A Muggle at Hogwarts

During the train ride, Draco and I talked about my life in the US. When I mentioned the Muggles, he didn’t seem to mind it all that much. He actually seemed a little…interested. But Draco, being how he is, made little comments here and there. Of course, I made counter arguments, and the two of us passed the time by having small friendly debates back and forth.

After we changed into our Hogwarts robes, we returned to the compartment and continued our debates. As we did this, I never once thought of how Harry and the others. Though they were probably worried sick about me, Draco made me forget about them for the time being.

When we finally came to a draw in our argument, Draco began telling me about Hogwarts and everything there. Although in the books and movies he seemed to hate Hogwarts, when telling me about it, he seemed to really liked it. But I knew that it was one of those things in which he would never tell anyone.

As I spent time talking to him, I couldn’t help but forget the fact that this could be bad for us. I was too consumed by the idea that Draco was befriending me—despite the fact that I told him I was a Muggle. Although I don’t know how much he actually believed my story. Either way, here we are—debating, talking and laughing.

After a while of talking, though, I drifted off to sleep.

"Violet," called Draco as he gently nudged me.

I slowly open my eyes and then suddenly jump off my seat when I realized that I was leaning against him.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep on you," I apologized while straitening myself.

"It's all right. Come on, we're arriving at Hogwarts,” Draco informed as turned to look out of his window. He then turned to me and said, “Come and look.”

I scooted over to the window beside Draco peered out of the window. I could feel tears forming in my eyes as the castle came into view. The moonlight outlined the castle and made it look even more enchanting than I had imagined. The castle from the Harry Potter movies was nothing compared to the real thing. Lined along the lake, which reflected an image of the school and the starry sky, were boats filled with lanterns for the first year students.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

Draco looked at me and a grin formed on his face. He then asked, “Are you crying?”

“No,” I replied. “But I think tears of joy will be pouring from my eyes any second, now.”

“Don’t cry, okay?” Draco whispered to me. “I don’t want to see you cry.”

Draco’s arms suddenly wrapped tightly around me and he held me close to him as the train jolted to a stop.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied as I slipped from his arms. “Sorry about that.”

Draco simply got up and opened the compartment door for me. His gaze was fixed on me as I stood up as well.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s nothing. Come on,” Draco said as he took my hand and walked out and off the train.

“Are you sure you should be holding my hand like this?” I asked as we walked through the crowd of people.

“Of course. Why do you ask?” Draco asked casually.

“Well, don’t you have a girlfriend or something?” I asked as I looked around to see if anyone was looking at us.

“What in the world would make you think that?” Draco asked as he turned back and smirked.

I grinned back because I knew that he was just trying to lure compliments out of me.

As Draco and I got rode toward Hogwarts our own carriage, there was this sort of sad and bitter aura hovering in the air. There was just something—I don’t know what exactly, but I had this feeling that once we arrived at Hogwarts, things will change between Draco and me. Based upon his character and the people he had grown up around, our friendship had little chance of surviving once other factors—such as the pressure to keep up a certain image—comes to play. And after five or so years of openly expressing his disapproval of anything less than a pure-blood wizard or witch, as well as illustrating himself as the perfect Slytherin, will he really be able to change himself and come to befriend me once we’re at school? After all, I am a Muggle.

However, hope still remained in my heart as the castle got closer and closer. Against my better judgment, I had remained in that compartment with Draco. As a result, we were able to become friends. There was just something different about him when he was with me—something different about his character. He didn’t seem like the same Draco Malfoy in the books—yet again, how much of the real Draco was actually portrayed in the books, right? Maybe I discovered a side of him that was not mentioned in the books.

Once we arrived at Hogwarts, Draco and I headed towards the main entrance. Our laughing came to a ceased when a dark figure appeared in front of us. We looked up and found a man with raven black hair and dark eyes to match standing before us with his arms crossed over his chest. His dark eyes scanned Draco and me before he finally spoke.

"Ms. Bell," Snape said while dropping his hand to his side.

