The hurried crowds rushed by in the train station, muggles were too involved with themselves to even notice the kids walking through walls. The silence didn't dim when Grace reached the other side and entered platform 9 3/4, it only shifted in sound to a more vibrant hum compared to the dingy growls of the muggle world. Soot sat perched on top of Grace's suitcase patiently awaiting boarding, unlike Grace who couldn't stop fidgeting. Her parents were swamped at the Flourish and Blotts, trying to tame the crowd of people flocking in to see Newt Scamander at his book signing of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Finally at 92 years old and decades of begging he finally agreed to come to Flourish and Blotts and do a signing. Unfortunately he was delayed a day. He was supposed to be there August 31st, but apparently something had come up and he could only make it the day after, the day, Grace was supposed to be sent off to school.

There came a tap on Grace's shoulder as she griped in her head, she turned to see Cedric and Amos Diggory, "You can come wait with us." offered Cedric.

All three chatted in excitement, giving a small cheer when the train screeched to a stop. When it came time to board Grace hugged Amos goodbye and stepped foot onto The Hogwarts Express, Soot following in tail.  She and Cedric found an open car and sat; soon enough the car began to fill with presumably mostly first years. Plain black robes with no house affiliation crowded the car. Many familiar faces, almost all of them came through Flourish and Blotts to buy their texts for the year. She noticed the Haywood sisters, two Hufflepuffs that frequented the shop, call over some of their friends she knew by face but not by name.  

Grace sat gossiping  with Cedric, well Grace gossiped, Cedric listened. They watched the people go by, familiar witches and wizards, older students with lore, then in walked three tall red headed boys. She had seen this family so many times, they'd always come in every year (with what seemed to be like 2 new kids every year) browse around and end up purchasing nothing. This year was different, she had bought 1 used copy of each 1st year text. Grace remained looking over at the boys while she started whispering about seemingly infinite family.

One of the twins caught her staring and started walking over in her direction, he didn't seem angry he seemed friendly, curious.

"I'm Fred, and this is my brother George." The third, older brother had split from the other two and joined some friends in the next car over. Fred stuck out his hand to me and George to Cedric's. Grace stood up, took his hand, and immediately recoiled from a shock that was sent through her hand. Bright white bolts flew to the floor between Grace's feet. Cedric thankfully took his time to get up witnessed the shake and didn't take George's hand. 

"Looks like their sparks between us." Fred said chuckling.

Cedric looked down at Grace's hand with bewilderment, "Grace all you are you alright?!"

Grace, who had been silent since the shock looked at Cedric's face and immediately stated cackling, "YEAH.. HAHA.. YOU'RE FACE!" Fred looked pleased with his work, while George looked disappointed he didn't grab Cedrics hand in time. Grace wiped the tears forming in her eyes and composed herself taking a few breaths, "You're face is hysterical! It didn't hurt just shocking... literally"

Cedric blushed a little, embarrassed by his reaction, he just wanted to make sure his friend was all right.

"The shocker, Grace is it?" Fred questioned Grace to see her nod of agreement, "Grace got, was mostly just show, only a little static, the one George's holding, now that might have stung." Fred winked at Grace with eyes filled with mischief. 

Cedric looked as if he would fling himself out the window if these boys took another step closer. Seeing this George rolled his eyes, "He's just kidding." This eased Cedric, slightly.

"You two are funny" George laughed

"Well grace is funny," Fred then pointed at Cedric and said, "You, you're... funny." He emphasized  funny, really meaning peculiar. 

Grace enjoyed the fun and games but now they had taken it a bit too far, she furrowed her brow and took a step froward , "I think he's charming." 

Cedric pulled on Grace's sleeve begging her to step back, "They're only joking." Cedric knew Grace wasn't going to sit, so he stood, hand resting on her shoulder in support. The boys looked pleased with this and turned to each other for a quick exchange of looks.

"We like you two." George said.

Fred smiled sincerely, "Both of you."

"We're sorry that's not what we meant" George shot Fred a look.

"Well, only kinda" Fred laughed as George elbowed him in the side trying to hold back a smile.

"Truce?" Fred and George held out their hand this time Fred to Cedric and George to Grace.

"The shockers are still on you're hand." Grace said flatly raising an eyebrow.

"Oh right!" The boys said chuckling in unison. Both of them shook them off as they fell to the floor with two thuds sending up a few little sparks as they hit the floor. Grace shook George's hand not breaking eye contact with his sincere brown eyes, differing from his brother's masked with joy and mischief.  Grace believed the muggle saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, because even on identical twins she could see the difference.

Grace felt weird, she shouldn't be drawn to this kind of behavior, her parents raised her better than to cause trouble. But it felt exhilarating to be around them, "Grace Flourish." Grace introduced herself, "And this is my friend..."

She gestured to Cedric, "Cedric Diggory." he sounded as if he didn't want to give away this information.

"Flourish, Diggory..." Fred started, "...nice to meet you" George finished. They tipped imaginary hats and sauntered out of the car.

"I'm not sure about those two." Cedric grumbled slouching back into his seat. His dark ruffled hair covered his eyes as he sunk. He was Clearly upset, but about what? Grace couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was, it could be many reasons, "They shouldn't treat people like that." Cedric huffed.

Grace knew he was right, "But, they did apologize, it was just a joke." She couldn't tell what he was more upset about, the buzzer or the comment.

