The Life of Portia Boyd

Chapter four.

The sorting.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Portia smiled, it was over; she had been put into a respected house. Ravenclaw was the house her mother was in; her mother was a kind and caring person so maybe Portia would end up like her too.

Portia waited until the hat had been lifted off her head fully before she got up from her stool. She walked quickly to the Ravenclaw table where Anthony Arch had been sent a few minutes earlier. She sat down and looked back at the sorting hat. She began to remember exactly what it had said. 'She had plans already'. She felt quite happy about that; the reason the sorting hat had put her into Ravenclaw was because she had blank spaces in her plans. Did this mean that Ravenclaw would help her with her plans?

"Evans, Lily."

Portia moved her eyes to the redhead from the boat. Lily Evans, what a nice name. It was so pain, but at the same time intriguing. Portia was impressed; not many names did that to her. The girl called Lily walked quite slowly to the stool and sat on it. She looked like a bag of nerves; obviously she didn't know what was going on. Then it hit Portia in a second; Lily was a muggle-born. It made sense, there might not have been much evidence but it made sense. Portia didn't move her eyes from Lily's face. She watched Lily's eyes look up to the hat being placed on her head and then look at the crowd in front of her. She then scowled at something, or someone. Portia glanced at the crowd to see James looking in Lily's direction, and then she looked back at Lily to see her looking in James's direction. What was going on? Whatever it was Lily's face was turning angrier by the minute, until she glanced up to the hat and grinned. She looked so pretty when she grinned, it was nice to see her smile. Then a few seconds later the sorting hat yelled;

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Lily's grin turned into a smile. She jumped off the stool when the hat was taken away and she casually strolled to the Gryffindor table. Portia smiled cheerfully and returned to look at James who was watching Lily stroll. Portia was wishing she could see James's expression, but try as she may she couldn't see round his hair; it stuck out too much. Portia began to daydream, she couldn't think of anything else to do. This was quite boring and since she had no further part in this she decided to turn off for a few minutes until it was Sofia's and Katie's turn to be sorted. However since their names began with R and T they were bound to be one of the last people mentioned. Portia rested her chin in her hands and sighed; she was in Ravenclaw.

"Lupin, Remus."

Portia jumped and sat up straight, the woman's voice had become louder than before. And she had a good reason; around the Great hall Portia could see some students with their eyes closed or with their heads on their plates or whispering quietly to their neighbour. It was rather rude, but Portia had just been doing the same so she wasn't going to judge anyone.

She glanced around the Hall again and saw some more people at the tables. At least one person had joined each table, making one on the Slytherin table, two for Hufflepuff and three for both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Portia looked at the new-comer on her table; it was a girl. She was looking up at the ceiling with her head facing Portia. The girl had blonde hair which just touched her shoulders. Her hair was looking a bit dirty, like it had seen better days. Portia turned to see a boy on the stool; he had brown hair (that was quite long for a boy.) He was frowning; the hat must have been insulting him and he wasn't prepared to accept its apology. However a few seconds later he smiled slightly and the hat shouted;

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Portia smiled and forced her gaze on to Katie and Sofia. Both of them were watching the boy walk to the Gryffindor table, and then they turned their gaze to the sorting hat. Portia decided to watch the sorting again, in case she missed Katie's and Sofia's turn.

She watched Sarah Major sorted into Hufflepuff, Margaret McKinnon, Jeanie and Ruby Mitchell sorted into Gryffindor, Faith Moon into Ravenclaw, Natasha Nott sorted into Slytherin, Peter Pettigrew and James Potter sorted into Gryffindor. Portia grinned at James as he walked to the Gryffindor table and took a seat next to Sirius. James glanced her way and grinned back but quickly looked at the sorting hat. Then Jack Prewitt was sorted into Hufflepuff, before...

"Ray, Sofia."

