Hello and welcome to rewritten Prequel to Getting Through the War and Harry Potter fanfiction. I had this story published once before, but I stepped away from writing for a VERY long time and some of you might know. I'm sorry for that, but I just didn't have the want to write. Anyways, I'm hoping that getting back into this story, because I did love these characters so much, will bring back my want to write. I hope you enjoy the first chapter, it's a but different the previously, if you read it the first time I published it.
As always, I do not own any character beside those that I create. In this chapter that is, Rea, Amber and Anya.
My name is Realyn Willington and you probably already know some of my story, about how my boyfriend George and I survived the war with You-Know-Who. If you don't yet know that story, don't worry you're not missing anything just yet. This story though, is about how we survived Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In this chapter of our lives, you'll learn how we got together and the adventures we went through. So, sit back and enjoy!
Part 1 The Goblet of Fire
As I looked up from my book at the clock, I noticed that it was 10:30 and my best friend and traveling companion had yet to show up. With a heavy sigh, I looked back down at my book. This wasn't the first time that my parents had to leave me alone on the platform 9 ¾ in front of the scarlet train to Hogwarts, but it was the first time that Amber was this late. Sure, every year she and her mother were late, but this year they were cutting it awfully close. I would wait just a little longer before gathering my things and boarding the train alone. Nymeria, my dusty grey cat, glared at me with her bright yellow eyes, from her carrier. She absolutely hated to be caged, but right now I couldn't let her run free and possibly miss the train.
With my nose buried in my current readings, I didn't even notice that a pair of identical boys approached me, their bright red hair longer then it had been the year before. When the one on the right gave a loud sigh, I instantly stopped reading, my shoulders stiffening. "Maybe we should take all her books when she isn't looking and burn them. What do you think, Freddie?"
My blue eyes went wide and I looked up at the pair of them. I fixed my glare of the one who'd spoken, George Weasley. "You wouldn't dare." I said with disbelief, holding the book close to my chest in a protective manner.
The two of them shrugged their shoulders, but it was Fred that answered and looked at his twin. "You know, George, I think we should. After all, she hasn't even said 'Hello' to us. Without those silly books, she'd pay more attention us." He turned his brown eyes on me, giving a teasing wink.
George brought his hands up and covered his heart, as if he were physically pained that I had not noticed them right away. "It pains me to think that she's forgotten all about us. Her most best friends in the whole world."
"You both know that Amber is my best friend in the whole world," Smiling a little, I shake my head at their complaining. Setting my book down on top of my trunk, I stand, placing my hands on my hips. "But I could never forget about my favorite twins."
Both boys smiled and stepped forward. We shared a tight embrace before they let me go. George looked around the platform a moment and then looked back at me. "Where are your parents Rea? Did they not stick around to see you off?"
I shook my head and gave an indifferent shrug. "They both needed to work this morning and dropped me off. Don't worry, we said our goodbyes before they left." Looking up at the clock once more, I saw that it was now fifteen minutes to eleven.
Fred raised an eyebrow at that. "If you're here alone, they why haven't you boarded the train and snagged a compartment. You know all the good ones are probably taken now."
George elbowed me playfully. "Yeah, you don't want to have to share one with a dirty Slytherin."
I rolled my eyes and shoved him. "I'd sooner sit in the walkway then share a compartment with a Slytherin." Chuckling softly, I shake my head. "I was waiting on Amber to get here so the two of us could get one together, but it looks like she's going to be later than usual this year."
After looking towards the portal that leads to the platform and not seeing her bushy brown hair, I sigh and look back at the boys. "But you're right, I should probably go ahead and board. I might get lucky and find us a decent compartment." Turning around and start to collect my things, putting the cat carrier underneath my arm and going for my trunk.
Fred and George were instantly there to intercept me, picking it up themselves. "We'll help you with the heavier things, you just carry your bag and cat." George said as they lifted my trunk and walked past me.
Shaking my head, I adjusted the shoulder strap of my backpack and took hold of the handle on Nymeria's carrier, holding it properly now rather than underneath my arm. As I began to follow them, I heard a familiar voice yelling out my name. Pausing just before getting onto the train, I looked over my shoulder and saw Amber running through the crowds. Her older brother David following behind her with her trunk. As usually she was already dressed in her school uniform, the Ravenclaw patch on her robes.
"I see you decided to finally join the rest of the school." I said teasingly as she stopped in front of me, panting heavily from running.
"O-oh shut up, Rea." She stood up straight and adjusted her robe. "I got here as fast I could. Mum got sick and I had to wait on David to get to the house. It wasn't my fault."
