A/N- Of course, the Harry Potter World does not belong to me. Sigh. It all belongs to J.K Rowling.
Chapter 2 – At Last
Oh, oh, letting go
There's nothing in her way now
Oh, letting go, there's room enough to fly
And even though, she's spent her whole life waiting
It's never easy letting go
-Suzy Boggus
Jeanie looked out of the window in awe, the vast countryside before her was just beautiful. She didn't think she had ever seen so much green before in her life. She had heard about it before from her siblings and cousins, but seeing it for herself was a whole different experience. Her whole life she had waited for this, and now she was on her way. It just didn't seem real.
"If you think that's good, just wait until you see Hogwarts!" exclaimed Lily, bringing her out of her daydream. " Honestly, you'll never forget it, the moment you see the castle for the first time, its just... well, magical"
Jeanie giggled. She had heard this many times before, but now that it was so close, hearing it made her giddy. She was so nervous.
"Lils, what if no-one likes me?" This is something which had been worrying her for a few weeks now. Other children often found her strange and she didn't make friends easily. She put this down to the fact that she was a bit shy and preferred the company of her books to other people, a trait people told her she got from her mother. But now that she was going to be living at school full time, she didn't want to be all alone.
"Jeanie, don't be daft, who wouldn't like you? You're great!" Lily replied, giving what she hoped was a reassuring smile. Jeanie was grateful. Secretly, Lily had always been her favourite cousin. She was just so kind all of the time. Always cheering her up and making her laugh, and sticking up for her when Lou and Hugo tried to tease her.
All of a sudden, Jeanie noticed the train start to slow. Oh no, Oh god! Sweet Merlin it can't be time yet! All of a sudden she started to feel sick. All of her life she had heard her family talk about Hogwarts, and all she had wanted was to join them, but now that it was here she felt nothing but nerves taking over.
"C'mon Jeanie, its time to go" Lily nudged her gently "I know you're nervous but I promise you'll be fine" She gave her cousin one last hug before they had to split up , and left the carriage.
Well, Lily had certainly been right about the castle, it was enchanting. And it was certainly something that she would never forget. The boat ride was mostly uneventful, except from one small blonde boy falling into the lake. It was quite funny really. Oh! And she made her very first friend!
She had been struggling to find a boat to sit in, before Hagrid asked her to sit with him. It wasn't that she didn't like him. She really did. There just wasn't very much room left once the huge man had sat down.
"Oi! You! Over here" a pretty blonde girl waved in her direction. Jeanie looked all around her to see who the girl was waving at.
"I'm looking at you silly! Come and sit with us, Quick!" Jeanie hastily walked over to the boat and climbed in, unsure of what to say, but relieved to have somewhere to sit.
"Oh thank Merlin! I was beginning to think that we'd never find another person to fill the boat, then my pain in the arse cousin would've come over." Jeanie blinked. She had never been used to such brash behaviour from anyone who wasn't part of her family.
"Anyways, Hi! I'm Shelly Corner! What's your name?"
"Jean Granger, Nice to meet you!" replied Jeanie, holding out her hand for Shelly to shake.
"Aw how formal, you're so funny!" the blonde replied, taking her hand. " I like you, I think we're going to make great friends!"
Jeanie was so overwhelmed, she had just met a pretty, confident, nice girl like Shelly, and she wanted to be friends! She was so giddy, she chatted and giggled with Shelly the whole boat ride over , and she had never been so comfortable with someone her own age. They both really hoped that they were in the same house!
That was all she could think about as she stood in the great hall , waiting to be sorted. As "Clements, Sean" was sorted into Hufflepuff, Jeanie and her new friend exchanged worried glances.
"Corner, Shelly!" Professor McGonagall called.
"Good Luck!" whispered Jeanie, hoping that her friend was sorted anywhere except-
"Gryffindor!" Jeanie's heart sank. She and her new friend would not be in the same house. Jeanie was not a coward per say, but she knew that she was not brave. She was scared of everything.
The rest of the Sorting went by in a blur. Jeanie could not shake the sadness that she felt. The first friend that she had ever had, and they were to be separated. Before long, it was her turn, and she felt nothing but dread as she headed towards the rickety old stool (Which to be honest just looked unsafe). She sat down, anticipating the inevitable. She would be placed in Hufflepuff and that would be it.
A Hufflepuff? Hmmmm. No I'm not seeing that.
Sweet Merlin! Hat, is that you?
Well of course its me , who else would it be? Honestly. Well that's a no to Ravenclaw then. Hmmm...Better be-
"Gryffindor!"
Jeanie couldn't believe it! A huge grin spread across her face and she all but bolted to the Gryffindor table , where she was pulled into a bone crushing hug , involving a number of assorted family members.
"Well done Jeanie!" yelled James
"I just knew we'd get you!" a shout that sounded like Freddie
"Better start earning your keep Weasley" teased Scorpius
"Yeah Jeanie, you're Mums good child! Better start earning those house points!" Laughed Rose.
Jeanie was so happy. Once she had eventually escaped her family, she found Shelly, who grabbed her and hugged her even tighter than James. Oh my, she was strong for someone so tiny. They finally relaxed to watch the rest of the sorting, but Jeanie wasn't really listening. She was too excited. She had her family, a brand new friend, and a whole new world to explore, and Jeanie had a feeling that she was going to enjoy every minute of it!
A/N- Yay, Chapter 2! I know that it's quick, But I'm so addicted to this story.
Anyways! This story will change points of view in case you hadn't guessed. Next Chapter, hear from one of the older kids!
That's all folks! Don't forget to leave a little review for me guys so that I can get better! Thanks for reading!