Portia nearly fell backwards; it was Sofia's turn to be sorted. She sat her whole body round and faced Sofia and gave her as much encouragement as her face could let her give. Sofia was walking very slowly up to the stool while looking at her feet. She sat herself down on the stool still looking at the floor. The woman placed the sorting hat on her head and Sofia's face instantly lit up. She began to smile, Portia was thankful to the hat because whatever it was doing it was making Sofia's life a little better. Sofia was scanning the room for some reason when her eyes locked on to Portia's face. Portia smiled back hoping not to look worried for Sofia. Then Sofia bit her lip and suddenly the hat yelled;

"RAVENCLAW!"

Sofia's eyes widened as the hat shouted out her house. She didn't even wait for the hat to be taken off her head before she jumped off the stool. The woman backed up a bit when she jumped and reached forward to take the hat. Sofia didn't think twice before walking to Portia.

Portia was smiling more than ever; she was with her friend. She moved up allowing Sofia to sit next to her without being squashed.

Sofia sat down and grinned. "It told me I had a great sense of humour."

"Who did?"

"That hat, it said I had a great sense of humour because I was thinking some stuff and it was listening; he said it was funny and that he had never met someone so witty to come up with them."

Portia looked at Sofia with an amazed look on her face; had the hat put Sofia into Ravenclaw because she could come up with jokes? "I thought that you had to be clever to be in Ravenclaw."

She knew from past experiences with Sofia that sometimes she wasn't a clever person. It was strange, but Portia managed to put it aside and congratulate her friend. Then another name was called out.....

"Riding, Dawn."

A girl with dull blonde hair walked up to the stool. She was seated and the hat was placed on her head. The hat hadn't been on for more than a few minutes when the hat shouted...

"RAVENCLAW!"

Portia looked to Katie who was watching the stool; her head wasn't turning around. Portia wanted Katie to turn around so much that she was more than willing to go up to her and pinch her side lightly. But Portia knew better to embarrass herself and Katie just because Katie wouldn't turn around.

"Sights, Brian."

About thirty seconds later he was put into Ravenclaw. "This house seems quite popular," thought Portia.

"Snape, Severus."

Portia moved her glance to the boy from the train. He was looking quite calm and casual unlike the fellow students who had been before him. He placed himself on the stool and waited for the hat to be put on his head. Portia glanced back to Sofia who was looking around the hall, stopping to look at either the ceiling or students. Portia followed her glances and then stayed still looking at the Gryffindor table. Sofia was looking at the Gryffindor table, but why? Then before Portia could actually say anything to Sofia the hat shouted...

"SLYTHERIN!"

Portia gasped, the boy was put into Slytherin; the most evil house in Hogwarts. Her mother had said (on countless occasions) that most people who had been in Slytherin had ended up using dark magic or trying to decide on how to rid the world of muggles. Sirius didn't like it either, obviously that was why. Portia knew if she was put into Slytherin she would want to get the first train home and never return Hogwarts for the rest of her life. But thankfully she was in Ravenclaw and so that meant she was safe from any Slytherins trying to destroy her life.

Sofia had now turned her attention to the stool and smiled.

"Taylor, Katie."

Both Portia and Sofia watched Katie walk up to the stool and sit on it, trying to get comfy. They watched the hat being put on her head and her face become expressionless. Everything Katie did Portia would observe. She tried not to look too nervous in case Katie would break down into fits of nervousness.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Portia took about one second to adjust what had been said, by that time Katie was already on her way over carrying a big grin on her face. Portia pushed Sofia up with her back and made room for Katie.

Samuel Thomas was sorted into Gryffindor before the woman took the hat and the stool and carried it out of the hall. There was silence before she returned back and said... "Students please welcome your new headmaster, Albus Dumbledore!"

The entire student body looked towards the Great hall doors to see a man strolling towards the woman. He was dressed in deep purple robes with his long beard strapped with a giant leather belt. His hair was greying and his looks were dying. However Portia saw beyond the looks of the middle-aged man and became a beholder of his personality. Portia had often heard through her family 'you can always see a person's personality by their smile." And how right her family were, because when Portia gazed at Professor Dumbledore's smile she saw a wizard full of experience and power, but also he was a wizard with kindness and a gentle nature.

