My Life at Hogwarts
The name’s Lissa. Lissa Douglas, to be exact. It’s my first year at Hogwarts, I can’t wait! I’m 13, but a transfer student. My former school was Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, an all girls school.
It was nearly September, and here I was pushing my trolley towards the entrance to a special platform. The barrier that separates the muggle world and the wizard world is located in between platforms 9 and 10. Platform 9 ¾ is where we need to go. Mum and my 3 brothers hurried along as well. Nick, the oldest of the kids, and my younger twin brothers, Kevin and Daniel. They were inseparable. My family is, like people like to call them, pure bloods. Some even consider us blood traitors but, it’s worth it. Muggle borns and half bloods are just as good and pure bloods. After Nick ran through the stone wall, I gulped. This, I thought, was a strange way to get into the wizarding world.
“Lissa, you next.” Mum’s voice rung through my ears and I nodded. I knew what to do, of course, but it isn’t as easy as it seems. Running through a brick wall takes some confidence.
“See you on the other side,” And with that, I charged through the brick wall. My eyes were shut tightly and before I knew it; I was standing in front of the Hogwarts Express. It was a beautiful sight. Hundreds of new and returning students were boarding and others saying goodbye to their families. Kevin nearly ran into me from behind. It shook me from my thoughts – I was too busy admiring the train to realize I was standing in front of the entrance. Mom gave us all a tight hug and kiss on the cheek, giving Danny an extra one. Nick ignored me when I asked for help loading my luggage onto the train. I rolled my eyes. How kind of him. After packing out trunks into an empty compartment, me and the twins rushed back to wave. The train started moving, and I could have sworn there were tears in my mother’s eyes. It was the twin’s first time away from home and being the youngest ones, my mother babied them. But who could blame her?
“Bye Mom!” The twins chorused.
“We love you!” I shouted.
“See you in December!” Nick called.
We all waved frantically. Boy, I was going to miss her. Her cooking, her crazy self. I was even going to miss the way she tucked me in at night. But we won’t be apart for long. I had to drag the twins back to our compartment when the train rounded a corner, and Nick disappeared up the isle. Going to sit with his girlfriend Becca, I expect. The two were obsessed with each other. Not five minutes after I sat down on a seat in my compartment did Kevin start to complain.
“I’m bored.” said Kevin.
I stared at him blankly, my hands were unzipping the cat carrier that held our cat, Dusty.
“How can you be bored already?” I questioned him. Come on, really, we were on a train on our way to a magical school he had been waiting all his life to attend, and this is what he has to say?
“Because there’s nothing to do,”
“Read a book, then. Do something.”
“But I don’t feel like it.”
“Then entertain yourself!”
He groaned at my words, turning to took out the window. Gosh, that kid got on my nerves sometimes. Our shared cat, Dusty walked around for a bit before settling down right in Kevin’s lap.
“I’m gonna take a look around,” Danny stated, getting up and brushing cat fur off of his jeans.
“Be back soon,” I didn’t look up from my book when I mumbled the response.
To be honest, I don’t know how long I slept for. Truth is, I was beat. I stayed awake most of the night packing and making sure I had all my stuff. I had to help Nick, too, since he was such a lazy bum and Mum refused to do it. Sometimes he makes me want to strangle him. Fortunately for me, I can get away with punching him. If I did that to Kevin or Daniel, I’d be grounded for a week. What tattletales.
When I awoke, Daniel was back and stuffing his face with Chocolate Frogs. In between him and Kevin was a massive pile of wizard sweets. Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes and many more I don’t know the name of right now.
“Where’d you get the money to buy all this?” I asked, hoping they didn’t steal my money.
“I played Pokemon cards with Colin Creevey and his friends!” Daniel exclaimed, clearly excited.
‘Oh,” I rubbed my eyes, “you didn’t use my money right?”
To my great relief, he and Kevin shook their heads. I snatched my iPod from Kevin’s lap and looked at the time.
