Until Tomorrow
By Belle
smiley8945@teen.com------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Twelve
Serra gasped as she fell out into Diagon Alley. It looked so wonderful. All the little shops, and magical people wandering around. Like the perfect setting for a fairytale.
Of course, my life is like a fairytale…
"Welcome to Diagon Alley." Said Sirius, who, even though he'd been in wizarding settings all of his life, seemed to find the sight of it all overwhelming.
But that could also be the fact that he wasn't viewing the surroundings as an escaped criminal on the Ministry of Magic's most wanted list.
"It's wonderful!" cried Serra, who in all of her years being raised in different wizarding families, never seemed to have been in such and all-magical place away from school.
"So, where should we go first?" said Harry, giving a wave of his hand to the various shops.
"Ooh, let's go to the joke shop!" said Serra, looking at the brightly colored shop with the words, 'Oek's World of Jokes' in neon green letters, that seemed to sparkle.
Sirius laughed. "I would say yes, but we need to hurry and get back to Hogwarts, Dumbledore has an announcement to make, so dinner is early."
Harry, Ron, and Serra looked disappointed.
"What's the announcement?" Asked Ron.
"Oh…nothing…" said Sirius vaguely.
Serra snorted. "Sure it's nothing. Do you know Herm?"
Hermione had a sparkle in her eyes.
"Why did they tell you, but not us?" asked Harry, pouting.
"I never said I even knew!" said Hermione, huffily.
"Calm down, Herm, just tell us if you know." Said Serra, watching the girl with interest.
"Yes, I know. Are you happy now?"
"No!" yelled Serra, Harry, and Ron simultaneously.
"Well, anyway, what shop are we going to first?" Said Hermione, hastily changing the subject.
"Yeah, what shop do you want to start with?" said Sirius, who was watching the argument with amusement.
"I don't know…" said Serra, who looked like she wanted to keep pressing Hermione about why she knew and they didn't.
"Well, we could try Flourish and Blotts, to get your books first." Said Hermione.
The rest of the party groaned.
"Sorry! It was just a suggestion." Said Hermione, peevishly.
"Well, Daddy, do you think I could get a new wand? All I have is this hand-me-down wand that the first family I stayed with gave me."
"Yes, course you can. Come on, let's go to Ollivanders." Said Sirius.
"You guys, you don't have to come, you can go to that joke shop if you want to." Said Serra.
"No, we'll come with you." Said Hermione.
As the group entered Ollivanders they heard the tinkle of a bell sounding somewhere deep with in the shop.
At first it seemed as if no one was there, and Harry seemed to notice this to because at that moment he chose to go up behind Serra and grab her shoulders, making a 'BOO!' sound, causing Serra to scream, and jump into someone behind her, who also happened to be the owner of the shop, Mr. Ollivander.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I, uh, sorry." Said Serra, giving a glare to Harry, who smiled back innocently.
The other three people in the party seemed to find this exchange extremely funny, and put silencing charms on themselves and turned around, pretending to look at all the boxes of wands stacked alongside the walls of the shop.
"Now, I remember all of you…but this young lady, who ran into me, I do not know your name…who are you?" said Mr. Ollivander.
"My name is Serra Black. That's my dad," said Serra, pointing to Sirius.
"Ah, yes, well, I remember your wand Mr. Black, ma—"
Sirius, seeing that Ollivander was going to name the facts of all their wands, took the silencing charm off and said, "Um, sir, we are kind of in a hurry, could you please measure her up and stuff?"
"Ah, yes, of course," said the man, looking rather miffed.
"Thanks…" said Sirius.
After 10 minutes of going through different wands, Mr. Ollivander gave a wand to Serra, who when she took it, felt a warmth go through her fingers, and as she waved it, rainbow colored sparks came from it.
Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh, you've found it! Rather interesting that wand, mahogany, 11 inches, Unicorn tail and holly…nice and powerful."
"I'll take it."
After they paid Mr. Ollivander 12 galleons, they left the shop.
"Rather expensive, wasn't it," said Hermione thoughtfully.
"Yes, I thought so to. But it must be a good wand." Said Sirius.
