(Part two)
A/N - Ok..here is the second part..not at interesting as the first because this is the one where he goes to Hogwarts and I have to resort to using the first book for info. That's about all I have to say. Actually this isn't just a story of Terry, but it's also a story of Mandy, another random HP character. Do you know who she is? Disclaimer: Blah blah blah yada yada yada and so on and so forth>
I woke up the next morning in the most amazing mood. It's surprising what some good news can do for you. I just sat there smiling to myself. Then my mother had to go and ruin everything by reminding me that I had school to go to. I still had to put up with them for another two weeks. I suppose I could do it knowing what was laying in store for me in September. It all made it worth wile. Then a thought hit me. What would stop them from teasing me like everyone else did? What if everyone there hates me. I didn't even want to think about it I would get through these two weeks of school, and just go one from there.
Thankfully those two weeks went by fast. Of course Bill found reasons to get on my case, like I looked at him strange or something, but it didn't seem as bad as it did before, since I knew whatever did happen to me, I would never have to see him again. I got the feeling that he wouldn't be going to Hogwarts, plus the fact that he had been bragging for the last week that he had gotten into some random school. I couldn't remember, but it wasn't like I really cared or anything. And then, before I knew it, school was out for the summer break. I could have skipped all the way home. I was almost out of the school yard when I heard someone call my name. I turned around, and running towards me was, who other then, Mandy. I could see her friends on the other side, watching us, but for the first time it didn't bother me.
"Hello" she said, coming up beside me.
"Hi" I replied, not knowing what else to say. I was never very good at surprise conversations, especially with girls, especially with Mandy. I wanted to ask her if she maybe wanted to do something this summer, but I didn't have the guts. I was so afraid of rejection, that even though it was the perfect opportunity I froze.
"You ran off before I said good bye."
"I'm sorry"
"That's OK, I guessed you wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible." I was speechless "I guess I'll see you around town. bye" She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and ran off to join her friends. Oh my God, Mandy, Mandy Brocklehurst had just kissed me. It made my day, my month, all kidding aside, it made my year. It was as if I had died and gone to heaven. I just stood there till someone accidentally knocked me over while they were throwing a ball. They started to say they were sorry, but then they saw it was me and stopped. I just shook my head and walked off. I wasn't going to let some nine year old ruin my day.
Before I knew it summer was almost over. I had seen Mandy a couple of times around the town, but she was always with her other friends, so I was afraid to go and say hi to her, especially when she was with Bill. I spend most of my time in my room, or out in our back patio reading my mothers old school books. The cool part about them was that they refreshed themselves. I wasn't going to be caught not knowing something just because I was half muggle. I read all through the History of Hogwarts and Great Wizarding events of the 20th century. My favorite story was the one about Harry Potter, and if he was going to Hogwarts he would be in my class. A week before I was going to start Hogwarts my mother and I went to London to buy my supplies. My father worked in London, so it wasn't a big deal going there and back. We caught a ride with him. Diagon Alley was amazing. It was so much more interesting then out town back home. There were so many interesting things to see and places to go my mother actually had to hold my hand so I wouldn't wander off. I got my robes, caldron, books, wand and other items that were on my list. Mum ran into so many people she knew, and of course had to catch up on the last two decades. We were out by the middle of the afternoon and went over to dads office to have lunch and then head home with him.
And then, finally, the day had arrived. We didn't have to leave till ten, so after breakfast I sat in the living room, thinking. All the fears had returned. What if they don't like me? What if everyone teases me? I wont be able to come home after class's, there will be no escape. All these what ifs were flying through my mind. What if I miss the train, what if I can't do magic very well? I always got good marks in school, but reading writing and arithmetic is different then magic. What if this was a big mistake and I have to go home and be sent to some school with someone from my other one in it?
Finally ten o'clock came around and we started off for Kings cross station. We arrived at the station by ten thirty, giving me plenty of time to get on the train. That was one less thing to worry about.
