Chapter 2

Bronwyn stayed in the Hospital Wing for the rest of the week. Her only visitors were Hagrid with Fang, Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore. She spent much of that week reading and when she was released, she holed up in the library, reading all the books she could get her hands on and doing small assignments for the teachers so she'd at least be caught up by the time school opened again. She practiced spells with a borrowed wand, managing the basic spells she'd need to learn to catch up, though she was sure she'd perform them better when she got her own wand. She was to say nothing about what she knew to anyone.

She didn't see any of the other teachers, only Dumbledore when he reviewed her lessons and progress, Hagrid when she went to have tea with him and Madam Pomfrey when she returned to sleep in the hospital wing. Most of her meals were brought to her there as she would talk to Madam Pomfrey and learn about Healing. She had made up her mind after being released that if she was going to be useful in the coming years, she would learn how to be a Healer.

She did think about her old life on occasion, wondering if her friends missed her at all. Her parents had died some years previously and she didn't have any other family that would wonder where she went or go searching for her.

Later on, Dumbledore came up with the idea that Bronwyn be adopted into a family so her arrival at Hogwarts wouldn't be so suspicious. After much consideration, Xenophilius Lovegood was approached and he willingly accepted Bronwyn into his family. The story would be that she was a distant relation of his, and a Seer, though her visions didn't always match what was going on around her at the time. That would keep her safe in the future if anyone wondered how she had knowledge of certain events.

She met Xeno and his daughter Luna about two weeks before the school term started. She liked them both at once, though it was going to be a little hard when it came to accepting them as her new family. She had to change her dark red hair to blonde so she'd fit in better with the Lovegoods. She hadn't wanted to change her hair, but Dumbledore said it would be for the best. She was cleared to leave the castle and moved into her new home to get adjusted. She shared a room with Luna, but didn't mind as she really did like her new sister, enjoying the rather laidback and dreamy attitude Luna had about her. Being with Luna was very relaxing at times and interesting because Bronwyn never knew what was going to come out of Luna's mouth. It was still rather awkward calling Xeno 'Dad', but he took it in stride and didn't mind when she slipped up on occasion. Things were far from boring and she began to feel at home in the cluttered yet strangely homey little house.

When she wasn't with Luna, she was wandering around the fields and hills that surrounded her new home. This was how she met the Weasleys and Harry Potter. Mrs. Weasley had heard all about Bronwyn from Dumbledore and of course knew the truth, but that didn't stop the woman from stopping Bronwyn on one of her daily walks and inviting her to tea. This worked out very well in Bronwyn's favor as she knew she'd need to get better aquainted with various people in the long run.

She told Harry, Ron and Hermioned her story as Dumbledore instructed. They accepted it with ease, though Hermione was much more skeptical of her being a Seer. Bronwyn found it odd that Hermione wouldn't believe in such things as Seers while living in a world of magic and took a logical approach to almost everything.

Soon, it was time to go to Diagon Alley. Bronwyn went to get her wand first and received a wand made from ebony wood with a dragon heartstring core. It was eleven and a half inches in length and it suited her perfectly. She knew she'd have to take extra good care of this wand because she knew Ollivander would be taken in later years and wouldn't make any more wands. She paid for it with the money her 'father' gave her and left the shop.

One of the good things about having Xeno Lovegood as a father was that he allowed her to roam Diagon Alley on her own and fetch what she needed to, while he was off doing Merlin knew what. She spotted Hermione and Harry heading for Flourish and Blotts and followed in after them, squeezing in past the multitudes of witches there to see Lockhart. She nearly gagged at the amount of different perfumes in the air, making it rather hard to breathe. It was like someone had smashed different bottles of perfumes, it was so strong. Sheer miracle someone hadn't suffocated yet. She'd bet anything that more than half of these witches were already married. You'd certainly never catch her acting in such a manner over a man.

She zoned out slightly when Lockhart came out to the applause of the gathered witches. She came back to herself when the photographer from the Daily Prophet trod on her foot when he grabbed Harry to drag him up to Lockhart. She watched in boredom as pictures were taken and Harry recieved the books that he gave to Ginny.

