The Girl Who Loved: Year 1

Chapter 4

A man with a long, white beard and half moon-shaped glasses rose from his seat at the long table at the front of the Hall. Albus Dumbledore.

He gave a friendly smile. "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

"Thank you!"

He sat back down as everyone else applauded with a few chuckles here and there.

Before Colleen could blink, all of the dishes on the tables were filled with a feast. All different meats and side dishes that Colleen and her siblings enjoyed were piled high. A girl who seemed to be a fifth year helped Colleen fix her plate.

"Thank you," she said before digging into the roast chicken.

"You're Percy's sister, aren't you?" the girl asked.

"Yes, I'm Colleen."

"I'm Penelope," the girl smiled. "Ravenclaw Prefect. Percy's told me all sorts of things about you and your brothers. Are you the youngest?"

"No. We have one more. Our baby sister, Ginny. She should get her letter next June."

"Well, the more Weasleys, the better. And if you ever need anything, you can come to me, the Head Girl, or our Head of Ravenclaw House."

"And who's that?" Terry asked, his mouth half full with the beef.

"Professor Flitwick. That's him right there." Penelope pointed to a small man sitting next McGonagall. He was the size of a goblin, but he had a much friendlier presence.

"What does he teach?" Colleen asked after swallowing a piece of bacon.

"Charms."

Colleen grinned. "Facinating."

"And who do we have here?" a soothing voice spoke. All of the Ravenclaws looked up to see a ghost in a long white gown. She had a lovely face, a kind smile, and welcoming aura about her.

"It's always refreshing to see new first years," she smiled.

"This is the Grey Lady, everyone," Penelope commented.

"Call me Helena." Her transparent head turned to Colleen. "Now, this is a first. Nice to meet you, Miss Weasley."

"Call me Colleen," she replied.

"Well, we've never had a Weasley in Ravenclaw before, but we're very happy you're with us, Colleen."

She returned a smile and continued with her meal. As soon as she was done with her plate, the leftovers of the savory dinner vanished, and various desserts appeared before them.

"I'm half-and-half," a voice from the Gryffindor table sounded from behind her.

Turning to see who it was, Colleen found it was the boy named Seamus speaking. "Me dad's a Muggle. Mum didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."

He's Irish, she thought, judging by his accent.

"Keeping an eye on your boyfriend, Weasley?" Lisa teased.

"I don't even know him," Colleen chuckled.

"He's had his eyes on you since we got off the boats," Padma commented. "I think he fancies you."

"Only your first night, and someone has a crush on our new friend," Penelope teased, which was followed by a few Ravenclaw students laughing.

Colleen blushed as she finished off the rest of her dessert. She just hoped no one noticed the handholding incident earlier.