As the train chugged along the three talked amongst themselves. The trolley had come by and Harry bout quite a bit of candy and shared it with Leona. All the while Leona couldn't stop thinking of Hogwarts. What will it be like? Will she be able to keep up with the other students? Will they tease her about her hair? Many questions rang through her head. She wanted so badly to fit in but, with her hair, she might be teased like at her school, well it's probably her old school now.
Turning to look a the two boys she listened to their conversation, ready to continue talking. "You want to be careful with those," Ron warned Harry as Leona stared at the jelly bean box. "When they say every flavor, they mean every flavor - you know, you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. George reckons he had a booger-flavored one once."
"Mind if I try on Harry?" Leona's asked. After getting a shake of the head he handed Leona the box. She looked at it for a few minutes before pulling out a jelly bean. It was red with light pink spots, kind of reminded her of a strawberry. Popping it into her mouth she started chewing. Ron and Harry watched her intently, she could feel their curiosity as she chewed the jelly bean more, dissolving the out layer to get to the center where the flavor was. Leona wasn't disappointed when she tasted the sweet taste of a strawberry, she could even feel the seeds like she was eating an actual strawberry. "Strawberry," she said, her tone holding joy.
A knock on the door made their heads turn. Leona blushed slightly as she saw a cute boy with a round-faced and blonde hair standing at the door in tears. "Sorry but, have you seen a toad at all?" He asked looking at each of us.
We shook our heads causing the poor boy to wail, "I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!"
Giving him a reassuring smile Leona said, "I'm sure he'll pop up somewhere."
"Yes, well if you see him…" With that, he left.
"Don't know why he's so bothered. If I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could. Mind you, I brought Scabbers, so I can't talk." Ron spoke looking at the rat snoozing in his lap. She did have to agree to bring a toad was kind of a bad choice but, a rat is worse in her opinion. "He might have died and you wouldn't know the difference. I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look…" Ron continued his voice holding disgust.
He rummaged through his trunk which was sitting next to Harry, pulling out a wand with a bit of hair sticking out. It looked very old and was breaking apart in some places. "Unicorn hair's nearly poking out. Anyway," He said. As he raised his wand the compartment door opened. The cute boy with blonde hair was back but, this time he had a girl with him. She had long bushy brown hair and large front teeth.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," she asked sounding slightly stuck-up.
"We've already told him we haven't seen it," Ron said but, was dutifully ignored by the bushy-haired girl.
She looked over at Ron saying, "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then." She sat down next to Harry.
Ron, taken aback, looked at the girl then cleared his throat. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow." He said waving his wand though nothing happened. Leona felt sad for him. The spell was a fake.
"Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard - I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough - I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you" The girl now known as Hermione said speaking rather fast. Leona now thought this girl was stuck-up, even if she's like her. While she herself had read all the course books, mainly the potions one, she hadn't mesmerized everything.
Harry turned and looked at Leona and Ron, the latter who looked back. She was happy to see they looked annoyed at the girl too. Looking over at the girl, Hermione, Leona introduced herself, "I'm Leona James."
"Ron Weasley," Ron said after her.
"Harry Potter," Then came Harry. She looked at him in shock. Great here we go, Leona thought.
"Are you really? I know all about you, of course - I got a few extra books. for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century." Said Hermione.
"Am I?" asked Harry looking confused. Leona could even feel his confusion. While she read about him in the school books she wasn't going to tell him that. He'll figure it out on his own.
"Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione. "Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad... Anyway, we'd better go and look for Neville's toad. You two had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon."
With that, she left leaving the three of them to sit, stunned. Leona wasn't sure how to feel about the girl. She seemed bossy and ignored her and Ron after they introduced themselves. It made her mad, being ignored like that. "Whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it," Ron said then chucked his wand into his trunk saying, "Stupid spell - George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud."
Giving a small smile Leona looked at him sympathetically. While she didn't understand what it's like to have brothers she did understand being told something fake and thinking it to be true. "What house are your brothers in?" Leona asked curious as to what his family's house was.
"Gryffindor. Mom and Dad were in it, too. I don't know what they'll say if I'm not. I don't suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin." He spoke, gloom coming off of him. Leona was surprised he sounded the way he did. It doesn't sound bad to have your family all in the same house. It actually sounded nice, because then they can help you whenever you needed it.
"That's the house Vol-, I mean, You-Know-Who was in?" Harry asked, almost saying You-Know-Who's name.
Ron dropped back down next to Leona again saying, "Yeah." Sadness wafted off him and into Leona. It was strong and was starting to make Leona light headed.
"Y'know, his whiskers seem a bit lighter. Maybe the spell worked slightly," Leona said trying her hardest to make him feel better.
"So what do your oldest brothers do now that they've left, anyway?" Harry asked.
Ron looked over at Harry saying, "Charlie's in Romania studying dragons, and Bill's in Africa doing something for Gringotts." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Did you hear about Gringotts? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with the Muggles - someone tried to rob a high-security vault."
"Really? What happened to them," Leona asked confused. She thought it was impossible to break into Gringotts. Who would even try such a thing?
