Ch.1: In Which we Meet Emma

Why is it that the trip back to school after the summer holidays (the best thing since sliced bread) is always so grim? I know stupid question really; but what I meant was the weather always has to reflect your mood at this point in time. The most frustrating thing about this particular trip though: we don't even have to be here! If it was my choice I would never have to write an essay again; I could live in a gutter as a bum and still be happy at the thought. But noooooooo; Hermione had to give me those puppy dog eyes that melted any resolve I had.

Voldemort is dead. The very thought should bring a grin to my face but the fact that so many people joined him in death, including my brother Fred, kind of overrides any celebratory dance (which seems to have become the latest fashion amongst wizarding kind). It's not as though everything just goes back to normal after that kind of war; sure physical wounds will heal but it's the emotional ones that are so debilitating. Apparently the damage to the castle was so great that the teachers are still repairing it and seventh year will be twice the normal size this year as a result of students having to repeat the year in order to gain their NEWTS (thus why I find myself here on the Hogwarts Express) But more importantly than all that; what's Hogwarts without Albus Dumbledore?

Hermione is Head Girl this year (no surprise there) and Harry got Head Boy (also not so surprising) which leaves me as prefect. Things certainly did not turn out the way the Mirror of Erised promised in first year but after losing a brother those things tend to reveal themselves as rather petty. It's not just me who has matured in the past year though; we all have, Harry especially so. Therefore I have decided in the name of Merlin's Y-fronts to make this year the best; and when I say 'best' I mean the most 'immature' yet. I think it's about time we all got back to our childhood roots; no one wants to grow up too fast. I mentioned this to Ginny a couple of weeks ago and she just looked at me weirdly and walked off muttering something about St. Mungo's. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see about that plan.

Speaking of Ginny, Harry and she have finally gotten back together. It definitely took them a while; I lost 5 galleons to George because of their damn hesitancy; I just missed out by one day! Although it's great to see those two happy, it does tend to cause a pang in my chest every time I look at Hermione and realize I just missed out. You see, after Fred, I kind of wanted to be left alone a lot during the holidays; I'm not one for publicly expressing my feelings. Hermione, being Hermione, decided that leaving me alone was not the best option for my sanity and me being me I pushed her away as a result of that. Ok more like shouted at her and I am still really ashamed of that. Eventually she did start leaving me alone and I started leaving my room. Any sane person would have apologized to Hermione whilst sweeping her off her feet; but then I wouldn't be the first to call myself sane exactly. 'Awkward' that is the best way to describe the rest of our interactions during the holidays. The fact that we had kissed during the final battle was always at the back of my mind, and I genuinely tried to make things better between us; tried and failed. Every time I attempted to bring it up my mouth would suddenly decide that co-operating with my brain was not in its best interest and therefore must completely shut down. I don't think Ginny is the only one to consider sending me to St. Mungo's.

Crap! They're looking at me weirdly again. "What?"

"We're here! Get dressed and get off the train quickly; we don't want to be left with no carriage!" said my exasperated sister, Ginny.

Muttering to myself I threw on my robes haphazardly and leapt off the train to join the others. I grinned to myself on the ride to the castle. Once again everyone gave me quizzical looks. To answer their unspoken question as to why I was grinning like a maniac, I replied, "Food!"

"And here I was thinking that you were gonna' say something profound like, 'Voldemort's dead' or 'the war's over'" mumbled Harry.

Everyone sniggered and ignoring them I started on my plan of attack for the feast; eating food is not for the light hearted, in fact it can be a deadly sport I would even go so far as to say an extreme sport.

********

Wow…I seriously do not remember the sorting ever taking this long; and my stomach seems to agree with me. I swear the first years get smaller every year as well; the twitchy little things, Harry and I weren't nearly as pathetic as those scrawny little buggers. Did I mention that I hate small people? They're just so damn….small. Ok I know I am going on a rant here, but the fact that there is no food in front of me right now is seriously starting to send me over the edge, plus Hermione keeps hitting me because apparently I'm "fidgeting".

Finally! They're all done! But why isn't there any food in front of me? I don't see any food!!! Don't they know I'm a growing boy? (And I do realize that I'm starting to get hysterical)…wait…who's that? NO! It couldn't be. Could it?

Crap.

Crap.

Crap.

Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, CRAP!! Did I mention CRAP!! BAH! Karma hates me! Seriously, what did I do to deserve this?

********

"This year students, we will have a new student into the seventh year. Her name is Emma Clark." Spoke Professor McGonagall (who was now Headmistress) "Emma would you like to come forward?" she asked.

A slim, confident girl of average height walked forwards, her straight golden hair shimmering from the light given off by the candles surrounding the hall. As she strode past the various house tables all male eyes, and even some female, were immediately drawn to her; all except one pair; Ron Weasley was attempting to hide himself behind a first year who had unfortunately decided to sit next to the terrified red head. Smirking she settled herself on the stool in front of the school and placed the Sorting Hat on her head. A few moments passed and then: "SLYTHERIN!"

********

Ok maybe she didn't see me. Maybe I can just avoid her all year. Breathe Weasley, breathe; you're a Gryffindor for Merlin's sake! I winced as I heard her stop right behind me on her way to the Slytherin table.

"Red," She drawled, "you've put on weight since we last met"