Hey guys! This is my first Harry Potter story. It follows Charlie Weasley, Tonks, and Emelia Abbott through their Hogwarts years and through the final battle. I've been wanting to write a story about the older Harry Potter generation and explore the Second Wizarding War through their eyes. It centers around Emelia who is my own made up character and her life in the HP world. Hopefully you guys enjoy! So please read and review!
(September 1, 1984 King's Cross Station, 10:57 a.m.)
9 ¾! I thought excitedly, pushing my rickety cart through the not-all-there pillar onto the crowded platform, mother and father coming up right behind me beaming; Katie and Ben had already run off to find their friends leaving me behind with our parents. Here I stood awestruck, once again, staring at the very large Hogwarts Express train. I had seen it before several times, when I came with to drop off Katie and Ben, but this time I was actually going to be able to ride it!
If there had been a mirror, I'm positive it would have shown me, a scrawny blonde eleven year old with a silly little smile on her face and her pale green eyes wide with her joy.
"Darling are you sure you have everything with you?" My ever worrying mother queried. She was as nervous as always, awkwardly wringing her wrists so. My Ravenclaw mother always had to be a hundred percent sure that I was completely prepared.
"Yes, mum, I've checked four times already. Even Katie looked over my chest for me." I assured her, keeping myself from rolling my eyes. She responded with a smile and hugged me tightly, squeezing the breath out of me. "Mum I can't breathe!" I complained bashfully, getting a chuckle out of my father.
Mum let me go and both she and Dad resumed their "We're so proud of you, don't worry about the sorting," speech that I had been subjected to for the third or fourth time this week. My brother Benjamin is a Gryffindor, and my sister is in Ravenclaw so there's no pressure to get into a certain house, so they kept telling me. Luckily I didn't have to listen long before Katie and Ben's brunette heads came bobbing back through the crowd to say their goodbyes.
And it was very dramatic goodbye at that! The whistle of the train cut our time short and before I knew it, unsurprisingly, Mother burst into tears and pulled me into another bear hug. It left me feeling like a squashed bug on a windshield and a very crinkled jumper. One second I was being hugged by my parents, and now Katie was shoving me onto the Express quite hurriedly.
I barely had enough time to pull up my bags beside me before I noticed was standing alone in the walkway. Looking around I noticed that Katie and Ben had ditched me for their friends. It amazes me how quickly they can disappear, it's like they've secretly learned how to disapparate. Katie is a third year and Ben a fifth year, so I figured they'd want to sit with their classmates, but I had been hoping they'd bring me along with them. A slight frown formed on the corners of my lips as I realized I would probably end up sitting with strangers. I guess I'll have to make friends then. I thought shaking out of my bruised feelings. I do wish that Katie and Ben had waited for me to sit with them though.
Dragging my luggage behind me, I made my way to the closest compartment, hoping to find my siblings or at the very least an available seat. It was quite the struggle though, considering my trunk weighed more than I did. I can't wait until I can levitate this heavy chest, was the exasperated thought that passed through my mind as I dug my heels into the floor to try to move faster down the walkway. I briefly thought about pulling out my cherry and unicorn haired wand to attempt a levitation spell, I had seen family members do it enough times. But thought better of it, I'd rather not accidentally have my things blasted off the train.
Instead of buying my own chest, Ben got a new one, so I was bequeathed with his old one that is notorious for having sticky wheels. I felt like a lame horse still attempting to pull along its haul.
The first few compartments were filled with boisterous students, all excitedly chatting and catching up. None of them were Ben or Katie. Every once in a while there would be a muffled explosion and smoke coming under the doors, no doubt a spell gone awry. After a while I noticed that most compartments were pretty full and the hallway was starting to clear out as people found their own seats.
And still no Ben or Katie! I bet they're hiding from me. They don't want to sit with their little sister how rude! I thought indignantly. So I schlepped over to the one calmest looking door, figuring I better sit down before the train started moving.