Cedric was quiet for the majority of the ride after that. When a plump witch came around with treats, Grace bought some pumpkin pastys and Bernie Boots Every Flavor Beans to try and boost  his mood. He took a pasty with reluctancy and it did help. He started talking about how this put him in the fall mood, and that lead to conversation about Hogwarts, which slowly rolled into view on the horizon.

Grace and Cedric sat on a small row boat gliding towards the castle in dark black water with two 1st year wizards behind them chatting about the sorting ceremony. Grace tried not to eavesdrop but they were very loud and slightly obnoxious, 

"I heard, that the hat remembers all of your family if they ever went here." The first boy seemed like he was trying to taunt the second one.

"Don't be a git Cassius, you know I don't speak to that side of my family, they're all scumsuckers." The second boy seemed irritated.

"Yeah, Hufflepuff scumsuckers." Cassius snickered.

"I'm a Pucey, Pucey's are Slytherins. I wouldn't be caught dead in Hufflepuff." The boy spat.

"Ok Adrian Pucey." Cassius really took his time on the last name, "If you end up in Hufflepuff, I'm not talking to you anymore." 

While this conversation behind them happened Grace and Cedric were silent, they didn't acknowledge or say anything. One wrong move and they'd be dead at the bottom of this black murky water before anyone could get help. 

As soon as Cedric stepped foot onto land, Grace turned around in the boat not allowing the boys out of the boat just yet, "You two are disgusting." Grace got out of the boat carelessly on purpose tipping the boat so much it almost tipped over seeping water into the boat and drenching the boy's socks and bottom of their pant legs. Their faces retorted with anger as they climbed out.

Grace and Cedric picked up their pace as to lose the boys. Thankfully they were all called to form a straight line in alphabetical order by stern looking elderly witch. Flourish and Diggory knew they were safe from Pucey, and were glad to find out whatever Cassius' last name was it was far into the alphabet. The first years filed into the great hall where everyone was sorted by house at four enormously long tables. The ceiling looked as if there were none and that the great hall opened up into the galaxy, an innumerable about of candles floated above their heads and this was by far the most grand looking room Grace has ever entered.

And just like that the ceremony had begun, a speech from Dumbledore the Headmaster, there was the singing of Hogwarts school song (everyone sang it in different tunes) Finally it was time for the sorting hat; it sang it's own song and the sorting began. Each student went up placed the hat on their head and it would shout out their house.

Grace felt as if she had been standing there an eternity and they were only on "D"

"Diggory, Cedric" called the stern witch. Grace had learned her name was Professor McGonagall, from the speech by Dumbledore. Cedric sat down on the stool and let the hat drop over his grey eyes and within a few seconds the Sorting Hat yelled, "HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hufflpuff table erupted in applause as Cedric went to join. Passing Grace he gave her a small smile and a thumbs up. It was no surprise to Grace that he had been sorted there, but she was unsure of where she was going end up. 

As the number of people in front of her grew fewer and fewer in number Grace couldn't stop thinking, she battled between what she wanted and what she thought may happen. She thought for certain she'd end up in Ravenclaw like her mother, but she kind of hoped she would end up in Hufflepuff like her paternal family and her best friend. Mid thought Grace heard her name being called up, "Flourish, Grace"

Grace sat on the stool and felt the weight of the heavy hat fall onto her covering her eyes in darkness. She then heard a strange voice in her right ear, "Hmm, tricky, I see" 

I didn't know it would talk! Grace thought to herself.

"Why of course I do" Echoed back the voice, "A little trouble, here in your brain, can't decide what you want? Well, luckily I get to decide." 

I just want what's best for me. Grace thought. And as soon as she thought that the Hat had made it's decision.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat bellowed.

As the hat was lifted off of Grace's head her eyes widen in shock, she must have misheard. But she didn't, it was the Gryffindor table that cheered. She was being whisked off the stool and over to her table, she tried to find Cedric in the sea of Hufflepuff's but couldn't. She didn't know if it was because there were too many students or because she couldn't process the world around her. All of a sudden she was sitting down, surrounded by Gryffindors. How had she gotten here?

The rest of the ceremony was a blur, she couldn't think straight but tried not to show it, she plastered on a fake smile but behind her eyes she couldn't push away the thought, What will my parents think? Is this right?

She all of a sudden snapped out of it when she was tapped on her right shoulder. She swiveled her head to the right and saw no one, but then two voices came from over her left, "This way." Fred smiled, "Make room for me and my brother?" he asked. 

Grace didn't see George in back of him but heard "GRYFFINDOR!" and noticed that George was now on his way over. "Of course." Grace slid down on the thick wood bench and left an opening wide enough for two people on her left side. Fred took the spot next to Grace and pulled out some sort brown ball from his pocket and fiddled it in his hands as George sat down next to him he gave it a little toss over to him. Grace knew whatever that was, it wasn't good. What would her parents think about these people?

George chuckled as he looked down at the brown mystery object, "Don't be throwing these in my direction." George pocketed the ball and looked past his brother over to Grace, "Looks like we meet again Flourish." The boys joked and chatted while the ceremony finished.

Grace felt that weird feeling of exhilaration as she looked around at the people surrounding her. Maybe the hat was right, maybe she was here for a reason. She stopped thinking about what she was supposed to do or who she was supposed to be and she realized that she had to be herself. That's how she ended up in this house, she was no longer her parents kids here at Hogwarts she was her own Witch.