The Great Hall was festively decorated, as it was every year. The house banners hung heavily from the ceiling, and candles floated above the students. Jessi waved at me. I knew the incident at the carriages wasn't her fault, so I went over to sit with her.
"About earlier—" she began, biting her lower lip nervously.
"It's fine. I know I'm not exactly the kind of person people want to hang out with, because the jerks have it out for me. I don't blame you. Nobody wants that."
"No. I don't care about what Riddle and the others say. Honestly. Let them talk. If the others didn't put so much stock in their opinions, we wouldn't have a problem." She looked up at me with big, determined eyes. And she was right. But unfortunately, things weren't that simple. Unfortunately, my classmates—and even my once-best friend—cared far too much about the bullies' opinions.
"Thanks, Jessi." I smiled.
"So, who's—" The portal doors burst open, and Professor McGonagall led the newcomers into the Hall. Everyone fell silent. Even Jessi, so I never got to find out what she was about to ask me. I spotted the two first-years from my compartment in the crowd. They waved excitedly at me. I waved back, smiling. Sure, they'd been a bit annoying on the train, but they were really sweet. And it made sense—they were starting their first year at Hogwarts, after all.
"Welcome, students. The time has come again," Headmaster Dumbledore began his speech. "A new school year. Hopefully, you haven't rusted too much over the summer." He winked, and a few students chuckled. "Now then. Let's begin the Sorting Ceremony for our newcomers. Professor McGonagall, if you would, the hat." The Transfiguration professor brought forward an old wooden stool with an even older hat resting on top. I smiled at the bewildered looks on the first-years' faces.
"I will call your names one by one. Please step forward and put on the hat. It will sort you into your houses," McGonagall said, holding a long roll of parchment and beginning the ceremony."Andreé Artenberg." A boy stepped forward and placed the hat on his head. The tension grew as everyone wondered which house the first student would join.
"RAVENCLAW!" the hat bellowed, and the Ravenclaw table erupted in applause, stomping their feet on the floor. The boy beamed and ran over to join a group of older Ravenclaws. I caught a few words from their conversation—something about "brother" and "made it."
Next up was Alexandra Bremfels. To my surprise, she was one of the two kids who had shared my train ride.
"HUFFLEPUFF." I grinned as she stood, looking a bit overwhelmed as she scanned the room for a seat. I waved her over since everyone else around me—except Jessi, of course—had already slid away. Alexandra hurried to my side.
"HEY, I'M IN HUFFLEPUFF, LOOK!" she shouted excitedly. She'd told me on the train how much she wanted to be just as cool as me and hoped to get into the same house. She plopped down next to me on the bench. "I hope Dorian gets sorted into our house too!" she said. I nodded. I'd be happy for her if her friend ended up with us. The Sorting continued. Many students went to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. A few to Slytherin. But so far, only three had been sorted into Hufflepuff, out of twenty-one.
"Not many Hufflepuffs this year..." Jessi murmured.
"Dorian Xelter," McGonagall called out. Alexandra tensed as her friend stepped up to the stool. She closed her eyes, as if in silent prayer.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The moment the hat shouted, Alexandra's eyes flew open, and a radiant smile spread across her face. Dorian ran to her, and they hugged tightly. Once the Sorting Ceremony was finished—twelve Hufflepuffs this year—Dumbledore stood again.
"Well then. I won't keep you much longer. I know you're all eager to eat and catch up with your friends. So, here's to another year of learning!" With that, enormous piles of food appeared on the tables as if by magic. Alexandra and Dorian wasted no time piling their plates high. I waited. Once everyone had served themselves, I began to load my plate with some salad, a chicken drumstick, and that delicious sauce I'd searched for in every Muggle store but never found. A dream.
"So, what are you doing tonight?" Jessi asked casually.
"Hmm...probably unpacking and resting. Why?"
"So, nothing planned?" She grinned as I shook my head.
"Then you're coming with me."
"To where?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"There's a party tonight. Dress hot. Something short or whatever." I stared at her like she was joking.
"What?" she mumbled through a mouthful of food. "I'm not letting those idiots ruin your school experience."
I swallowed hard. That was really sweet of her, but I didn't want to be a burden. Besides, I didn't exactly own anything "hot."
"I don't have anything like that," I muttered. Her look said she thought I was kidding. I wasn't. I'd never even considered buying anything remotely sexy. Everything I owned were gifts I'd shoved into the deepest corner of my closet the moment I got them.
"Seriously? Nothing?" I shook my head, and she looked at me in disbelief. "Then I'll lend you something. We're about the same size anyway."
I bit my lip. There went my last excuse not to go to this party.
"And where is it?" I asked. She chewed her food for a moment, swallowed, then said:
"In the Slytherin common room."
YOU ARE READING
Revenge ~ An HP FF
FanfictionI'd never had a problem speaking my mind. Really, never. People often told me I was too open with my thoughts and feelings, that I let others see too much. I'd always been that way-an open book. Until I met him.
