That morning I woke up to the sound of Aaro my brother's owl speeding through my bedroom window. He'd brought the post. I never usually received anything but today was an exception. There it was sitting in my lap. My letter. I had been accepted into Hogwarts, the finest school of Witchcraft and Wizardry there was. I knew what it would say, I had read my brother's when he got in but I opened it anyway out of excitement.

Dear Miss Lemaire,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Students shall be required to report to the Chamber of Reception upon arrival, the dates for which shall be duly advised.

Please ensure that the utmost attention be made to the list of requirements attached herewith.

We very much look forward to receiving you as part of the new generation of Hogwarts' heritage.

Yours Sincerely,

Professor McGonagall.

I left the list of requirements to read when paying a visit to Diagon Alley the following Saturday. I was elated that I, Willow Lemaire would finally be attending Hogwarts. I'd wanted this ever since I could remember and now it was finally happening. I wondered what house I'd be placed into. My siblings, strangely, were not in the same house. My eldest sister Heather, unsurprisingly, was in Gryffindor as were my parents. However, my brother Silus was a Slytherin. My grandfather was a Slytherin, he was killed by one of the unforgivable curses, in a fight against a man who was now in Azkaban. I felt like I didn't posses the right qualities to be placed in either Gryffindor or Slytherin but a handful of both, which made me very curious as to where I would go. Of course I could also be placed in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff but I presumed that would not happen.

I clambered out of bed and strolled down the stairs to present the letter to the rest of my family as we gathered for breakfast. My mother was over the moon when she saw it. Finally, she could be at peace knowing that all her children would attend Hogwarts.

"I reckon you'll be in Slytherin," Silus piped up. "Great house to be in, take my word for it." Maybe I was meant to be in Slytherin, only time would tell.

***********

A week had passed and it was finally time for us to make our way to Diagon Alley. I needed to be fitted for my robes so we decided to do that first as it would probably take the longest. Upon entering the shop, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, I noticed a boy, about the same height as me with black hair and striking green eyes. His hair was very untidy but I thought it was best not to judge as I didn't know him and for all I knew he could turn out out be a great wizard one day. Heather also needed knew robes as she had grown too big for her old ones so once we had done being measured and fitted, we payed and exited back onto the cobbled street.

The one thing I was most excited to purchase was my wand. Generally, most witches and wizards purchased a new wand when starting out at Hogwarts but there were a few who just simply didn't have the money to and therefore had to have one previously owned by a family member or somebody who they knew that no longer needed it. This wasn't really the best thing to do as technically speaking the wand chooses the wizard but I understood that it was not their fault. No longer than a minute later, we had arrived. The sign read  'Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.' just as I had remembered it from previous occasions. I took a deep breath and stepped inside. It was wonderful. So many wands and one of them would be mine in a matter of minutes. I eagerly strolled up to the counter as I was greeted with a smile from Garrick Ollivander himself.

"Ah you're one of the Lemaire children," he grinned in excitement. "I think I've got something just right for you. One moment please." In a matter of seconds he was scouring the shelves and was back almost instantly.

"Here you are." I reached out for the wand and waved it gently through the air. It felt amazing. This was definitely my wand.

"Perfect!" He exclaimed. "Very beautiful that one if I'm not mistaken, which I rarely am, that is in fact Sycamore wood with a Phoenix feather core. Exactly 13 1/4 and hard flexibility." It really was perfect he was right. I left the shop with a skip to my step feeling more prepared than ever to be joining Hogwarts.

Eventually, I finished purchasing everything required and it was almost time to leave but my parents had promised me one last thing. A pet. I gazed at all the animals who each were gazing back at me. Then in the corner of my eye I noticed a petite black kitten, it's bright blue eyes fixated on me. It was adorable straight away I knew I wanted to buy her. I gestured to my parents as if to ask them to look. They nodded and strolled over to where I was standing.

"Are you certain you want this one?" my father questioned. He was a very tall man with dark brown hair and beaming blue eyes. I looked up to him a lot as he'd taught me a lot of the things I now knew.

"Positive." I beamed.

