Alfie watched the sorting ceremony for the first time and couldn't help but feel envious. He had missed out on so much, and now he only had this year and the next to experience Hogwarts to the fullest.
The energy in the Great Hall was intoxicating, and every time a first-year was sorted into Slytherin, he made sure to cheer as loudly as he could to make up for the years lost.
The feast that followed did not disappoint either. The food was plentiful and delicious, much more than what he was used to at home.
"So what classes do you both have tomorrow?" Sebastian inquired.
"History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions, unfortunately," Ominis responded with a hint of distaste in his voice.
"It seems like we have a few classes together, Ominis. I have Advanced Care for Magical Beasts, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, and Astronomy," Alfie added.
"Ah, so I'll be joining you two for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions then," Sebastian noted.
"At least I won't be alone in that dreadful class. I'm terrible at Potions," Ominis frowned.
"At least you've never blown anything up like Weasley over there." Alfie pointed at the Gryffindor table.
"You were an accomplice to that last year if I remember correctly Alfie. Whether you like it or not, you're almost as much of a troublemaker as I am," Sebastian teased.
"I highly doubt that," Alfie replied.
Imelda walked over to their side of the table and sat down next to Alfie. Their arms and legs brushed up against each other. "Hello, Alfie! Did you have a good Summer?" she asked.
"I did, Imelda. How was yours?" he replied, scooting away slightly to create some space.
"It was splendid! I did a lot of flying. My parents and I went on a trip flying through the British Isles. It was remarkable! I'll have to tell you more about it sometime," Imelda said, moving closer to Alfie again but not quite touching him this time.
"Nice to see you too Imelda," Sebastian said.
Imelda glanced over with just her eyes at the two boys she didn't acknowledge on the other side of the table.
"Hello, Sallow, Gaunt." She said curtly and redirected her attention promptly to Alfie. Sebastian scoffed while Ominis stayed silent and ate his food while they talked.
"Anyways, you should try out for the Quidditch team this year. It would be a shame if you didn't. After you blew my time trial records out of the water last year, I feel like you and I could be a great team." Imelda said, fluttering her eyelashes ever so slightly.
Alfie looked up in thought and tried to avoid direct eye contact with Imelda, cognisant of the fact that she was sitting so close. "I'm sure Quidditch will be more complex than just flying time trials though. I don't have much experience with the actual sport. It would be like assuming I'd be good at football, just because I'm a decent runner."
"Don't be modest, Alfie. I don't know what this football is but I've seen you fly, you have a natural talent for it. And I'm willing to teach you everything you need to know about Quidditch," Imelda said with a grin, inching closer again.
Alfie noticed this. Was she flirting with me?
Sebastian rolled his eyes and muttered, "Yeah, everything except humility."
Ominis couldn't help but snicker at Sebastian's comment, causing Imelda to give him a brief glare before turning her attention back to Alfie.
"I'll take you up on that sometime then," Alfie smirked.
Imelda beamed. "Great!"
"I can fly too Imelda," Sebastian chimed.
She glowered her eyes at Sebastian and responded with a scowl. "I wouldn't know that since you didn't bother to do any of my time trials last year."
"I was busy!"
She rolled her eyes. "Anyways, I'll send you an owl once I know when I have the time to teach you Quidditich. It'll be an all-day ordeal and I have a lot going on these next few weekends."
"Okay sounds good."
"I'll see you later, Alfie." Imelda got back up from her seat, traced her hand on Alfie's shoulders, and returned to her original seat. Alfie shivered.
He couldn't quite understand why he found her assertiveness attractive, but he couldn't deny the effect it had on him. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and focused on finishing his meal.
"I'll see you later, Alfie, " Sebastian mocked. "See? Girls don't pay attention to me anymore now that Alfie is around."
"Come off it, Sebastian. I merely did her time trials last year and we've become fast friends because of it," Alfie responded.
"There is some truth to that. Imelda isn't the easiest girl to charm. I doubt she'd take an interest in Alfie if he didn't absolutely impress her," Ominis said with a smirk.
