Allie Longbottom and the Room of Requirement
18 years later
"Alice, we have to get there early." Neville Longbottom called up the stairs, "Gwen! You hurry up too!"
Allie yawned sleepily and rapidly blinked her eyes. She shifted her position to stretch, but instead ended up tumbling off the bed and crashing into her large bookshelf causing several novels to plummet towards her head.
"What was that? Are you okay?" Neville called up once again.
"I'm fine, Dad." Allie answered while rubbing her now aching forehead, "Just fell out of bed."
"She certainly inherited your clumsiness, Neville." chuckled Luna, her inquisitive eyes twinkling with inner laughter.
"Unfortunately for her." he smiled back at his wife.
All of a sudden, a streak of white blond hair thundered down the rickety wooden steps towards Luna.
"Now slow down a bit, Gwendolyn, you'll arouse the impiai and cause us all bad luck!" Luna said crossly.
Gwen rolled her eyes. "Mum, I can't find my Prefects badge!" she exclaimed worriedly.
"Not to worry dear, I can get it for you. Accio Gwen's badge!" Luna commanded, her wand now pointing out.
Allie jumped up and down as she hurriedly scrambled on her socks. She nearly tripped as a flying badge zoomed past her face, nearly an inch from her nose.
"Alice, we're waiting on you!" Neville called up.
"I'm coming!" Allie said as she ran out of her cozy yellow bedroom and into the tan hall. Trunk in hand, she also thundered down the stairs toward her mother. Luna beamed down at Alice, proud that her second daughter was finally attending Hogwarts. Alice returned the grin and gave her a fleeting hug.
"Ooh, I just realized!" Gwen gasped, "I'll be escorting you today! That is, unless you don't end up in Gryffindor."
"It doesn't matter if you're Gryffindor or not. We'll be proud of you wherever you're sorted." Neville comforted his daughter after seeing the worried look on her face. "Your mother was in Ravenclaw, and she seems fine."
"We should get going Neville." Luna added while glancing up at the wooden cuckoo clock.
"Right then. Everyone into the kitchen!"
Alice scurried into the next room excitedly, while as Gwen rolled her eyes and walked in casually. Neville stepped into the fireplace.
"Diagon Alley!"
There was a flash of green flames, and he disappeared.
"I'll go next." Gwen said a she climbed in. "Diagon Alley!"
"Alright, Alice, you're next." Luna stated as Gwen disappeared into the flames.
"Diagon Alley!" Allie commanded, and the emerald fire engulfed her as well.
"Oof!" Allie muttered as she fumbled off balance into the basement of Flourish and Blotts.
Neville caught her before she was able to fall on the dusty floor. She smiled up at him embarrassed. There was another flash of green light as Luna entered the room.
"Let's go. We haven't got much time." Neville acknowledged.
The family trotted up the stairs and through the entry doors of the bookstore. Allie had to blink several times to adjust to the light when they walked out. Even though she had shopped in Diagon Alley numerous times, she was still awestruck by all the color and excitement. She looked around with her mouth slightly gaping and attempted to take it all in while still walking at a brisk pace. The result was her tripping and landing on a pile of lemons. The shop owner glowered at her and she ran a series of earnest apologies as she scuttled off to get back with her family.
Her father was just entering through the back of the Leaky Cauldron when she caught up. She burst through the doorway and bumped into her mother.
"There you are, Alice! We were just looking for you. You really mustn't burst through doors like that, you'll disturb the wrackspurts." Luna said, relieved her daughter was back.
"Sorry Mum." Allie apologized, her face beet red.
They exited the barroom after various greetings were exchanged between her parents and several people Allie didn't know. It was the same as always, wizards and witches would talk to them and say that they're "honored". Allie had once asked her father why they were treated as such, and he said that they were just being polite.
The family continued to walk through London, once taking the subway (which really was quite fascinating), until they reached King's Cross. The hustle and bustle of the heavily crowded site was overwhelming to Allie.
"Come now, Platform 9 ¾ this way." Neville lead the group as they headed towards the right end of the railroad crossing.
"Dad, where is it? There's only platform nine and ten here." Allie asked, thoroughly confused.
