Dear Rose [Scorose]

Chapter Three

 I smiled as I stepped into the Great Hall, my blue robes swishing around my legs. I sat down at the Ravenclaw table next to Lorcan. Once everyone had settled down and the chatter had stopped, the great oak doors opened once more.

"Look at the first years," Lorcan commented to me in a whisper. "It's hard to believe we were ever that tiny." I nodded. Some of the first years were shaking nervously, and a few were holding hands. I remembered my Sorting. I always talk when I'm nervous, so naturally, I annoyed Albus the entire time with my comments about the enchanted ceiling and the history of the Great Hall (all of which I'd learned from Hogwarts, a History- Mum had insisted that I read it before I started school). But all of the worry had faded the second the Hat called "Ravenclaw!" after a only a few moments. Now, the first years filed into a neat line as Professor McGonagall nodded to the Sorting Hat, who opened his cloth mouth wide and began to sing:

For many years now I have sat

Upon each student's hair,

Each of them have been afraid

To sit down on this chair.

But have no fear! For I am here,

To tell you who you are-

To see if you are brave or cunning,

Wise or pure of heart.

Now don't start feeling anxious

Soon you shall be free

To be yourself, just show your dreams

And put your trust in me.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

For the bravest of you all,

Or maybe you'll like Slytherin

Where you shall never fall

Perhaps you're meant for Hufflepuff,

Where friends are never far apart,

You may fit right in Ravenclaw

Where you will learn to value smarts.

So don't be shy, and sit right down!

Sit there proud and strong!

Place me right upon your crown,

For the Hat is never wrong!

The Great Hall erupted into claps, cheers, and chants about which House was better. Professor McGonagall, however, was quick to shush everyone and announce that it was officially time to list the first years:

"Idris Amony!"

"Oh, no doubt about it. RAVENCLAW!"

I cheered along with the rest of my Housemates.

"Norra Bentley!"

"Hmm... Hard to tell. But I think this one belongs in GRYFFINDOR!"

"Castor Barrison!"

"Definitely a SLYTHERIN!"

"Bethindra Caralante!"

"A very first- HUFFLEPUFF!"
And so the Sorting Hat went on, calling out houses and McGonagall continued listing names. There was only one name I recognised- Karalyn Hopkirk, my best friend Andria's little sister. She was sorted into Gryffindor. "I knew she would," Andria later explained, "she's always riding the tallest rollercoasters at muggle amusement parks."

~

The food was delicious as always. I instantly went for the sirloin steak, scrambled eggs (with a side of bacon, of course) and out of instinct, the mashed potatoes and gravy. I hadn't realised how empty my stomach was, all I ate on the train was about half of a Licorice Wand and a single, peach-flavored Bertie Botts bean (Hugo had dared me into it, thinking it was earwax).

I was reunited with all of my best friends like Andria, Calliope Wellbelove, and Jessamine (I always just called her Jessa) Clearwater. I had barely seen any of them over the summer, so it was nice to catch up. Calliope had gone to visit some ancient wizarding ruins in Ireland with her parents, and Jessa went to America to see her cousins. Andria spent the summer learning about muggles and the things they like to do for fun. Once the Feast was over we continued the conversation into the girl's dormitory, where we sat on our beds and talked about what we were most excited for.

"Leaving," Jessamine finally decided. We all laughed. "What?" she added, "I can't wait to get a job and really become an adult. I mean, think. This is our last year at Hogwarts. How crazy is that?"

The rest of the group nodded in agreement.

"I remember our first year," I told them, "when Calliope wore bangs across her forehead." Calliope made a face.

"Those were disgustingly ugly," she said, "I can't believe none of you ever told me."

"We didn't want to hurt your feelings!" Andria explained, patting Calliope on the back. "But now you understand." Calliope laughed.

Jessa lay down on her stomach with her feet up in the air. "Remember when we got lost trying to find Potions, and some seventh-year Gryffindor told us it was on the top floor? We spent half an hour searching for it!"

I laughed especially hard. "That was so embarrassing. Professor Dulbane was furious!"

Calliope rolled her eyes. "I'm definitely not gonna miss old Dull Bones when I'm out of here."

"What do you want to do when you're out of here?" Andria asked us.

"Work for the Ministry," I answered quickly, "or be a professor here. I'm not really sure yet." Andria nodded in agreement.

"I want to be the Care of Magical Creatures professor. Or a magizoologist" Calliope told us, "because you get to see all sorts of things like centaurs, hippogriffs, even unicorns. I would have a pet dragon!"
I stifled a laugh, thinking of all the stories Mum and Dad had told me about Hagrid.

"I want to write for the Prophet," Jessa said as she reached for the pack of Every Flavor beans in between us. "But not like Rita Skeeter!" she added after we gave her shocked looks. "Real stuff. What's going on in the world. Maybe even Muggle news. So many wizards are clueless about the Muggle world. It's important for them to know these things. Common things like phones and pens are so much more practical than owls and quills!" She popped the bean into her mouth, grimacing at the taste.

I agreed, explaining how Mum got us all phones this summer. "Even Grandma is trying to figure out how to call us. She likes the idea of being able to talk to us in person, rather than just sending letters."

"I wish my grandma was that cool," Andria said. "All she talks about is what's going on at the Ministry."

"Grandma Molly's the best," I agreed, taking a mental note that I needed to send her a letter soon.

~

Soon enough, it was time for bed. I lifted open my trunk to pick out some pajamas, and instantly my eyes landed on the rose. Pulling a glass vase out of the magical purse Mum gave me, I whispered "Aguamenti" and placed the rose on the nightstand next to my bed. I felt a huge pang of remorse when I realised that I hadn't seen Scorpius at the Feast or on the train. I would just make sure to spend plenty of time with him tomorrow.

"Goodnight," we all said simultaneously as I waved my wand and the lights went out.