"Well then, I think we ought to pay." He smiled. Nightshade I thought to myself. I shall name her Nightshade.

When we had finished it was time to make our way home. Although it wasn't a very pleasant experience we usually used the Floo Network. Of course we could fly, but we couldn't risk muggles seeing us so this was the safest method. I was always the first to go because I was the youngest and if everyone went before me I'd be on my own, which I didn't mid but that's just how it was now.

*********

The day had finally arrived. The 1st of September. The time had finally come for me to attend Hogwarts. I was too excited for words.

The minute I woke up, I hopped out of bed ran down the stairs and shoveled down my breakfast. I didn't want to be late. I'd miss the train and of course if you miss the train you miss our first year at Hogwarts which I was not willing to do. It was 8 am. The train left Platform 9 and 3/4 at exactly 11 am. I knew I had a few hours to spare but I couldn't help worrying, this was a great opportunity that I certainly did not want to pass up.

About an hour had passed and once I had finished reading the chapter of my current book, I opened my closet to get changed. I pulled on a dark green jumper, my favourite boots and a pair of black jeans. I'd change into my robes on the train as they might look unusual to muggle folk.

Over the summer I had read half the books we required for our first year. That probably wasn't a very good start but I simply hadn't had the time to read them all. I assumed there would be at least one person who had, it probably wouldn't have took them long either but I wasn't that type of person. Most people probably wouldn't have even read one of them yet so I guessed I was doing okay.

*********

We arrived at the station at 10:45 am. Whilst making our journey towards the platform I couldn't help but stare at the muggles in awe. They were so strange, I couldn't imagine life without magic it must be so difficult and things would probably take 10 times longer. It was amazing how they managed to do it. I knew they had invented things to make things easier but they still didn't compare to what we had. It was very impressive though I had to admit.

Minutes later we we had arrived at the entry for the platform. The only way to get onto it was to run straight into the wall between platforms 9 and 10. I had been on the platform before to say goodbye to my siblings as they left for Hogwarts but this year I would actually be going with them. As there were so many muggles in the station we couldn't all go onto the platform at once as we'd draw too much attention to ourselves and seeing multiple people disappearing into a wall is not something muggles are accustomed to. Therefore, we had to take turns leaving small gaps in between.

The first to go was Silus. The experience was thrilling for him. I didn't really understand why he was only running into a wall but whatever made him happy. Next to go was my mother, then my father, Heather and finally me. Just before I arrived onto the platform, I spun my head to see a large family all with fiery red hair. Stood with them was the same boy I had seen previously in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions with the messy black hair and green eyes. Then I noticed the scar on his forehead. The rumors were true. The boy was Harry Potter.

*********

As the journey to Hogwarts began, I made my way to find a cabin in which I could sit. I came across one holding two girls. I opened the door and in a matter of seconds was greeted by the hand of a large girl which I then proceeded to shake.

"Millicent Bulstrode." she bellowed proudly. "Would you like to sit with us?"

"Willow Lemaire." I smiled weakly. "Yes, thank you."

"This is Sapphire." The other girl looked up at me a grin plastered onto her face.

"So," she continued. "We reckon we'll be in Slytherin. What about you?"

"Well," I paused, if I wanted friends at Hogwarts I should probably say Slytherin. "My brother Silus is in Slytherin so I hopefully I will be too."

"Good." She grinned. "Do you have anymore siblings?"

"Just the one." I sighed. "Although she's in Gryffindor."

"Pity." she frowned. "Not very common that is it."

"What about your parents?"chirped Sapphire.

"Also Gryffindor." she seemed disappointed.

"Dreadful." Millicent sighed. Her face brightened up. "I think Slytherin is the best house to be in. Honestly, all the greatest people were Slytherin."

"Well then, I hope I get in."

*********

After a long journey, the Hogwarts Express finally came to a halt at Hogsmeade station. I was fidgeting so much I thought I might forget to get off. This was it. My first day at Hogwarts. I hopped off the train followed by Sapphire and Millicent and stopped before I was knocked over by the humongous man standing there. He was extremely tall with long, dark hair and a very large beard.

