As I walked through Platform 9 3/4, I knew that this was my death
sentence. I was being sent to Britain: Home of stuffy queens,
crumpets, and disgusting tea. I was definitely not thrilled. I had
left sunny California and a semi-Charmed life. Of course, Paige had
gotten a job as the new Drama teacher. What? You really think I'd
leave you to backslide after you've come so far? Paige joked. I
didn't find it too funny. Actually, if the truth be told, the comment
actually hurt a little bit. Sure there had been mistakes made before,
but that doesn't mean I'm stupid enough to make them again. I boarded
the train. Everyone around me seemed to know everyone else, I felt
out of place. Isn't the first time, I thought to myself. I
found an empty compartment and sat down. My twin sister, Hermione was
around here somewhere. I highly doubt that she wanted anything to do
with me. It had been a long time, and neither one of us seemed to
want to make an effort. Maybe that'll change, I thought
hopefully, knowing that it wasn't going to. I sat alone for a few
minutes with my thoughts, before a boy about my age had walked in.
"Do you mind if I sit with you?" He asked timidly."Nope," I said as I gestured to the empty seat across from
me. I studied the boy. He had brown hair, welcoming brown eyes, and a
shy smile. I could tell that he was as in need of a friend as I was."I'm Bridget Granger," I said as I smiled and held out my
hand.
"Neville Longbottom," he returned my smile and put his hand
in mine. I was warm and inviting."It's a pleasure to meet you." Now I knew we were going
to be friends.
I was on the platform waiting to board the train just as I did each year starting at age eleven. I was hoping for something exciting to happen this year. It was not as though past years hadn't been exciting, but not in the sense I was thinking. I had heard rumour of a new professor. She would be teaching the theatre department. I thought it may be a nice idea to try the class. I needed something to fill time and this would be the perfect thing to do it. I was sure this class would be an easy one to take. Although I liked the idea, I highly doubted my father would allow it to happen.As I climbed onto the train my mind wandered to the previous year and the last day. It should have been a day of excitement and joy with all of the students smiling and looking forward to going back home. Unfortunately it was a very dark day. Professor Dumbledore informed us that a boy, not much older than me, whom I had met on a number of occasions, was murdered by the darkest wizard I could imagine. There was an ominous feeling about the coming year throughout the train.
I finally found Crabbe and Goyle. I suppose you could consider them my friends, however, it was not a very friendly relationship. In actuality, I told them what to do and they obeyed no questions. We went looking for a compartment to sit in. As I passed by several different compartments, I noticed one in which there was a beautiful girl I had never seen before. She looked about my age and I wondered why I had never seen her. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the obnoxious grunts of the boys behind me. Farther down the train I found a compartment next to that of several girls in my house. Once we were settled into our compartment my thoughts wandered to the events of the summer. My father was out of the house more frequently and my mother seemed more on her guard and nervous. I knew things were happening. I knew what they involved. My thoughts were again interrupted, this time by the opening of the door of the compartment. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" "Oh, yes, I do," I answered as I stood up. I had forgotten I had been made a prefect and I was required to help out with different things. As I walked out of the compartment I noticed the helpless looks on Crabbe and Goyle's faces and I could help but laugh.
I sighed and found myself watching the people pass my compartment. I noticed a blonde boy. I was intrigued. Neville and I were joined by a boy with messy jet black hair."Hello Neville," the boy said as he entered the compartment.
I watched Neville, he seemed to be annoyed, but was polite nonetheless, "Hello Harry. Did you have a good summer?"
"It was alright I guess," I could feel his eyes on me. It made me slightly intrigued, yet uneasy at the same time.
"I have to go," I said as I left the compartment to get away from the boy's hauntingly green eyes. I walked a few paces and bumped into the boy that I had seen previously.
"Sorry," He mumbled and looked into my eyes. There was something about them that caught my attention. They weren't as empty as the previous jade eyes that had eyed me; they were sympathetic and had an excitement in them that I had not expected.
"It's ok," I smiled slightly. He nodded and walked off. I could have sworn that I as I had watched him, he looked quickly over his shoulder to get another look at me. I sighed and walked back to my compartment, the previous events still fresh in my mind. I had hoped that the other boy was gone. But when I looked in the compartment, he was still there.
"Hey Nev," I said, not really sure why if calling him by a nickname was such a good idea when I had barely even known him, "I ran into this guy in the hallway. Do you think you might know his name?"
"Probably," Neville responded as he looked at me, "Most of the people that have gone here have gone here since their first year. Can you describe him?" I noticed that once again, the green eyed boy was staring at me with an intrigued look on his face.
