I was just observing the common room when I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to see Percy. 

"Yes?" I asked. 

"Now listen very carefully," he began in a calm and collected voice but something about his attitude made him appear stern to me. To some extent of course. "I know you and Fred and George get along very well but I'm making one thing clear to you once and for all... If you do get involved in their pranks and suffer some consequences then I'm not going to be responsible at all. I hope you would follow the school rules and stay out of trouble." 

Well... I can't be too sure about that. 

"Are you even listening, Katerina?" he snapped. 

I nodded, "yes I am, Perce." 

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "and are you planning on following my generous advice?" 

Yeah just planning to follow it. Can't see it happening anytime soon though. "I can't make promises this early," I replied. 

He shook his head, "you've been reasonable to me so far and I'm only returning the favor. Just don't lose a lot of house points, will you? Gryffindor should win the House Cup at all costs." 

I nodded, "I'll try." 

Somehow I must annoyed him or perhaps he was already much annoyed due to Ron's flying achievement as he vanished off mumbling incoherent words about everyone losing sanity and him being stuck among idiots and the rest. 

Thinking of Ron, where is he? They should have reached approximately a few minutes or perhaps an hour after us but no such luck yet. As if on cue, the portrait swung open and a much flustered looking Ron and an even messier looking Harry entered. Harry's usually messy hair looked worse than it could have been possible and Ron seemed quite crestfallen. 

The whole common room erupted in cheers and applause as if they all were greeting great heroes who had just conquered thousands of troops single handed. Someone burst party poppers and nearly everyone was getting wild. 

Fred and George came up front and patted Ron on the back. It was quite hard (much like a slap but I think it could be categorized as an act of affection). "Oi Ron you have made us so proud of you," they spoke. 

Ron was getting as red as tomatoes by every passing second. 

"Flying a car to Hogwarts, that's totally epic," George added. 

"I wonder why we never thought of it before," Fred remarked. 

All of a sudden a flash went off. Harry and Ron who had just entered and were flabbergasted already by all the attention were more befuddled to see a short boy with spiky hair holding a camera, "can I take a photograph please?" Without waiting for the reply he snapped twice or thrice. "I'm Colin Creevey," he extended his hand for Harry to shake, "I'm your biggest fan. Would you give me an autograph? Please?" 

I never knew they would have fans over here too. After Harry embarrassingly signed an autograph and the boy went happily away Percy's voice thundered, "why are you still not expelled?" He looked dangerously angry. 

"I...um... McGonagall said we could continue our studies here?" Ron stuttered. 

"Even after all you have done!" Percy bellowed nearly, "its my first year as a Head Boy and you have begun to ruin everything for me already. First year as Head Boy and my dear brother flies a car to Hogwarts and smashes into the Whomping Willow! I'm just coming from McGonagall and believe me she's more than angry at you. So is Snape. And I had to listen to their condemnations all due to you!" 

Uh oh, things are gonna get seriously serious. 

"Calm down, Percy," I spoke, "why don't we at least listen to what they have to say as well?" 

He turned his glare on me now, "what excuse do they have then?" 

I shrugged and gestured over to the poor boys meaning that he should ask them not me. 

He reverted his gaze back towards them, "start explaining. Now." 

It was quite odd to see him that angry but I suppose the Professor Snape (who scares everyone) might have thrown really major insults in Percy's way. 

"We couldn't get through the barrier," Ron stated. 

"Because it was past eleven, you idiot!" Percy fumed again. 

This time though Harry spoke up in his and Ron's defense, "we couldn't pass the barrier and missed the train so the only option left was Mr Weasley's car. I'm really sorry for what happened to it though but we had no choice. It ran out of diesel and struck the Whomping Willow and Ron almost got his wand snapped. But we had no other intentions." 

Percy looked at him closely through his spectacles, "okay... Ronald Bilius Weasley, if you get your pocket money cut off this year it's entirely your fault." 

Ron spoke, "what about my wand?" 

He replied coldly, "ask your know-it-all friend to set it right for you." 

Fred eased the tension, "it's okay, everyone. Percy occasionally gets these type of anger explosions. Everything is normal and under control. In case of a fire in the Head Boy dormitory you're requested to report to the authorities. Thank you very much." 

Gradually all the crowd of Gryffindors dispersed. 

Hermione made her way up front to us. She must not have been able to earlier due to the fact that Percy was having a heated argument while the rest of the common room was packed. "What did you do? Harry, Ron you could have ended up seriously hurt or..." 

I absentmindedly finished the sentence for her, "or worse expelled." 

She glanced at me then sighed wearily, "I do not say that every time, Kat." But she turned back to both of them, "what happened after you crashed?" 

Ron mumbled, "Snape happened." 

She would have asked another question but Harry spoke, "Hermione we practically flew all the way from London to Hogwarts. Mind if we rest for a while?" 

Poor boys. They trudged off to their dormitory. I wonder where my dormitory would be. 

Soon enough two girls of about my age came towards me. One of them had short black hair and the other had curly brown hair pulled into a tight bun. 

"Katie Bell," the one with short hair and sparkly eyes introduced, "and this is Angelina Johnson. Your dormitory is with us so we figured we would just let you know." I shook hands with them. Fred and George had vanished off to annoy Percy even more so I decided that I would rather go with the girls and get unpacked.

***

When we entered the dorms I looked around in surprise. There were three beds of the characteristic house color scheme. Everything seemed perfect. Our trunks had been moved in already. 

I got the bed beside the window. Which was totally fine by me. More than fine actually since I love looking out windows. And considering that the Gryffindor Tower is one of the highest in the building, it surely will be a spectacular view. I flopped down on the bed. Goodness it was really comfortable. All soft and feathery. 

"So... When are you going to introduce yourself?" Angelina asked. 

Honestly, where are my manners? 

"Katerina Weasley," I spoke, "I'm about Fred and George's age and the rest you'll figure out quite soon." 

Katie asked, "if you're a Weasley how come we never knew of you before?" 

Well they do have a point. They seem nice and friendly enough and I could definitely do with some good friends here so I decided to tell them the reality about me. They listened and agreed that I was definitely lucky to be rescued from the asylum. 

And in turn they told me all about themselves. Both Katie and Angelina were Chasers on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and the major part of the night passed in them narrating their fabulous Quidditch experiences. 

And then when it got too late we called it a night and shut the lights off. I climbed into my bed and pushed the blankets above me. So rich and comfortable. I have already begun to adore this school. Can't wait to see what awaits us in the morning.

***