1 Welcoming Ceremony

[I rather be heartless than brokenhearted.]

M A R I G O L D

There's a saying..'Loneliness add beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes the night air smell better.'

I've always loved that quote because I can somehow relate to it. I never had many friends but I do like to be alone at times.

Not cos I'm sad or just want to blow off steam, but it gives me peace to my mind.

Imagine having the library all to yourself on a raining, while sitting on a soft couch and drinking Starbucks. Reading all the fantasy book you can find as you listen to a soothing song mix with the sound of rain. The feeling, is just absolutely amazing.

However my life isn't as calming as it seems to be, cos...

I'm a witch.

I attended muggle school till the age of 15, until my secret powers were exposed to the Wizarding World. I thought I was the only one with strange supernatural abilities, turns out, there's a school for young wizards and witches such as myself.

"Excuse me? Do you know where is platform 9 3/4?" I asked the staff.

"There's no such thing as platform 9 3/4, young miss. You must have misread your ticket." He replied, rather too quickly as he turns back to his computer. Well, that's strange, the ticket said...

"Hermione! Harry! Quickly get to platform 9 3/4, you're don't want to be late!" A woman passing by shouted over the loud chatters of the crowd as she ushered two teens to a large bricked pillar.

9 3/4? She must know where it is!

Realising she could be my guide, I made my way to her with swift hesitant steps.

"E-excuse me mam, d-do you know where is p-platform 9 3/4?" I stuttered, turning into a nervous wreck. I'm never really to kind to be independent when talking to people, I always needed someone to back me up.

"Oh dear, are you a student of Hogwarts too?" She questioned with much enthusiasm.

"Y-yes. I'm a transfer."

"My that's wonderful! My name is Lily and that is my son, Harry Potter and his good friend Hermione Granger. I'm sure they'll make you fit right in while you're there." Lily perks as she points to the black hair, boy with glasses and then to the honey-blonde hair, girl.

Pushing the silver, rounded spectacle up the bridge of my nose, I turn my gaze fully to their direction as they gave me a friendly wave with warm smiles stretched onto both their faces, and I shyly returned.

"And I'm Marigold Lavender Knight."

:)

"You really have beautiful soft hair and captivating pair of hazel-brown eyes Marigold. I'm quite jealous." Hermione complimented as Harry nodded in agreement.

I look down to hide my burning pink cheeks while shaking my head.

Now we're currently seated in a train to Hogwarts, talking about ourselves and getting to know one another.

I don't know which is more shocking, the fact that I've already made really great friends or me attending magic school.

"You're way more prettier Hermione, if I were a boy I'd fall for you at first sight." I exclaimed, causing both of them to burst into fits of laughter.

"You're a funny girl, Mary. However I can't help but ask if you need to go for an eye checkup." Harry chortled, earning himself a smack behind the head from Hermione.

"Aww, thanking you Riri, I love you already." Hermione gushed as she pulls me into a tight hug, more like squeezing me to suffocation.

"Me too, Mione." I giggled, using nicknames that we decided to call each other.

Awhile after, the train comes to a sudden halt and we all got up, took our bags and alighted the express.

"Alright children, follow me!" A man shouted, catching my attention..and my is he big. I stared at the large bearded man with amazement and curiosity, is he a giant?

"That's Hagrid, our friend. He's half giant, half-human." Harry explained as if he had read my mind. Half-giant? So they really do exist...

The walking trip to Hogwarts was extraordinary fun and magical but the school was majestic.

Once we've reach our destination, we were immediately guided to an enormous dining room where thousands of lighted candles float in the air as everyone took a seat according to their houses, leaving me confused to which table I could seat on.

"Don't worry Riri, go to Professor McGonagall. You'll be chosen into a house." Hermione said as she pushes me over to a lady with small glasses.

"You must be Miss Marigold. Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Professor McGonagall, a pleasure to finally meet you." She greeted with a slight bit of a smile as I returned with a simple nod, then the welcoming ceremony begin.

A long bearded old man walked up to small stage, where all the teachers dined at, dressed in an elegant silver robe and put a wand near his throat.

"Silence!" He said but the voice came out like a roar and the dining room goes completely silent as he smiles with satisfaction.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts, I hope you enjoyed your holiday, as of tonight, we have a new student joining us. Please welcome...Marigold Lavender Knoght." The old man said as he turns his head and gestured me to come sit on a wooden stool...in front of the entire school population.

I turn to look at Professor McGonagall with pleading eyes for help but she just nodded and gave me an encouraging smile.

This is way beyond my comfort zone.

With unsteady steps I made my way to the stool and quickly sat down, making no eye contact with anybody as I could feel more than a hundred of stares burning into skin. I just want this to be over as fast as possible.

I peeked over to my side and saw McGonagall picking up a large pointy hat, that has a structure of a face on it, that it started to creep me out. She then came over to my side and put it on my head, to my disbelief, it talked!

"Hmm..what a shy girl you are, lack of a lot confidence, I see, you need to work on that dear child or you'll never be able survive especially with the Slytherins around! Nevertheless! You're a special little one with great wisdom, I see a tiny bit of courage and oh~ interesting, very interesting indeed." It said and I could feel my heart started to pumping up to my throat.

"Gryffindor!" It screamed and the table with students dressed in red and yellow, including Hermione and Harry, cheered drastically loud while the others clapped.

I smiled widely as I got up and set the hat onto the stool before running towards Hermione and Harry. To my surprise, everyone at the table warmly welcomed me, it was very different at muggle school. Hogwarts has a lot of school spirit.

It was a great night and I got to know a lot of people than I ever believed I could managed.

After the grand dinner, we were escorted to our dorms and my roommate was Herminone, I was overjoy and felt lucky about it. I wanted to chat with her more but after washing up, my energy was drained so I immediately went straight to bed and was fast asleep.

Dreaming of what was in store for me tomorrow, when the sun rises again.