“Oh my gosh!” I shrieked, jumping up. “I have to get changed!”
I threw their robes at them and climbed into mine. Everyone passing out compartment was already dressed, we’d be there in nearly an hour and I still had to run to the bathroom to redo my makeup. The light brown eyeshadow I had put on that morning was well worn off. Grabbing my small kit, I literally ran to the bathroom to do it. I had to look good for my first day at Hogwarts! It took me a while to perfect it. I was one for good looks. Nearly tripping over someone’s feet, I looked up to see a tall, blonde figure and grey eyes peering at me.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I was never an outgoing type.
“Watch it – Hey, you don’t look like a first year.” The boy said.
“Oh, I’m a transfer student.”
He watched me, debating on whether to introduce himself or not.
“Draco Malfoy.” He finally said, offering his hand.
But I never got to shake his hand. The train came to a sharp stop and I fell backwards onto my butt. I looked around, trying to get up but falling back down again as the train rocked from side to side twice. The lights then went out, and I swear I could see something moving outside a moment ago. The boy known as Draco Malfoy was a few feet away from me, leaning against the wall. He had a bewildered expression on his face. My first thoughts were, I had to get to my little brothers. I jumped up and prepared to run back to my compartment but someone grabbed my arm and pulled me inside a compartment.
“Let me go!” I whisper-shouted, turning my head and seeing a boy with short hair, about my age.
“Be quiet,” He breathed.
He didn’t have to tell me twice. My eyes widened in horror when I saw a dark, cloaked figure approaching our door. Someone leaped into the compartment and landed across from me, and I could just make out a slender, quivering body. The cloaked figure passed by our compartment, to my great relief, but I let out a yelp when I realized it was headed for my former compartment that now held just the twins. I attempted to get up and run after that thing, but strong hands gripping my arms held me down. Without realizing it, my bare face and arms were cold as ice. It felt like it would never be cheerful again.
That thing left as quick as it came. The lights went back on and I jerked my eyes away from the door and towards the boy who had held me down.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I snapped.
“Well sooorry.” He responded.
Man, was he sassy.
“Who are you?” I eyed him warily.
“Seamus Finnigan, and you are?”
“Lissa Douglas,”
“It’s very nice to meet you, you don’t look like a first year.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course I didn’t look like a first year. They couldn’t take the hint?
“I’m a transfer, don’t you ever have transfers?”
“Once in a while. Where are you transferring from?”
I hate to break it to him, but I really need to get out and see if my brothers are okay.
“Beauxbatons. Now, I really need to get out and find my brothers.. See you at school.”
And with that, I left him and ran to the twins’ compartment. I found my makeup kit along the way and threw myself into my former compartment. There they were, quivering next to the window. Dusty looked as if he had been electrocuted.
“Guys! Are you alright?” Concern filled my voice as a sat down and stuffed Chocolate Frogs down their throats. It was supposed to help, I think. Finally, when we had all settled down, I could see we were approaching the castle. There was a large man with a lantern waiting for us, a large bourhound at his heels. The train came to a halt, and I stood up to collect our trunks. They landed on the floor with a big thud. Kevin packed up Dusty, then followed me and Danny out of the compartment. We met up with Nick and Becca, but went our different ways when the gamekeeper called Hagrid led us to the boats. The first years sailed across the lake towards the castle, unlike everyone else. A small boy nearly fell out of his boat when he was leaning over the edge for a better view of the castle, causing a group of girls to burst into fits of giggles. Bet they wouldn’t be laughing if that happened to themselves.
When the Cauldron Cakes and many more I don’t know the name of right now.
“Where’d you get the money to buy all this?” I asked, hoping they didn’t steal my money.
“I played Pokemon cards with Colin Creevey and his friends!” Daniel exclaimed, clearly excited.
‘Oh,” I rubbed my eyes, “you didn’t use my money right?”
