That one Slytherin

The kid

Heeseung followed me out of the house and through the back door.

"Haven't you been here before?" I asked him.

He shook his head.

I didn't really know what I was supposed to be showing him so I kind of just walked around with him trailing behind.

"Do you ever do anything different? Tell me about Ilvermony." He grabbed me by my arm to keep me from walking off and led me to a nearby bench.

"I don't want to talk about it. I just want to go back."

"Listen. I know it's hard losing your parents. I lost both of mine a couple years ago too. That's why I live with my uncle."

My head shot up. "You did? I thought he was your dad."

Heeseung had tears in his eyes as he spoke. "Nope. He took me in when they died. Just like your aunt did with you."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. Let's focus on happier things. Are you looking forward to coming to Hogwarts?" He leaned back on the back rest of the bench and tipped his head back at the dark sky.

"No. Not really. I love Ilvermony. I don't want to switch schools." I studied his good looks for a second before turning away.

"It's a good school. You'll like it. I wonder how they're going to sort you."

"Sort me?"

"Yeah. Like into a Hogwarts house." Noticing my clear confusion he continued. "Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw. I'm in Hufflepuff. All you have to do is sit down and they put the hat on you. Then the hat tells you what house you will be in."

"Oh. I was Thunderbird back at Ilvermony." I really hoped it wouldn't be hard to fit in.

"Do you have a wand?" He asked me, he held up his own.

"No. They take wands at the end off the school year so underage students won't mess around." I thought he wasn't allowed to use his wand either. Why was he carrying it around?

"Pfffttt. That rule is more American than your accent. So stupid." His comment made me a little irritated.

"My accent isn't stupid. And neither is America." I stood up to walk back to the house.

"Wait. I'm sorry if I offended you." He caught up to me before I entered the back door.

"It's okay, Heeseung. But I'm tired, I'm going to bed. I'll see you when we go to Diagon Alley." I smiled slightly before heading back into the house and my room.

Heeseung stood there for a second before heading inside after me and finding his uncle.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The day of the dreaded Diagon Alley trip arrived. Heeseung and Mr. Lee arrived at about noontime.

Heeseung smiled at me. "You ready?"

I nodded, unsmiling.

My aunt patted my shoulder. "At least try to be happy. Diagon Alley is a lot of fun."

I forced a smile.

We traveled by floo flames to Diagon Alley. I watched the whole process of the pub and the bricks and watched as witches and wizards hurried from place to place. It was so different than where I came from...

"You don't have a wand do you?" Heeseung asked me.

I shook my head. My aunt passed me a heavy sack. "That's your money. Heeseung will show you what to do."

I silently pleaded with her not to leave me alone but him but she made some excuse about the "Leaky Cauldron" and headed back the way we came.

"Let's go." Heeseung dragged my arm over to a small shop. "I want you to get your wand first. Ollivander is the best."

He dragged me into the small shop and the first thing we saw was an old gray haired man standing in front of a wall covered wind wand boxes.

"Hello there! Wand shopping are we?" He clasped his hands eagerly and walked over. "Who's the wand shopper today?"

Heeseung pointed to me and stepped aside.

"Wand arm out please." I held out my right arm and watched as he took multiple measurements. This wasn't how we did it back in the states.

Once he was satisfied he went back over to his wall of wands and plucked out a box. "Let's try this one... Silver Lime wood... 10 and a half inches... Unicorn hair core..."

He handed me the wand and watched as I swished it lightly. He sighed a little disappointed before taking it and putting it back. "Such a nice wand... It's just too bad no one has bought it yet..." He mumbled to himself as he pulled out another wand.

He handed it to me. "Let's try this one.  Oak. 11 inches. Dragon heartstring core. Nice and supple.

I held it up and swished it. Nothing happened.

He placed it back in the box. Mumbling about something else as he pulled out another. "Yes... This is the one. Go ahead." He held the wand out to me. "Maple... 11 and a half inches... Phoenix feathers core... Reasonably supple... Does not mean you can try and bend it though..."

I held up the wand and swished it. A colorful stream of sparks shot from the end and spiraled through the air. Mr. Ollivander applauded enthusiastically.

"The wand has found its owner! Come on now. Let's get you home with it. Start a new year with a new wand." I paid for my new wand marveling it all the while.

"See? I told you it'd be fun." Heeseung nudged my shoulder as we entered the next shop.

"Yeah... I see." We had entered a robe shop.

"We both have to get measured for new robes this year. You especially, you can't wear Ilvermony robes to Hogwarts."

I grumbled at the reminder but nodded as a lady took our measurements and handed us our new robes. The process hadn't taken long. But it was boring.

He dragged me to another shop. "Let's look at the brooms!"

He gazed through the windows at the fancy brooms. Naming them all for me.

"Do you play Quidditch?" I asked him.

"I do!" He looked excited at the thought. His eyes were shining. "I'm the Hugflepuff Quidditch Captain!"

"That's cool."

"Do you play?" Heeseung asked me.

I nodded. "I was a Keeper."

"That's so cool! I'm a seeker."

Heeseung continued to drag me from shop to shop while asking more questions and giving me his life story. Before I knew it I had all of my school supplies. Including potion ingredients, books, robes, and an ice cream cone.

"Hey, look! There's my friends!" He grabbed my sore arm once more and dragged me to a group of boys. Almost making me spill my precious ice cream.

"Hey guys!" He stopped in front of them suddenly causing me to lose my balance before he grabbed my arm again to steady me.

"Delana. These are my friends. Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki."