A Wonder

“Hi… would you mind?” Ryleigh asked and the blonde girl smiled at her. 

“Of course.” She said sweetly, her voice sounding almost aloof. She was pretty, with extremely long white blonde hair in messy waves and curls.

“I’m Luna.” The girl said as Ryleigh took her seat. 

“Ryleigh, nice to meet you.” 

“You as well.” Luna said, “first year?”

“Oh, yeah… you?” She asked. Luna nodded. 

“What house do you suppose you’ll be in?” Luna asked softly, “I think I’d like ravenclaw, my dad and mum were both, might be nice, but I rather think I’d be okay with any house.” She explained while twilling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger. “What house were your parents in?” 

“Oh, none.” Ryleigh said softly. “My mams a squib, and my dad… well I don’t really know anything about him. My grandad was in Slytherin when he was at Hogwarts and he says my grandma was Ravenclaw.” 

Luna hums in understanding. 

“My mums dead too.” She said abruptly, startling Ryleigh. “She died two years ago, some experiments gone wrong.” She explained further. 

“Oh… I’m so sorry,” Ryleigh said gently, “I uh, never met my grandmother, she died before I was born.. in the first wizarding war.” 

“Which side?” Luna asked unabashed. 

Ryleigh bristled slightly at the blunt questions. 

“Well I only ask because you said your grandad was a Slytherin and..”

“He’s not a death eater. Neither was she. They fought on the ‘good’ side…” Ryleigh huffed and crossed her arms over her chest as she slumped into her seat. 

“Oh I’ve upset you… I’m sorry, I had no intention—“ Luna said and stopped herself. 

Ryleigh looked over at her, her face as confused and innocent as it had been since she’d first entered the compartment. 

“It’s— it’s fine.” Ryleigh said, “I don’t know much about it so…”

They sat in the quiet for a long stagnant moment. 

“Do you want some sweets?” Luna offered as she pulled open her bag. 

Ryleighs lips upturned just slightly in a smirk. 

“I’ve never had wizards sweets before.” 

“My favorites are the explosive fairy dust packets. Here, try some.” 

Xx

Ryleigh and Luna had changed into their robes before arriving at the school, she’d made sure to fix her hair ever so slightly, making sure the unruly curls weren’t covering too much of her face before she and Luna exited the train onto the platform. A very tall and burly man stood on the platform with a lantern. 

“First years! Follow me!” He shouted and Luna followed, pausing only a moment to grab Ryleigh by the wrist as tug her along.  They followed the man to a dock in a large lake where they boarded small boats in groups of 4. 

Luna was busy watching the shore as they waited in the boat. 

“Do you see those?” She asked in her soft tone.

Ryleigh looked in the direction she was pointing and could only see the rocky shore of the lake and trees. 

“I don’t see anything…” Ryleigh responded.

“Curious.” Was Lunas only reply.

As soon as they were all in and seated the boats began to glide effortless across the water, no rowing or motors of any sort. Across the lake was what Ryleigh had to assume to be Hogwarts, a huge stone building, what looked to be a million windows all glowing with a warm light from them. She watched in wonder as they approached, the stars shimmering above them and the water glistening below. This was unlike anything she’d ever even hoped to see in her life. When they reached the other side of the lake the tall man helped out each student from their boat and directed them to a set of large doors that were hanging open, waiting for them.

Luna stayed close to her side as they walked in together, arms linked, seeking comfort in their new found friendship. She felt comfortable in Lunas presence, in her embrace, in a way that she was sure was encouraged only by the sheer terror she felt at the large looming building, giant staircases and overall overwhelming atmosphere. She could see Ginny up ahead at the front of the crowd, she could see a woman at the top of the stair case as they ascended. She was wearing a velvet emerald green robe and black pointed hat. 

“Welcome to Hogwarts. The rest of the school is gathered in the hall behind me. In a few moments you will join them, but, before you can take your seats you will need to be sorted into your houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. You will be able to earn points for you houses and loose them as consequences.” She explained.

Ryleigh watched her closely, she looked kind behind the stern image she’d pushed forward, and she looked nervous as she spoke, glancing down the halls every once in a while like she expected someone to come running. 

“Come along now.” She said and Ryleigh snapped back to focus. The woman led them into the great hall, candles floated and the ceiling looked like the sky. She looked around mouth agape with the other students, there were four long tables and another at the head of the room. Clearly the four houses and the staff, the ever famed Albus Dumbledore stood at a podium watching as they entered, he too looked more nervous than Ryleigh had been expecting. He was glancing over at the table housing the students with the red and yellow ties, clearly looking for someone. 

Without missing a beat McGonagall opened her list of students. 

“Raena Aberith” 

And a small brown haired girl walked forward nervously as McGonagall picked up the hat. She sat down on the stool and the hat was placed on her head. 

