~Tommy POV~

When we walked inside the hall, there were so many students and I saw that the ceiling had a bewitched theme to it! That's cool as hell!

Hermione: It's not real, it's just bewitched, to look like the night sky.

Hermione knows her stuff, but she sounds like a know-it-all, and I hate know-it-alls, but since she's a nice girl, I'll make her an exception because of how adorable she is!

Hermione: I read about it in "Hogwarts: A History".

Once at the steps over at the end, Professor McGonnagall had us stay at the bottom of the steps, but she noticed me and smiled as I had to do the same.

We kept it brief though, since the other kids don't know that my aunt and her were longtime friends, even after Marie graduated from Hogwarts.

McGonnagall: All right, will you wait along here please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words.

The man with the long beard, hair, huge berry colored robe and hat, now known as Dumbledore, stood up to talk. I mean he looked really old, behind all of that, he actually looks great!

Dumbledore: I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce. First-years, please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to ALL students. Also our caretaker, Mr. Filch...

And I saw a guy with a cat with red eyes. She looked creepy as hell and he looked so ugly, and Madonna ain't got nothing on him!

Dumbledore: ...has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you.

How could this old man say it so casually? I mean, I wouldn't want to die very young.

McGonnagall: When I call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the sorting hat over your head and you will be sorted into your houses.

She lifted up this old looking hat and this scroll which is so long, it could measure up the size of Wembley Stadium!

McGonnagall: Hermione Granger!

Hermione then went up and was talking to herself out loud before Ron had to say something, much to my dismay.

Ron: Mental this one, I'm telling you.

I had to pull him close and say to him...

Tommy: Never let anyone know what you're thinking.

He looked at me with a look of confusion before Ron knew what I was talking about and then nodded.

That made him quiet for the rest of the time being until the feast. I learned there's a feast after every sorting so that would give us time to talk more.

Hermione had the hat on her head as she sat down looking nervous. But I flashed a small smile at her, to let her know that she's okay.

Hat: Right then... hmm, right... okay... GRYFFINDOR!

The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers as the hat got off Hermione's head and onto Malfoy, but when it barely touched his head, he yelled out...

Hat: SLYTHERIN!

There has not been a witch or wizard that went bad in Slytherin.

McGonnagall: Susan Bones!

While this girl was getting sorted, Harry started groaning about something. Ron and I knew something wasn't right.

Ron: Harry? What's the matter?

Harry: Nothing. Nothing at all.

Hat: I know, HUFFLEPUFF!

The Hufflepuff table cheered as...

McGonnagall: Ronald Weasley!

Ron was up next and he was scared while coming up the steps and sat down. He sat down as the hat was on his head.

Hat: Another Weasley, guess I know what to do with you... GRYFFINDOR!

He was relieved as the Gryffindor table erupted with cheers as Harry was next.

Hat: Ooh, difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. There's talent. Yes, lots of talent, but where to put you?

Harry: Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.

Hat: Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You can be great, you know? And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that, no?

Harry: No please...

Hat: Very well, let it be... GRYFFINDOR!

Once the hat yelled "Gryffindor" everyone at the gryffindor table lost their minds as it was now my turn to be sorted.

I sat on the stool and the hat was put in my head.

Hat: Just when sorting Potter was hard enough, now there's another Gallo I have to sort. You do have the capabilities of being in Slytherin, you do have a vast amount of courage to be in Gryffindor, you are super loyal for Hufflepuff, and your wise and witty for Ravenclaw. Now, where do you want me to put you?

Tommy: I don't want Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. I want Gryffindor.

Hat: Gryffindor? Are you sure? Slytherin could be your best option for being the greatest wizard of all time.

Tommy: Yes I'm sure.

Hat: Okay then. Then it is... GRYFFINDOR!!!

Everyone at the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and applause as the hat was off my head and McGonnagall mouthed to me, unknown to the students.

McGonnagall: Meet me after the feast.

I nodded with a smile as I sat down with my new friends.

Soon after sorting all the students into their houses, Dusty Hill wanted to say something else.

Dumbledore: Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

Then, the entire school applauded for what he said, but what the hickory dickory dock ass-fuck did I just hear?

Dumbledore: Let the feast... begin.

