Calm before the Storm
Chapter One
Storm found herself in a battle that wasn't hers. She was a sixteen year old American witch, who had come to England not long before the battle of Hogwarts. The sole perpose for her being there, was to lend a hand were it was needed. There would be pleanty younger than her putting their lives on the line to help fight off the deatheaters. Her father had been good friends with Kingsley Shacklebolt, having been originally from England and transfered from the English ministry to the American. Together he and her mother had decided to lend a hand to help protect her fathers old school and those within it. She had convinced them to allow her to come along and help were she could as long as she promised to get out if it got too bad.
They had arrived as a trio with the rest of what seemed to be called the "order" at the large castle like school. The battle on the verge of breaking loose. Deatheaters lined the perimeter of the massive expanse of land Hogwarts had been set on. She hadn't had much time to grow acquainted with anyone, barely a 'Hello I'm on your side' before spells were flying and people were dropping like flies on both sides of the battle. It was scary, and she had been separated from her parents from the very beginning. Her heart was throbbing against the inside of her ribcage but she pushed through the nerves and apprehended just as many as her elders had.
Spells flew from the tip of her wand as she dodged those aimed towards her. Her body acted on its own accord. Storming through flying debris ejected from explosions going off all around her. Her ears rung, and she kept moving. Up staircases and through halls swarming with cloaked figures. A cutting hex hit her in the leg and she went down. Her back slamming into the stone floor that shook as the battle raged on effectively knocking the breath from her lungs. Scrambling to her feet she lunged behind a stone pillar and hugged it close just as another spell whizzed past her. Another explosion went off, closer to her ear this time. She felt the sharp rubble slice easily through her skin as she tried to shield herself from the blast. The smell of scorched hair filled her nose and she grunted. It was hard to shield herself, she stood at a massive six foot. Intimidating for many, but not for all who took her on.
She pushed herself quickly from behind the pillar, and was met with a pair of dark orbs staring at her intently. "You're bleeding!" Came the voice laced with worry.
The girl was smaller than she was, coming to her shoulders. "A lot of people are bleeding!" Storm's voice echoed. Her own dark eyes widened as they landed on a figure a ways up the corridor, a wand pointed at the brunette's back. "Get down!" The short haired girl ordered, before practically tackling the shorter girl to the floor as a green spell whizzed past.
The brunette hadn't had time to be startled by the sudden contact, her eyes caught a flash of green that had been aimed for her fly past. Spells were already at the tip of her tongue as the taller girl was on her feet already and advancing on the figure. A barrage of spells flying from the tip of her wand. Soon the man was on the floor and bound. His wand kicked far out of his reach. The last she saw of the dark haired girl was her turn to see if she was alright before she gave a lopsided grin, an almost salute and ran off down the halls and into the battle again.
Soon the brunette was back in the middle of things, fighting her own side. But the dark haired girl was never far from her mind. Something about the girl was mysterious, and charming. And though they hadn't spoke, the brunette was fixated with her, intregued as to why she was there.
It was the start of a new year at a new school. Storm's mind was racing with images of the battle. Of the brunette she had saved, and was unsure if she was even still alive or who she was. Storm was pulled from her thoughts by what seemed like a distant whistle blasting through the train.
She was on her way to Hogwarts, the school she had helped to save and was now attending. Her parents had been offered positions within the English ministry and they had decided to take them, saying it was better than what they had been doing in the States and it would be nice to finally settle somewhere. She knew her father had missed it here, it was his home after all so she understood.
She had spent the summer getting used to her new surroundings. It was different, but not in a bad way. It was new, and interesting and fun to explore. She would have to finish her schooling here though, which she didn't mind. As long as she could play quidditch she would be happy.
However McGonagall said she'd have to be sorted with the first years, as there hadn't been time before the start of the year. The school had gone through mass amounts of renovations to prepare it for the new school year.
The train had swarmed with students filtering off onto the platform. Each buzzing and excited for the new school year. A year finally rid of evil and fear.
She smiled a wide smile as she saw the familiar face of Hagrid. She had met him and spent a large amount of time with the man after the war was over. Her parents had volunteered to help re-build the school seeing as they would be sending their daughter there to finish her magical education. She had wandered off to explore the grounds, and stumbled upon the large mans hut. He had been outside tending to some interesting looking animals when she decided to spark up a conversation with the man. From then on, she'd seek him out every chance she had been at the school over the summer to see if he'd needed help with any of his odd creatures.
