Home, Where The Brave Ones Roam| Draco Malfoy

10

The train rolled to a stop and it felt as if my heart did too. I'm not ready for this, I'll never fit in here, what the hell have I gotten myself into. I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind, I know I have friends here no matter what happens, and besides, Hufflepuff doesn't seem all that bad, kind people with great values. Maybe not the ones I prioritize but hey, they're still great things to work on, if you're into that kind of stuff. "Athena we have to go, come on" Hermione dragged me out of my thoughts as well as the compartment.

"Are you sure we have to go now? We can wait a little bit no?" I tried to prolong the inevitable but my efforts were quick to put an end when she gave me a look basically telling me to shut up.

"I can't believe it, The Athena Grey can fight off 15 death eaters single-handedly, but she can't go to a new school? Don't be ridiculous" with that our conversation came to an end. I was dragged off of the train only to be caught up in a storm of people all exiting and walking on the platform trying to get to where they needed to be going. A booming voice echoed over the low rumble of chatter

"First years wit' me!" it bellowed, and that was exactly where Hermione was taking me.

"Hello Hagrid!" she said cheerfully greeting the man. Well, I think. He had to be at least 8 foot, not tall enough to be a giant, but too tall to be a human, I cocked my head at him no intentions of being rude, it was just cool to see such a different variety of people. "This is-"

"Well I'll be, course I know who 'dis is! The names Rubeus Hagrid, Dumbledore gave me orders ta take you wit me he did" a big smile was plastered on my face,

"Thanks, Rubeus" Hermione giggled and Rubeus laughed himself

"Please, call me Hagrid, all me friends do" he gave me a warm smile which for a fleeting moment allowed me to calm down, he looked like someone who I could trust. "Now Professor Dumbledore gave me the instructions of what is happening with you tonight, yous gonna be stickin' wit' me and get the experience of a first-year comin' to Hogwarts for the first time, then I'll pass yous off to Professor McGonagall and she'll take care o' ya. First-years follow me" he bellowed and with that, we were off. That brief moment before where I thought things would be okay left, and all I was left to do was worry.

"Hagrid, what happens in the sorting ceremony?" It had been eating at me all day, would there be a series of tests that I'd have to go through? Did I have to write something, I didn't bother asking anyone back at the Burrow, for if Fred found out I'd never hear the end of it Awe poor Athena, scared of a little test are we? Those exact words ran in my head, I couldn't help but smile, he could be quite daft sometimes.

"Well it's nothin' too crazy, they'll call your name and you'll go up and sit on the chair, then McGonagall puts the hat on your head and it decides" I let out a small laugh then quickly covered my mouth.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean for that to come off as rude-"

"Oh, no worries! I take it that's a lil bit different then what they do at Ilvermorny "

"Very"

"Well, hows they do it?" He sounded genuinely intrigued by the idea of something different, as did the gawking first-years that followed behind trying to get a better listen to our conversation

"Well, we would all come into the entrance hall and there's a giant Gordian Knot on the floor when our name got called we would go stand on the knot, all the older students watching from balconies above in silence, and wait for our house to pick us."

"How would you knows whos been picked?" he questioned, wanting to know everything

"There are four statues facing the Knot representing the four houses, which were the Horned Serpent, Thunderbird, Pukwudgie, and Wampus, each house represents a different part of a human, Horned Serpent is the mind and favours scholars, Thunderbird is the soul and favours adventures, Wampus is the body and favours warriors and, Pukwudgie is the heart and favours healers, so when a student they like is presented to them the statues react, either by glowing eyes or flapping wings and if more than one house wants them, the student is free to choose the house best suited for them." Hagrid looked a bit shocked

"Did yeh get more than one house wantin' yah?" he asked as we neared the lake, I rubbed the back of my neck

"Of course she did, it was all over the prophet when it happened" a first-year boy squeaked "My brother was freaking out about it when he saw you on the train, is it true you were chosen by all four houses?" my face went red, I replied with a simple nod. I still remember it clearly

"Athena Grey" Her voice pierced the air as in silence I found my way through the crowd of anxious first-years, just trying to find out where they belonged. Many, from what I heard, had family traditions to upkeep and wanted nothing more than to continue the bloodline they were so proud to be apart of. My family didn't have any ties to this school, that I knew of at least, as far as my mom was concerned I was the first of the Greys to ever step into this building. I eventually made my way through the crowd and the giant Knot lay before me, as careful as ever I stepped up onto it and faced the statues facing me. It felt as if time had stopped, no one spoke a word, you could hear a sweat droplet on the floor. I raised my head and pushed my shoulders back, determined to show I was unafraid, I met the gaze of each statue, wondering what must be going through there minds. Then the crystals in the Horned Serpents carvings began to glow, I smiled "The Horned-" but before she could even announce it, the wings of the Thunderbird carving began to flap a few mutters were spread across the room but quickly hushed up. "Well, it looks like you have the choice between-" a loud roar coming from the Wampus carving interrupted her once again and before she could even speak the carving for Pukwudgie raised its arrow. I didn't know what to do, voices could be heard louder now than before, as all four houses were competing to see who would get me. Shock pulsed through my body, why would all four want someone like me? Someone who couldn't remember past a few years ago, someone who showed the littlest potential to do anything at all, everyone was silenced by the professor.

"Enough!" I could feel everyone's eyes on me, nobody knowing where I would end up. "Miss. Grey, it seems you have a choice, chose wisely, this is a great honor." I nodded and took each house into consideration, did I want to be the soul, the body, the heart, or the mind. As much as I would love to settle and hone in one particular part, I was always one to wander.

"Blimey Athena, that's quite the honor" Hagrid interrupted "Which one did yeh pick?" He stopped walking so the rest could pile in after us.

"Thunderbird, I've always been one for adventure" I smiled

"Okay everyone pile on in, no more than 4 to a boat, Athena your wit' me, come on now, let's go" I stepped in after Hagrid and a group of first-years wrestled their way to the front to try and be the ones to ride on the boat with us. I couldn't help but laugh, it had never occurred to me it was that big of a deal for them to be in the same boat as a transfer student. Not a lot was spoken after that, but almost as soon as we took off I saw the reflection of the lantern in the water, the beautiful golden flames lighting up the dark waters, giving them a warm glow. In the glow, I felt a bit of courage swell in me,

This will be everything you've been dreaming of.

And if it's not?

Stop thinking like that, you're going to be fine, this is your home, life might finally make sense here.

There are too many questions about my life for it to make any sense.

So how about we start making some answers.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by the excited whisper of the first years in my boat "Look!" I forced my eyes away from the water and looked up to the most amazing sight I've ever seen. There it stood in all it's glory, a beautifully laid castle covering a large area with its stunning stone walls illuminated from within and beaming with delight. The lanterns helped paint the picture beautifully, as it made the fortress that was sturdy and unable to fall, look gentle and delicate like it held secrets but was willing to tell all to those who asked the right questions.

Well, if crazy old Olivander was right, here lie all my answers.

Even though I hadn't wanted to believe a word he had said, I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of hope as I looked at my new home which began looming over me.

I was finally here.

In front of me was the beautiful castle my mother knew and loved so dearly,

Hogwarts.