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"Hide your scar," I whispered to Harry as we looked for an empty compartment. I didn't want anyone swarming us. "This one is empty," Harry said, pointing toward an empty compartment. "Finally," I sighed as we sat down, effectively claiming the space as our own. "And it even has desks for doing homework, what an intelligent design idea," Harry observed. I nod along absently.
Since Harry came back from Japan, he's been acting nerdier than usual. It seemed just about forced. Two weeks ago he and Uncle Vernon gave away all of his toys, comic books, graphic t-shirts, and gaming equipment, he had the maids repaint his room white because 'Coloured walls are for children,' and he's even decided to take on two extra subjects despite knowing we're about to attend Hogwarts. I'm beyond worried about him, but there's nothing I can do about it.
It was a silent ride for the first five minutes before someone burst into our compartment. "May I sit here, everywhere else is full?" he asked. I shrugged. "Be my guest," I told him. "Thanks," he said, claiming the seat across from me with a smile on his face, "I'm Ron, Ron Weasley." I smiled back. "Briar-May Potter," I responded, "That's Harrison." Harry gave him a curt nod before returning to his studies. "He's a bit of a swot, feel free to not take it personally," I explained. "Will do," Ron said, "so what's he studying anyways, first years don't get summer work?" I didn't bother inquiring about how he knew what year we were in. It would be redundant. Harry and I are famous, of course, everyone knows what year we're in.
Harry didn't speak, he just lifted his book in response to Ron's question. "Advanced Euclidean Geometry," Ron read, "What's that?" I shrugged. I wasn't allowed to study that, so I had no idea what it was. "It's an ancient mathematics system that focuses on the study of plane and solid geometric shapes and figures based on varying theorems and axioms," Harry answered, "it's a fascinating subject." I sighed. "Do you even believe that?" I asked him. "Of course I do, Uncle Vernon says that mastery of this subject will significantly boost my resume," Harry defended. Oh, Harry. "Your what?" Ron asked. "Don't worry about it, I'm gonna walk around for a bit," I told the boys. I need a break from this mess.
"Watch it!" Someone grumbled. "Why should I?" I asked him, "It's not my fault you decided to walk in the middle of the bloody corridor." I took in my attacker. He was older, but not much older with sandy hair and hazel eyes. "Spunky," he murmured. "Excuse me?" I asked. "I'm Adrien Pucey," he introduced himself. "Briar-May Potter," I told him. He stared at me for a second before nodding his head. "The Girl Who Lived," he approved. "Is that what they're calling me?" I asked, "Couldn't have found a better name?" He laughed, "What?" He asked. "Well there are so many other options, they could've at least called me Briar the Invincible, it was right there," I explained. "It was not," he laughed, "so where are you headed?" He asked. I shrugged, "Just walking around, I needed a break from my brother," I explained. "Well I got a compartment, there's a few first years in it too," he offered. "Lead the way," I laughed as I followed him to his compartment.
"Briar this is Daphne Greengrass, Terrence Higgs, Ashton Moon, and-," "Lily," I gasped. It was clear that Lily and Daphne were only there because of Lily's older brother, but it didn't matter, I was just excited to have someone else I know here. "Guys this is Briar May Potter," Lily introduced, "she's the girl I met over the summer." I waved shyly, waiting for the interrogation I'd be forced into. "Would you like to do the Bertie Botts challenge with us?" Daphne asked. Huh? That's it? "Sure," I agreed, "but you'll have to explain the rules." So they did, they explained the rules of the Bertie Botts challenge along with basic wizarding etiquette. We spent the remainder of the train ride speaking about the recent wizarding pop culture events so that I wouldn't be behind.
•••
"There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin," We listened as Professor McGonagall explained the sorting ceremony and house points. I wanted to be excited, but there was something about the way she looked at me when she said 'Gryffindor.' Am I expected to be a Gryffindor? It is considered the house of the brave. Will people hate me if I'm not in Gryffindor?
"So it's true, what they've been saying on the train?" a blonde boy asked, sparing me from my thoughts, "the Potters have come to Hogwarts." I rolled my eyes, "Obviously," I scoffed. "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," He introduced. "Briar-May Potter," I said. Harry didn't respond the same way, instead, he and Ron stifled laughs. It instantly became a mess until Harry shut it down by saying he didn't need Malfoy to tell him who 'the wrong sort' was. Already making enemies. I was luckily spared from saying anything by Professor McGonagall bringing us in for the sorting.
The sorting went on forever with names like Abbott, who got into Hufflepuff, Fairchild, who got into Ravenclaw, and Granger in Gryffindor. Next was Daphne who was promptly sorted into Slytherin. Only a few people left until... "Potter, Briar." I sighed and walked up to the stool with perfect posture. I will not be afraid of a talking hat, that's ridiculous.
"How peculiar..." "What is?" "I've sorted many Potters, yet none of them have been as ambitious or cunning as you." "Thank you, ambition is something my Aunt prides us on." "Loyal too, I see. But where to place you..." The talking hat grew silent, leaving my anxiety to take over. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" What an odd sorting question. "My Aunt wants me to be an artist along with going to the Olympics for gymnastics." "And what do you want?" "I just told you." "You told me about your Aunt." "We want the same things, she wants me to excel, and I want to make her proud. Perfection is not an option, it's a requirement." "Well in that case...BETTER BE SLYTHERIN!"
I shrugged and walked towards the hat. Slytherin was one of my top choices, ambition is a trait, my family values so it was sure to go over well. "Potter, Harry!" McGonagall called after a moment of apprehensive silence. Come on, Hare, do the right thing. Harry has to be in Ravenclaw. "Gryffindor!" the hat called. No! I studied Harry's expression carefully. At first, he looked pleased and even a bit triumphant. His eyes traveled to me and he immediately lost that expression. "I'm sorry," He mouthed, "Are you mad?" I shook my head. How could I ever be mad at him for this, it's not his fault..., is it?