Professor Dumbledore walked alongside the woman down to the table at the bottom of the hall behind where the sorting hat had been. He turned and his eyes scanned the hall. "Students of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, I thank you for your warm welcome. I have only been headmaster for about one day and I have had so much support from your parents and your professors. So may we applaud them?" Dumbledore began to clap his hands together allowing the student body to follow.

Many of the professors blushed or smiled shyly. The woman stood next to the new headmaster smiled and patted her bun a little.

"Also I would like to thank our new Deputy headmistress, the head of Gryffindor Professor McGonagall," he indicated to the woman at his side. "For taking up the position and organising the welcoming feast tonight." There was an eruption of applause from the Gryffindor table. The rest of the students applauded too, but it wasn't any were near the Gryffindors effort.

"The Gryffindor's obviously think McGonagall is going to go easy on them," began Katie. "I can't wait to see their disappointment."

"Now let the feast begin." Portia jumped as food appeared on her table. She noticed other Ravenclaw's gasp and jump as well.

"The house elves always bring the food up to us, this has never happened before," said an older Ravenclaw student.

Portia studied the table. There was nearly every kind of food available. There were salads, chicken legs, joints of beef and pork, mash potato, green beans and many more. Portia watched Katie's arm move slowly towards the salads and pick up a leaf of lettuce. "Do you think it's fit to eat?" asked Katie nervously.

"I think so," said Sofia reaching out for a chicken leg. "I mean the headmaster wouldn't really poison us, would he?"

Portia looked at the green beans in front of her. "Well, if I don't find out, I'll starve to death."

Katie nodded and bit into the leaf of lettuce. She chewed on it before swallowing and waited for a few seconds. "Well it tastes alright."

Sofia smiled and bite into her chicken leg. "Oh my god, Katie you're absolutely wrong." Both Katie and Portia looked at Sofia shocked. "This food is more than alright, it's absolutely fantastic."

Portia ate some green beans and helped herself to a ham and mustard sandwich. Sofia was right, the food was delicious. It was so much better than the food she received at home. She glanced over at Dumbledore and smiled. She was so happy to have such a caring headmaster; maybe Hogwarts wasn't going to be so bad after all.

Then she heard some laughing coming from the Gryffindor table. Portia turned her head and saw James, Sirius and another boy looking at Dumbledore and laughing. Portia started to get a bad feeling. What if Sirius and James were planning to play a joke on the new headmaster? Well even if they did, it wasn't any of her business. But yet Portia did feel like she wanted to tell someone.

"Portia will you stop looking at Sirius," said Katie smiling. "He might get the wrong impression."

"What do you mean? I'm only looking."

"Oh yeah?" laughed Katie. "Well some people would call that being nosey."

Portia looked away from the boys and looked at her plate. "I was only looking," she mumbled.

"Yeah well you know what they say Portia?" came Sofia's voice. Portia looked up at Sofia and shook her head. "Curiosity killed the cat."

"Or in our case, curiosity killed the hippogriff."

Sofia looked puzzled. "What in the world is a Hippogriff?"

While Katie explained about magical creatures and while Sofia remained confused, Portia continued her dinner trying to catch a glimpse at the two jokers without Katie catching her.

"Before we all toddle off to our dormitories, I have a few notices," began Professor Dumbledore. "For first years, the Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden for any student in this school. No magic is allowed in the corridors or dormitories at any time and Mr. Filch our caretaker has asked me to remind all students that nobody is allowed in the corridors after curfew which is nine o'clock." He smiled and looked around the hall. "And now for a new notice; this summer a Whomping Willow has been planted in the school grounds as a welcoming present for me. Though it looks beautiful sometimes, it can be very deadly. Please listen to my warning and stay away from it no matter how much it looks nice to touch because remember, appearances can be deceiving."

There was a mummer through the hall. Katie looked confused. "Why would anyone plant a Whomping willow in the school grounds?" she whispered.

"Okay students, you are dismissed to your dormitories. Good night sleep tight, I hope the bed bugs don't bite."

