Hazel MacMillan Yr.2: Chapter 1

Instructions

“Dear Hazel, I’m in America, and it’s awesome. They have this broom called the Goldenstick, it’s not as good as the Nimbus 2000, though. My brother Guntram (he’s part of the American Ministry for Magic), told me that he had to Obliviate sixty people in California last night! I asked him why, but he said it was ‘strictly confidential’. We had tacos for lunch, Guntram’s treat. He said he’d got some money, but when Mum asked him how, he turned red. We all know he’s pulling weeds to save up for a house. Imagine, Assistant Head of the Office for Misuse of Magical Objects pulling weeds! Oh, I have soooooo much to tell you about America! It has DRAGONS and I’ve seen a Chinese Fireball. Americans don’t play quidditch, but they have the American Broom Race! Anyways, I’ll be back soon, and I look forward to seeing you. Best, Elizabeth PS. My cousin Hannah is starting this year! Fingers crossed for Hufflepuff!” I laughed and folded Elizabeth’s letter in half. A girl with shiny copper braids and icy blue eyes popped her head into the Hufflepuff common room. “Professor Sprout says there’s ice cream if you want it,” Ruby Boot said, grinning. “Better hurry, though. I think Snape and his oily hair is demolishing the lot.” Stifling a giggle, I followed Ruby out of the room and had three bowls of Neapolitan ice cream I live and study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My aunt is Professor of Herbology, Pomona Sprout. My friends are Emily Malfoy, Daliyla Lestrange, Ruby and Elizabeth. Since I’m an orphan, I spend the holidays with my aunt at school. Ruby stays, too, since her foster parents are…..not very nice. The next evening, we pulled on black robes and marched down to the hall. Five minutes later, a stream of students poured in. I hugged Elizabeth, but Emily was at the Gryffindor table and Ruby and Daliyla were with the Ravenclaws. “Abbott, Hannah!” Nervous, Elizabeth squeezed my hand. “HUFFLEPUFF!” The table exploded with applause and cheer. After a long line, Emily’s sister Carina stepped up. A pause then—“Ravenclaw!” Draco Malfoy, Carina’s twin, ended up in Slytherin. A boy with messy black hair and green eyes walked up to the Gryffindor table. “Look! It’s Potter!” Elizabeth whispered excitedly, even though I already knew who he was. Every wizarding child knew him, and those a few years older than us might even remember when You-Know-Who was at his most powerful. After the Sorting, the tables were piled with chops and steaks, chips, roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and really good food. I saw a redhead at the Gryffindor table who was next to Harry Potter stuffing his face. Typical boys. “It’s nice to be at home with my family,” said Elizabeth reflectively, as we climbed into bed that night. “But it’s great to be back at Hogwarts!”