"Hi Hagrid" She spoke loudly, her dark eyes sparkling up at the beaming man.
"Well well look who it is! How are ye Storm?" He asked during a pause of his almost chanted 'first years follow me'.
"I'm okay" She spoke one last time, before falling into a happy silence beside the man she had grown to call a friend.
He had begun leading the mass of first years towards what seemed like enchanted boats that they were all but mesmerised by. The American climbed onto one of the last to leave, settling herself once again beside the grounds keeper. It should have been an intimidating experience, but in all honesty, Storm wasn't easily intimidated. She held herself with confidence as she watched the great castle begin to loom over them and the mass of first years filter into a somewhat messy line led by the headmistress.
She had tried to gracefully climb up and out of the boat. Her large frame allowing her to do so easily. Once her feet met dry land again, she dusted herself off and followed a ways behind the excited kids. Feeling slightly out of place amongst them. It was an odd feeling, having to go through a sorting all over again. But she couldn't say she wasn't the least bit intrigued over what house she would be landed in. The castle was already familiar to her, so that wouldn't be an issue.
Soon the headmistress came out and ushered the first years in.
"Miss Griffin, if I could ask you to stay here while we sort the first years, I would like to introduce you to the school properly, it shouldn't take long" The older woman explained with a small smile before she turned on heal and made her way to the double doors. Following hot on the heels of the anxious eleven year olds.
Storm merely nodded a casual nod, and found herself leaning up against one of the now intact stone walls outside of the great hall. Bursts of cheers and shouts muffled by the large doors met her ears, and she couldn't help a coy smirk tug on her lips. She knew it was a good school, and it would be a good two years. But it all was an amusing instance.
Without warning the double doors burst open and she was suddenly face to face with a beaming Hagrid once again. "Aye, they're ready for you"
He spoke, his deep gruff voice a quiet whisper as he beckoned her into the hall.
McGonagall was stood at the head of the hall, an arm out in a silent command for Storm to make her way to her.
"I would like to introduce Storm Griffin; she will be joining us for the rest of her school life. Having done much already for the school, not only in the war, but after we will be happy to welcome her to our school" Rang the elder witches voice, before a hesitant round of applause.
All eyes seemed to be on her, taking her in as she made her way down the centre isle. Her hands shoved into her robe pockets as she strutted, her big probably unnecessary combat boots making gentle thudding sounds against the stone floor. A small smirk played at her lips as she kept her eyes locked in front of her.
Once she reached the front of the hall McGonagall smiled an almost stern smile motioning to the stool that sat beside her. With a sigh Storm sat upon it, her long legs crossed at the heal and her hands folded in her lap. The hat was placed on her head, her short dark hair flattened by its weight.
"Hmm, right then. Interesting, very interesting" came a voice she hadn't heard before. "I wonder, you have the intrigue of a Ravenclaw, but the courage of a Gryffindor. I wonder." The voice seemed to ponder for a moment before it loudly exclaimed, "Gryffindor!" A loud cheer erupted from one of the four tables situated in the middle of the hall. Storm smiled, genuinely not really fussed about what house she'd be situated in.
The hat was lifted from her head, and she immediately brought a hand up to ruffle the short black locks. Standing she made her way towards the Gryffindor table, and took a seat next to a redheaded girl. Her eyes dark eyes sparkled as they began taking in her fellow housemates briefly before a voice rang next to her.
"Hi, I'm Ginny! I think we met during the war" The redhead spoke in a cheery voice, offering the younger girl a hand.
"Storm, Storm Griffin! Nice to meet you too" Storm smiled a bright smile, taking the offered hand and giving it a firm shake. "I think we did! I'd have stopped to say hello properly, but I'm sure it's best I didn't" she winked a cheeky wink. A hearty laugh erupted from the redhead and she joined in. She wasn't shy, in the slightest.
"Funny one!" Ginny spoke to a girl across from her, hooking her thumb towards storm as she began to breathe again.
"I do try" Storm smirked, noticing a brunette sat opposite them eyeing her curiously. A slight blush tinted her cheeks and she suddenly felt uneasy under the intense stare. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to speak.
Clearing her throat she tilted her head slightly and smiled a smaller smile. "So you're alive then?" She asked the girl, raising an eyebrow curiously. Honestly happy to see the familiar girl well.