"Terry, you want to say good bye to your father. He is going to stay with the car." My mother said, putting my trunk and own cage on a trolley. My parents had gotten my an owl as an early birthday present considering it was the only way we would be able to communicate. I went over and gave my father a hug.
"You be good " he said gruffly, ruffling my hair. "No matter how much fun you are having, you have to come home for Christmas"
"Of course dad. I wouldn't dream of doing that." I turned to my mother. "Can we go now"
"All right, come on" I waved to my father and followed my mother through the barrier and into the station of 9 3/4th. It was if he had gone from one world into another. Outside was the muggle world, where people were wearing regular clothes, going to and from work as businessmen and doctors, and here there were tons of students swarming around a scarlet steam engine, some of them in muggle clothes like Terry, and others with Wizard hats and robes. My mother helped me put my trunk into a compartment, and then we said our good byes, and she had to go, because my father was going to be late for work. I sat down in an empty compartment as the end of the train, and started reading one of my school books. I heard footsteps running back and forth outside my compartment, but no-one stopped. I was still alone when the train started to move. About two minutes later I heard footsteps stop in front of my compartment, and the door open.
"Mind if I.." I looked up and there standing in the doorway was Mandy.
"Mandy" I stood up.
"Terry"
"I never expected to see you here" we both said at the same time. We both started to laugh.
"So is anyone sitting here. I was kind of late getting to the train. All the other compartments are basically full."
"Sure..I was alone anyway." She sat down across from me. "So what are you reading?" I showed her the book. It was my potions text. "Getting an early start?"
"Yeap" I gave a little laugh and felt myself blush. Again she didn't notice, or was to polite to say anything.
"I figured I would start reading now. I didn't get to read any of my books this summer. I was so busy. I mean, it seemed like every day Bill or Andrea, of Dustin wanted to do something. I mean, please. I have a life too, I don't have to spend all the time with him. Just because we were not going to the same school as him, he thought it was the end of the world." She stopped. All this time she had been going through her trunk, and she finally pulled out her potions book. She looked up at me. "But I'm sure you don't want to know about this. I know you and Bill were not the best of friends."
"No, that's ok" I didn't mind her talking, she could talk about anything, her voice could keep me busy for hours.
"I mean, Bill's ok, once you get to know him. His father works for my father, so we have been friends since we were little. Sometimes I just wish he would leave me alone. He feels that he should protect me all the time, from what, I don't know. I can take care of myself" she laughed. " I am going to be a witch after all. I knew my parents went to Hogwarts ever since I was little."
"But you said?"
"Oh, that's not my real dad. My real dad was killed my you-know-who."
"I'm sorry"
"It doesn't matter. I never knew him. My mum got remarried a couple years later. She hasn't used magic since my dad died. But she still told me all about it, figuring I'd go to Hogwarts when I was older. Are your parents wizards?"
"My mother is"
"Oh, that's why. After that incident with Bill I told my mum your name, and she didn't recognize it, that's probably why. I had a suspicion you might be going here. I figured I might as well get to know you. I mean, it's better to know at least one person. I'd hate to go to school not knowing anyone. I mean, you're not that bad" I looked down at the floor out of habit. She got down on the floor and looked up at me. "I'm kidding..I'm kidding" I had to laugh. She stood back up again. "So, tell me about yourself."
"There is not much to tell, I'm not that interesting."
"Come on, you can't be serious. Just tell me something." She took my potions book away from me. I still couldn't believe it. If someone had told me this morning I was going to have a conversation with Mandy Brocklehurst I would have never believed them. Maybe there is a god after all.
"Come on, give it back" I said, trying to grab my book away from her, while laughing at the same time.
"Nope, not till you tell me something" she was also laughing.
"Fine, I give in." Obviously she wasn't going to give me my book back till I told her something I started to speak. I told her about my Mum and my Dad and just random things that had happened to me. No one had ever asked me to tell them something before, and it was like I was trying out a new activity, and I liked it. I talked till a small woman who looked strangely like the lady next came by and asked if we wanted anything to eat from the trolley. I turned to Mandy.