She followed Harry and Ginny back up to the front just as Draco Malfoy made his appearance. She mentally groaned. She knew Ginny would be getting the diary and it bothered her that she couldn't stop it. She knew this had to happen, or it would really mess up the timeline later on down the road. No one died in this year, but it still didn't ease her worry.

"Bet you loved that, didn't you Potter? Famous Harry Potter. Can't even go into a bookstore without getting your picture in the paper." Draco sneered.

"Leave him alone." Ginny said as she stepped forward.

Bronwyn had to admire little Ginny's courage and smiled in approval as she stood next to Harry on his other side.

"Look at this Potter! You've got yourself a girlfriend!"

The silver snake head of Lucius Malfoy's cane came down on Draco's shoulder and pushed him aside as the man himself came into their view.

Bronwyn would have been lying to herself if she didn't find Lucius Malfoy attractive. The hormonal part of her older mind was drooling over how handsome he was in real life while the more rational part of it was scolding her and reminding her she was in the body of a twelve year old and she was supposed to think boys were gross to an extent at this age. And he was married! A sharp dig in her side from Harry's elbow drew her out of her thoughts and she saw Mr. Malfoy staring at her expectantly. "Sorry sir, did you say something?" She cursed herself for blushing bright red as his silver eyes bored into her green ones. She really hoped he wasn't trying to peer into her mind, then again he'd have no reason to.

"I asked for your name, girl." He sneered slightly.

"Bronwyn Lovegood, sir." She retorted, a small sneer of her own as her hackles rose at the look he got on his face.

"Lovegood you say? Surely you can't be related to that fool of a wizard that runs that rag he dares call a newspaper who prints all that rubbish?"

"I am, we are distant relations and he adopted me into his family after mine passed due to an accident. And the Quibbler isn't a rag. My father writes about things that could very well be true. He chooses to be more open minded to things than most. We live in a world of magic and magical creatures. Anything is possible and seeing isn't always believing." She snapped, bristling at the insult. She may not have been his daughter for long, but Bronwyn was absolutely not going to tolerate someone insulting her new family.

She didn't flinch back when Malfoy stepped into her personal space and gripped her chin in his hand, squeezing it slightly. She knew he was trying to intimidate her, but she wasn't going to back down.

"You should learn to respect your betters. That mouth of yours will get you into trouble one day." He said softly so only she could hear. There was a hint of amusement on his face and that bothered her more than anything. That could not bode well for her at all.

He released her face and turned his attention to the rest. "Let's see, red hair, vacant expressions, tattered secondhand books..." He plucked Ginny's Transfiguration book out of her cauldron and held it up. "You must be the Weasleys."

Mr. Weasley chose that moment to appear. "Come on children, it's mad in here. Let's go outside."

"Well, well, well. Weasley Senior."

"Lucius."

"Busy time at the Ministry. All those extra raids. I do hope they're paying you overtime for it. Though judging by the state of this, I'd say not." He placed the book back in Ginny's cauldron along with the diary.

Bronwyn caught Harry's eye as they both looked at the cauldron then back up at Mr. Malfoy.

"What's the use of disgracing the name of wizard, if they don't even pay you well for it?"

"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy."

"Clearly. Associating with Muggles." Malfoy shook his head before stepping closer. "And I thought your family could sink no lower."

Mr. Weasely launched himself at Malfoy, knocking him into a bookcase and causing books to fall on them. They fought while most of the Weasley children, apart from Percy and Ginny, were cheering Mr. Weasley on while Mrs. Weasley was yelling at her husband to stop.

The crowd gathered around to see the fight, making space in the little shop very uncomfortable.

Bronwyn groaned unhappily as she was pressed against other people, her feet being trod on. She let ouf a small yelp of shock when Mr Malfoy landed at her feet and Hagrid wasn't in the shop to break apart the fight. She wasn't sure what possessed her and many years later she still wouldn't be able to say why, but she reached down and helped Mr. Malfoy to his feet. "Stop it! Mr. Weasley, please stop! Both of you could end up seriously hurt and not to mention the damages to the store. You're better than this Mr. Weasley, just walk away. Mr. Malfoy, this could end up damaging to your reputation should Rita Skeeter find out."

