*Disclaimer i don't own any of the characters, only the plot*
Chapter One
In this very moment, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I was lost. Like really lost. Like the kind of lost that makes you scared and jumpy. Like when you were a kid and went to a story with your mum and ended up lost. Those few minutes of being lost are some of the most fear filled moments a kid can feel.
I have ten minutes to find my bloody train, and I would prefer if I was sitting on it rather that lost in the middle if King's Cross station looking for my bloody platform. I ran a hand through my too messy to care hair, and told myself everything will be ok. I hate asking for help so I'm staying lost. I kept moving around looking for my platform, trying my best not to look like a confused little puppy. Here I was in the middle of a train station surrounded by people moving about like ants. Some people were leaving home; some were returning back to their home, some were just looking for an adventure. I was none of the above. I never really had a home, a place to come back to after my adventures were over. I have moved 34 times in my 15 years of existence. I've been shuffled from foster home to foster home, from group home to group home. So this was nothing new. I was used to picking up the shards of my highly chaotic and somewhat nomadic life and moving on to the next "home".
Except this time I'm lost and I definitely could no longer pretend that I was not the lost little puppy I didn't want to be. So I stopped wondering about and looking for platform 9 ¾ . I looked for other kids looking potentially as lost as I was, or maybe a kid with a pointy wizard hat, or maybe a broom, or something magic-y. No such luck.
Ms. McGonagall explained to me that I was a muggle born. Her eyes peered into mine as if she was about to tell me the most wondrous secret ever. Which was exactly what she was going to do. She told me that magic flowed within me and that somehow, even though I had no magical lineage, magic found its way to me. It all seemed so unbelievable that I sort of, might of, ran away thinking she was absolutely insane and was probably going to kidnap me and feed me to her giant dog or something. But before I even made it to the door of the family room, she had shut it. Then, as if to prove to me that she wasn't the insane kidnaper I thought her to be, she made it snow. She made it snow. At that point I was pretty sure she was not going to feed me to her large dog.
So that was an interesting day. I mean I woke up a human and ended up being a bloody witch. Now that was mental. This would be a great time to know how to use that magic that "found me". Maybe then I wouldn't be standing next to platform 9, my cat meowing, as if trying to say "you stupid human". I reach into the cage and pet her grey fur trying to find solace in her soft, pillow-y fur. Suddenly I felt someone tap my shoulder and I jumped, I turned around and was met with a mess of red disheveled hair and sweet, joking brown eyes you could melt in.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you, but you seem really bloody lost". He said running a pale, somewhat freckled hand through his already too messy hair.
I found myself smiling even though I didn't want to. I mentally kicked myself. "That would be because I'm really bloody lost" I replied, hiding my smile as I looked broke his gaze.
"Maybe I could help?", he said, "I'm Fred Weasley"
"Arden Sable" I said, "Um I have no idea where in the bloody hell platform 9 ¾ is" I admit sheepishly. He gave a small chuckle and I looked at the ground. This is why I hate; absolutely abhor asking for help, because after I fell like a complete idiot. Suddenly I felt the need to explain myself, to show that I'm not as daft or as blind as he might think I am. "It's my first year at Hogwarts and I'm a bit confused. I didn't think it would be this hard to find a platform"
"No worries." He said, flashing me a bright smile, "So you run straight up into the wall between 9 and 10"
"Oh that makes total sense" I said with a laugh. "I wonder why I didn't think of that before"
"That would be because you're thinking like a muggle" he answered. I looked over at him and I couldn't help but take those words more seriously than he intended them to be.
"That would be because I'm a muggle born" I explain
"I figured, at least you've got you knight in shining armor" he joked
"Really, I always imagined my knight to be much more good looking" I teased
"OH" he said clutching his chest in mock hurt, "That hurt my soul" For the first time today I laughed. "You would laugh at my pain"
"Yes I would, my dearest Knight" I chuckled
"I think I am abdicating my position as your Knight, you under appreciate me" he joked
"Oh just when I was starting to like you" I grinned, a hint of a laugh still in my voice. Fred brushed his hand through his hair once more, his eyes gazing into mine, as if imploring me of something. I was too tired too tired to stop or mentally hit myself, but I felt a little flutter in my stomach and I had to break his gaze for fear that, that fluttering would come back.
