Crossroads of Two Worlds

15- New Beginnings

(Kaley above at current age- 11 years old)

When I was finished my first meal at Hogwarts, I felt like a balloon had been shoved into my stomach, I was so full. It was a fantastic feeling.

Our house prefects, Molly Weasley and Patrick Frank, began to lead us to the Gryffindor dormitories. Molly had light red hair and dark brown eyes that seemed to be analyzing everything at every second. Compared to the other Weasleys I'd met, she seemed rather serious. To each their own, I suppose. Patrick was, just saying, very handsome, with dark brown hair and golden-brown eyes. He told jokes all the way to the dormitories that even Molly couldn't help laughing at. They led the seven first years up to a large portrait of a very large woman in lacy, frilly clothes, and a condescending expression pasted on her wrinkled face.

Then she started moving, which should have been expected, but wasn't. Not that she moved much, just lifted her chin and spoke in a rather deep voice (for a woman), "Password?"

"Licorice wands," Molly said confidently.

The fat lady nodded and the picture swung inward to reveal a door that was tall enough for the first years and Molly, but short enough that Patrick had to duck. When we got through the door, we entered the common room of maroon and gold. A huge stone fireplace had impossibly red flames flicking at the air. A red couch and two overstuffed armchairs made a half circle around the fire. The carpets would only be described as "well loved". There were tables and chairs to study at and the room was overall just... warm, welcoming.

Molly and Patrick turned around to face us and Patrick gestured to the stairs behind him, "First year dormitories are easy to find. Girls up the stairs and to your right, boys, the same to the left. Your belongings have already been brought up, and are waiting for you there. Please try to sleep as much as possible, classes start tomorrow at eight. If you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to come find either of us. For now, off to bed!"

The seven of us split to go to bed, the three girls went to our room as the boys went to theirs. Me, Rose, and a muggleborn called Kalena, immediately got ready for bed, all of us being exhausted from the long day. Kalena was beautiful, her blonde hair and classic baby blue eyes sparkled, we had met on the way up here, and she was really quite funny. She had said that she'd gotten accepted to Hogwarts and Beauxbatons, as she lived in France, but she had chosen Hogwarts. Her French accent was thick but fairly easy for me to understand, as I'd learned a bit of French for fun once. And I honestly thought that her voice was beautiful. As tired as I was, when I laid down, I couldn't seem to find sleep. Kalena was having the same trouble, so, even after Rose was out, I rolled onto my side to look at the resident of the bed to my right, "Psst! Kalena!"

She rolled onto her side to face me, "What is it?"

"Are you excited for tomorrow? Did you study any before we got here? I mean, you're muggleborn right? Like me?"

That was the story I went with, seeing as I couldn't really explain my situation to anyone until I knew I could trust them. I was supposed to tell the teachers if they didn't already know, but not students. I stuck by Chiron's rule and only told a few people at camp, I would do the same here. I felt that I would eventually tell Rose, but I was beginning to really like this girl.

"They gave me my letter really early in the summer, after my birthday, so I had time to get my things and learn a few spells and study," Kalena said, "And call me Kaley."

I nodded, "I got the news in June but only got my things a little while ago. I did look at my books a bit though."

She rolled over into her back and sighed, "I can't wait for tomorrow to start. But I'm still nervous, does that make sense?"