She knew she got him there when he paused before straightening up. He sneered at Mr. Weasley before calling for Draco. He paused in front of her, saying nothing as he stared down at her, his expression unreadable. She didn't know what it was about his gaze, but it sent chills down her spine, and not the good kind. He looked almost calculating, like he was looking for something. The one emotion she was able to figure out was interest. That really wasn't good. She didn't need him to be interested in her. Hopefully he'd lose whatever interest he had. She watched him leave, feeling her heart beat fast in her chest.

"Oh, Bronwyn. When did you get here?"

"I've been here the whole time Mr. Weasley."

"Well come on, let's leave." Mr. Weasley ushered her out with the others while Mrs. Weasley glared at him.

Bronwyn turned to Harry and the others. "See you later on the train." She waved goodbye and dashed off to find Luna and Xeno. She spotted them and started towards them, unknowingly dashing past Lucius Malfoy and he was studying her with interest. She finished her shopping and got herself a lovely barn owl that she named Jareth, after her favorite film character. The owl would be hers, but she promised Luna that she could use it whenever she wished.

Bronwyn gained a new respect for Xeno that day, now knowing firsthand the ridicule he faced from fellow Wizards for simplying being himself and being passionate about what he believed. She started calling him Father after that and the beaming smile on his face made everything worth it.


Bronwyn soon forgot about the encounter in Diagon Alley as she counted down the days until she returned to Hogwarts. True, she had been there for a few weeks, studying and catching up, but it just wasn't the same! The castle was so... Empty without all the students and she hadn't met any of the other teachers yet. She couldn't wait to go! She hoped she'd be sorted into Gryffindor or at the least Ravenclaw. It'd make her quest a little easier.

The first of September dawned bright and clear. Bronwyn was the first up and paid careful attention to her hair. She had wrapped it in curlers the night before and spent a good time pulling them carefully out one by one until curls fell down her back. She mussed them up a bit before tying them up into a rather messy bun, a few strands escaping here and there. She brushed her teeth and combed out Luna's hair when she woke up. Bronwyn dressed in her nicest jeans and trainers, finishing the outfit with a lovely blue knit sweater her father had gifted her with shortly after her arrival. Once their father was dressed, breakfast eaten, things packed and cloaks fastened, they Flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and set off for King's Cross Station.

Bronwyn looked around, but didn't see the Ford Anglia anywhere. She looked at the time and saw that it wasn't near 11 o'clock yet, so that meant the barrier was still open. She got trolleys for herself and Luna and went through the barrier to Platfrom 9 and 3/4. She gasped in awe as the famous Hogwarts Express loomed in front of her, the scarlet engine issuing steam over the platform crowded with students and their families, various animals adding their share of noise to the din.

Xeno hugged Luna goodby first and then hugged Bronwyn. She hesitated for a slight moment before she hugged the man back, feeling her eyes grow wet. She missed her father when he died some years ago and having Xeno there as a father filled up that empty hole left in her heart. He patted her head and secured her promise that she'd write and look after Luna. After another quick hug goodbye, Bronwyn helped Luna drag the trunks onto the train and began looking for a compartment.

Luna drifted off and sat with some other people which included Ginny later on in a compartment while Bronwyn sat with Hermione. She kept quiet when Hermione began wondering where Harry and Ron were as the rest of the Weasleys children were seen around the train. They couldn't do anything as it reached 11 o'clock and the train set off.

"Harry and Ron aren't here yet!" Hermione fussed, looking out the window as if hoping to see them running through the thick smoke from the train and hopping onto the train.

"Hermione, calm down. I'm sure we'll see them." Bronwyn soothed. She pulled out a copy of one of Lockhart's books and sat next to Hermione. "Why don't we get a headstart on our books so we can impress Professor Lockhart?" Bronwyn would never admit it out loud within earshot of Hermione or any girl for that matter, but she already loathed the foppish fraud, but she needed to calm Hermione down and she was willing to suffer through his drivel if it made her friend happy.

Hermione's eyes lit up and she pulled out her own copy. "Ooh, that's a great idea!"

Bronwyn smiled, feeling that it was worth it. The two passed the time reading and chatting about classes, Hermione helpfully catching Bronwyn up to speed on spells and charms from first year. The trolley rolled by and Bronwyn bought as many sweets as she could, eager to finally try them, though she stayed away from the Bertie Botts.