Nodding, I stepped to the side and let her climb on board ahead of me. "Well, come on, Fred and George are going to try and find us a compartment that we can all share. If there are any left that is." She stuck her tongue out at me as I continued to tease her about her lateness. Laughing, I followed after her.
We found the twin's moment after the train began moving. They had found a compartment with their fellow Gryffindor's, Lee Joran and Angelina. The ride to school was anything but uneventful, but that was to be expected from the pranksters. They showed us all their ideas for the joke shop that they were planning to open once they finished school.
I thought the name they choose was brilliant. Weasley Wizard Wheezes, they would call it. Though even as they were telling us all this, Amber did bring up a valid point. How were they going to get the money to fund their shop? It was certainly something they would need to think about.
As she got closer to the school though, Angelia and myself, left the compartment to change into our school uniforms. When we came back, Amber was the only one sitting in the compartment. She told us that the boys had gone to change as well and that they would be back any time now. The rest of the ride, we all talked about our summer, Fred and George going on and on about the Quidditch World Cup. I was so jealous of them. I wanted to go, but my parents decided we were going to go to the States to visit family. I'd been bored out of my mind, of course, missing my friends terribly.
Once the train came to a stop, we exited and said our goodbyes. Amber and I went in search for our Ravenclaw friends, finding Anya and Luna sitting together in a carriage, we joined them. Anya was a 6th year like Fred and George and probably the most beautiful girl in their house. She had long beautiful brown hair with bright blue eyes. Even though she was American by birth, her parents having moved to London just before her 10th birthday, she was still considered very popular among everyone. Even Slytherin's love her.
When we were seated and heading towards the school, she and Luna told us about their summers. Anya told us that she had spent most of the summer with her boyfriend Markus, I envied her relationship. Markus was no longer in school and was a few years older than Anya. I'd only met him a couple times, he'd been a Gryffindor when he was here and our paths hadn't crossed much. Luna on the other hand told us about how her father's magazine The Quibbler and gave each of us a copy to read. There were some…interesting articles. She was an odd character, but we all loved her just the same.
At the Ravenclaw table, we watched as the first years were sorted into their houses. Once they were all sorted, I was excited that we'd be eating, but when the food didn't appear, I was disappointed. That was when Professor Dumbledore stood and made his way to the golden eagle stand to address the students. I hoped he would go quickly, my stomach growling loud enough that Amber glanced my way. Giving her an embarrassed smile, I looked towards the Headmaster.
Just as he was about to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, lightning struck and the all the light flickered, going dark for a moment, causing most of the girls to scream in terror. I shook my head at their foolishness, seeing that even some of my friends were screaming. It was then that I noticed a man standing close to the staff table. Dumbledore himself must've noticed him too, because he walked over and shook hands with the mystery man, before returning the podium and introducing him.
"Everyone, this is your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody." There was an uproar of commotion, at the mention of the famous Auror. When Moody sat down at the staff table, Dumbledore turned back to us. "I am also proud to announce that this year, Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament." The entire school cheered out with excitement; that was until it was mentioned that only students that were seventeen or older would be a loud to enter.
I couldn't help but laugh as I heard Fred and George yelling, "That's rubbish!" over the crowd. I was glad that they weren't yet old enough to enter the Tournament, but deep down I knew that they would come up with something had would allow them to do so. I just hoped that it wouldn't backfire on them.
The final announcement came at the end of the night, after everyone had eaten their dinners and were just about to leave their tables and head to their houses. The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would be arriving at Hogwarts in a month's time and that they would be staying with us during the Tournament. We were to show them welcome here at Hogwarts.
Finally, the Welcome Back feast was over and we were released to our houses. Yawning tiredly, I got up and started to follow Amber out of the Great Hall. "I am so ready to get to the dormitories." I said, yawning again, this time stretching my arms above my head. "Between you and me, I've got a hot date tonight." Anya and Amber giggled as they shook their head, knowing I was talking about my bed, but I didn't even notice that Fred and George had come up behind me.
"Is that right? Do we know this guy you've got a 'hot date' with?" George asked.
There was something in his voice when he spoke, but I brushed it off as I turned around and smiled up at him sweetly. "Nope, he's in Ravenclaw so you've probably never met."
"We know you, don't we? Along with several other Ravenclaw's. Haven't you heard, we're quite popular." Fred smirked and gave a wink.
"Well, Mr. Popular, my date doesn't leave my room often, so I know you've never met." I watched as their jaws practically hit the floor. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of them. "You know, for being the best jokesters in the school, you two obviously have a hard time realizing when one is being told to you." I shake my head and linked my arm with Amber's, she was laughing with me. "I'm going to bed, my 'hot date' is with my pillow. Goodnight, boys." With that said, I left them standing there with the faces nearly as red as their hair.