A/N: I own nothing. Apart from the characters I created.
Also, this is my first attempt at fan fiction writing. So sorry if it's rubbish.
When the highly irritating sound of my alarm clock started ringing in my ears, I groaned into the soft plump white pillow in which my head was currently embedded in. After trying - unsuccessfully - to drown out the alarm clock with my pillow, I lifted my head out of pillow pushing my butterscotch blonde hair out of my pale face and glared annoyed at the continuously ringing clock.
"You couldn't of waited five more minutes could you?" I muttered sleepily to the clock as I turned it off. As I was rubbing the sleep out of almond shaped powder blue eyes, my gaze caught the attention of the picture that was standing on the bedside cabinet, next to the evil alarm clock.
The picture was of me and my best friends, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, George Weasley, Fred Weasley and Lee Jordon. It had been taken just before the start of the Christmas holidays, all of us were pulling faces into the camera before running off to start a snowball fight and then running back again.
Me and my friends all attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and where all in Gryffindor house. While me, Angelina, Fred, George and Lee were in the same year at Hogwarts, Katie was in the year bellow us but that didn't stop us being the great friends as we are.
A few minutes later there was a loud knock on my bedroom door. "Yeah?" I mumbled in response. The door opened slightly and my dad poked his head around the door. My dad and my twenty-three year old brother, Max, looked almost identical, they had the same chestnut brown hair, crocked grin, nose, face and eye shape, the only thing that differed was Max was taller and had chocolate brown eyes, while dad had the same powder blue eyes as me. I, on the other hand, looked more like my deceased mum with some of dads features thrown into the mix.
"Breakfast will be ready in five minutes." Dad told me, before closing the door behide him and heading back downstairs to the kitchen. I threw the covers off of me and grabbed my pink dressing gown, putting it on as I made my way out of my bedroom and down the stairs to the kitchen also.
Upon arriving inside the tidy kitchen I noticed that there was a tall, handsome, sandy haired, green eyed boy leaning casually on one of the kitchen counters. "Cedric!" I exclaimed, going over to give him a hug. "What are you doing here?"
Cedric Diggory is my cousin, we're both in the same year at Hogwarts but unlike me he is in Hufflepuff rather than almighty Gryffindor. Cedric looked nothing like me, or nothing like Max, as he seemed to have more of Uncle Amos' features than Aunt Susans' because if he did then their would have been more of a chance of us having some similar features. Although, that said, there is one physical similarity that me and Cedric share, and that is the small, delicate nose we had inherited from Grandma Spinnet.
"Dad was called into work and mum's still visiting her friend in Paris so I'm coming with you to Kings Cross." Cedric told me brightly returning the hug.
"How can you be so cheerful this early in the morning?" I asked him, as we went and sat down at the table.
"Alicia it's hardly early, it's eight o'clock." Dad said as he waved his wand so the three plates that were filled with boiled eggs and toast levitated to the table.
"Exactly." I sighed as began dipping the toast into the runny yolk of an egg.
"Well make sure your ready to leave by ten to ten."
"Will do. So why did I have to pack a formal dress for school this year?" I asked for what could only be the thousandth time since I ready the uniform list for school this year.
Cedric looked up from his egg, with a surprised look on his face. "Don't you know?"
"Know what?"
"About what's happening this year at school."
"What's happening?" I asked impatiently just wanting him to tell me.
"You're just going to have to wait till later. I suspect that you'll find out later today." Dad said before Cedric could open his mouth to respond.
"So why can't you just tell me now?" I whined pouting at my dad and my cousin, resulting in Cedric chuckling at me.
"So it'll be a surprise."
"But Ced knows so why can't I?"
"I found out by accident." Cedric imputed thoughtfully.
"You still know though." I protested.
Almost predictably nobody responded which was rather irritating. This 'surprise' was getting to be a big pain in the arse if you ask me, I don't know, Angelina's parents won't tell her, Katie's parents are Muggles so they wouldn't know about it anyway, Lee's mum won't tell him either and nor will Fred and George's parents and elder siblings. But I hadn't asked everybody yet? Max would tell me, I knew he would but I hadn't seen him much as he's been on holiday with his long-term girlfriend Chelsea for the past two months. Their just skiving off work if you ask me.