"Right here." Neville stated, pointing at a large brick pillar.
"Umm…Dad? That's just a wa-" but before Allie could finish her sentence, Gwen had nonchalantly walked right through the wall.
"I'll see you in a minute, Alice!" her father said as he too waltzed straight through the wall.
"Alright Alice, I'll see you for Christmas break. Have fun at school. I love you." Her mother gave her a kiss on her forehead and watched Allie expectantly. "Are you going, dear?"
Alice nodded nervously and started to walk toward the seemingly solid wall. Just as she was ready for an impact, she shut her eyes tightly and began to run. When nothing hit her, she stopped abruptly and fell over onto her trolley. All her belongings were sprawled across the floor, and once again she blushed furiously.
"Allie! Do you always have to be so clumsy? You're embarrassing me!" Gwen complained. Alice had always figured her sister was popular, she was exceptionally pretty. She had long, straight platinum hair; perfect, porcelain skin; electric blue eyes; a perfectly aligned face; and a slender figure. Her guessing about Gwen's popularity was proved when Gwen walked off with tons of excited friends. Allie didn't think she'd be as admired by her peers.
"Come on, let's pick up your things and get a seat on the train." Neville said to his daughter.
They found a compartment in the back and settled down. Alice sat down for a little while, but got bored quickly. A reading father wasn't much company.
"Dad, I'm going to see if Albus and Hugo are here yet."
Her father grunted approvingly and Allie set off. Albus Potter and Hugo Weasley were her best friends. Their parents had been friends in school, so whenever there was a small reunion Allie played with them.
She walked down the train's hallway, looking in every compartment. Allie saw her sister snogging some boy in one and nearly gagged. She hadn't seen them yet, and the train was about to leave. Allie began to wonder if they made it on time. She reached the front of the train, and turned around for another look back.
"Allie!" a familiar voice called from behind.
"Albus! Great to see you! Where were you just now? I looked all over!" Allie exclaimed while hugging him.
"We just got on."
"We?"
"Hey Allie" said someone in the back of Albus.
"Hey Hugo." Allie waved, looking around Albus.
"We should get a compartment." Albus reminded.
"My dad has one in the back, but I'd rather not share with him." Allie explained. "There was an empty one in the middle somewhere that I saw when I was looking for you."
"Okay, let's find it then." Hugo said, annoyed, he probably wanted to sit down and was becoming impatient.
"Don't be so grumpy." Allie scorned as she began walking down the isle.
They found the compartment not too long down the hall. Allie and Albus sat next to each other, while Hugo lied down on the seat and exhaled loudly.
"I'm so tired. Why does the train have to leave so early?" Hugo whined.
"It leaves at eleven! How can you be tired?" Allie said, aggravated by Hugo's dissatisfaction in everything.
"Just let me relax peacefully." Hugo responded melodramatically, putting one hand over his forehead and the other in the air stopping Allie from talking.
"Ugh." Allie grumbled and rolled her eyes.
Albus smiled. "He'll come around when the food trolley comes by."
Hugo was soon asleep and Albus had "forgotten" to do some of his summer homework. Allie decided she would see if her friends looked any different now that they were going to Hogwarts. She looked at Hugo first. He had the same striking red hair, slightly long nose, and freckles she remembered. She was also sure that if he opened his eyes, they'd be the same golden brown they'd always been too. Albus looked uncannily like his father, except he didn't have glasses. Dark untidy hair, bright green eyes, and a bit too skinny. He looked the same too. Allie wondered if she looked different to them.
She faced the window and scrutinized her reflection. She had long and curly dark brown hair, very pale skin, her cheeks were always rosy (and too rosy in Allie's opinion), big gray eyes, slightly crooked teeth, and although Allie couldn't tell now because she was sitting, she was extremely tall. Not nearly like her perfect sister.
"Allie, I'm done now." Albus confirmed.
She snapped out of her trance. "So…got anything to talk about?"
"Not really."
"Have you seen any girls you like?" Allie smiled evilly.
"No!" Albus's ears glowed red.
"C'mon! You can tell me! We're best friends! Hugo's asleep, he won't hear. Please?"
"Seriously, I haven't acquired a crush for anyone today."