I tried to push back the nervousness that had crept into my stomach, I hope it's not Slytherins, I bet that sounds prejudice, I'm sure not all of them are unfriendly, but… a shaky breath left my lips…please don't be Slytherins. These were my thoughts right before I knocked on the glass door. The curtain was down, so I couldn't see in, leaving the residence a brief mystery.
The talking died down in the compartment and a red headed boy opened the door. He was about half a foot taller than me, with pale skin, and handsome features. He was lanky though, and it gave away his young age. He was staring down at me with a curious look in his blue eyes.
"Can we help you?" Was his question as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his wizard band t-shirt. There were other faces peering around the boy from inside the compartment, trying to get a look at who had knocked on their door.
"I was wondering if I could sit you all," I said shyly, glancing down at my feet awkwardly. "I don't really have anywhere to go." I admitted honestly. The red head looked surprised at my statement but he smiled and turned back to his group.
"What do you lot think?" There was some murmuring and after a short debate, the rocker boy smiled charmingly and opened up the door more, allowing me in. I smiled back and tugged on my chest, when it didn't budge the boy chuckled and picked it up for me.
"These stupid things are always a hassle," He commented, "I'm Bill Weasley by the way, and that there is my brother Charlie," He announced nodding his head in the direction of another red head, one with much messier hair, as he slid my belongings into the storage space. "And those two are Tommy Wynter and Ernie Smoaks." He finished falling lazily back on the seats. The two boys, Tommy, dark haired and dark skinned, the other fairly tanned with cool steel eyes, gave their 'hellos'.
"A pleasure to meet you all, I'm Emelia Abbott." I replied settling down next to the younger Weasley. It was a bit awkward sitting in a room full of strangers, none the less all boys!
"Oh an Abbott of course! Your sister's in our year." Ernie commented, with a goofy expression. They seem young for third years, except maybe Bill because he's so tall, but Tommy and Ernie could be my age! "Katie's quite the looker" He added slyly.
"Yeah and she also has quite the left hook!" Bill interjected with a laugh causing Ernie to take on a sour, puckered look. The dark haired boy rubbed his face absentmindedly and grumbled a, "don't remind me." I giggled at this, Katie had sent a letter home last year proudly stating that a boy had tried to kiss her under the mistletoes at the Christmas Feast, so she punched him in the face. Of course Professor Flitwick gave her detention for acting with violence, but he also gave it to her on a Monday afternoon in his classroom with cinnamon tea and biscuits.
"So Emelia, you're a first year right?" Bill questioned once the boys' laughter had died down.
"Mhmm." I agreed playing with the ends of my sweater. I never much liked the attention to be on me completely.
"You're in little Charlie's year then!" Tommy exclaimed. This incited a huff from the red head beside me who crossed his arms with an annoyed expression.
"I am not little, Tommy!" Charlie argued crossly, his wide nose flaring indignantly. Tommy went as far as to reach over and pat Charlie's head, only to have his hand swiped at. They quibbled for a little longer before Bill grew tired of their banter and changed the subject, unfortunately back to me.
"What house are you hoping to get into to?" Bill inquired, sprawled out his lanky body took up more than half the bench. I went to answer but Charlie beat me to it.
"Careful now, it's a trick question. If you say Slytherin, we'll kick you out." He teased waving a finger in fake accusation. I shook my head adamantly in denial, Slytherin is the only house I am sure I won't get.
"No I don't think Slytherin is on my list, but I wouldn't mind being placed into any one of the other houses." I remarked truthfully. I wouldn't mind being in Gryffindor, they seem like a good bunch. But I wouldn't mind Ravenclaw or even Hufflepuff. But definitely not Slytherin.
"You don't have a specific house in mind?" Charlie asked in a kind of scandalized tone, blue eyes wide and confused. The corners of my lips turned up at this super freckled almost tanned looking boy.
"My family has been in Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff so it doesn't matter where I am sorted." I shrugged, "Though if I had to guess, I think I'll be sorted into Hufflepuff." And with that statement all of the boys took on Charlie's scandalized expression. I knew where they were coming from, most wizards thought that Hufflepuffs were the boring and bootless house, but I see them more as the nice and loyal and I would rather be in a house with a motto like that.
