Author's Note: Thank you very much for choosing to read my story! This story follows the same time line as Mrs. Rowling's story, although I have decided to completely disregard any mention of He Who Must Not Be Named. So as far as this story is concerned, Voldermort is no threat to the student body, and Harry, Ron and Hermione are not ditching 7th year to hunt Horcruxes.
Original Harry Potter Stories © J.K Rowling
All OCs in this story © CaptainMajor
Chapter One
Two women, one 5'5 and 18 years of age, the other 5'7 and 17, sat on the Hogwarts Express. The younger and taller one, with smooth bronzy skin and brown hair, sat silently while curled up in her Ravenclaw scarf. She was reading from a book of spells, completely engrossed in the pages of the book. Her dark brown eyes flicked over the page from behind a pair of glasses and her lips moved every so often, silently mouthing the difficult words printed on the aged page.
The long legged girl with fair skin sat on the seat opposite. Her Gryffindor tie was undone and flung haphazardly over the shoulder of her white button-down shirt. She gazed out the window, the passing Scottish country side reflected in the depths of her dark blue eyes. It was early September but the weather showed no sign of cooling down. The woman suddenly sighed; surprising the Ravenclaw and making her look up from her book of spells.
"What's up?" She asked, her voice clear and firm. Her brown eyes flicked over her best friend's face, searching the familiar features for a clue as to what was wrong. The older girl, the one in the Gryffindor tie, gave her head a brief shake.
"Nothing's wrong" she said, her voice tired.
"Oh Sophie, please. I've known you for thirteen years. I can tell when there's something wrong. Tell me what's on your mind." The Ravenclaw spoke precisely, pronouncing each word with a light, clear voice. Sophie, the Gryffindor, smiled at her friend.
"Alright, Marie. You know me too well." Sophie smiled endearingly. "I'm feeling nostalgic." Sophie's angular eyebrows rose for a brief moment. "This will be our last year at Hogwarts... and you know how I feel about change."
"You hate change." Marie brushed her brown hair away from her square face. "Well you know Sophie; change isn't always such a bad thing." Marie had put on her motherly voice. Soft, but firm; full of encouragement and support. After she said her piece, her thin lips sealed in a line.
"I know you're right. You're always right." Sophie grinned and propped her hands up behind her head, disgruntling the long, dark brown strands. Her bangs were cut blunt and straight across, just grazing her sharp eyebrows. Sophie cocked her head to the side, and eyed her best friend seated across from her.
"And plus, we still have a whole year to look forward to." Marie let a grin fall across her pretty face.
"This is true." Sophie adopted the same cheeky smile. Marie was Ravenclaw's resident party animal, and often hosted fantastic parties in the room of requirements... Sophie predicted a number of seventh year parties in their near future. Oh, Marie.
Sophie's delicate M-shaped lips suddenly parted as she erupted in an enormous yawn. Naturally, Marie yawned shortly after her friend.
"Get some sleep" said the Ravenclaw. "We should be arriving in a couple hours." Sophie nodded and stretched out on her side, and closed her eyes.
Marie returned to her spell book. As night began to fall, she drew her wand from an inner pocket of her cloak.
"Lumos" she whispered, pointing the tip of the wand at the yellowed pages. The particular spell that she found herself mulling over was Episkey. The purpose of the spell was to heal or repair a particular target. Marie figured it would be a standard day-to-day spell that could be used to fix even the silliest of things. A paper-cut, perhaps? The Ravenclaw sighed and peered out the window. The train had slowed and was rolling to a stop. She was suddenly over come with excitement. Her stomach filled with butterflies when she realized that she would be sitting in the great hall within the hour. Impatient, she leaned over and nudged her Gryffindor companion awake.
"Sophie" she said, prodding her friend's bony ribs with the tip of her wand. "Sophie, we're here!"
"Hmm?" Sophie's long, black eyelashes fluttered as she stirred awake. "Already?" she murmured, frowning.
"Yes" a broad smile split across Marie's face. Sophie stretched out her long legs and moaned quietly before sitting up. She rubbed her eyes and then suddenly grinned at Marie.
"It's going to be a good year, isn't it?" She already knew her friend's answer.
"Yes!" Marie stood and flexed onto the tips of her black flats. Sophie stood as well, and adjusted her red and gold tie. After draping her cloak over her arm, she followed Marie off the train. The platform was buzzing with Students, all of them chattering excitedly. Marie and Sophie clung to each other, and began to follow the line of students trekking across Hogsmead station.
"I am most dreading potions class" groaned Marie suddenly, laughing in self-pity as she followed her friend.
