Disclaimer - I own no one except Elizabeth Thompson and her Father. Eric from Ravenclaw [Third Chapter and if any other OC'S come along, they will be mentioned. Everything that involves Harry Potter By: J.K Rowling, belongs to herself.
Chapter One - A New Beginning
August 29, Saturday
Dear Diary,
For years He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named tortured innocent people and made them cower underneath his magical fist. But finally three people have conquered him, and they're my own age! The long awaited arrivals of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley have finally come back.
I admit I know nothing about them or what they look like seeing as how I was home-schooled for my entire life. But Dad says that they're great heroines and should be treated with the outmost respect.
I can't say that I envy them in the slightest though. Facing You-Know-Who must have been the most nerve-racking thing I've ever been subjected to!
They defeated him this summer, right before 7th year. Come to think of it I caught word of this last week, and that's when I bought you to keep all of my thoughts in! But let's get back to the topic. I don't know how they did it but I know they had gotten barely any sleep this summer, looking for the last Horouz-horoux or something like that. Dad says that his recent promotion in the ministry has given him a more inward glance into the world that is Harry Potter.
I find it amazing that even though the train to Hogwarts is tomorrow, I'll finally be in the same school of such heroes!
But then again, maybe I'm being a bit obsessive? But who wouldn't after they vanquished the man who killed my Mother so gallantly? Wow I sound like I'm reading from a fairy tale!
I guess I should be heading off to bed right now, but I'm just so excited!
I've never been to a private school that teaches magic before. Usually I'm an average home-schooled witch who barely gets to peep into the outside world! I think I'm going to like it much more than being at home all the time with Dad. I am going to miss him dearly though!
Well, better leave. My perkiness only lasts for the next oh, hour or so!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
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September 1, Tuesday
Dear Diary,
Hogwarts seems so much bigger than in the book. The ceilings are high and valiant and the people here are great! Some a little less than enthusiastic to be back at school but I for the most part, very happy people.
This morning I couldn't wait to get here. I had packed my bags two weeks before we even arrived and off we went! Dad had gotten a ministry car and on the way to the train station he kept going on about how going to private school would be the best thing for me at the moment, since he'd be at work more often.
I sat their politely for a while just nodding my head and giving a genuine response. I didn't want him to get the impression that I didn't care and suddenly turn the car around, deciding that I wasn't ready!
So he took me inside to the train station and I looked down at my ticket.
"9 and ¾? Where's that?" I asked, looking around stupidly.
I saw an 8, then a 9, and finally a 10. I had only been in a train station once to visit grandma so I thought that perhaps they had changed the numbering to fit in more people.
I was so confused that I turned to Dad for help but he just looked around as if taking it all in.
"Dad?" I asked, pulling on his sleeve. "Dad, where are we supposed to go?"
He looked down at me and gave me a really warm smile.
"Do you see that brick wall over there?" He asked me, pointing to a wall in front of my face.
"Uh...Ya." I answered, giving him a daunting look.
"What I want you to do is run straight into it. Don't hold any fear. Just run right through. Behind it is the train that will take you to Hogwarts."
I looked up at him and stared ahead of me again. It looked pretty solid to me and I definitely didn't want to run through a solid brick wall.
"You're kidding me right?" I asked, shaking my head at him. I believe that I was on the verge of asking him if he had gotten dotty.
"Here, watch me." He said, taking his hand off my shoulder.
He walked in front of me, and straight through the wall! I was amazed! You'd think after learning all the magic and seeing the most bizarre things [Trust me, it took me 1 month to figure out how to do simple transfigurations. I came up with the most wicked and sick things and believe me; I've seen some pretty odd things!
I looked around quickly, making sure none of the muggles saw. Not really having much choice, I took a deep breath and ran into the wall after my Dad.
Anticipating pain, I looked up and saw my Dad standing in front of me.
"Now, let go of your breath." He laughed as I exhaled heavily.
The large red steam engine in front of me gave a hefty hoof and my Dad looked down at me.
"Now, this is where we say goodbye. Remember to write every week and I want an update on your grades every month. I'll send some money over every month for you to buy new clothes or materials you'd need." He said, pulling me into a hug.
I promised myself I wouldn't cry but I never really was separated from my Dad for long periods of time.
"I promise." I answered, giving him a peck on the cheek.
"I expect you home for Christmas and sweetheart? Have fun." He finished before giving me one last hug.
As I got onto the train and waved goodbye one last time, I started to feel immediately homesick.
I quickly shook off the feeling of emptiness that was forming inside my stomach and decided that I was here for a reason and that was to try and like new things.
I started walking down the narrow hall and believe me; it's IMPOSSIBLE to get a room for oneself. Everyone seemed to know each other and were either laughing or enjoying each other's companies.
Finally I found a vacant room at the end of the train and welcomed the quietness. I was open to new experiences but I didn't think they'd be that loud!
I never really had any physical ability to actually lift such a heavy trunk above my head, so getting it onto the rack was a workout in itself. I actually had it above my head and just as I was about to push it onto the shelf the train hit a bump and I fell backwards. Everything was everywhere and just as I was able to put everything back into my trunk the door slid open.
A girl with bushy brown hair made her way into the room and gave me a warm smile.
"Excuse me, but would you mind if me and two of my friends shared this compartment with you? Everywhere else is empty." She asked, and before I could even think of who she could be I said yes.
Steadily I got up and heaved the heavy trunk onto the seat beside me.
Two boys filed in after the girl and I felt as if I knew them.
One had a mop of red hair and a goofy smile and asked if I needed help with my trunk. Gratefully I said yes and took that chance to see who the next boy was.
He had black hair and big green eyes under his glasses and was actually, really cute.
