Welcome to the Rest of your Life

Sorting Ceremony {year 1}

At the Slytherin table, sitting by a grumpy Malfoy, was a ghost covered in silver speckles of blood.

"How did he get covered in blood?" askes Seamus.

"I've never asked." replied Nick with a shrug.

We continued to eat. When I finished my steak, I looked back up at Harry. "So, Harry, how's the life of a wizard going for you?"

"Brilliant." He said after swallowing his big bite of pork chops. "Sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"Oh, it's Leonora—"

"Leo for short." Fred and George cut in.

I whipped my head to them. "That's my line!"

"Payback!" they said in unison once again.

The food then disappeared, being replaced by desserts. Harry's eyes were as wide as the golden saucers throughout the table. I grabbed rice pudding and cookies 'n' cream ice cream and started on that as everyone started talking about families.

"I'm half-and-half." explained Seamus. "Me dad's a Muggle. Mom didn't tell him she was a witch 'til after they were married. Bit of a nasty shock for him."

"What about you, Neville?" asked Ron.

"Well, my gran brought me and my sister up, and she's a witch." Neville explained excitedly. "But the family thought I was all Muggle for ages. My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me – he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once, I nearly drowned – but nothing happened until I was eight. Great Uncle Algie came around for dinner, and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my Great Auntie Enid offered him a meringue and he accidently let go. But I bounced – all the way down the garden and into the road. They were all really pleased; gran was crying, she was so happy. And you should have seen their faces when I got in here – they thought I might not be magic enough to come, you see. Great Uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad."

I couldn't contain my smile. That was one of Neville's favorite stories to tell, not to mention one of my personal favorite memories. Not the fact that he got dropped out of the window, though – that had been terrifying for everyone.

"And you, Leo?" Dean asked from the other side of Seamus. Many eyes turned to me. A good amount of those glanced between my bright hair and Neville's dark head.

"I don't know much about my family, other than they decided to leave me on a bench." I told them, continuing to nonchalantly eat my ice cream in between sentences. "All I really know is that I'm definitely a witch. I think I showed magic when I was five or six. One of our cousins ended up finding me sleeping on the roof of my house one morning. But yea, Neville's – our – gran found me when I was just a newborn in Diagon Alley, about two months before Nev was born. Someone had bewitched a pile of snow and left me on a bench. She went around asking if someone knew where my parents were, but after that didn't work, she just took me home and raised me as her own. I've been living with her and Neville ever since. They're the greatest family I could ever ask for."

Neville nudged me. I nudged him back. Beside me, the twins nudged their cups towards me as a salute, making me laugh. Then, the dessert disappeared after a couple of minutes, and Dumbledore stood once again to speak with everyone. This time, though, it was fully formulated sentences.

"First years should not that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore's eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins behind me. I turned and smirked at them; they just feigned shock.

"We would never." They whispered as Dumbledore continued with his speech.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trails will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

A few laughed, but it was short-lived. I looked at Neville with a confused wince; he just look terrified at the thought of it.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. He gave his wand a small flick, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words. "Everyone pick their favorite tune, and off we go!"

Everybody finished the song at different times. At least, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. I had to hold onto Neville to not fall forward from holding in my laughter as Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand. When they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest. I whooped as they bowed.

"Ah, music." Dumbledore said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"