"Whose this blushing beauty" a seemingly familiar voice said. Was I really blushing? I looked up at Fred? Then I looked back at the boy next to me and I realized that there were two Freds. Maybe he can duplicate himself? I mean if getting to my platform means running through a wall like a bloody ghost, why can't someone duplicate himself right? This is when I wish I actually did some summer reading. Then maybe I wouldn't be such an idiot.
"I'm George, the better looking twin" He said with a sly grin and the same melt worthy eyes as his brother.
" Clearly" I said giving a confirming nod, "Arden" I declared meeting his outstretched hand.
"So it's your first year?" he asked and I nodded
"That obvious?"
"Well yes considering you look like a lost kitten stumbling about and I overheard your conversation" He said earning a laugh from me.
"Did you transfer?" Fred asked.
"No, I didn't even know I was a witch until earlier this summer" I explained. They both eyed each other aas if her lack of knowledge was weird.
"Did you're parents never tell you" Fred asked. I wasn't ready for this. For the whole "you poor thing". I don't need people to feel bad for me just because I don't have a family. There is absolutely no need to make people think that I am some walking tragedy.
"Hurry up Ron!" I heard a stern voice com up behind us. "Fred, George I thought you two had already left". She had wild red hair that only she could pull off. Her eyes were kind and motherly. I gave her a small smile. Behind her was a small, but pretty girl who was gazing and the boy next to Ron. Ron was awkward but in an endearing way.
"We did" they said in unison.
"But a helpless civilian", Fred began
"needed directions" ,George Finished.
"I assume this is the helpless civilian" She said raising an eyebrow.
"I'm Arden Sable" I said reaching my hand out
"Mrs. Weasley" she said with a smile that could fix anything, "Their mother" she said eying her boys.
"Nice to meet you" I said. "And I really did need help. It's my first year at Hogwarts and I wasn't sure how to get on the platform"
"Ohh sweetheart" she said "Are you here all on your own?" I nodded "You poor thing"
"It's alright, I'm used to it" I said meeting her sad eyes with a smile.
"I hope my boys explained it to you"
"Yes" I nodded, "It seems rather intimidating though" I admitted.
"I know sweetie, Fred why don't you go first" he opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but ended up just running straight toward the wall like a mental person. Out of habit I waited to hear a crash or something equally as painful but alas he had disappeared. "George, Ginny, Herminone" the next three went.
Only black haired boy who had sparkling green eyes that seemed to hold a sad story and I remained. Once both he and Ron were gone it left me.
"Ok sweetheart, you go ahead, I'm sure the boys will wait for you" I nodded
"Thanks" I said as I started pushing my cart in front of me and ran straight into the all. Suddenly I found myself in bustling area filled with Hogwarts alumni.
"You survived" The black haired boy said with a half-smile. "I was the same way my first time. I'm Harry" He looked at me as if he was waiting for something. I cocked my head not quite sure what he expected of me.
" Arden. I don't think I've ever been so confused" I admit, "Or lost"
"That's how it was for me too, I had no one"
"What about Mrs. Weasley?"
"She's Ron's mum" he said curtly
"She's still someone" I said meeting his green eyes, "it seems like you've got more than one person in your corner" He nodded as a silence fell over us like a cloak.
"Did you just move here or" Harry asked, clearly trying to let things get awkward. I appreciated his effort. Being a foster kid, and having to move a lot should have made me social or something. Instead I'm like an awkward little butterfly flying through conversations I don't know how to handle.
"No, it's just I've moved around a lot and I didn't even know this world existed and now I guess I'm just a little late to the game"I say as Ron pulled up next to us with another girl.
"Arden" I said, as Ron stuffed his face with what looked to like a cupcake.
"Hermione" A girl with mousy hair said. "And this bundle of manners is Ron"
I gave a small giggle and said, "Hi"
"Umm Ron" I began, "You have frosting in your nose"
"OH" he said quickly jumping to wipe it off. "Sorry" he said sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it."
"Hey, Harry" I girl with long black hair, and smooth fair skin said.
