The train station was filled with wizards and some muggles sending their children off. The young ones looked around excitedly, eager to finally arrive in Hogwarts. If you listen closely, you could hear a boy looking for a toad.
" Did you bring everything you need? ", Alpheus asked to his daughter.
" Yep. "
" Are you sure you don't want your own dorm room? The dorm rooms might be crowded for you. ", Aranel asked.
" Yep. "
Alpheus and Aranel are finally sending Anastasia off to Hogwarts today. Excitement is a small word to describe what she's feeling. She can't wait to meet the people from her dreams. And she can't wait to meet the people of Hogwarts again. So many events will happen, and she'll try her best to change the bad ones.
Though she does need to be careful. Some things are bound to happen in order for good things to come.
She entered the train first before grabbing her luggage with her. " Thank you for sending me off, Ary, Father. ", She said.
" Come home for Christmas. ", Alpheus said.
Anastasia nodded before finally turning around. She looked around for any empty cabins, and as she was doing so, a pair of hands suddenly held her shoulders sternly.
" Boo! "
Anastasia let out a short scream. She turned around and found Fred laughing at her surprised expression.
" Nice to see you here, Ana! Remember me? George? "
Anastasia gave him a confused expression. " But aren't you Fred? "
Fred froze at her statement before finally speaking. " How did you know? Not even mum was able to tell us apart! ", he exclaimed.
Anastasia chuckled at that. " Your eyes are rounder than George's. "
" Awww... Now we can't prank you with our looks... ", He pouted. " Anyway, do you want to sit with me and George? We also have our friend in our cabin. "
" Sure! "
Fred helped her carry her luggage and led her to their cabin. Inside was George with an unknown man holding a cage with a giant tarantula. Come to think of it, she might have seen him a few times in her memories. She can remember cheers and yells, and the sound of broomsticks dashing around.
" Ana! You're here! ", George said as he moved closer to her and gave her a hug.
" Hello, George. ", She said as she returned his embrace. George froze momentarily at that. He then mouthed to Fred ' She found out? ', earning a nod from his twin.
George then let go of her and introduced their friend. " This is Lee Jordan. He's our friend and also the Quidditch Commentator of Hogwarts. "
" Nice to meet you, Lee. ", Anastasia said as she moved her right hand forward for a hand shake. Lee Jordan shook hands with her happily. " Nice to meet you too, Anastasia. My friends here have told me about you a few times. "
" Just Ana is fine. "
The two warmed up to each other pretty quickly. Lee's playful yet gentle energy matched with Anastasia's energetic but gentle energy. The four soon engaged into multiple conversations, almost all about pranks. Anastasia has also learned a few things.
The twins are quidditch players.
The three are still somehow able to have good grades even with all their pranks.
The twins ended up in detention so many times even in their first year.
" What house do you want to get into? ", Lee asked the girl.
" Any house is fine. Hufflepuff seems welcoming. Ravenclaw will help me with my studies. Slytherin is good. Gryffindor is amazing, I heard they're the loudest and wildest house in Hogwarts. "
" Bloody hell, yeah! ", George exclaimed.
" The three of us are Gryffindors. Maybe you'll also end up in the same house as us. "
Anastasia can only hope for now. " Yeah, hopefully. "
Anastasia thought for a while. Slytherin seems to be a house that most if not every Gryffindors are hostile to. And they're also known for their bad reputation. But Slytherins are known to have purebloods. To be honest, the house of Slytherin is the house she wants to avoid.
" What if... ", She started, gaining the three's attention. " What if I ended up in Slytherin? ", She finally asked.
The three stayed quiet at that. Anastasia began to nervously play with the edges of her robes. She shouldn't have brought that up.
" Well... ", Fred said.
" We can still be friends. ", George finished.
" Yeah. But I doubt the Slytherins would like that. Besides, you seem too nice to end up in Slytherin. ", Lee said.
Anastasia let out a breath of relief. " That's good to hear. I was worried I'm going to become friendless if I end up in Slytherin. "
Dramatic, but yes. Aranel has told her that it's difficult to find true friends in Slytherin. Possible, but hard. Slytherins are cunning, they would do what they can in order to achieve something. Draco, Pansy, and Theodore would surely end up there. But they'll probably meet new friends too.
Just like Lexter, she said. But she never brought that up again.
