The Gryffindor Tale

Chapter 1 An Interesting Train Ride

"Bye Mum, bye Dad, I'll see you at Christmas," I said giving my parents a tight squeeze. "Goodbye, Jade," my mother said. "At least try to stay out of trouble."

"You know you shouldn't ask me to make promises I can't keep."

My father hugged me but didn't say anything. I was surprised he didn't say something rude about Gryffindor. (My whole family has been in Slytherin. Everyone except for me.)

I saw three very blond heads coming our way and got the overwhelming urge to run.

"Kathryn, Peter, it's so good to see you!" Exclaimed Narcissa Malfoy, addressing my parents. "And Jade, you get prettier and prettier every time I see you!"

I gave her a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, how are you?" I asked, completely ignoring Draco. (The two of us did not get along.) My mother cleared her throat to show I should acknowledge him. So very rudely I added, "And your devil spawn son."

"Jade!" My mother hissed. I was being very rude. Good. Mrs. Malfoy looked annoyed, but not surprised. Everyone knew about my inability to behave myself. She opened her mouth to say something, but at that perfect moment I saw two identical red heads and knew my place was no longer here.

"Well I'd best be going before I get hit," I said, cutting off what Mrs. Malfoy was about to say. I threw Draco an I-hate-you look and took off.

I jumped on one of the twins backs, not quite sure witch one it was. It didn't matter, they were both my best friends.

He let out a cry of surprise and tried to throw me off.

"Oh, relax, George, it's just Jade," said Fred, giving me a smile.

"Oh, hi Jade," George said trying to turn his head to look at me. He was having difficulty because I was still on his back. "It's good to see you," he said, still trying to look at me. "But would you mind getting off?"

"I'm not that heavy!" But I did slide off his back. "So, how was your summer?"

They looked at each other, a devious glint in their eyes.

"We need to find a compartment first," they said. Identical smirks on their identical faces. This was definitely going to be worth hearing.

"PENNINGTON!" My name was shouted from several compartments behind me, just as there was an earsplitting bang.

"Bugger off!" I yelled, trying to push a few scared looking first years out of my way. You'd think I would be much taller than them since I was a third year. That did not help my constant complaint about my height issue.

A rough hand grabbed my arm, whipping me around. Sneering down at me was a very furious looking Draco Malfoy. Just the sight of him caused me to erupt into fits of laughter. The layer of soot that covered him was making his white-blond hair look a blackish grayish color. It was not a flattering color on him. Streaks of it were covering his face. That darkness powder Fred and George made sure did what it was supposed to.

"What was that?" He sneered through clenched teeth.

"Just something…Fred and George…made," I said through fits of giggles.

Of course Crabbe and Goyle were right by his side. (I was pretty sure that was the only thing they knew how to do.) I rolled my eyes and slipped into my compartment. Malfoy and his goons followed. Apparently our argument wasn't finished.

Fred and George stood up at the sight of them, ready to defend me, even though they knew perfectly well I didn't need it.

"You-" Malfoy started to say, but was cut off as the train lurched to an unexpected stop.

We were all knocked off our feet. I looked around, kicking Crabbe's feet off mine and throwing Malfoy's head off my stomach. None too gently I might add.

I stood up and looked at Fred and George. "Why are we stopping?" I asked nervously. "We can't be there yet."

The lights flickered off and we all looked around uneasily. Then, a black, dead hand reached for the compartment door.

Terror and dread washed over me as I saw what it was that was entering our compartment. Recognition hit me like I had run into a brick wall. It was a black hooded figure that I knew could only be a dementor. My father had told me these were the creatures that guarded Azkaban. He told me all about them, but I never thought they could be this horrible.

My vision started to blur and I could hear voices that definitely were not in the compartment.

"We will do anything for you, My Lord, anything you ask." That was my father's voice.

"Thank you, Peter," said an icy voice that terrified me to my core. I fell to my knees. There was only one was that could have been. Voldemort's. "You truly are my most faithful servants."

After that, everything went black.

I knew that voice was Voldemort's. And I knew my parents had been Death Eaters, but that couldn't be happening now could it. It had to be one of their memories.

My eyes fluttered open to see my two identical best friends looking down at me worriedly.

"Jade? Jade are you okay?" Fred asked, gently shaking me.

"Oh, I'm just wonderful," I croaked, sarcasm dripping off every word.

They chuckled, knowing I was okay. I looked around, surprised to see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle still standing there.

"Why are you still here?" I snapped. Before they could say anything I added, "Just leave, before I throw you through the window!"

Malfoy sent a menacing glare at me and stalked out, followed by Crabbe and Goyle.

I couldn't help but wonder what the dementor had been about. I sat in a quiet daze the rest of the train ride.

The carriage bumped along, taking me, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan up to the castle.

I was uncharacteristically silent, and no one asked why. The story of what happened to me had spread quickly through the train, along with a similar one about Harry Potter. I suppose I had Malfoy to thank for that.

I looked up to see the twisting towers of my favorite place in the world. A place I knew I would always belong, Hogwarts.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story! :D The next chapter will be up soon (If you want to read it.) Please review! :D