Hey! Okay, so I know last chapter was only 1400 words, so I've got a nice long one for you guys that I stayed up until 2 am just for you!
Enjoy!
Discalimer: I own the Bells, not the Weasleys or Potters, or Grangers, or Malfoys and everything else. JK Rowling does, not me!
XO, Dreamer :D
"OLIVIA! WAKE UP!" I could hear my mum's voice, slightly muffled due to the fact that I was under my quilt.
I bolted upright and checked the time. Eight o'clock. I scrambled out of my bed but got tangled in my sheets and fell on the floor. I busted up laughing.
"Livi, we need to—" My mum started to say but stopped when she saw me on my butt, laughing hysterically.
"What happened?" she sighed and shifted her weight, as if preparing for a long story.
"Never mind," I giggled and started to hunt down Bleu. I searched in all of his favorite spots until I found him hiding under Julia's crib.
I put him in a small basket, despite his tiny mews, and set it by my trunk. I grabbed my photo of my family and Cedric and set it in my trunk. I whirled around and examined my room, double checking that I had everything.
After double checking every nook and cranny, I rolled my trunk downstairs.
"Hey Mum," I said and I leaned against the counter for support as I chewed on my toast.
"Hello, darling," she murmured and kissed the top of my head.
"When do we leave?" I asked her and looked at the clock over the kitchen table.
"About five minutes," she said and started rolling my trunk to her car. I followed after carrying Bleu's case. I could hear his tiny mews from inside the wicker.
"Bleu, calm down," I cooed and set him in the back.
After rounding up Julia and fastening her up in her car seat, we took off with Dad in the front seat, singing. It was an hour from Cotswolds to King's Cross and I was going to catch up on some sleep.
…
I woke up to the nerves that had settled in my stomach during my nap. To distract myself, I hummed along to 'Let It Be' by the Beetles as King's Cross Station came into view. I fumbled with the simple seatbelt as the car pulled to a stop. Mum walked to the back and lifted out my giant trunk. I unbuckled Julia from her car seat and held her on my hip.
"Are you ready, darling?" Mum asked me as we got a trolley and loaded my trunk and Bleu's basket onto it.
"As I'll ever be," I mumbled but regardlessly nodded my head.
We walked to the two barriers that had a plastic nine overhead and on the next a plastic number ten.
"This is it, Liv," Dad told me as we wheeled it to the barrier. I took a deep breath and ran at it. I couldn't help but think I would crash, but relaxed whenever the crash didn't come.
A scarlet engine with the words 'Hogwarts Express' written on the side in gold lettering was before my eyes whenever I opened them. I walked to the side of the train where families were saying their goodbyes.
"Now Olivia," my father started to say, but I cut him off.
"I know, Daddy," I told him, "If there is a smidgen bit of trouble that you hear about me then I'm coming straight home whether I like it or not."
"Okay I guess you do know then," he mumbled
"Have a good term Livi" Mum said as she hugged me, "Owl us as soon as you get there."
"I promise, Mum," I told her and blinked back a few tears, "I love you."
"Bye Bye!" Julia said and she waved her tiny hands.
"See you later my little Jewel!" I said and kissed her on the cheek.
I sighed and turned to my dad.
"Just be careful, Livi," my dad told me and I hugged him hard.
"I will," I whispered as a stray tear fell from my eyes, "I love you so much, Daddy."
"I love you, too," he whispered and pulled back. Bleu started to meow from inside his basket and I chuckled.
The train whistle blew and I hurriedly pulled my trunk aboard. I walked to the window and waved at my family. I tried to burn that picture in my mind forever. My dad had his arms around my mum who was holding Julia as they all waved.
They disappeared out of sight and I started to look for a compartment. I finally found one towards the front. A girl with bushy brown hair and her nose in a book was the only occupant.
"Mind if I sit?" I asked, "Everywhere else is full."
"I don't mind," she said quietly and looked up from her book. She smiled and I noticed she had rather large front teeth. But I didn't care.
"I'm Hermoine Granger," she said and held out her hand. I shook it.
"I'm Olivia Bell, but everybody calls me Livi." I told her and smiled.
"Do you know what house you'll be in?" she asked and put down her book.
I sighed. "I hope Gryffindor, 'cause I hear that's the best and my parents were both in that house, too. But, my cousin Cedric is in Hufflepuff, so there is a small possibility that I'll be in that house, too."
I said that all quite fast and then blushed. Rambling wasn't ladylike.
"I hope I'm in Gryffindor, too." Hermoine said, smiling.
Oh please, whoever is listening, put Hermoine in the same house as me.
I then noticed the title of her book and grinned widely.
"Hogwarts: A History?" I asked and leaned closer to read the title.
"Yeah, you've read that, too?" Hermoine asked with a look of wonder on her face.
"Oh, Hermoine. I think we'll be great friends," I told her excitedly.
…
We continued talking about books, spells, and subjects until a woman with a kind smile was asking if we wanted anything sweet.