"He has blonde hair. Sort of tall, grey eyes." I tried to remember everything I could from our brief meeting.
"Ugh," The black haired boy spoke up, "That's Draco Malfoy. He's the slimmest sneakiest git you'll ever meet. You don't want to get involved with his crowd. They're Slytherins. I'm Harry Potter by the way." he held out his hand, for a second, I considered not taking it, and then decided against it. I had heard his name before. If I was to become known in this school, I couldn't go pissing off the wrong people.
I smiled flirtatiously and put my hand into his, "Bridget Granger."
"Granger," he said with a look that showed he was familiar with the name. He must know my sister, I thought.
"I have a twin sister named Hermione."
"No kidding!" Neville said enthusiastically, "I didn't know she had a sister. You must be eager to see her. I'm sure she's around here somewhere."
Clearly he didn't know about me and the fact that my sister and I have not spoken in quite some time.
"I'm sure I'll run into her eventually." I said desperately hoping for another distraction.
"So," Harry said as he looked at me, "What classes are you taking? I'm taking Defence against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Divinations, Potions, and a few other classes that'll probably be a breeze."
"Oh," I said uncomfortably, "Just the regular classes. I'm pretty good at transfiguration. I'm also taking a drama class. I love the theatre."
"Are you an actress," Harry asked definitely interested now. I knew he was intrigued before, but now it was more entertained, almost mocking.
"It depends on what you mean by an actress." I said. I fell silent and began to think about those haunting grey eyes.
On my way, I bumped into the girl I noticed on the way to my compartment. At first, I didn't realise it was the same girl. I looked into her eyes and, even though it was only for a second, there was something about those eyes that cause me to desire to find out who she was and anything else about her I possible could. As I passed her I took one last glance and quickly moved on.
Throughout the prefects meeting there was only one thing on my mind. Who was she? I wanted to find out more than anything. I came to the conclusion that she must have just started. She must be a transfer student, yet I had not realised that Hogwarts accepted them. Nonetheless, that was the best explanation.
I rode up to the castle but did not see her. I supposed she would have to be sorted with the first years. Sure enough, as I was sitting at the Slytherin House table I saw her standing by the entrance doors of the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall stood up with the Sorting Hat in her hand and began to explain the girl's situation.
"We are pleased to accept Bridget Granger to Hogwarts this year. She will be sorted first before the first years come in. Miss Granger, please come sit here." Bridget sat on the stool and waited to be sorted. I thought about my first day. The Sorting Hat barely touched my head before calling "Slytherin." The hat was placed on her head. I hoped she would be in Slytherin. The hat seemed to be taking a long time to decide where to place her. Finally it called out "Gryffindor!" My heart sank. Now, not only was she a Granger, with Muggle parents, she was also in the house that was most rivalled to mine. I was being forced to hate her along with the rest of her house. Although I tried my hardest, it was impossible to get her off my mind during the meal and I barely heard a word Professor Dumbledore had to say.
"Welcome to Gryffindor," Neville said as I took my seat next to him. I could feel my sister's eyes on me. I could tell that she wasn't interesting in a happy reunion.
"Thanks!" I said cheerfully. I sat, listening to the head master caution about uniting with our enemies. It was all Greek to me. I definitely didn't have any enemies at the school yet. Well, at least none that I was aware of. Suddenly, the food appeared and I realised how hungry I was. I ate, suddenly missing Piper's cooking. I looked around and saw Paige sitting at the teacher's table. She spotted me and waved to me eagerly. She got up and headed over to the table.
"Hey girlie!" Paige said enthusiastically, "I saw the sorting. That's totally awesome if I do say so myself."
"Yeah," I said, "Oh, Neville, this is my cousin Paige. Paige this is Neville." I noticed that Neville looked sort of awkward and not exactly sure of what to do in the situation.
"Nice to meet you," Paige said as she shook his hand, "I'm the new Theatre professor."
"Oh, I wasn't aware that that class was being offered."
Paige shrugged, "It is. There were a few interested kids, but we'll see how long they actually stay interested."
"You should take the class Neville," I suggested hopefully, not wanting to be in a class where the only person I was friendly with was the teacher, who happened to be my cousin.
"Maybe," he said. I wondered if the boy called Draco Malfoy would be in the class. He looked like an actor. Then again, that could have been my wishful thinking. He was definitely cute and seemed different from most of the boys that I had dated.