"Fine, ignore our ten year friendship. Best friendship." Allie acted upset and shrugged and turned away.
"I mean it! I'm telling the truth!" Albus tried to turn Allie back around.
"Alright. But I'll find out eventually." She waved her finger and smiled jokingly.
"So…do you like any guys?" Albus smirked in revenge.
"Now that's just unfair!" Allie's cheeks flushed again. She punched him in the arm.
"Ouch!" he glanced outside. "We should get into our robes now. Would you do the honor of waking Hugo?"
"I'd be delighted!"
Allie got up and started shaking Hugo.
"Ugh." He murmured.
"Get up, you lazy idiot! It's time to change." Allie explained.
"Not yet." He mumbled.
"Yes yet!" and with a final shake, Hugo sat up.
"Oh my gosh! My things aren't here! Where'd they go?" Alice began to tremble.
"Didn't you say the were in your dad's compartment?" Albus suggested.
"Yes!" Allies face washed over with relief. "Thanks, Al!" she hugged him fleetingly and dashed down the isle.
"Oof!" Allie tripped again, right outside her father's compartment.
"Are you okay?" Her dad inquired.
"Ninety percent." She replied.
"You really shouldn't run in the halls."
"Sorry, Dad."
Allie walked to her trunk and extracted her uniform.
"I'm gonna change. See you later!" Allie told her dad before running off to the changing rooms.
"Didn't I tell you not to run?" Neville said to a no longer present daughter.
After getting dressed, she returned to Hugo and Albus's compartment. She was extremely excited to finally wear her uniform.
"Hey guys." Allie greeted as she walked in.
"Hi." They said simultaneously.
"Wonder what house we're gonna be in." Albus thought out loud as he stared out the window.
"Half my family is Ravenclaw, the other half is Gryffindor. I'm not sure where I'll be sorted." Allie said, now deep in thought.
"All of mine are Gryffindors." Hugo declared.
"Mine too." Albus added.
"Well, we'll find out soon enough. There's the castle." Allie pointed out the window.
Allie was breath taken with the magnificence of the structure. Tall towers, ornately carved, it was beautiful. It had perfect scenery as well. But then, it vanished behind trees as the train pulled over to drop its passengers off.
"It's bigger than Gwen made it out to be." Allie marveled.
The train slowed and finally halted. There was a commotion as everyone grabbed their luggage and pushed their way out of the train. Allie followed Hugo and Albus down the steps. An enormous elderly man stood in the distance calling out.
"Firs' years! Firs' years! This way please! Follow meh!"
The three friends walked toward the big man. He seemed even larger close up. Seven feet tall, a big beard and beady eyes.
"All righ'. That all of yeh? Leh's go!"
The big man led the first years down a path past where the other students were going. The finally reached and end by a lake where numerous boats were tied up.
"Six to a boat, please. Unless yeh're with meh, then I need three."
Allie, Albus and Hugo were in the back of the crowd of first years. By the time they came to the lake's shore, the only boat left was with the huge man.
"C'mon. Yeh're with meh."
The three walked up to him and sat in the boat.
"Okay. Start rowin'!"
Dozens of paddles began to move at the immense man's command.
"So," The man said as he rowed, "Who're yeh? I'm Professor Hagrid, Care o' Magical Creatures teacher."
"Albus Potter." Albus said meekly.
"Yeh're Harry's son?"
"Yeah…"
"He was one o' meh favorite students! Yeh can call me Hagrid. An' who're you two?" Hagrid exclaimed.
"Hugo Weasley, Ron and Hermione's son? I dunno if you knew them." Hugo stated.
"O' course I knew them! Harry's best mates! Great students, great students." Hagrid said now positively beaming. "An' yeh're?"
"Allie Longbottom. My parents are Neville and Luna. Professor Longbottom of Herbology."
"Luna was amazin' with creatures! Neville tried o' course, but he was a great kid. Very good at Herbology o' course." Hagrid was delighted in meeting his former students' children. "Who'd Harry end up marryin'?"
"Ginny." Albus said.
"I expected tha'. Ron an' Hermione too. Not Neville and Luna though. Never went ou' in their school years."
