.

Thomas yanked Roxy out of the doorway before she could say anything. "Oh no, that was Mrs. Norris. She's getting Filch. Come on, the Charms classroom is around here somewhere. Here, I think it's this one."

Thomas opened the door and shoved Roxy in without looking first, and then he backed in quickly shutting the door. Suddenly there was a large crash as Thomas fell backwards over Roxy's leg.

"Thomas, I haven't been at Hogwarts long, but I don't think they teach magic in closets," Roxy said sarcastically, smirking.

Roxy was backed against the side wall and Thomas was on the floor against the other wall.

"Give me a break. It's not like I've memorized the school's layout. I just thought it was around here. Come on let's get out of -- " Roxy's hand came swiftly over his mouth.

"Where are they, my sweet? They think they can get away from us. You stay here and I'll check the surroundings."

Filch's voice filled the air and then he slowly walked away. Roxy held her finger to his mouth to silently tell Thomas to be quiet. She bent down and looked under the door.

"Damn!" she whispered right before she flung her hand up over her mouth, her eyes widening. Roxy pulled back and sat next to Thomas. "The cat is pacing in the hall and the guy is near by, so we have no chance. I told you we'd get in trouble," Roxy said in a low, irritated voice.

"Calm down. We're in a closet, in the middle of the night, on the first night at Hogwarts, and Filch is practically right outside the door. What could you possibly be worried about?" Thomas remarked sardonically.

"Who are Filch and Mrs. Norris?" Roxy said leaning her head back.

"Filch is the caretaker of Hogwarts. My brother was constantly getting in trouble, because he kept getting caught by Filch late at night. That's how I learned that it's best to dive into a near by room when he's around. My brother told me stories about when he was out at night with a girl, he would intentionally draw Filch or Mrs. Norris towards them by knocking something down. And he'd drag her into the nearest door, which he usually made sure was a closet, so he could be near her," Thomas instantly stopped talking and started to blush red. "I swear, I really thought this was the Charms classroom."

Roxy grinned. "Don't worry, I believe you. So, I take it Mrs. Norris is the cat?"

"Yes, it's really weird. It's like Mrs. Norris and Filch can understand each other. Mrs. Norris is basically his spy," Thomas said.

Twenty minutes passed before Filch returned to Mrs. Norris.

"Gone! Next time, we'll get 'em next time," Filch stomped off angrily with Mrs. Norris at his heels.

She peered under the door again. "Okay, I think it's safe. Let's make a run for it."

Thomas stood up and carefully pushed the door open. After looking both directions, he reached behind him and grabbed Roxy's wrist. In a moment Thomas was carefully and quickly dragging Roxy through corridors and up staircases. Soon they were gasping for air in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Caput Draconis," Roxy wheezed amidst gales of laughter.

The portrait swung open, despite the Fat Lady's grumbles, and they stumbled through to the empty common room.

"I wonder what Filch thought when we knocked that suit of armor over? I'm sure he was there in a flash," Thomas fell onto the couch in front of the fireplace, followed shortly by Roxy.

"Who knew how fun it was to be so deceitful?" Roxy said, wrapping her arms around her bent legs and facing him on the couch.

That night Thomas and Roxy sat talking for about an hour before they drifted asleep on the couch.

The next morning Roxy awoke suddenly, sitting up on the couch and looking around the common room. Nobody was there: they'd all gone to breakfast.

"I can't believe Thomas and Riley left me here," Roxy said hazily.

She stood up and dragged herself upstairs to her dormitory. When she opened the door, a cold mist fell over her. She could barely make out the outline of a person sitting cross-legged on her bed.

"Riley? What the hell happened here?" Roxy said as she stepped closer, squinting her eyes. "Stop playing around! You're really freaking me out!"

As she tried to reach her hand out, she was thrust to the floor by an unseen force. The mist, the person, and everything else were swirling into a vast darkness. As fast as the scene had disappeared, another one was reappearing. A face came into view. It was a kind, loving face and there was a warm fire and a squashy, red couch.

Thomas's face came into view; he was vigorously shaking Roxy by her shoulders. "Roxy! Wake up! Are you okay?"

"Where did she... he... or whoever it was go?" Roxy said as she glanced about the common room.

"Who?" Thomas said as he pulled Roxy into a sitting position.

Roxy now fully comprehended where she was. The fire was now only smoldering ashes and nobody was in the common room.

"What time is it?" Roxy said, ignoring Thomas' question.

"It's about six in the morning. We fell asleep on the couch. You were talking and shivering and you were reaching for something," Thomas said as concern filled his face and eyes.

Roxy stood up, a little too quick, and ran up the steps to her dormitory. The door flung open and she stumbled past it. Everybody was in their right places. They were all sleeping peacefully...well, the crude noises from Riley weren't exactly peaceful.

Roxy hung her head, feeling defeated by the dream that has, for the second time, perplexed her. She slowly walked down the spiraling stairs as if marching in a funeral. When she finally reached the bottom, Thomas could be seen yawning and stretching on the large red couch.

"Could you sanely tell me what that was all about?" Thomas said as sarcastic as he could that early in the morning.

"It's this stupid dream. Every time I have it, I wake up where I fell asleep. There's never anybody around when I wake up. Then I'll go somewhere, like I usually do. In the first dream I went down to the bar of The Leaky Cauldron, then out to Diagon Alley, and this time I went up to my dormitory. Then there's always a cold mist everywhere and I can barely see. And there's a person, I can never see their face, it's just an outline. But, before I can see the person, I'm always yanked out of my dream."

Roxy ended her desperate rambling by placing her elbows on her knees, burying her face in her hands, and exhaling deeply. A few moments of silence passed. When Roxy finally looked up, Thomas was staring into the fireplace and appeared to be thinking very hard.