"Yeah, that—that’s me…" I answered keeping my gaze to the ground; I was too scared to look up at him. Out of everyone at Hogwarts, I was terrified yet fascinated by Snape. He has such a complex and heart-touching past. However, he was one of those teachers that I despised most—ones who yells a lot and simply isn’t a pleasant person to be around.

"Follow me," Snape ordered as he turned his heels and began to walk away.

"Where are you taking her?" Draco asked stepping forward.

"Don’t fret, Mr. Malfoy. You’ll see her," Snape paused while glancing at Draco and me, “around.”

"Don’t give me such a sad face," I cheerfully said to Draco. “I’ll see you later.”

“Violet!” Draco suddenly shouted out as I hurried after Snape.

“Yeah?” I asked as I spun around to face him.

“Never mind, it’s nothing,” Draco said.

“Okay, see ya,” I smiled as I ran off to catch up with Snape.

Snape and I walked through a long hallway filled with portraits. As we walked pass, the people in the paintings turned to look at us. When they saw me, they began whispering among each other. I overheard some of them call me a Muggle, and found this strange because I looked like every other person here. Maybe I was giving off some kind of non-magical-being vibe.

“A bit rude, aren’t they?” I whispered when a portrait of three ladies scoffed and rolled their eyes at me as I passed.

“Pay no attention to those three, Scarlet,” Snape said without looking at me.

“It’s Violet,” I corrected. Snape glanced back at me for a belief moment. “You called me Scarlet,” I explained. “My name’s Violet...Violet Bell.”

Snape simply turned away and continued down the hall. Obviously, he didn’t seem to care.
We walked to the entrance of Dumbledore's office in silence before Snape muttered something and walked off. The golden gargoyle before me began to orbit before some spiraling stone stairs appeared. I stood there for a moment, not knowing what to do. Snape was already disappearing down the hallway, so I guess I was going to see Dumbledore by myself. Hesitantly, I walked up the stone stairs and then entered Dumbledore’s office.
Walking through the double doors, I entered the large circular room. Upon the walls—what little was visible due to the number of book shelves leaning against it—were portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses.

“Hi,” I smiled as I was greeted by the portraits.

"Ah, Violet Bell?" a cheerful voice came. I looked before me, past the desk, and found an elderly man with long silver hair and a bared to march descending. His blue eyes twinkled from behind his half-moon spectacles the moment his eyes feel upon me. "I’m pleased to see that you are looking well. It is a pleasure to finally meet you," Dumbledore smiled as he hurried towards me. “As you may know, I’m Albus Dumbledore.”

"O—of course I know who you are!” I smiled. “It’s an honor to meet you, Headmaster."

“I hope your stay in this world has been pleasant so far,” Dumbledore smiled as he shook my hand firmly with both his hands.

“Of course, sir,” I nodded. “The Weasley family has been great to me.”

“But I heard that you didn’t arrive with the Weasleys, Mr. Potter or Ms. Granger,” Dumbledore said. “You gave them quite a scare—ran straight in here asking if you have arrived yet. I told them to go to the Great Hall and said that you will join them once you are sorted.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said sadly. “I didn’t mean to cause anyone trouble…”

Figuring that I wasn’t comfortable with talking about that subject, Dumbledore moved onto other matters. "How about we get you sorted?” he suggested. “I’m sure you want to go and join your classmates in the Great Hall." A smile remained on his face as he walked over to one of the bookshelves. He reached up and grabbed a ragged, old hat that sat on top the shelf. After gently brushing off the dust, he walked over to me with the Sorting Hat.

"Is that the Sorting Hat?" I asked.

“Yes, it is. Does it look different in person?” Dumbledore questioned.

“It looks…so ol—”

“Ah, ah, ah!” Dumbledore interrupted before I could finished. A sly smile came upon his face as he said, “We wouldn’t want to…hurt the Hat’s feelings.”
He then motioned me to take a seat on a chair near the bookshelf. As I sat down, he placed the Sorting Hat upon my head.

"A Muggle?” muttered the Sorting Hat. “This is a rare event. I had never sorted someone like you before!”

“Doubt there has been a Muggle at Hogwarts before, either,” I commented.

