Witch

Legilimens

I spent the rest of the train ride telling Hermione everything I knew about Ilvermorny, American wizarding history, and MACUSA, which, granted, wasn't much. I had never been particularly fond of History of Magic. We chatted about our families - not that I truly had one - and our interests. We both enjoyed reading and frequented the library. Neither of us was too good with brooms, and we both agreed that they were serious safety hazards. Hermione was a strict rule-follower, and it was nice to think I had made friends with such a good influence.

As we changed into our uniforms towards the end of the train ride, mine without a tie, since I hadn't yet been Sorted, Hermione looked as if she wanted to ask me something.

"So, Willow, why did you transfer to Hogwarts? Not that it's any of my business," she added hastily. "It's just, well, I've never heard much about transfer students."

I sighed mentally. I should have expected that question. The truth was, I wasn't quite sure myself.

"Well, they felt I could be challenged with a more difficult curriculum. Ilvermorny itself is based on Hogwarts, you know. Ilvermorny is home, but it never felt right to me. Maybe Hogwarts will be a better fit for me."

Hermione seemed content enough with my answer.

"Anywho, I'm sure you'll love it here! I don't know anyone that doesn't." She fastened her red and gold tie. "And, before you're Sorted, I'll tell you about the houses.

I didn't pay much attention to the carriages or boat ride to the school. Hermione spent nearly the whole trip telling me about houses, who to befriend ("Ginny Weasley's a year below us, she's cool"), who to avoid ("Draco Malfoy and his minions, Crabbe and Goyle"), and all about the professors ("History of Magic's drab, McGonagall is strict but trustworthy"). I was truly grateful to her.

However, all my previous thoughts drifted away when I walked into the Great Hall. Four long tables made of glossy wood with different colored banners hanging above each one, and towards the ceiling were candles floating in an enchanted starry sky.

"You're not Sorted yet, so I suppose you can sit in Gryffindor with me," Hermione whispered, dragging me to the middle of one of the tables. We plopped down next to a dark-haired boy with glasses and a red-headed boy. Fred and George sat across from us. I waved at Fred, who was staring towards the blue-bannered table at a girl.

Ouch.

"Harry Potter, my best friend." Hermione motioned towards the dark-haired boy, who waved and shot me a smile. "Ron Weasley, my, er, other best friend." The red-headed boy nodded grudgingly at me. I sensed he felt protective of Hermione.

Soon enough, the witch I had seen earlier - "McGonagall, super strict, our head of house," George whispered. "Well, not yours, yet." - walked in, followed by a crowd of terrified-looking first years. As she called the first name, Lee leaned over and whispered, "What house do you think you'll be in?" I shrugged. "I'm not sure. I don't even know how I'm going to be Sorted!" Lee half grinned. "Well, I'm sure you'll be in Gryffindor!" I smiled back, but I wasn't so sure.

I was Thunderbird in Ilvermorny, which most people thought to be a mix of Ravenclaw and Slytherin, nothing close to Gryffindor. It made me nervous to think of being Sorted into a house knowing no one in it. The few friends I had made were all in Gryffindor, and a few students from other houses had been looking at me strangely since the train ride.

The Sorting continued, and I felt a weird flash of anger whenever I caught Fred staring towards the Ravenclaw table. At last, after Zeller, Rayne was called an old wizard who I assumed was Dumbledore stepped forward.

"Hello, young witches and wizards. It is truly my pleasure to see your faces. I am happy to announce that this year, Hogwarts has a transfer student all the way from America!"