Chapter 7

A/N: So as I said last time i'm going to upload all of the chapters and mark this story complete. I hope you enjoy it. please review and tell me what you think about it. There shouldn't be another authors notes until nearer the end. Hope you enjoy it! :D x

Disclaimer: Don't own Hogwarts, wish I did but I don't. I also don't own Starkid, though I am a major fan.

Meredith slumped on the bench, gazing around Platform nine and three quarters. It was early January now, and Christmas had been anything but a joyful time. At Christmas it was tradition that all the Stepien's would descend on Meredith's grandparents' house. This year had been no different. They sat orderly around the table, discussing recent events, old memories and making use of the time to catch up with each other's lives. Meredith had been centre of this year's teasing and mean spirited hilarity. Of all her nine cousins David and Meredith were the only two to still in school. Most had graduated within the past five years. Her two oldest female cousins had both been in Gryffindor and two of the oldest boys had been in Hufflepuff, the remaining five had all been in Ravenclaw. No one but Meredith had been in Slytherin. This had made her the butt of every joke. Everyone exclaiming that she was evil every time she looked at them. She couldn't stand the solitude as no one would talk to her. Meredith still wasn't entirely sure her parents had explained the situation to her grandmother – but then again the most they'd interacted with her was a disappointed sigh. When her grandmother had inquired about her first term of school, the table fell silent as the complete family glared towards her. Meredith felt their eye's burrowing deeper into her as she told her nana about her time at Hogwarts, careful to avoid mentioning her house and the whole business surrounding Lauren. Meredith looked around the table, everyone's expression hard and a wash with disappointment, apart from David who gave her a sympathetic crooked smile. Her grandmother had then decided to move on to David, who described his role as head boy. Meredith understood when watching him how he had made head boy, charisma was practically dripping off him. He had managed to flip all the attention away from her, and she was thankful for it.

Meredith's thoughts were interrupted when she saw a familiar brown haired shape come in to focus. Brian eyes grew widen as something charged towards him, dodging out of the way until he realised who it was, before hugging her tightly. As Meredith pulled away she saw four other figures which she realised must have been Brian's family. After being introduced and saying hello, Meredith spun on her heels and went and slumped back on the bench, allowing Brian to say goodbye in peace. Meredith was relieved that she was first here so her friends didn't have to witness her goodbye, or lack of it. Her parents had reprised their round of disappointed sighs and patronizing looks down their noses. Her father had ruffled her hair on the way out but his gaze was still hard. David had quickly kissed her parents on the cheek before darting off in the prefects' direction. Meredith couldn't help but notice that he was standing close to the head girl. She was a Ravenclaw and Meredith couldn't quite remember her name. Naomi? I think it's Naomi. She looked smart and if David liked her then Meredith would to.

After a few minutes Brian slumped down next to her. Meredith placed her head on her friends shoulder.

"I'm guessing the family take to well to the fact you're in Slytherin?" Brian asked sympathetically. It surprised Meredith how well her friend knew her. Sure they had been spending a lot of time together since the curfew. But it slowly dawned on Meredith that Brian was the only one that had faced the Gryffindors with her. He was the person she was closest to nowadays. He was acting nicer towards her than her own family was. Brian put his arm around Meredith and Meredith felt the most relaxed she had in days.

"Thanks," Meredith whispered. Suddenly Meredith felt a shadow form in front of her. She opened her eyes to her worst nightmare. They were back.

"Aww, what a touching moment, so sorry to interrupt it," Bonnie announced, sarcasm practically oozing out of her. Brian and Meredith sprung apart then stood up so they were nose to nose with their greatest rivals. Bonnie stepped forward, her eye's hard. "What you gonna do? Punch me again? Attack me? Oh that's right you can't! I'm untouchable. I nearly kill your poor excuse for a friend and get off scot free, I mean, what is your friend, she has no spine, like a pissworm."

Meredith clenched her fists and she felt Brian tense beside her. She wanted to murder her but of course she was right. They were on a final strike. All she could do was stand and take it. She glanced at Brian, something evil flashed past Brian's eyes.

"Well, you didn't get of scot free did you though? I can still slightly see the mark above your eye where Mer pounded your face in." Bonnie's face briefly crumped before returning to her normal stone emotion. "Sorry for making your face uneven," Meredith's voice was as sarcastic as Bonnie's. Brian starting laughing at Meredith's last remark,

"High five" Meredith exclaimed in her best Bonnie voice. Even the despicable duo, hidden behind Bonnie were laughing. Then Bonnie flipped out. Pressing her wand into Meredith's neck Bonnie threw Meredith against the wall.

"You think you're above me? You stupid pissface Slytherin. I don't understand your existence. You're lower than dirt. Nothing is below you, well maybe you're other Slytherins and those stupid dolt Gryffindors you call friends." Bonnie spat at her. For being so skinny Meredith had been taken back by Bonnie's strength. Meredith had banged her head and was starting to feel foggy and confused as Bonnie's questions continued. "Who do you think you are? Maybe I should just hurt you like I did to your friend Lauren. It all worked out …" Then suddenly the weight was lifted. Meredith's eyes flashed open in time to see Brian pull Bonnie off Meredith, David and Naomi standing beside him. His face the maddest she had ever seen. He was yelling as he passed her to a fuming David. Brian had grabbed hold of Meredith, holding her back from doing something she would regret. Anger surging threw her veins she watched as David yelled at Bonnie.

"What the hell were you going to do to her? And what did you mean when you said you'd hurt her like you hurt Lauren? You stupid first year! You were responsible for Lauren's injury weren't you?" Bonnie stayed silent looking at the ground. "Weren't you?!" David was taken back by Bonnie's answer.

"She deserved it! She chose them (pointing at Brian and Meredith) Over me? Over me?" Bonnie's yell had attracted a crowd by now. Naomi escorted the Gryffindor trio onto the train, as Meredith felt weak at the knees. Brian wrapped his arms around her to steady her. She looked up at him, his faced eclipsed with concern. Little coloured dots started to block Meredith's vision.

"Are you okay?" David asked.

"Yeah, just … just ... a, a little, little, little, little, little, little, light headed. Wow is the room spinning or is it just me?" Meredith stammered before her mind went blank.