It was several days before I encountered her again. I was doing my best to forget about her but I kept remembering the feeling I had on the train. Something about her excited me and I could not place it. I passed her in the hall one day on the way to class. She was still with Neville Longbottom. She seemed fairly happy; she was smiling while she was talking to him. I could not help but to think about her for the rest of the day. I caught myself glancing over at her during the meals for that day and I found my appetite was severally diminished. I could only pray no one noticed- especially her. The next day I made my way down to my first theatre class. I did not expect to be doing anything exciting or important. I walked in the room and took a seat. I did not care to notice the other handful of people in the room. I heard the door behind me opening and it was then that I had a reason to turn around. I heard that same voice I could vividly remember from the train.
"Neville I owe you soo big!" I exclaimed as I walked in the door. I spent almost the entire night trying to convince Neville to take theatre with me. Finally, just before I was about to give up, he decided that he would take the class. We found two empty seats towards the front of the class and sat down. I looked around; I noticed that my sister wasn't in this class. Not surprising, I thought to myself, she's never been good at anything that involves an imagination. I looked around the room again. No one really stood out at me.
"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players,
They have their exits and entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts," Paige said as from the front of the classroom, "Who said it?"
"William Shakespeare," a voice said from the back, "As You Like It, Act II Scene VII." I looked back to see where the voice was coming from. It was the boy that had been haunting my thoughts. I looked at Paige. She looked back at me and grinned. I could tell that she obviously wanted me to get to know him.
"Very good," She said, obviously impressed, "Yes. What's your name?"
"Draco," He said, "Draco Malfoy."
"Well Mr. Malfoy," Paige commented, "It seems as though we have a Shakespearean scholar in our class." Many of the other students rolled their eyes. I looked back at him to see that he was staring right at me.
"Who'd have thought that he'd know that," Neville whispered to me, "He didn't even have to think about it." I shrugged and looked back at Paige. She was opening a book.
"Now that we have that out of the way. My name is Paige. Not Ms. Matthews, not Professor Matthews, just Paige."
I thought it was an odd way to begin the class. In fact, I had no intention of answering the question at all to begin with. Yet something seemed to be compelling me to show just how much I knew on the matter. To be honest, I hadn't read that play. I simply enjoyed knowing everything I could about William Shakespeare. As I watched the back of Bridget Granger's blonde head, I saw it turn. Her eyes met mine and again I thought about that one thing about them that made them different for the other sets of eyes I had seen in my life. She turned back around when Neville Longbottom started talking. The rest of the class was devoted to describing the course and the things we would be doing throughout the year, including both Shakespeare plays and musicals. I was looking forward to the Shakespeare, but I was skeptical about the musicals. Paige informed us that we would be beginning the year with the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Fortunately, this was a play I had recently read and would easily adapt to. Paige decided to focus first on how the play should be done and what should happen off stage. She stressed how imperative it is to have the lines memorized as quickly as possible, but she would not be giving out the scripts for a week or more. I was not going to wait around for Paige. I left the class and wrote a letter to my mother asking her to send me my own copy.
I spent the rest of the class lost in my thoughts. He haunted them like no one had ever done to me before. I shook my head and tried to keep from thinking about him. It was damn near impossible, especially with him in the room. Every now and then I would glance up and look at him. When I saw that he was looking back at me, I would blush furiously and put my head back down.
"Are you alright?" Neville asked.
"What do you mean?" Great, someone noticed. I was never going to live this one down. He was just a boy, like any other one I had seen. What made him so different? It fusterated me to no end that he was the only thing I thought about.
"Bridget?" Neville's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"Are you alright? I called your name several times and you didn't answer."
I looked at Neville, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be okay?"
He shrugged, "I don't know. You just looked distracted."
"I'm fine," I lied, knowing perfectly well that I wouldn't be fine until I knew more about this boy named Draco Malfoy. It's just an infatuation, I told myself rationally, It's just a crush. It's not like I've never had a crush before. I'll get over it, just like I got over the last ones. Somehow, I knew this "crush" as I so tenderly put it, was different than anything I had ever experienced before.
The next week was devoted to my new classes and to especially to the theatre. I was expecting to get a letter, possibly a howler, from my father. He would be home soon and my mother would tell him about the class. Despite this constant fear, I was still completely unable to get that beautiful girl out of my mind. I could not understand what kept her in my thoughts.
As I had predicted, I received a howler from my father. I saw the letter and I took it out of the room. As I left I noticed Bridget at the Gyrffindor table. She was again with Neville Longbottom although, this time she was also talking to Harry Potter, or rather he was talking. Potter was very interested in her and she seemed relatively interested as well. I shook the image from my mind and left to open the letter.
"So, where are you from Bridget?" Harry asked me. We were sitting at the Gryffindor table during breakfast. Neville on the other side of me.