After a few minutes of silence I decided to start talking again. "So is Max coming to the station today?" I asked casually finishing off my breakfast.
"No." Dad said simply as he banished the finished plates and cutlery to the sink.
"Why not?" I asked confused. Max always came to the station to see me off.
"Because him and Chelsea aren't back yet and they won't be back till later. They tried to change the time though but the Ministry couldn't change it." Dad explained.
"Typical." I muttered in a whisper, dad didn't hear me but Cedric did he just smirked at me and mouthed 'nice try'. I stuck my tongue out at him as I made my way out of the kitchen and back upstairs to get ready.
At quarter-past ten me, dad and Cedric had arrived at Kings Cross station and had gone through the barrier on to platform nine and three-quarters; and they still hadn't told me what was happening at Hogwarts. Dad had found some people he knew so he was talking to them as me and Cedric were making our way through the crowded platform to the scarlet red train.
"Ced, are you going to tell me what's happening now?" I asked him innocently, smiling the sweetest smile I could muster.
Cedric chuckled and put the arm that wasn't dragging his trunk around my shoulder. "Now Ali, what sort of nephew would I be to your dad if I go around telling you things I promised I wouldn't tell you?"
"A extremely good one and the most amazing cousin in the world."
Cedric pulled his mocking thinking face at me. "Hmmm. No sorry no can do."
"But Ceddie you know you want to tell me really, and you're my favourite cousin." I sighed.
"I'm your only cousin." He pointed out.
"That's my point exactly." I told him as we reached the train's luggage compartment. "You know I'd tell you if it was the other way round."
"Yeah I know … but know your getting of the track."
"Huh? You do talk some nonsense Ced." I said as he threw his trunk into the compartment.
"Yes I do." He replied smiling at me, I just shock my head at him. "Right now to get your trunk into here. How many clothes you packed into it this year?" he asked chuckling.
"Enough." I replied.
Cedric walked over to where I'd placed my trunk on the platform and had just bent over to pick it up when two familiar identical slightly freckled faces which sported red hair and royal blue eyes walked over to us and sat down on my trunk as if Cedric hadn't been just about to pick it up.
"Erm … hey Fred, George." I said, wondering why on earth they decided to sit on my trunk of all places.
"You don't sound to happy to see us Leash." Fred mused.
"That's because I want to know why your sitting on my trunk." I replied.
"Because theres no where else to sit." George said smirking slightly.
"How about the train? It has seats you know?"
"Did you know that George?" Fred said with mock surprise to his twin brother.
"No I cant say I did Fred." George replied with the same surprised tone in his voice.
"Neither did I dear brother."
"A train with seats why didn't I see that coming?"
"Because its so bloody out of the blue."
George was just about to reply but I cut him off. "Yeah why don't you go and look at them so Cedric can finish putting my trunk in the compartment." I said nodding my head slightly to where Cedric was standing staring at the twins.
"Hey Cedric." George said stiffly, I guess that he was still annoyed about that Quidditch game last year.
"Long time no see Diggory." Fred replied with a hint of stiffness in his voice. Boys and their pride, I will never ever understand it. Actually I will never understand boys in general.
"Yeah." Cedric said slowly waiting for the twins to move off my trunk.
"I'll put Ali's trunk away so you can go see your friends now." George told him, more as an order rather than a request, it was all oddly un-George-like, I stared at Fred for some explanation but he just shrugged like he knew nothing at all. Typical really.
"Erm … yeah sure. See you later Leasha." Cedric said coming over and giving me a hug before going to find his friends.
As soon as he'd left the twins stood up off my trunk and George meant down to pick it and I couldn't help but stare as his t-shirt rose slightly over his stomach.
"Enjoying the view?" George asked me smirking, sound like he hadn't been the almost anti-George he had mean a few moments ago. Rather than reply I just stuck my tongue out at him and skipped back through the gathering people to say goodbye to dad.
