Hey everyone! This is a HP fanficiton, based mainly off the Books but I will be using the movie version from time to time.
Please, opinions are fabulous! I would love to know what you think!
(This is currently a trial and error story, I love the character but I'm not certain were I am going to go with her story yet. I hope you enjoy! This begins in Harry's third year (Prisoner of Azkaban) with Siobhan being in her fourth!)
I will be posting on Thursdays and Fridays, hopefully once a week!
Chapter One: A Cold Sweat
Entering King Cross Station, a small cage in my hand, I follow behind my father. The station is packed with busy people, rushing in and out onto the platforms. Pfft. Muggles. Worrying about trivial things, they don't even see whats going on around them. My father, frantic and in just as much of a rush, stumbles over his feet almost throwing all my luggage off the cart. Putting a hand on his shoulder I stop him.
"Dad, come on. I can find my way on my own. Just, go home. Relax."
He sighs softly and smiles at me, "You sound just like your Mother. Confident in the midst of chaos."
"So you always tell me. But seriously, go. I'm sure I can find this platform 9¾ all by myself, I am a big girl."
"Yes. Alright, fine. Here is your ticket, and you remember how to get in right? I did tell you?"
I chuckle at the worry on my fathers face. "Yes Father, you told me a hundred times and more. Stop fretting, give me my things and be on your way, I all write you when we arrive."
He gives me that same tired, worried look he's been carrying for years, and finally lets his shoulders drop. Passing me my ticket, he hugs me tightly. "Be safe, keep in touch. I'm going to miss you darling."
"and I you Father." After a long moment of embracing, I pull back. "Now, you go. It's not like this is goodbye for ever, just until term-end. Go."
Smiling, he puts his hand tenderly on my shoulder one last time and nods a farewell. I watch him walk away and swallow the lump in my throat. I am going to miss the old man. Placing the last few things onto my cart, I push it down the aisle, careful to keep it from swerving into someone or something. Spotting Platforms 9 and 10 up ahead, I break into a fast walk and glance quickly around for any Muggle spectators. Reaching the brick wall barrier between the two platforms, I break into a run and push through the barrier.
"That was easy." I sigh, relieved it worked.
Glancing around, I pull out the note my father gave to me before we left. Malfoys, ah yes. Blonde hair, pure blood maniacs. I remember. Craning my neck, I begin searching for the platinum family, only to spot a group of flaming red hair. Shit. Shit shit shit. Ofcourse they go here. Just my luck. Shit. Please don't let them see me, please don't let them see me.
"Siobhán?" That cheery voice perks up, and I groan deeply into myself. "Oh Siobhán! My dear its been so long! Come here, come here!"
"Mrs Weasley! How have you been?" Turning around, I smile brightly attempting to put my best face on. Making my way over, my stomach flops as I see the whole herd. Ooh, Yippee. The whole Weasley family. Hang on, good. Atleast I don't have to listen to that prat Perce.. Or Percy.. Or whatever his name was. I shudder slightly as I recall the long droning on about this and that and the other thing.
"Molly dear, you call me Molly. How's your Father been? Not to busy I hope, that man puts too much on himself. And what about you? Look at you! All grown up! I remember back when you were smaller then the cat!" The chipper woman rattles on about things I could careless about. Though I continue to listen, smiling, nodding, and laughing at appropriate moments.
"What brings you here? I thought you were attending Durmstrang?"
"Oh, father had a job opportunity out here so he spoke with the Headmaster, and got me a spot in the school for the remainder of my schooling. I miss Durmstrang, but I hear Hogwarts has a decent Quidditch pitch and teams." I reply warmly, missing the old castle terribly.
"Oh dear, I'm certain you will love Hogwarts." She squeezes my shoulder tenderly and then, quick as a hawk, cranes her neck to look for her children. "Ron? Ronald?"
Within seconds, the young awkward boy I remember all to well comes running up, followed by a bushy haired girl and a thin boy with scruffy black hair a round spectacles. Looking them up and down, I grimace softly and attempt to quickly regain my cheery visage.
"Ronald, you remember Siobhán? Nikolas Romanov's daughter?" The boy nods, obviously uninterested in a girl he knew when they were little. "I expect you to help her get comfortable at the school. Let her sit in with you three and be friendly."
"No, no, no! Thank you Mrs Weasley, I do appreciate it. But Lucius and his wife have already made arrangement for their boy to help show me around and get acquainted with the school. I won't trouble Ronald and his little friends." I shoot in, carefully excusing myself from having to spend time with the Weasley boy and his friends.
