Brooke and Violet both stared expectantly at Holly.

“Can anybody explain why you’re staring at me?”

“We’re waiting for you to say what House you want,” Brooke Holmes said, giving Violet Thomas an amused look.

“Kristy didn’t say anything yet.” objected Holly. “Why can’t she say first?”

“Because I don’t want anything. I get what I get.” Kristy answered vaguely. She stared out the window.

“Oh, come on, Holly,” muttered Violet, “I said Ravenclaw, Brooke said Hufflepuff… it’s just your wish. Honestly, Rowena Ravenclaw was a great woman. She was so independent and intelligent!”

Brooke laughed. “Helga Hufflepuff was so nice. She didn’t have prejudices like the rest; she accepted all. Hufflepuffs aren’t duffers.”

“That’s a word?” asked Violet.

“Yes, though I don’t know what it means.” Brooke grinned. “My mum was a Hufflepuff.”

“My family has always been Ravenclaws. Guess what the Sorting Hat always says? We have intelligent, stubborn minds! Only my second cousin, once removed, named Millie, was in Slytherin. But she was always ambitious… and she almost gained it. She’s in the Ministry.”

Holly looked wistfully at her new friends. She was just starting a new year and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but she was… a Muggle-born. She had already faced an attack from a blond, thin-faced boy with gray eyes. Mudblood. What a racist!

Brooke Holmes was a from a pure-blood family, though most of them were Squibs. She said she didn’t mind. Many had been Hufflepuffs, and she was proud. She had dark brown hair and glittering blue eyes.

Violet Thomas was a feisty girl with bluish black hair (she dyed it) and brown eyes. She was from a half-blood family, and was extremely proud of the House her family was always in.

Kristy? To be honest, Holly didn’t even know Kristy. She hadn’t properly introduced herself; she was just there. She said hi when Holly entered, and just stared at the window and humming like the others didn’t exist. She had red hair, brown eyes, and was, Holly supposed, considered pretty. Brooke had asked her, in a feeble attempt of talking to her, if her name was short for Kristine or Kristina. She didn’t reply.

“I would be bringing shame on the Thomas family if I didn’t get into Ravenclaw,” Violet said solemnly. She then wrinkled her nose. “Hear that the Malfoy kid’s getting in Hogwarts this year? Ugh. Spoiled brat, I think.”

“That’s harsh, Vi, maybe he’s different.”

“Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black were both horrid, Brooke.” Violet snapped. “There’s no way that combination will end up nicely.”

Brooke rolled her eyes. “Well, did you hear that Harry Potter’s in Hogwarts this year?”

“Who’s Harry Potter? I had a kid named Harry Porter in my class.” Holly asked.

Brooke and Violet both stared at Holly, which made Holly feel very uncomfortable. “I… really?” Violet asked. “You don’t know who Harry Potter is?” Her tone was extremely incredulous.

“Vi, remember she’s a Muggle-born. Holls, do you know about… You-Know-Who?”

“Who?”

“The dark wizard who terrorized the Wizarding World, Holly! His name… okay… V-O-L-D-E-M-O-R-T.”

“Voldemo–”

“Stop!” came Brooke’s terrified whisper. “Please, Holly. You won’t say his name after you hear all the terrifying tales.” She began laying out You-Know-Who’s dreadful, murderous actions one by one.

Chilly, it felt, than usual. Goosebumps were climbing all over Holly’s body, and she felt spooked. Why did she agree to hear this? Now she would never be able to sleep alone. She would always be dreading of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord.

Holly glanced at Kristy, who had been quiet all this time. Was she possibly be afraid too? Oh! She was wearing headphones.

“Are you a Muggle-born?” Holly asked, gently removing the headphones.

Kristy scowled. “What? And give me that thing back.”

Holly thought Kristy might put them back on, but she didn’t. She just cocked her head. “Yes?” she snapped.

“I mean, are you a Muggle-born?”

“No.” Kristy answered.

“Then how are you wearing headphones?”

Kristy furrowed her brow. “Um, I bought them.”

“But how do you know they exist at all?” Holly asked. Didn’t wizards NOT use Muggles’ things?

“Should I be a Muggle-born to wear headphones?” Kristy inquired, grinning awkwardly. “Should I be weird?”

“Weird you are,” Violet interrupted. “I’m sorry, but…”

“No, it’s fine. Interesting to see how people see me, you know? Wearing headphones.” She put on the headphones back.

“Aw, come on, I’VE got questions.” Brooke whined, pulling the headphones back off.

Kristy sighed. “Then do I get to ask questions, too?”

“Sure.” Brooke said. “Right, guys?”

“I don’t care,” Violet answered, and Holly nodded.

“Okay, then.”

“What,” Brooke asked, “is your surname?”

“That’s easy. I won’t tell you.”

“Come on, Christopher.”

Kristy narrowed her eyes. “I’m not Christopher, dear.”

“Okay, sorry. Just please tell me, we can’t go on not knowing proper names!”

“Oh my god, it’s not anything special. I’m Kristy…” Her eyes flickered. “Stevens, or Starling, or Holland.”

“Wow. You must love quizzes. But we don’t.” Brooke sighed. “I guess we’ll wait for the professors to call you. Miss–”

“Great thinking, Brooke!” Violet cried, clapping her hands. “Look, Kristy, you can’t keep secrets from us! We’ll dig it out, I can promise you!”

Kristy smiled. “Was that a challenge, Violet?”

“No… but maybe yes.” Violet grinned. “Anyway… so you didn’t hear about Harry Potter, did you, Holly? He survived despite being Avada Kedavraed. You-Know-Who… vanished afterwards! Brilliant story, isn’t it? It all happened…” Violet lowered her voice, “ten years ago, on Halloween Day.”

Holly shivered. Halloween wasn’t going to be delightful. You-Know-Who would haunt her dreams.

“I’m really excited, meeting Harry Potter. Maybe we might get his autograph!” Brooke exclaimed.

“I think we will be soon,” Kristy remarked.

“Oh! You’ve been listening?”

“It’s hard not to. Anyway, we’ve almost arrived. Wear your robes…”

“When did YOU do that?”

“I was wearing it since I started from home!” Kristy snapped. “And unless you want to wear those clothes in Hogwarts, I suggest you quickly change.”

“Yes, thank you for the very soft remark, Miss.” Violet grumbled.