AFTERWARDS

Chapter 4

I was the first awake. That I was glad of! I wanted some time to take it all in, and examine everything.
In my room, there were 5 other beds, all filled by 5 different girls. Each bed had maroon and gold curtains hanging above it with matching bed sheets. In the bed next to the door was a girl with hair the colour of autumn leaves, and cheekbones as high as mountains. She was quiet last night, but I understood because it was the first night and was probably homesick. Her trunk was brown leather but she had decorated it with stencilled golden leaves. She didn't seem like much of a quidditch player, she intrigued me. I could see that she was artistic. Her name was Willow and judging by how she looked, matched her perfectly
In the bed next to hers was a girl named Leah. She had big blonde curls and dimples as deep as the ocean. We spoke briefly last night about her horses at home. She was from Scotland and her accent was strong and smooth.
My bed was closest to hers, tucked into an alcove in front of the window. I had brought my giraffe teddy; Henry, with me, but didn't take him out last night because I was afraid people would tease me. I knew I didn't have to be worried now, because several other girls had their toys with them.
Next to me was Hannah, whom I had quickly become friends with. She was so kind and timid. I liked her.
Then there was Penny who had long strawberry blonde hair down to her waist. Her eyes were bright blue and she had freckles on her forehead and across her nose. Her teeth were perfectly straight and pearly white. Her section of the room was extremely neat for the first night. She kept her cool all night, and her belongings showed that. They were all piled up neatly and all edges matched up. She would probably be the anchor of our group. Keeping us all calm, she had that look about her.
Finally, there was Nala. A petite Japanese girl with jet black hair cut into a bob. She had a straight cut fringe that framed her face. She hadn't talked much last night, but her pyjamas spoke loudly. They were gorgeous. Crimson silk with gold embroidery and gold cuffs at the bottom. She had just woken up and saw that I had been staring at her. I quickly looked away, but she wasn't mean or rude, Nala smiled and her eyes crinkled. It was a real smile.
"Shall we get some breakfast?" She whispered.
"Of course"
I jumped out of bed, stretched my arms and yawned. This was all new and I didn't know what to do! So I made my bed and changed into my robes. They were black with the ornate gryffindor symbol on the chest. I wore a maroon jumper and tie underneath, along with a straight black school skirt. I felt like a real Hogwarts student. Nala was still in the bathroom, so I made my way down the stone stairs into the common room. Albus was slumped into an armchair reading a book. I crept up behind him and clicked my fingers next to his ear. I must have startled him because he jumped up and spilt his Pumpkin Latte all over his book.
"I'm so sorry"
He exhaled and began wiping it up with his pyjama sleeve.
"I wish you weren't so much like a bulldozer Lil"
I smiled sheepishly, "you know I'm clumsy! But at least I apologised"
"I know, anyway how's your first night been?"
"Fantastic! All of the girls in my dorm are lovely, and I know they won't be mean for Having Henry there, and I'm about to go to breakfast with Nala, she seems nice. I haven't talked to her much but she invited me to breakfast-"
"You're going very fast Lil, slow down" he laughed at me, but not in a nasty way, in a big brotherly way.
Nala was making her way downstairs.
"I have to go, but meet me here later and we can talk properly?"
"Of course sis. Have a good day, I'll see you later".