“Ahhh, yes…. I see…. HUFFLEPUFF” it shouted rather loudly and the girl smiled brightly before running off toward the Hufflepuff table who were clapping and shouting happily. 

Student after student were placed under the hat and given a house. Some taking longer than other of course, and some taking no time at all. 

“Luna Lovegood” McGonagall said aloud and Luna smiled at her before walking up to the hat.

She took her seat with an aloof smile and waited.

“Very intelligent, yes, and VERY creative. We’ll place you in… RAVENCLAW!” Luna smiled just slightly wider as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table. 

More and more kids went as Ryleigh waited patiently for the Ws. As the groups grew smaller and smaller Ginny moved closer to Ryleigh. 

“I’m a bit nervous.” She whispered. “Everyone in my family is a Gryffindor…” 

“Ryleigh Walsh” McGonagall called and she looked to Ginny wide eyed. 

“Go!” The girl whispered and shoved her. 

She walked up and took her seat, then McGonagall placed the hat on her head.

“Hm…” it said softly, deep in thought. “Quite the case we have hear. Full of chivalry this one. Quite resourceful as well…” it said and then went quite for a long time. 

She after what felt like an eternity of silence she was sure she’d broken it. The whole of the student body was watching with wide eyes as the hat struggled. 

“Cleaver and determined yes, but with courage and nerve…” it said finally breaking the silence only to go quiet again. 

She looked nervously at professor McGonagall who smiled at her assuredly. 

After another silent 3 minute the voice of the hat said very simply, “Gryffindor for you then.”

“A proper hat stall this one gave you!” Dumbledore commented gleefully from his chair. McGonagall took the hat from her head and the crowed Gryffindor table began cheering loudly as she made her way over, her cheeks flush with embarrassment over the time it took. 

“Ginny Weasley” McGonagall called and Ginny, the final student, made her way to the hat, after just a moment on her head the hat called out “Gryffindor!” Loudly and clearly. 

Following a moment later Ginny nearly slipped her way over to sit next to Ryleigh and leaned in to talk to a few other red headed boys who had cheered extra loud. 
“Welcome students” he said as soon as they had gathered at the head of the room. “Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor Dumbledore head master and avid ten pin bowler. I would like to introduce you all to this years Defense against the Dark arts professor, Gilderoy Lockhart.” The students clapped loudly at this and Ryleigh looked the man up and down with a raised eyebrow. He was blonde with a smug smile and she did not appreciate his attitude after one second, let alone longer than…

“Nice on you Ginny.” One of a pair of twins said. 

“George, Fred, this is Ryleigh.” Ginny introduced, “these are a few of my older brother. I’ve got a ton. Fred and George are twins, Ron’s supposed to be here but he isn’t of course—“ she said. 

A brunette girl a couple seats down scoffed and join with, “probably off running around with Harry getting themselves in loads of trouble on the very first day.” 

She leaned over and stuck a hand out to shake Ryleighs, “I’m Hermione Granger pleasure.”

“Ryleigh Walsh, it’s nice to meet all of you..”

“That’s my other brother Percy. He’s a prefect…” Ginny said with an eye roll. 

“So, Ryleigh. Sure took a long time for the hat to place you.” Said Fred.

“A right proper hat stall.” Added George.

“I suppose…” she said. She decided not to say anything more about it, instead watching as one of the teacher filed out of the room in a hurry. He’d had pitch black shoulder length hair and all black billowing robes. Only a few minutes later Dumbledore and McGonagall followed suit. 

“Probably Ron and Harry getting into trouble like always.” Ginny said with a laugh. 

“Who’s Harry? Another brother?” She asked.

They all seemed to look at her. 

“Are you muggle-born?” Percy asked. 

“My mother is a squib… why?” She answered hesitantly, “her parents were magical… but I don’t really know that much about the magical world…” she said. 

“Well—“ started Percy but Ginny interrupted. 

“Harry is Harry Potter, he’s pretty famous, defeated He Who Shall Not Be Named when he was just a baby, ‘the boy who lived’ and all that. And last year he helped protect this magic stone thing I guess and they got a whole ton of points for it. Ron told me it was pretty epic.” She said, a light tinge of blush on her cheeks. 

“Hm.” Was all Ryleigh responded with. 

“Don’t you know about he who must not be named?” She asked.

“Oh. Yeah…I know plenty about him…” she said sadly and picked at her food, attempting to change the subject. Evidently it worked as Ginny turned and started talking to Hermione. 

Ryleigh looked back at the staff table where all three professors were still gone. 

Xx

After they had been shown to their dorms she unpacked carefully with Ginny and a few other girls in their room. 

She was flipping through her new text books when she found one that caught her eye. ‘Magical Drafts and Potions’ by Arsenius Jigger. 

