Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, themes, places, spells, potions, creatures, or anything that belongs to the almighty Queen JK Rowling. This is written purely for the enjoyment of other fans like myself. Please don't sue me.
Authors Note: I am intending on writing this all the way through her 7th year no matter how well the story does in reviews or ratings just because I love writing and I love Harry Potter and am not here for the attention or ratings. That being said, any and all feedback is welcome! Please do feel free to let me know what you think of the story and all suggestions for the stories direction will be taken into account so you could be responsible for how this story turns out!
Im excited to begin this journey with you all, and hope you are too.
xx Charlie
Year One, Chapter One: Hogwarts Reopens
Cara Branstone stared nervously down at the yellowed parchment in her hand. She read it over for the thirteenth time since the tattered old barn owl dropped it at her door a little over a month ago, searching for a mistake, but there was no mistaking the emerald green ink and crimson red wax seal.
The year was 1998 and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was open again after the Battle of Hogwarts a little less than four months ago. Cara expected the reopening to take a few years, but with so many powerful witches and wizards helping rebuild the school, she supposed it couldn't have taken long after all. Looking down at the letter in her hands, Cara felt a deep pain in her chest, and a warm tear rolled down her face. Her 14 year old sister, Eleanor Branstone, had been one of the Fallen Fifty. She remembered when Eleanor got on the Hogwarts express for the first time in 1994. Cara remembered how jealous she was, how much she ached to be on that train with her. Every year she went to the station with her mum, and waited for her sister. And every year Eleanor ran to Cara and hugged her tight and spun her around. Until one year when she didn't. Cara had watched every student come off the train. She watched students run to join their families who embraced their children, thankful they were alive. She watched students gathering to mourn the loss of a family member who wasn't so fortunate. She watched and waited, searching for the tall, green eyed girl in yellow and black robes. She never came.
Cara, clasped tight in her mother's arms, was back in that very same train station. On that very same platform. Only this time, she was the one getting on the train. She was going to Hogwarts. She was going to Hogwarts alone. Another tear fell down her face.
"Oh sweetheart," Mrs Branstone sighed, wiping the tear from her daughter's cheek. "It's going to be hard baby, I know. I know. But you have to be strong Cara. Be strong and make your sister proud okay? Can you do that baby?"
"Yes mummy." Cara nodded, putting on the best smile she could manage.
"That's my girl." Mrs Branstone said sweetly as she placed a lingering kiss on Cara's forehead. "Hurry along now, you mustn't miss the train."
With a deep breath, she turned to face her future at Hogwarts. Her future without her sister. Be strong Cara. She repeated the words in her head. Make Eleanor proud. Another deep breath, and she stepped into the first empty carriage and sat nearest the window. Excitement swelling up in her stomach.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the cabin door, and a small boy with light brown hair and grey eyes peeked inside. He had the subtlest hint of freckles upon his nose and cheeks, and his skin was a few shades lighter than hers. She had inherited her mother's olive skin, and dark caramel hair. Her green-blue eyes and thin rounded nose had come from her father, who was as Irish as you could get.
"Excuse me" The boy said, looking toward the ground in a shy, nervous manner. "There- there aren't any other seats, is it okay if- if I sit here?"
"Oh, yes of course." Cara smiled politely at the boy, whose cheeks had gone a strange shade of pink.
"Is it your first year too?" The boy, whose gaze had left the floor and was now shifting between his fidgeting hands, and her face she assumed. "Oh, uh, I'm Elliot by the way. Elliot Turner."
"Cara Branstone." She took his extended hand and offered him a friendly smile. "And, yes. I'm a first year as well."