The Sorting Hat muttered something that I couldn’t make out. But then he said, “Ah…you have a very interesting and complex mind. There’s…a lot of…darkness…” he commented. “Things hidden that I cannot get to.”

“Best you leave those areas alone, my friend,” Dumbledore suggested.

As the Sorting Hat mumbled to himself, I began to get nervous about which house I would be placed in. I would love to be in Gryffindor with Harry, Hermione and Ron. But suddenly, I remembered an interview of Tom Felton, the actor who played Draco Malfoy in the film adaptation. He said that in his opinion, if it weren’t for Draco Malfoy’s father, Draco might not have been sorted into Slytherin and that he and Harry could be friends. Upon remembering this, I couldn’t help but feel…hesitant about being in Gryffindor. I had a rare chance to befriend Draco, despite being a Muggle, but things will change greatly if I were in Gryffindor too. However…if I chose Slytherin…

“Would you want a friendship built upon lies?” the Sorting Hat asked from within my head. “You have things you want to keep hidden from this friend of yours; do you really want to build your friendship on that?”

“But he knows I’m a Muggle,” I replied. “I told him.”

“And how long do you think this will really last?” asked the Sorting Hat. “I, myself, am wondering which of the two house to place you in. Even for a Muggle, you are very cunning, and power is something you have. You would do well in Slytherin despite your blood status. But Gryffindor…you would be a great addition as well. You are torn between two houses right now—torn between what you mind and what you heart wants.”

“…How am I supposed to choose?” I questioned—more to myself than the Sorting Hat.

Of course, I owed a lot to Harry and them. They saved me, gave me a home, food to eat, and they even paid for my school supplies. I couldn’t turn my back on them for Draco Malfoy.

At the same time, I cherished the friendship Draco and I had developed. He opened up to me. He seemed to trust me. He even showed interest in Muggles—something that even shocked me!

“…I belong to that house,” I thought.

“Are you certain about this?” questioned the Sorting Hat.

I inhaled deeply and nodded.

The hat mumbled for a moment and then sighed. “So be it; GRYFFINDOR!”

When I heard the name of the house being called, a mixture of feelings swept over me. I can’t say I was disappointed to be sorted into Gryffindor over Slytherin. Then again, a part of me felt as though I had just betrayed Draco..

"Welcome to Gryffindor, Miss Bell,” Dumbledore welcomed with a warm smile as he took the hat off of my head. He then took out a piece of paper and handed it to me. “Since you are a Muggle, you cannot take some classes Hogwarts provides. This, here, is a list of your classes, which does not require the usage of magic.”

I took the piece of paper from Dumbledore and looked at the list of classes.

"Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Herbology and—is this correct? Defense Against the Dark Arts? Don't I need magic for that?" I questioned as I looked up at him.

"Ah, yes,” Dumbledore nodded as he glanced at the paper. “You, of course, will be excused from any magic-based material, but that does not mean you should know how to defend yourself against dark forces.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Now, the feast is going to begin momentarily. You should go join your classmates!" Dumbledore smiled. “I’m sure Mr. Potter and Weasley, along with Ms. Granger will be happy to know that you are in their house.”

"Yeah," I said giving a smile.

“Oh, yes, before I forget,” Dumbledore said. “I had your books sent up to your room.”

“Thank you so much for everything. I really don’t know how I can repay you for your kindness,” I said.

“Just try to stay out of trouble, and be safe,” Dumbledore answered with a warm smile. I did the same thing before heading out of his office.

Heading out of the office, I made my way towards the Great Hall with the help of the portraits. It took longer than usual, thanks to those who found it amusing to point me in the wrong direction. But thankfully, with some guidance and references from the Harry Potter series, I soon stood before the large doors of the Great Hall.

I stared nervously at the big golden door before me. Through these doors was where I was going to be spending the next couple months of my life—unless I one day wake up and discover that I was simply dreaming.

I opened the doors and quietly slipped inside the room. I was completely baffled with the scene before me. There were four long tables that stretched across the room. Hanging above each of them were the house banners—Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin. There were hundreds of students sitting at each table, enjoying the food before them. Apparently, I had missed the Sorting Ceremony, but the feast looked like it was just beginning.

