Chapter Text
1st September, 1886
London
Trunk, check. Suitcase, Check. Books, check. Owl, wand, cauldron, check. I did another once-over of my trolley as my mother and father tried to hurry me into the train station. Papa pushed my trolley for me as Mum and I walked with hooked arms. She rubbed my arm excitedly, "Oh darling, you're going to do so well, we just know it. Your brother had a grand time while he attended. I still can't believe both of you were gifted magic." Eight years separate my brother and I. He had graduated last year.
Landon Moore was a star seeker for Ravenclaw during his years at Hogwarts. He was prefect and always excelled in classes. In a few years, he would be marrying his Hogwarts sweetheart Isabel Pinking. Landon and Isabel were always together. They started splitting breaks, spending time with each of our families. The Pinking's were a full-blooded family who welcomed ours with open arms. Our parents are muggles. What a shock when Landon got his letter. For me, they were overjoyed. They loved the magical world.
"Leanna? Darling, are you alright?" I looked up at my mother and nodded, "Sorry, Mum, I got lost in thought. I'm excited for the school year." I saw my father up towards the front of the train handing my things off, save for my suitcase and Owl. Houdini is a Barn owl, we were becoming fast friends as I smiled at him and gave his head a gentle scratch through his cage.
I looked between my parents and hugged them, "I'm going to miss you both so much." They wrapped their arms around me, "Oh Leanna, we'll miss you, darling." My father kissed my forehead and smiled. Mum stroked my cheek, "Write us when you get settled. We want to hear all about your travels."
I nodded and wiped my eyes gently as I gave them one last hug before I clasped my suitcase handle and Houdini's cage and stepped onto the train. I turned and waved to my parents as they wrapped their arms around each other and waved to me. I walked through the cars and bit my lip when most of the cars were full. I found one that had a single occupant and knocked gently. The blond-haired boy turned, a scowl on his face, "Can I join you? Seems the other cars are full." His face softened some and nodded as he turned back to the window.
I put my things up and sat Houdini next to me as I sat on my hands. I kicked my feet a little and looked at the boy, "I'm Leanna. Is it your first year as well?" He turned to me and I gasped softly and the soft haze of blue his eyes held. He turned his lip up at my gasp, "Yes. What? Never seen a blind man before?" I bit my lip, "Are you? That doesn't matter to me, I was just thinking how pretty your eyes were." His cheeks turned a bright shade of red as he started to smile, "Name is Ominis Gaunt. Nice to meet you, Leanna." I grinned and bounced a little, "Likewise!"
The whistle of the train sounded and I watched out in the hall as students scurried to find seats. I watched as a boy and girl came up to our compartment bickering about something. Ominis looked up with a grimace as the two fought their way in, "Ladies first! Honestly Sebastian, where are your manners?" He nudged her through the door as he plopped onto the seat, "Sorry, Anne, just wanted to sit before the train started moving."
"Sorry to barge into your compartment like this, I'm Anne Sallow, this is my brother-" Sebastian cut her off, bowing dramatically, "Sebastian Sallow." I chuckled and kicked my feet as I turned to Anne, "I'm Leanna Moore. It's nice to meet you! Are the two of you twins?" She nodded and I turned to Ominis, "I'm Ominis Gaunt."
Ominis and I chatted quietly and soon the twins joined in. We got to know each other, I was devastated for the twins to learn that their parents had been professors and had passed away. They now lived with their auror uncle. I spoke about my family and how my parents were both muggles but my brother and I were not. Ominis didn't speak about his family but kept a smile on his face hearing stories.
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It was dark by the time we reached Hogsmeade. We had changed into our robes. We were told to leave our belongings as we made our way onto the platform. Anne hooked arms with me as we followed the man that was calling for the first years. I giggled with her as we made our way to the boats. The four of us sat together again as we traveled across the lake. I took in my surroundings with a large grin and Anne nudged me, "Just over those mountains there is Feldcroft, that's where Sebastian and I live."
