Okay, here it is! My first ever FanFiction story! I hope you guys like it and any kind of reviews would be greatly appreciated. Disclaimer: All of these characters belong to J..
In my world, there are two different kinds of perfect; the imaginary; and the attainable. The imaginary perfect is an illusion and impossible to reach because it's different to every person. Everyone falls into its trap at some point or another. In fact, some people can never find their way out, because they don't realize that they've fallen into the trap at all. The other kind of perfect is the attainable kind. It really only applies to small categories. You can get perfect grades, or get an object perfectly clean. It takes a lot of work, though. And you have to wonder if it's even worth it.
My name is Lucy Weasley, and I am an expert at perfect. My parents have been trying to make me the perfect daughter ever since I was born. In their opinion, I'm about as close to perfect as can be. However, that's only because they make sure that I don't have any faults. When my grades slip below Outstandings, they send me Howlers, and it's beyond embarrassing. My dad is the one that really cares about my grades though. My mom cares more about me looking perfect. It's really quite annoying. To her, it's like appearance is all that matters.
"Lucinda! Hurry along, you mustn't miss the train! And if you don't get a car near the front, I'm sending a Howler straight to the Headmaster!" My father, Percy called. I didn't know why he was asking me to hurry. I was right beside him, and we were half an hour early. My entire family, which was really only my parents and I, was standing at the station, and I was about to step through to Platform 9 ¾. I was heavily loaded down with suitcases and carry-on bags, but our pink house-elf, Minnie, was being sent along to help me. She would apparate back to the house when I was fully settled in my dormitory in Slytherin.
"Darling, just remember not to eat quite so much at the big feasts. I know the amount of food is overwhelming, but a healthy life is a happy life, after all. You were so dreadfully pudgy last year when you came home." My mother, Audrey, pinched my stomach and clucked in disapproval. My face reddened with embarrassment. I had only gained about three pounds last year. This year I was going into my fifth year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I had to admit, I wasn't really looking forward to it, but I would never tell my parents so.
"Of course, Mother. I'll remember everything you've told me." I hugged her, but she stiffened. She was never quite as affectionate as mothers typically were. Or at least that's what I had concluded from movies and such.
"Now, Lucy, I forgot to mention dating rules. You are not to date anyone that does not have perfect grades. Do you understand me? Perfect. And you mother and I would be very pleased if you were to fancy a prefect. They would be a lovely example for you. Oh, and if you were to be courting the Head Boy…" My father gazed into the distance dreamily. "I was Head Boy in my seventh year at Hogwarts, and it was one of my greatest accomplishments. We fully expect you to become Head Girl."
"I definitely will, Father. My grades were excellent last year." I stood up a little straighter. Mother always told me that good posture showed great confidence.
"That's my girl." He smiled and handed one of my carry-ons to Minnie, who was looking quite tired and weak.
"Send letters to us every week, Lucy! And remember to use the new makeup I put in your suitcase. It's a new year and with a new look, you'll get the attention that I know you deserve." Mother kissed my cheek, leaving a smudge of lipstick. I daintily wiped it off and assured her that I would.
We exchanged our final goodbyes and I stepped through the brick barrier with Minnie. The beautiful scarlet train came into view in front of me, and I took in the familiar sights. I could see families hugging their kids goodbye, and I glimpsed several people that were in my year. I took a deep breath and approached the conductor, Minnie trailing behind me.
"Do you need help with those, miss?" He asked politely, noticing the bulk of my luggage. "House-elves are not allowed on the train."
"I have a special note from the Headmaster. My parents specifically spoke with him about it, thank you." I climbed up the steps and glided past the conductor, my ski-slope nose in the air. I hated when people acted superior to me, a trait I had unfortunately gained from my mother and father. I made myself comfortable in the very first car and the cabin closest to the train itself. Minnie slid my many suitcases and bags into the overhead compartments and under the seats. I gave her my thanks as she collapsed onto the seat beside me and promptly fell asleep.
People began to get on the train and find cabins that they found suitable. Several people poked their heads into mine and then moved on upon discovering that I was inside. Anyone else might have found this hurtful, but I was used to it. I didn't have many friends. I didn't have the fun-loving spirit of my classmates. Maybe it was because I had never truly learned how to have fun in the first place.
"Lucy!" My best friend, Jennifer Parkinson-Krum, pranced into the cabin, lugging her lime green suitcase behind her. She tossed it under the seat and sat down across from me, a perky smile on her face. "I can't believe we're in our fifth year already! Can you believe it?"
