Alexandra Price

Home Is Where The Magic Is

It was now dark, the air cold and the glass frosty. Holly had joined us after our disagreement. Holley yelled out songs and started to sing. As Natasha and Holly talked about some muggle band I looked out the windows . Holly was in Hufflepuff and all of Natasha's classes. They where friends before they came to Hogwarts, so they hanged out a lot during first year. I lived far away from London, close to Luna who I knew quite well before Hogwarts. My parents loved to read the Qwibbler they believed it was more trustworthy than the daily profert. As Natasha yelled "we all live in a yellow submarine," the lights flickered. She stopped singing, Holly grabbed her arm. The lights flickered again but they stayed off. The air got cold, we started to shiver. It was almost impossible to see. I looked out the glass door, something moved quickly outside. What ever it was it had a long black cloak. As we waited in silence I herd a scream. It sounded a bit like Hermione. A giant flash of bright pale blue light echoed in the carriage hall way.
"What was that?" Holly asked, her face gone pale. Natasha and I shrugged our shoulders.

The train slowed to a stop at Hogwarts, Holly, Natasha and I waited for half of the students to leave the train before we left our carriage. As we got our trucks we talked about how we thought the term might plan out. All the stars glimmer above our heads and Hagrid leading a colony of first years to the boats. Natasha kept staring at someone but it was so crowded that I couldn't see who. As we walked over to the carriages, I saw two towering, hooded Dementors, standing guard on either side of the gate. A thunder of whispers spread through the crowd. Each student quickly passes through the gate, afraid that the Dementors might grab them. Most people knew about Dementors, they knew that they where from Azkaban. A prison in the middle of the sea. No one has ever escaped the prison beside one man, Sirius Black. Holly, Natasha and I quickly boarded the closest carriage. The carriage slowly turned around and was heading back home, to Hogwarts.
Once the carriage had stopped we departed from each other and entered the hall. Holly and Natasha where lucky, their house tables sat right next to each other. which meant that they could talk through out the feast. I felt a bit awkward, would I try to find Ron or go sit by myself. I stood in the doorway of the great hall. Hundreds and thousands of candles floated high above the table, the night sky hiding the roof was alway something that made me shiver. I was about to walk forward when something touched my shoulder, I turned around and saw Ron with a large grin on his face.
"Hey Alex, do you wanna find a seat?" He asked, walking to my side.
"Yeah, sure. Where is Harry and Hermione?" I asked knowing that Ron spent most his time with them.
"Oh, professor Mcgonagall wanted them for something. Probably because Harry fainted, but he did have a Dementor over hi-"
"Harry fainted!" I cried interrupting Ron. Ron put his finger to his mouth and hissed
"Shhhh! We don't want the hole school finding out about."
I felt my face go red.
"Sorry, lets go find a seat!" I replied braking the awkwardness. We walked over to the Gryffindor table. I looked over to the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. I saw Holly and Natasha looking over at me, they both were dramatically holding their hands to there hearts. I looked away, my face now red. We sat down next to each other, the people around us weren't in the same year group.
"How was your summer?" Ron asked, I turned redder.
"Great I stayed with my mum and dad, I live far away from London so I didn't get to see my friends much. The only person I know who lives near my house is Luna Lovegood."
"Luna, you live near Luna?"
"Yeah, how come?"
"I live near Luna!" Ron cried, I couldn't believe it.
"Are you serious, no way!" I retorted back.
"Yep telling the truth."
"What did you do through the summer?" I asked feeling my face lose a bit of redness.
"I went to Egypt to see my brother Bill who works for Gringots Banks. We went into all the tombs it was really cool."
"Wow that's awesome, I've never been over seas before."
"That was my first time, my family isn't rich. My dad just won the Ministry of Magics draw and we won like nine thousand gallons. Something like that."
I was speechless, I didn't know what to say. Before I could anyway the doors to the hall burst open. Hagrid come walking in followed by an army of first years. Six students were wet from head to toe.
"Must have fallen in," I whispered to Ron. He gave a small smile once he saw who was wet. Soon the sorting began, each student sat down on a stool in front of the hole school. An old hat was placed on their head and within a few minutes the hat roared with one of the house names.
Ron yawned, I ignored him till he placed his hand on mine. My hand was on the bench, I fought he did it on purpose until I saw his face. he looked so awkward and moved his hand as soon as we made eye contact.
"Oh, sorry I didn't mean to," Ron whispered his ears going bright red.
"Oh no it's fine you didn't look where you put your hand or anything," I replied my face burning red. The hat roared Gryffindor, a cheer from our table followed. The last student sat at the end of the Gryffindor table. Professor Flitwick carried the sorting hat and the stool out of the hall.
"Look," I whispered, pointing towards the entrance of the hall. Harry and Hermione walked behind professor Mcgonagall. They came and sat on the other size of Ron.
"What was that all about?" He muttered to Harry.
"Professor Lupin sent an owl to professor Mcgonagall before we arrived at Hogwarts, Madam Pomfrey was there and she wanted me to st-" Harry whispered, but once professor Dumbledore stood up to speak he drained off.
"Welcome!" Said Dumbledore. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors can not be fooled with tricks or disguises - or even Invisible Cloaks," he added blandly, I saw Harry and Ron glance at each other. "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementor."
"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. firstly, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
A round of unethusiastic applause followed, Harry, Ron and Hermione clap hard so I followed. Ron whispered into Harry's ear.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued, as the applause for Professor Lupin died away. "well I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of the last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted today that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on his teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties." I knew that Harry, Ron's and Hermione's favourite teacher was Hagrid, the applause lasted long with cheers and cries.
"May the feast begin!" Dumbledore cried over the claps. Food suddenly appeared on our plates. With another cheer of excitement, the students dug into the feast.