Witch Business

Move In Day

The walls of the corridor looked cold and had the smell of dripping moss. Yet, the architecture of the castle was marvelous; gargoyles placed almost as guards, gardens blooming with life, and the ground had intricate patterns I couldn't keep my eyes from following. This was Hogwarts; what it was all about. Old, yet antique-ness filled my surroundings.

In front of me was my older sister Phoebe. She was showing me around Hogwarts, and even though I was coming in as a third year, it was my first day. My witch abilities developed a lot later than normal people's would and so I am drawn back a few years.

Phoebe stopped in front of huge booming doors, the sound of chatter could be heard on the other side.

"Okay Summer, I can't show you much around anymore, the sorting ceremony is about to begin" Phoebe brings up. She looked down at me putting some of her long hair behind her ears and breathed out. She bent down and put her hands on my shoulders, "Whatever happens, you're going to love the house you're sorted in, and don't feel pressured if you don't get into Gryffindor like me. I'll see you after, good luck!"

She gives me a tight hug and turns to open the doors. On the inside were four elongated tables covered with students. In the middle of them was a line of young kids anticipating the start of the sorting ceremony.

I groan, "I'm too old to be here"

Phoebe just laughs and pushes me toward the end of the line and rushes back to the Gryffindor tables to join her friends.

I look back at the line that stood in front of me and my nerves finally kicked in. Of course I wanted Gryffindor. My eldest sister was in Slytherin and my second eldest brother in Hufflepuff. Although, when Phoebe talked about her time in Gryffindor and all the people who were in the house, I felt as though I should belong there too.

Suddenly it got quiet and one student was called up to the sorting hat. "Ravenclaw!" Right as it was announced the Ravenclaw table cheered for the student and welcomed them with open arms.

I could feel my face start to heat up as the line kept drawing to an end. The last young boy in front of me was called and it was finally my turn.

I shakily walk up to the chair and sit down as a professor puts the hat on my head. I hear a tiny voice speak into my ear, "Another Lancaster, shall I put you in Ravenclaw so all of you have diversity?"

No, not Ravenclaw. I definitely don't belong there.

"Not Ravenclaw? I can see that. How about, Gryffindor!" The hat said the last words out loud and cheers erupted from the Gryffindor table. It all happened so fast. I race toward it smiling as I see Phoebe's hand grab mine and squeeze it, letting go and watch me as I go to the end of the table.

The headmaster ended the ceremony and we all headed back to our bedrooms. Our Prefect who went by the name of Toreth, showed us how to get into the Gryffindor area. Once we were inside, he told us that on the right was the girls and the left the guys.

Toreth pulled me aside, "Summer Lancaster, you actually have a separate room from the newbies"

I nod agreeing--since I was a third year and followed him up a winding staircase. Once we made it to the top, the room in front of me was huge. It had five beds total, and one with a girl laying on it.

"Miranda" Toreth starts, "this is your new roommate, Summer. Please be nice to her and tell the rest of your group to as-- Hey! are you listening?"

Miranda looked up from the book she was reading and jumped off her bed. She walked towards us holding out a hand to me, "So sorry Toreth" she rolled her eyes at him and faced me, "Hi Summer! Your bed is next to mine, I can help you unpack if you want"

"Yeah, that'd be great!"

"You can leave now Torey" Miranda motions to him, snickering.

"I specifically told you not to call me tha--"

Miranda shoves him out the door while he still tries to throw in some words. She overpowers him and replies, "We need our women time, boy!" And finally shuts the door.

We both look at each other and start laughing.

"Alright Summer, let's see whatchu got"

We both walk over to my already brought up luggage and go through it. "Dang girl you got some cute clothes I'm totally borrowing when we don't have to wear these stupid uniforms"

"I kind of like them if you pull up the skirts a little bit so they're not so long"

Miranda looks at me approving, "Going against the dress code, I like you already"

We finally finish unpacking when the dinner bells start to chime.

"FOOD!" We both say in unison and grin at each other. We walk out of the rooms and start heading toward the main hall together.

"Alright Summer, let me give you the gist of it. Our other roommates are kind of crazy; not saying that I'm not crazy myself" She wiggles her eyebrows.

"Just waits until you really get to know me" I say wiggling mine back. She grins.

"Okay, so there's this girl Alison. She's going to be shy at first but she's super athletic and really likes this thing called anime? I don't really know"

"I LOVE anime!"

"Great, you're going to love her then. Then there's Melia, we call her Becky. Don't really remember why. Anyway. She's this cute, short Japanese girl who makes the most hilarious facial expressions. Then there's Taylor. Don't get on Taylor's bad side. She's funny, but if she doesn't like you, she'll tell you straight to your face and make a big deal about it. And that's that"

I crinkle my brows, "Okay, so Alison, Becky, and Taylor. I think I can handle this"

Miranda puts her arm around my shoulder, "We'll see about that"