Once we changed into our house robes, we head down to the Great Hall to eat. I sit next Hannah facing the Gryffindor table, Fred faces the Slytherin table and we exchange brief glances.
The tables are already set with dinnerware but before we are allowed to eat, the first years must be sorted into their houses. Only after the sorting ceremony and Professor Dumbledore's introduction will we be allowed to feast.
"I have a few start of term notices I'd like to announce." Dumbledore stands at his very own dinner table to speak. "The first years, please note, that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also,our caretaker Mr Filch has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor, on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you, and let the feast begin."
At the snap of Professor's fingers, the feast appears right before our eyes and we are allowed to dig into all this delicious food.
Carved turkeys, roast beef, lamb chops, chicken drumsticks, and plenty of sides like the middle of the tables. I grab a drumstick, some candied yams, green beans, and a slice of pumpkin pie.
Conversation at the dinner table is minimal as we are all famished from our long train ride from London, and by the time we are done eating- everyone is headed up to their common rooms.
"I'm stuffed." Hannah speaks out as we stand up from the table. "Oh gosh, me too." I say removing a hand from my stomach.
"Fred appears to be waiting for you, I'll see you back in the room." Hannah says walking away as Fred turns to face me, he has been waiting outside the door for numerous minutes.
"Hey you." I say as I stop in front of my boyfriend. He holds his large hand out for me to take. I smile softly as he takes my hand and pulls me closer to him.
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He holds eyes contact for a moment before we start walking down the corridor, hand in hand. "How was you supper?"
"Very good, I'm stuffed, how was yours?" I ask just making small talk as we walk.
"Good." He says simply. "The mashed potatoes were to die for." He chuckles as he swings our hands back and forth.
"Walk with me to Professor Lupin's office, he wanted to speak with me according to Hannah."
"Okay, but then I must sneak back to the common room- George is throwing a Gryffindor welcome party, you should come." Fred pauses our walking, and I look up at him as we stand in the middle of the hallway, all alone.
"I don't know, I think Slytherin is having one too, and you know I never miss a Slytherin house party." I smirk pulling Fred closer, he looks at me and sighs playfully.
"Figured you might say that, how about we start the night off at George's party and finish it off in Slytherin's common room?"
"Alright, meet me at the portrait of the fat lady at eleven?" I ask and Fred nods, "Yeah, alright." He says pulling me into a kiss. He places his hand on the small of my back and kisses me passionately.
"Okay, okay." I giggle as we pull apart, Professor Lupin, my godfather, opens his classroom door and smiles at the two of us.
"I think I'll take it from here, Weasley." Fred nods and gives me a sympathetic look as I walk into Lupin's classroom.
"Zara, how are you holding up my dear?" Lupin asks and I look up at him.
"I'm okay Professor, really I am. Better now that I'm here at Hogwarts, it takes my mind off things." I admit as I sit in a chair in front of my godfather's desk.
"Very well. I see you and uh- Mr Weasley are getting close." He smiles looking up at me from the paperwork on his desk.
"Yes, we are. He's a wonderful man." I say with a smile across my face.
Fred and I had met through the order of the Phoenix, just after Harry Potter had confirmed the return of he who shall not be named. Of course I'd seen The Weasley's and the golden trio at school but I'd never actually spoken with any of them until the order. I found Fred charming, brilliant and respectful. Before dad and I left, Fred made sure to tell me how he felt and asked if I'd ever consider a date with him. Naturally, I'd expressed my feelings to him as well. To my surprise, my father never had a bad thing to say about the red headed boy.
"Indeed he is. If you need anything at all this term, don't hesitate to come see me right away, Zee." Professor Lupin walks around the table and I stand up.
"Give me a hug, kiddo." He says and wraps me in his arms tightly, he was my father's very best friend and one of the only things I have left close to him. "Zee, I need you to know that things are changing here at Hogwarts, the ministry is sticking their nose in places which it doesn't belong, be safe hm?"
"Of course, Professor. However, I must get going, Hannah will be waiting for me."
"Hannah will be? Or Fred?" He smirks, and I know he overheard us talking about the party. "Just be safe, please." He adds as he slides his hands into his pockets.
"Yes sir." I turn on my heels and begin descending the stairs down to the entrance of the Slytherin common room.
When I enter, it's rather empty as I assume the majority of students are in their dormitories getting ready for the first house party of the year. There's a couple of stragglers and one of them is Draco Malfoy.
He sits at the corner of the room, near one of the glass windows looking out into the lake. There's a book in his hands and he appears to be in deep focus, not even noticing that I'm observing him.
Quickly, I tear my eyes away from the platinum blonde and head up to my dormitory. Hannah sits cross legged on the bed, touching up her makeup, adding gemstones and lipgloss. "How was your talk with my father?" She says as I sit on the edge of her bed.
"It was fine, I thought it'd be way more extensive but he is just wondering how I've been."
"He thinks so highly of you, in his eyes you just as much his as I am. He just wants to look after you and keep you safe."
"He's one of the good ones, you're lucky." I smile as I look over at Hannah. She shoots back and empathetic smile, "I love you, you are my best friend, my sister practically, if you need anything, maybe a shoulder to cry on, anything, but I'll always be here." Her hand nod rests atop mine lightly,
"Always?" I ask looking out to her, my father heavy on my mind.
"Always." She says as we hold our hands and pinky promise.
