𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 2

Throughout the whole journey, from the train to the boats, the three young minds were at work, planning to let the school know they were here with a bang.

Literally.

The twins had purchased fireworks in Diagon Alley, whilst Natasha had managed to grab some of Sirius' old pranking things, and together, they had created a masterpiece.

"The Colour Me Blind Bomb," stated Fred proudly, as they marvelled at the product they had made.

During the boat rides, the three had sat together, accompanied by a boy called Lee, who was also interested in their business. By the end of the ride, the four had become fast friends, and as Professor McGonagall stepped forward to introduce the students, the four of them brought back memories she had tried so hard to bury.

"Now when I call your name, please come up to take a seat on the stool, where the Sorting Hat will be placed on your head. Please note, sorting's are final," she added, after seeing some of the faces of previous students who had tried to change houses.

Fred held onto Natasha's hand as the first few people were called out, and she lay her head on his shoulder, hoping to get a few seconds of shut eye.

"Natasha Black!" Natasha groaned, having just gotten comfortable sleeping on Fred's shoulder, and she stepped forward as the hall hushed. Every student knew the story of how Lily and James Potter perished, and every student also knew how Sirius Black had received a life sentence in Azkaban over it.

Natasha sat on the seat, as a voice boomed from her head. "Oh, where to begin Miss Black. Perhaps Slytherin, like your family before you, where your skills and ambition could be quite useful. Or perhaps Ravenclaw, like your mother; after all your head is quite interesting. Or maybe, just maybe you really are like your father, in which Gryffindor would cherish greatly."

The hat was having a hard time placing her, and for the third time in recorded history, Hogwarts had another Hatstall. Natasha had the wit of a Ravenclaw, the ambition of the Slytherin, the loyalty of a Hufflepuff and the bravery of a Gryffindor.

All Natasha wanted was to be with the twins, and though the Sorting Hat could see this, he chose to not remark over it.

"It seems though you yourself don't see it; your mind is already set child. You should be..." He dragged the pause out and Natasha giggled, liking the hat more and more.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The table housing the Gryffindor's erupted in cheers as Percy and Charlie welcomed Natasha to their house. To them, she was like a little sister, no matter her heritage, and she was the only person Percy had time for, which he made sure everyone else knew.

"Welcome little sister," he said warmly, engulfing her in a hug. Natasha returned it and Percy ruffled her hair, shocking his friends who had never seen such affection from the usually uptight boy.

Natasha squealed in joy as Lee was sorted into Gryffindor, and it took no genius to realise that the twins were also sorted into the scarlet and gold house, causing collective groans from Charlie and Percy to arise. "Why do I have the feeling I'm going to be chasing you all year," Charlie complained, to which Natasha grinned.

"Because you loOove us Charlie, that's why," she teased the boy, earning a light smack up her head. The hall quietened for Dumbledore's speech, but quickly loudened again as the food appeared, making Fred and Natasha's stomach's grumble.

Instantly, Natasha grabbed whatever she could, glad to have a full meal for the first time in a long time. The Weasley boys noticed, and Charlie made sure she ate as much as she could, worrying over the girl's health.

She was snuggled tight in between Fred and George, and as sleep threatened to take over her tiny body, she rested her head on Fred, causing a pink flush to creep onto his cheeks. "Well, I think it's time someone went to bed," Charlie said, and Natasha smiled softly.

The prefects of each house started to gather the first years, and the twins both helped Natasha up, half leading, half dragging her through the castle, until finally, the portrait of the Fat Lady was in sight.

Charlie muttered the password, and the portrait opened, revealing the warmth of the Gryffindor common room. Fred and George whistled as they saw the view from the large window, completely ignoring the prefect trying to direct them to their dormitory.

Angelina, a fellow first year Gryffindor, took a half-asleep Natasha from the twins, leading her up the stairs to a wooden door with a sign stating 'First Year Girls'. Almost immediately, Natasha was thrown onto the closet bed, which just so happened to be near the window.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her words muffled by the pillow her face was planted on. Angelina smiled and took the bed on the other side of the window.

"No problem Nat, I'm Angelina by the way, the girl that dragged you up here," she said, extending her hand to Natasha, who turned herself over. She took her hand and shook it, grinning at her new friend.

"Thanks Angel; I can call you that, right?" Nat asked and Angelina nodded.

"No one's called me that before, but sure!" she squealed.

For the next few minutes, the two girls became fast friends, finding a mutual love for Quidditch, though their preferred positions differed.

"The ground is much safer you know," pestered Natasha, as Angelina grimaced at the thought of not playing.

"Yes, but being a Chaser?! That's where the real action is. Flying is my life back home," she countered, earning a chorus of 'same!', from Alicia Spinnet and Lauren Raymond, two other witches who were both pure-blooded. The only one who didn't talk was Felicity Pearce, who was a muggle-born witch.

Together the four girls animatedly talked about their lives back home, until one by one, they all fell fast asleep.

The year certainly was going to be an interesting one.