In the enchanting world of magic, where wands cast spells, and owls deliver life-changing letters, Willow embarks on a journey that will challenge her and unravel the mysteries of her family's past.
Haunted by the supposed demise of her parents, Wi...
"What about you, Willow?" asked a girl who was sitting beside Hermione. She had a look like she knew the answer.
"They were both wizards, I don't live with them though. When I was a year old, my aunt adopted me." Willow told, keeping her head low focused on her ice cream.
"Why don't you live with them? Dementors couldn't find you a nurse in Azkaban?" the girl went on.
"That's enough, Mallory!" Fred said before Willow could say something, though Willow had no idea what she was going to say.
"Take her side, but know this - she doesn't deserve it." Mallory gave Willow one final scathing look and looked away.
Willow thanked the twins for taking her side, as Mallory had put it, but she didn't know how much of this hate she could take. It hadn't been long enough, but Willow already wanted to disappear. She looked over at the teacher's table and saw the teachers murmuring. She saw Professor Mcgonaggle talking to a small wizard barely visible over the table and beside her at the centre of the table. Professor Dumbledore seemed to be drinking something from a goblet. For a second, Willow thought he was looking directly at Willow and raising his goblet as if in recognition, but then Willow blinked, and he was talking to a professor on his right.
On Harry's other side, Percy Weasley and Hermione talked about lessons, and Ron discussed quidditch with Dean and Seamus. Harry was listening to their conversation. Willow was just waiting for the dinner to be over so she could go and hide in her dorm.
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At last, the desserts disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.
"Ahem — just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. "First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."
Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.
"I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. "
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch."
"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Harry laughed, but he was one of the few who did. Willow knew enough about Dumbledore to not laugh at anything he said.
"He's not serious?" Harry muttered to Percy.
"Must be," said Percy, frowning at Dumbledore.
After the school song was finished, the Gryffindor first years followed Percy through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase. Willow followed Percy closely not to be left behind, he led them through doorways hidden behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries.
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They climbed more staircases, yawning and dragging their feet, and Willow was just wondering how much farther they had to go when they came to a sudden halt. At the very end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.
"Password?" she said.
"Caput Draconis," said Percy, and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall. They all scrambled through it — Neville needed a leg up — and found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, a cosy, round room full of squashy armchairs.
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Percy directed the girls through one door to their dormitory and the boys through another. At the top of a spiral staircase — they were obviously in one of the towers — they finally found their beds: four four-posters hung with deep red velvet curtains.
Their trunks had already been brought up. Too tired to talk much, Willow was changing into her pyjamas when she noticed the other girls were not changing and standing in the doorway whispering; Hermione was standing beside her bed unpacking her suitcase and emptying the books into the bookshelf about her bedside table.
When Hermione turned around and finally noticed the two girls in the doorway, she looked at Willow, and though Willow knew what it was about, she shrugged.
