Dear Diary,

I just got sorted into Ravenclaw! I have quite a bit to tell you, dear journal, for I made my first friend! It all started when I got to King's Cross Station with Mum and Dad. Mum was telling me to take care and that I should make sure I paid attention in class and whatnot when a cat meowed. I looked down, and there it was, a glorious white beast, circling my leg. It sat down on my foot and I petted its ears. A boy came running up to me and said, "I'm so sorry! My cat got loose! Claus seems to have taken a liking to you, though!" He looked at me and stuck out his hand. "I'm Zachary Smith, and you are..." I replied to him, "I'm Ivy Malfoy," and his face lit up with recognition. He said, "You're Sebastian's little sister, then? I'm Amy's brother, she's in Ravenclaw with your brother." I said, "Yes, that's right. Do you think you'll be in Ravenclaw, then, if your sister is?" He laughed and said, "Of course! We're two peas in a pod. She practically read to me in the womb," and I giggled. He said, "What about you?" I responded, "Oh, yes, I'll be in Ravenclaw. I love to learn," He smiled, and said, "Well, I'd better be off. If you'd want to sit with me on the train, I'd like that." I replied, "I'd love to!" He picked up Claus, waved, and was off.

I turned to Mum and Dad, and said, "The train will be leaving soon. I'd better board," and Dad responded, "Of course, Ivy. We love you!" He bent down and whispered in my ear, "You'll do perfectly! I'm sure you'll be in Ravenclaw if you want to be," and I beamed up at him. He smiled and kissed my hair. I turned to Mum, and she bent down to hug me. I saw tears in her eyes and I said, "It's all right, Mum!" She replied in a choked voice, "I know. It's just hard to imagine my baby going off to school. We'll have no one left at home! We'll miss you, honey," and I smiled at her. She smoothed my hair, moved her thumb over my cheek, and said, "Well, we'd better get you on the train or you won't be able to go!" Mum and Dad helped me push my trunk and items onto the train, and then I boarded. They stood on the sidewalk and waved as the train left the station.

In my compartment, I sat with Zachary and one of his friends, a boy named Theo Weasley, who was the son of Louis Weasley, my mum's cousin. I said hello, as I had recognized him from a family gathering. I then said, "Hello!" to Zachary, and he responded, "Hi! Would you like anything from the trolley?" I said, "Oh no, I've got it. Thanks, though," and he smiled and said, "No problem!" Theo looked at us and asked, "How do you two know each other?" I focused my gaze on him and replied, "We met in the station when his cat escaped and ran up to me." He nodded and said, "Well, it's nice to see you again. I'm Theo, remember?" "Yes, I remember. I'm Ivy," and he smiled and remarked, "I didn't know you were a first year. I thought you were older than me!" I said, "No, this is my first year at Hogwarts." We talked for the rest of the train ride, and when we arrived at Hogwarts, I said, "Theo, what house do you think you'll be in?" He responded, "Ravenclaw, definitely. Not only is my mate Zach going to be in it, but I really like school and my whole family's been in Ravenclaw." I nodded, and we got off the train. Riding in boats across the lake, we chatted and tittered about what we thought Hogwarts would be like. When we arrived, we walked up to the Great Hall, and Professor Morgan stopped us. She walked into the Great Hall and checked that everything was ready, then beckoned us outside. I whispered nervously, "I hope I do all right!" Zachary nudged my shoulder and said, "You'll do fine!" I smiled gratefully and he grinned back. Professor Morgan stopped on the stairs and stood next to a stool with a hat. All at once, the hat shouted,

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The entire hall exploded in applause, cheering, and shouting of approval. Professor Morgan yelled, "Quiet, everyone! When I call your name, come up to the stool and try on the Sorting Hat!" She cleared her throat and called, "Ethan Briar!" A skinny, tall blond boy walked up to the stool, and the Sorting Hat sat on his head and shouted after a minute, "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table cheered, and several students patted his back and shook his hand. Professor Morgan yelled, "Attention, everyone!" She then said, "Peter Bones!" An average height, brown-haired boy rushed up to the seat, and the Sorting Hat was barely on his head before it called, "Hufflepuff!" This continued for a bit before the professor shouted, "Ivy Malfoy!" Everyone looked at me as I wiped my hands on my robes and scurried up to the stool. The Sorting Hat was placed on my head and it said to me, "Interesting. Very interesting. I see you want to go to Ravenclaw... But what about Slytherin? You'd be good there, with your ambitious goals," the hat mused. I thought, I really want to be in Ravenclaw! The hat spoke, "You would fit in well there, as well... Well then, it should be RAVENCLAW!" The last word the hat yelled, and the Ravenclaw table erupted in cheers. I grinned and rushed over to the Ravenclaw table. I waited until Theo and Zachary were sorted. They were also sorted into Ravenclaw, and I clapped especially hard when Zachary was sorted.

Today has been exhausting, but wonderful. We had dinner, and we were introduced to our professors. I have to head to bed, though, so I must wrap up this entry. Thank you for listening, dear journal, and I will write tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Ivy Malfoy