"I don't find myself competitive enough for Gryffindor, or smart enough for Ravenclaw." I explained. The boys gave me strange looks that were oddly amusing. They then looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"You're clearly not smart enough if you want to join Hufflepuff!" Tommy cackled, wiping at his eye. I suppose I should be offended, but by the way he said it, I knew he didn't mean it. "Not many people want to be a Hufflepuff."
I shrugged at that, I'm still sticking with Hufflepuff, who wouldn't want to be around the honest and loyal? After the boys lost humor in my life decisions they started talking about Quidditch. Not being a huge fan myself, I promptly fell asleep. I was woken a few hours later by Charlie telling me to change into my robes.
The following events were mostly a blur. We were off the train soon enough and were loaded onto the boats. Now that was a creepy experience! I feel as if I should have been more impressed with the whole ordeal, but it was way too scary to be exciting! The loch is not a warm and fuzzy feely kind of place.
Thankfully though were off the boats quickly, not fast enough in my opinion though, I swear I saw the merfolk underneath us, just waiting for a student to fall in! Though that just may have been my hyper imagination gone wild. Why would they pay us any attention?
But then they brought us somewhere even scarier! They put us all in front of a very intimidating and stern looking Professor McGonagall. Her hat was much pointier than Ben had said, and her stare was even scarier in person!
Glancing over at Charlie he seemed to be a little nervous seeing the Gryffindor Head of House, the boats hadn't bothered him as much as it had me, but were equally terrified of McGonagall. I'm a bit of a scaredy cat, I'll admit it! Charlie seemed properly nervous as well. A natural response I suppose, we're all about to be judged in front of the entire population of Hogwarts.
I didn't take long before Professor McGonagall wrapped up her brisk orientation and soon enough our little mob of eleven year olds were being squeezed through the entrance to the Great Hall.
I tried to look around and see my siblings, but there were too many kids blocking my view and I was much too short to see over them. Charlie looked as if he was attempting the same thing, he gave a short awkward wave so I found it safe to assume he spotted Bill and the boys.
The Great Hall was enormous! And fantastic as well! The floating candles and self-hanging banners were quite the display! And the smell! It was heavenly, and only made my stomach growl in anticipation. And the ghosts! They were everywhere, flying around through walls and table, it was amazing!
When our little procession came to a stop, I suddenly came to the realization that I would most likely be the first student sorted. I sucked in a nervous breath and tensed immediately. Why hadn't I thought of this before! I can't be first! I'm not ready! I didn't have much time to fret over it though because sooner than I'd like, Professor McGonagall was calling out my name. I hadn't even registered that the Sorting Hat had sang his song! The Great Hall and the Ghost had been so distracting, she hadn't remembered to mentally prepare!
"Emelia Abott." McGonagall read in her intimidating Scottish accent.
A rush of adrenalin ran through me as my nerves reached an all-time high. I shot a frantic look over at the Weasley boy, he looked a little less anxious than myself but his name hadn't just been summoned. The red head sent me a toothy grin and gave me a light, encouraging shove towards the sorting hat when I made no attempt to move.
I forced a deep shaky breath out and shuffled forward, moving past the other first years. Professor Dumbledore nodded for me to approach the hat and I tried to not to gape at the old wizard.
"Come now little Abott, right this way." The bearded man said. He's even older than I thought! I bet he knows every spell in the world! Of course I didn't mean old as an insult, but Ben had said that our headmaster was over one hundred years old!
I turned my head to look out at the Great Hall and instantly saw my older siblings waving and grinning at me. That's encouraging at least, I thought, taking comfort in my family and trying to ignore the loads of students staring up at me. My face was really warm, so I could only imagine the red tint my face had taken on.
When I was situated on the small stool, my little legs dangling, the sorting hat was placed on my head, and it was so big it slipped down my face!
