A/N : this was my very first fan fiction and I really just want to re write it so bare with me thanks. Review is welcome :)
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Alria was completely deflated. She had been so happy to have gotten her first choice, Hogwarts, but now a simple matter of a nonexistent platform was keeping her confused. Her mom had told her it was easy I find, but Alria recalled her having a smirk at the time. She brushed the blue hair from her face in frustration when she stopped and inhaled deeply.
She had forgotten that she had dyed her hair blue at the end of her fifth year, and she was worried slightly about what the other students at her new school would think about it. Her quidditch team at the New Orleans Academy of Voodoo had won the tournament between the American schools and they all dyed their hair blue or black, their school colors, to celebrate. It had yet to come out, and she realized how crazy she probably looks.
Hogwarts, as you can tell, was a big deal for her. Her mother was from England and had attended the school during the Great War with the evil dude What-ever-his-name along with Harry Potter. She had moved to America soon after.
Since the reformation of the education system by THE Hermione Granger, every sixth year in any school got to go to a different school for the experience; all expenses paid. Alria had picked Hogwarts to see the historical school. Her mother had been in Ravenclaw and Alria wanted to get into that house as well, but mostly because her house colors from the Academy would stay the same. She rather liked the color blue.
The most nervous thing for Alria was being away from her family for so long. At the age of sixteen, she had only been away from her family for up to two months at a time, but now she was expected to leave for four months right off the bat.
The Academy only had students stay at the school Monday morning through Friday. The weekends, while there was admittedly a fair amount of homework, were free for students to go home and relax. Portkeys had been the primary mode of transportation and the idea of going to school via train, which apparently was nowhere to be found, was alien to her.
"Now dears, hurry up, or the Hogwarts express will leave, and you won't be doing what your father or uncle did!" Said an older woman, wrangling six highly hyperactive kids. Alria whipped her head around and decided to take a chance and went to the older lady.
"Um, excuse me, did you say Hogwarts?" she asked sheepishly.
"Yes dear, just watch Lily and just go through the barrier." The old woman said kindly as a girl about Alria's age ran through the brick wall between platforms nine and ten.
"Ok." said Alria exasperated and ran through as well, not caring that the thought itself was mad. She was so frustrated she would try it. Alria closed her eyes and reopened them with shocked when she came through unharmed. She was going to kill her mother when she went home.
"Not used to it, aye mate?" said the red-head girl who had gone before her. "Hi, my names Lily. You must be one of the exchange students." Alria just nodded as another girl came through, this one blond. "Hey, Dominique, do you mind if I invite her," pointing the Alria, "to share a compartment with us?" she asked the blond.
"Non!" came a strong French accent. "Not at all. Hi, I am Dominique, but call me Mimi." She said, shaking Alria's hand.
"Hi, I'm Alria." She responded.
"Hi Alria, let me show you and Mimi the ropes." Lily said. "I'm a fifth year by the way and Mimi is my cousin, sixth year too. Just leave your stuff here and let's get on the train." She said. When neither Mimi nor Alria moved, she laughed. "The bags get conjured to the castle." And with that they went in silence to an open cart. After sitting down in a fairly empty one, with the two girls waving out the window to the women who turned out to be their grandmother, the train started moving, and the girls started talking.
"So, what school are you from?" Mimi asked Alria.
"The New Orleans Voodoo academy, America. You?" She asked.
"Beauxbatons, France."
"Hogwarts, where-ever!" Lily shouted playfully, met with laughter.
"Oh, I cannot wait!" Mimi exclaimed.
"You should feel ashamed, your older sister and father went here, it's like cheating!" Lily said, playfully again.
"Non!" Mimi said half frustrated, half playfully as well. "I want to see it! Even my mother has!"
Alria spoke up sheepishly. "Um, actually, my mom went here." She said, with curious looks from the other girls.
"When?" they both asked, truly interested.
"She was a seventh year, in Ravenclaw, during the Second Wizarding War. She said she fought, but didn't like to talk about it." Alria said, warming up to the girls. Liy got uncharacteristically quit, but Mimi spoke right up.
