Tayla followed the prefects and other Gryffindors up to the Gryffindor Tower. She was falling in love with Hogwarts very quickly, what with the great food, interesting students and teachers, moving staircases, and talking paintings. She couldn't wait to see the common room!

Finally reaching the seventh floor, she saw the portrait of the Fat Lady and grinned. "Mum's told me about you..." she thought, happy to finally see this portrait all past and present Gryffindors know about. "Oddsbodikins." Tayla said cheerfully, even if the portrait opened for everyone already. She needed to remember the password.

Tayla goggled at the sight in front of her when she stepped inside the Gryffindor Common Room. "Wow!" she exclaimed. Her eyes eagerly scanned the room, with its squashy armchairs, tables, bulletin board, scarlet and gold curtains, and the crackling fireplace. "I love this place," she grinned and said to no one in particular. "I'm so glad I'm in Gryffindor!" She heard a few other first years murmur in agreement.

She smiled at everyone she saw, wanting to make friends with all the Gryffindors. But Tayla was hoping to see a familiar face. She wanted to have a close friend or two. Tayla looked around and recalled the first year Gryffindors she already met. "Zara, Ari, Rose..." she thought. She liked them very much. "William and Scout...and that older student, Lexi....I wonder where they are," she wondered.