She felt her forehead getting poked by a finger. " Dummy. We'd still be your friends even if you get separated from us. ", George said.
Finally, the tense atmosphere disappeared as the four laughed together. They were now getting close to Hogwarts, so Anastasia left the cabin to get some snacks at the trolly while the boys changed into their robes. When she came back, she found a blonde boy standing by the entrance of their cabin. He looked pissed off. The giant tarantula inside the cage was letting out some kind of hissy sound whilst trying to break free.
" Draco? Is there anything wrong? ", Anastasia asked to the fuming boy.
" Yes! These blood traitors insulted me! ", Draco exclaimed.
Anastasia looked over to the three, already in their robes. They too, looked angered.
" Bloody hell we didn't! We just told the truth! ", Lee Jordan yelled.
" Hold on. ", Anastasia stepped inside the cabin and got in between them. " Would anyone mind explaining what happened first? "
" Tch! Your Malfoy friend here just barged in here earlier when you left, declaring you would stay with him at his ' Slytherin Cabin '! " George explained first, followed by Fred. " And he wouldn't believe us when we told him you chose to stay here! He kept making a ruckus and called us blood-traitors multiple times! "
" It's only right that we call him a Fuming Bleached Ferret! ", Lee added.
Okay, she understands now. And she's currently trying her best to keep in a laugh at the last sentence. Finally calming down, she turned to Draco before speaking calmly. " Apologize. "
Draco looked dumbfounded.
" What? "
" Apologize to them. "
" Like hell I would! "
" Draco, you do know that what you did is not appropriate. You started this, so you will finish it with an apology. ", Anastasia firmly said, now glaring at the shocked blonde.
" You- you... ", Draco got even more dumbfounded. He expected his friend to be at his side! He gritted his teeth before lowering his head, ears turning red from embarrassment and anger. " I'm... sorry... "
George and Fred smiled mischievously. " What is it? "
" I said I'm sorry! ", Draco screamed, finally raising his red face to look at the three.
Anastasia looked at the boy trembling in anger and embarrassment before replacing her glare with a soft smile. She raised her hand and gently brushed his head shortly. Thankfully, it seemed to call the boy.
Surprisingly, it was the three Gryffindors' turn to be glared at by the younger girl. Their previously mischievous faces turned into confusion and shock.
" What did we even do? ", Free asked.
" Name calling. ", Anastasia answered simply.
" But he started it! ", George pointed to the blonde boy standing behind Anastasia.
" And you three joined him. Just apologize and it will be over. "
The three grumbled under their breaths before muttering a short sorry. Anastasia could only sigh hopelessly at them. She then turned back to Draco before saying, " You should go back now. I think we'll be arriving at Hogwarts soon. "
I can feel the Lake calling for me.
Draco nodded reluctantly before finally walking away.
Anastasia walked back to her seat before plopping down. " Really? Fighting with someone smaller than you? "
The three wanted to refute but found her comment funny and began laughing instead.
" He looked like a dog! HAAHAHAHAHA! "
" Nice one, Ana! We should probably bring you with us everytime so we could see his fuming face turn into obedience! "
Anastasia found herself laughing with them. " Be careful though. And don't overdo your jokes on him. He'll surely tell his parents. And do tell me if he acts rude again, I'll handle him. "
Finally the train arrived at Hogwarts. Anastasia soon separated from the twins and joined the crowd of first-years. Hagrid was with them, he smiled upon noticing her. Anastasia ran over to his side to greet him. " Hagrid! It's nice to see you again! "
" Hullo! Nice to see you too, lil' Ana. ", He replied. " How was Glasswater Manor? Are they treating you well? "
" Yes! They're very nice to me! They even- "
" Hagrid! "
Anastasia turned around to see who interrupted her and found a boy running towards Hagrid.
" All right there, Harry? " Hagrid asked to the boy.
Harry?
Anastasia glanced him up and down, trying to search through her memories to find out who this person was. Circular glasses, lighting scar.
Of course! That Harry!
Harry, who was now getting embarrassed at the looks that the girl beside him was giving him, was about to excuse himself when said girl suddenly exclaimed.
" Nice to meet you! My name is Anastasia Glasswater! I hope we can be good acquaintances! Friends if possible! ", the girl cheerily said as she brought her hand.
Though shocked at the sudden outburst, Harry still took his hand out and shook her hand. " I'm Harry. Harry Potter. "
Anastasia didn't need to fake her shock because she definitely looked way too excited now.