"You want anything?"
"Sure, get me something chocolate" she handed me a few silver coins. I went out to the trolley and got a few chocolate frogs for Mandy and some other weird random things for myself. I gave the woman some sickles and hurried back into the compartment. I gave her her chocolate and sat down and started munching on my own food. She handed me back my potions book. "I think you finished your requirement for talking for this trip" she laughed. "I've gone to school with you for five years and I don' t think I have ever heard you speak that much." I gave a small laugh, and we went back to reading our books. We read the rest of the way to the school, amazingly not getting interrupted once. Soon the train started slowing down and we heard a voice echo through the train : 'we will be arriving at the school in five minutes time, please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately.' I looked over at Mandy, neither one of us had gotten dressed, we were still in our muggle clothes.
"Oh shoot" we both said at the same time laughing. I turned around and opening up my trunk, pulled out a robe and hat. Mandy did the same thing.
"You want me to leave while you get changed" I said, motioning towards the door.
"No, that's ok, I'll just slip it over my other clothes." She did that, retying her hair back after putting on the hat. I did the same thing. Then the train stopped suddenly, and since I was standing, I fell into her.
"Sorry," I stood back up quickly turning back to my trunk because I could fell myself blushing again. Get over it Terry I told myself. Sure she likes you now, but that's because she knows you. As soon as we get to school, and she makes more friends, what's going to stop her from ignoring you again, and then you will be back where you started. But hey, you survived five years of being friendless, who says you can't survive another seven. I don't want to be friendless, I tried to tell myself, just one friend is all I ask. I am sick and tired of being the reject. Oh well, no time to think about that because by this time people were hurrying out of the train. I picked up my hat off the seat and followed Mandy out of the train. The two of them stepped off the train and into the cool night air. We hurried over to a small group that looked like they were first years.
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here! C'mon, follow me- any more firs'-years? Mind you step now! Firs'-years follow me." Turning around, Is saw one of the largest men I had ever seen in his life. I heard Mandy gasp behind me. We both walked towards him. He was standing in front of a lake that was covered with mist from the cool afternoon air. On the lake were boats that floated aimlessly. "No more'n four to a boat" he called out. I followed Mandy into one of the boats, and sat down beside her. Two other girls sat down in the boat with them. "Right then-FORWARD!" then man cried out and the boats started to move. .I could see my first view of Hogwarts, a large castle with many turrets and towers standing on top of a mountain. The boats followed a certain path, as being pulled by an unknown force towards the castle.
"I'm Sally-Ann, what are your names?" One of the girls said, as they floated along.
"I'm Mandy, and this is my friend Terry" She introduced me as her friend, that certainly made my day. We went under the castle, and stopped in what seemed like a large harbor underneath the castle. All the first years got out of boats and stood in a huddled mass by a large oak door. The large man walked up to the door and knocked three times. The door opened and standing in the doorway was a tall black haired witch "The firs'-years Professor McGonagall."
Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here." She stepped away from the doorway, and we all entered a dark hall lit only by torches, then followed her into a small chamber. "Welcome to Hogwarts, the start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the great hall, you will be sorted into houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room." She continued talking, but I wasn't really paying attention. I know I should have been, but I got distracted. " I shall return when we are ready for you, Please wait quietly." She then turned and left. The sorting ceremony, that can't be that bad. Wasn't it just a hat? I mean, could it? I heard someone behind him whispering about it being some kind of painful test, and someone else said she heard that you had to perform some magic of some sort. All of a sudden I felt a brush of cold air, and looking up saw a ghost right behind me. I felt Mandy grab my hand. Looking around the room I saw two ghosts, or what I thought we ghosts above him. They were arguing about something, but he couldn't tell what. Then all of a sudden one of them noticed the us.
