Dahlia was feeling a rush of nervous excitement. She didn't know what to expect at Hogwarts. As a matter of fact, she felt like hopping back on the express and going back home. Well, to London. Then she'd contact the Spring's and they could come pick her up and she could... No. That wouldn't work.

Dahlia jumped as Cassia dragged her over to a boat. "C'mon, Dahlia! The groundskeeper just said to get on a boat!"

"I can not!" Dahlia told her rather dramatically. "The lake and I have an agreement. So long as I dare not go near its edge, the water shall not touch my gorgeous hair!"

Oliver snuck up behind Cassia and lifted her up over his shoulder. "Bwahaha!" he yelled to the darkness as he gently laid Cassia in a boat. "Miz, I shall-a be your gondolier," he said, hopping in and beginning to row.

"Sorry Dahlia!" Cassia yelled, sounding sincere. Dahlia imagined through the cloak of darkness how Cassia would look right now. She was certain Cassia really was sorry, that she hadn't known that Oliver would drag her into a different boat.

"S'alright! Catch up with you later!" Dahlia yelled back, sitting in a boat all alone. She realized everyone had a boat partner but her. A gentle looking man sat down across from her.

"Hello, miss. Is it all right if I sit with you?"

"Yeah, sure," she told him.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Dahlia Wood,"

"What team are you betting on for the Quidditch World Cup, Dahlia?"

"What's quidditch?" Dahlia asked, confused.

The man chuckled. "I'm guessing you're not well acquainted with the wizarding world, hmm, Dahlia?"

"No, I guess not, Mister..."

"You may call me Professor Longbottom. I'm the head of Ravenclaw. I was a Gryffindor when I attended Hogwarts, but the head of Ravenclaw..." Longbottom hesitated. "retired, so I filled in his position."

Dahlia nodded, but really, her mind was racing. Retired?