Just like that, food was on the table, it had steak, roast beef, roast chicken, pork and lamb chops, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, pudding, chicken wings, fries, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

I put steak, which turned out to be medium rare, mashed potatoes, a slather of gravy on the potatoes, carrots, and some peas mixed together with the carrots.

When I took a bite into my steak, it was so delicious to where it was a PERFECT medium rare.

It was seasoned very beautifully while the mashed potatoes was fantastic. The gravy was a killer combination because it tasted like back home in America.

I'm man enough to admit that it made me have a tear to my eye because I didn't have this in God knows how long.

~Hermione POV~

While eating, I noticed Tommy had a tear in his eye. I had to make sure he's okay.

Hermione: Tommy, are you alright?

Tommy: Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that I never had this type of good food in a while.

Hermione: Aw, I'm sorry.

Tommy: Don't worry about me. You got your food to worry about.

Hermione: Okay. Say Tommy, you seem to be happy here already.

Tommy: Yeah, I am. At least I get to go away from the boring life back in London. Even though I'm from Staten Island, at least I get to have a new beginning for my Aunt and I.

~Tommy POV~

Soon enough, everyone wanted to meet me, probably the first ever Italian-American at Hogwarts and meanwhile, there are some jagoffs in Slytherin that want to beat my ass.

Three of them were Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe AKA cancer.

To tell the truth, I'm starting to fall for Hermione for some reason. Sure, her freckles and bucked teeth were a bit distracting, but her friendliness and kindness towards me is what's making me fall for her.

What if Hermione and I get together in the future? Well, it would be great because on the train ride over to Hogwarts, I started feeling comfortable around her. Hermione is also very smart and no one can match up with her, especially Ron, who has his moments of being a ignorant son of a bitch.

Right after the feast, I went to Professor McGonnagall and she was happy to see me.

McGonnagall: You know who I am, Mr. Gallo.

Tommy: Yes ma'am. My aunt told me about you.

McGonnagall: Did she?

Tommy: Yes, but what was it you wanted to see me for?

McGonnagall: There are some extra rules that you need to follow by.

Tommy: Okay. What are they?

McGonnagall: Before we talked, Professor Dumbledore and I talked about you and what we should make for rules to you. First, no cursing on the premises. I know you might every now and then, but just make sure you stay in line, for Marie's sake. Second, you must follow the rules in a polite manner. And third, you might fancy this—

Then, Draco had to come into the picture and try to rile me up.

Draco: Oh, you're in trouble already, are you Gallo?

Tommy: No, it's just a little chat. It's better if you get outta here.

McGonnagall: Actually, no, this is perfect timing, because Malfoy, you need to hear this too. The third rule for you Thomas is that you cannot put your hands on a fellow student...

Malfoy was smirking in victory before McGonnagall had a smirk of her own when she looked at Malfoy, and his smirk faded away as soon as it came up.

McGonnagall: ...unless you or any friends you make at this school are provoked.

It made me happy and it got me fired up for my time here at Hogwarts. I had to say something.

Tommy: Professor, you don't have to worry about me, because I'm gonna take advantage of the rules. That leads to this question: what are you still doing here, Malfoy?

The color on his face had drained and Malfoy knew he had to go away before I did something. He did and McGonnagall lead me to the Gryffindor common room.

I was happy that I had permission to retaliate if Malfoy or anyone was provoking my friends or myself because I always did that before I came to Hogwarts.

McGonnagall: This is the Gryffindor common room. The boy's dormitories are down to your left and the girls are on the right. You'll find your belongings have already been brought up. And Thomas?

Tommy: Yeah?

McGonnagall: I'll be writing to Marie to let her know that you made it here safe. You have anything you want to say to her?

Tommy: I do. I'm looking forward to this year and I hope it goes well. Tell her I said I hope to hear from her.

McGonnagall: Very well. Off to bed.

Tommy: Good night Professor.

McGonnagall: Please, it's okay if you call me Minerva in private, but in school hours, you're allowed to call me Professor.

Tommy: Okay. Good night, Minerva.

Minerva: Goodnight Mr. Gallo.

We hugged for a bit and I went to my bed and went to sleep, looking forward to my classes, but while following asleep, I thought about Hermione.

I eventually went to sleep after a couple minutes since I usually have some trouble sleeping sometimes.

First day of school, here I come.