Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Hogwarts, and Houses, and Friendships, Oh My!
Y/N Nott awoke early that September morning, stretching out her limbs and relishing in the cool breeze flowing in from her open window. Looking around her room, the room she had known all of her life, she couldn't help but feel a strong sense of anticipation for the adventure ahead of her, pushed down by the fear of change. Today was finally the day that she would attend Hogwarts. After years of begging and pleading to leave behind the frivolity of Beauxbatons, her father had finally conceded. Today was the day that she would start the next chapter of her life- her adventures at Hogwarts!
Merlin was she ever nervous. Would she make any friends? Would she be sorted into Slytherin, as so many generations of her family had been? These circulating questions gnawed at her mind as they had been for weeks prior to today. She took a deep breath, realizing how her chest had been heaving with nerves. She would be fine, she had to be. Her brother, Theo, would be with her every step of the way.
Having sufficiently calmed herself down, she climbed out of her dark oak four-poster bed, content with the way the smooth silk sheets brushed off of her skin. She stretched once more, reaching to the ceiling until she felt her back pop. Changing out of her pajamas, she opted to put on something more suitable to reflect the values of the house name. Opting for a pair of black dress pants and a white blouse, she then tidied her hair and ran a coat of mascara through her long lashes. Taking one final deep breath to steady herself, she made her way downstairs to greet her father and brother.
Mr. Nott sat at the head of the table sipping on a black coffee while leering at the daily prophet he held in one hand. Theodore sat across the table from him, nursing a coffee and picking at the plate of breakfast in front of him. Nott Sr's eyes flicked up from his paper to meet those of his darling daughter, his gaze shifting from that of distaste to affection.
"Ciao bella mia," he began, "are you excited for your first day of school?"
"Yes father, quite!" Y/N replied, heading over to her father to place a soft kiss on his cheek.
He looked from Y/N to Theo, lowering his gaze on the young man, "And you, Theo. You will help your sister on her first day?"
"Yes father." Theo said, annoyance riddling his voice.
"Good. Do not leave her side today."
That was the end of breakfast conversation. The rest of the meal was spent in silence, each person at the table sipping at their coffee and picking at their food until the house elves came to take away their plates.
"Y/N, we will be leaving for the train at 9:30 to ensure that we will have ample time. Your bags are packed?" Nott Sr said, looking at his daughter.
"Of course father," she started, "My trunks are packed, and the owl is prepared for travel."
"Good, good." He grabbed a cigarette from the beautifully engraved box in his pocket, bringing it to his mouth before lighting it with a wordless spell. Smoke plumed throughout the room while Theodore took this chance to light one for himself. His father didn't mind, or perhaps didn't care enough to say anything. Feeling nerves begin to settle in the bottom of her stomach, Y/N figured she could use something to distract herself, walking over to Theo, plucking the cigarette from between his fingers, and taking a long, calming draw of it before returning it back to him. He glared at her, but didn't say anything.
The youngest Nott made her way back to her room, deciding that since she had over an hour to kill, she would put on a bit more makeup, maybe choose a different hair style. By the time she had finished, it was around 9:15, and she knew it would be time to make her way downstairs to leave for the train station. Though her excitement was pulling her through, she couldn't ignore the pit forming in her stomach that convinced her everything was going to go wrong. No, she couldn't or wouldn't let anything ruin her day. She was going to make the most of her new experience, what could go wrong?
10:30 AM:
By the time the Notts had made their way to platform 9 3/4, it was already bustling with the chatter of excited students and weepy parents. Y/N grimaced- though she was thankful that her father was not as outwardly emotional as these other parents, a part of her wished that he would show some sadness at her leave. Now that it was about half hour until departure, the train was allowing boarding. The family house elves took her bags over to the storage compartment while she stood with her brother and father, awaiting instruction.
Nott Sr locked eyes with another prestigious family, the noble house of Malfoy. Y/N knew the Malfoys of course, their son, Draco, had been friends with Theodore for as long as she could remember. He had come to their home several times over the years, there were even a few times where she had gone to the Malfoy estate for various gatherings and parties. She quite liked Draco, he was a respectable young man and was quite kind to her. She especially liked Narcissa, his mother. During those hoity-toity pureblood meetings she was forced to attend, her and Narcissa often opted for tea parties and strolls around the gardens. She was a very kind, often motherly presence in the young girl's life, often making her think of her own late mother. She stroked her necklace solemnly, the only memory she had of her mother was that piece of jewelry. But she quickly brushed away these thoughts as the Malfoy family made their way over.
"Nott," Lucius exclaimed, "How are you my friend?"
Nott Sr clasped his hand around Lucius' extended one in a sign of companionship, "Quite well Lucius, quite well! Today we are seeing young Y/N off for her first year at Hogwarts, quite an exciting time for her I am sure!"
Narcissa popped out from behind her husband, arms extended awaiting the embrace of Y/N, who gladly rushed over to meet her hug.
"Oh look at you, so grown up now darling! 15 and heading off to Hogwarts, you must be thrilled!" Narcissa gushed.
"I am quite excited Mrs. Narcissa! I've wanted to attend Hogwarts for so long, this feels like a dream!"
The Malfoys and Nott Sr chuckled lightly, while Narcissa began again "Now my dear, I am sure you must be quite nervous. But fret not- you'll have Theodore and Draco to look after you!"
At the mention of his name, Draco moved from his spot by Theodore to give Y/N a warm smile and a hug, "And rest assured, Y/N, Theo and I will make sure that none of the wrong sort bother you."
There it was. The wrong sort. Growing up in a pure-blood family, one was exposed to a fair deal of prejudice. However, Y/N never quite understood the hatred of muggle-borns that her family seemed to hold. Despite not knowing much about muggle-borns and their ways of life, she was quite intrigued as to how anyone not raised around magic got through daily life.
"Thank you Draco, and you Narcissa!" Y/N smiled at the Malfoys.
At the sound of the train blasting its whistle, Nott Sr smiled down at his daughter. "Now bella mia, it is time for you to board the train. Stick with Draco and your brother, they will guide you. And remember," his eyes darkened slightly, "You must maintain the respect that the name Nott carries throughout those castle walls. Do not associate with anyone beneath you and your name."
Y/N gulped slightly, before nodding. Her father brought her into an embrace, and she said her farewells to he and the Malfoys.
Boarding the train, she felt a sense of freedom overtake that of her dread. Her adventures would finally begin today!