I thought for a moment before rummaging around in my jeans pockets, looking for some Knuts.
"Two pumpking pasties," I said and paid for them.
When I came back to the compartment, I gave one of the pasties to Hermoine.
"Oh no," she told me, "No, you paid for it. It's fine."
"Hermoine, please, take it," I said and thrusted the pasty into her hands.
"Thank you," she murmured before taking a bite.
"So, what's your family like?" I asked as we both finished the pasties. I rubbed my hands against my jeans and leaned forward.
"My parents are Muggles and I literally found out I was a witch a few weeks ago," she told me, "No one in my family is a wizard and it came as a bit of a shock."
I laughed, "My parents are both magical and my little sister Julia is showing signs, too." I said.
"What are your parents' occupations?" she asked as she grew excited.
"My mum stays at home and my dad works for the Ministry of Magic as an auror." I said and felt glad that she was excited.
We continued talking about our families when I heard a knock on the compartment door.
"I heard my favorite cousin was here!" I heard a very familiar voice call.
"Ced!" I shrieked and jumped up as Cedric slid into the apartment. He gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek.
"Hermoine, this is my cousin, Cedric," I told her, "Ced, this is my new friend, Hermoine."
"Nice to meet you," he said politely.
"Hello," Hermoine murmured and sat down to read.
I sighed and sat down.
"What've you been up to?" he asked me and leaned against the wall.
"Nothing much," I murmured and stroked Bleu from inside his basket.
"Cedric! The team needs you!" I heard a voice call from outside. Ced groaned and moved towards the door.
"I'll see you later," he murmured and walked out of the compartment. I sighed. My cousin, Mr. Popularity.
"We probably should change," Hermoine said, and I nodded in agreement.
I dug through my trunk and quickly slipped into my robes. My Converse squeaked against the floors and my straight hair slid into my eyes.
I flopped back down and no sooner had I done that when the compartment door slid open agin.
"Have you either of you seen a toad?" a round faced boy asked politely, sniffling slightly.
"No, I'm sorry," I said.
"Oh, well, if either of you see him, my name's Neville," he said and moved to leave.
"I'm going to go help him," Hermoine murmured and I smiled at her kindness.
A minute later I decided to help to and slid out of the compartment to find Neville and Hermoine. Just as I walked two feet, I slammed into someone.
"Watch it!" I hissed and looked up to lock eyes with cold, grey eyes.
"Hello, my name is Draco Malfoy," the boy said in a drawling tone.
"Hello, Draco," I hissed and shoved him aside, "If you'll excuse me."
I walked away without a backward glance but I could feel the stare at the back of my head. I couldn't find Hermoine anywhere and started to worry. Just as I was about to give up, I heard a shriek of pain from one of the compartments. I threw the door aside, not bothering to knock.
"What the—" I trailed off as I saw a rat attached to a rather pudgy boy. Next to him was Draco. Ugh. I looked over and saw sweets scattered over the floor and Harry Potter with a red-haired boy.
"Harry!" I said in shock as the rat detached itself from the boy.
"Livi?" he asked.
"Yup, it's me!" I said, cheerfully and felt the familiar stare at the back of my head.
"What do you want, Draco?" I asked wheeling around to face him.
"N-Nothing," he stammered and his ears turned pink. Whoa. I didn't know I was that scary.
With that the three boys left.
"You know, Malfoy?" Harry asked and sat down. I noticed he was still in his Muggle clothes.
"Yeah, we met, I dunno, five minutes ago." I said and I noticed the slightest bit of pink dusted Harry's cheeks when I looked at him.
The compartment door slid open and Hermoine popped out.
"Hey Livi!" she said.
"Okay," the red-haired boy said, "Does everybody know her except for me?"
I laughed at that and Harry joined in.
"Olivia Bell. But, people call me Livi," I said and stuck out my hand. He shook it.
"Ron Weasley," he muttered and I smiled.
"You're Arthur Weasley's sixth son, right?" I asked, counting the family numbers in my head. Dad was good friends with Mr. Weasley.
"Yeah," he said, melancholy.
I dropped it then.
"Can we help you with something?" Ron asked Hermoine, not even looking at me. Maybe he wanted me to stay. Boys.
"You'd better hurry up and put your robes on, I've just been up 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 shrieked. Well, maybe I wasn't the only person who rambled.
"Scabbers has been fighting, not us." Ron scowled, "Would you mid leaving us while we change?"
"All right—I only came because people outside are behaving very childishly, racing up and down the corridors." Hermoine said, sniffily, "You've got dirt on your nose by the way. Did you know that?"
I snickered and with that Hermoine took my hand and we left.
"See you Harry!" I called as we walked back to our compartment.
"We will be arriving in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately." A voice said and it drifted all about the train.
I looked out the window and even Hermoine put her book down and began smoothing her skirt. The landscape was mountainous and very beautiful. My breath fogged up the window and I giggled as I drew a smiley face.