"Our parents were in that too! My parents weren't huge, but Lily's dad…" she ignored the look of pain from Lily's begging eyes. "…saved the day! Killed You-know-who and everything." She finished, only realizing Lily clearly didn't want this known.
"Yeah, my dad's 'Harry Potter'." She said, observing Alria. Most people freaked when they heard it and Lily had learned the hard way to be careful who you trust.
"That's really cool!" She said, truly impressed. Then she realized Lily's hesitation. "Look, I wont make a big deal out of it, I kind of know what it's like having a parent everyone knows." Lily eyed her with a look saying 'yah right'. "I don't tell people this, and don't spread it but... my mom's Nina Sharma ." She finished in a rush.
Lily and Mimi just stared at her a moment.
"Didn't she go to the Colorado Mountain Institute?" Lily asked. Nina Sharma was a famous quidditch player on the American team and was the captain when they won their first World Cup back in 2016.
"Yeah." Alria said, then realized how confused they must be. "I have two moms."
"Oh!" Mimi exclaimed as Lily nodded, both of them understanding. "That's nice."
"You guys aren't going to freak about it, right?" Alria eyed them warily. She was too used to people being uncomfortable with it.
"We won't." Lily said slowly. "But I have to warn you, some kids might not. It's been slowly becoming more acceptable in muggle England, but it's still kind of rocky in the wizarding part."
"Good to know." Alria smiled, glad she had found two whole people who were cool with it.
"I think we'll get along great!" Lily smiled widely, giving her a big hug.
Just as she let go, the compartment door opened. Several guys started walking in, and Mimi and Lily who were sitting across from Alria moved next to her to make room, making it Mimi against the window, then Lily, then Alria by the door. The first boy to walk in was a muscular, tanned boy with sandy blond hair, followed by a dark skinned boy with short, curly black hair, followed by tall boy with jet black, perfectly messy hair. They sat down in this order, and they were all…hot.
"Hey sis." The boy with the messy hair said to Lily. Then he noticed Alria. "Introductions?" he said, grinning at her.
"Alria, this is my brother, James, next to him is Chris Thomas, and the one who is making eyes at Mimi…" the two were flirting outrageously with their eyes, "…is Patrick Finnegan, but don't worry, those two are dating." Mimi just winked at Alria. "Everyone, this is Alria…" Lily just looked at her. "Sharma?"
"Yep." Alria said, looking at James. He looked familiar…
"Oh, right, Sharma!" He exclaimed. "I remember you, you were top keeper at the 'Future Quidditch Stars' workshop. The blue hair!"
"Oh that's right!" Alria finally recognized him. "You're James Potter, best seeker." Everyone looked at the two.
"What a coincidence!" James said, truly surprised. "But please, tell us about the hair!" he said looking at the top of her head. "I never heard the story."
Everyone looked at her. "Well, not much to tell." She said. "My school team back home won the Varsity American cup for the first time in ten years so we dyed our hair our school colors, but didn't realize how permanent it was." She said to everyone, getting a laugh. They all ended up talking about Quidditch for a while, until they heard a whistle blow.
"Oh no!" Lilly said. "Mimi, come on, we have to change into our uniforms!" She grabbed a bag and went out the door, quickly followed by Mimi. When Alria remained, all the boys looked at her. She just realized they had the same black uniform on.
"Well, aren't you going to get ready?" Pat asked.
"The Academy doesn't have uniforms." She explained. The boys shrugged and they continued to talk Quidditch. Alria was starting to get to know them better as we'll; Chris was a Gryffindor chaser, with a good since of humor, but a some sexual innuendos were thrown in on occasion. Pat was a beater for the same team He was really sweet and an overall nice guy. James was the best looking, but the most arrogant. He was the captain of the team and new he looked good. They were all seventh years, and were all exited on their last year. Apparently the three of them had gone to Brazil for their international year and they were not liking forward to the cold.
"Yeah, my mom says it snow all the time!" Alria smiled widely. "I've never seen snow, I can't wait!"
"You've never seen snow?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, it typically doesn't get cold enough in New Orleans." Alria nodded. "Both my moms grew up with it and say they don't miss it."
"Your moms?" Pat asked, cocking his head.