"Well, I suppose we must get my books." Said Serra, like buying books was one of the most depressing things you could do.
"You also have to get robes," said Sirius, pointing to the Madam Malkin's Robe's for All Occasion's.
"Let's get the books over with." Said Serra.
"Okay."
As the group went into Flourish and Blotts, Harry asked, "What classes are you taking, you know, besides the usual."
"The usual?" asked Serra curiously.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, that's it I think." Said Ron, counting the number of classes on his fingers.
"Oh, well, what other classes can I take?" asked Serra.
"Umm, a lot." Said Harry.
Serra sighed with exasperation. Then she looked to Hermione, "Herm, what other classes."
Hermione began to list all the other classes that she could take while they got Serra's books for her normal classes. By the time she was finished, Hermione said, "So, Serra do you seemed interested in any of them?"
"Uh…" said Serra, who obviously hadn't listened very much at all.
"Well?"
"Umm…how about Care of Magical Creatures, and Divination?" said Serra, who looked at Hermione, seeming proud that she had named some right subjects.
Hermione looked exasperated, "Why would you want to take Divination?"
"Because, I always wanted someone to predict my death."
The rest of the group looked at her in astonishment. "You want someone to predict your death?" asked Sirius incredulously.
"Well, not for real, but Professor Trelawney seems like a real wierdo. It'd be fun to cause some trouble in her class."
Harry and Ron and Sirius laughed.
Hermione tutted.
"What about Arithmancy?" asked Hermione hopefully.
"Nah. I never liked numbers much."
Hermione sighed with defeat.
They went and got the rest of Serra's stuff, and by the time they were finished it was well passed five o' clock.
"We'd better be getting back." Said Sirius.
"Yes, let's, I want to get back and hear Dumbledore's announcement."
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Chapter Thirteen
The group entered the Great Hall after they got back to the castle from Diagon Alley.
Everyone was already gathered, all at his or her tables, eating.
"You don't think they already heard, do you?" asked Serra, whispering excitedly.
"No, it'd be louder if they did." Said Ron.
"Oh, okay."
Just as the group sat down, Dumbledore stood up.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a very important announcement to make." Said Dumbledore, with a sparkle in his eyes.
Whispers broke out in the hall.
"Silence please." Dumbledore held up his hands.
The room was still.
"As you know, a terrible tragedy broke out at the end of last year. Lord Voldemort returned. Now, this caused Durmstrang Institute to be with out a Headmaster. We've invited them to join our school, until a new leader can be found, but possibly depending on the situation, they may stay here a long time. The students from Durmstrang will arrive October 31st. There will be an Arrival Feast. We will meet them at the front of the school at 5:00 P.M. We will then have a Sorting. The Durmstrang students will be sorted just as you all have been, and then following that event, there will be a feast. After the feast will be a surprise event. Something that will help you get to know the students better."
Excited and stunned whispers broke out in the Great Hall.
"Durmstrang? Will come here?" asked Serra, paling a bit.
"I guess so, why, what's wrong?" asked Harry, concern on his face.
"I used to go to Durmstrang…I guess I'm kind of nervous because I know the people there. I mean, most of them, anyway."
"Did you have a lot of friends there?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah…" said Serra looking down.
"What's wrong then?" asked Ron, curiously.
"I don't know, I mean, I guess it's just nerves." Said Serra, this time looking away from the table, where her father sat talking to Dumbledore.
Later that night…
"Hermione?" asked Serra timidly.
"Yes?"
"Can I talk to you?"
"Of course." Said Hermione, sounding surprised.
"Well, you really want to know why I don't want Durmstrang to come here?"
"Why?" asked Hermione, bewildered. She had known Serra hadn't wanted them to come.
"Because, you see, my best friend that I had there, well, we didn't exactly get along, after, something…"
"What something?" asked Hermione, kindly.
"Well, Viktor…she kind of had what you could call a little major crush on him, so I never told her when I started going out with him…and she found out…and not in the best way, mind you."
"What, did she see you kissing him?" asked Hermione, guessing something to this effect was the case. She didn't mind anymore that Viktor and Serra had gone out.
