You know I don't own it…
I spent several bliss filled weeks at the Weasley's bustling home. It was filled to capacity, but it was undoubtedly the most wonderful house I had ever been in.
I was expected to do my share, of course. One day, not too long after I arrived, several of the vivacious red heads popped into my room and announced excitedly that today was gnome hunting day, then leaving as suddenly as they had some. I complied, not fully knowing what I was getting myself into. I ambled down to breakfast where the boys and Ginny were readying themselves. Mrs. Weasley handed me a piece of toast with jam as well as a pair of rubber waders.
The voices of Fred and George intermingled with in a singsong voice as they excitedly crooned about gnome hunting.
"You'll love it." Ginny appeared at my side. She had become my secret confidant, my reliable best friend as I lived with the large family.
Fred and George also appeared, one wrapping his arm about my waist, the other my shoulders, as they stooped to my level.
"Now, the best way to effectively get rid of a gnome-" Fred began,
" –is to swing it around and around until it is dizzy, and then fling it over the garden wall-" George continued,
"-or have a Jarvey eat it!" Fed finished,
"-We'll have the boys show you girls a thing or two about gnome extermination!" Ron boasted.
I laughed as I finished my toast and followed them out to their large garden. This would be most excellent fun.
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The long awaited time had now come. My surrogate family and I would be leaving in a few short hours. As for now, I laid in bed, my arms gentling cradling my head as I lay on my back, the light covers just above my hips. A million thoughts and questions raced through my head. Would I be accepted? Would I be ridiculed? How far behind would I be? What house would I be placed in? Would being placed be embarrassing? My thoughts did not stop as I heard a quiet knock on the door. Ginny, lying on the bed on the opposite side of the room stirred, but did not wake. I quickly sat up and tottered to the doorframe, opening it softly. Ron stood outside my door, his fist still raised, his other hand trying to stifle a head-splitting yawn as he murmured something that rhymed with "Rhyme to get beddy oo go." I was puzzled for a moment. Then I nodded and quietly shut the door, my other hand reaching out to shake Ginny awake.
"Wake up, Ginny," I whispered. She sat upright in a jolt and looked around, confused. "It's time to get ready." She smiled, and took my hand.
"You're going to love Hogwarts. I hope you get placed in Gryffindor!"
"Me too," I muttered. I turned then to get dressed, quickly donning a pair of my nicest jeans and a fancy but simple long sleeved blue shirt. I brushed and pulled back my hair into a soft ponytail, tying it with a ribbon. I then moved to packing up the last of my few toiletries that I had not yet packed due to the necessity of them which I used in the morning.
I shoved them with as much force as possible into my bag, trying to release some of the pent up feelings of apprehension, happiness, and frustration. I took a deep breath and turned to exit the room. Ginny had already left, leaving me to my privacy. I felt an unwanted tear track its way down my cheek, hanging for a moment before it slowly rolled off my chin and fell to the floor. I brushed at my face and walked down the stairs. I walked slowly – I did not need a concussion today of all days – and I looked to the large, happy family sitting there. I marveled at them. Why had they taken me in so willingly? I had never had anyone care for me that way before.
I sat at the table, gratefully receiving the plate full of blueberry waffles and the steaming cup of hot chocolate she handed me. We ate quickly, all but me carrying on in their usual bantering way. I finished quickly, taking my plate to the sink and rinsing it off. It was not long until everyone else was finished and ready to go. He headed off to the train station, packing up our bags and leaving in a rush.
I barely heard the chatter as I watched the world, landscaped with trees and bushes just beginning to change for the fall. I felt us stop and everyone got out. I looked up, startled.
"Come on, dear, haven't got all day!" Mr. Weasley smiled down at me, offering his hand to help me from the car. We rushed along, each taking a cart to place his trunk on from the front of the train station. Though we continued on, I was still in a daze. I started to pay attention only once we started racing towards a solid brick post.
"What?" I asked, confused, trying to stop, but not in time. I closed my eyes, expecting the sickeningly harsh strike as I hit the pillar; however, no such stop occurred. I slowed to a stop in a completely different station, looking at the other wizard families. I looked across the platform, my eyes stopping on a boy about my age, - no, boy was the wrong word for him. He was no longer a boy, but not quite yet a man. He was standing with a man I assumed was his father, for they both had the same white-blond hair, the same impeccable posture- and the same sneer casually slung across their faces.
As I was looking, he turned and caught my eye; his icy gray stare dulled slightly, warming me. I realized as I felt myself growing faint that I had stopped breathing. I took a breath and averted my gaze, though he continued looking at me. I lightly nudged Ginny, asking her under my breath who the magnificent stranger was. I glanced back; he was speaking to his father, and they both sauntered over. I heard a quiet groan behind me.
"That's Draco Malfoy." She made a noise in the back of her throat that made her sound disgusted.
"Oy! Weasley," I heard him call and I stepped back, unsure of what to do. He was tall and thin, making me feel even smaller. I was not intimidated, I did not know what the word was.
"Not dressed any better than usual, I see. What's wrong? Can't afford proper clothes?" He nodded condescendingly at Ron's used, but clean clothes.
"Where's your boyfriend?" he added one last jab before his father pulled him away. I gasped as Ron tried to lunge forward to attack him, but was successfully restrained by Fred and George. I watched as Draco turned to look at me once more, sneering, but not in the same way he looked at Ron. It seemed almost as though he could not figure out who I was or whether I was worthy to be sneered at.
"It's just Malfoy, Ronald. Let him go, he's not worth it." Ginny snarled; I was surprised at the amount of venom in her voice.
We heard the cry for "All Aboard!" and got on the train.
"Ron! Ronald!" I heard from behind us. I turned to look and saw running at us a thin boy with glasses sitting askew on his nose and a girl with her hair let down her back. They caught up, the girl sqeezing Ron in a hug, and the boy clapping hands with all of the boys.
The girl squealed her hellos to everyone, and then Ron stepped back and introduced them to me,
"My best mate, Harry; and this is Hermione. Guys, this is Bella Swan. She's new."
"We got that, Ronald." Hermione answered.
"You're going to love it at Hogwarts, I promise." She took my hand and led me on the train, leaving Ron, Harry and the rest of the boys with the bags. She chattered on, but it was not an incessant chatter. I looked over my shoulder to see Draco once more, climbing on the train a few cars down. Suddenly, I realized how I felt of him.
Infatuated. I was infatuated. And not in the normal way.
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The story recommendation today is Incentive by Saiyachick. It's not a full length story, but it's really good.
So review if you liked it, and review if you didn't like it. I'm sorry about the wait, but my life has been crazy lately. Sorry this chapter is so short as well.