The girl seemed to shake herself out of her riviera and blushed a dark blush. "Oh yes, yes of course. I'm glad to see you are as well, I didn't quite get chance to say thank you before you ran off again" She smiled a shy smile. "You look different, I suppose that's lack of blood and dirt, I'm Hermione Granger"
"Well Hermione Granger, it's nice to meet you well, formally meet you. I doubt pushing you up against a wall is considered meeting, though it was memorable" Storm grinned a wide grin over the table. The brunette seemed to blush even more.
"I would say it was highly barbaric but I suppose it did save my life" Hermione retorted almost sarcastically.
The redhead next to her seemed to be watching the pair curiously. She hadn't seen Hermione this fixated with anyone before, and was debating if it was because this girl saved her life, she hadn't expected to see her again, or something more along the lines of the "Knight in shining armour affect".
"So what year are you guys in?" The dark haired girl spoke happily, a smug smirk spreading across her face as a feast appeared on the table before her. Her stomach had been rattling since halfway through the train ride.
"We're both in our seventh year" Ginny spoke as she piled food onto her plate, apparently also having a large appetite.
"I've come back for my seventh year, I missed mine last year" Hermione explained with a small smile.
"Are you not in your seventh year?" Ginny asked quirking a curious eyebrow at the taller girl beside her.
"No, I'm in my sixth, I'm only sixteen" Storm grinned a wide grin. She knew she looked far older. Her height alone made people think she was older. Being six foot had it's benefits.
"Really?" Came the shocked voices of both girls. The youngest witch almost broke out into another fit of laughter when "But you're so tall" was uttered.
"Yes really" she spoke seriously. Pulling more food onto her plate. Using her fork almost as if it was a shovel.
"Do you play quidditch? You have the build to play." Came the redheads voice next to her, and a scoff from across the way.
"I did yes, I suppose I'll be trying out for the team this year" Storm smiled around a forkful of food, trying to be as polite as possible while quenching her growling stomachs needs.
"What position?" The redhead asked again, seemingly genuinely interested.
"Seeker, do you play?" She asked looking over at the girl. By the grin that spread across her face she guessed it would be a yes.
"I'm the captain of Gryffindor's team this year" Ginny beamed a proud smile.
"Oh so you're the one I have to woo to get on the team? Perhaps it's you I should have pushed against the wall instead of Hermione!" Storm winked, and grinned a lopsided grin. A chuckle escaping her throat, she was obviously joking.
"You do indeed, but it sounds like Hermione here needed it more" Ginny laughed, shaking her head.
"So why were you here? You know during the war?" Came Hermione's voice, quizzing her from across the table. "You're clearly not from this country, its curious"
"My Dad's English and came here when he was a boy. My parents are good friends with Kingsley, and when the war was threatening to breakout, they decided to lend a hand and I refused to be left at home, there would be people younger than me helping so I would too" Storm explained, "after the war Kingsley had offered them a place in the ministry here and they wanted to stay" She smiled a warm smile, having placed her utensils down.
If it was anyone other than this girl in front of her, she would have been slightly irritated at the questioning. But she didn't seem to mind, the warm smile and genuine interest of the girl in front of her soothed her temper. There was no malice in the older girls words, there was no annoyance in the brunette witches eyes.
"That was very brave of you, if you need any help studying I'd be happy to be of assistance" Hermione smiled a wide smile.
"Oh, well thank you. I'll be sure to hold you to that offer" Storm laughed, her eyes bright as she took in the older girl's sheepish smile.
They had gotten back to their meal, and it was soon over. The first years were ushered off by the prefects and the brunette had excused herself to go and take care of her head girl duties. Storm's eyes found the older witches backside as she walked away. The younger girl smirked to herself before quickly trying to push any of the thoughts she had just had down and out of her mind.
"Shall we?" Came the redhead's voice next to her. Ginny had caught the look the dark haired girl was giving the brunette as she walked away. It was amusing, to say the least.
Storm turned to look at the girl who was smiling with a knowing smile. "Shall we what?" She asked, a confused look tugged its way across her features.
"Go to the common room..." Ginny spoke as if it was the most obvious thing ever. In truth it was.
"Oh, yes right! To the common room!" Storm laughed, shaking her head. Ginny joined her and it seemed she had made at least two friends already. It was a start, and they both seemed nice.
They began their wander through the crowds of Hogwarts students making their way to various common rooms. They engaged in a light chat, Ginny gently steering their direction. Storm had already had a vague idea of where they were going, but didn't know exactly were they were heading.
