Young Warrior

Chapter 5 - A New Beginning

When we got to Hogwarts Harry seemed to have calmed down a lot. I guess he had already shaken off the dementor situation but I couldn't say the same for me. As the four of us walked into the great hall my eyes widened like a child in a candy store. I couldn't stop thinking about how this place was kept away from me for so long, it made it seem surreal, like a figment of my imagination but it wasn't, it was actually happening right before my eyes.

They seated the houses in rows, Ravenclaw on the far left table, Gryffindors beside them, then Slytherin, and lastly Hufflepuffs. In front of the hall, there was a long table where all the teachers sat, and a golden owl lectern was placed in front of the table where Dumbledore spoke. While the Ravenclaws were getting seated a professor wearing a big pointy hat and glasses, came up to me to delay a message.

"Professor Dumbledore has asked me to tell you to sit wherever you may like for right now until you shall get sorted, also I'm professor McGonagall dear." She sticks her hand out, I nod and shake her hand, "Thank you professor Mcgonagall" and I give her a polite smile as she walks away.

I decide to stick with Ron and his friends in Gryffindor. While everyone is getting seated a choir sings in a nice melody with toads in their arms. Floating candles were hung from the ceiling and the walls have an old beautiful look to them. "Gorgeous isn't it?" Ron says. "Very..." I reply while my eyes sparkle at the sights. As soon as the houses were all seated the choir ends on a high note and the frogs all croaked in tune, the choir then dispersed. "Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore shouts as he stands behind the lectern. Everyone applauds.

Dumbledore goes on..."Now I'd like to say a few words...before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin...who's kindly consented to fill the post of our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck Professor..." Everyone claps as Professor Lupin stands up from his seat. I blurt out to Harry "Of course! That's how he knew!" Hermione says "Your right Isabella! Harry that's how he knew to give you both the chocolate!"

I hear a familiar voice behind me. "Potter, Potter!!" Harry, Ron, and I turn around to see Malfoy sitting on the seat behind me at the Slytherin table. "Is it true you fainted...I mean you actually fainted!" he says as he laughs. "Shut up Malfoy," Ron replies and turns Harry back around. Harry whispers "How did he find out?" and lets out a short sigh.

I stare Draco down, he notices and forms a mischievous grin. "Just forget him," Hermione says. "Yeah, don't listen to him, Harry," I say feeling somewhat guilty for telling Draco about everything. I hear Draco laugh behind me. I try my best to ignore him, knowing if I say anything I could easily make a fool out of myself. Ron is shaking his leg so I place my hand on his knee, he stops. Draco scoffs and right after I hear him telling his friends in an ugly tone... "Weasleys" I snatch my hand of Ron's knee and turn around.

"I feel bad for you Malfoy...never knowing what an actual family is...I heard all about you and your rich snobby family." He smirks, "I thought you never heard of me before Stone...I guess you were lying...do I intimidate you that much?" he laughs which only makes my anger rise. I knew I would make a fool out of myself. I shouldn't have said anything. I turn back around embarrassed. Ron almost gets up but I subtly pull him back down.

Dumbledore continues to make announcements. Everyone goes quiet again when Dumbledore brings up "dementors". He says that since Sirius Black is still on the loose dementors will be guarding the castle. I turn to see Harry's face, he's gone pale again, lost in deep thought. I rub his back in a friendly way to let him know it's going to be okay. He looks at me and smiles, color returns to his face and I think for a moment he's okay again.

Dumbledore goes on to say a few more things and then announces "We have a new student as well...Please welcome Ms. Isabella Evans. We will be sorting her into a house today. Ms. Stone please stand and make your way over here to the chair." My heart sinks to my stomach. Ron gives me a reassuring smile. I walk to the front of the hall and sit on the stool, everyone claps. Dumbledore places the old brown sorting hat onto my head.