As they took seats around me I nearly fell to the ground as the train hit another bump in the track and thankfully, fell into the empty seat next to the girl.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Hermione Granger, that one over there with the red hair is Ron Weasley and well, I'm sure you know who he is." Hermione said, motioning her head towards the boy with the black hair.
For a moment I was sure I was sitting in shock but I quickly regained my self-dignity. It was a sure shock to be sitting in the same room with people whom the entire wizarding world thought of so highly. Honestly I was giddy inside to meet them but at the same time, I knew that I needed to say something quick before they began to think I was crazy!
"My name is Elizabeth Thompson, it's a pleasure meeting you all. And to answer your previous statement Hermione, I don't quite know who he is. Would you mind telling me your name?" I asked quietly, turning over to Harry. I thought it was best if I played it calm and collected.
For a moment there I think they were all shocked and the one with the red hair uh, Ron that is looked like he was going to say something.
The boy I obviously predicted to be Harry shook his head slightly and turned towards me.
"My name is Harry, Harry Potter." He said with a smile and I was sure I was going to die in his eyes. They were just so pretty and here I was, staring into his eyes for what felt like and eternity.
"Oh right, it's a great delight, really." I answered, shaking his outstretched hand.
Quickly the small talk turned into conversations as we all started to talk about our lives. I knew only so much about them and only grew to know them more as friends rather than news junkies. Hermione and Ron left for an hour or so to do rounds [I think they were doing duties as what Harry explained to me was called "Prefect" duty.. Harry and I sat together alone for a few awkward moments before we got to talking about Quidditch. The time seemed to fly until Hermione and Ron came back. I don't think I stopped smiling for quite some time. About two hours into the ride we got changed into our robes and ate some sweets from a lady with a cart who was passing by all the compartments.
The train ride lasted another 3 hours until we finally started to slow down.
"Well, here we are." Harry said, looking out the window.
This was the first time I got to see Hogwarts personally and I swear I was in a state of shock.
It was gorgeous! The towers were so tall and the windows we lit, there were so many different angles I could see the castle at and there was even a lake!
"Elizabeth? Maybe since you're new you should go find Hagrid. We wouldn't want you getting in trouble." Hermione piped up after a moment or two.
"That is if you haven't already been sorted?" Ron asked, looking at me with bright blue eyes.
"Nope! Well...I've read all about the sorting ceremony, but I'm not the least bit sure as to where I'm supposed to go." I replied, giving them all a silly grin.
"Oh well I suppose you'd just have to follow the first years and they'll lead you to Hagrid." Hermione said as we all got our trunks down from the rack.
Harry helped me with mine this time and gave me a small smile as we walked out of the train together.
"Just follow the midgets." Ron yelled over the crowd.
I laughed as Hermione scolded him, and turned around only to run into [roughly I might add a very, very tall man.
I looked up and studied his bearded face. At the first moment or two I didn't quite know if he was Hagrid. But judging by all the small kids that gathered around me, I guessed he was.
"H-Hagrid?" I managed to stumble out.
"Yes, that is who I am! Follow me first years, 'ollow me! Into the boats you go, careful, don't fall in now." He ushered the younger kids into the boats, leaving me there alone for a minute.
"Um, excuse me, but I'm new. Would I be riding on the boats with all of you?" I asked courteously, smiling up at him.
"Well I guess you shall, now come in come in, watch you're step now. Ok, let's go!" He yelled, and the boats started to magically start rowing on their own.
I took a deep breath inwards of the clean salty air and looked up at the magnificent castle. Wiping my eyes from the coldness, I noticed something moving in the water. Note to self, DO NOT GO INTO THE LAKE.
"Well, 'ere we are!" Hagrid yelled loudly as we neared the other end of the lake.
As Hagrid yelled it took me by surprise and I nearly fell out of the boat. I swear I heard some giggling from the back.
We...
Oops! Sorry about that, my quill started to lag against the parchment. I guess I'm quite sleepy after all the food I ate at the banquet. But here, I'll finish the piece about the sorting ceremony.
We [the first years and I started to climb the steps to the Great Hall Hagrid explained to me a little bit about the ceremony on the boat. A stern looking lady was at the top of the stairway and I practically zoned out after she said "Good Evening."
Well she finished after what felt like hours and led us in alphabetically into the Hall. I guess I should have listened to her because when we got in, everyone started to stare at us. Actually, mainly me. I guess being the tallest in the group made me stick out.
Anyways, there was a big hat in the middle of the hall and one by one the first years put it on. It either yelled Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Slytherin or Hufflepuff.
I had read about this before and when it was my turn I was pretty confident about getting what I wanted.
As I put the hat on, I heard it sigh out loud. All eyes seemed to be on me and I seriously thought I'd melt through the cracks in the floor.
"Let me see, a true Gryffindor at heart yes, but also the brain of a proud Ravenclaw; a kind soul this one, perfect for Hufflepuff. But yet, a very sly wit that would make even the cleverest Slytherin envious. Tough choice, yes, very tough. It seems that this particular student wishes to be in the bravest of them all, so that's why I choose GRYFFINDOR!"
The applause from the Gryffindor table seemed to swell as I smiled and sat next to Hermione.
From there I ate stuffed chicken and mashed potatoes to pumpkin juice and chocolate frogs. Thoroughly stuffed, I was led up to the corridors.
Hermione showed me the room all the girls in my year and myself would be sharing and that's when I sat down to write in you.
I've had a very long and tiring day, after all that I've eaten I feel thoroughly stuffed and exhausted. Until next time!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
AU - So how do you like it? This is my second story and I think I got the whole "Add Deatails" note down pat, right? Review if you like and please read on!