"Malfoy? Draco Malfoy? You have to be joking." The black haired boy pipes up, obviously not fond of the Malfoy boy.
"I actually find them to be quite pleasant people." I reply, a snide snap. Turning back to face Mrs. Weasley, I smile softly and thank her for the offer.
"Nonsense, I insist you let Ronald help you get accustomed to the school." I sigh and force a smile, nodding in defeat I agree to do as she says. Thanking her for her kindness, I say farewell to Mrs Weasley and nod a farewell to the trio. I wander off, maybe a little to quickly, in search of the Malfoy family. Wanting to get away from the Weasleys as quick as possible and over to the colder, more reserved family of purebloods. Not that I don't like the Weasleys, or the I particularly like the Malfoys, but too much love and happiness just makes me sick. I prefer the relaxed atmosphere to the giddy joy joy one.
Spotting the blonde haired family, I make my way towards them and nod politely at Lucius and Narcissa.
"Mr and Mrs Malfoy. A pleasure as always." I smile coyly at them.
"Little Dove, how are you? I'm sorry our son isn't around. You know how boys can be."
I grin and nod. Little Dove.. She still calls me that? Well, she must like me more then I thought. "I've been superb, thank you."
"Draco has been told to help you get accustomed to the school and such things if you are placed in Slytherin. Which, I believe you will, knowing your family lineage." Lucius juts in, cold and arrogant as always.
"Ofcourse, my father spoke to me about it on our way here. I thank you for going out of your way to do this."
Lucius smiles curtly, and walks off, possibly to find his wandering son. Narcissa and I make small talk, she asks me about Durmstrang, I ask her about Hogwarts. Its not long before the whistle blows, calling for boarding of the train. I say farewell to Narcissa, wish her my best and make my way onto the train.
Wandering the aisle way, I glance into the compartments in search of the youngest Malfoy. Reaching the back of the Train, I groan and make my way back to look for a empty compartment, unable to find the boy.
"How was your summer Draco?" A high pitched, whiney voice perks up from one of the end compartments. Turning around, I make my way over and rap on the door a few times. I hear a few more snide comments before the door pulls open.
"I'm looking for Draco Malfoy?"
The boy in the corner perks up and looks me over. "Your the Romanov girl, correct?"
"Correct." I glance around the obviously full compartment and roll my eyes. "Obviously you and your little posse have taken up this compartment, so I will see you at school then."
"Nonsense, Pansy was just leaving. Weren't you Pansy." He looks over at her, and nods his head to the door. Huffing, she stands up and grabs her things. Walking out, she makes a point to jab me in the ribs with her bag.
"Whats her problem?" I snort, watching the girl walk into a nearby compartment. With in seconds I hear shrill giggling and grimace.
"Nothing, come. Sit down." He motions for me to sit across from him, where the Pansy girl was sitting previous to my arrival. "This is Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle. The girl that just left was Pansy Parkinson."He gestures towards everyone and then glances over at Crabbe and Goyle. "This, is Siobhán Romanov. Transfer from Durmstrang Institute."
The train ride is long. The nagging questions about Durmstrang doesn't help at all. Though, when I finally get some quiet and begin to drift off, a sudden lurch of the train jolts me awake and I sit up quickly. Looking out the windows, I go to wipe the condensation away and realize its frost. Shivering slightly, I pull my old Durmstrang fur-coat on and stand up. Another lurch pushes me back down on the chair and I look over at Draco.
"What in the bloody hell is going on?" He looks at me, with an expression proving he is just as confused and annoyed as I am.
An intense cold swept over me as I glance out the window and see these strange, hooded figures gliding towards the train.
"Theres something moving out there."
I stand up again, quickly moving towards the door. Throwing it open, I step out into the aisle to see a few students peaking out of their compartments. Wandering cautiously down the hall, a heavy feeling lays on me and I slow a bit. The lights flicker. Looking back, I see the lights flickering, some staying off. A low breath comes from behind me and I turn around. Face to face with one of the creatures, I gasp and stumble back, falling. Moving back, the creature swoops over me, seeming to be sucking in air. The cold sweeps deeper then my very skin, it seeps into my bones, and into my heart. A blood curdling shriek pierces my ears, filled with pain and fear, and a deep howl echoes around me. I black out just as I see a flash of light and the creature fleeing. What seems like an eternity later, I feel someone shake me and I shoot up. Gasping for air. A cool sweat breaks over my body and I look over at the man kneeling beside me.
