The Scarlet Witch °Neville Longbottom

°0.4°

0.4 |shut up|

VERA slowly entered the great hall while all eyes were set on her.
Her green eyes shifted from left to right not knowing what to do.
She just kept walking while Hermione softly guided her towards the table with her hand on Vera's back.
Vera felt a bit more confident with Hermione by her side and Rex wrapped around her thumb in her pocket.

Once the two girls spotted Harry and Ron seated at the table they joined them.
"Those robes look good on you, Vera."
Vera gave Ron, who's mouth was filled with candy, a small smile and muttered a soft thank you.
The golden trio had a small conversation with Vera sitting in silence while waiting for Dumbledore's speech.

Neville Longbottom sat next to his friends Dean and Seamus not too far away from the infamous golden trio, now turned into golden quartet.
He saw the unfamiliar girl with dark scarlett red hair in a high ponytail sitting next to Hermione and she didn't seem very into their conversation.
He couldn't help if even though it felt wrong but he couldn't take his eyes of the unknown person in Gryffindor robes.
Her eyes suddenly turned towards him and Neville looked down in an instant feeling embarrassed to get caught.

After the first years were sorted Dumbledore finally began his speech.
"

Welcome all students of Hogwarts. A new year is ahead of us with new challenges.."
His speaking slowly dies and he glances at Vera for a second before letting his eyes roam around the room again.
"Some of you may have seen a new face amongst you student that hasn't been sorted. I would like to welcome Vera Strange to Hogwarts as our first transfer student."
It is silent for a moment and Vera can feel all eyes on her.
"If you are wondering why she wasn't sorted tonight it is because we have done that earlier on today and as you can see she is proud to be a Gryffindor."
Vera looks around the great hall while her hand reaches out for Rex.
When she feels his little hands wrap around her finger she felt a sense of ease come over her.
"We also wish to welcome our new defense against the dark arts teacher, professor Dolores Umbridge. I'm sure you all join me in wishing the professor good luck."
All students clap and the woman in bright pink clothes let's out a rather annoying laugh.

"Why is she so pink?" Vera mutters in confusion.
There was something in the professor's smile and eyes that gave Vera an unsettling feeling and by the looks of Harry sitting in front of her on the other side of the table he felt the same.
What took not only Vera but the whole room by surprise was the moment the woman stood up with a small cough and interrupted Dumbledore in the middle of his speech.
She walked forward where the great headmaster stood with both hands in front of her.
"She was at my hearing. She works for Fudge."
Both Hermione and Vera turn to look at Harry.
Vera mumbles a small "this can't be good" before turning her attention back to the woman.

"Thank you, headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright happy faces smiling up at me.."
Vera schrunches her nose in embarrassment for the pink lady.
Not a single soul in the room looked either happy or bight at the moment and only dull faces full of boredom stared up at her.
"I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."
Vera giggles softly when too identical boys with flaming red hair let out a rather loud: "That's likely."
By the looks of it they were related to Ron.
Vera noticed an annoyance in the pink woman and her kind façade seemed to fade away for a split second.

"The ministry of magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be a vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school.."
Professor Umbridge stops for a second and turns to Dumbledore while giving him a 'polite' nod.
"Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be reserved. Perfect what can be perfected and prue practices that ought to be prohibited." she ends with a low whisper.
She lets out one last irritating giggle before walking back towards her seat.
Students slowly start to clap not knowing what else to do.