Welcome to Hogwarts, Git!
Everlyn Whittle was a witch. She had dark brown wavy hair and amber-brown eyes. For the past 11 years of her life, she had been living with her parents in a small cottage in Tinworth. Everlyn was a half-blood, with her mother, Ophelia Whittle, being a pureblood witch and her father, Antero Whittle, being a muggle-born wizard. Everlyn had been aware of her magical abilities since she was young. She enjoyed making her toys move at her own accord, using them to tell imaginative stories. When her mother would take away a tin of her favourite biscuits, after only having one, she was always able to bring the tin back towards her. She was a mischievous child, and would often get scolded for her use of wandless magic. However, Everlyn also had a kind and noble heart. As a child, she would regularly play outside, yet one day she found an injured rabbit, with a limp leg, laying on its side. She attempted to heal it, by holding it believing that if she held it long enough, that would restore its health. Obviously, as an underage witch with limited abilities, she was unable to do so, and so she ran to her parents to ask for them to heal it. Afterwards, Everlyn spent weeks nursing it, and finally let it go after it had fully recovered. She was also highly curious. Always asking her father and mother, whether they could teach her about magic and let her hold their wands. Her mother, of course, objected to the idea, yet her father would sometimes show her a few incantations and allowed her to hold his wand. However, the one thing that Everyln would ever wish for, was an acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before bed, she would ask her parents, almost routinely, about their experiences at Hogwarts, and she would listen intently as they spoke until her light went out and she fell asleep.
However, little did Everlyn know, her wish was bound to come true very soon.
Summer-18th July 1938
Everlyn’s mother was in the kitchen, whipping up dinner, as her wand landed on each ingredient moving swiftly towards the large pot on the stove, while Everlyn’s father sat in the living room, reading the Daily Prophet. Everyln was as usual, in her room, and today she was tending to a potted flower that sat on her desk. She was attempting to make it grow. Suddenly, it grew tall by a few inches, and she excitedly decided to rush to the living room to show her father. “Look, Dad!” said Everlyn as she presented him with the pot. “Wow, that’s great Everlyn. Did you do that?” chuckled her father as he put down the Daily Prophet. “Yes, I did.” Said Everlyn proudly as she handed it to him. Her father was about to respond when the swooping sound of wings entered the living room. It was an owl, and it made loud coos as it flew. The owl landed promptly, on the window sill, holding a letter in its beak. Her father placed the pot on the table and approached the owl, as Everlyn watched intrigued. “Is that Nova with the post?” called Everlyn’s mother from the kitchen, referencing their own owl. Everlyn’s father plucked the letter from the owl’s beak and studied it. “It’s not Nova, and the letter it’s got is addressed to Everlyn!” He called to his wife in the kitchen. The tinkering sounds of ingredients being dropped into a pot stopped, and Everlyn’s mother rushed inside the living room. She looked up at her husband and then back at the letter, and then they proceeded to whisper to each other. Everlyn moved closer, trying to hear what they were saying. “What is it?” She asked curiously. Knowing smiles crept upon her parent’s faces. “It’s for you.” Said her father, as he handed her the envelope. Everlyn looked at the address, and sure enough, it had her name on it. She opened up the envelope, and unfolded the parchment that was inside,
Dear Miss Everlyn Whittle,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all the necessary books and equipment. The term begins on September 1st. We await your owl no later than July 31st.
Yours Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster
“I’m going to Hogwarts!” Shrieked Everlyn with excitement. She couldn’t believe it! The letter she had been waiting for since she was five! “Does this mean I can get a wand now?” She asked her parents eagerly. “Well, of course, especially since we now need to purchase school supplies.” Said her mother beaming. Everlyn hugged her parents and was now looking forward to September 1st more than ever.
September 1st 1938
Everlyn was standing at Platform 9 and ¾ next to her parents, clutching the trolley which held her trunk. She felt excited, yet slightly nervous. She had been wanting to go to Hogwarts, ever since her parents had told her about its existence, however, she felt anxious at the thought of being away from home. She shook her head and overcame that feeling, however, by focusing on trying to navigate the area. Her parents were busy talking to other adults, presumably their old friends from when they were at Hogwarts, as they appeared surprised and happy. Everlyn would occasionally hear the phrases, “Oh, a pleasure to see you here.” and “It’s been so long!” being exclaimed. Suddenly, the train whistled, and her parents excused themselves and made their way with Everlyn towards the loading area. A few older witches pointed their wands at the trolleys and started loading each student’s trunk into the train.
After Everlyn’s had been loaded, her parents looked down at her grinning. “Now, remember to write to us, Everlyn.” Her father smiled at her. “I will Dad.” Said Everlyn smiling back. “Be a good girl, and tell us about the house you’re sorted into. Also, pay attention in all your lessons.” Her mother said more seriously. “Of course, Mum” agreed Everlyn. There was a moment of silence. “Oh, but she’s just a girl, Antero!” Said her mother finally through stifled sobs, breaking her stern composure, and throwing her arms around Everlyn. “I know, I know Ophelia, but it’s her time now.” Said Everlyn’s father comfortingly. Everlyn brought her parents into an embrace. She was going to miss them, but she was also determined to make them proud at Hogwarts. “We will miss you.” Said her father. “Very much.” Added her mother. “I will miss you both,” Everlyn said. Suddenly, the train whistled again and Everlyn broke free. “Run along, dear.” Everlyn’s mother called. Everlyn ran towards the Hogwarts Express and turned back to grin at her parents for the last time. She got onto the train, and after it made its final whistle, Everlyn waved back at her parents. She was leaving.
