[color=9e005d][center][h1]Demetria Graves[/h1][/center][/color]

Just as she had taken her seat on the Gryffindor table, she heard a familiar voice say: [b][color=fff200]"Hell, she can't do any worse than your captain, Slytherin. Ye haven't had the trophy in three years."[/color][/b] Her heart was now a hummingbird in her chest as her eyes landed on none other than Mircus Ashby, and a bright smile illuminated her beautiful features. She caught his eye, and muttered 'thank you' with the smile still in place. When her father and brothers asked her if she had any guys on her sight, she lied to let them breathe easily at night. But, in fact, she'd had a crush on the Hufflepuff captain since she'd transferred to Hogwarts on her second year. Tall, athletic, that angular face, those hypnotizing emerald eyes, her same passion for Quidditch... It would be a match made in heaven. Demi sighed happily as she remembered how he'd dropped by her compartment on his way to find one for him and his sister to congratulate her on becoming captain. It made the hummingbird in her chest soar with joy.


The sound of someone clear their throat brought her back to reality. Demi turned to her left side and found herself almost face to face with no other than Tate Cummings, one of the most popular and sought-after guys on her year.

[b][color=ed1c24]"Uhm, I guess congratulations are in order for you, Captain."[/color][/b] he said, softly nudging her with his elbow. He turned to took at his brother, and when Demi followed, the smile and thanks she was going to give Tate vanished on the spot. Tatum was mock-vomiting with his eyes on her, and Tate simply chuckled, shook his head and tuned his attention towards her again.

Anger flashed in Demi's eyes. It was enough that most people from other houses were doubting her (she'd felt it in he way they were whispering behind her back), but to have her own housemates underestimate her, the ones that cheered her on during each match and celebrated on every win, was just too much. She felt her blood beginning to boil.

[b][color=9e005d]"That has been the most hypocritical thing you've ever said to me. Next time you congratulate someone, be sure to mean it,"[/color][/b] she told him coldly. As if on queue, the Slytherins began to sing a chant in retaliation for the one the Gryffindors had been singing. Once again, Demi turned in the direction of the sound. A scowl took hold of her beautiful features when she saw Julian Wolf conducting the chant. Her breathing got heavy, and as he sang the second verse louder than the rest, Demi clenched her teeth. She was never good with handling anger: it always took complete hold of her and made her do things she would regret later. At the moment, all she could think about was making Wolfe pay for always being such a rude bully. Her hand went to her pocket, where she kept her wand. She was about to mutter a hex when Luke placed his hand over her wand, having sat between her and Tate without her noticing.

[b][color=0054a6]"Demi, [i]drop it[/i]. Not right now. You wanna get detention before term even starts?"[/color][/b] her brother whispered in her ear, keeping his hand over her wand.


Demi closed her eyes and took ten deep, calming breaths. She tucked her wand back inside the pocket of her robes and looked at Luke, clearly calmer. [b][color=9e005d]"That Wolf's got it coming. He keeps this up, I'm ripping his head off with a bludger."[/color][/b]

Luke chuckled, giving Demi a one-arm hug. [b][color=0054a6]"Easy there, Thunder. Don't let him or anyone else get to you. They're not worth your time or energy."[/color][/b]

Demi hugged Luke back, laying her head on his shoulder. [b][color=9e005d]"Thanks for always keeping me sane, Luke. I appreciate it."[/color][/b]

[b][color=0054a6]"Hey, what are big brothers for?"[/color][/b] he told her with a smile, kissing the top of her head.

Their brother-sister moment was suddenly interrupted when the double doors were flung open and a young man slid in on his knees, his arms outstretched from wall to wall and a huge grin on his face. 

[b][color=f7941d]“HELLOOOO HOGWARTS!!”[/color][/b] He hollered, a blonde curl flopping in his face.

Just then, they received the queue that the Sorting Ceremony was about to take place.

Soon enough, the double doors opened and a sea of scared-looking first years made their way to the front. The Sorting Hat was already in its place in front of the staff table, giving everyone a clear view of the sorting. Demi quickly picked out Chris, Stella and Leslie, who were fidgeting nervously. The three gave Demi anxious smiles as they waited to be sorted, and she told them 'It's okay' in an attempt to calm them down. Leslie was the first to be called, and she was placed in the Ravenclaw house. Chris was placed in Hufflepuff, while Stella became the first Gryffindor of the batch. She gave Demi a hug when she had arrived at the table and quickly sat down beside her.

[b][color=9e005d]"See? I told you it would be okay. And now you get to join me in our House!"[/color][/b] Demi told Stella excitedly, to which the young girl replied with a beaming smile. 

The tenth student to be sorted was Nyra Ashby. Demi noticed her waving fervently in the direction of the Hufflepuff table, and when she stole a peek, her heart melted at the sight of Mircus smiling brightly and lifting a hand to his sister. To her surprise and after an interesting evaluation of the Hat, Nyra was placed in Gryffindor. Demi got up from her seat, clapping, cheering and jumping with joy along with her other housemates as Nyra made her way to the Gryffindor table. Demi made a signal for the girl to sit beside Stella if she wished. As the cheers subsided and everyone took their seats again, Demi caught Mircus' eye. [b][color=9e005d]"I'll take care of her,"[/color][/b] she clearly articulated so that he could read her lips easily. Giving him a smile and a wink, Demi turned her attention back to the Sorting.