I breathed on the window and wrote 'Hi Hermoine!'. I tapped her on the shoulder and she looked up. I pointed to the writing. Her lip twitched and she smiled wide.
We pulled into a station and I immediately saw the older kids load up into carriages being led by thestrals. Hey, what can I say? I did my research. I didn't want to think of the two reasons why I could see them.
"Firs' years! Firs' years, over here!" I heard a loud voice boom.
I walked towards it, hand in hand with Hermoine.
"All righ' there, Livi?" he asked me and I nodded.
"Hi, Hagrid!" I said to him and he smiled.
"C'mon, follow me—anymore firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years, follow me!" Hagrid boomed as the group followed him down a steep, narrow, slippery path. Neville, who was on the other side of me, sniffled a bit, and I patted him on his shoulder.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid yelled over the sea of heads, "Jus' round this bend here."
Then a loud "Ooooooh!"
We came across a great, black lake. Atop a high mountain on the other side, there Hogwarts stood. The windows gleamed and glimmered casting rays of light across the large lake and illuminating the small crowd slightly. I smiled.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called as we all clambered into our boats. Hermoine and I slipped into a boat followed by Harry and Ron. When Harry saw me, I winked and smiled. He smiled wide back, his cheeks dusted with a slight tinge of pink. His green eyes sparkled. Focus, Livi! We just got to Hogwarts!
"Everyone in?" Hagrid asked everyone as he sat in a boat all to himself that looked to be in danger of getting squished, "Right then—FORWARD!"
We all jolted forward, the boats cutting into the stillness of the lake like knives. The ripples distorted the castle's reflection of the water, making the lighted windows dance on the water.
"Heads down!" Hagrid ordered as we reached a tunnel under the castle. We all climbed out of the boats and onto a kind of underground harbor.
"Oi! You there! Is this your toad?" Hagrid boomed and Neville took the toad happily.
"Trevor!" he cried blissfully.
We all climbed large stone steps up to the castle. As we reached the top, I realized that Harry was standing very close to me. So close that I could feel his body heat. I smiled. Our fingers brushed and we looked at each other at the exact same time. I could feel the heat creep up to my cheeks and his were a little pink as well.
They brushed again and then I did something very bold. I grasped my hand in his and felt his skin against my hand. I smiled and felt his surprised stare on my face.
"Everyone here? You there, still got you toad?" Hagrid called and then raised a giant fist to the large oak doors, knocking three times.
Nerves knotted my stomach and I was suddenly glad I was holding Harry's hand. He squeezed my fingers and it was his way of comforting me. I smiled timidly as I squeezed back. I wanted with all my might for me and Harry to be in the same house.
I took a deep breath as the doors swung open to reveal a very stern looking black haired witch.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She said and opened the door wider to reveal a huge hall. The floor was flagstones and a ceiling too high to determine if there was a ceiling. Professor McGonagall led us past the hall and to a small room off of that.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she started, "The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your 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.
"The houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
She looked over the rest of the crowd, as if seeing things that needed to be fixed.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," She continued, "Please wait quietly."
She left the room. I heard Harry gulp beside me. Everyone then started talking in low whispers; most wondering what was going to happen. I giggled. I already knew! Katie, my other cousin, had told me as well as Cedric.
Beside her, Hermoine was whispering fast about all the spells she had read about and which one she would need to use. I could fell Harry's palm starting to sweat, so I squeezed his hand and he looked at me. I smiled and his cheeks turned slightly pink. I giggled.
"What?" he whispered, his green eyes alarmed.
"Nothing," I snickered and tired not to think about the way his cheeks turned pink when I looked at him. He was so cute!
"You'll do great, Harry," I whispered in his ear and he smiled at me.
Just then, several people screamed and gasped as pearly white ghosts glided through the room. They were arguing.
"Forgive and forget, I say. We ought to give him a second chance." One argued.
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost—I say, what are you all doing here?" The ghost said suddenly, just noticing us.
"New students!" the other cried, "About to be Sorted, I suppose?"
A few people nodded timidly as if expecting them to jump out at us.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" the ghost continued, "My old house, you know,"
"Move along now," Professor McGonagall said sharply, "The Sorting's about to start."
The ghosts glided through the wall and disappeared.
"Now form a line, and follow me," she told us and I gave Harry's hand one last squeeze before letting go and standing in front of him and behind Hermoine.
We walked back through the entrance where we came in and Professor McGonagall pushed open the doors to the Great Hall.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered and Harry chuckled nervously behind me.
Let the games begin, I thought as we entered the Hall.
So the Sorting next chapter! And before you attack me on how insanely flirtatious Livi is, it says that she is a magnet for boys. It all works out in the end because Draco and Harry with have a little rivalry over Livi. Mwahahahhahahaha! So, that being said, what do you guys think? Love it? Hate it? Want me to update it? Let me know! I wanna hear from you guys!
REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
XO, Dreamer