After Everlyn got onto the train, she decided to look for a compartment. Walking past many of them, they already appeared full of chattering students. She continued to walk until she spotted an empty one. Sliding the door open, she took a seat next to the window and breathed in. She had wanted to talk to others, but they already seemed to be comfortable in their own small groups. She looked outside and then opened her book bag. She pulled out her, “Potions for First Years” textbook, and began to read it out of curiosity. She opened a chapter entitled, “A Cure for Boils”, and looked at the illustration next to it. It depicted a wizard, extremely disfigured, with large, swelling, red welts covering his body. The expression on the wizard’s face looked quite uncomfortable and awkward, but that just made Everlyn let out a laugh. The wizard in the illustration crossed his arms angrily as if to prove his disapproval of the situation. “Sorry.” Said Everlyn through muffled chuckles.
She was then interrupted in her reading, by the lady pushing the trolley. “Anything off the trolley, dear?” She asked. “Um, one second.” Said Everlyn while rummaging around her book bag for some money. “It’s fine dear, you can always find me outside the compartments.” The lady continued to push the trolley further down the aisle. Everlyn looked around for her money. “Uh, where is it?” She muttered. She looked under her seat and finally noticed her wallet on the ground. It had fallen from her book bag. She picked it up and slid her compartment door open. Everlyn was feeling peckish, seeing as all her mother had fed her before the trip was a vegetable stew which she hadn’t really touched. She made her way towards the trolley witch who was talking to someone in a compartment. “Anything off the trolley, dear?” She asked again. “No.” said a boy’s voice gruffly. “All right then.” The trolley witch said pushing it forward. Everlyn hurried to her, and the witch saw her, “Ah, what would you like?”. “A pumpkin pasty, please.” She replied. “Of course, that’ll be a sickle.” Said the witch. Everlyn placed the sickle in her hand, thanked her and turned on her heel.
However, as she was about to leave, she noticed the compartment she was standing next to. It was empty, apart from a boy who sat near the window on the edge of the seat. He had dark hair which was slicked back as well dark eyes. Everlyn noticed he was wearing plain robes, meaning that he was a first year, like her. She looked down at her pumpkin pasty, thinking “What if I shared this with him? Maybe, we could talk.” She had felt a little intimidated to talk to the other students because they had sat in large groups in their compartments. She didn’t want to interrupt or disturb them. However, this boy seemed harmless and he was sitting alone. She felt a sudden surge of confidence and slid the door open, taking a seat. The boy’s eye twitched, and Everlyn could tell he was slightly surprised. “My name is Everlyn Whittle and I’m also a first year.” She said extending her hand and smiling. The boy, however, did not respond to the gesture. He appeared annoyed. “What do you want?” He huffed. Everlyn was taken off-guard by his response. “Well, um, I just wanted to introduce myself. My parents say it’s good to talk to others. I figured we could share this.” She said pointing at the pumpkin pasty. “As if I would want to share with you.” He said stubbornly. He took out his wand from his robes and used it to snatch the pumpkin pasty out of her hand. “Hey-!” but before she could protest, he had thrown it to the ground. A smirk formed on his face; he was satisfied. He looked up at her, expecting her to cry, but instead, rage spread onto Everlyn’s face. “Urgh, how dare you?” She scoffed. “Why did I even bother!” She got up and stormed out of the compartment.
She wasn’t angry, she was fuming. She hurried back to her compartment, but once she got there, she saw a girl with mid-length blonde locks sitting in her seat. The girl noticed her enter and took note of her angry expression. “I-I’m sorry. I thought this compartment was empty”. The girl said. “Um, it’s all right. You can stay.” Said Everlyn trying to appear calmer. Everlyn sat down across from the girl and tried to distract herself by looking out the window. “Are you okay?” questioned the girl. “I-I’m fine. I just had a run-in with someone. He was horribly rude,” Everlyn uttered. “Oh. That sounds unpleasant. I was sitting next to this other girl, but her friend came in and they began talking. It was like I wasn’t even there. So, I tried to look for an empty compartment to sit in for the rest of the ride.” She said, “By the way, my name is Ivy, Ivy Alstone.” “Everlyn Whittle” Everlyn responded. “Do you know anything about Hogwarts?” Ivy asked. “Yes, my parents told me all about it. Why?” Everlyn asked. “My parents aren’t really magic. They didn’t know the school existed until the letter came.” “Oh, so you’re a muggle-born witch?” Everlyn replied. “What’s that?” asked Ivy appearing confused. “A person with magical abilities born to people without magical abilities. My father is a muggle-born too.” Everlyn explained. “Oh, then I guess I am a muggle-born.” Said Ivy smiling. Everlyn and Ivy continued to talk, as Everlyn told her more about Hogwarts and the houses, throughout the train ride.