My eyes widened a bit, "You live so close yet travelled all the way to kings cross?" She nodded, "Yes, well the ministry requires all students to take the train, so we had to travel. It's a pain, but it's fun taking the train." We started the long trek up the stairs from the boat house. I was huffing and puffing by the time we reached the top and so were most of the other first years. Ominis patted my back with a chuckle.
I took a deep breath as a red-haired woman stood at the top waiting for us. She smiled at us, "Welcome to Hogwarts! I am Professor Weasley. Deputy headmistress and professor of transfiguration. Just through these doors is the great hall, where you will join your classmates in a moment. But first, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
The four of us looked at each other, wondering which houses we would be placed in, "Now, while you're here, your houses will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Rule breaking will lose you points, at the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup. Now, please follow me into the great hall, the ceremony will begin shortly."
We all followed her down the long hall filled with tables. We all looked around, mystified. We gathered in the front of the room in front of all the professors. Professor Weasley stood in front of us all again as she picked up a hat, "When your name is called, step up to the podium and we will place the sorting hat on your head."
She started calling names alphabetically. I wrung my hands together nervously and I looked at Ominis when his name was called. His wand tip glowed a light red as he stepped forward and up the stairs to the chair. The hat barely touched his head as the hat gasped alive and hummed before calling out, "Slytherin!" The Slytherin table erupted in cheers as he walked over to the table and sat down.
"Leanna Moore?" I looked up as I bit my lip before I walked up and sat in the chair. The hat hummed as it shifted around on my head, "Another Moore. Your brother was a bright Ravenclaw. How different you two are. Fiercely loyal, willing to do what you must. Hmm, yes. Better be, Hufflepuff!" I smiled softly, part of my heart wishing I will share a house with at least one of my new friends. As names were called I waited until it was the twins turn. Sebastian went first, the hat deliberating again before calling Slytherin for him. I deflated a bit when Anne was also called for Slytherin after. At least I would see them for classes.
A petite girl named Poppy sat beside me, while Adelaide sat across from me. I smiled at them as we started to speak. We realized we would be fast friends as the feast began. I looked over to the Slytherin table and saw my three friends looking at me. I gave them a sad smile and a small wave as the twins waved back and Sebastian leaned to Ominis to tell him I was waving.
Poppy looked where I was and grinned, "I saw you on the train with them, shame you aren't in the same house, but most of us will be sharing classes all year. I heard you're muggle-born? How is that?" I took a sip of my drink, "Well, it's hard to say how most grow up, my brother is 8 years older than me. So I didn't grow up like a true muggle-born. My parents love magic. My house was full of students each winter and summer break."
Adelaide smiled, "That sounds amazing! Why was your house always full?" I chuckled, "My brother made lots of friends with those who may not have wanted to go home for breaks. My parents welcomed them with open arms into our home. I'm sure my parents are expecting the same from me." Poppy grinned, "Maybe my gran will let me visit sometime." I smiled at her, "I would like that."
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When the feast was over we followed our prefect down to the common room. It was quite the trek. The prefect showed us how to enter the common room and once we were gathered they smiled at us, "Girls dormitory's are upstairs, boys are downstairs. Your belongings have already been brought to your rooms. A piece of parchment will be pinned to the door with who rooms with who. These will be your room assignments for the next 7 years. Now you may change to your new room each year, but you'll keep your roommates. Best to turn in for the night. Classes start tomorrow."
We went our separate ways and I was quick to find the first year rooms. I grinned when Poppy, Lenora, Adelaide, and I were roomed together. We cheered and quickly went into the room, we claimed our beds and I smiled as I pet Houdini, "Hi Houdini!" The girls giggled and greeted their own pets, Adelaide and Lenora had cats while Poppy and I had owls. We started to unpack and got changed into our pajamas for the night as we sat and got to know each other more before we slept for the night.