Xx

The great hall was bustling with noise as the students were gathered at their tables eating breakfast. The long tables full of food, juice, bread, fruits, and oddly bowls of chips. 

Ryleigh thought about the fit her mother would have if she saw her eating a bowl of chips for breakfast and laughed to herself. 

She took a seat near Ginny at the Gryffindor table and placed her potions book next to her. 

Ginny closed a black leather book she had been looking in and slid it away. 

“Good morning.” Ginny said to Ryleigh as she began to grab some food, a roll and some fruit. 

“I didn’t mean to interrupt you, go back to your reading.” Ryleigh said with a smile. 

“Oh you didn’t, not sure where this book came from, it’s empty.” Ginny said with a shrug. 

“I heard the Neville passed out in Herbology this morning.” Ginny whispered and snickered. 

“Is he alright?” Ryleigh asked looking down the table to see if she could remember who Neville was. 

“Oh he’s fine, just a nervous guy I guess.” She explained. “We have potions today, I hear that snapes a real piece of work.”

“You sure do hear a lot Ginny.” Ryleigh teased.

“What can I say? People talk around me.”

A camera flashed and she looked over to see a boy from her year taking a picture of the boy sitting next to Ginny’s brothers. 

“That’s Harry.” Ginny explained without prompting. Ryleigh nodded in understanding. 

“Ron, is that your owl?” Someone Ryleigh didn’t know asked and they all looked up to see an owl swooping low with something in its mouth. Ryleigh and Ginny ducked along with the other students as the owl flew far too low and then crashed into a large bowl of chips.

“Bloody birds a menace” Ron said quietly. Then he took the letter and the bird flew off.

“Oh no…” he whispered as he looked at it closer now. 

“Look everyone! Weasley got himself a howler!” The crowd laughed together, and Neville responded with, “go on Ron, I ignored one from my gran once, it was horrible…”

So the red headed boy carefully opening the envelope and Ryleigh watched along side everyone else as the envelope flew from his hands to hover in front of him, transformed into a mouth and began to yell at him. 

“RONALD WEASLEY! How dare you steal that car!? I am ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED! Your fathers now facing an inquiry at work and it is entirely you fault!! If you put another TOE out of line we’ll bring you straight HOME! … oh and Ginny dead, congrats on making Gryffindor. Your father and I are very proud.” Ryleigh looked back at Ginny who seemed to slump down at her mention and blush red.  

When she looked back toward the letter it had already distorted itself and left only sheds of paper on the table.

Xx

In a way that Ryleigh would soon become  acquainted to the door to the potions classroom slammed open and the professor from the day before walked in at top speed. Rushing straight to the front of the room and spinning around. 

“I am Professor Snape. This is first year potions. If you are in the wrong class leave now.” He said bluntly and then waited. In a shuffle of feet and books two students stood up and rushed out, she could see they had yellow and black stripes on their ties indicating they were two Hufflepuff a sitting in a room full of Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. 

“Now then. This class is required for all students, however, I will not waste my time teaching those who do not wish to be taught the subtle art and science that is potion making.” His eyes flashed up at the room finally, meeting gaze with random students here and there. 

“I can teach you to hold luck in the palm of you hand. Give you a potion to always get the truth from someone, even stopper death… if… you will learn.” Ryleigh watched and listened carefully, not glancing away even as Luna tapped her arm for attention. 

“Open your texts books to page 14.” He said after a long pause and everyone did so. 

“Today we will be reading about potion bases.” Then he sat down in his chair behind a desk and went about looking over papers while they read. 

It was truly fascinating to her how these things, when mixed together properly would create something with such power and abilities. 

She took detailed notes and re read the passage more than a few times to ensure that she understood everything being offered to her before she glanced around and then turned to the next section. 

‘How properly to …’ she was reading when a shadow formed over her book. She crunched up her face before looking up slowly to meet the professors eyes. 

“Skipping ahead are we Ms…?” He asked, his voice slow and deep. 

“W.. Walsh… I’m Ryleigh Walsh.” She stuttered out. The whole of the class was watching carefully including Luna who looked just slightly worried.

“Well Ms. Walsh. It seems you know all you need regarding potion bases then?” He asked tone full of snark.

“I’m sure not Sir, but I did finish the section.” Was her thoughtful response. 

“Ahh… ever the Gryffindor.” Was all he said as he snatched her notes then read them over.

“How would you gauge your interest in potions thus far Ms. Walsh?” He asked out of no where.

“I… it’s very interesting sir.” She said back sheepishly. 

“You seem…. To have promise.” He said and then leaned in slightly closer, meeting her eyes, “and this is not something I say to Gryffindors.” Then he walked back to the front of the classroom. 

Luna smiled at her as Ryleigh let out the full breath she had been holding. 

“5 points to Gryffindor.” Snape said aloud once he was seated again. 

Ryleigh beamed then went back to her notes.