"Ah, another Abott! Wonderful, wonderful!" The Sorting Hat chortled. My blush instantly intensified and my eyes widened.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you Mister Sorting Hat." I greeted shyly, ringing my wrists in my lap. The Sorting Hat chuckled and moved around a bit on my head. Such an odd feeling to have a hat move itself!
"Such a polite child, nothing like your brother, he demanded to be put into Griffindor you know." By the way the Hat said it though, it sounded like a lot of children asked to be placed in a certain house. "Now let's see," The Hat continued, "Kind…hard-working….very patient, a unique quality for one so young…hmmm yes, the best choice for you is…..HUFFLEPUFF!"
My shoulders relaxed in relief. Hufflepuff! Just like I said! And I love yellow!
"Thank you Mister Sorting Hat!" I said graciously as the Hat was lifting off, causing the hat to once again chuckle. A grin was stretched across my face, making my cheeks look like little apples.
I got down and made my way over to the cheering Hufflepuff table, glancing over at the Ravenclaws to see my dark haired sister clapping and cheering as well. I sent her a smile and gave her a short wave of my hand. A tall, pudgy sixth year boy with dark brown hair and matching eyes stood and motioned for me to take a seat next to him.
"Hello there, welcome to Hufflepuff!" He said jovially, giving me a ruff pat on the back, which kind of startled me. "I'm Stan Smith, one of the prefects. It's nice to meet you!" His round cheeks red, giving him a cheerful appearance.
"And I'm Rory Bones." A brunette girl sitting on the opposite bench said. A few more people introduced themselves as well, the ones who were close enough anyway. And by the time we had all finished with pleasantries seven more first years had been sorted into Hufflepuff and the cycle of 'hello, my name is,' started over again.
The dim lighting casted off by the candles floating above our heads didn't help stave off any tiredness that I felt. But there were still first years being sorted, so we wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. And I was still hyped up from my own sorting.
The girl being sorted right now, didn't look nervous at all surprisingly, but she did look extremely excited. You couldn't hear what she and the Sorting Hat were discussing but they didn't talk long.
"Hufflepuff!" The Hat declared. Instantly our table erupted in cheering and clapping and only increased exponentially when the girl's hair transformed from a normal shade of brown to a crazy combination of yellow and black.
"She's a metamorphmagus!" Rory exclaimed standing up to clap louder. A metamorphmagus! That's amazing, I've never seen one before! The strange girl stomped down the steps and almost tripped on her way down, but barely caught herself. Oh thank Merlin she didn't fall, that would've been terribly embarrassing! I didn't catch her name, but surely it wouldn't be hard to find out. We are in the same house now after all.
I was brought out of my musings by the announcement of Charlie Weasley. My ears perked at the familiar name and I turned back towards the Sorting Hat. There wasn't any conversation between the ratty hat and the freckled boy, McGonagall hadn't even let go of the hat before it was declaring, "GRYFFINDOR!"
The boy's face lit up in joy and pride as he took on a huge grin. And of course the Gryffindor table, the ever rowdy bunch, broke into whoops and hollers and obnoxious clapping. I clapped along with them, glad that Charlie was sorted into the house he was hoping for.
The sorting went by quickly afterwards, Weasley was one of the last names. And the welcoming feast ended shortly thereafter as well. I have never seen so much food in one place before! And it just kept coming! That first year fifteen is looking more and more likely. Who could say no to all this food!? And when I was positive that I was going to explode from being so full, Head Master Dumbledore excused us first years to go see our dorms. Here we go!
Stan, our prefect, and Joanna the other, had us all stand up and lead us all out of the Great Hall. I twisted around to take one last look at the Hall before the crowd pushed us along. But the only thing I got were glimpses of floating candles and bobbing heads. I wasn't disappointed at this, I knew I would be in there probably hundreds of times over the next seven years.
I wasn't exactly sure where the Hufflepuff entrance was located, seeing as none of my siblings or parents were in my house. My house! That feels so weird to think about! But I sure wasn't expecting us to be headed for the dungeons! I became a little anxious when we started moving down stairs instead of up them. Oh no! I hope we aren't in the dungeons with the Slytherins! Weren't all the dormitories upstairs? I knew to get to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor you had to go up the stairs, not down them!
