"Hurry up Katie! We're going to be late for the train! I am not riding with Uncle Ron again!" Rachel hollered up the stairs to her sister.
"I'm almost ready!" Katie returned.
It was September 1st, 10:35 am. Rachel had been waiting for this day since July when she received her letter of acceptance to the school. Amanda, Katie and Rachel's mother, was so proud when Rachel, the third oldest daughter, was considered a Hogwarts student. She also wanted her set of twin daughters and the child she was currently carrying to have the pleasure of being students as well.
Katie quickly came down the stairs, flipped her flaming red hair, and nonchalantly said, "Come on, Jessica, Rachel, we'll be late for the train." Rachel rolled her eyes and followed her eldest sister out the door.
Outside, Jessica quickly called "shot-gun" and hopped in. Rachel sighed and crawled in the backseat. She hated the back seat because Jessica would always flip her hair in Rachel's face. In her hand, she gripped the acceptance letter. The ink on the envelop was smeared into purple and gray ink. She opened her letter to read it again...for the gall zillionth time. She read it to herself, "Dear Ms. Weasley, you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry..."
"Are you reading that stupid ol' letter again?" Jessica interrupted.
"Yes, and it's not stupid!"
"The way you obsess over it is so childish," Katie added.
Tears filled Rachel's eyes. She gripped the letter tighter. The ink words were barely legible from the sweat and tears. Jessica grabbed the letter, ripping it in half.
"Oops, it ripped," Jessica replied and dropped it to the floor. No one talked until they got to the train station. They grabbed their stuff and ran to the platform, platform 9 ¾.
Once on the train, Katie shuffled off to a group of her friends, and Jessica ran to her boyfriend. This left little Rachel alone. A boy about Rachel's age came down the hallway towards her. He was carrying a Standard Book of Spells: Year 2 in his arms. He had a green robe on and his hat partly covered his bright blonde hair. As he got closer, he acknowledged Rachel.
"Hello," he said smiling.
"Hello," Rachel shyly replied.
"My name's Matthew. What's yours?"
"Rachel."
"You're a first year, are you not?" Rachel shyly nodded. "Why don't you come in this car and we can talk."
"Thanks...Matthew," Rachel returned with a small smile. They entered the car and sat opposite each other.
"Well, Rachel," Matt said trying to concoct a conversation, "tell me about yourself. What do you want to do at Hogwarts?"
"I want to be on the Quidditch team."
"I'm on the Quidditch team this year."
"As what?" Rachel was now interested.
"I'm the seeker," he replied pompously.
"Cool!"
"What do you want to be?"
"I want to be a beater!"
"That is neat. Our beaters are awesome. No one has gotten bludged since I have been here," he gloated.
"Which has been all of one year," she pointed out.
"One year is a good record. It is better than Gryffindor."
"What was theirs?"
"Some one got hit every other game!"
"Then they'll really need me. I practiced all summer with my sisters."
"Your sisters are on the Quidditch team? What are they?"
"My sister Katie is the keeper and my sister Jessica is a beater."
"Oh, you're a Weasley then?"
"Yep, sure am," Rachel said with a smile.
"I was told a lot about the Weasleys."
"Like what?"
"Like that they couldn't play Quidditch. That must be why the cup went to Slytherin last year."
Rachel's face went a bright red. No one was ever allowed to talk crap about her family.
"I see your father could afford new robes, unlike your grandfather."
That was it! She blew her top.
"HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY LIKE THAT! YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT! MY FATHER IS DOING THE BEST FOR MY JUST LIKE MY GRANDFATHER DID FOR MY FATHER AND HIS SIBLINGS! I'LL TEACH YOU MATTHEW! GRYFFINDOR WILL WIN THE CUP THIS YEAR! JUST YOU WAIT!" She inhaled a deep breath and exhaled in relief. At this time, she took her eyes off of Matt and discovered that the train was now full of Hogwarts students. Her eldest sister entered last and gave her a smile. Each of the students filed out except Katie.
"What was going on in here?" Katie asked.
"A Slytherin was talking garbage about our family. I wasn't going to let him do that!"
"And you shouldn't have to put up with it," a man said as he entered. He was tall and slender. His black robe hung to the floor, and his hat covered most of his jet-black hair excluding his bangs. On the edge of his nose, sat a pair of circular glasses.
"Who are you?" Rachel asked impatiently.
"Rachel! That's P..." Katie was cut off.
"Rachel, I am your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Potter," he said followed by a short bow.
"The Harry Potter?" Rachel stuttered. "Do you have the... scar?"
"Yes, I do. Would you like to see it?"
Rachel gulped and whispered, "Sure."
Harry removed his hat and parted his bangs to reveal his tragic tattoo. Rachel gasped and Katie sighed. He placed his hat back on his mess of black hair and said, "If he gives you anymore trouble, you let me know. I know his father personally."
"Thank you," Rachel whispered.
"You're welcome," Harry replied. "Your sister here told me you can really hit a bludger out of the stadium."
"Sure can," Rachel said feeling more comfortable with the conversation.
"I hope to see how you are on a broomstick. Maybe you can be on the Quidditch team." He smiled for the first time showing his blinding-white teeth.
"Really? I've always wanted that!"
"Then come by my office when try-outs are under way, and I'll try to save you a spot."
"Thanks Professor."
"I better be going Rachel. I will see you at the sorting ceremony."
"Good bye Professor."
Harry exited leaving Katie and Rachel behind.
"Rachel, do you know what just happened?" Katie asked.
"Yeah, I just talked to the Harry Potter!"
"Well, yeah, but he wants you on the Quidditch team!"
"Oh, yeah, that's great too," Rachel replied dully.
"I've got to get back to my friends. I'll see you at the ceremony. Bye little sis."
"Bye Katie."
Katie darted out the door. Rachel was once again alone but with the sweet memory of the emerald green eyes and the maroon scar.
End of prologue.