Layla Rosewood

Backstory

My father's side of the family is where my magic comes from. My father was a Slytherin and not always a good wizard, he and my uncle died in the Battle of Hogwarts... on the wrong side of things. When I started showing signs of magic my mother's side ended all contact with me, they were afraid of history repeating itself; they were afraid of what they did not understand. I moved in with my magical grandparents and they told me stories about Hogwarts and my aunt, who died in the battle for the right side. They never tried to shield me from the good/bad of magic or what my father had done. I had an amazing childhood because of them. But the day that I got my Hogwarts letter was the happiest day of my life, everything changed and shifted forever; my life was set into motion.
My Grandma and Grandpa headed to Diagon Ally with the same enthusiasm that they did when my father, uncle, and aunt all did, many years ago. My Grandfather told me stories of Gryffindor house and my Grandmother told me stories of Hufflepuff, I couldn't wait to be a part of my own house! I bought all of my school supplies and my wand chose me at Olivander's (Redwood wood with a Unicorn hair core 10 ¾" and Supple flexibility) AND I got to bring one of my cats! My family has many cats, my Grandma professionally breeds cats and Kneazels, but I chose to bring Raven, my favorite fat, black cat. He is half Kneazel and is the sweetest, most loyal cat I have ever met, and I would hands-down rather have him at my side during these new adventures than my own personal owl. Besides, my Grandma told me that Raven would worry himself sick without me and I could always borrow an owl from the school to write home to them.
When we got to Platform 9 3/4, my grandparents were crying, but wouldn't let me stay behind any longer and miss the train! We hugged and kissed and they made me promise to write home as often as I could. They said that they would send a care-package from home as soon as they got the chance for Raven and me. When I boarded the train I waved for as long as I could, wiped my tears, and made my way through the train cars. I had no clue where to sit... Eventually I picked a spot and made a few friends on the train as we all bonded over chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and our extremely nervous state before we arrived.
My first impression of Hogwarts was nothing but utter awe! It is so huge and every inch of it breathed history, mystery, and magic. It was beyond anything I could have imagined and my grandparents' stories didn't do it justice. When we entered the great hall to be sorted I was taken aback by the magnificence of it all. Everything was as exceptional and beautiful inside as outside.
There were MANY students already siting with their eyes on us, the new first-years, and my nerves were on end having to stand in front of them all. I never liked being in the spotlight, but I knew that being a first-year meant always having eyes on you. When my time finally came, the sorting hat knew exactly where to put me. Like my aunt and Grandpa, and unlike my father and uncle, I was sorted into Gryffindor without any hesitation from the sorting hat. I loved my grandma's stories about Hufflepuff, but Gryffindor was always the house that I secretly wanted...I hope that wasn't why the hat made the decision. Oh well, I'm here now and I have already made so many great friends in my house! I cannot wait to see what Hogwarts has in store for me in my first, and many, years to come.