Apparently I wasn't the only one with this thought. The metamorphmagus girl popped up beside me, with her crazy yellow and black stripped hair. Her hair wasn't even blonde, it was definitely yellow! I knew blonde hair, mine was blonde, this was for sure straight up yellow! It was awesome.
"You don't think they're takin' us down with the Slytherins do ya?" She asked stepping in line with me, speaking loudly and without care. She was a pretty girl, nice big brown eyes, pale skin, but her nose was a bit crooked. I vaguely wondered if she morphed her nose to look like that or it was just her natural feature.
"I sure hope not! I was wondering the same, but they went down a different staircase so I think we're safe." I replied hopefully, looking around at the poorly lit hallways. The girl nodded thoughtfully and as we rounded another corner she suddenly jerked forward, literally tripping over her feet. I reached out frantically and grabbed her shirt sleeve, steadying her. She really is a klutz!
"Thanks!" She laughed out. "You'll see I do that a lot, I'm a little clumsy." The odd haired girl laughed again good naturedly. I glanced down at her feet, the reasons for her clumsiness and noticed that instead of the usual black uniform shoes, she had on clunky, yet sturdy looking combat boots. I couldn't tell if they helped ground her or if they were part of the problem.
I laughed along with her, I didn't doubt her for a second, she did seem extraordinarily ungraceful. Our conversation quieted when Stan and Joanna started spieling about Hufflepuff history. It was then that we started to smell food again. Had we somehow ended back up at the Great Hall? The crazy haired girl and I shared a confused look. We both ended up shrugging our shoulders, we had no idea where we were.
We didn't have to wonder long because we passed a set of doors that Joanna announced lead to the kitchen. Our dorms are by the kitchens! Not the dungeons! This only reminded me of my earlier thoughts of weight gain, but I was too excited by the convenience of having food nearby and not being next to the Slytherins to really care. My new friend and I shared excited smiles, both of us extremely happy with the location.
"Alright first years, listen up, this is very important information!" Stan shouted over our excited chatterings. We all shuffled in closer, standing on tip toes to see over one another.
"These are barrels." Stan said, gesturing to five people sized wooden barrels. I rolled my eyes, obviously they're barrels. We're first years not incompetent. "This one here," He continued pointing to the third one, "is the entrance to our dormitories. You have to tap in the rhythm of 'Helga Hufflepuff' for it to open up." He followed his own instructions and the barrel opened up without so much as a creak, letting a warm buttery light to spill out into the dim hallway. "And if you do any of that incorrectly, not only will you not be able to get in but it's also jinxed to dump gross vinegar all over you!"
"Gotta keep those trouble makers out of our house!" Joanna finished for her partner before letting us pile through the doorway.
"More like gotta keep the Slytherins out." My new klutz of a housemate commented humorously. Right before she stumbled through the opening. I smiled at this and giggled, she was definitely going to be fun to be around.
Our common room was round and had a very cozy feeling, the ceilings were low and the windows were circular, charmed to show dandelions and grass blowing lazily as if there was a slow breeze. The copper furnishing and over stuffed yellow and black sofas and chairs gave the room a sunny disposition. It seemed even Professor Sprout had a hodge podge of plants hanging from the ceilings and in the window sills.
Speaking of Professor Sprout, she was already waiting for us inside the common room. She was a kind and warm looking woman with her grey hair and plump figure, she had a very maternal disposition. She felt more like a den mother than our Head of House. I'm glad we have Professor Sprout instead of McGonagall, or Snape! I don't know how I could handle such scary House Heads!
She gave us a brief introduction and laid down the general rules. Nothing too hard, just the usual no boys in the girl's dorm and vice versa, no wandering the corridors after ten, stuff like that. And right before she dismissed us for the night, and the Fat Friar made an appearance! He was funny, and had a good hearty laugh. It was weird to see a dead bald monk, but where else would you such amazing thing if not at Hogwarts!
