The Golden Mare - Cedric Diggory

Sorting Ceremony

Aurora stepped off Hogwarts express and looked around in amazement. The stars were glittering brightly in the sky, and Hogwarts castle stood magnificently across the lake.

"It's beautiful", She murmured. Hermoine walked up besides her, her fluffy orange cat in her arms.

"I know", She sighed, admiring the beautiful castle, and then looked down at Quinton, who was being held in Aurora's arms. A grin spread on Hermione's face. "Perhaps these two could be friends?"

Aurora chuckled. "Definitely".

Suddenly she felt the harsh push of someone from behind her. She looked up to see the same blonde haired boy who had harassed her on the train. Malfoy.

Aurora rolled her eyes. "What is it you want to know?" She asked.

Draco narrowed his cold grey eyes. "Well, I don't know. I guess I didn't expect a pretty little thing like you to associate with Mudbloods", he spat, and then briskly walked away.

Aurora's mouth was wide open. Although she was pure blood, she found that type of language to be foul. At her old school, one could be expelled for using that word against another student.

"Oh Hermione, that was awful! No one should ever speak to you like that." Aurora consoled, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione shrugged her off. "It's alright." She said in a tight voice. It was obvious to Aurora that it bothered her, but Hermione wasn't going to let him see it. "He's been calling me that since second year."

Aurora narrowed her eyes. The more she learned about this guy, the less she liked them. If only he weren't so cute...

Don't think like that, Aurora reprimanded herself. "Well, if he says that to you around me again, he'll have some bruises to think about!" She declared. Hermione let out a laugh as they boarded their carriages to Hogwarts along with Ron and Harry.

Since Aurora was a fourth year, she had to go first during the sorting ceremony. She swallowed nervously as she saw every pair of eyes fixated on her as she walked across the hall. She heard a few boys whistling as she walked by, and she sped up her walk, feeling flustered.

"Windhyme, Aurora!" A teacher called. She was a rather old woman, but something about her told Aurora that she commanded respect. Aurora sat down in the chair and the sorting hat was placed on her head.

"Mmmm, quite an interesting one you are.... you could do well in any of the houses, really", the sorting hat murmured. "You have ambition, oh yes, quite a lot.... Brains and cleverness, loyalty and kindness, but also, overwhelming bravery and courage. Best to put you in... Gryffindor!" The hat declared.

Aurora lept from the chair with a smile across her face as the Gryffindor table cheered her name. She noticed many of the boys from the other houses had sour expressions on their faces.

"Thank god you're in Gryffindor!" Ron exclaimed as she sat down at the table between him and Harry.

"Oh, I know. I was rather anxious that I would end up in Slytherin!" She admitted.

"Hey Ronny, who's your pretty new friend?" Two voices sounded from farther down the table. Aurora turned her head to see two identical looking boys, both with blazing red hair.

Aurora blushed, but tried to hide her embarrassment. "My name is Aurora. I'm a transfer." She explained.

"These are my twin brothers", Ron whispered in Aurora's ear. "Fred and George".

"Ah, thanks for the introduction, little brother!" Fred laughed. "And I can tell. The American accent is strong." Fred observed.

She let out a small laugh and shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe I'll be talking like you strange people in a couple of months".

Everyone in the dining hall soon went silent as they noticed Dumbledore was standing up at his podium.

"As you all have probably heard by now, Hogwarts will be hosting the TriWizard tournament this year. This is an ancient competition that goes back many centuries. Hogwarts will be competing against the schools of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, of whom we will meet in a moment. One champion will be chosen from each school to participate." Dumbledore announced.

Murmuring began to spread across the dining hall as excitement for the tournament grew. "Oh gosh, I'm gonna join! I could be the champion!" Aurora heard Ron mutter excitedly to Harry.

"But be wary: the tasks for this competition will be dangerous, and will require tremendous courage, knowledge and wit. Therefore, we have decided that no witch or wizard under the age of 17 will be able to participate." Dumbeldore yelled.

Aurora heard a unified groan came from everyone in the dining hall, especially loudly from George and Fred.

"This is rubbish! We should be able to compete!" They shouted.

Dumbeldore gave them a glare, and then continued. "The decision is final. Those wishing to enter their name in the goblet must have their name submitted by three days time, in the room next to the dining hall. Now, I would like to welcome the schools of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons!"

Both schools put on grand displays as they entered the dining hall. Durmstrang did some sort of intimidating routine with large walking sticks. The school of Beauxbatons danced beautifully as they entered the school, as many of the boys drooled over the influx of eligible ladies.

After the feast, Hermione led Aurora into the Gryffindor common room and up into the girls dormitories. Aurora let out a yawn as her head crashed into the pillow, and soon she was fast asleep.