Willow

C.9

Willow walks along with her friends to the carriage, having taken Ginny and Luna to Hagrid "Wh-What..." she trails off, stopping when she sees large, black, skeletal horses with wings pulling the carriages. "Wills?" Theo asks in confusion. "What are they?" she asks, motioning to the creatures. "What are what, Wills? There's nothing there." Draco tells her. "Right there, pulling the carriage. The black horse things." Willow tells them. Marcus walks over with his friends "Low? You alright?" he asks. "Marc, tells me you see them." she tells him. "See what? You mean the thestrals?" Marcus asks. "The black horse things." Willow nods. "Yeah, they're thestrals. You'll learn about them in your Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L, they can only be seen by people who have..." Marcus trails off, looking at his sister in shock. "Seen?" Willow asks. "Seen death." he tells her. "Oh..." Willow trails off, looking down. "Come on, let's get to the castle." Draco tells Willow, knowing she doesn't want to talk about it. Willow nods and climbs into the carriage, Marcus looking at the boys and Hermione "Keep an eye on her." he tells them, making them nod.

Climbing out the carriage, Willow walks over and strokes the thestral "Thank you for the ride up to the school." she tells it. The thestral rubs against her making her smile slightly before turning and walking into the entrance hall "Miss Mikaelson, a word." Dumbledore says. Willow nods "Go, I'll see you in a minute." she tells her friends. "I'll meet you out here before we spilt off to our dorms later." Hermione nods, walking off with the boys. Willow walks over to the headmaster "Professor?" she asks. "You're not in trouble, I just could've help but notice you can see the thestrals." Dumbledore tells her. "Yes, and I know what it means. With all due respect, Professor, but I don't want to talk about who I saw die." Willow tells him. Dumbledore nods "I am here if you wish to talk." he says. Willow turns and walks away, blocking her mind as she feels Dumbledore try to prod. Walking into the Great Hall and to the Slytherin table, Willow sits next to Blaise and opposite Draco and Theo "What did he want?" Theo asks. "He wanted to know who I saw die, I told him I didn't want to talk about it." Willow responds, the boys nodding in response. Looking over at the Gryffindor table, Willow frowns when she doesn't see Ron or Harry. Making eye contact with Hermione, she gives her a questioning look "Where are Harry and Ron?" she mouths. Hermione shrugs back "I don't know." she mouths back. "What's wrong?" Draco asks. "Harry and Ron aren't here." Willow tells them.

Just then, McGonagall walks in with the first years "Here we go." Blaise says. "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 tops 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 in Gryffindor, Where dwell brave of 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 wise old Ravenclaw, If you've 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 folk use any means To achive their ends. So put me on! Don't be afraid! And you won't get in a flap! You're safe in my hands (though I have none) For I'm a Thinking Cap!" the Sorting Hat sings, getting a round of applause. McGonagall starts calling out names, Willow smiling when Ginny and Luna get sorted into Gryffindor and Ravenclaw respectively. Dumbledore stands up, Willow zoning out until the food appears "You weren't listening to a word, were you?" Theo chuckles. "Nope." Willow responds, sending him a grin.