"I have two moms." She eyed them, hoping they would respond like Lily and Mimi.
"So they're lesbians?" Chris asked and Alria rolled her eyes.
"If you want to get technical with it my mom Nina is a lesbian while my mom Padma is bi." She retorted.
"Wait, so are you gay too?" Chris asked.
"What, because my parents are gay means I am?" Alria asked as she glared at him.
"Dude, not cool." James shot him a look.
"What?" Chris asked, realizing he said something stupid. "I didn't mean that, I was just curious! I'm sorry, I'm a dumbass. I say stupid things before I think them through."
"He really is an idiot." Pat nodded. "He gets hexed more often than not because of it."
"See!" Chris gave her a sheepish smile. "Even my friends know how big of an idiot I am."
"Um, well, ok then." Alria blinked. "To answer your question I am straight."
"See, that's all I was saying." Chris sighed in relief. "I've got know problem with anyone's sexuality. My little brother is gay!"
"Oh." Alria smiled again.
"Yep, him being gay isn't the issue," Chris grinned. "It's the prick who's dating him."
"Please, he's lucky to have Albus." James snorted. "My little brother is so out of his league."
"So your brothers are dating?" Alria clarified.
"Yes." Patrick groaned. "And these two have been going on and on about it."
"Happy for them of course." James added with a laugh.
"Of course." Alria laughed with them.
When the two other girls came back, after a long period of time, Lily was in black robes as well, and Mimi was in a cute blue suit. Pat filled the two in on Chris' latest embarrassment.
The train began to stop, and finally pulled into a small station. As they got off the train they heard a loud "FIRST YEARS AND SIXTH YEARS, THIS WAY!" Lily pointed to the huge, bearded man who was shouting.
"Follow Hagrid!" she said and left Mimi and Alria there, wondering what was to happen next.
"Hagrid," said Mimi in her French accent. "How are you?"
"Why, hello Dominique!" he responded. "I'm doing okay. I heard you had gotten Hogwarts. How are Bill and Fleur doing?"
"My parents are doing fine, and told me to say hi!"
"That's good." He introduced himself to Alria and turned out to be yet another family friend of the Weasley clan. He noticed all the kids he was supposed to have had gathered around and smiled. "Ok you lot, get in the boats! Two to each! First years first, then sixth." He said, heading to a boat that was just a tad bigger than the rest of the boats for himself. All the tiny first years got into their boats, and the older kids followed, Mimi and Alria getting into a boat with each other.
"Hey, great hair you got there." said another sixth year to Alria. She smiled and thanked the boy. Before any conversation could start, they rounded a turn to come across a large castle on the lake. They all were silent in awe of the site. The reached a tunnel which led to the castle and all of the students got out and followed the stair case up. They all walked silently, until they got to a hall way in front of two large doors with a man dressed in blue professor robes.
"Hello, I'm professor Longbottom; the herbology teacher, Gryffindor head of house, and deputy Head Master. First years can go in first to be sorted, sixth years hold on." He waited for them to go through the doors. When they were all through, professor Longbottom continued. "Welcome everyone." He said to the older students. "Hogwarts is great, and you'll defiantly enjoy it!" he said, and walked inside.
"Hey, I'm Kevin Kalvin, Canada." said the boy who had spoken to Alria before on the boats.
"Hi, I'm Alria Sharma, America." she said smiling. "And this is Mimi Weasley." She said, indicating to her. Kevin winked at Alria, but the doors opened before the doors open and professor Longbottom signaled at them to come in. They followed him to a stool with a hat on it as he took out a list.
"When I call your name, please sit on the stool. Astrina Diaz." He called. A Hispanic girl went up to the stool. The hat that was on it was placed on her head. After a few seconds, it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!" The girl went over to the table decked in green who where cheering. Alria looked at the tables while a few others were being sorted. One was red and had a lion on it's banner. James, Lily, and the rest were sitting over there so she assumed it was Gryffindor. She recognized the Blue with the raven as Racenclaw from her mother which meant the last table in yellow was hufflepuff. She snapped out of her trance when she heard Kevin's name, and watched as he was sorted into Ravenclaw. Several others were sorted before she heard her name called.
