A/N: Hi guys! This is a little something I've been thinking up lately, I hope you like it! I love criticism and critiques, and anything else you can dish :)
DISCLAIMER: I am not in any way, shape, or form J.K. Rowling. Anything you recognize belongs solely to the queen of writing herself! :)
"Hearing voices no one else can hear is not a good sign, even in the Wizarding World." J.K Rowling
"Bugger," I let out the curse as I began to pull my hair into a knot at the top of my head. I glanced at the clock that was sitting on the table beside my bed and groaned. The clock was flashing 10:40 in bright neon numbers. I took a last glance in the mirror and felt myself cringe. Disgusting, I heard the voice in my head say critically. Brushing the hair back from my face I grabbed my shoulder strap bag and began the descent down the stairs. When I hit the bottom I took a hold of the trunk that had been neatly placed there and I also took a banana from the crystal bowl on the cabinet. Turning on the spot I began to feel the all-too-familiar feeling of being squished into a tube five times to small. I felt my feet hit the ground in a secluded area right outside of King's Cross Station. Peeling the banana I began the walk toward the mysterious pillar that would grant access to the bright red Hogwarts Express. It only took a moment before I collided with a brick wall, and fell to the ground.
"Watch it," a gruff voice spat as he passed me.
"Sorry," I let out the squeak as I began to pick up everything that had fallen when I was hit. Pay more attention, there was that voice again. I hate that it's constantly there. It never gives me a moment's break.
"Ivy?" a surprised voice pulled my eyes up. A smile broke out on my face as I looked into the brown eyes of my best mate.
"Hiya James," I said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ears. His smile grew wider and I felt my heart beat pick up.
"Whatcha doing on the ground?" he asked holding out his hand to help me up.
"Someone knocked me over. I don't know who it was though." I thought back and tried to remember a face, drawing a blank. I put my hand into his and giving my hand a quick tug I was back on my feet.
"Probably some wanker," James Potter II said grabbing my trunk. "Come on, everyone is already in the compartment." I felt a smile grace my face as I fell into step beside him.
"Thanks for that, by the way," I said as I made a gesture to the trunk he was now pulling.
"Course," he said offering me a smile, "That's what best mates are for." I kept the smile firmly on my face as I felt my insides turn cold.
"Ivy!" Dominique Weasley let out the squeal at the exact moment James opened the compartment door. I let out a laugh as Dominique's arms came around my waist. I had seen her only a few times over the summer, and I really had missed her.
"My turn!" An unnaturally high voice asked. I giggled as Fred Weasley II stood behind Dom with his arms outstretched. Giving him a hug I turned to the other three in the compartment.
"Good summer?" I asked as I made to sit between Dominique and Fred Weasley II. A chorus of "yups" and "yeahs" were heard. I smiled. Glancing around, I caught James's eye and laughed as he pulled out a pack of cards. I swear all him and Freddy do is play Exploding Snap. Pulling my eyes from them, I looked to Molly Weasley II, finally a fifth year; she was reading a book; so like her father. From there I took a glance toward the two second years; Lorcan and Lysander Scamander. My compartment search came to sudden halt.
"May I sit?" came the sugar sweet voice from the compartment door. "Everywhere else is full." Glancing toward the door I froze. I could describe the girl at the door in one word: perfection. My heart began to race as I noticed both Freddy and James jump to make hasty introductions. I tried to concentrate, really, I did.
"Katarine Griswald, I used to attend Beauxbatons" she said. I felt myself groan. Of course, her name is perfect, and she went to a perfect school before this. Glancing down, I made the quick assessment that I should have spent more time on my outfit today, maybe blue didn't really work with my brown eyes. Of course not, why do you even try? Shaking my head at the voice I stood up and forced a smile on my face.
"Hi," I said gently, "I'm Ivy Thornball."
"The brightest witch in our year!" James boasted proudly. I shook my head fiercely. I didn't have to look in a mirror to know my face was turning a lovely shade of red.
"She's a genius. Would have been a bloody brilliant Ravenclaw." Freddy made sure he got his say. I felt myself smile as I ducked my head.
