Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
W E L C O M E
P R O L O G U E: T H E B E F O R E
I'm well aware of the fact that I'm intelligent.
The fact of being transferred abroad due to intelligence, though, is questionable. I was nearly the top of my class, which was only around fifteen people, but still the top. A lot of people think that when I say 'class,' I mean my graduation year, but I really just mean the people in my homeroom.
Now that I think of it, it's quite humbling when I say that aloud.
But when I received my letter regarding the transfer from my original school in America to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I didn't question it. To be completely honest, I was quite flattered.
The only student chosen to leave. Someone must have finally noticed my achievements and gotten me away, as a chance for a higher education. Or something.
And so here I am. Kitioma Hadlee, the most esteemed guest Hogwarts would ever allow in. Or so I'm telling myself as I stand in front of the Headmaster's office. The tag reads 'Dippet,' and I swear I can see the letters move when I turn my head.
It's unusual. I thought magic was a simple thing, following basic rules regardless of situation, but the letters don't move like that in America.
"Come in," A weary voice, full of age, rings out before I can even put my fist to the door. How strange. The first thing that meets my eyes are books. Hundreds of them, lining the shelves, towering clouds of worn spines covered in layers of dust.
"Miss Hadlee! Welcome, it's a pleasure to meet you," An old man, weary from age, stands up from behind a dark, oak wood desk. "I hope your trip here was enjoyable?"
I give him a lopsided, tired smile. "Tedious, but tolerable. I was directed by my letter to report to you to be..." I fumble for the note, which has been creased over multiple times due to my nervous fidgeting.
The Headmaster smiles a weary smile. "Sorted, my dear?"
"Yes!" I exclaim in relief, my hands falling awkwardly to my sides. "That. Back in America, we took written tests to choose what branch to major in. Is that..." I trail off when the older man rummages through the shelves behind him, completely ignoring my words before emerging with a tattered hat. "Um...is that possibly the same procedure here?"
"No, of course not. We don't stoop as low as the American Magic Association and make our students take written tests to enter. Rather, we introduce them to--" He holds up the hat proudly. "This!"
A moment of silence passes as I shift awkwardly. "Um...wow! That's amazing! Whatever that, uh, is."
"Please, take a seat," Dippet says, oblivious to my sarcasm. "This will only take a minute. I presume you studied magic at your old school?"
"Sort of," I start to say, taking a seat in the wooden chairs in front of his desk. "Not really, actually."
"What am I saying, of course you did! We only accept transfers on our same curriculum," he completely cuts me off, adjusting his circular glasses and smoothing back his thinning white hair. "Please, take the hat. Your sorting starts when you put it on."
"You want me to put that thing on my head?" I scoff, wrinkling my nose. Normally, I'm not that picky. But anyone would be tentative when viewing that... thing.
"Yes, of course," The Headmaster replies, absentmindedly giving me the hat. "It's the sorting tool. Put it on."
I frown, cringing before putting the hat on my thick, curly hair.
"You're a rude one," A voice whispers into my head, and I scoff. A talking hat? How cute.
And you're disgusting. Someone needs to wash you.
"Hmm, courageous. Not afraid to speak up. Not a bad mind as I can see, but not enough to be...hmmm..."
Are you judging me? Well, I presume that's the point of the procedure... but still.
"Gryffindor," The hat says, quite loudly, without another moment of hesitation. "Most indefinitely Gryffindor."
"Wonderful!" Headmaster Dippet exclaims, snatching the hat off of my head. "I'll call one of the prefects to escort you. You're sixteen, correct? A sixth year?"
I frown. "Yes, but my birthday is in two weeks. September first."
"Ahh, a Virgo. Lovely. I always did love Virgos, although they're usually sorted into Ravenclaw. Smart thinkers, Virgos," Dippet rambles on.
I give him an awkward smile, my pride slightly wounded.
"A prefect is on their way right now, and-" A knock rings on the other side of the door. "And that must be him! Your luggage should be on the way, and I'll trust that the prefect that came will answer any questions. Your schedule is in your letter. Have a nice night!"
The door opens, and it's like I'm shoved out of the room. Great.
As I'm brushing myself off, I meet the blue eyes of a surprisingly handsome young man. "Oh, hello. You must be the prefect he was talking about. Here to take me to Gryffindor?"
His tie is blue, his demeanor friendly, his uniform neat. He gives me a small, confused smile. "Oh no, I'm not a prefect or a Gryffindor. I actually just came to drop this off," He holds up an envelope.
My face grows warm with embarrassment. "Oh."
The boy, his blond hair slightly covering his eyes, laughs softly. "Headmaster Dippet seems busy at the moment, so I guess I'll return tomorrow," His eyebrows furrow as he glances at my outfit. "You don't have a uniform. Are you new?"
"Yes, I transferred from America. I'm Kitioma, but you can call me Kiki. That's what most everyone calls me," I extend my hand for him to shake.
He takes it, grinning. "Sam Miller, Ravenclaw. Kitioma, you said? It's a beautiful name, pleasure to meet you."
"Well, I'm glad someone thinks so," I laugh, shaking his hand before hearing footsteps down the corridor. Another boy comes into sight, and Sam raises his eyebrows.
"I think that's the prefect you're looking for," Sam exclaims.
"Yep, that's me," I shrug. "I guess I'll see you around them, Sam."
"I hope to see you as well, Kitioma," He smiles, a dimple appearing on his left cheek.
The prefect comes into view, and by the time I introduce myself to him, Sam is gone.
It feels nice to finally meet someone. Maybe I can have a life here after all.
