Year Seven:
"Well goodbye mum, I'll miss you!" Heidi exclaimed kissing her mother on the cheek and picking up her heavy trunk, trotting to Platform Nine and three quarters.
"Heidi Walsh, you stay out of trouble now, you hear me? If you get yourself expelled, you will be in big trouble young lady", her mother said seriously.
"Oh come on mum, I've been going to Hogwarts six years now and Dumbledore hasn't expelled me yet!" she exclaimed.
"I'm serious Heidi, if you mess up it will not be pretty when you get home!" her mother yelled.
"I love you too mum!" Heidi called over her shoulder before running through the brick wall. She looked upon the large, steaming fire engine red train in front of her, the Hogwarts Express. Students and parents were all bustling around with their heavy trunks and hooting owls, all rushing to get on the train before it left.
Heidi caught her reflection in one of the train windows. A seventh year Gryffindor and a close friend of Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione was what the mirror reflected back to her. Yet behind the light brown/ash blonde hair and green eyes she was so much more than her five foot three reflection. Heidi was a brave woman yet, she often failed to see how great her qualities were due to modesty and a sometimes lack of self confidence.
"HEIDI", someone yelled from behind her, Heidi turned around to face Hermione Granger
"Hey Heidi! How was your summer?" she asked cheerfully. Heidi knew as well as any other student that Hermione was glad to be back in school.
"It was alright," she said shortly. "Thanks for sending me all those owls, you really helped my boredom."
Little did Hermione know that Heidi was extremely lonely during the summer months. For when Harry was busy being tortured by the Dursley's and Ron kept busy with his family, Heidi was mostly alone trying to keep herself out of the eyes of Voldemont and also keep the mice out of her room.
"It's alright- what are friends for?" said Hermione in a brisk tone. "Anyway, lets go get on the train, I told Harry and Ronald to get us a compartment".
Heidi could tell by the way she said "Ronald" and the way she blushed pink, she obviously liked him.
Harry and Heidi always made jokes behind their backs about their secret love. It was always nice to think about how the two would eventually get together, but Heidi couldn't help but feel a little sorry for herself and the number of boyfriends she never had.
They walked down the train corridor to the very end where Hermione opened a door to her left to reveal Harry and Ron.
Harry looked very much the same as he did last year. He was quite good looking. He was medium height, with messy black hair and beautiful green eyes. Ron also hadn't changed much; he was still tall and skinny, with his famous Weasley fiery red hair, freckles and bright blue eyes.
They all sat down in the same spots they've been sitting in for the past six years. Heidi was sitting next to Harry who was across from Hermione who was sitting next to Ron. Hermione was fidgeting nervously with her hair and Ron was turning redder and redder by the second.
"I reckon our friends have a crush on each other hmm," Heidi whispered to Harry.
"Yeah," Harry replied with a smirk.
"What are you two whispering about?" Hermione asked clearly annoyed.
As Harry and Heidi started to laugh, the compartment door slid open reveling Draco Malfoy, who was standing with his gorilla like cronies Crabbe and Goyle.
Heidi looked up at him and felt her stomach do an unexpected flip flop. He had definitely grown up over the summer. His shaggy platinum blonde hair was smooth and shiny and left to hang free in front of his penetrating blue eyes. All that Quidditch practice had really made him muscular.
"Potter, Weasel, Mudblood and Walsh", he hissed looking at each of them in turn.
"What Malfoy no clever nickname for me?" asked Heidi "I am hurt I didn't get the honor of another "witty" nickname."
Malfoy turned to stand in front of her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ron and Harry giving him the death glare.
His blue eyes bore into her green ones for what seemed like an eternity. While Heidi was determined to stare him down she wondered what he was thinking, probably just trying to make me feel stupid.
Suddenly he broke away from his trance. "Ill call you whatever I want Walsh, for now keep your name as it is", he said snidely.
For whatever reason, she was lost for words and could do nothing but helplessly stare.
When Malfoy left Heidi quickly noticed no one felt like talking anymore. She stared out the window out into the green countryside. Malfoy looked really good this year; I hope no one saw me blush when he stared at me. Has it really been that long when we were kids?
During the summers she lived with her mother in their shabby house outside of London. It had been many years since Heidi had experienced a man's love especially since the death of her father when she was eleven, bringing her family to financial crisis. Sure there was Harry and Ron to talk to but, she never quite felt that bond between her and anyone unless you count her feared childhood playmate – Draco Malfoy.