There was a sudden round of applause. Portia, Katie and Sofia were clapping as hard as possible. Dumbledore was a perfect headmaster. Dumbledore bowed and smiled gently. "Prefects lead the first years to their common rooms if you please."

"Ravenclaw first years follow me!" commanded a boy with black hair. "Come on quickly." Katie looked at the prefect in disgust. "I wouldn't mind kicking him in the..."

"Mouth?" suggested Sofia innocently.

Katie smiled evilly. "There and many other places."

"Well not now," said Portia. "Maybe tomorrow." The girls giggled before being interrupted by the prefect.

"If you don't mind, I would like to get to my dorm before curfew." Katie studied the prefect carefully. "Is there a problem miss...?"

"Taylor, Katie Taylor and no there isn't a problem at all Mr...?"

"There is no need for you to know my name Miss Taylor, now if you don't mind I want you to move." The boy walked off with the other Ravenclaw first years. The girls followed slowly, suffering from silent giggles.

The prefect led them up some stairs while saying, "Keep your eyes on the stairs, they like to change," or "Please ask all questions when we reach the common room!" Portia looked at the paintings on the walls. They all smiled back and welcomed her to Hogwarts. One portrait of a young girl blew kisses to the boys including the prefect and shouted, "Come to me my lovers, I will make zee sun on all your lives forever."

They walked down to the bottom of some stairs and turned to their right to a corridor lit up by candles. Portia glanced at the Slytherin's turning to their left and walking down a dark corridor of stairs. Then Portia felt a slight pinch in her arm and turned to look at Sofia. "Stop being nosey!" said Sofia trying to be serious. "I don't want you walking into a wall."

They came to a dead end where a portrait hung. The portrait was of a woman wearing a silk white robe and one shoe. "Password please."

"Enchanter encampment," said the prefect impatiently.

The woman bowed her head and the portrait swung open slowly. Portia saw the prefect tapping his fingers on his arm and scowling at the portrait. When the portrait was fully open the prefect stormed inside followed by the first years. Portia glanced around the room quickly. It was just how her mother had described it. A warm fireplace, comfy chairs with comfy cushions and a coffee table where Portia guessed she would be doing her homework. It was perfect.

"Right then, this is the Ravenclaw common room. This will be where you will spend most of your time out of lessons, unless you will be stupid and go against the rules. Boy's dorms are up the stairs on your right, girls dorms are up the stairs on your left. I hope you all have a nice night, 'cause I know I won't," and with that the prefect stormed off.

Portia raised her eyebrows and glanced at Katie and Sofia. "Why do you think he was so moody?"

"Because he was meeting his girlfriend," said Katie at once.

Portia smiled. "How do you know that?"

"Because that moody piece of cow skin is my brother," said Katie angrily.

Portia's mouth nearly hit the floor. "Since when did you have a brother?"

"I have two brothers actually," corrected Katie. "That moody one is called Jude and my eldest brother is called Callum."

"Jude is a funny name," stated Portia. "Oh my god sorry, that was so rude."

Katie grinned. "That isn't his real name, his real name is even worse."

Sofia smiled too. "I bet I know what it is." They began to walk up to the stairs.

"Go on then," challenged Katie. "Guess!"

Sofia grinned and thought for a minute. "Jacob?" Katie shook her head. "Oh ok, erm... Jonathan?" again Katie shook her head. She shook her head at all the guesses Sofia tried. It lasted until they got to their dorm. "Ok last go! Erm...Jackusyackus?"

Katie shook her head and laughed. "No but now I wish it was; that's a really funny name."

"But how come he didn't say hello to you Katie?" asked Portia suddenly.

"Because he doesn't want to be embarrassed, some purebloods are like that Portia."

There was about ten seconds of silence before...

"So what's his name?" asked Sofia.

"Are you always this persistent Sofia?" asked Katie grinning.

Sofia smiled cheekily and walked into their dorm to find their belongings waiting for them. "Oh it was nice of them to bring up our belongings."

They unpacked straight away and pulled on their nighties. "What do you think we'll have tomorrow?" asked Portia doing up the only button on her night dress.