"Oh, excellent, I was afraid there wouldn't be many others, because of the war. Load of parent's are keeping their kids at home or sending them to a different school I heard. They reckon it's not safe. Fair few don't even really think You-Know-Who's dead for good. Folks are careful not to get too relaxed, 'cause that's what they did last time he 'died'. And turn'd out, he wasn't really dead." Elliot stopped suddenly, realising how frantically he had been speaking. Careful not to lose his new friend he eagerly changed the subject. "But, I reckon we're safe. Or they wouldn't of reopen. D'you know what house you're going to be sorted in?"
Cara wanted to be Hufflepuff, like Eleanor, but everyone in her family always told her she'd be Ravenclaw. Not that she'd mind it much, Eleanor's best friend was a Ravenclaw, at least she'd know someone.
"Dunno." She answered finally. "Haven't thought about it much." She lied.
"Oh, well I wanna be Gryffindor. Like Harry Potter." Elliot smiled proudly. "Or Hufflepuff, like Cedric Diggory, honestly, I'll take anywhere but Slytherin."
"Why not Slytherin?" Cara asked. Perhaps it was her sister rubbing off on her, but Cara never understood the hatred some houses had for others.
"Why not Slytherin?" The boy gawked. "Are you mad? You-Know-Who was Slytherin! As well as the hundreds of Death Eaters he had following him 'roun, killing innocent people."
"What about all the Slytherin students who stayed during the battle to protect the younger students?" She felt her face get hot, full of anger. Thinking of the Slytherin 5th year that came to her home, and told her parents what had happened, that he tried to save her, that it was too late, and that he was so sorry for failing her.
"Well… I… uh." Elliot stumbled for words, but she didn't want to hear what he had to say. Luckily, she didn't have to. The train lurched forward and came to a stop. They were here. She hurried off the train and followed the rest of the first year students up to the castle.
It was bigger and more beautiful than she had ever imagined. They had rebuilt it exactly how it was before the battle, she had seen it hundreds of times in photos her sister brought home, and it was always featured in the Daily Prophet, but somehow even moving pictures didn't capture how brilliant it really was.
They were lead through the corridors and entered the Great Hall. Cara looked up at the enchanted ceiling, which currently reflected a night sky filled with a millions of brilliant stars. It was enough to bring tears to one's eyes. A few first years gasped and talked excitedly behind her. She followed their eyes to the Gryffindor table. Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger sat silently clearly expecting to be recognised, but not wanting the attention. Unfortunately Cara's fellow first years didn't quite get the message and kept pointing excitedly until they were cut of by a strong, confident voice.
"Welcome, first years." An older woman in an emerald cloak spoke at a golden podium at the end of the hall. "To those of you who do not know me, I am Minerva Mcgonagall, and I am the Headmistress at this school. Now, before we begin the sorting, I have a few things I would like to say."
The hall was silent.
"First and foremost, Hogwarts will be you home for the next 7 years, and every student and teacher, your family. I will not tolerate foolish feuds among houses. Every student has just as much right to be here as the next, and there is certainly no house greater than any of the others. That being said, a bit of friendly competition is only healthy, and will no doubt occur in events such as Quidditch and the House cup. Anyone taking the competition in a dangerous or cruel manner will be on the first train home."
She paused for a long moment, allowing her words to sink in.
"Many of you fought in this very school in May. Many of you watched your classmates — your friends — die. It is a sorrow no one, especially not ones as young as yourselfs, should face. After all you have seen, I expect you to treat each other with kindness and respect. You should know that help will always be given at Hogwarts, to those who ask."
And with that the sorting hat belting a hopeful song, and the sorting began.
"Addlestone, Moira"
A thin girl with vibrant red curls sat on the stool as the sorting hat was placed on her head.
"RAVENCLAW"
"Branstone, Cara"
Cara felt her heart pounding in her ears. She sat on the stool and felt the old hat fall on top of her head.
Hmm Yes. Very tricky. Very tricky indeed. An old, battered voice spoke inside her head.
