"Rollie, that's not the way to Hogwarts. Join up with Hagrid. He'll take you there," a young woman said with a cloth over her face but dressed in a tight suit (perfect for spying and making the most of one's agility). She emerged from the shadows, pointing to the opposite direction of where I was heading.

"Okay," I spun around with my jaw dropped while scratching my head, quickening my pace to a jog. Then when I realized I didn't say thank you, I whirled back around and said, "Thank—"but she was gone. There was no one there. A chill punched up my spine. What happened to me back there? I started losing control of my body and my mind. Thank goodness for that woman, but where did she go?

Dashing back to the other end of the platform, there were still a handful of students making their way. I heard Bran, Edna, and Daphne calling out my name even as the three of them were spread out among the platform.

"Hey! I'm right here, sorry about that," I said. The three of them circled around me.

"Hey, what happened? Where did you go?" Daphne asked.

"I'm not really sure. I guess I got lost there for a minute."

"We were looking all over for you, and we talked to Hagrid. He said that you were supposed to come with him and the other first years. They already started walking, but I can show you where they went," Daphne said, leading me down a path that was steep, narrow, and dark. "Just run up ahead, I see the end of the line. Hagrid said he'd wait for you. He's a really great guy."

"Okay," I nodded.

"Oh, and a quick suggestion. I recommend taking off the jacket and wearing your robes over it. It will help you fit in much better, not that I dislike your band jacket! It's so cool, but it's not really part of the dress code, and I'd hate to see you in trouble," Daphne smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.

I did as she said, much to my chagrin, but I didn't want to look even more out of place on my first day. The green mohawk was enough.

I followed the trail until I came across a few tinier students in robes, and then I lost my breath when the path opened up. I saw a great black lake, but on the other side nested a vast castle on top of a mountain. The windows glowed amber and looked as beautiful as the stars in the sky. There was a line of students getting in the boats with the help of an enormous fellow with long hair and a scraggly beard.

"I believe that's all o' the firs' years, are we missing anyone? I was told ter wait fer a much taller, older fellow, but I don' reckon I see 'im anywhere," the giant said, standing at the end of a boat.

I waved my hands as if I was trying to be seen by a helicopter on a stranded island. "I'm right here! I am the older student who's a first-year! That would be me, Rollie Magpie!"

"Oh very good, come right' this way then, yeh'll have a boat all ter yourself. 's a little smaller, but 's right' there at the end. Hop aboard an' we'll be on our way."

I scrambled into the tiny boat. Sitting down with my legs crossed, my knees touched the 2-foot walls that kept me contained. The fleet of small ships took off together, gliding along the smooth waters of the lake. Everyone was silent, but I got a couple of side stares from the younger students in front of me. I thought about waving, but I worried that with the darkness, if I waved, they might mistake it for an obscene gesture. I was glad I didn't since they snickered at me. Surely it was my green hair and being closer to Hagrid's height than theirs.

We made our way to a cliff, through a wall of ivy, and then through a dark tunnel which appeared to be underneath the castle until we stopped at an underground harbor.

Hagrid made sure that we were all still together, and then he shepherded us to an oak door where he knocked with his gigantic fist, and the door flew open. A tall, older witch in emerald-green robes appeared with a stern face and black hair.

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

"Thank you, come with me, everyone."

We walked through a massive entrance hall. The flagstone walls had torches breathing light into the castle, and a marble staircase faced us as we stepped forward, following Professor McGonagall.

I heard hundreds of people talking from a doorway on the right side, but Professor McGonagall led us to an empty chamber in the opposite direction. Again a few students stole glances just to sneak a few laughs at me. I lowered my head and gazed at the ground as we walked. All of us crowded in the chamber, but I stood in the back where I towered over the rest of the students.

The professor started going over the rules at Hogwarts, which my grandpa had already told me all about. It was like hearing the speech for the second time. She paused after her spiel and held her hand out in front of everyone.

"Are you Rollie Magpie?" she asked, staring directly in my eye.

"Uh, yes, that's me," I said.

The faintest grin appeared. "Yes, judging by your accent, you are indeed. I was given special instructions to let you go in last. Please, wait right here while the rest of the first years go in. You'll be the last one to join the Sorting Ceremony."

All of the students observed me for a moment as if I was a piece in a museum. After a few minutes went by, Professor McGonagall took all of the students and had me wait. Time felt like it was moving at a snail's pace. I twiddled with my thumbs as muffled cheers and yells came from the wall. My heart rate steadily rose as time dragged on, and I started tapping at my thigh. I took a few deep breaths, but it didn't help me calm down much.

The door swung open, and Professor McGonagall said, "It's your turn," she pivoted to reveal the Great Hall and pointed towards the stool with an old beat-up hat sitting on top of it. She whispered, "You will sit on that stool and place the hat on your head. Any questions?"

I shook my head.

"Very good, go ahead and take a seat," Professor McGonagall stepped away and joined the much larger table behind the stool where all of the other professors were seated.

I crept in and received wide-eyed stairs from nearly every student in the Great Hall. Whispering broke out among them, but then a frail old woman in violet robes stood up at the center of the professor's table and cleared her throat.

"Please, let's welcome our special guest. This is a rare moment in Hogwarts history where a wizard from the United States transfers to our school. Everyone, please give a warm Hogwarts welcome to Rollie Magpie," Zita announced with an impressively booming voice for such a wiry and slender person.

The crowd of students clapped, cheered, and even whistled. My lips curved up as I sat on the stool and shoved the cap on my head, squishing my mohawk down. A small voice spoke in my ear.