To my great relief, he and Kevin shook their heads. I snatched my iPod from Kevin’s lap and looked at the time.
“Oh my gosh!” I shrieked, jumping up. “I have to get changed!”
I threw their robes at them and climbed into mine. Everyone passing out compartment was already dressed, we’d be there in nearly an hour and I still had to run to the bathroom to redo my makeup. The light brown eyeshadow I had put on that morning was well worn off. Grabbing my small kit, I literally ran to the bathroom to do it. I had to look good for my first day at Hogwarts! It took me a while to perfect it. I was one for good looks. Nearly tripping over someone’s feet, I looked up to see a tall, blonde figure and gray eyes staring at me.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I was never an outgoing type.
“Watch it – Hey, you don’t look like a first year.” The boy said.
“Oh, I’m a transfer student.”
He watched me, debating on whether to introduce himself or not.
“Draco Malfoy.” He finally said, offering his hand.
But I never got to shake his hand. The train came to a sharp stop and I fell backwards onto my butt. I looked around, trying to get up but falling back down again as the train rocked from side to side twice. The lights then went out, and I swear I could see something moving outside a moment ago. The boy known as Draco Malfoy was a few feet away from me, leaning against the wall. He had a bewildered expression on his face. My first thoughts were, I had to get to my little brothers. I jumped up and prepared to run back to my compartment but someone grabbed my arm and pulled me inside a compartment.
“Let me go!” I whisper-shouted, turning my head and seeing a boy with short hair, about my age.
“Be quiet,” He breathed.
He didn’t have to tell me twice. My eyes widened in horror when I saw a dark, cloaked figure approaching our door. Someone leaped into the compartment and landed across from me, and I could just make out a slender, quivering body. The cloaked figure passed by our compartment, to my great relief, but I let out a yelp when I realized it was headed for my former compartment that now held just the twins. I attempted to get up and run after that thing, but strong hands gripping my arms held me down. Without realizing it, my bare face and arms were cold as ice. It felt like it would never be cheerful again.
That thing left as quick as it came. The lights went back on and I jerked my eyes away from the door and towards the boy who had held me down.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I snapped.
“Well sooorry.” He responded.
Man, was he sassy.
“Who are you?” I eyed him warily.
“Seamus Finnigan, and you are?”
“Lissa Douglas,”
“It’s very nice to meet you, you don’t look like a first year.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course I didn’t look like a first year. They couldn’t take the hint?
“I’m a transfer, don’t you ever have transfers?”
“Once in a while. Where are you transferring from?”
I hate to break it to him, but I really need to get out and see if my brothers are okay.
“Beauxbatons. Now, I really need to get out and find my brothers.. See you at school.”
And with that, I left him and ran to the twins’ compartment. I found my makeup kit along the way and threw myself into my former compartment. There they were, quivering next to the window. Dusty looked as if he had been electrocuted.
“Guys! Are you alright?” Concern filled my voice as a sat down and stuffed Chocolate Frogs down their throats.
It was supposed to help, I think. Finally, when we had all settled down, I could see we were approaching the castle. There was a large man with a lantern waiting for us, a large boarhound at his heels. The train came to a halt, and I stood up to collect our trunks. They landed on the floor with a big thud. Kevin packed up Dusty, then followed me and Danny out of the compartment. We met up with Nick and Becca, but went our different ways when the gamekeeper called Hagrid led us to the boats. The first years sailed across the lake towards the castle, unlike everyone else. A small boy nearly fell out of his boat when he was leaning over the edge for a better view of the castle, causing a group of girls to burst into fits of giggles. Bet they wouldn’t be laughing if that happened to them.
When the boats pulled themselves onto the shore, I helped the twins out of the boat and some other first year boy who rode with us. Hagrid gathered our attention, then brought us to the large entrance doors into the castle. The other students were waiting inside, I think. He knocked on the doors, his large fist making quite a racket. Not five seconds after he knocked, a witch in an emerald green robe opened it. She had spectacles and gray hair pulled back into a bun. She looked very strict.
