Saving Grace

Hogwarts

Before I knew it, it was September 1st and I was heading to Kings Cross in the backseat of a cab.  The place was packed which I was okay with because I liked blending in.  It also made it easier to walk through the wall that was the entrance to the platform. A looming red train sat on the tracks. Kids were running all around. Hugging their parents. their friends. I wasted no time standing around outside seeing as I had no family to say bye to. I found a compartment alone  and decided to spend my time glaring at the loving family's outside the window. 

"Can we sit here?" a voice from the door spoke. 

I looked up to see a girl with short black hair and a girl with hair the color of dark wheat. 

"Of course. I'm Celeste." I greeted with a smile. I figured it wouldn't hurt to spend the time totally alone. 

"I'm Pansy" the black haired girl said as she took a seat across from me. The wheat haired girl sat down beside her before speaking. 

"I'm Daphne." she said with a smile. 

"Well it's nice to meet you two. You're the first people I've met." I said stroking Salem's head. 

"I love your cat. Even if it is a bit cliché for a witch to have a black cat." Pansy laughed. 

"I have a weakness for cats. Sometimes I am also known to love clichés but only if they have black fur, four legs and the name Salem." I smiled. 

Both of the girls giggled at that. The rest of the way to Hogwarts went swell. The three of us became fast friends. Daphne was the sweeter of the three of us and quieter. Pansy was the loud one. She had the right amount of bite to her. I was the sarcastic and bitter one. 

"We should probably go ahead and get changed" Daphne offered. We all nodded in agreement. Pansy locked the compartment while we all changed. 

"I know I'll be able when we're actually sorted and have our house logo on our clothes." I said as I frowned at the generic black uniform in front of me. 

"I do hope we're all in the same house." Daphne said shyly. 

"Well if you two aren't Slytherin then I don't want to be your friends anymore." I remarked.

"Oh you have no worries there." Pansy replied. 

Sure enough we arrived at Hogwarts not long after changing. I followed Pansy and Daphne out of the compartment and onto the platform. 

"First years over here" a large voice called. 

I looked at the source of the voice and found the largest man I had ever seen. One that was very clearly part giant. I rolled my eyes at the sight of him. Us three girls climbed into a boat and were soon joined by a boy who introduced himself as Theodore. Once everyone was in a boat they started going by themselves.  As we rounded a corner I saw Hogwarts for the first time and all the books I had read had not prepared me for how beautiful it was in perfect. 

"Close your mouth. You look like a moron." Pansy smirked. 

"Better to look like one than be one Pans." I retorted. 

After the boat ride we were escorted into the castle and left standing on a grand stair way. As we were standing there I saw the blonde and black haired boy from the robe shop. The blonde walked over to stand in front of the black haired boy. 

"So it's true then. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts. This is Crabbe and Goyle" he said indicating the two large boys behind him.  "And I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy." 

A stupid looking red head beside Harry snickered. Draco turned on him quickly. 

"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.  You'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." he smirked as he held his hand out for Harry. 

Harry just ignored the outstretched hand and grumbled.  "I think I can tell the wrong sorts for myself thanks"  

McGonagall tapped Draco on the back before he could reply. I pushed past the other kids and caught up with Draco.

"I told you that boy was extremely rude." I said catching his attention.

"Oh Celeste, yes someone really needs to teach him some manners and while they're at it that fame isn't everything."

"We could always make his life here at Hogwarts terrible." I smiled evily.

"I think I found my new best friend." he beamed from beside looping his arm through mine.

The sorting was extremely boring. I could care less what dunderhead ended up in Hufflepuff or what know it all went to Ravenclaw.  I was interested enough that Draco, Pansy, Daphne and Theodore all went to Slytherin. The famous Harry Potter of course went to Gryffindor along with his ugly friend.

"Celeste Parker." finally my name was called. I walk forward calmly and smiled as the hat covered my eyes.

"Oh an easy one. A thirst to prove yourself. to be better than your family. A need for power. Eager to find your father. You have a cold and bitter mind just like he did. better be Slytherin"  The hat spoke the last part for the hall to hear.

I rushed to the Slytherin table to take a seat between Pansy and Draco.

"I told you that I would be a Slytherin." I remarked

"I'm glad. it will be easier to make Saint Potter's life miserable if were in the same house." He smiled.

"This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. "  I smiled as I looped my arm with Draco's again. 

The food was far better than I have ever had. Despite my fullness I was sad when the food disappeared and we were dismissed. Our house prefects lead us through the halls and down to the dungeon. They stopped in front of a brick wall and explained how to get in.

I was disappointed in myself as I walked through the doors. I was once again in awe. The whole place was a hint of green. You could tell we were under the lake. Big comfy black leather couches and chairs lined the room. There was a wall of books that made my heart swell. There was something about reading about something and actually getting to see the beauty first hand.

I knew one thing though. I was going to love Hogwarts.