"Ooh sorry," he chuckled. "Didn't see you there. Name's Hagrid, gamekeeper and keeper of keys at Hogwarts." I looked up at him my cheeks spreading into a smile. I had made it.

"Follow me to the boats." he gestured to everybody.

Only four were allowed in a boat, there was already me and the two girls and after a moment a rather small girl clambered in with us.

"I hope you don't mind." she looked at us anxiously. "All the others were full."

"She's definitely a Hufflepuff." hissed Millicent quietly as to make sure only I heard her. "I can tell."

"What's your name?" demanded Sapphire.

"Susan." she trembled. "Susan Bones."

"Sapphire Day." she exclaimed full of pride.

"I'm Willow," I gestured to myself. Then to Millicent "This is Millicent."

"Well it's ni.." but before she could finish her sentence she was interrupted by Sapphire's now very loud voice.

"We're here!" she beamed.

Hurriedly, we toppled out of the boat almost knocking each other into the water. The castle was stunning. I'd never seen anything so glorious in all my life. I was too shocked to move.

"Willow!" cried Sapphire. "Don't just stand there you'll get lost. Come on!" They were getting further away now being carried along by the swarm of new students. I had to run to catch up with them.

"Steady on." she said grabbing my shoulder to slow me down. "We thought we'd lost you for a minute there." I would've probably still been standing there if she hadn't shouted me.

"Thank you." I huffed slowly regaining my breath.

"No problem." But before I could summon myself to answer I was taken aback by the grand staircase on which we were all now standing. This place was better than I could have ever imagined. I felt like I'd known it for years. I was definitely meant to be here. Standing a the top of the staircase, was a woman wearing emerald green robes with her dark hair scraped into a neat bun and a pointed hat nestled on top of her head.

"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall." said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She swung open the door from which she had previously just exited, to lead us into a small empty chamber of the hall. It was very cramped but I tried to ignore it as it would be over soon.

"Welcome to Hogwarts."she said before proceeding to explain what would happen in a few minutes and giving us a small insight on the houses. She suggested that we smarten up for the sorting ceremony which was to take place in a few minutes. Eventually, after being shocked by a number of ghosts streaming through the wall behind us, we formed a line and began to enter the Great Hall. Although it seemed silly to think, the only word to describe it was magical. There were hundreds of students seated across four very long tables, each for the different houses. They were filled goblets and plates made of gold for every student. The eyes of the students were now following us to where we stood. Professor McGonagall, was now placing a stool in front of us and with it a hat that was at least 50 years old. For a moment there was silence and then out of nowhere the hat began to sing. Once finished the whole room began to applaud as the hat bowed to each of the tables.

The first to try on the hat was a girl named Hannah Abbot who was quickly placed into Hufflepuff. The list of names began to grow shorter and a bunch of familiar people had been called including Harry, his friend from the station and Susan. Then I heard the two words which had never left my mind since.

"Malfoy, Draco." McGonagall said a cold tone to her voice. The hat had barely touched his head before it cried out.

"SLYTHERIN!" I was not surprised as I saw him stroll over to the table in triumph. I didn't know why but something more than ever now wanted me to be placed in Slytherin. I needed to be. Then before I knew it, it was my turn. I nervously walked up to the stool as faced as my legs could take me and waited to here what house I was to be in as she placed the hat onto my head.

"Hmm another Lemaire." it said pondering. "Peculiar. Yes, very peculiar. I think it will have to be..." Draco's eyes were now fixed onto my face and I couldn't help but stare at him.

"SLYTHERIN!" I was so relieved. I jumped off he chair and made my way to the cheers of the Slytherin table.

"Here." said a voice behind me. "Sit next to me." It was Draco. For some reason I could not stop staring at him. He had beautiful blue eyes and platinum hair. He was fascinating.

"Well done." he said grinning and sticking out his hand for me to shake. "I'm Draco."

"Willow." I said taking his hand in response.

"I don't know about you but I've got a feeling we're going to become very good friends." Just as I was about to reply a buffet of food sprouted from the plates in front of us. My nerves got the better of me as I piled my plate with food and began to eat. All I could think about was Draco.