I found him talking to Mrs. Weasley and to my surprise Charlie and Bill Weasley. "Bill your meant to be in Egypt and Charlie, your meant to be in Romania!" I said when I reached them.
"Oh it's nice to see you too squirt" Charlie said hugging me. Charlie was the second eldest Weasley brother, he was built like the twins and had a broad, good-natured face that was weather-beaten and covered with so many freckles it made him look tanned.
"You were always great with greetings" Bill said pulling me into a hug. Bill, the eldest Weasley brother, was tall, with long hair that he had tied back in a ponytail; he had a fang earring dangling from one of his ear.
"I know it's a talent really" I replied smirking up at them, giggling. "Hello Mrs. Weasley"
"Hello Alicia, dear" said the small, plump women giving me her signature bone crushing hug. Molly Weasley had a kind, warm loving face and had the same red hair as all of her children.
"Bill? Charlie?" I said sweetly, with an innocent expression fixed upon my face "I was wondering if you would tell me what's happening at Hogwarts this year"
"No Leesh no can do" Bill said, I made puppy dog eyes at him hoping he'd tell me. "Oh don't look at me like that. Charlie can tell you"
"What? Oh no. Leesh please don't look at us like that. We've been sworn to secrecy. But I will tell you that you may see me sooner than you think."
"Why?"
"That would be telling. Now you better get on that train."
"Yeah and keep our charming twin brothers in line." Bill said chuckling.
"Don't accept any food from them" Charlie warned me. That could only mean trouble.
"I don't want to know why do I?" I asked, they shook their heads. "It's been great seeing you both." I turned around and said goodbye to my dad and Mrs. Weasley before I went and got on the train.
"Bye Leesh, I'll see you in June seeing as you properly aren't going to want to come home for the holidays. Be good." Dad called after me. I didn't even bother to ask, he wasn't going to explain what he was going on about so why should I bother to find out?
I was walking down the corridor when I was ambushed by my two best friends, Angelina and Katie.
Angelina was the tallest of all of us, she had dark skin and dark hair that was at present braided perfectly, although knowing Angelina it would be different tomorrow, as well as perfect dark green eyes.
Katie was the shortest, and was actually quite small, like a pixie she had perfectly curled brown hair and a pair of large grey eyes that were always alight with excitement; if you don't count the mornings anyway.
"Hey Leasha!" Katie practically shouted before hugging me and almost knocking me to the ground at the same time. "I've missed you."
"Yeah I've missed you too, Kates." I said as I went and hugged Angelina. "Hi Ange."
"Hey." Angelina replied as Katie began dragging us down the train, no doubt looking for the boys.
"So have either of you two be able to figure out whats happening at Hogwarts yet?" Katie asked us, still literally dragging me and Angelina behide her, as train started moving.
"Well I haven't. Mum won't tell me and neither will dad." Angelina sighed. "I tried everything to get them to tell me but no, it's a surprise that shouldn't be ruined and I should be patient and wait till everyone else finds out, or something."
"Ah." Katie said opening a compartment door, which Fred, George and Lee were sitting in. "You find anything out Leasha?"
"No dad was the same as Ange's parents," I started sitting down in the seat in-between George and Lee, "Max has gone away so I couldn't ask him and he wouldn't write it in a letter, cause well its Max he don't do letters. And Cedric wouldn't tell me so nope I have no idea."
"Why would Diggory tell you?" George asked, one of his eyebrows raised.
"Well if he wanted to be a good cousin he'd tell me but no, he won't."
"Wait Diggory's your cousin?" Fred asked sitting up from the lounging position he was in previously.
"You two didn't know that?" Katie asked. "And you've known Leash how long?"
"All our lives." They replied in unison.
"Don't you feel sorry for me." I said with mock sadness in my voice.
George put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him. "Are you sure you want them to feel sorry for you?" he asked playfully, in a way which I knew would result in me getting tickled to death. Curse my ticklishness.
"No." I replied instantly, smiling sweetly at him, but knowing my smile it properly came across as a cheeky smile. "I'm sorry I said it George. Really I am."