A guilty look crossed Serra's face. "Maybe…"
"Well, Serra, all I can say is, don't worry about it. If she was a true friend, she would get over it."
"Well, that's the thing, she never did. She started messing around with him…I think it's one of those Durmstrang qualities…the lot of them will probably be in Slytherin."
"Did you forgive her?"
"Yes…we said sorry and everything, but she still did it."
"Then she's not a friend." Said Hermione simply.
"But she's like this angel type thing. She'll take you guys away from me…make you not like me. I know she will."
"You don't know that." Said Hermione.
"Oh, but I do."
That wasn't entirely the case.
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Chapter Fourteen
The following week passed quickly, Serra ended up taking Divination and Care of Magical Creatures and another Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, with the Advanced class, which were seventh years.
The day came for Durmstrang students to arrive.
The school lined up in front of Hogwarts for the arrival of them. The first years that hadn't been to school the previous years were amazed at the huge ship that came out of the lake.
As Dumbledore greeted the oldest students, the rest of Durmstrang went into Hogwarts to have the Sorting.
When they all sat down, the ceremony begun.
Sirius, Harry, Ron, Serra, and Hermione all sat down at the Gryffindor table. Hermione sat next to Serra because she knew she would need support.
Professor McGonagall explained the procedure, while the Durmstrang students looked quite astonished as the hat began a song, introducing the Durmstrang students to Hogwarts.
"They aren't quite as 'Slytherinish' as I thought they would be." Said Ron, looking at some particularly pretty girls, who looked quite nervous.
As names were called, to the surprise of the school, none of the first names were put into Slytherin. In fact, there was only two Slytherins' in the first 10. Six became Ravenclaw and 1 Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. The names went on, and on.
All of a sudden Hermione felt Serra tense.
She looked up. There was a girl walking to the stool. She had longish black hair, brown eyes, and was cute. She wasn't called pretty, but she was certainly not ugly. She was of medium height and weight, and looked sure of herself.
Hermione looked at Serra; she had her eyes closed.
This must be her,
thought Hermione.She was also the last girl to be sorted.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat yelled out, causing Serra's eyes to snap open.
"Oh, no!" she moaned.
At this point Dumbledore stood up and said everyone could go talk to each other and get introduced.
The Gryffindor table stood up.
The girl, seeing her table stand, yelled.
She had seen Serra.
Serra's eyes were wide. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at her.
"CHAOS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" said the girl, running up and hugging Serra tightly.
"This is my school." Said Serra, wincing.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends, Chaos?" asked the girl, looking with interest at Harry.
"Chaos?" said Harry, looking at Serra.
"It was my—"
But, the girl decided to tell the story instead.
"At Durmstrang, she got her name, because she absolutely wreaked of Chaos. She would pull pranks that no one else would think of in a million years. She could come up with devilish plans in a matter of minutes. Professor Karkaroff absolutely loved her. The most cunning of them all."
The three stared at her in surprise. Serra smiled guiltily.
"Well, introduce me why don't you." Said the girl.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, this is Nicolette Lestrange. Nicolette, this Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger."
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Chapter Fifteen
Later that night, after the feast, in the common room of Gryffindor tower, the five kids were sitting by the fire. Harry and Serra were on the couch Hermione and Nicolette were on chairs and Ron on a beanbag.
They were telling stories about Durmstrang. Well Nicolette was telling, the rest were listening.
Geese, is this girl for real? I mean, she can talk, like, non-stop. Serra doesn't seem to like her very much, either,
thought Harry looking at Serra, who had fallen asleep in his lap."So, Harry," said Nicolette, interrupting his thoughts, "are you and Chaos together?"
Harry looked up. "No," he said, though he almost wished they were.
Nicolette looked delighted. "Oh…"
After awhile, Hermione said to Nicolette, "Nicolette, how 'bout I take you up to our dorm to show you were you sleep."
"Oh, call me Nic. And okay," she replied.
Ron, taking a hint from Hermione, said, "Harry, I'm going to bed. 'Night."