"I totally hear you" moaned Sophie in reply. "That class is most insufferable." Sophie shrugged into her cloak as they left Hogsmead station. It was only a short walk before the lamps at the station had faded, and darkness surrounded them. Tall trees loomed on either side of the dirt road. If it weren't for the chatter of students, surly an eerie silence would close in from the forest. Sophie straightened her back, and felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. The brave and adventurous Gryffindor enjoyed being outside after sunset. The impossibly dark forest squeezing the sides of the path made her heart rate increase, and she enjoyed the tingle it sent all the way to her fingertips. Marie, on the other hand, hunkered down into her cloak and murmured Lumos under her breath. She trod carefully over the uneven path, matching her stride to Sophie's and illuminating the road ahead with her wand. To her relief, it was only a ten minute walk to the Thestrals'carriages, which were lined up and ready to take the students to the castle.
Marie was blind to the skeletal horses; but Sophie, who had witnessed death before, could fully see their gaunt, ghostly bodies. As Marie climbed into a carriage, Sophie cocked her head and gently clucked her tongue at the animal at the head of the carriage. Marie eyed her friend, who crooned at the animal that so many could not see.
"Coming, Sophie?" Marie forced a smile and patted the seat next to her. Students were beginning to stare, and Sophie felt her cheeks flushing warm with embarrassment.
"You can see them too?" Surprised, Sophie very nearly jumped straight out of the Ariat Heritage Paddock boots laced to her feet.
"Oh my!" she said shyly, turning to find the young man speaking to her. It was Harry Potter, who she had met and studied with before. As a fellow Quidditch player, they got along quite well. "Yes, I can see them." She found nothing more to say, and was relieved when Harry continued the conversation for her.
"I was wondering if we could ride with you?" he motioned to the carriage that Marie was seated in.
"Of course" replied Sophie, smiling warmly. She climbed into the carriage next to Marie, and acknowledged Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley as they too seated themselves.
"May I join you as well?" Asked a soft additional voice.
"Luna!" Said Marie, smiling at her fellow Ravenclaw.
"Oh! Hello, Marie. I almost didn't see you there." Luna climbed up into the carriage, and said hello to Hermione and Ron.
"How was your summer, Hermione?" Asked Sophie, leaning in towards the pretty brunette sitting across from her.
"Very well, thank you" Said Hermione, smiling warmly. "How was yours?"
Sophie could only shrug in reply.
"It was alright, I suppose" she said with a forced smile. Both she and Hermione were muggle born, which gave them something to talk about. Naturally, when either needed an escape from the wizzarding world, they confided in each other their guilty muggle pleasures. For Hermione, it was Cappuccinos and Shakespeare. Sophie, less refined than the curly haired witch, preferred Tequila and Ice Hockey.
"Are you still horse-riding?" Asked Hermione, recollecting from a previous conversation the favourite pastime of the long-legged brunette.
"Yes" said Sophie with a soft laugh. "Yes I am."
"I never really cared much for horses" said Hermione shyly, shrugging her shoulders. Sophie smiled.
"It's not for everyone" she said. She was embarrassed, as she couldn't recall what it was her fellow classmate did in her spare time. She was about to open her mouth to ask what it is Hermione did with her summer, when Marie called for her attention.
"What was it you said to me last week?" Marie's brown eyes were alight with amusement, and a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Sophie raised a questioning eyebrow, trying to figure out what it was her friend was talking about. "When we were riding broomsticks in my backyard. You made a terrible comment about older men. What was that?"
"Oh, goodness!" Sophie tilted her head back and laughed heartily. Harry, Ron and Luna were watching her, waiting for the punch line of the joke. They each had smiles on their faces, expecting something funny. It took Sophie a moment to recall the exact words she had said... "That kissing an old man would be like snogging a piece of history?"
Yes. That was it.
The carriage's occupants chuckled at the joke, which was undoubtedly more amusing in person, at the moment it was made. It had been funnier the first time, of course, when Sophie said it while hanging upside down from her hovering broomstick.
The rest of the ride in the carriage was comfortably spent in casual conversation. But when the ride finally stopped and the occupants dismounted from the carriage, Marie turned into her best friend.
"Luna Lovegood is very strange" she murmured into her friend's ear. Sophie found herself nodding.
"Yes, she is." Sophie frowned slightly. "But," she added, not wanting to speak poorly of the other Ravenclaw "So are we."
"Yes, I suppose this is true." Marie smiled and pushed her glasses further up her button nose. They walked in comfortable silence into the castle, but when they reached the great hall, had to go their separate ways.
"I'll send you a note" said Sophie, smiling brightly at her best friend.