"Hmmmm, I'm not sure that you are." George said smirking, the familiar playful twinkle in his blue eyes.
"I am, I swear I am." George raised his other hand and moved it closer to my stomach, I grabbed it with my hand to stop it coming any closer. "George, you know I love you and Fred really and that I was only joking so theres no need for you to attack me."
"Do I know that though." George asked moving the arm that was round my shoulder closer to my stomach also, so I grabbed that hand too.
"Georgie I really am sorry." I said struggling to keep his arms at the distance they were at. "Katie can't you do something?"
Katie who had been watching me struggle was looking rather amused at the scene, as did Lee. Fred and Angelina on the other hand seemed to be deep in conversation about something I couldn't hear. "Okay." Katie said and turned to face in Lee's direction. "So Lee how was your summer holiday?"
"Huh? Oh they were great, how was yours?" Lee asked, him too turning his attention away from us.
I huffed annoyed, still trying to keep Georges' hands from making contact with my stomach, which was proving to be quite a challenge.
"You brought this on yourself you know Ali?" George whispered playfully into my ear.
"Wait shouldn't I be the one annoyed with you."
"And why would you be annoyed with me?"
"You didn't know Ced was my cousin." I pointed out trying to keep his hands further away from me. "And now your trying to attack me."
"Whats your point exactly?" I sighed and shock my head knowing that George wasn't going to let me go and properly tickle me to death at the first opportunity he could.
"Alicia, would you care for a sweet?" Fred asked suddenly holding out his hand in which a brightly wrapped sweet was situated.
This must have been what Bill and Charlie were talking about. "No your alright, Bill and Charlie so kindly warned me not to accept food from you."
"Shameful. Our own brothers running our fun."
"It's disgusting." George added, his arms relaxing slightly so they weren't trying to attack me.
"You letting me go free yet Georgie?" I asked looking up at him.
"No. But I can't be bothered to tickle you. Yet anyway." He said placing his arm around my shoulders again and his hand on his knee. Automatically I rested my head against his chest, it was rather comfy after all. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Angelina and Katie looking at each over in the way we always do when we've observed something. What was I missing?
"It's funnier to tickle you when theres more room." George muttered.
"How so?" I replied, tilting my head up to look at him.
"Because no one can save you." George told me evilly, his eyes gleaming with the usual playfulness.
"It's nice to know you care Georgie." I giggled.
"So are you two going to tell us about the World Cup or not?" Angelina asked suddenly. Fred and George who had both been lucky enough to go to this years Quidditch World Cup.
We talked about Quidditch for what seemed like ages, but can we help it if we love talking about it as well as playing it, with the exception of Lee obviously he just loves talking about it. Then we talked about what we did in the holidays and we also came up with possible theories of what we thought could happen this year at Hogwarts. After a playing exploding snap for a bit we all went and got changed into our school robes.
A few hours later the train came to a halt, in the pitch black that was Hogsmeade station. A loud rumble of thunder greeted us as the train doors swung open. Almost reluctantly we left the dry confinements of the Hogwarts Express and into the openness of the station, where the rain was falling thick and fast. We kept our heads down as we tried to look for the horse-less carriages through our squinted eyes.
When we had clambered into one of the carriages, Katie looked longingly out of the carriages recently shut door. "Wouldn't it be awesome to cross the lake in this weather?"
"No! We'd drown trying to get across." I answered.
"Well you have a broom don't you?" Katie responded, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Yeah. Remember the last time we played in conditions like this?" I retorted, looking at Angelina for backup.
"It was awful if you remember." Angelina said, before turning to talk quietly with Fred again. I wonder what those two are talking about, their both being unusually out of character today being all quiet and secretive.
"What's your point?" Katie asked, as the carriage lunged forward, causing me to fall off my seat and into George's lap.
"Sorry." I muttered blushing at my clumsiness.
"You know if you wanted to sit in my lap so badly Ali, you could of just asked." George replied smirking.
"Why do these things always happen to me?" I moaned to no one in particular as I sat back in my seat listening to the squelching of the ground as the horseless carriage made its way towards Hogwarts castle.