She looked out the window then and nearly choked on her Chocolate Frog. She saw the car and Harry hanging out of it by the door. A quick glance at Hermione showed that her friend was too absorbed in her book to notice what was going on outside the window. She looked back out the window and sighed in relief when she saw that Harry was safely back in the car.

The rest of the trip was uneventful and when the lights flickered on in the carriages, Hermione and Bronwyn changed into their robes, Bronwyn's lacking the color and crest of her House. Dumbledore had told her to take the boat up to the school and McGonagall would sort her with the others.

They soon arrived at the station in Hogsmeade and Bronwyn met with Luna after bidding Hermione goodbye and they got into a boat together. While Luna was calm and looking around in that rather serene manner of her's, Bronwyn was jittery with excitement. They met Professor McGonagall and followed her into the Great Hall.

Bronwyn looked around in amazement, hardly daring to believe this was happening. She gave herself a quick pinch to make sure she still wasn't dreaming and the sharp pain assured her she wasn't. She looked up towards the front just as the Sorting Hat began it's song. She caught Dumbledore's eye and he looked amused, like he knew what she had done just a few moments before. She smiled sheepisly before turning her attention to McGonagall as she set the Sorting Hat down on it's stool and it sang it's song. She glanced back at the doors to the Entrance Hall and saw Harry and Ron peeking in as McGonagall called the first name. She watched as Snape snuck up behind Harry and Ron and led them away. She knew they'd be alright and spent the time waiting for her name by trying to think of a reason should Ron and Harry ask her why she hadn't warned them about the barrier as she knew there'd be a good possibility that they'd ask.

"Lovegood, Bronwyn."

Bronwyn perked up at her name and eagerly made her way to the front, giving Luna's hand a quick squeeze before going up to the stool and sitting down. The hat was placed on her head and it slipped over her eyes.

It was silent for a few moments before the Hat spoke in her ear. "Well, now. Aren't you the unique one. I've never had a mind quite like yours before and I've seen into many minds over the centuries. Full of knowledge you are and smart, but also full of loyalty, ambition and bravery. You're rather difficult, much like Potter was. Now, where to put you... Hmm... You are sure to find greatness, but do not seek it, merely wishing to help. The Hat was silent for several long moments.

Bronwyn could practically feel the eyes of everyone in the Great Hall staring at her as the minutes drifted by. She didn't want to be a Hatstall, she wanted to be sorted already!

"Better be... GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat shouted at last for the whole Hall to hear.

Bronwyn sagged with relief as the Gryffindor table cheered for her and McGonagall took the Hat off her head. She scampered off the stool and sat next to Hermione. She watched as her sister was sorted into Ravenclaw before she tuned out. She came back to herself when she saw Snape enter the Great Hall and fetched Dumbledore and McGonagall after the Sorting was finished. She was distracted by the appearance of food on the table. She dug in, eating her fill with gusto and feeling quite happy when they were dismissed for bed. She should have known her journey to bed would have been delayed.

"Winnie!" Ron called.

She winced, having forgotten that Ron had picked up that nickname from her sister. She didn't mind Luna calling her that, but Ron pushed it.

"Hello, Ron. Harry." She greeted.

"Why didn't you warn us about the barrier?" Ron snipped, his expression clearly telling her he wasn't happy.

"Honestly Ronald, I'm not some Magic 8 Ball you can shake and get answers to whatever you desire. I do not See upon demand!" She snapped, inwardly cringing as she remembered Trewlaney would say something very similar in the 5th year.

"Magic 8 Ball?" Ron asked.

"Muggle toy. You ask it a question, shake it and it's supposed to give you an answer. I'll show you over break." Bronwyn sighed. "Now, leave me alone, I'm tired. Good night and try to refrain from running into anymore Whomping Willows." She turned and followed Hermione up to the dorm. She got dressed for bed and pulled the curtains around her bed shut. She lay there for awhile, excited for her first day the following morning. She was also very nervous, knowing she had to constantly watch what she said and did, lest she give something away she wasn't supposed to. She rolled over and fell asleep.