I always thought muggle schools were intense when it came to homework and studying, but that was before I had come to Hogwarts. In just the first few classes I already had enough work to do to last me a lifetime, and don't even get me started on the essays for Potions and Transfiguration. There was so much to do and so little time, and I was already seventeen years behind everyone else who had grown up in the wizarding world. In between and after my classes, I basically lived in the library, reading up on the different ingredients in potions and trying my hardest to understand Gamp's Laws of Elemental Transfiguration. By the end of each day, my head was spinning, thoughts of the uses of unicorn hairs and dragon's wove in and out of my mind as I desperately tried to catch some shuteye to prepare myself for the next day of classes.

Since I spent so much time in the library, I rarely got to socialize with any of my housemates. Lela Brightly, the girl from the train, got sorted into Gryffindor just like she wanted and she was still able to keep me company and help explain things I couldn't understand while I studied. I was glad to at least have one friend in this massive school. But when she left, I it was like my one lifeline in this huge sea of people had disappeared, I felt like I was drowning. This sensation was even stronger when I'd go back to the Hufflepuff common room and see everyone with their own groups of friends chatting happily by the fire, or playing some strange version of chess at one of the tables. Everyone in Hufflepuff seemed to be really nice, but I had no idea how to start a conversation with them, I felt even more out of place then I did on the platform at King's Cross station.My eyes scanned the crowded room, desperate to find an escape. It'd probably be best for me to turn in early so I'd be rested for tomorrow. 

That's when I saw a girl in the corner reading all by herself. Her hair was long, in beautiful tight ringlets that cascaded over her shoulders. Her paleness complimented the ginger color of her hair and highlighted the freckles that dotted her nose and face. The book she held was what truly caught my attention because it was one of my favorites, The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkein. Maybe she was a muggleborn like me, I took a deep breath and decided to try talking to her. The worst that could happen is that she could tell me to go away. These thoughts didn't exactly help with my anxiety, but I pushed them away as I made my way across the room to her.

"um, hello there... I couldn't help but notice the book you were reading, it's one of my favorites..." I tried to flash her a smile, but it probably came across more like a grimace.

The girl's eyes darted up at me, and I could see an impish gleam in her eyes. She quickly closed the book and smiled nearly ear to ear.

"Really? It's one of mine too! I've only read it about a hundred times," Her Scottish accent was crisp and bright and I couldn't help but grin she rolled her Rs and elongated some of her vowels.

"Tolkein is such an amazing writer, every time I re-read one of his books, I get something new out of it," I sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs placed across from her. finally feeling truly comfortable around someone other than Lela.

"Absolutely, it's almost like magic!" She gestured enthusiastically as she spoke and let a giggle escape from her lips when she realized the irony of her statement. The absurdity of it all made me laugh too.

I introduced myself and learned that the Scottish girl's name was Blair McBane and came from Inverness, Scotland. Blair was a muggleborn like me and had discovered her powers while nursing sick animals back to health at a local animal shelter. Those in her care recovered at an unnatural rate, sometimes in a matter of minutes. While talking with her, I could tell that Blair was a kind soul, but had a bit of a mischievous streak. Her language was peppered with sarcasm, jokes, and horrible puns. I  liked her already.

We talked for hours about our favorite books and movies, our lives back home, our dreams, and what we had aspired to do with our lives before we were accepted to Hogwarts.

"I wanted to be an artist," Blair said thoughtfully. "I was quite a talented painter and won several awards at school,"

"I'd love to see some of your work sometime," I smiled as I rested my chin in my hands. I could feel myself becoming tired and was also conscious of how the Common Room was slowly emptying out.

"I didn't bring any of my paintings with me, but I did bring my art supplied. Next time I paint something, you'll be the first to know." She flashed a goofy smile my way and I flashed one back.

:Ladies, it's lights out now," Said a male prefect who had short, dirty blond hair that was spiked a little in the front.

Blair and I looked around the common room to see that we were the only ones still there so we made our way back to the girl's dorms. Blair told horrible jokes the whole way while I was trying my hardest to not bust out laughing and wake everyone there.