You have the bravery of a Gryffindor and the compassion of a Hufflepuff. However, neither are quite the right fit for you, no, you have the potential for greatness. Your wits and cleverness could take you far in Ravenclaw yes. Yes. But there is more to it than that. You have ambition beyond measure. So what'll it be? Hmm? Ravenclaw, or Slytherin? Better be—"
"SLYTHERIN" The hat announced.
There was a moment of nothing. The whole hall was still. Cara saw a fair amount of Gryffindors look at her with disgust. Half the Hufflepuffs wouldn't even look at her. The silence broke when one of the Slytherin students jumped to his feet and started cheering and clapping. Soon the entirety Slytherin house was on their feet cheering for her. She went to go join them as the sorting moved on.
"Here, you can have a seat my me." Said one of the Slytherins. Cara looked for the person addressing her, it was the boy who had stood up first. He was tall and lean, he couldn't have been more than two years older than her. He had messy blond hair and hazel eyes.
"Thank you." She said, taking a seat next to him. "For cheering for me."
"Us Slytherins ought to stick together. Now more than ever." He smiled "Aiden Jones. Second year."
"Cara Branstone." She returned his smile.
"Oi, Cara, how are you on a broom?" The question came from a taller, dark skinned Slytherin boy who sat across from her at the table. His dreadlocks, which were tied back at the moment, went down to his waist.
"Sorry?" Cara said.
"A broom. Can you ride?" The boy pushed, only to be elbowed in the ribs by the redheaded girl who sat next to him.
"Give the girl a chance to breathe Lucas." The girl, with a distinctly irish accent said, before she turned and smiled at Cara. "I'm Auriella Byrne, and this tosser is Lucas Murray." She nudged his shoulder. Lucas smiled.
"Who you callin' tosser, leprechaun." Lucas replied.
"Oh, how creative, I've never been called that before."
"Oi, you two shut it will you, another one's just been sorted to Slytherin." Aiden interrupted. They all stood and cheered for the new house member. It was a blonde girl with long curly locks and brilliant green eyes.
"Welcome to the coolest house, I'm Lucas, this is Auriella, Aiden, and Cara." Lucas said as he invited the new girl to sit by him.
"I'm Elaine. Newmann."
They sat in silence and watched the remaining students get sorted.
"Obermann, James"
"HUFFLEPUFF"
"Paston, Marie"
"RAVENCLAW"
"Pearce, Jace"
"GRYFFINDOR"
"Quinn, Jefferson"
"RAVENCLAW"
"Redford, Millard"
"GRYFFINDOR"
"Turner, Elliot."
"SLYTHERIN"
Cara looked up in shock. Shock which apparently was mirrored on Elliot's face. He looked mortified. Slowly he walked over to the Slytherin table and sat down. Refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
Five more students were sorted after Elliot, two of which were Slytherin, but Cara was too distracted to remember their names. For the rest of dinner Elliot hadn't touched his food. Cara expected to feel sorry for him, but she didn't. Instead, she was shocked to find she was actually grinning at the irony.
After dinner the Slytherin prefects led the students to the Slytherin common rooms, which were in the dungeons. The Slytherin common room was absolutely stunning. The smooth black marble, and soft green lanterns gave a surprisingly cozy feel to the place. The tall arching glass windows looked out into the Black Lake. A couple older Slytherins had enchanted the statues to do chores and make food. Cara had never seen such an impressive collection of books, the bookshelves covered nearly the entire back wall. She, along with the other first years, stood still for a few moment, taking in the incredible room, observing all the trinkets and toys, inventions in progress, and so many games she'd never even heard of. After receiving the full tour, Cara unpacked her things in her trunk, and slid into the emerald green sheets. After the long day she's had, it felt nice to lie down and relax. In fact, she fell asleep nearly a minute after her head touched the pillow. This was going to be an amazing year. She could feel it.
Sorry it was a bit short, they wont all be that short, I just wanted to get something out there to start. Let me know what you think! Please leave comments and reviews and feel free to message me any questions or suggestions :)