She went over to the stool and sat on it. The hat was placed on her head just as the others. After a moment of waiting, the hat announced "RAVENCLAW" She jumped off the stool when the hat was taken off her, and sat down across from Kevin. Another few students were called until they got to the last one standing, Mimi. She was also announced to be in Ravenclaw. She took a quick seat next to Alria. As soon as the stool was taken away, the Head Mistress stood up.
"Welcome to Hogwarts new coming students, exchange students, and returning students!" She said. "I am Professor McGonagall, your Head Mistress. Please note that even though we want you all to enjoy your stay here," she looked over at James and his friends at the Gryffindor table. "I want to remind you about the rules." The boys just grinned up at her. "No magic in the corridors, do not go past the Care of Magical Creature's area in the Forbidden Forest. And please, this year, I would appreciate the seventh years not trying to be on the Weasley's level. Thank you. Now, Dig In!" and at that, food magically appeared on the tables. Everyone grabbed something and ate enthusiastically. Alria looked at Mimi after they had filled their plates.
"What's the Weasley level?" she asked her.
Mimi looked sheepish as she answered. "My Uncles Fred and George did the ultimate prank in their seventh year. Turned an entire corridor into a swamp. Part of it is still there. Every year after the seventh years have pulled one. They're allowed to as long as its after exams and not too destructive. They're allowed to because it's a tribute to the memory of all the students who died in the battle, including my Uncle Fred." She said it quietly, but the few who heard her got silent. Alria got the sense that it was still a raw subject. She had seen it with her mother as well. She sat back and just watched everyone else while she finished eating.
When everyone was done eating, they started heading back to their dorms. A boy who introduced himself earlier during dinner, who Alria couldn't for the life of her remember his name, had offered to show the exchange students to the dormitories. They headed up a steep stair case to a tower in the castle. They all headed up in silence. When they got to a large bronze eagle knocker on a large door, the boy in front used it to knock.
"No legs have I to dance,
No lungs have I to breath,
No life I have to live or die,
And yet I do all three.
What am I?"
The boy in front turned around to look at the others. "To get into our common room, we have to answer a riddle." He turned back around to the knocker. "A fire." He said simply. The door opened immediately to let them in. They walked into the common room, dark blue like the night sky. The boy stopped and motioned to them to gather around him. "Welcome, again, to Ravenclaw." He said. "I am Greg Jordan, seventh year here, and your house prefect. Any questioned you have, just ask me or Susan Cathwalm, the other prefect. Your head of house is Professor Lovegood, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Girls, go up the stairs to your right, six level. Boys, same to your left. For fifth years and up, curfew to be back in the common rooms is midnight, on weekends, 1 am. Every other week end, all students get to visit Hogsmead, where the train pulled in. You'll get your schedules in the morning. 'Night all." And he left up the left stair case.
Alria and Mimi looked at each other, nodded, and followed two other girls up the right staircase. They opened the door to find four beds, with blue sheets and pillows, and blue tinted windows. Suitcases and traveling trunks were spread around the center fireplace. Alria grabbed her neon orange suitcase and neon pink travel bag and sat them on the bed next to the one Mimi was setting her things on. The other two girls followed suit, and started unpacking there things in the wooden cabinets that separated the beds. Alria turned around. "Hi, I'm Alria, America. This is Dominique, or Mimi, from France, how about you guys?" she said to the girls.
"Hi Alria," said a dark skinned girl, who was pretty tall, and had long, black hair and brown eyes. "I'm Jasmine, South Africa."
"And I'm Hyshina, Japan." said the other, shorter girl, with pale skin, but with long black hair and brown eyes as well. "But I prefer Shina." The girls started talking about their schools, about Hogwarts, and what they were looking forward to. After a while, the got tired, so they changed into their pajamas, and headed to bed.
"I can't go to sleep like this!" Alria said to her bed. "Coulterar!" Immediately, her sheets turned a neon blue instead of the dark blue is had been. "I love bright colors." She said, as if this would explain her. As she got into bed, Mimi laughed.
"It matches your hair!" she said, the other girls now giggling. The other two asked her about her hair, and she re-told her story. They all fell asleep, awaiting the next day.