I was tired earlier, but now I had no earthly idea how we were expected to go to sleep! I was much too excited to be able to settle down now! But soon we were released to find our rooms and we all took off in the direction of the dorms.
Our room was very similar to the common area. Our beds were covered in yellow and black patchwork quilts and they were very plush. And there were four-poster copper beds with matching copper lamps and copper bed warmers strung up on the walls. There was a lot of copper. And it turned out that the metamorphmagus, was my roommate!
"Oi, blondie I forgot to ask, what's your name?" The rough around the edges girl questioned when she gracelessly flopped onto her bed upon entering our room, "I know I heard it earlier, but I forgot, sorry." She said unabashedly.
"Oh, it's Emelia Abbott! And that's quite alright I didn't catch yours either." I replied, slightly blushing in embarrassment.
"The names Tonks, well that's my last name anyway, I'm not goin'ta tell ya my first name. It's embarrassing and an awful, terrible name! I don't have any clue what my mother was thinking naming me something so terrible!" She tossed out in one breath, her face as well as her hair going red. Her hair is so cool!
"Alright then Tonks it is!" I agreed, not wanting to push for her first name. She seemed highly passionate about not revealing her first so I didn't find myself too keen to find out. Yet. Our other two roommates was a tall black haired girl named Penelope Puffett and a brunette girl with nice blue eyes named Cassie Kettleburn. We chattered loudly as we rushed around the room fixing our beds and putting up our trunks in an unorganized fashion.
"It can't be that bad, my middle name is Claudia." Cassie complained, scrunching up her face in displeasure.
"So your name is Cassandra Claudia Kettleburn? That is bad!" Penelope said, cackling at our new roommate's unfortunate naming.
"My middle name is Fayeissa." I shared, earning pitying looks from both Cassie and Penelope.
"Alright that beats Claudia." Cassie conceded, shaking her head in amusement and settling down under her covers.
"Well mine is still worse." Tonks replied grimly. Alright now I had to know what her name was! How could her name be worse than Fayeissa? I hoped off my bed and jumped up next to Tonks.
"Ok, now you have to tell us!" I declared, grinning down at the now brown haired girl. Tonks huffed and pulled a face, undoubtedly thinking about how much she hated her name.
"If I tell you though, you'll laugh." She whined, rolling over onto her stomach to hide her face.
"We might," I agreed nodding, "but we're going to be roommates for the next seven years, so fess up Tonks!" the other girls made shouts of agreement, making Tonks groan.
"Alright, alright!" She yelled. "It's Nymfe…" She said trailing off. Penelope, Cassie and I shared a confused look.
"What was that Tonks? You were talking into the bed just then, we didn't catch that." Penelope commented. Tonks groaned again, but this time her response was much clearer.
"It's Nymphadora ok!" She said loudly, her hair going from a dull pink to a bright red again. I winced, That is bad. At least Fayeissa is just my middle name. We didn't laugh immediately, we tried to hold it in, we tried to be considerate of Tonks. But one look at each other's pinched faces, contorted with withheld laughter, we lost it.
"Merlin Tonks! Nymphadora?!" Cassie wheezed out, holding her stomach because she was laughing so much. Penelope couldn't even talk, tears were streaming down her face and she was guffawing so hard she was scarily silent. I wasn't much better off.
"Shuddup!" Tonks yelled unhappily, slamming her head back into the bed. "My-mother-is-crazy!" She mumbled into the quilt. That only increased our giggling and it seemed to be infectious as Tonks eventually chuckled a little bit too.
When we finally calmed down, the day started to catch up with us. I could feel my eyes getting heavy, they even drooped some. So we called it a day and crawled under the covers to go to sleep. I didn't really have time to process the day before I was drifting off. I was basically asleep the second my head touched the pillow. The last thing I remember thinking about was that I should probably send mum and dad a letter soon. I had loads to tell them!
OK hope you liked it! Again please read and review! But please remembered I'm not a professional writer, nor have I studied writing so please be kind when it comes to my grammar and writing style! But helpfulness is always welcomed! Anyhoos thanks for reading!
-emmacrade14