OC Harry Potter Fanfiction- Ivy Rockwell

Chapter 1: Hogwarts- Year One

I sat on the Hogwarts Express, on my way to my first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was excited, yet the butterflies in my stomach refused to leave. I could see the top of the castle, as we slowed to a stop in Hogsmeade Station. Climbing off the train, I realized I had no idea where to go, after all, this was my first year.

"Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!" a deep voice called. I saw it was coming from a man twice as tall as any of the other adults. I shuffled my way over to him, and he winked at me, grinning. We followed him down to the lake next to Hogwarts, where there was a series of boats awaiting us.

"Right then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me." he said, gesturing to the boats down by the lake.

I climbed in a boat, tentatively testing to make sure it did not rock too badly. A few other kids joined me in the boat, and the last of the first years scrambled into others.

"Alrigh' now, don't rock the boats, and don't fall in the water!" The large man said as he climbed into the lead boat.

The boats began to glide silently across the water, although nothing was towing them. The late evening sky reflected across the water, giving the water the appearance of a liquid fire.

As we approached the other shore, the butterflies I had pushed down returned. Fluttering around in my stomach, my heart beating in my throat, We climbed out of the boats and tramped up to the castle, still following the towering figure.

Approaching the school, the front doors towered over us, making me feel small. The giant man pushed the heavy oak doors open, seemingly without effort. He led us through the entry hall, with its grand marble staircases, and elegant gleaming banners, with the Hogwarts crest in the center.

We were taken to the front doors of the great hall, where another teacher introduced herself as Professor McGonagoll and began to tell us about the sorting hat.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup."

An excited chatter ran throughout the first years momentarily. Professor McGonagoll held up her hand, quieting us.

"Trevor!" someone yelled, before mumbling an apology. Someone next to me whispered about the kid's toad.

"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily." Professor McGonagoll continued, giving the boy a sharp look, before entering the great hall, leaving us for a moment.

"It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." a whisper broke out among us. A young blonde boy with slicked back hair turned to Harry. Of course, everyone knew Harry, we all grew up hearing about him, but the fact he had come to Hogwarts was huge! A nervous feeling gripped my stomach. 

"This is Crabbe and Goyle and I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy." he said, while the red head next to Harry sniggered.   "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley. We'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." said Draco, extending a hand toward Harry. The hush among the students becoming uncomfortable.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." Harry replied, ignoring Draco's hand, and shifting closer to the redhead and the girl next to him, who I suspected to be Hermione Granger.

Just then, Professor McGonagoll returned. Staring down at Draco, who shifted back in with the rest of the students, she said, "We're ready for you now." 

Turning, she led us into the Great Hall, where four long tables were set, each with a banner hanging over them. Next, I saw the stool, the Sorting Hat sitting atop it. 

Professor McGonagoll turned and motioned for us to stop.

"All right, will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words." she said, gesturing toward the front of the room, where the Hogwarts teachers sat.

A man I assumed to be Dumbledore, rose from the table.

"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch," he paused, gesturing to an older, short, greasy haired man who was petting a cat. "has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you."

Dumbledore sat, and Professor McGonagoll turned to us again.

"When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger."

The girl, who I had correctly assumed to be Hermione, stood, nervously walking toward the stool.

"Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...GRYFFINDOR!!" the hat shouted, after a moment or two on her head. A large cheering broke out at the Gryffindor table to my right.

When it got quiet, Professor McGonagoll spoke again.

"Draco Malfoy." Draco rose, sauntering to the front of the room, a smirk on his face.

"SLYTHERIN!!" the hat shouted, barely touching his head.

A large applause came from the Slytherin table.

"Susan Bones."

"Let's see...I know...HUFFLEPUFF!" the girl smiled ear to ear and dashed to the Hufflepuff Table, where cheering erupted.

"Ronald Weasley." The redhead that Draco had been teasing earlier gulped and tottered to the front of the room, sitting on the stool.

"Ah! Another Weasley. I know just where to put you...GRYFFINDOR!!" Ronald sighed, and sprinted to the Gryffindor Table, where his twin brothers clapped him on the back.

"Harry Potter." Immediately, everything went silent. A quill could have dropped, and it would sound like a bomb going off. The hat was placed on his head.

"Hmm...difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see, not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?"

"Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that! No? Well, if you're sure...better be...GRYFFINDOR!!" 

Harry stood, a toothy grin on his face as he ran to sit by Ronald. The Gryffindor table cheered loudly, and people began chanting Harry's name.

"Ivy Rockwell."

I stood, the butterflies only growing stronger. Shuffling to the front of the room, my head down, I was thinking over and over, Which house will I be in? I sat on the stool, and Professor McGonagoll placed the Sorting Hat on my head.

"Hmm... Not Slytherin, Hufflepuff maybe? But a wonderful mind. Ravenclaw would gladly take you, but your kind heart tells me otherwise....Hmmm....... I know! (Enter House Later)!!!"