A few hours later, the train had come to a halt. All the first-year students piled out of the train and were greeted by both Albus Dumbledore, the deputy headmaster, and Armstrong Diggory, the groundskeeper and herbology professor. “Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As some of you may know, it is tradition for the first years to undergo a special process. Unlike the other students, you will travel by boat in pairs to the castle and will attend the sorting ceremony where you will be sorted into your respective houses. This is my colleague, Professor Diggory, and I trust that he will do well in helping you reach the castle” announced Professor Dumbledore. The students watched fascinated as Dumbledore then apparated and disappeared into thin air. “All right, you all heard what Professor Dumbledore said, pick a partner, grab a boat and let’s go,” said Professor Diggory encouragingly. Ivy and Everlyn took a boat and watched as it moved elegantly across the lake and towards the castle.
Once they had reached the castle, Professor Diggory led them to the doors of the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore was already there and waiting for them. Professor Diggory then whispered something to Dumbledore, and Dumbledore nodded. “Now everyone, as soon as the doors open, you will follow me towards the other teachers and the sorting hat. When Headmaster Dippet announces the start of the ceremony, I will call out your names and the hat will place you in your house.” Ivy and Everlyn exchanged glances of wonder. Finally, the large doors to the Great Hall swung open, and Professor Dumbledore led them through.
The headmaster’s speech went on for long. So long, that Ivy made a joke that she might as well faint before she gets the chance to be sorted because she had been standing for too long. “And now for the sorting ceremony! There are four houses, Hufflepuff- Where kindness and loyalty lie, Gryffindor- for the brave and daring, Ravenclaw- of wit and intelligence and lastly Slytherin- where ambition and determination are valued most. Let us begin now.” Armando Dippet nodded to Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore then picked up the parchment with a long list of names and began reading “Naomi Howard”. A girl with long black hair stepped towards the sorting hat, and after a minute it bellowed, “Ravenclaw!”. The blue, silver and bronze table erupted into cheers, and the girl quickly made her way over to the students.
Everlyn was bursting with excitement. Her parents had told her that the sorting was the most important thing and that it would practically shape what her Hogwarts years would be like. They were both Hufflepuffs and told her that the spirit of the house was truly something. “Ivy Alstone” called Professor Dumbledore. Ivy quickly exchanged looks with Everlyn as she made her way to the sorting hat. Everlyn watched as Ivy sat down, and the hat was placed on her head. It spent a few minutes on her head, longer than some, but then it finally bellowed, “Gryffindor!” Ivy spotted Everlyn watching and grinned as she walked over to the red and golden table which congratulated her. “Tom Riddle”. Everlyn watched in surprise as she recognized the boy from the train. Her grin had turned into a scowl. He walked over to the sorting hat and sat down. “So, that was Tom Riddle.” She thought, “Git”. The hat sat on his head for a very short time and after just a few seconds, it announced, “Slytherin!” Everlyn was hardly surprised. She had heard many rumors about Slytherins being mean or even turning out to be evil sometimes. A few more students went ahead, when finally, Dumbledore called, “Everlyn Whittle”. Everlyn, nervously came forward and sat on the stool. The hat was placed onto her head, “Ahh, you’re a Whittle I see. Yes, you have the same kindness and loyalty. But oh, what’s that, I sense bravery, but also courage. You have talent… better be Gryffindor!” yelled the hat.
It felt like a dream, and Everlyn hurried to the red table, where Ivy was seated. When she sat down, the other Gryffindors congratulated her and shook her hands. The rest of the sorting ceremony went on, with each student gaining a seat at each of the four tables. At the end of the ceremony, Professor Dippet announced that students were to follow their house prefects to the common rooms. Ivy and Everlyn walked alongside each other. “It was brilliant!” gushed Ivy as she described the sorting all over again. “Yes, I’m glad I’m in the same house as you” agreed Everlyn.
Suddenly, Everlyn stopped in her tracks. She was taken aback by the moving portraits and looked at them in awe. There were so many of them, and the castle was just too grand to ignore. As she was admiring them, she found herself face-to-face with someone, she would rather not have. “You.” said Everlyn eyeing Tom. “What are you doing here?” He scoffed. Everlyn looked around for the group of Gryffindors and the perfect, but they were nowhere to be seen. She had gotten lost. “None of your business.” She muttered. “Well, in case you haven’t noticed, these are the Dungeons and this is where the Slytherin common room is. And you’re a Gryffindor” He snorted as if it was something humiliating. “I am actually proud to be a Gryffindor” she said through gritted teeth. “Whatever.” He said dismissively. Everlyn would have said something back but then she saw Ivy. “Come on, Everlyn! The perfect is looking for you.” Ivy pulled Everlyn’s arm forward as they walked back towards the group. Everlyn turned to look back and see if Riddle was still there, but he was gone.