I held my breath as I passed the aisle between the Slytherin and Gryffindor table. I lowered my eyes to the ground as I passed Draco. Even though I wasn’t looking at him, I felt his gaze piercing through me.

“Good evening,” I cheerfully smiled as I approached Harry, Hermione and Ron.

"Violet!" Hermione said shocked as I took a seat next to her.

“No one’s sitting here, right?” I questioned as I grabbed some mash potatoes and gravy and placed it onto my plate.

"Where were you?" Ron asked as he took a huge bite out of a drumstick. With a mouth full of food, he added, “We were worries sick.”

I grinned. “I can see that.”

“I—” Harry began to say, but quickly corrected himself. “I mean—WE were all very worried about you, Violet. Where have you been?”

"Dumbledore's office," I answered while putting a scoop of mash potatoes in my mouth.

“What were you doing in there?” Hermione asked.

“Getting sorted and my class schedule,” I said as I pulled the piece of paper Dumbledore had given me out of my pocket.

“May I see your classes?” Harry immediately questioned while placing his hand out for the paper. I shrugged and handed it over to him.

He held it in his hands for a while—I counted his eyes darting back to the top of the page at least four times. He then reached into his own pocket and pulled out another piece of paper and seemed to be comparing the two.

Finally, I managed to ask, "Is—is something wrong, Harry?”

”No, everything’s great!” Harry exclaimed as he looked across at me—something twinkling in his eyes.

Hermione glanced at me for a moment, before a small smirk appeared on her face. “Let me see that,” she said as she reached over and took my class schedule and Harry’s.

“Are you guys looking at Violet’s schedule—?” Ginny asked from a bit down the table. But when her eyes feel upon Harry, she raised an eyebrow and asked, “Uh, a—are you all right Harry? You seem…overly happy all of a sudden.”

“No—no, I’m not,” Harry denied as he lowered his gaze and then glanced up at me.

“Does it have anything to do with Violet having a majority of her classes with you?” Hermione grinned as she narrowed her eyes at Harry.

“What? Of course not!” he said with widen eyes. “I—I mean,” he looked directly into my eyes as he continued to explain himself. “I’m glad that we have some class together—”

"Save your breath, Harry," Ron laughed. “You mean you’re glad she practically has all the same classes you have.”

I smiled at this as well, but that smile quickly faded when I felt someone’s staring at me. I nervously turned my head and looked over to the Slytherin table to see Draco looking towards me.

“Hey, looks like there’s a new member to Potter’s group,” someone laughed.

We all turned around—and to no surprise—it came from Draco’s little group of friends.
Hermione scoffed as she turned away. She then whispered to me, “That’s Crabbe, Goyle along with Malfoy.”

“I’m sure she already knows them,” Ron commented as he looked away.

“Violet,” Harry whispered, drawing my attention away from Draco. He leaned towards me from the other side of the table and warned, “Try to stay away from Malfoy. He’s nothing but trouble.”

“Would you look at that? Is that your girlfriend, Potter?” Crabbe suddenly shouted.

Goyle then began to hoot and laugh after Crabbe’s comment. But just I turned around to look at them, we heard a yelp pain.

“What was that for?” Crabbe questioned holding his head. We then saw Draco get up and leave the Great Hall.

Hermione raised an eyebrow as she watched Draco storming away. “What was that all about?”

“Who knows,” Harry said as he went back to eating.

Everyone else did as well—other than me. I was worried about Draco, and I needed an excuse to go find him.

"Hey, I have to go use the restroom," I whispered to Hermione before getting up to leave.

“Do you need help finding it?” she asked before I walked away. “I—I can go with you, if you’d like.”

“It’s all right; I can ask the portraits!” I grinned and then hurried off.

Once outside the Great Hall, I looked around for Draco. The halls were empty and not even a house ghost was in sight, however.

Just as I decided head back into the Great Hall, someone grabbed me from behind. I let out a soft shriek as Draco dragged me towards the Entrance Hall. Once there, he gently pushed me behind the wall.

“Why?” Draco growled.