Heidi's father was one of the few who took it upon themselves to get inside information about the Dark Lord though the insight of Death Eaters themselves. Walsh had cleverly formed reliance with Lucius Malfoy because he saw that the man still held onto the fact that he should join their ranks as a Death Eater simply because he was a pure blood. Walsh always had the excuse that he was not interested in fighting but, merely peace. The family left Heidi to play with Draco for a few years to keep a steady sign of peace and trust ongoing. Their only fear was that Heidi may be discovered as the powerful witch she was and be destroyed by Voldemont.
Soon however, Voldemont found out about Heidi's advanced abilities and during her eleventh birthday (the summer before she left for Hogwarts) her mansion was ransacked and sent to flames. The Dark Lord searched for this little girl but, could not find her because Heidi's father had ordered his wife to take the her and run while he fought off the Death Eaters. It was a night from which the visions would stay with Heidi forever. Despite all the fear she had at Malfoy Manor, she lived for the days when she could be with Draco because it was the only comfort she had.
However, when she got to Hogwarts and was sorted into Gryffindor, her days were filled with taunts by her childhood playmate and they became strangers to each other. Still, Heidi always wondered what life would be like had their friendship went unaltered...
In the hours that passed, Harry, Ron and Heidi were all taking turns to see who could annoy Hermione the most.
"Hermione are you going to be taking any advanced classes?" asked Harry with mock concern.
Hermione was reading out of Hogwarts a History. She raised her bushy head out of the book and said:
"Well only one or two. You could get into some advanced classes if you tried more Harry."
Heidi sensed an argument coming so she turned her head again towards the window.
She could finally catch a glimpse of the great stone castle of Hogwarts. It always put her into a gaze whenever she stared at it for the first time of the year. I just can't believe this will be my last.
"Hey guys!" Heidi yelled to Harry and Hermione. "We're approaching the school now let's get going eh?"
"Heidi Walsh, a new kind of prefect," joked Ron
"Shut up," she retorted, rolling her eyes. "I don't want to be prefect, that's something that Hermione would like to do."
"I'm sure you'll be good at it Heidi," remarked Harry.
Stepping off the train she noticed Cho Chang, Ernie Mac Millen and Draco Malfoy were all standing together, representing prefects of their House. The September air was cool and she walked over to where the three stood. Ernie, Cho and gave greeting while Draco merely nodded.
Great I thought I'll probably have to clean up the mess Draco makes when he causes trouble.
Heidi glanced around the many students and realized the vast amount of first years. It actually felt like yesterday when she herself was a first year. She gazed a little bit longer into the black night before boarding the carriage.
Entering the Great Hall, Heidi took her place at Gryffindor table just as Albus Dumbledore started his annual welcome speech. She was so happy to be back at school. Hogwarts was one of the few places she could actually call home. Heidi caught Harry's eye and they shared knowing smiles.
"I want to welcome you all back to Hogwarts," said Headmaster Dumbledore. "This will be a very challenging year for all of us. From inside our own walls…and out."
As much as Heidi loved Dumbledore's welcome back speech, she blocked his mentions of the future out. It would be hard graduating next year. Her eyes glanced over the Slytherin table where Draco, Crabbe and Goyle were sitting. His eye caught hers and he smirked - Heidi quickly turned away.
Why does Malfoy look at me like that, I mean he's one of those types who love girls like Pansy Parkinson. However, it does get amusing to see her follow Malfoy wherever he goes. Just as Dumbledore ended his notorious speech, the sorting hat began its song. But, whist the students listened she drifted back not though Hogwart's history but, her own.
"HEIDI!" A little Draco screamed. "I'm gonna find you!" It was midnight and Draco and Heidi were playing hide and seek. They were on the other side of the manor so his parents couldn't hear them. "Found you!" Draco said. She had been hiding under his bed.
"No fair! You cheated!" A little Heidi said.
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Hey you wanna play another game?"Draco asked.
"What game?"
"Keep away."
"Keep away what?"
"These" Draco said pulling out my stuffed bear she named Michelle. She loved her and had had her ever since she was born. Heidi even took her every where.
"NO DRACO GIVE THOSE BACK! " she screamed
"No! Catch me if you can!" Draco said and ran out of the room and down the long hallway.