"G'Night."
Harry smiled thankfully at Hermione, who smiled back.
Harry looked down at Serra who was now, wide-awake.
"So, now that you've listened to Nic talk for about an five hundred hours…"
"How do you know her so well?"
Serra repeated the story of how she and Nic used to be best friends.
"That's to bad. But, does she always talk so much?" Asked Harry curiously.
"No, only when she's trying to impress people."
"Who was she trying to impress?"
"You."
"Why me?"
"Cause she likes you."
"Huh? She barely knows me."
"So? She thinks I like you, so she's gonna go for you. Why do you think she asked if we were together?"
"Do you like me?" asked Harry, even though he already knew she didn't.
Serra got up. She didn't seem to have listened.
"Night, Harry." She got up and went to the dorm stairs.
"Do you?" asked Harry, just wanting to know.
"Maybe." She gave him a grin and went up the stairs.
Harry grinned also. Maybe…
~*~
Serra lay down. Hermione, Parvati, Lavender, and Nic were already asleep.
Do I really like Harry? Yes, I guess. He's so sweet, and I know if I don't say I like him, Nic will go for him. And he'll probably fall right for her. Why can't she ever get her own boyfriend? Well, Harry isn't exactly my boyfriend. Yet…no, I can't go out with him. What if it ruined our friendship? But I really do like him…a lot. Well, I don't know…maybe I just like him because his looks? I mean, he is, well, hot. No, I'm not like that. I mean, I went out with Viktor Krum…he's not exactly the cutest guy in the world. But he was sweet. Okay, so I don't like Harry because of his looks. I like him because of him. I don't want Nic to have him.
So, Chaos, how long have you been at Hogwarts?
Oh, no, not her…I hoped the stupid thing would have worn off by now.
A couple weeks, Nic.
So, the old connection still works. I wasn't sure if it would.
Unfortunately, yes, it does.
Kay
(A/N: short for Chaos), you know I'm sorry about Viktor.No, you're not Nic! You kept on messing around with him even after we said sorry.
I was jealous. You're gorgeous and all the guys at school wanted you! No one wanted The Great Chaos' friend.
That's not true.
Yes it is! Don't deny it!
Well, why didn't you just tell me? You know I would've broken up with Viktor if you had just told me. We used to be that close. We would've done anything for each other. And you know it!
You would not have!
Would too! You know I would Nic. Remember how we got this connection? We were so close…we would've done anything! But you had to break the bond because you were jealous? C'mon, Nic, get real.
Kay, I'm really sorry. And, I know you are. Please, give me one more chance. I can even prove it; I won't mess around with Harry! Even though you to aren't going out.
Really?
Yes! I'm so sorry over Viktor. You know I am. And besides, I don't want Hermione to be your best friend…I mean you are anything but a bookworm.
I know…but Hermione is really nice.
Yeah, she is.
Okay, Nic. But these are the rules. First of all, you are Harry's friend. Don't mess with him. Second, you try and get along with all of my friends. And third, don't talk so much.
I was really horrible, wasn't I?
Yes.
I knew you were awake.
Well, It's not hard. You just have to concentrate and the connection will tell you.
Unless there are too many bad vibes…which there were.
Sorry.
It's okay.
Friends?
Friends.
After awhile, it seemed as if everyone had fallen asleep.
Nic?
Yeah?
It's good to be friends again…I've tried to hate you for too long.
It's the best thing I could ask for.
You know what?
What?
You would like Draco Malfoy.
Who?
Draco. Major hottie. Big troublemaker. All round bad guy. But sweet to the 'hot' chics.
But I'm not hot.
You don't give yourself enough credit. Use your confidence. It makes up for the looks you think you don't have.
Okay. Introduce me tomorrow?
Sure thing.
And a little while later…
Kay, is he as hot as Harry is?
No.
Didn't think so.
Night Nic.
Night Kay.
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A/N: You like? Please review. Give me suggestions. I like constructive criticism. And compliments. NO FLAMES PLEASE!
Disclaimer: I only own Serra/Chaos and Nic. And the plot. The rest belongs to JKR.