"Draco let me ex—"

"Why Gryffindor, Violet?” Draco whispered as he took a step closer to me.

I gasped and pressed myself closer to the wall. But he stepped closer, leaving barely any space between our bodies. I began to breathe heavily as he raised his hand placed it against the side of my neck.

“You’re scaring me, Draco,” I said as I stared up at him with widen eyes.

“Violet,” Draco muttered while looking back into my eyes. I could see the frustration and confusion in his eyes, though I didn’t know the source of it.

“What’s troubling you?” I whispered as raised my hand.

The moment my fingers brushed against his hand, Draco immediately broke away. He get out a loud groan while stepping away from me. With his back turned towards me, he said mournfully, “This won’t work out. We can’t be friends…”

"You’re being…a bit dramatic, aren’t you?" I asked. “I mean…it’s just Gryffindor—”

"It would be different if you were in Slytherin—or any other house—but you’re not; you’re in Gryffindor!” Draco shouted as he wiped around. “We're too different now. You’re a Gryffindor and I’m a Slytherin; I’m a Wizard and you’re—" he paused and looked at me sadly.

“I’m a what?” I asked as I took a step away from the wall. My eyes narrowed at him as my jaw tightened. I knew what he was going to say, and it was already tearing me apart.

“You’re a Muggle,” he whispered.

I scoffed and lowered my watery eyes to the ground. I sighed and said, “You didn’t really seem to care when we were on the train or in the carriage.”

“That was different!” he claimed. “You weren’t—” he immediately stopped. "I—I have to go," Draco said as he began to walk away.

“Don’t walk away,” I ordered while trying to keep my voice steady. “Please explain this to me. Why can’t we still be friends? Why does being Gryffindor make such difference? If you were able to handle me being a Muggle, why does being a Gryffindor—”

“It HAS to be this way!” Draco shouted. “I—I don’t like it either, but…it has to…”

“‘It has to be this way?’ THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY: ‘IT HAS TO BE THIS WAY’? That’s crap, Draco! It only has to be this way because you say it does!" I shouted as a tear fell from my eyes.

“Don’t—” Draco gasped as he suddenly took a step towards me with his hand reached out. But just before he wiped away my tear, he stopped and pulled back. “Listen to me, Bell—”

"Oh!” I exclaimed as I wiped away my own tears, “so now we’re going on last-name bases?"

“No, it’s—it’s complicated. Just—come here,” Draco said as he tried again to wipe away the tears that were sliding down my cheek.

“No! Get away from me, Malfoy!” I shouted while slapping away his hand.

Before Draco could say anything else to me, I turned my heel and hurried back to the Great Hall. Once inside, I made my way back to where Harry, Hermione and Ron were sitting.

“Thank goodness you’re back,” Hermione gasped as I sat back down beside her. “I thought you lost your way or something.”

I shook my head. “I found my way fine…”

“What’s wrong, Violet?” Harry suddenly asked.

I looked up at him and fluttered my eyes to blink away my tears. “W—what do you mean?”

“You look…sad,” he replied.

“Oh, no, I—I’m fine,” I said with a forced smile. “I guess…I’m just…a little overwhelmed at the moment,” I explained. “But don’t worry; I’ll be all right. I just…have to let all of this sink in.”

“Are you sure?” Hermione asked.

“It’s all right. I’m fine!” I repeated before I took my spoon and dug into my mash potatoes again.

“Where were you Malfoy?” I heard Goyle asked from behind me.

I couldn’t help but turn my head and see Draco walking up to the Slytherin table and taking his seat. I saw him looking towards me and quickly looked away before our eyes met.

"Hey," Harry whispered as he reached his hand out and cupped mine. My eyes widened as I looked up at Harry. “Don’t…don’t force yourself, all right? You don’t have to put up a strong front or anything. You’ve been thrown into a completely different world, and no one expects you immediately adapt.” He then squeezed my hand gently and said, “And if you ever need someone to talk to, I—I mean the three of us,” he glanced at Hermione and Ron, “will always be here for you.”

I smiled as I returned his squeeze. “Thank you, Harry.”