Many people would have thought that Wallis Bell was an average 15 year old. Others however, knew she was not. Those people being; Her mum and dad, her sister, Mrs Culfeather across the road and the student/teacher population at Howarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Wallis woke one morning, with a slight start, proceeded to rub her eyes and flinch at the sunlight blazing through her window . Looking around her room, she took in the slight blue glow emitting from her walls. They were bespeckled with blue and silver banners, depicting Ravens and eagles, and slogans such as "Wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure!" She smiled at the words as she donned some clothes and then looked in the mirror. She looked at her purpley pink hairand grimaced. She shook her head from side to side before looking in the mirror and seeing navy blue locks flowing down to her waist. Wallis was also a metamorphmagus, and had the ability to change her appearance to whatever shape or form she chose. After tying it in a loose plait, she quickly made her way to the living room downstairs.
"Morning." She smiled to her family, who were buzzing around the house, resembling a mad swarm of bees.
"Wallis move quicker! You need to be in London in twenty minutes!" Her dad called. Wallis' dad was a wizard, from whom she had inherited her power. Her mother however, was a muggle. She had a sister too, she was older and had her own house in London, where she worked in the Ministry of Magic.
Wallis didn't have many friends at Hogwarts, but her small group was all she really needed. There was Luna Lovegood, the quirky, entertaining second year Ravenclaw with a fascinating knowledge of magical creatures; Stephen Brown, fifth year Gryffindor with whom Wallis spent her childhood growing up alongside, and Rachel McEwen, fifth year Hufflepuff with an amazing thirst for fun. As she double checked the contents of her trunk, she held a group photo in her left hand, taken by a charmed camera. It depicted four people, dressed in black robes all smiling and laughing into the camera. One very tall boy (who was often mistaken for a Weasley due to his ginger hair and blue eyes) Stephen Brown, standing next to Wallis, with her long blue hair falling down her back. Beside Wallis was one dark haired girl, with shoulder length hair and an infectious smile, who was known as Rachel McEwen. Next to Rachel, stood a smaller girl with waist length dirty blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a dreamy smile. Wallis smiled to herself as she could hear Luna's calming voice in her head, "Oh, are we taking a picture? How fun!"
Wallis placed the picture on top of a pile of robes in her trunk, she beamed with excitement. In a few days she would be back within the grounds of Hogwarts, going to Hogsmeade weekends and seeing all of her friends once again.
"Wallis! Do you have your ticket?!" Her mother called, frantically making sure she was organized.
"Yes mum, it's right here." She said, holding up a creamy white coloured ticket, her ticket for The Hogwarts Express. Just then there was a knock on the front door. Wallis walked through to the hallway to find a large shadow silouhetted against the door. She opened the door and let Stephen in, who was trailing his trunk behind him. He shouted a casual, "Hi!" to everyone as he entered the living room.
"All set?" He asked.
"Ready to go!" Wallis called excitedly. Wallis' dad walked in, dressed in muggle clothes. Wallis' family tended to dress in muggle clothes, as it was easier to halt any suspicious neighbours asking questions. Also, because they tended to be more cooler in summer and easier to move in.
"We'll be travelling the usual way, Side-Along Apparition." He said, holding out his arms for Wallis and Stephen. It wasn't their particular favourite mode of transportation, but it was handy. "All set?" He asked. They nodded. "Then off we go."
"Bye Mum!" Wallis called. As her mother waved to them blackness surrounded her, although she could still feel and firm grip on her arm. No matter how many times Wallis appirated, it never became any comfier. The next miute the swirling blackness cleared and Wallis took a deep breath. As she looked down the alleyway onto the street, she took in the atmosphere of Muggle London. It was fascinating.
"Will you two be okay from here?" Her dad asked.
"Yes, of course." Wallis smiled. Stephen agreed.
"Okay, have fun, and work hard! You too Stephen!" He said with a nod in Stephen's direction.
"Bye Dad." Wallis laughed. He waved before a crack filled the air and he Disappirated.
"So, which way to the Leaky Cauldron?" Stephen asked.
"It's just around the corner." Wallis said, pointing. They grabbed their trunks and carried them out of the alley, then wandered down the street until they came to the familiar, flakey painted door. Stephen pushed the door open and the entered, hit by the familiar aroma of mead and butterbeer mixed with firewhiskey.
"Can I get you anything dears?" Asked a small plump witch with a strong cockney accent.
"No thanks, but perhaps you could help us find our rooms?" Wallis asked politely.
"Oh no problem my loves! Can I ask your names?"
"Wallis Bell, and Stephen Brown." She replied, pointing to Stephen.
"That's lovely, right this way." She smiled and proceeded to lead them through the bar. As they walked, Wallis caught sight of two familiar red heads, sitting close together in deep conversation. Infact, there was a full table of redheads.
"Oh, the Weasley's are staying here too!" Stephen said, seeing the family. Wallis then realised that the two heads she had seen must have been, with no doubt, the twins. Fred and George Weasley. They were in the same year as Wallis and Stephen, and were the famous troublesome twins of Hogwarts. Stephen had become friends with the twins in their first year, as they all tried out for the quidditch team together. Stephen had made it as a keeper, while the twins were beaters. Wallis rolled her eyes as she overhead the twins laughing at a prank which would without a doubt be shown in Hogwarts within the coming weeks.
Once settled into their rooms, Wallis and Stephen had agreed to meet in the bar/lounge area for a butterbeer. As usual, Wallis was late, meeting an impatient Stephen in the corner of the lounge, sitting in a large red armchair.
"You owe me two sickles." He said, pointing to the two butterbeers sitting on the coffee table.