"H-h-hi" Harry said.
"Well that was quite eloquent" I joked as the girl walked away. He turned to look at me and for a moment I thought maybe I shouldn't have said that. Instead of getting angry, a wave of pink fell over his face.
"It's ok, she likes you too" I said matter of fact-ly
"How do you know" he said, his green eyes practically shooting out of his overexcited body.
"I just know" I said.
"I'm pretty sure you just made his day" Hermione said with a smile on her face. She took my hand and led me away from the boys. "Sorry about Ron, I don't even think he knows he's an idiot half the time"
"And the other half"
"The half he's just a complete wanker" She said with a wry smile. I laughed earning me a couple looks from people around me.
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me" I say
"He's not all bad though, he's got some good parts" she said, clearly feeling bad about calling him a wanker.
"Everybody's got good parts, you just gotta look for them" I say, "Ron's are just buried deep beneath all that quick wit" I chuckled.
"That's true" She said her eyes scanning behind us, presumably looking for the Ron and Harry. Once she eyed them, she waved them over. "Can you guys get our stuff loaded?" she asked. Just when Ron was about to say no I chimed in.
"We need to go save us seats because there's a lot of people in there already" He grumbled and flashed a not so nice look at Hermione. Harry then took the rest of our stuff as we climbed up onto the train.
"Our brother treating you ok", Fred, or George said.
"He's been an absolute gentleman"
"Do I sense a bit of sarcasm here Fred" George said as he appeared at Freds side.
"I do believe so" Fred concurred
I rolled my eyes, I gave a fake gasp "Me? Sarcastic? How dare you even think I would stood to that level"
"We better get to our seats Arden" Hermione said. I gave a nod and waved good bye at the twins.
"You can call me Ari" I said
"What?" Hermione said scanning the train for, four available seats.
"Call me Ari"
"I like that, Ari" she smiled, "I wish I had a cool nickname"
"But your name is already so awesome, in fact it is too awesome to shorten" I earned a chuckle from her. Then she made a mad dash to a little section that just happened to be free. I then tried to catch up with her when I ran into someone. Being my klutzy self I feel on my butt. I could feel the red wave of embarrassment sweep over my cheeks as I looked up to see the bluest eyes I had ever see. The eyes belonged to a boy who was cute and way to cocky. His scowl disappeared and he reached a hand out to me.
"Sorry" I apologized as he helped me up.
"its fine" He said his blue, cold, and somewhat mesmerizing eyes met mine, "just watch where you're going next time" I was taken aback by his cold sharp words. What was the point of helping me up if he was just going to be a bloody prick? I rolled my eyes and in a moment of 80% stupidity, 13% anger, and 7% just because I decided I was not going to let him be jerk to me. I also blame my blatant stupidity on the fact that I was tired, lost, and kind of scared of this whole you have magical powers thing.
"Or maybe next you could learn some manners" I spit at him. He turned around, "Or maybe you could, I don't know, avoiding bumping in to people" I said as sweetly as I could, but as pointed as a dagger for stabbing. Shock was written all over his face, but it soon melted into a smirk. I walked away knowing that, that smirk was still decorating his arrogant face. I felt the stares as I made my way to the booth were Hermione was sitting. I then huffed as I sat down next to her, her soft features now sporting a sharper more surprised look.
"I guess no one talks to him like that"
"Most don't, but everyone wishes they could"
"He's just another one of those arrogant wankers, he's just another dime a dozen.
"Speaking from experience?" I looked over at her, no longer bothering to hide the fact that sometimes I am a walking tragedy, but then again aren't we all at some point.
"Yeah, I've known too many of 'em" I yawned.
"You should sleep" she said kindly.
"Thanks", I said as my heavy eyelids fell closed like the curtains of a show.
"For what?"
"For being nice and understanding and not thinking I'm a total idiot"
"You don't need to thank me, what are friends for" she said, and even though my eyes were closed I could tell that her pink mouth had curved into a smile. As I drifted off into oblivion warm brown eyes seemed to slip into my subconscious and I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face. And a thought popped into my head, whatever this feeling was, was way more amazing than magic.