Black Rose

1 ~ First Day At Hogwarts

I look out the window as the train leaves the station. I had found a compartment that was empty, despite my older brother Leo's offers for me to join him and his friends, and am now sitting alone with nothing except my thoughts and the chugging sound of the train. 

I pull my diary out of my bad. I found it in my cauldron when we got home from Diagon Alley, I'm not sure how it got there but I quite like it. The diary actually responds to whatever I say, I think It's really cool. And it's nice to have someone to talk to, it makes me feel less alone. 

Throughout most of the ride to Hogwarts I write to my diary or gaze out the window at the seemingly endless landscape of fields. 

I watch as the sun sets over the horizon and the train soon after pulls into Hogsmeade station. 

I feel anxious at how many people there are, its difficult to move around the platform without bumping into someone. 

I flinch when I feel someone suddenly place their hand on my shoulder. I turn around quickly but sigh slightly when I see it's just Leo. 

"Don't scare me like that." I grumble, whacking his arm. 

"Sorry," He laughs, sounding the least bit sorry. "But you looked lost." 

"I'm not lost." 

"Yeah, sure," He says sarcastically. "But you just head over to Hagrid, and believe me you won't have a hard time finding him, and he leads the first years to the school." 

I nod. "Thanks." 

"No problem," He says. "Before you go, you haven't seen Harry anywhere, have you?" 

"No, why?" 

"Mum seemed worried about him before we left, apparently he disappeared before she could say goodbye." 

"That doesn't seem like something he'd do." 

"Well, don't worry about it," Leo says. "I'm sure he's fine, he must've just wandered off. Good luck on the sorting, I'll see you later." 

I watch as he runs off, probably going to find his friends. 

I begin looking around the platform. I see a really large man calling for the first years to follow him. I assume that's Hagrid. I make my way through the crowd and join the group of first years who had already gathered around. 

Soon, we are led to some boats and once we are all boarded, the boats begin moving towards the castle. 

It's a magnificent view, the castle looks wonderful. I'm so excited that this place is going to be my home for the next seven years of my life. 

We soon arrive at the castle and my nerves kick in again. I've asked Harry and Leo a million questions about the sorting ceremony, it seems terrifying, we have to sit in front of the entire school as we get sorted. Bloody terrifying. 

A woman greets us at the entrance and introduces herself as Professor McGonagall. Ah, so this is dad's favourite teacher. 

She gives us a speech about Hogwarts and the houses, and then we are led into the Great Hall. 

It feels as though everyone is watching us as we make our way through the room. 

My eyes shift over to the Gryffindor table and make eye contact with my brother, who smiles and gives me a thumbs up. I roll my eyes. Moron. 

Soon, we are at the front of the room. 

I stand anxiously as McGonagall calls out names to be sorted.