Hagrid stood by the side, wiping a way a tear at the interaction of the two. He wore a proud look on his face.
Finally, Hagrid lead the first years at the edge of a wide lake. Under the night, it looked black ink filled the whole lake. Upon arriving there, Anastasia suddenly felt a rush of calmness taking over her. She could hear strange whistle-like sounds coming from the depths of it. She could hear an deep and gentle humming sound along with it.
" Can you hear it? ", Anastasia asked to the person beside her.
" Hear what? The toad boy's cries? ", The girl with short black hair said. It was Pansy.
" Pansy! You're here! ", Anastasia said to the girl as they exchanged hugs.
Pansy was one of the people around her age that frequently visited her at the manor before school along with Draco, Theodore, and her ' cousins ' whom she really doesn't get along much. They only talked to her if they needed to but ignored her most of the time.
It seemed like Anastasia was the only one who could hear it. Everyone around her acted normal.
She got inside a boat with 3 other first years, Pansy, Theodore who had just arrived, and a girl with bushy hair and a bright smile. Throughout the boat ride, Anastasia was tempted to just jump straight to the lake.
She always found it strange that the Black Lake seemed to be always calling for her when she'd been away for too long. She once discussed this with Snape and Dumbledore when she used to live her but they only told her not to mind it. She never asked about it ever since.
Reaching the underground harbour, the children began to climb out of the boats. " Thanks. ", Anastasia said to her friends who had just helped her settle down. She then turned to the other girl with who was currently struggling to get off the boat.
Anastasia moved closer to her and assisted her. Once the girl was on her feet, she smiled brightly at her. " Thank you! I'm Hermione Granger. "
" Well met. I'm Anastasia Glasswater. "
Hermione had her mouth open in shock and looked like she was about to so start talking when Hagrid's voice stopped her, telling everyone to keep moving.
After clambering up a passageway, they finally arrived at the entrance of the castle. Hagrid knocked onto it three times, causing the huge doors to open.
" The firs' years, Professor McGonagall. ", Hagrid said.
A tall black-haired haired witch stood in front of them. She wore emerald green robes. She had a stern expression on her face as she examined every single students, pausing for a bit when she spotted the navy blue eyed girl before continuing.
" Thank you Hagrid. I will take them from here. ", Professor McGonagall said as she lead them inside.
The Entrance Hall was bigger than any normal hall. It could fit some houses in it. A magnificent marble staircase greeted them once they've reached the near end of the hall. It led to the upper floors.
They can already hear multiple voices of people. Their seniors must already be here.
Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the Great Hall. Everyone listened attentively to Professor McGonagall as she explained each of the houses. By this time, many students have already made assumptions and gueses about what house they'll end up in.
Eventually, the professor excused herself before going inside. The students began to chat amongst themselves. Anastasia was standing near Harry, so she could pretty much hear what he's talking about to his friend, Ron, who was one of the few people she met at the welcome part last year. Memories about him and their future friendship with Hermione appeared a week after the welcome party.
Ron said something about the sorting way being hurtful and how Fred said he felt very hurt. Seriously, what were those two telling their brother?
Hermione was also near them, she was whispering something about spells and potions quite fastly that Anastasia wasn't able to keep up with her.
Meanwhile, Anastasia's just stood near Pansy and Theodore who were already busy thinking about what they'll do once they get sorted into Slytherin.
It made Anastasia quite nervous.
Suddenly, multiple screams snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked behind her and found the group of ghosts gliding across the room while arguing, seemingly ignoring the first years.
Anastasia ignored them and went back to their little group's small world. Soon after, they were joined after Draco who brought along his friends, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.
After a few minutes, Professor McGonagall has come back, telling them to form a line and follow her. They did as she said and follow her inside the Great Hall.
The theme was different this year. Thousands of candles floated in mid-air above the four long tables. There were illusionary clouds and a moon above. Even though Anastasia has peeked inside this hall for multiple times in the past, this time was definitely different.
" Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong to Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you're a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap! "
For some reason, instead of being excited about the sorting ceremony. Anastasia felt deeply nervous. Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her skin. If it weren't for Pansy speaking to her once in a while, she would have probably spaced out.
She'll just hope that everything works out in the end with the house she gets sorted in.
____________
AN : I drew Anastasia's first year causal look. It's on WP.