Disclaimer: I clearly do not own Harry Potter and any of its characters. The credit goes to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.
Author's note: The way this story will be set out is crossing between flashbacks and the normal story. The flashbacks are not that long and will hopefully not appear a lot, they are there just to give insight to my OC's backstory. Enjoy!
In an open clearing in an isolated forest, everything was calm. Even the air went undisturbed. That was of course, up until a young girl shot through a gap in the trees, covered in mud and twigs. She stopped in the middle of the clearing and slowly turned around, eyes wide and round like a deer being stalked. The girl faced the way she had come, trying to listen for someone pursuing her trail - following her. She deemed herself safe, hoping that for the time being she would be alright, if only for a couple more nights. Her breathing stopped abruptly and she realised something. Where was her brother? A twig snapped behind her. She spun around, wand drawn, ready to face her attacker - only to find there was no one there.
"Kath? Kathleen is that you?" Somebody whispered. She could roughly make out a far figure crouched behind a tree 10 metres away. She recognised that voice.
"Patrick, oh Patrick please say that's you," the wild girl whispered. The figure darted out from behind the tree and raced to meet her in the middle of the clearing. Long thin arms wrapped around her skinny waist.
"You're safe... You're safe." The boy muttered more to himself than to her.
"You're my brother, I'd never leave without you."
I woke with a start. My mind still reeling from the awful nightmare I just had. Glancing around the room I noticed my housemates still spark out in bed, some snoring, though they'd never admit it. Sitting up in bed, I sighed. Though I always enjoyed being the first one awake, the state of complete bliss and calm before my snotty, arrogant housemates woke up. Pushing myself off the bed, I stumbled awkwardly into the bathroom just off the dormitory, as if my body was still trying to wake up from its uneventful slumber. I supposed that was another perk to being the first one awake; no girls quarreling over who deserves to get to shower first. Considering that it would be a good hour before the rest awoke, I treated myself to a nice, long, relaxing shower.
After stepping out of the shower and changing into my robes, I turned around to look into the mirror hanging delicately on the wall. Taking one good look at my hair, I couldn't help but sigh, it would not bode well to leave it out. With all the skill of a natural hairdresser, I braided my silky, wavy blonde hair into a French braid down my back, after all, it was my mother who taught me how. I looked back at my reflection in the mirror, green eyes shimmering back at me. With just mere minutes to spare, I slipped out of the bathroom, through the dormitory and out into the common room.
Down here, others were awake and talking way too loud. Attempting to escape the devilish conversations around me, I rushed towards to door. It was about halfway though where I slammed into someone and fell to the floor, books and notes pooled around my feet. I flushed bright red.
"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, looking up. And who was it looking right back at me? With the grey blue eyes that held the devils coldest stare. None other than Draco Malfoy. I swallowed nervously, expecting him to make a huge scene about it. Instead, I was surprised.
"Watch where you're going, filthy halfblood!" He spat and stormed off, crinkling some of my papers underneath his shoe. However, I didn't notice that, for I was too busy staring at the boy, trying to figure him out. Although it was an awful insult, it could possibly be the nicest thing he'd ever said to me. I'm sure most of my housemates would most likely think of something worse to say. After that thought, I realised that half of my fellow Slytherins were, in fact, sniggering at me. The other half? Well, they most likely just hadn't noticed what had happened, no doubt they would laugh if they did. Gathering up the last of my fallen books, I stood up and once again rushed towards the exit, this time I thankfully didn't collide with anyone.
Making my way towards the Great Hall for breakfast, I finally let my thoughts wander. Potions was my first class this morning and there was no denying how much I excelled in that subject. I was simply one of the best, and the quality of my homework rivaled even that of Hermione Granger's. It was just something that came naturally to me, I knew which shortcuts to take, to make it quicker and also of better quality. The answers were always there in my mind, though I never felt the need to raise my hand in class, for that was something Hermione would always be better at. I enjoyed a challenge, and that was exactly what Professor Snape would present to me: a challenge.
"Hey, look! There's our favourite little blondie!" As I drew nearer to the double doors my two favourite red heads were currently clambering out. I couldn't help but smile, even though I knew having only two friends was laughable, the fact that they were Gryffindor's made my housemates murderous. Still, they were the only two people willing to talk to me - besides my loving brother.
"You look deep in thought," Fred pointed out, "maybe you should ask Professor Trelawny to clear your head, you could be damaging your (in italics) inner eye!" Fred imitated Trelawnys voice and feigned fainting whilst George prepared to catch him. I couldn't hold back my laughter, as my friends knew of my pure hatred for that class.
"I don't think so! Her burning herbs and incense sticks already give me a headache!" I protested and Fred and George laughed.
"Tough luck, what's your first class?" George asked.
"Potions," I beamed.
"There's something seriously wrong with you, did ya know? You should probably get Madame Pomfrey to check you out." George joked.
"Might be something wrong with your brain!" Fred added. I burst out laughing at that and Fred and George soon joined in.
"Anyway, best be off -" Fred started.
"We've got to find testers for our Puking Pastels!" George finished. I wished them good luck and couldn't help but smile to myself whilst watching them run off, shouting and laughing along the way. Fred and George were great, they were like brothers to me, always on duty to help cheer me up. And they did a fantastic job. With a quick shake of my head and a bemused smile tugging at my lips, I turned around and walked into the Great Hall, taking my spot at the very end of the table, concealed and unseen.