As the feast was nearing its end, students began to stroll between the tables, exchanging greetings with their friends from different houses.
"Here comes another girl," Sebastian teased.
Poppy Sweeting approached their side of the table and took a seat next to Alfie, keeping an appropriate distance, unlike their previous visitor.
"Hello Alfie, Sebastian, Ominis." The Hufflepuff girl greeted warmly. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Not at all," Alfie responded.
"You and any of your Hufflepuff girlfriends are welcome to sit with us anytime." Sebastian smiled mischievously.
"Unfortunately, I don't have many Hufflepuff girlfriends. It's just me." Poppy said.
"Pity," Sebastian said under his breath, clearly disappointed.
Alfie shot him a disapproving look. "No wonder you're no good with girls."
Ominis reassured Poppy, who appeared confused by the situation. "Please disregard this uncivilized person; he lacks proper etiquette."
"I just meant that - ugh! Nevermind." Sebastian threw his hands up and then crossed his arms in a huff. "I'm sorry Poppy, it's just that girls only seem to come over to swoon over our hero here."
"Oh? Like who?" Poppy asked inquisitively, with an eyebrow raised.
"Imelda came over here earlier, nuzzling next to our dear boy. She was practically begging to ride his broomstick!" Sebastian exclaimed.
Ominis winced at Sebastian's remark. Alfie nearly choked on his pumpkin juice and Poppy looked taken aback, with her hand covering her mouth as she tried to hold back a laugh.
"Merlin's beard Sebastian! She was just trying to get me to try out for the Quidditch team!" Alfie exclaimed, clearly embarrassed.
"Oh, it was much more than that! She even offered him private Quidditch lessons!" Sebastian added.
"Wow, she must really like you. Imelda's particularly hard to get along with," Poppy remarked, her face lit up with the same mischievous smile as Sebastian's.
"That's what I said," said Ominis.
"For the thousandth time, it was not like that. Let's just drop this okay?" Alfie could die of embarrassment right now.
"What classes do you have tomorrow Poppy?" Ominis changed the subject for Alfie as he could sense his discomfort.
Poppy pulled out a piece of parchment. "Let's see... Advanced Care for Magical Beasts first thing in the morning, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Astronomy."
Ominis smiled. "Ah yes, we will have Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions together."
Alfie expressed his excitement, "We have almost the same schedule!" Being in different houses meant they had limited opportunities to see each other outside of class last year. Thus, Alfie was thrilled to have all their classes together this year.
"Let's be desk partners then!" Poppy eagerly replied.
"See? Always good with the ladies," Sebastian said under his breath, rolling his eyes.
Just as he said that Natty came over to their table. "Alfie! It's so good to see you!"
Sebastian audibly groaned in irritation. Natty's facial expression turned into one of confusion while Poppy and Ominis laughed.
Alfie shook his head, indicating his disapproval of Sebastian's behavior. "Please don't mind them, Natty. It's good to see you doing well. How was your Summer?"
Natty beamed at Alfie's response, seemingly unfazed by Sebastian's rudeness.
"It was amazing, I went on a trip with my mother to Egypt! We got to see many different ancient ruins and pyramids," Natty replied enthusiastically.
Alfie's eyes widened in interest. "That sounds incredible! I've always wanted to go to Egypt. Did you learn anything interesting?"
Natty nodded excitedly. "Yes! Our tour guide told us all about the different hieroglyphs and symbols, and even showed us how to write our names in ancient Egyptian!"
Poppy leaned over to get a better look at Natty's bracelet. "Is that the Eye of Horus? I learned about that in History of Magic last year."
Natty nodded, "Yes it is! I got it at a market in Cairo."
As they continued to chat, Sebastian rolled his eyes and started packing up his things. "I'm heading back to the common room. See you guys later," he grumbled before leaving.
Alfie and the others continued their conversation, enjoying each other's company and looking forward to the new school year.