"I'm not that great," I tried to speak loud, I really did, but when my head is down, I tend to mumble. Katarine laughed. It was an adorable little tinkling laugh. I inwardly cringed. "If you need anything feel free to let me know." I said as I smiled at her. I want to be nice to her, and to maybe even become mates. It was hard though. Looking into the face of perfection was something I never thought I would have to do. I wasn't the least bit ready for it. Katarine took a seat on the far side of the compartment and immediately James and Freddy were sitting beside her. I heard her tinkling laugh and cringed again. Let the train ride from hell; begin.
"I hate her," a voice hissed in my ear as we exited the train. We were walking a couple of feet behind Freddy, Katarine, and James. Rolling my eyes I let a smile fall on my lips.
"Dom, you don't hate her." I whispered back. We couldn't say we hated her yet, we didn't even know her. "She hasn't done anything to permit that yet."
"She stole our best mates!" To emphasize her point, Dom made sure to stomp the ground at the end of her proclamation. I laughed quietly.
"She didn't steal them." I said firmly. "She's a new toy, their curious, they'll get bored eventually." The moment the words left my mouth I felt my insides shiver. I said a quick prayer to Merlin that was all it was. I couldn't bear to lose James, especially not to someone as perfect as Katarine. Because everyone knows you could never be perfect.
"Alice!" Dom squealed as she neared the table. Alice Longbottom laughed as Dom crushed her with a hug. "We have to tell you about the train ride." Dom whispered the story to her. I was only listening with half an ear. I was looking around the Great Hall. I caught the eye of Scorpius Malfoy and he waved. I smiled at him and waved back.
"Why are you waving at the Snake?" Freddy asked as he sat down next to me. I shrugged.
"He's one of my mates, the same as you." I thought the boys would have gotten over this by now, especially since he's best mates with Albus Potter.
"I still don't agree with you being close with him." James made sure to join the conversation as he sat down beside Freddy. Glancing to his left I saw the epitome of perfection. Looking at James I shrugged, I could never stop being mates with Scorpius, he was the only one who truly knew about my past.
"She can't possibly be that bad." I turned in their direction when I heard Alice say that. Dom rolled her eyes at her. I laughed quietly; Alice would defend anyone, no matter what. Personally, I think it's because her father always got picked on when he was at Hogwarts.
"Katarine Griswald," McGonagall's voice broke everyone from their conversation. Saying a silent prayer to Merlin, I made sure to bow my head.
"I hope she's a Snake." Dom whispered. Alice hushed her, but I silently agreed with her. If I actually thought about it, I knew where she would be.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat yelled out after a couple of minutes of determination. Dom groaned, and I inwardly groaned. Alice looked at us and shook her head in exasperation. I gave her a smile.
"Ivy!" Glancing around for the source of the sound my eyes settled upon Scorpius Malfoy standing in a corner, half concealed by a tapestry. Walking over to him I threw my arms around him. "I missed you," he breathed.
"Scorpius, you spent all break with me." I pointed out as I smiled brightly at him. Scorpius shrugged.
"But I didn't see you at all on train." I nodded, "Have you met the new girl?" I cringed.
"Yes," I admitted, "She sat in our compartment, and she's bloody perfect," I mumbled the last part quietly. Scorpius grabbed my face with both of his hands and forced me to look at him.
"Listen to me Ivy," I saw the pleading in his eyes. "You have got to quit comparing yourself to others. You are beautiful, and so is she." I cringed. "Are you still hearing the voice?" I looked toward the ground, I could never lie to Scorpius, but I didn't want to admit to being weak. "You are?" he growled.
"Not very much," I mumbled still looking at the ground.
"Ivy," Scorpius's voice softened considerably, "he can't hurt you anymore." I felt tears well up in my eyes.
"Yes he can." I collapsed into Scorpius's arms. He held me tightly, and we stood there. Neither of said anything else.
I let my eyes wander over the common room as I walked in. I let out a sigh, there was no one there. I sat down in the good armchair by the fire and relaxed into it. I refused disappointment. I hated to admit that a small part of me had hoped James would be here waiting, and that he would be all protective of why I was out so late. I glanced around again in a vain attempt to see if he was here. Why would he be protective of you? You're a pathetic wimp. I hated to admit it, but that stupid voice was right.
Eeek! There's the first one! Let me know what you thought...be it review, favorite, follow or flame. I'm not picky :)