Chapter 3
Ally gripped the sides of the small boat tightly as it rocked side to side. Her stomach wobbled slightly and she stared straight ahead at the boats in front. The Hogwarts Express had arrived at the train station 15 minutes previously. Ally had gathered up her stuff and left the booth. The Malfoy boy had followed her out, but the two split ways afterwards. She had glanced behind her one last time to see him weave his way through the crowd.
Her gaze snapped to a pile of luggage. A couple wizards stood by it, casting spells over the suitcases, which would allow them to be transported up to their rooms. Ally walked over and plunked her suitcase and cat carrier in the pile. She gave a sharp nod to the two young wizards before trotting away to follow the crowd. “FIRST YEARS WITH ME!” A voice bellowed. Ally glanced up to see a half giant looming above a small crowd of first years. Ally smiled. Narcissa had told her about Hagrid. Ally walked over to join the crowd. Hagrid later led the first years down to a small harbor and onto a dozen small boats.
Ally soon found herself balancing on one of the said boats. She shared the boat with a another girl and boy. Ally had seen them trying to get on a boat with their friends, but the boat was to full, so they ended up on an extra boat with her. The girl had silver hair down to her shoulders and matching silver eyes. The boy on the other hand had red hair and blue eyes.
Up ahead lay a cloud of fog. Ally closed her eyes and inhaled as the boat passed through the fog. When she opened her eyes, Hogwarts had appeared before her. The tall towers, glowing lanterns, and majestic architecture captivated Ally. Her eyes rolled over the castle’s structure as she tried to take in every little detail. She had begged Narcissa to tell her all about hogwarts, and Narcissa had described the castle every time she asked. But her words did not compare to the beauty of the castle itself.
The boat suddenly jolted and Ally heard a splash behind her. She whirled around to see the red haired boy splashing around in the water. “Help!” He gurgled. Ally lunged to the side of the boat, as did the silver girl. Each girl grabbed one of the red haired boys arms. Together, they hauled him back onto the boat. The boy coughed for a second before settling back into his seat.
“Are you alright?” The silver girl asked. Her tone was velvety and shocked. The boy sputtered. “Y-Yeah. I’m fine. Thanks.” He glanced at Ally. “Thank you.” Ally nodded. “No problem.” The silver girl turned to look at her. “My name is Luna Lovegood.” She smiled. Ally smiled back. “Ally LeStrange.” Luna reached out a hand tentatively. Ally shook it. The boy had caught his breath. “Ron Weasley. And thanks, again.” Ally nodded. “Here.” Ally removed her cloak at wrapped it around Ron’s shoulders. Ron had removed his own cloak earlier, which now lay in a sopping heap at the bottom of the boat. The boat bumped against land. Ally turned to see the first years hopping out of their boats.
The three climbed out of the boat and joined the other first years as Hagrid led the way up a path. Ally forgot about her cloak as she hurried to keep up with everyone. Luna and Ron followed behind.
Many stairs later, the first years were standing inside Hogwarts, outside of the Great Hall. Hagrid handed the students off to an older woman and disappeared. The woman stood in front of the doors, holding a scroll. She wore a dark green cloak and hat. The woman stepped forward and gazed at the new students. Her eyes landed on Ron.
“Now that won’t do.” The woman murmured. The crowd split as she moved forward. Ally backed up next to Ron and Luna. The woman reached the trio and gracefully took out her wand. She murmured something Ally couldn’t quite make out. A second later, Ron was completely dry and it was as if he had never fallen into the lake.
The woman walked back to the front of the crowd and up the stairs. She turned to address the first years. “My name is Professor McGonagall.” The woman stated. “In a moment, you will pass through the doors and will be sorted into your houses. The houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.” The large doors swung open, and the Professor led the students inside.
Ally glanced around nervously at the giant room. The four long tables were filled with students in their second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh year. Each table represented a house. Ally took a deep breath. The students in front of her halted, as did Ally. She found herself still next to Ron and Luna.
The sorting began from there. The names blurred together as Ally anxiously waited for her own name to be called. A few names caught her attention though. The hall went up in a series of whispers when two particular names were called. Harry and Willow Potter. Son and daughter of the famous Lily and James Potter, the wizards that defeated the Dark Lord ten years ago. Harry was sorted into Griffindor, Willow into Hufflepuff. Ally noted the uncomfotable looks the twins gave each other as they were greeted by their separate houses.
Ron’s name was later called. He was sorted into Griffindor. Then came Luna. Ravenclaw. Finally, Ally heard her own name.
“Alliane LeStrange.” Ally stepped up fearlessly and sat down on the stool. Her fingers picked away nervously at her nail beds. Ally felt the Sorting Hat come to rest on her head. “Hmmm. LeStrange, huh?” The Sorting Hat inquired. “Indeed.” Ally murmured, half to herself. “You will do well in…….” The Sorting hat paused. It tilted as if looking around the Great Hall. It’s angle landed on Slytherin. “Yes. You will do well in Slytherin!” The Slytherin table cheered as Ally hoped down and walked over to her new house.
The boy from the train was sitting at the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy had been sorted into the house earlier. On his right was a boy with dark hair and even darker eyes. The seat on Draco’s left was empty. “This seat taken?” Ally asked Draco. She smirked. Draco’s mouth twitched with a smile. “No.”