"New Students? About to be sorted, I suppose." One of the ghosts said, smiling down on them. I was too startled to do anything. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know."
"Move along then," Prof. McGonagall said as she came back into the chamber. "Now form a line and follow me." I got in front of Mandy and we followed her out of the room and into another large hall, bigger then I have ever imagined any room could be. It was lit by thousand and thousands of candles, floating above the tables where the rest of the student body was sitting. We were let up to where the teachers table was, and left there standing, not knowing what was going on. Then Prof. McGonagall placed a stool in the center of where they were standing, and then placed a torn and tattered hat upon it. Everyone in the hall stared at the hall, till it started to twitch then, surprising me, started to sing. (A/N: I don't have any desire to rewrite the whole song for you...if you have read the Harry Potter books, which I hope you have, you should know it...please please say yes)
When it was done with its song the whole hall burst into applause then quieted down as Prof. McGonagall stood up and pulled out a piece of parchment.
"When I call your name you will come up and put on the hat. Abbott, Hannah" A small girl stepped out from beside me and put on the hat.
"HUFFLEPUFF" it cried out as soon as she put the hat on her head. Of course, my last name being Boot I was next. Prof. McGonagall called out my name and I went up and put the hat on my head.
"Humm..very studious student, that makes it kind of easy. I'll put you in RAVENCLAW." I jumped off the stool, and taking off the hat, hurried over to the table. Being the first Ravenclaw chosen, almost everyone shook my hand, and I sat down in an empty chair, and turned back to the other first years. Mandy was now sitting down on the stool. I crossed my fingers, praying she would be put in Ravenclaw. I could have jumped for joy when the hat cried out RAVENCLAW and she ran down and sat right next to me. They went through the rest of the first years, with maybe eight more coming into Ravenclaw. Sally-Ann, the girl who was on the boat with us was also in Ravenclaw and so was another boy named Tommy Nott's, who sat down beside me. I didn't pay much attention to the rest of the sorting, except when they called Harry Potter, and of course, with all the commotion that was going on, who couldn't help but look up. He put on the hat and it called out GRYFFINDOR. After everyone was sorted,
Then a man, who looked like he might be the headmaster, stood up and everyone was silent. He was an old looking man, but one that demanded respect. He started to speak
"Welcome, Welcome to a New Year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you" Then he sat down and on our plates that before were empty were filled with food. I quickly ate as much food as I could because I was starving, and the snacks I had with Mandy on the train we so very long ago. I just sat there in silence while everyone around me converged. See, this is your problem Terry, you never talk to anyone. If you said something, maybe someone will be your friend. But I'm to afraid, I don't have to courage to talk to random people. Of course, as always, my fear won over, and I didn't say a word to anyone. Finally the feast was over, and we followed our Prefect up to the Ravenclaw towers.
"This is the entrance, now don't forget it." she said, pointing at a mirror in the middle of the wall. "The password is Glinglehopper." As she said this the mirror swung open and we followed Penny, our Prefect into the room. It was a large circular room with two staircases going up each side. The prefect pointed out that one goes to the girls dormitories and the other goes to the boys.
"Bye Mandy" I said, as we seperated.
"Bye Terry, see you tomorrow in class." She replied, smiling. I followed Tommy up to our room, which had first year written on it. We went in, and finding the bed with our trunk beside it, all five of us fell asleep. I had the feeling that this year wasn't going to be as bad as I expected.
A/N - Ok, that's the end of this first day. I plan to make his first year go by fast. Not much happens to anyone except for the chosen Gryffindors. You know the basic drill. I mean, really, nothing that happens the first year, if I remember correctly would effect a Ravenclaw, except the ending feast. Oh, and the last Quidditch match *L* The next part will be his first year, and then his first summer. That's the part I really want to write. What will Bill think of Terry and Mandy's new friendship? Will Mandy ignore Terry once they are away from Hogwarts? Will Terry ever learn to stand up for himself? What do you think ?>