"Ha, sure, I'll give you it after we've been to Gringotts." She laughed, taking a seat and taking a sip of butterbeer. She couldn't help but notice the family of redheads sitting in the corner of her eye, but another boy with dark messy hair had joined them, along with a girl with brown bushy hair. Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, Hogwarts resident celebrity, and perhaps the kindest person to speak to. Sitting beside him was Hermione Granger, a girl whom Wallis admired greatly for her amazing knowledge of magic.
"So," Stephen said, placing an empty glass on the table and breaking a sleepy silence. "When are we going to get our stuff?"
"Well, we can go whenever, I guess." Wallis said with a shrug. "How about after I've finished my drink?" Stephen nodded in agreement, Wallis hastily finished her butter beer and they walked back to their rooms. Wallis searched in her room for a small bag to keep her money in while they trapsed through Diagon Alley.
Finally finding it in her trunk, she left the room and met Stephen outside his room and walked out the back door of The Leaky Cauldron, into a familiar alley. Stephen tapped his wand against the wall, which opened in front of them. They smiled as Diagon Alley stood infront of them, filled with Hogwarts students and Shop owners bussling around for new equiptment and customers.
After retrieving enough money to last them the year, they proceeded to Madam Malkin's for their new robes. They were measured and had their new robes in no time and within he next hour they had their equipment. As they passed Eeylops, Wallis caught sight of a small tabby cat in the window, it's large blue eyes reminded her slightly of Luna, and she had a rush of excitement for the upcoming year. The kitten pawed at the window, its breathe blurring her view for seconds then reappearing. She felt a wave of affection sweep over her as she was overwhelmed at the kittens cuteness.
"I'm going to buy a cat, I won't be long." She said casually, catching Stephen off guard.
"What?! When did you decide this?!" He asked, flabberghasted.
"Just now." She said, and proceeded into the shop. "How much for the kitten over there?" She asked, her eyes wide in anticipation. Wallis left the shop with the kitten in her hands, scratching it's ears.
"What are you going to call it?" Stephen asked.
"I'm going to call her Lucy." Wallis replied. They returned to The Leaky Cauldron around dinnertime and returned to their rooms to pack away their equiptment.
It wasn't until Wallis and Stephen returned to the bar for dinner that she saw posters hanging on the walls, showing the face of a man with a mad glare on his face, hidden by sunken eyes and straggely hair, who appeared to be screaming and trying to fight off guards. On closer inspection, the sign read, "Have you seen this wizard? Aprroach with extreme caution! Do NOT attempt to use magic against this man. Any information leading to the arrest of this man shall be duly awarded. Notify immediately by owl the Ministry of Magic." Under these warning, the sign told the name of the man, known as Sirius Black. Stephen retold the story of Sirius Black, how he betrayed Lily and James Potter, gave information of their wareabouts to You Know Who, and how he had now broken out of Azkaban and that many witches and wizards share the theory that he planned on finishing the job and was searching for Harry Potter, to kill him.
Wallis never finished her dinner, the news of a mad mass murderer breaking out of prison had somewhat halted her appetite. Instead she sat in the corner, on an armchair and became immersed in the newest edition of Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Before long Stephen joined her, along with Ron Weasley who was discussing quidditch teams with him.
"There's nothing wrong with The Cannons, they just haven't won in a while." Ron said in a defeated tone.
"So Ron, looking forward to third year?" Wallis asked him.
"Yeah, I guess so. Although I guess it would be better if I could remember what classes I've chosen. Andd if there wasn't a murderous, raving, lunatic on the loose."
"I guess, it does kind of dull down the excitement a bit, the thought of a criminal getting into Hogwarts." Stephen replied.
"He won't get in if Dumbledore is there." Wallis said, convincing herself she would be safe, as there was a part of her that was sure he would try. Before long, Ron left to return to Harry and Hermione, and Stephen returned to his room for an early night. Wallis remained in the bar lounge until only a few people were scattered around the room. An old wizard sat in the corner, his head lulling forwards every few minutes as he fell asleep then woke up repeatedly; a few drunken wizards slurring words in the far end of the room, and Fred and George Weasley, joined by small redheaded girl, their sister Ginny. Wallis yawned as her eyes became sore with the amount of reading she had done, and closed her book, stood up and made her way towards the stairs. Wallis yawned again, rubbing her eyes with her free hand as she held her book with the other. Suddenly there was a thud followed by a slight splash as Wallis collided Fred Weasley, who had got to his feet to return glasses to the barman.
"Oh Merlin's beard! I'm so sorry!" He called, placing the glasses down.
"It's fine! Honestly it's okay." She laughed, and she patted at the wet patches of her tshirt and placed her book on the table.
"Here, I'll get you something to dry that with." Said Fred, picking up the glasses and sitting them on the bar. He returned with a small cloth in his hands. "Here, sorry.." He repeated.
"It's fine, thanks..?" Wallis replied, trying to decipher which of the twins had drenched her in butterbeer.
"Fred." He smiled.
"Sorry, it's just so hard to tell you two apart." She laughed. "It's like Spot the Difference." Fred looked puzzled. "Oh, sorry, it's a muggle game." She said, slightly embarrassed.
"My dad loves muggles." He said
"My mum's a muggle." She said, sitting the now damp cloth onto the bar.
"Really? So you're a half-blood?"
"I guess so!" She smiled. "Sorry, I don't mean to be rude but I'm really tired, so-"
"Oh right, sorry! Goodnight." He said, waving at her as she walked up the stairs. Wallis' cheeks turned scarlet as she climbed the stairs. She was so embarassed at walking into him, nevermind being soaked in butterbeer in the process.
After changing into her pyjamas, Wallis collapsed onto her bed. Excitement washed over her. She would be returning to Hogwarts tomorrow, she would be at the start of term feast in less than twenty four hours and reunited with her other to best friends.