“Firs’ years, Professor McGonagall.” Hagrid’s voice echoed through the hall behind her.
“I will take them from here, Hagrid.” And with that, Professor McGonagall led us through the doors and stopped us before entering the Great Hall. She explained to us that we would be sorted into four different houses; Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Gryffindor seemed the best, but Ravenclaw couldn’t be too bad.
Professor McGonagall pushed opened the tall doors, revealing hundreds of other students sitting on four long, separate tables. She led us through, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Seamus waving at me. I waved back at him with a smile plastered to my face. Up ahead was the staff table, seating 10 or so teachers. In front of it was a smallish stool, and on top of it, an old looking wizard hat. The names started being called, starting with a girl named Clarissa Arch who was sorted into Ravenclaw. After a few more names, Daniel’s was called.
“Good luck.” I whispered into his ear.
He had to clench his fists to keep them from trembling, and his legs looked as if they were made of jello. He sat on the stool, and the Sorting Hat was placed on his head. It fell over his eyes and I stifled a laugh. The hat was talking to him, then it shouted out it’s decision.
“GRYFFINDOR!” It shouted.
Everyone clapped, as he went to join them. The Gryffindor table was the last one table to stop clapping, along with me and my brother. Kevin was sorted into Gryffindor as well. I was yet to be sorted. After all the first years were sorted, Professor Dumbledore stood up and stepped over to his podium.
“We have two transfers to sort as well. Lissa Douglas, 3rd year from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Jacob Davidson, 4th year from Durmstrang.”
Several heads went up as our names were announced. I stepped up and sat on the stool first, wanting to get this over with. All eyes were on me as the Sorting Hat was placed on my head. It nearly fell over my eyes, like it had done to Daniel. But I have a small head.
“Ah.. Tricky, tricky, tricky..” Came a voice in from above me that only I could hear. The Sorting Hat was speaking to me.
“I see loyalty, and, oh yes, brave one, you are. You would never betray any of your friends now, would you? You’d do very well in Gryffindor. But the anger issues.. I know just where to put you.”
I held my breath, my fists clenched and my eyes shut tightly. I had a feeling I knew where I was going.
“SLYTHERIN!”
The Sorting Hat decided. Was I really a Slytherin? Jacob Davidson took his turn and was sorted into Slytherin, like me. I walked to the Slytherin table, glancing over at my brothers and Seamus with an apologetic look. It can’t be too bad, I thought. Might as well make the best of it; I’d be here for a while. I sat myself in one of the few empty spots. Across from me I could see Draco Malfoy, the boy I met on the train, peering at me. The feast began, and I began to eat a little bit of everything. Jacob Davidson, the other transfer, was seated next to me and decided to make conversation.
“Hi,” He said to me.
I turned my head and smiled kindly at him, which he returned.
“Hi,”
“Liking Hogwarts so far?”
“Yes, I love it. What about you?”
“Fine. I was expecting to be sorted into Slytherin.. My whole family has been.”
“I was expecting Gryffindor. My brothers and mother were in there.”
“What about your dad?”
“Slytherin. I guess I got his traits.”
“Well I’m glad you’re in the same house as me.”
“How come?”
“I didn’t want to be the only transfer,”
“Oh.”
“Do you want to be friends?”
Slightly startled by his question, I shrugged. Dessert appeared on the table and everyone helped themselves, including me.
“Sure,” I smiled at him again, glad I had already made a friend.
The night went by fast, but they always say it does when you’re having fun. And if that’s your question, then yes, I had fun. Jacob and I parted after checking out the Slytherin common room. It was decorated with the Slytherin house symbol a serpent, and the Slytherin house colors, green and silver. I turned out to be rooming with 3 other Slytherin girls. We said hello, introduced ourselves, and then crashed onto our beds.