"So, you're quite interested in Hermione I see" Ginny prodded, never the one to sidestep conversations.
"She's very pretty" Storm smirked, "I wouldn't mind getting to know her a little better" She said genuinely.
"So... You're gay?" Ginny jumped right in. She didn't like guessing games, it would only make for awkward conversation later on.
"As gay as a window" Storm laughed, not afraid to come right out and say it. She ruffled her hair and sighed a small sigh.
Ginny turned to really look at her for the first time. The girl was tall and slim; her stance was relaxed and nonchalant. Almost as if she didn't really care. Her hair was as black as night and it was long and mop like on the top, sweeping down almost messily across her face. The back and sides were short and cut around her ears; it framed her high cheek bones and dark sparkling eyes perfectly. She was a handsome girl, and really did have the build to play quidditch.
They came to the portrait hole that remained open, and they both stepped through it. The common room was full of people, and it was buzzing with activity. People were separated into groups of friends, lounging around and settling in. "We can find a seat if you want to?" Ginny asked the dark haired girl.
She nodded and smiled a wide smile "I'd like that"
They finally found a small corner; three comfortable chairs were sat around a table.
"When do classes start?" Storm questioned the redhead.
"First thing tomorrow" Ginny groaned, flopping down into one of the overstuffed chairs.
The dark haired girl flopped opposite her and sighed. "Well, they don't waste time do they?" She grumbled. Rubbing the back of her neck she drug her fingers through her hairline.
"Never do, quidditch tryouts are on Saturday too, but that's not exactly a bad thing" Ginny smirked a wide smirk.
"Any chance of getting a fly about before that?" Storm asked raising an eyebrow.
"If you have any free's tomorrow we could go for a fly together if you like? I'm interested to see how you do it" Ginny questioned tilting her head to take in the rest of the common room. She noticed Hermione wandering towards them with a shy smile on her face.
"I've got one after lunch if that's cool?" Storm spoke, turning to see what Ginny was looking at. Her entire face lit up when she saw the brunette.
"It sounds like a plan to me" Ginny replied smugly.
Her brother wouldn't be happy about this, but who was she to worry about that? Hermione had made the decision to conclude their relationship. Having said they were best off as friends.
"Hey" Storm said brightly as Hermione finally reached them.
"Hi" Hermione said quietly. Their eyes met for what seemed like an eternity. Only breaking eye contact when the redhead watching cleared her throat.
Storm couldn't wait to get the brunette on her own. Learn more about the girl that had plagued her mind for the entirety of the summer.
"How was the head girl duties?" Storm asked, motioning for the brunette to sit.
"They were fine, but I think I'm going to head up to bed, it's getting late now, I'd hate to be tired on the first day of classes" Hermione smiled a small apologetic smile.
"Oh, right, well I'll walk you to your dorm room then?" Storm offered.
"I think I'd like that" Hermione nodded, and Storm stood. Dwarfing the brunette with her height.
The older witch lead the way and they wandered off after saying their goodbyes to the redhead who shooed them away. Storm threw one last look over her shoulder at the redhead.
"So, are you going to be busy tomorrow after dinner?" Storm asked bravely, her hands finding her pockets once again.
"I was just going to go to the library and get a head start on some homework" Hermione answered, looking up at the taller girl.
"Oh, right well I don't suppose you'd like to take a walk then? It's just I'd like to well, get to know you more" The dark haired girl spoke with a lopsided grin, her eyes sparkled as they came to a stop outside the head girls door.
"I think a walk would be okay, but you should try and get a head start on homework too" Hermione smiled a wide smile.
"I will, don't you worry about that" The younger girl paused, looking around unsure of what to say next.
"Thank you, Storm for what you did, you know" Hermione said shyly, her dark eyes taking the taller girl in.
"I'd do it again" Storm spoke happily, the same lopsided grin never leaving her lips. "I'll see you tomorrow, Goodnight Hermione" She stated before leaning down to wrap the smaller girl in a quick hug. Once they had pulled out of the embrace, Storm had left Hermione at her door and was wandering off, soon to disappear around a corner.
Hermione didn't know what it was about this girl, but she felt drawn to her. Ever since they had unceremoniously met, her mind was filled with short dark hair, and dark sparkling eyes. A tall lean figure and images of that smile, even in the depth of battle tugged at pink lips. She didn't know what, or why. But it was happening, and she wasn't going to stop it.