"Nothing, that's why it's such big news. They haven't been caught. My dad says it must've been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts, but they don't think they took anything, that's what's odd. 'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-Who's behind it." Ron explained.
Leona noticed Harry's expression before she felt his feelings. He was upset and slightly fearful. It was confusing but also made sense. You-Know-Who's name was mentioned and if she was him she would feel slightly fearful too, maybe more.
"What's your Quidditch team?" Ron asked.
"Er - I don't know any," Harry said.
With that Ron jumped into a long discussion about the game and how it was played. Leona wasn't listening though. She was looking out the window watching the scenery go by. It was beautiful. The country with lush green grass and green trees. Light blue skies with fluffy white clouds. It was amazing watching it go by so fast. Hearing the door open Leona looked over annoyed with people continuously opening their compartment door. Yes, Harry was here but, he's not some attraction. He's a person.
Standing a the compartment door was three boys. Two rather large and one quite short. The short one was obviously the leader. He had slicked back white-blonde hair and cold grey eyes. His features were pointed and skinny. "Is it true?" he asked. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"Yes," Harry answered.
"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle. And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." The blonde now known as Draco said in a snotty voice. Ron and Leona let out a snigger. He spoke like James Bond.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." Draco said looking at Ron before looking at Leona asking, "Who are you?"
"Leona James," She spoke quietly.
Nodding he turned back to Harry saying, ""You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
Leona watched Harry carefully, not sure how he was going to react. While she knew from talking to him that he didn't care that she was muggleborn or Ron was pureblood, you never know what a person thinks on the inside. "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said.
Draco's cheeks took a slight rosy tint to them after Harry spoke. "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter. Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you." Leona gasped and jumped up with Ron and Harry glaring at Draco. How dare he bring Harry's parents up!
"Watch your mouth Malfoy," Leona spit her glare worsening.
"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?" He sneered.
"Unless you get out now," Harry said.
Draco looked at the food we still had laying on the seats and said, "But we don't feel like leaving, do we, boys? We've eaten all our food and you still seem to have some." The one she believed to be Goyle started to reach for a chocolate frog but, as his hand grabbed it he let out a yowl. Pulling his hand away she saw Scabbers biting him. Waving the rat around Goyle launched the poor thing causing it to hit the window. With that, the three of them disappeared. Leona stared for a moment before breaking out into giggles. She may not like Scabbers but, she was commending him now.
"What has been going on?" Hermione asked looking at all the sweets we had.
Ignoring her they turned their attention to Scabbers who was now laying on the seat looking dead. "I think he's been knocked out," Ron said picking him up by the tail before looking closer and saying, "No - I don't believe it - he's gone back to sleep-"
Looking at Harry Leona asked, "You've met Malfoy before?"
Harry then explained his meeting with Draco. It was weird that the boy didn't recognize Harry when they met. Then again there are no pictures of him in the history books.
"I've heard of his family. They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side." He said with a dark tone before turning to Hermione and asking, "Can we help you with something?"
"You'd better hurry up and put your robes on, I've just been up to the front to ask the conductor, and he says we're nearly there. You haven't been fighting, have you? You'll be in trouble before we even get there!" She practically yelled.
Letting out an annoyed sigh Leona said, "We weren't fighting. Scabbers, that rat, bit a dudes finger. Now, would you mind leaving while we change?"
As she left she said in a snotty tone, "All right - I only came in here because people outside are behaving very childishly, racing up and down the corridors. And you've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know?"
Looking at Ron she left out a snicker, he did have dirt on his nose. Leona peered out the window noting the dark skies as the sun began to set. The setting sun filled the sky with gold, red, blue, orange, and even some purple. It was beautiful. Turning to the boys she shooed them out want to change in peace. After having put on her robe she let the boys in and waited outside as they changed.
As we exited the train a loud, deep voice could be heard, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry?"
It was a large hairy man holding a lantern. He dwarfed everyone even the older students. Stunned Leona watched him as he began shouting again. "C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
We followed the man through a steep narrow pathway. Letting out a squeak Leona tripped and fell to the ground. Blushing she hopped back up and quickly went after Ron and Harry. We came through thick trees and as the large man spoke we could see Hogwarts, "Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec jus' round this bend here."
The school was magnificent. It stood tall and proud on a hilly land. Many towers could be seen peeking over the large main building. The windows were dimly lit. Though there was one are where the lights were very bright. Leona's guess was that was where they were going. "No more'n four to a boat!" The man shouted, sitting in his own boat. Following after Ron and Harry, they sat in a boat with the toad boy. "Right then - FORWARD!" He shouted.
The boats began moving down the lake heading for the rocky side. "HEADS DOWN" The man shouted causing heads to duck out of the way of branches. They headed into a tunnel which seemed to go under the castle. Soon they had reached a stony pathway, everyone clambering out after the giant.
"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" The man said to the toad boy as he was looking through the boats, making sure everyone got out.
"Trevor!" The boy cried running over to grab the toad. With that down they followed the giant up a stoney pathway then up stone steps till they stood in front of a large oak door. Nerves filled Leona as she watched the large man knock three times on the door.