"Hardly," I said, smirking. Jennifer is generally a perky, nice person, but you don't want to get on her bad side. If you do, prepare to face her wrath.
Jennifer launched into a one-sided conversation about who's going out with whom. I honestly couldn't have cared less, as I was hardly allowed to date at all. There were no boys that get perfect grades that aren't, well, nerds. I stared out the window as she rambled on. I let dreams of good things fill my mind. Hugs from my family…piles and piles of books…my new robes, freshly cleaned with my sparkly soap from Diagon Alley…
"Sweets, dears?" The kindly woman with the candy cart pulled up at our cabin, interrupting my daydreams.
I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "I'd gain a pound if I eat one of those chocolate frogs. Mother would kill me."
"Same," whined Jennifer. "She told me I was fat yesterday! We're the skinniest girls in Slytherin house."
"That you are!" agreed the friendly witch with the candy cart. "A bit of candy won't hurt you a bit."
Still, Jennifer and I shook our heads. We both knew that once you start eating the sweets, it's near impossible to stop. The lady grimaced and rolled the cart to the next cabin.
"Anyhow, did you hear about Carly Finch-Fletchley from Gryffindor?" Jennifer babbled. "She's been saying she has a crush on someone from Slytherin, which is practically unheard of! Who do you think it could be?"
"Jennifer, does it matter?" I whined, banging my head against the window (a bit harder than I had meant to.)
Jennifer looked at me like I needed to be sent to Azkaban. "Of course! Gryffindor and Slytherin are pretty much enemies, if you haven't notice that over the last, oh, FIVE YEARS."
"Sorry," I mumbled, getting ready to go back into my daydreams. I had always puzzled over the differences between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Both had produced people with great potential and character. I had never quite understood why I was in Slytherin. My parent's weren't, and they thought I had the wit of a Ravenclaw. Did I have the potential and character of a Slytherin? Was I meant to be powerful or something?
Suddenly a boy stumbled into our cabin. He looked about our age and slightly familiar, even though I didn't remember his name. He had shiny, white-blond hair with bangs that slashed across his forehead and flashing blue eyes. I felt an odd feeling inside my stomach that I couldn't discern.
"Sorry to barge in," he told us, sinking down right next to Minnie, who was still out cold. "I was getting a little train-sick back there. Moving up near the front usually helps."
"Are you new here?" Jennifer blurted, and then looked a little embarrassed that she had asked. She was constantly trying to be less outspoken.
"Yeah, I went to Durmstrang for four years but my dad got sick of the teachers there. According to him, they weren't giving me the marks that I deserved. I'm Scorpius Malfoy, by the way," he added, extending his hand to me. I shook it and exchanged a smile with him. He seemed like a gentleman, and from what I could tell, he cared about his grades. This gave him a little bit of potential…
"I'm Lucy Weasley," I replied, trying to sound charming. "I think I've heard my Uncle Ron talk about your dad."
Scorpius chuckled. "They were enemies, all right. My dad still grumbles about them every now and then, but I think they've come to terms. Then again, my dad can be a jerk."
I giggled, and Scorpius shot me a look before he shook Jennifer's hand. It was a nice kind of look; a glance that made me think we might eventually be more than friends.
"My name is Jennifer Parkinson-Krum," Jennifer said cheerily. "My dad was a professional Quidditch player, you know. He went to Durmstrang too. And Mum was a Slytherin here. I bet you'll be a Slytherin with us. You better be!" She bit her lip flirtily and then winked. Scorpius laughed aloud and winked back. I was tempted to roll my eyes.
As they launched into conversation, Scorpius' gaze occasionally flitted over to me. At first I thought it was because he thought I was being oddly shy, but as he did it more and more often, I thought it might be something more. When Jennifer finally stopped telling him stories about the famous events at Hogwarts, Scorpius said, 'That's all so interesting, but I have to wonder, what is this house-elf doing on the train?"
"Oh, that's Minnie. I needed some help with my luggage so I got permission to bring her along," I explained. Minnie yawned in her sleep and curled up into a tiny little ball.
"I think the train's going to arrive soon. We need to put on our robes now," said Jennifer, shooting Scorpius a look with her eyebrows raised, as if she was daring him to try and stay in our cabin.
There you are, a cliffhanger!! Kind of, not really haha! I hope you guys enjoyed.