"I don't know Portia," said Katie. "My brother Callum said that Potions is the worst lesson, so I hope we don't have that tomorrow."

"How old is Callum?" asked Sofia crawling into her bed.

Katie thought for a second. "I think he's about eighteen. Well he must be because he left Hogwarts last year and his birthday isn't until the second of November."

Portia slid into her bed slowly and stretched. "Well goodnight you two, have some nice dreams."

"Goodnight Portia," chanted Sofia and Katie together.

Portia rested her head on her pillow and closed her eyes. This was how she wanted her life to be, peaceful with a little hazard here and there. Her life needed to be simple, but Portia knew that could never be. The plans she needed to make were going to take a long time and the journey to make them wasn't going to be easy.

No the life of Portia Marie Boyd was not going to be easy, but Portia let her thoughts die away. She was only eleven; she had plenty of time.

Chapter five

Waking up with a muggleborn.

When Portia woke up, she nearly died of shock when she realised where she was. "It wasn't a dream; I'm here at Hogwarts!" She scanned the room to see if Sofia and Katie were awake. They weren't but from the noises Sofia was making you would have thought she was. She was talking in her sleep, about something bizarre as usual. Katie on the other hand was absolutely soundless. She wasn't snoring or talking or moving for that matter. Portia had a quick idea to check if she was still alive, but Katie moved slightly showing she was alive.

Portia slowly crawled out of her bed and sat up, stretching her arms and legs. Her muscles were beginning to ache so Portia stood up and walked around on the spot. Portia was thankful nobody was watching her or she would have looked a right idiot. After her little ten centimetres stroll, Portia gathered her robes and started to get ready. She took extra care not to crease them; she didn't want to make a bad impression on her first day of school. Then she grabbed her brush and softly brushed through her hair trying not to create more knots than there were before. When she had finished getting ready she sat on her bed and watched Sofia and Katie until they awoke, which Portia guessed wouldn't be for another hour at least.

"Good Morning Hogwarts!" shouted Sofia as she jumped out of her bed. Portia watched Sofia as she jumped about the room stretching and dancing. "Good Morning Portia, did you sleep well?" Sofia added as her glance moved to Portia.

"Yes I did thanks for asking, did you?"

"Oh yes, I had the most amazing dream about. I was stuck in the most mysterious land and I couldn't get home." Portia raised her eyebrows; hadn't heard this somewhere before. "And you were in it (Sofia nodded to Portia) and you were in it (she then nodded to Katie who was glaring at Sofia) and you were...."

Portia began to laugh. "Who was?"

"Oh poopiedoddles there's only two of you."

Katie rolled off her bed and landed on the floor with half her face covered in her hair. "Yes there is, so it would help if you didn't scream at the top of your voice like that. And don't start quoting muggle films Sofia," warned Katie.

"Sorry," apologised Sofia quickly. "I forgot where I was, I usually do that at home to annoy my brother. I won't do it again."

Katie smiled slightly. "Its okay, I should really get up a lot earlier, and then I wouldn't have to be shocked by you." Katie looked at Portia and joined her in giggles. "Oh I must get ready."

"Yes that's a good idea," said Sofia with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Portia stopped giggling and sighed heavily. Sofia needed to learn to laugh at jokes other than her own. Sofia turned around and started grabbing her robes from her trunk and hid behind her curtain. Sofia was always one for privacy. Katie did the same except she strolled into the bathroom and didn't come out for at least half an hour. When she came out her eyes were sparkling with light shade of purple. "Do you think it looks alright?" she asked Portia and Sofia.

Sofia looked at Katie through her mirror and smiled. "That's a nice colour on your eyes, how long did it take for it to dry?"

Katie looked amused. "Its eye makeup, it doesn't need to dry, you just put it on." But when Sofia raised an eyebrow, Katie frowned. "It took ten minutes."

"Really? What is it you're using?" asked Sofia interested.

"Some new product that a witch brought out, I just thought I would give it a go."

"Whose is it?" asked Portia. She knew it wasn't Katie's in an instant, how would she have paid for it?

Katie smiled mischievously. "My mum's."