"Well," I said, not exactly sure how to explain my situation, "I was born in London. Then when I was two, I was sent to live with my grandparents after my mom died. Then, I was sent to live with my cousins because I could go to a better magic school."
"I've went to Hogwarts since my first year. It's probably the best school for magic there is." Harry said. Neville seemed to nod in agreement, but didn't say anything. I just sort of smiled and didn't say anything either.
"So, are you going to take Theatre?" I asked Harry. Paige had told me to try and recruit more boys. I didn't think that he was going to be interested, but I thought I'd try none the less.
Harry snorted with laughter, "Of course not. I'm far too busy with Quidditch practice. Besides, what kind of boy takes Theatre?"
"I take theatre." Neville said quietly, "So does Draco Malfoy." My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name.
Harry laughed again, "I should have known that Malfoy would take a class like that. He thinks he's so much better than everyone."
"Like someone else that I know," Neville mumbled. Harry looked at him, but ignored his comment. I smiled and winked at Neville. He smiled back.
"Neville, I'm suprised that you're taking theatre. What in the world possessed you to take that class?"
"I asked him to," I spoke up, "Neville's going to be an awesome actor, a young Humphrey Bogart if I ever saw one." I winced at that last part. The two boys stared at me.
"Humphrey Bogart," I repeated, "He played Rick in Casablanca?"
"Oh him," Neville said, "That's one of Grans favourite movies."
"I've never seen it. I don't watch too many movies."
"It's a great movie. I have it if you'd like to watch it sometime. I think my cousin said that they're going to make it so that computers and things can work here."
"Is that a date?" Harry said looking me straight in the eye.
"I guess." I answered looking at Neville for help.
"We'd better get to class." Neville said as he stood up. I was sincerely greatful to get away from Harry. There was something about him. It was like he was two different people. One was a nice person, but the other one had a darker side. It was the darker side that intrigued me.
"I'll walk with you." Harry offered. I smiled at him flirtatiously.
"Alright." I said. I saw Draco Malfoy out of the corner of my eye. He seemed to be eyeing Harry with a mix of intense hatred and jealously. I smiled at him as I caught his eye.
The time had come for our next Theatre class. I walked in, just barely on time, and took a seat. The other students were already there and I started to look around the room. I saw the back of Bridget's head sitting next to Neville Longbottom as usual.
Paige stood up and started talking about the parts. She wanted us to read through the scripts so she could get a sense of our abilities. She started handing out the scripts and I pulled out my own.
"What's that?" she asked with one eyebrow raised.
"I don't need that one, I have my own copy," I answered blatantly, holding up my book. She stared for a moment, smiled, and then proceeded to pass out the rest.
"Please take a look at these and find a small part you'd like to read through. Don't worry, you won't be graded yet. I'd just like to know what I'll be working with."
"Profess-"A voice began to speak from the other side of the room but was cut off by the sound of our teacher's ringing voice.
"Paige!!" she corrected, "you were saying?"
"Um, sorry. Paige? I've never heard of this play, what should I do?" It was a boy I had seen around, a Hufflepuff.
"Just try the 'To be or not to be.' Everyone's heard that," she answered, waving a hand.
"Never heard it..." he answered.
"What, do you live under a rock?" I blurted out, perhaps a little too loudly. Everyone looked at me.
"What??" I protested, "It's one of Shakespeare's most famous monologues, how can you not know it??" I looked at Draco; he seemed to be amused by my sudden outburst.
"Bridget," Paige began with a smile on her face, "Be that as it may, I'd appreciate it if we would make fun of the students together after class." A few of the students laughed. I looked over at the Hufflepuff boy. I don't think I'd ever seen someone so red before.
"Does she really make fun of us?" Neville asked with concern. I rolled my eyes, "Of course not. It was a joke."
"Oh, that's good," Neville said as a look of relief spread across his face. We took a few minutes to look over the script and find a short monologue. I choose Ophelia talking about how Hamlet had gone from the most intelligent man in Denmark to an idiot. I began to wonder what monologue Draco had chosen.
"Bridget," Neville panicked and snapped me out of my thoughts, "I don't know which monologue to do." I sighed and flipped through my script, I wasn't exactly sure which one to choose for him. Shakespeare's not the easiest to act out and I could tell that while I might have told Harry that Neville was a good actor, the truth was that he probably wasn't the best. I finally found a short monologue from Laertes and showed him the page. He thanked me and began trying to get the language down right. I glanced over at Draco; he seemed to be lost in some thought, from what I could tell, it wasn't his monologue because his script was closed on his desk. I began to wonder what he was thinking about.