"Alright!" Marie wrapped her friend in a hug. "Enjoy your supper" she said, patting her friend on the back before parting for the Ravenclaw table. Marie couldn't spot a friend nearby, so she sat next to some girls she found vaguely familiar. She eyed the staff seated at the front of the hall, and wondered what they were thinking about. She found the teachers she liked, McGonagall for instance, and Professor Dumbledore. The ones she disliked seemed to stand out even more... Professor Trelawney, and then easily the most despised teacher in all of Hogwarts: Professor Snape. He sat stiffly, his paleness accentuated by the stark black of his hair and robes. He peered at the student body over his hooked nose. His face showed no emotion, not even the slightest hint of contempt. Though every student (with the exception of the ignorant first years) knew that Snape's defining quality was his apparent misanthrope.
As the first years entered the Great Hall, and Marie was shocked by how young they looked. They sat before the professors, anxious children waiting to be sorted into their houses. Marie was blown away by how fast time had flown by at Hogwarts. It felt as though just yesterday she and Sophie were very much Deer-in-headlights, waiting nervously before the old hat...
"I'm so terribly nervous" said Sophie, her large blue doe-eyes wide with fear. She had her dark, almost black hair tied back in a messy, dishevelled pony tail. "What if we're not sorted into the same house?"
"I'm sure we will be" said Marie confidently. She smiled, and put a reassuring hand on her best friend's shoulder.
"But we're so terribly different" said Sophie, this time with a smile on her face. And that was the truth. Marie was calm, calculated and analytical. She over thought everything, and she had an uncanny ability to solve riddles and puzzles. Sophie, on the other hand, was impulsive and daring. She was brave, but was often criticized for having her head in the clouds. Marie had became concerned... Sophie was right, the two of them were completely different.
"Sophie, even if we're not in the same house, we'll still be best friends." Marie spoke with confidence once again, her entire 10-year old self radiating a sort of certainty that calmed her muggle born friend.
"You're right" said Sophie. "You're always right."
The girls sat next to each other, examining the teaching staff for the very first time. Marie noticed that Sophie couldn't help but stare at the Witches and Wizards before her, undoubtedly analyzing each and nothing their features in her mind. Marie clutched her friend's hand. Her last name, beginning with an A, insured that she would be called very soon.
"Good luck" whispered Sophie.
"Marie Abram" Called the witch named Professor McGonagall. Marie sat up, barely able to contain the nervous smile on her face. She looked over her shoulder and saw Sophie smiling at her, encouraging her. She nodded calmly, and Marie felt strength. She sat on the stool, before the entire student body. She looked into the faces of her peers, but as the Sorting Hat was placed over her head, she squished her eyes shut. As she scrunched her face, her glasses began to slip off of her cute little nose.
"Hmmm" pondered the sorting hat. "This is a very clever girl indeed. Patient, loyal and good at heart. Traits of a Hufflepuff. But I see something else within you. Yes, yes indeed." The sorting hat murmured to itself, audibly mulling over the possibilities. "So very intelligent. And witty! Yes, I know! RAVENCLAW!"
The student body erupted in cheers, and Marie found herself beaming proudly. Her father had been a Ravenclaw, and proudly so. Marie searched the crowd for Sophie, who was clapping and cheering. Marie bounded off stage, grinning wildly. Her heart filled with pride and happiness, and a sense of acceptance. She thought to herself: I belong.
Sophie, whose last name began with a P, was called much later in the ceremony. But when her name was finally called "Sophie Phillips!" she arose rigidly and walked nervously towards the stool. She felt everyone's eyes on her, but she urged herself on. She sat herself on the stool, and as the hat was lowered onto her head, she thought her heart would jump from her chest. It almost killed her to search the crowd for Marie's familiar face. When she located her friend's encouraging expression, the hat had slipped over her eyes and began to speak.
"Aha!" It said, its voice crackly and deep. "Very protective, aren't you? Yes, yes indeed. I see you have a good heart, passion and bravery. You belong in GRYFFINDOR!" Sophie smiled, and murmured a Thank You to the hat. She slid off the stood, barely hearing the cheers and clapping of her peers. All she wanted was to sit next to Marie.
Marie, her safe harbour and dear friend, would be taken away from her. The Ravenclaw dormitories were in the tower on the West side of the Castle. Gryffindor tower was on the East Side. Sophie felt her throat tighten at the thought of being away from her friend. But she told herself to be brave.
Marie was also nervous. Her throat tightened at the idea that her best friend would be taken away from her. So many times they had spent, side by side, talking and playing. Marie could always count on Sophie to defend her, to take care of her. They were a unit, and had never been apart...
Marie was torn from her reverie when Professor McGonagall addressed the 7th years.
