After the fairly long, but fun train ride, I followed Rose and Albus onto the castle grounds. I gasped at all the different and beautiful sights, looking at everything to absorb as much as I could. Even for this being my third school, having thought I had seen it all, I was regardless very impressed at what I observed. The grounds were extensive and finely laid out, with many different facets to them. We walked across the cobblestone road to the castle doors, through the large iron gates, and into the great hall. I gasped some more as we entered. It was wonderous, with the high celing charmed to look exactly like the sunset in muted tones. Behind the teachers' table, a perfect representation of the sun was sinking gently at the far left wall, leaving behind soft swirls of red and black and blue. 

Four elegant tables, long ones, were filling slowly with children. Each table had its own colors, and I assumed Rose and albus would go to the one swathed in red and gold. I was right. Not knowing where else to go, I was about to follow them, when a woman walked up to me. Her stiff posture told me she was most likely the headmistress.

"Kiera Lark?" She asked, not unkindly. I nodded my affirmation. "You will be sorted first, if that's all right with you." Again, I nodded, thinking back to my other previous schools. At the Beijing Institute, the house and dormmates were chosen by a simple spell that gaged compatability on shallow levels. I assumed this would be similar, and just as simple. 

The lady, boots clicking, showed me to a high stool at the front of the hall, in between the teacher's table and the four house tables.Everyone could see me from where the stool was. I sat, and she dropped a musty old hat upon my head. I cringed involuntarily as a strange voice echoed throughout my head.

Ah.

Its voice was unlike anything I had ever heard before. It was soft, gentle, but infused with a tremendous power.

A strange one we have here. So many different worlds mixed together into one. You could do well, very well, anywhere. Hard to choose, hard to choose. I see. You've never truly been classified before. 

It hemmed and hawed a moment.

Plenty of courage, and bravery too. A good, strong mind. Cunning...yes. And oh...

There was a pause. I could almost hear the hat smile. More like smirk, really. 

Your mother came here. She came as a Ravenclaw...But you are not your mother.

There was another pause, a longer one this time. I felt uncomfortable in the extended silence.

Well, I've decided now.

GRYFFINDOR! 

It shouted. My plain black tie instantly became a brilliant scarlet and gold. I hopped off the stool and made my way over to the Gryffindor table, glad the ordeal was done. Rose and Al smiled brightly at me. Nevaeh wrapped me in an exuberant hug. I was glad to be in the same house as them.

It was then that I decided that I liked Hogwarts. I liked the people I had met so far, except perhaps Malfoy. Hogwarts would make me a good home, I felt. Things seemed good here. I had a house, new friends, and contentment. Hopefully everything would stay so good.

I knew I couldn't be so lucky. There were so many students; drama would occur for sure. Hopefully it would be interesting drama, and not the crazy sort of stupid drama I hated. But I put my thoughts at ease, knowing I would take on problems as they surfaced, just like I always did.

So I sat at the table, listening to the idle chatter in the air, and gazing around the hall, for a quick glance just wouldn't satisfy me. I perused the large room with my eyes. The Slytherins sat at their silver and green table, seemingly oblivious to everyone else but themselves. Except for Malfoy. I noticed him gazing hard at me.

Well, I had thought he was looking at me. But as I looked closely at the direction of his eyes, I realized it was not me he was observing. His gaze had centered directly on the person to my right.

Which was Rose Weasely.

He had his bright blue eyes fixed upon her. Whether it was her bright red hair, beautifully toned body, or blue gray eyes, I couldn't be sure. But whatever it was, I was  sure that the serene half-smile on his face had to mean something.

Now, I was never the best at reading facial expressions, but I would bet galleons on that smile. It was definitely genuine. More than genuine, in fact. And I was sure that expression was certainly not of hatred. Of that I could be positive.

The only question now was why. Why would Malfoy be staring at Rose?

The answer was simple, but appalling.

Maybe he fancied her.

Well, then.

My first day at Hogwarts had just gotten a little bit more interesting.