alohomora

one

AU- Before we start this takes place in the gang's (harry/Hermionie/Ron) 5th year, making them all 15/16 at Hogwarts. This takes place during the order of the phoenix, however its set in an AU where in the tournament (goblet of fire), Cedric is badly injured but lives. Also, the events of the books aren't really important to this story, but ofc its good to know whats going on :) enjoy!!

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The train finally came to a halt after what had seemed like forever. Here I am, all alone in my seat with my ever-so large suitcase and full backpack. I crinkle the empty candy wrapper and put it into the pocket of my pants, staring out of the window into the rainy landscape of a hill where the castle, my new school, is set. Hogwarts. 

It's both strange and exciting to be starting a new school in a completely different country. My mom went to Hogwarts but after graduation she had moved to America where she met my dad, and so I went to Ilvermorny for my first five years of school. But now we've moved back, and i'm stuck going to Hogwarts instead. I've arrived with the first years, as I have to be sorted into my house today before starting my classes. As the people in the cars ahead of me begin to leave, I grab my bags and do the same, looking around the faces of all these strangers. 

Suddenly, a booming voice can be heard above all the rest, it's coming from an older lady near the front of the group. I squeeze my way towards her so I can get a good look.  "Now, quiet down students. Quiet down! I am Professor Mcgonagall here to welcome you to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. First on the agenda is to get out of this rain!" She looks over to a man about twice her size, with a long beard as he begins to spead.

"Alright students lets get ya into the school, come along now, into the dining hall! follow me!" he says as he begins the path on the way to the school. I tighten my grip on my suitcase as I follow in the sea of people moving toward the school. 

We arrive into the school and stop at a staircase. Professor Mcgonagall begins to hand out folders to all the students calling us by our names until we all have one. I look inside and find a map of the school, my class schedule, a list of extra circulars, and a packet of rules. 

"The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts." says the Professor, and then she adds, "Transfer students will go first, and then we will go alphabetically from there. Understood?" 

I nod my head as she opens the door to the Great Hall. Bright light fills the atmosphere as the group walks in, around us, four long tables for each house and one table at the front, which I'm guessing is for teachers. We are taken through the middle of the room, as all the other students stare at us. 

We make our way to the front of the room, all circles around a stool with a hat sitting in front of us. Mcgonagall makes her way to the front and introduces all of the teachers, then pulls out a long scroll and begins to call out names to be sorted. "Rosalind Jules, year 7?" she calls and a girl with short blonde hair steps up, the Professor placing the hat on her head. "hmmm, which house for you, Rosalind? I think.... Ravenclaw!" and with that the table that's filled with students wearing blue erupts in cheers. A few students move and welcome her to their table. Mcgonagall smiles and looks to her scroll to read off the next name. "Cassandra Octavius, year 5" shit. That's me. I walk up to the stool and shit down, crossing my legs. As she puts the hat on top of my head I look at all the tables, representing, Ravenclaw for intelligence, Gryfindor for bravery, Hufflepuff for kindness, and Slytherin for ambition. I wait for what seems like forever pondering which house I'll be put into. Each one could fit me, i'm smart, and i'm brave, and i'm kind, and i'm ambitious. I feel all eyes on me as time starts to slow down until inevitably... "Slytherin!" the hat chimes. 

The green table begins to cheer and a blonde girl offers me a seat next to her. "I'm Daphne. Daphne Greengrass, welcome to slytherin."

After some time watching all of the new students being sorted, the headmaster stands, and states, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. I am so greatfull to see all of your lovely faces once again! Let us hope for a year filled with growth, excitement, and joy. Let the feast begin!" and with that the table seemed to turn and there was glorious food filling the tables. Chickens and potatoes and greens and pastries filled the tables. 

I poured myself a glass of the red liquid in front of me labeled, "cherry juice", and began to look at the array of goods in front of me as my new friend began to talk to me about the school. 

"Well, what's your schedule like?" Daphne asked eagerly.

"Uh-" I said, reaching for my paper, "charms, care of magical creatures, herbology, hour lunch break, potions, defense against dark arts, astronomy" I read aloud.

"Dang that's pretty good, and we got astronomy and charms together. What dorm are you in?"

"C-dorm," I said, taking a bite of one of the pastries in front of me. It tastes delicious, like cinnamon and pumpkin.

"Oh my god, we're in the same dorm!! The only other girl there with us is Pansy but she's no fun, so don't worry about her." Daphne smirks, and the girl a few feet down from us gives the middle finger. I'm guessing that's Pansy. 

After the banquet is finished, the students all stand and file out into the hallways. I stay close to Daphne, and she keeps taking to me about the school, mostly our quidditch team and how lucky I am that I got into slytherin. Once we got to our dorms, I'm stunned. There's a large snake carpet and the walls are an emerald green. The dramatic beds are large and take up most of the room, and the two windows show a foggy view of the lake. I pick the bed to the left, and begin to unpack my things. We aren't allowed phones or even computers, to my disappointment, but I did sneak in my mp3 player and headphones. Luckily, we don't have to wear any uniforms though, but we are given a robe and pair of socks with our house crest on them. I put my mp3 player inside of my shoes and throw those inside of my wardrobe where they won't be found, and begin to unpack my clothes, wishing I'd brought more green than pink. Apparently, Daphne thinks the same thing, and insists "Hey, ya-know there's a spell for that right?"

"Huh?"

"For all that pink, to make it green. Please let me try it!!" She whines, grabbing her wand and smiling.

"I mean yeah I guess, go for it," I say, giving permission for her to transform my clothes. She takes a deep breath and points her wand at my pile of clothes, 

"Colovaria!" She shouts and suddenly my sweaters and skirts are a deep forest green. Daphne smiles in pride, "you're welcome, Cassie." she says as she struts back to unpack her things. 

"Thanks."