Do You Hate My Blood? Chapter 3

"Alright, remember to be careful. This school's a long way away," your mother said for about the hundredth time since you left home.1

"I know, Mom. I'll do what I'm told, and I'll write every chance I get." She gave you a final hug and kiss. Then the tears started. Your dad comforted her and gave you a silent good-bye.2

You nodded and picked up your trunk and Spirit's cage. You put them on a trolley and ran towards the wall that Dumbledore instructed. You closed your eyes and braced for impact. A few seconds later, you opened them. You were on a train platform. There were people all around! They were talking, saying good-bye to family, saying hello to friends. If this was going to happen for the next seven years, you could get used to this. The train was huge! Kids were getting on it and their trunks were being put in the back. This was not what you imagined magic to be, but it was incredible all the same. You pushed your trolley forward, walking into the crowd.3

Someone who seemed to be an adult in charge of the train approached you. "New student?" he asked. You nodded weakly. "Follow me," he said. You pushed your trolley after him. He stopped at one of the baggage attachments. "First years put trunks here. Pets go in the one over there," he said, pointing a few carts down.4

"Uh, no thanks. I think I should keep Spirit with me."5

He gave a warm smile. "Understandable." He put your trunk in the attachment and showed you where to walk in at.6

You went over with Spirit's cage in hand. You walked in and down the hallway. Each cart was packed with people. You were hoping to sit alone, or with quiet people. You were trying to get used to magic still. You eventually found one that had one person in it. You knocked on the door. The boy looked up. He had blonde hair, bleach blonde in fact. He looked to be a little older than you. "C-can I sit in here?" you asked in a shaky voice.7

"That depends. What house are you?"8

"I'm a first year."9

"How much do you know about Hogwarts?"10

"Quite a bit."11

"You can sit then."12

You were thankful. You didn't want to talk much, and he didn't seem like he wanted you to talk anyway. You against the window so you could look out it when you started moving. A few other people came in. Like the boy who was here first, on their robes were little symbols with green and silver with a snake on it. Thinking back to what you read, they were part of the Slytherin house. The train started moving. Spirit fell asleep soon after. You looked out the window at the passing trees and water. The Slytherins didn't talk to you, and you were fine with that. Then one of them said, "Who's the quiet girl?"13

The blonde boy spoke; you recognized his voice. "First year." They continued their previous discussion. A few hours later, the train slowed to a stop. Thankfully you already had your robes.14

As soon as the train stopped, the P.A. went off. "All first years to the front exit. All first years to the front exit." That was you. You picked up Spirit and went out the cart. The Slytherins followed you out so they could get off the train. You and the other first years were led to the boats that brought you across.15

You went with them all to the main doors. Then a woman came up in front of everyone and explained about the sorting and the houses. Then the doors opened and you went double-file through the Great Hall. The candles and the tables, it was breath-taking. You read about it, but seeing it was truly amazing! You all huddled at a certain point and listened to the same lady talk about the sorting. She went in alphabetical order. All the A's went, then B's, and so on. Then it came to you. "Reynolds, Alyssa," the woman said.16

You walked up and sat on the stool. "Oh, man," you thought, not being able to breathe at all. All those eyes were staring at you. You had massive stage fright. The large hat slid over your eyes so you couldn't see them, though. It started talking to you.17

"You'd fit in two houses,"18

"Uh, if you say so," you thought.19

He was quiet for a split second before he said, "I think you'd be better off in..." Then he announced to the whole hall, "Slytherin!" The Slytherin table gave an applause. The other tables had a polite, but weak, clapping.20