"Seventh Year Students" she began, her voice magnified by a wand pointed at her throat. "Your final year at Hogwarts will be concluded with N.E.W.T examinations. It is recommended that students begin thinking about subjects that particularly interests them, one that they may wish to pursue after their graduation from Hogwarts." McGonagall looked into the crowd, as if personally seeking out each and every one of the 7th years. "Students may request apprenticeship from the professor of that particular subject if they wish. Though this is not required, it may make a fine addition to the N.E.W.T level courses you will be taking." When McGonagall finished her speech, Dumbledore rose to his feet, and with merry gusto began the feast.
An apprenticeship... Hmm... Marie pondered the idea, wondering if there was a subject she would like to shadow. She did enjoy charms, but she wasn't absolutely sure what she wished to do for a wizarding career. She really did love animals, and herbology. It was a lot to mull over, especially on an empty stomach.
When the table was suddenly adorned with heaps upon heaps of food, the young woman found her stomach growling loudly. She quickly filled her plate with the more vegetarian options, as she was toying with the idea of becoming a vegetarian. It was a muggle trend that Sophie had informed her about, and Marie found it was an interesting idea and wanted to try it. She filled her plate with heaps of rice, corn, green beans, squash, and bread. She ate quickly, wanting to settle into her dormitory.
Marie's primary focus for her N.E.W.T level year was to achieve outstanding marks in each of her subjects, and hopefully reach an epiphany as to what she wishes to do with her wizarding future. Her father was a clever Arithmancer, a wizard that worked with numbers and arithmetic. Though she didn't particularly enjoy maths, it was a subject she was quite capable in. Her mother, a lovely woman, was a Mediwitch. Her empathy and compassion made her a fine addition at St. Mungo's. Unfortunately Marie herself wasn't cut out for the duties of a Mediwitch. She sighed to herself as she walked towards the Ravenclaw tower. A number of students were already gathered around the entrance to the common room, attempting to answer the riddle that would grant them entry. Marie suddenly felt slightly uncomfortable. It often took her a bit of time to figure out the riddles, and she sometimes grew incredibly frustrated. She recalled, once as a first year, being unable to guess the complicated riddle. Locked outside her dormitory for over an hour, she had miserably stewed, thinking to herself that she would have made a finer Hufflepuff.
After a student up front figured out the conundrum, the line of students began climbing the steep, winding staircase up to the common room. Marie sighed as she entered the familiar space. The walls were draped with blue and bronze silks, giving the tower a cozy feel. The girl kept to herself as she made her way to her dormitory. She couldn't wait to curl up in her bed and do a bit of reading before dozing off.
Marie found her personal belongings arranged neatly around her four-poster bed. She couldn't help but sigh comfortably. She opened her leather trunk and selected her neatly folded pyjamas. She slid into the flannel bottoms and cotton tee shirt, then climbed atop the navy blue comforter on her bed. The mattress sunk under her weight, and the pillows seemed to call for her sleepy head. Marie decided to skip reading, and instead snuggled straight under the covers, ready for whatever dreams she may encounter in her sleep.
Sophie's trunk was easily spotted. It was the only one covered in stickers. The Gryffindor crest sat in the middle of the lid, surrounded by a number of stickers unfamiliar to the magic folk. The stickers included an oval Yellow and Red EK Radio; a white, red and blue Summit Racing; an RCR advertisement; a SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ribbon, and an unnatural accumulation of NHL stickers. Last but not least was a large sticker of the Canadian flag, slapped proudly on the middle of her trunk. Canada was the country she so proudly came from, and the accent she spoke with that confused most of the British students. Sophie sighed and fondly gazed at her trunk for an odd moment before breaking herself from her trance.
Get over yourself she thought, frowning and undoing her tie with her index finger. She walked over to her trunk, which was set at the foot of her cozy four-poster bed. She opened her trunk with a silent charm, and observed the jumbled mess of clothes.
"Hmm" she said aloud to herself, cocking her head and peering into the mess, trying to locate her pyjamas. She rooted about for a moment before withdrawing a pair of men's light grey Puma Sweatpants. "Oh Muggle clothes, how I love you" she said with a grin. Sophie looked about the circular dormitory at the other girls, and wondered if she was comfortable enough to change in front of them all. They were all 7th years like herself, and she was familiar with each other them, but Sophie was extremely private in nature, and became squeamish by the idea of other girls catching a glimpse of her in her skivvies. Sophie made a quick face before quickly stripping out of her uniform skirt and pulling on the comfortable pair of sweats. She sighed in content, then tossed her skirt on the edge of her bed. She withdrew a black tank top from her trunk, and changed into that with her bony back turned to the other girls in the room. The eighteen year old jumped into bed and wriggled under the sheets while yawning widely. Excited as she was to be back at Hogwarts, Sophie's eyelids were heavy as lead and she wanted nothing more than to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.