"No Draco! Ill never catch you!" she ran after him, Heidi tripped and landed on her knees which scrapped and bled.
"I'm sorry, Heidi, I didn't mean to make you cry." Draco said. "I'm sorry please don't cry."
Draco wrapped his arms around her. He gave her bear back and she cried on his shoulder. He rocked her back and forth. Heidi cried a little while longer, and then stopped crying to look into his blue grey eyes.
"I'm sorry Heidi I didn't mean to make you cry. I didn't ever wanna see you hurt. I love you. I promise, I won't ever hurt you again."
"HEIDI WAKE UP!" yelled Ron
"Wha-" I said
"You were daydreaming again," stated Hermione in a manor of fact tone.
"Oh well I don't know, I guess I am just nervous about this year," she lied smoothly.
"Well don't be," said Harry, "There is nothing to be nervous about - unless you count your chaser tryouts but I doubt anyone could beat you."
"Aww thanks Harry," said Heidi
"No problem," he replied playing with his fork.
"When are the tryouts anyways?"
"I don't know. They'll be posting it in the common room."
Suddenly the empty golden plates were filled to the brink with food and the feast began. Heidi always had an appetite on the first day of school. She was hoping Hermione wouldn't bring up S.P.E.W because after the food never tastes the same when you feel guilty.
Towards the end of desert Hermione whispered to her.
"Heidi you better get the first years to the common room now."
"Thanks Herms," she replied. Heidi was shocked that she was chosen as Head Girl when so many other people were more qualified. Hermione for example, but, she took the job into stride.
Turning around she saw Ernie taking the Hufflepuffs out of the Great hall, single file. Cho Chang and her first years seemed to have already left.
What made Heidi really laugh was seeing Malfoy try to pull a rather chubby first year Slytherin from the table, in order to escort his house.
She rose from the table and the others kept on eating the mouth watering deserts. Her own house was right behind her in sync. As they exited the Great hall Heidi waved to the first years
"Gryffindor first years follow me," and they followed!
Malfoy looked up at Heidi at the sound of her voice, a pink tinge appeared on his pale cheeks; he finally threw the plump boy on the floor and started with the first years he had already rounded up. His group slowly followed the Gryffindors until they parted at the staircase.
Heidi managed to pep talk the first years quickly about what life at Hogwarts was going to be like and what secret passageways were fastest. They all seemed stunned, she remember the feeling. On the seventh floor they approached the portrait of the fat lady.
She looked at her and questioned, "Password?"
"Pig snout," Heidi answered.
Showing around the first years seemed to be a piece of cake, and Heidi escorted them to their proper tower and finally made her way to her own. Walking into the circular room, Heidi made her way across the dark hardwood floor to the window where the moon illuminated the room.
Hogwarts Lake look so beautiful she thought to herself. Heidi leaned against the ledge of the window and caught her reflection. Perhaps there would be a day when someone would stop looking at her like a heroine and just for herself. Unable to wait for Hermione, Lavender and Samantha any longer, Heidi felt the sleepiness from the food rise over her.
She changed quickly and snuggled under the warm covers of her four poster. Ah this is more like it, she thought. It's nothing at all like the thin covers I have at home.
Heidi shuddered at her living conditions but, she vowed to herself that it would be the last summer she would spend there. And who knows? She thought as she nestled her head with the pillow.
Maybe my true love will show up. After all, he has to be somewhere. ...
It was the first day of Hogwarts. He looked for her amongst the crowd of first years, searching for the petite frame of Heidi Walsh. Professor McGonagall read off the names of students in no particular order finally coming to her name.
Suddenly the girl emerged, walking gracefully to the stool where the sorting hat was placed on her head. She looked nervous but, contempt with what the answer was going to be. He hoped she would tell the hat Slytherin but, at the same time of his wish he heard the unmistakable shout of,
"Gryffindor!"
A set of cold grey eyes just got colder as he watched the now joyful girl walk over and sit next to the revolting Harry Potter and poor Weasley brothers. Still he could not help but, stare at her for a while longer knowing that their friendship would take a different turn here. Heidi turned to look at him only it wasn't the eleven year old Heidi but, the seventeen year old who looked at him expectantly with her rose shaded lips and charming smile. He wanted to get over there but, found he could not!
Suddenly Malfoy gasped from his bed, sitting up to remove the cold sweat from his forehead. That dream he thought to himself, has to stop.
After all, the past is the past for a reason.