"Here, eat this." Handing me a bar of chocolate, he stands and starts heading down the aisle.
"Wait!. What just-"
"Eat. It'll help."
Watching the man walk away, I sit there confused and a little shaken. A girl comes up to me and helps me stand. Going back to the compartment, I stare blankly out the window. Attempting to figure out what just happened.
Its not long before we reach the school, and I'm still shaken when we do. Walking with Malfoy and his two cronies, I look around at the chaos around me. The area filled with scrambling first years, and other dawdling students. Malfoy sees something that catches his interest and I follow him, soon realizing he is going towards the Weasley boy and his two friends.
"Potter! Hey, Potter! Is it true you fainted? I mean actually fainted?" He mocks the boy, who must be Harry Potter. I roll my eyes and smack Draco's shoulder. the Weasley boy goes to defend his friend.
"Shove off. You would have fainted too if you saw what was on the train." I make eye contact with Potter and i can tell he is just as shaken as I am, if not more so. I shake it off quickly. "Lets go, I have to go find Professor McGonagall."
"Why so defensive Romanov, got a crush?" I give Malfoy that says everything and he quiets right up. Motioning for me to follow him, we climb into a carriage and it begins to make its way up towards the castle. Admiring the scenery, I get a chill again, like the one from the train, and shudder. Looking ahead, I notice two of the creatures standing guard at the gate and instantly advert my eyes.
"What are those?" I mutter softly to Draco.
"Those?" He gulps, obviously uncomfortable and feeling a similar chill, "Those are Dementors, guards of Azkaban. They're here on look out for Sirius Black."
"They were on the train." As we pass the gate, my eyes fall back and inspect these so called Dementors. What would prison guards be doing at a school and on a train?
Entering the school, it wasn't long until we found Professor McGonagall standing just outside the entrance to the Great Hall. Walking up to her I introduce myself.
"Yes, Miss Romanov, you will be sorted along with the First Year students. Wait here for them, they should be here shortly." She explains, obviously concerned with something else. Finally looking down at me for a lengthened period of time, she arrows her brows seeing my pale complexion. "Are you alright Miss Romanov?"
"Yes ma'am, why-"
"Ah, Potter! Granger! I need to see you both!" She strides off, leaving me along at the top of the stairs. Leaning against the wall, I watch the last of the students enter before. Its not long before a group of First Years arrive and its time for us to go into be sorted. I admire the remarkable Hall and glance over the tables. Noting the placement of the tables, I note that Slytherin is on the far left. The group of un-sorted students bundles up into the front of the hall. On top a small stool sits a ragged old hat. One after one, students are called up and have the hat placed on their head. Then, ether within minutes or seconds, the hat calls out the name of the house the student has been sorted into. As the group dwindles smaller and smaller. It is finally my turn. Stepping up to the stool, I sit gracefully down and wait. The hat is placed on my head and I instantly hear mumbling.
"A transfer from Durmstrang? Interesting, very interesting." The hat ponders for a second, searching my mind. "Very driven, brave, loyal, cunning. You are very self motivated. And have a certain spark about you."
"I know all this. Just place me into Slytherin already." I plea hopefully to the Hat. Having no desire to be stuck in that bouncy, happy House of over-achievers.
"Slytherin, really? Hmm.. You have a very big heart, and you are a strong young woman. You care deeply for the safety of those around you. Theres something dark about you, but theres a light surrounding it. A strength, and purpose. You could do well in Slytherin, but I think you could do better..." The hat ruffles up a second and bellows, "Gryffindor!"
Groaning, I take off the hat and make my way reluctantly over to the table. Just as I reach the table I see the trio walking into the Hall. I sit in the only empty space, across from two familiar faces. Or one face, seeing as the two boys are twins.
"Hello Romanov." The two voices chime in unison and quickly jump over the table, sitting one on either side of me. I groan loudly and thud my head against the table. Before long, Ronald and his two friends sit across from us.
"Look who got sorted into the wrong House," Ronald pipes up, obvious displeased at my sitting at their table.
"Nonsense Ronald. Be kind." The bushy haired girl elbows Ronald and smiles at me. "I'm Hermione Granger, it's a pleasure to welcome you to Gryffindor House." She beams, sticking her hand out for me to shake. I look at her in disdain and try to force out a smile, politely shaking her hand. Be nice, I'm going to be stuck here for the next seven years. Lets try to make the best of it.
"Siobhán Onóra Romanov. Pleasure."