"My parents said they didn't either." Hugo said confused.
"Well, they were jus' obvious." Hagrid chuckled.
A glowing light came into view at the horizon of the lake, and as they drew closer, it became the school.
"It's really pretty from here." Allie complimented.
"Yup. I do this every year, an' I still think it's b'utiful each time. It's my home here." Hagrid said, now a bit teary eyed.
"I just hope they have as much food as my dad says they do." griped Hugo.
"Hehe, yeh're certainly Ron's son. An' they do have quite a bit o' food."
"Good." moaned Hugo, clutching his stomach.
They left the boats at a small dock in the front of the school and continued up the hill to the doorway.
"Yeh all er welcome ter visit meh hut anytime. Yeh'll see it when yeh come to meh class." Hagrid whispered as he waved goodbye and strolled into the building. An older lady stood just in front of the door stopping any students from continuing.
"First Years! We will now be going to the Great Hall for your sorting. When I call your name, you will come forward and sit on the provided stool. Then the sorter will decide where you belong. It will call out your house, and you will proceed to the table that is cheering for you." She talked in a strict and sharp voice.
She turned around swiftly and quickly walked into the castle. Allie and the rest of her class followed her up moving stairwells, past portrait jammed walls, and under tall ceilings. She finally stopped again in front of a pair of massive doors.
"I am your Headmistress, Professor McGonagall. I hope I will enjoy teaching you all."
She burst through the doors followed by the nervous eleven year olds. The Great Hall was enormous, there were four tables crowded with students, a giant staff table at the end, and a ceiling that looked exactly like the weather outside. Professor McGonagall walked in back of an old stool, while the first years stayed back. The Professor took a long piece of parchment out of her robe pocket and held it out in front of her.
"Addington, Lea!"
A nervous little girl with curly chestnut brown hair stepped out of the crowd and perched on the stool. With a wave of her wand McGonagall conjured an ancient witch's hat and placed it on trembling Lea's head.
Incredibly the hat began to stir, and the wrinkles became a mouth and eyes.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Relieved looking Lea trotted down to the second table which was cheering loudly.
"Agan, Berna!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Alton, Katie!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
The sorting continued as Allie grew more and more nervous.
"Longbottom, Alice!"
Allie walked uneasily up to the stool and sat down. In only a voice Allie could hear, the hat began to speak.
"Hmm…very intelligent…open-minded and witty…definitely qualities of Ravenclaw…hmm…extremely kind…but I'd hardly compare you to Hufflepuff…nearly no qualities of Slytherin…brave…and most exponentially loyal…yes you'd either be Gryffindor or Ravenclaw…very close…just like your mother…"
Allie could tell she was taking longer than most people, and everyone was staring at her. She could feel the blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"We'll keep by your mother's sort…RAVENCLAW!"
The third table burst into cheers, and she ran toward them. The rest of the sorting went by quickly except for two people.
"Potter, Albus!"
The hat was barely on his head when it shouted.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Allie knew he would be there inside, but she had still hoped.
"Weasley, Hugo!"
Again, Allie was disappointed.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Allie watched as Hugo happily took a seat next to Albus. Albus cheered for his best friend, and then looked at Allie with an apologetic face. She tried to incorporate contentment into her glance back at him.
She scanned the rest of the Gryffindor table. Allie spotted her sister, happily laughing with a large group of friends. Allie could tell her sister was the center of attention within her clique.
Farther down the table toward the seventh years, she glimpsed Teddy Lupin sitting by Victoire Weasley. Teddy was Albus' father's godchild, and Victoire was Albus' and Hugo's cousin.
When she observed her own table, she saw no familiar faces. There was a light brown haired boy sitting across from her with square rimless glasses. The girl next to her had jet black hair; it hung pin straight down to her elbows. The girl on the opposite side of Allie had short, curly, dirty blond hair. Her curls were perfect ringlets, unlike Allie's whose were wavy and messy.
Allie felt lonely not knowing anyone and suddenly craved for one of her books. When her friends weren't around, Allie always had her nose shoved in a book.
"Zimmer, Megan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The last student scuttled off to her welcoming table and McGonagall stepped forward.