Chapter 3
By the time us girls got back, Ron, Harry, and Neville had all changed into their robes. It seemed like we hadn't been on the train for very long but as soon as I sat down, I felt the train come to a stop and the hall started to become packed with people. I quickly gathered my trunk and broomstick and followed the others outside
"Well, if it isn't Harry Potter and his poor choice of friends."
"Hello, Malfoy. Did some of the leftover followers break your family out of prison? Though you would have learned by now to stay where people actually want you."
"I'd keep your mouth shut about my family, Potter," he turned to look in my direction, "who's this? If I were you sweetheart, I would pick a different crowd."
I looked him directly in the eye, and said, in the nastiest voice possible, "I guess it's a good thing I'm not you, than, isn't it."
• • •
Walking into the Great Hall was way better than I ever expected. The ceiling seemed to go on forever, but was also cast as the sky outside. I heard a wow slip out and realized it had been me who said it.
"It's been enchanted to look like that. It doesn't really open-up to the sky," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
I had already known that, but didn't say anything. I wasn't supposed to know that. I followed the five of them, Luna had already sat with the other Ravenclaw's, to the Gryffindor table. The Hall was really loud, with everyone talking, catching up with what had happened over the summer. I was introduced to Harry, Ron and Neville's roommates, Dean and Seamus. The room got quieter as the first years were led into the room. Chloe waved to me when she saw me. I waved back and smiled. She seemed to be enjoying herself.
Ginny leaned over and whispered, "Is that your sister?" I nodded. "I thought so; she looks a lot like you." I had never actually thought that Chloe looked like me. Sure we had the same straight black hair, the same large blue eyes, but I was almost 5'9" and Chloe, having taken after our mother, would probably be no taller than 5'4". Also she was rounded, due to the fact that she hadn't lost the baby fat that she still carried.
The first years were called up alphabetically, and Chloe was the third to get called, our last name Azalea. The hat seemed to have no trouble decided which house Chloe was going to be put in. I clapped proudly as she walked over to my table. She squeezed in beside me and took my hand. I guess she was a little intimidated by a new place to. I squeezed her hand, hoping to comfort her. After all the first years were sorted, with the Gryffindor table feeling a bit crammed, Professor McGonagall stood up to talk.
"Welcome back, fellow Hogwarts students, and welcome to all you new students. This year will be slightly different than before, due to the reconstruction of Hogwarts. There will be no classes on the fifth floor this term. We do hope, however, that by mid-November all repairs will have been made. Students must see their head house in order to receive their schedule. This year we must welcome two new teachers to the staff. Mr. Falcon will be teaching Potions, and Mr. Slate will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. I ask that you all show them respect. One more thing, enjoy the feast!"
As if by magic, (pun intended), food appeared on the table. Hungrily, all the students dug in, me included. When I thought I was full, more food appeared on the table, replacing the now empty dishes. I grabbed a tart and took a huge bite. A bunch of flavours exploded in my mouth all at once. I reached for another one at the same time as Neville. Our hands touched and I gasped and pulled my hand back. I looked at Neville and gave him an I'm-sorry-about-that smile. He gave me one back. I looked away first.
• • •
I was glad to find out that Ginny and Hermione were my roommates for the year. There was another girl too but I didn't catch her name. She was a quiet girl and didn't talk much. We stayed up until one in the morning getting to know one another better and getting me caught up on the Hogwarts gossip. I learned more that night than I ever learned off of Ginny's blog, like the time Harry and Ron ran into Ginny and Dean making out, sorry snogging, in the hallway and that Ron and Hermione's first kiss was during the war against Voldemort. We also went over our schedules. I had Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology. I had always dreamed of being an auror for the Ministry for Magic, but it didn't become real until I started going to Hogwarts. All of the best aurors came from Hogwarts, and only a selected few were chosen from all the schools in the U.S.
"So, you want to become an auror? That's so cool! It's exactly what we all want to do, except for Neville and Luna. Neville wants to teach Herbology and Luna either wants to help her father write the Quibbler or just experiment," Ginny said.
"I also want to continue helping house elves, in honour of Dobby, you can help us if you want," Hermione said.
