"Severus! You remember Gwen don't you? she was two years above you, a Hufflepuff if my memory serves me well." Dumbledore beamed, putting his arm around Elira's mothers shoulder.

"Indeed." Professor Snape replied in a bored tone. "I'm so pleased that you are here to join us at Hogwarts, Dear. I cannot wait to see the progress you make with our students." The headmaster smiled, his eyes sparkling over his half moon spectacles.

"I believe it's important that the students graduate with the ability to talk to witches and wizards from France and Bulgaria.. and other countries of course." Gwen replied, catching Professor Snape's gaze for a moment. "Well, you know all about the different ways of communicating don't you?" He snorted.

"I'm sorry?" Gwen inquired as if she had misheard him. "Nothing, I apologise. That was uncalled for..." He apologised with a small sigh. "I need to find my daughter, I haven't seen her since Kings Cross and it's like finding a needle in a haystack with all these students running around!" Gwen chuckled to Dumbledore.

"Well, you need not search any longer! there she is.." The old wizard cheered as Elira slunk up to them. Professor Snape turned his head to see and his scowl spoke louder than words.

"Oh Joy! her again!" He groaned, trying to take his leave. "I see you have already met Elira, and she's obviously conversed with you which is more than what I've gotten from her recently." Gwen sighed.

"Sadly I cannot say I feel privileged, Gwen." Snape scoffed and disappeared into the great hall with his robes billowing behind him.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Elira stood in the great hall, waiting for her name to be called. She was excited to find out which house she would be placed in. "Elira Argolli?" An old witch with a pointy hat called out, Elira sat down and waited for the hat to be placed on her head.

"Hmmm.. The daughter of a HufflePuff, but I see no puff in this ones huffle! I see bravery in this one, loyalty and leadership... Where to put you? It could only be... Gryffindor!!!!" The hat shrieked.

Elira beamed excitedly as the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers and applause, she made her way to the table and took a seat. She glanced up to see her mother clapping with pride, she looked away quickly and smiled politely at the boy sitting next to her.

"Welcome to Gryffindor." A girl smiled from across the table, "Thank you, I'm Elira." She grinned, "Hermione." The girl with wild hair replied with a broad smile.

Food appeared on the table and everyone began to tuck in, one boy in particular seemed to fill up his plate in record time. "Ronald!" Hermione scowled, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Elira couldn't help but think he was a bit of an oaf.

Someone came swishing past and Elira turned to see that it was him, the angry looking man from the train. He passed by glaring at her as he did so, exiting the great hall swiftly and with some kind of huge stage presence. "That's Professor Snape, he's the head of Slytherin house... We have him for potions." A boy with dark hair, a goofy smile and a strong northern English accent explained.

"Snape is it? I shared a compartment on the train with him..." Elira replied with a sneer, aimed towards Mr Dark and Miserable. "Blimey, are you alright?" The boy asked with concern, in fact he looked rather panicked. "Yes, why wouldn't i be?" Elira asked, rather confused by the boys reaction.

"Oh, it's just most students here would be traumatised by the experience!" The lad grinned with a chuckle. "Not me, I'm not afraid of him." She laughed heartedly, "I'm Neville by the way... and you're Elira right? I heard you telling Hermione before..." Neville explained with a nervous laugh. "Yes, That's right. It's nice to meet you Neville!" Elira grinned.

'Maybe this place isn't so bad?' She thought.