"Impressive… The most challenging student I've received today. Perhaps the most challenging in a great while. My goodness, yes, you're talented, yes, and a special breed of talent at that. Hmm, you exhibit traits of all the houses. Though you behave defiant and tough on the outside with thick, calloused skin (rightfully so with a painful past such as yours), something exists that's a little more prominent. Yes, deep down, through the mental walls, down to your core, I see a heart of pure gold with a fierce dedication to loyalty. Something you haven't had much luck with from others. You deserve some friends who will return the same to you… Well, I think you'll make Helga very proud. Your devoted home will be HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table shot up from their seats, cheering. The students at the front yelled, "We got the American!" which made me chuckle. Bran, Edna, and Daphne sat together close to the front where the prefects were, and they beckoned for me to sit by them. Thank goodness, I wonder if the hat knew what I wanted?

As soon as I joined them, the applause died down as well as the cheers. Bran shook me ecstatically. We were sitting across from Edna and Daphne, who beamed at my arrival. I couldn't help my lips from curving upward.

Zita shot up from the center of the professor's table with her hands clasped together while grinning tightly, showcasing her wrinkles. "Good evening, students! Welcome the start of another year here at Hogwarts!" she announced, and students roared with applause so loud the great hall quaked. "It's around this time every year the professors are clamoring to get back into the classroom to start teaching the future generations of talented wizards and witches. I couldn't be happier to be with you all right now. We'll begin the feast shortly after a few brief announcements.

"The caretaker, Mr. Lancaster, states that no students are allowed to use magic in between classes in the corridors. We had a real problem with that last year, let's not have those issues again, or stricter rules might have to be enforced.

"Quidditch trials take place the second week of the term. Contact Madam Hooch if interested. Then, the final announcement...

"The forbidden forest is extra forbidden this year. Normally students aren't allowed to go in there anyway because of the dangerous beasts that lurk, but if you see any purple smoke or any ethereal purple tendrils on the edge of the forest, turn around immediately and tell either Mr. Lancaster, Hagrid, or the nearest professor. The manner is currently under investigation by the ministry of magic and Hogwarts staff. So just stay clear of the forest, and everyone will be just fine. With that said, enjoy tonight's feast!"

Roasted ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, steamed broccoli, sweet potato casserole, and much more magically appeared at the center of the table. It all reminded me of Thanksgiving dinner back home. The students shoveled portions on their dishes, and I joined in the fray until my plate was so full, remnants were hanging off the side.

Chomping away, I surveyed the professor's table once again to familiarize myself with the faces I was going to see regularly. When my gaze reached the end of the table, I thought, Wow, he sure does look a lot like— wait. My heart sank, and sweat beads conquered my forehead.

"Brandna! Daphne!" I shouted.

"Cool, he said our combined name," Bran chuckled, but when he stared at me, his smile disappeared.

Edna and Daphne observed me with deep concern in their eyes as if they were doctors trying to hear symptoms from a patient.

"Rollie, did you see a ghost or something? Your face is all pale. Just so you know, ghosts aren't anything to be afraid of in Hogwarts. They're all friendly, and they appear sometimes. Not sure if you have them at—"

"N-N-No. No g-ghost," I whipped my head side to side. "That professor, at the end of the table," I pointed. "Who is he? What's his name? Where's he from?"

"Relax, Rollie, no need to have a panic attack. Those are all well-revered professors. What's the matter?" Bran asked.

"Just tell me his name!"

"Keep your voice down," Daphne said, "all of the students are looking at you like you're crazy."

"Please," I whispered. "I'll feel better when I know who that is. I'm sorry for yelling, but I need to know," I buried my head in my arms, and I flattened my mohawk down with both of my hands.

"That's the new professor. His name is Odessus Hawthorne. In fact, I heard he was from the United States, actually. A former professor at Huntshrow. You know him?" Edna asked.

I started trembling as I lifted my head up." Will one of you take me to the common room? Please? I don't feel very comfortable right now."

"Yeah, I can take you," Daphne said.

"Let us come with you," Bran said.

"No, I'd feel bad depriving you of dinner," I said.

"Nonsense, we're coming with you. That's what friends are for," Edna said as the three of them stood up with me, and I covered my head with my robes as naturally as I could, but I just looked like a vampire trying to conceal their face in the daylight.

Daphne led the way through flagstone corridors and marble steps until we reached a chamber with numerous barrels jutting out from the wall. Daphne walked up to one of them without any hesitation and tapped a rhythmic song for a moment until the lid popped open, and we crawled inside.

"Ah, it's so wonderful to be back," Daphne whispered to herself.

The common room had circular windows near the top of the low ceiling surrounding the wall. In the center was a fireplace with chairs and a long couch that two tall people could easily sleep on. Succulents and other green plants adorned tables, desks, and shelves. Sturdy aged oak was beneath our feet as we made our way close to the fireplace.

Edna and Bran sat next to me on the couch, and Daphne slid a chair close to us.

"Well, you look much better. Your face doesn't look so pale anymore," Daphne said.

"Yeah, what happened back there?" Bran asked, pressing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"Bran! Give him a moment to breathe and think for a second!" Edna yelled as if they were an old married couple.

"It's okay, it's okay, I just needed to be away from the Great Hall. I wouldn't feel comfortable explaining this at the table, and seeing Professor Hawthorne's face again made me lose my appetite."

"So you know him?" Edna asked.

My head nodded so slightly that it was a nonverbal form of a whisper. "I do. I wish I didn't. He used to teach at Huntshrow but was forced to resign. So allow me to tell you my experience with him and what happened…"