"Sure, I'd love to help. What do we do? Donate money, get people to sign pledge sheets?"
Ginny laughed softly, "More like knitting hats and scarf's for them. We haven't gotten past that yet."
"But we will one day. All the important witches and wizards will see that it's the right thing to do," Hermione said. She added softly, "Even Ronald."
• • •
By the time I had woken up the next morning, Ginny and Hermione were already in the Great Hall. I slid in beside them and grabbed a piece of toast.
"I don't know how you two do it," I grumbled. I spread some weird kind of marmalade on my toast and took a bite.
"Do what?" Harry asked as he slid in beside Ginny.
"Get up so early, we were awake until two in the morning, for Christ sakes." I replied.
"Well I hope you're rested enough," Harry said, "Today's the day quidditch tryouts start, right Ginny?"
"Oh yeah," She gave him a grin, "Hope you're ready!"
• • •
It felt good to be on my broomstick again. The tryouts were easy enough, we had to be able to throw the quaffle in the direct of the hoop with some sort of force and dodge the bludgers fairly well. By the end of tryouts, Ginny had made up her mind about the team.
"Alright everybody, great tryouts! Unfortunately, only seven people are needed to make a team. I have chosen six other players to fill the position. Ron, you'll play keeper, Harry you'll play seeker, um let's see, Sophie and Demelza Robins, along with me, and our beaters will be Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote. Thanks to all of you, you all did fantastic!" Ginny gave everyone a big smile and then ask her team to come and see her. I was glad I had made the team.
As soon a she turned to face us, Ginny stopped smiling, "I watched Slytherin's tryouts this morning. They have some really good players. Also, Luna told me about Ravenclaw's quidditch team has the best players they've ever had in years. I really believe this is the year we win the cup. I will not hesitate to pull you from the team and replace you, if I need to." Ginny turned to look at all of us, "who wants to change?" She grinned, and started going towards the change room. I watched as Harry ran to catch up with her and gave her a kiss, sorry snog, on the cheek. I also saw how Hermione gave Ron a big hug, and even from where I was standing I could see his ears go red when he hugged her back. I felt strangely alone.
I started towards the change room, and managed to see Neville out of the corner of my eye.
"Hello Neville," I called. I changed direction and started heading for Neville.
"Hello Sophie, great tryouts and congratulations!"
"Thanks Neville. Um, I have to change but I'll see you at dinner right?"
"I guess, Sophie, I was wondering..."
"Yes, Neville?" I felt my heart start to beat faster.
"Would you," he started to blush and then stammered," help me with, um, potions?" He smiled at me weakly.
I tried to hide my disappointment when I replied, "Of course, Neville, any time." I gave him a smile in return and went on to the change room. The whole way there I felt like I was going to cry and the only thing that stopped me was the thought of being called a baby.
I walked cautiously back to the change room. I was still unfamiliar with the grounds and it was darkish outside. I jumped when I heard a branch snap behind me. It's only an animal, I told myself. But I still quickened my pace.
"Where are you going?" I spun around to face Malfoy.
"What do you want?" I snarled.
"What a temper, but I find your accent quite adorable. I only wanted to ask you a question." I looked behind him and saw, not that it surprised me, the two goons that I had seen with him the day on the train.
"Why," he continued, "would you want to help Longbottom with his potions, if he is not taking potions?"
"I don't see why any of that is your business, Malfoy," I said. But I have to say, I was quite surprised. Why didn't Neville just ask me out if that's what he wanted? Sure he's a bit shy but, jeez, making up a random subject is not exactly what I would call slick. I noticed that the goons were holding something, or rather someone.
"Let him go, he hasn't done anything to you!"
"Hasn't done anything to me? Hasn't done anything to me? Me and Longbottom have a long history, don't we?" He turned around. I took this moment to attack.
"Aguamenti!" I shouted. Sure it wasn't the best attacking spell, but it surprise Malfoy and his 'friends' enough that they let go of Neville. He headed towards the changing room at his fastest speed. Well at least that's what it looked like to me. I stood there a couple of seconds longer, only because I was laughing so hard. I took off after Neville, giggling to myself the whole way.