"I'm not an expert, but dreams usually mean something, especially in the Wizarding World," he said with a slightly distressed tone. He quickly changed the subject. "Come on, it's about six thirty now, we can go to breakfast."

Roxy and Thomas dragged their feet down the many stairs and through endless corridors. Along the way, many wrong turns were made, courtesy of portraits that apparently enjoyed hoodwinking first years when they asked for directions. At last, they asked an elder lady who was kind enough to tell them that the Great Hall was just around the corner.

There was a very little amount of people in the Great Hall. There were only a few people at each table eating breakfast and some teachers who were either eating or pacing up and down the aisles.

* * *

Nearly a half hour later, Riley, Chloe, Emily, and Spencer were walking into the Great Hall, looking rather weary. Riley spotted Roxy and Thomas first and ran over to them. The others took their time to reach the Gryffindor table.

"I heard that we get our schedules today!" Riley said as she sat across from Roxy and Thomas.

"Hello to you too," Roxy said sarcastically. "Who said we get our schedules?"

"Some Hufflepuff was saying it when we passed them on the stairs," Riley said grabbing the nearest parcel of food.

"Good morning all!" Chloe said brightly, locking her eyes on Thomas.

A few people mumbled "good morning", but most were engaged with their breakfast. It was a feast to Roxy. There was bacon, eggs, and endless delicious foods to eat - for they never ran out.

The Great Hall filled quickly with students and teachers over the next half hour. When the hall seemed to be approaching its maximum capacity, a sudden swishing noise came from high above. The fluttering of wings announced the arrival of mail.

"Oh, my brother told me about this when I asked when he'd get my owls. All the owls deliver the post during breakfast," Thomas said, scanning the blur of feathers for his owl.

A glint of crystal blue caught Roxy's eye, as it did a mere month ago in Eeylop's. Cassidy swooped down, dropped a letter in Roxy's lap, and flew away gracefully, but not before snatching a small piece of crust from Roxy's toast.

Roxy picked the letter up curiously and tore the parchment open to read:

Roxy,

Have you gotten your schedules yet? Or taken any classes? Tell me how your first day is, if you can. I'm glad you have friends in Gryffindor. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time at Hogwarts. I'm sorry that we didn't tell you earlier about the Wizarding World. When I found out that I was pregnant with you, certain events were happening in our world that I didn't want you involved in. So, I cut off all contact with magic. By the time I found out that it was safe enough to return, your father and I had steady jobs and we were settled in a very Muggle-like lifestyle. We decided that it was better to stay. I must say, I don't know why we were so worried. The event didn't really apply to purebloods, and I'm proud to say that our family is pureblood. Your father and I were just married and we were young and scared. I love you so much. Write often!

Love, Mum

When Roxy looked up, teachers were seen passing out parchment.

"I bet those are our schedules!" Riley said while leaning back to see around the other students.

Soon enough, Professor McGonagall came to where Roxy and the others were seated. She asked each of the students for their names and proceeded handing them pieces of parchment.

"Oh, look, we've got History of Magic first today. How exciting. And it's with the Ravenclaws too," Riley said in a sarcastic voice, tapping her finger on the schedule. Thomas glanced around at the dwindling amount of students in the Great Hall. "Well, let's go. It looks like everyone else is leaving already. And I don't think any of us really know how to get there."

Roxy, Thomas, and Riley left the Great Hall, followed distantly by Chloe and Emily.

"Oh, great, first year Slytherins are close behind," Riley said, rolling her eyes disdainfully at the sniggering group.

"Just ignore them. They're a bunch of jerks, right, Riley?" Roxy said, prodding Riley to move on.

As they proceeded up the steps, the Slytherins were getting closer. A boy with white-blonde hair was prancing up the stairs backwards. He was showing off undoubtedly.

"Look at me! I'm Potter!"

He made a stupid face as he strutted backwards. With one foul swoop, his arm came slamming into Roxy's back, knocking her to the floor and apparently irritating the boy. Thomas was quick to help Roxy to her feet, and Riley gripped her wand and cursed at the boy through gritted teeth.

"Watch it, Mudblood! You should get out of the way when a Malfoy is coming!" he said, staring scornfully at Roxy.

"She's not a Mudblood! Maybe you should watch where you're going!" Thomas snarled, stepping toward him.

"Oh, look, she's got herself a little boyfriend now, does she?" he laughed, pushing forward. Thomas reached roughly out and grabbed Malfoy's shoulder. "Get your hands off me!"

"Apologize!" Thomas sneered.

"Malfoys don't apologize to lower class...or upper class for that matter," he sniggered.

" 'Lower class' my arse!" Thomas quickly leapt toward Malfoy, but Roxy was able to grab his elbow and pull him back before his thrashing fists could reach Malfoy's face.

"Come on, Thomas! He's not worth a second thought," Riley said, stepping slightly toward Malfoy as he continued with his pack of Slytherins.

"Well, who the hell does he think he is?" he yelled toward the now distant Malfoy.

"Who the hell does he think he is? Draco Malfoy, that's who," Riley said distastefully.

"Bloody Malfoys! They're all pricks!" he snapped, straightening his robes.

"Come on, Thomas. Forget him, let's get to class," Roxy said tearing her eyes away from the corner Malfoy had turned.

As the day carried on, Roxy experienced her first, wonderful day at Hogwarts. First it was History of Magic with the Ravenclaws and then, after a break, it was Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. After lunch, they continued to their last class of the day: Charms.

Roxy had endured her first day at Hogwarts. She suffered through meeting Malfoy and tolerated listening to Professor Binns drone on and on in History of Magic. Roxy was more than happy to curl up under the covers of her bed and sleep most peacefully.