agh, i am sorry! this has been written for i don't even know how long but somehow i managed to forget i never submitted it! i hope you like it!
"So what do you say we find someplace to sit before my trunk pulls my arms off?" Chandria questions and Harry began leading the way down the corridor, searching for an empty compartment.
Every car we passed seemed to already have people in it so we continued on toward the back of the train. We had passed a compartment when suddenly the door slid open and a voice called, "Harry?" Harry paused and turned then smiled.
"Neville! How are you?" he asked and a blonde head popped up behind the boy called Neville.
"Oh, hello Harry and friends I've never met," the blonde girl said.
"Oh, of course, I almost forgot," Harry said suddenly remembering my sisters and I.
"Why don't you come in first, there's room in our car," Neville proposed and moved out of the doorway as we gratefully piled in. Shashi, Chandria, Harry, and I stowed our trunks up on the racks and sat on the cushy seats of the train car. As Harry began introductions I opened Kyrie's cage and she leapt out and curled up in my lap. Shashi pulled Othin from his own carrying case and cradled him lovingly.
"This is Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Neville's in Gryffindor and is in 6th year as well. Luna's in Ravenclaw."
"Pleased to meet you," said Neville and Luna nodded.
"This is Chandria, Marari, and Shashi Yanamari." Harry pointed at each of us as he said our names then added, "They're transfers from Iceland and it's their first year at Hogwarts, they're 6th year students."
I waved as Shashi grinned and said, "Hi!" Kyrie curled up in my lap and began cleaning a vibrant purple paw.
"I've never met someone who was born in the presence of a trithralian munkink," Luna said and we stared at her. "That's why there are three of you, when trithralian munkink is present during a birth, three identical children are born." Luna didn't seem bothered by our confused or disbelieving stares as a silence filled the car following her statement.
"So you're transfers? What was it like in Iceland?" Neville asked, breaking the silence, and I shrugged.
"It wasn't bad, but nothing special either, a lot like a muggle school only with wizards and witches. No towers or bewitched ceiling's in the great hall. I must say I'm excited about that. Wasn't as cold as you'd think either."
"Yanamari...that name sounds vaguely familiar..." Luna trailed off in thought.
"Well we have an older brother that went to Hogwarts. But he graduated last year. His name's Patrick, he was a Gryffindor though."
Luna thought for a moment then shrugged, "Maybe that's it," she said then opened a magazine with the title 'The Quibbler' and began reading it.
Harry turned to Neville, "So how did you do on your O.W.L.'s?" he asked.
Neville shrugged, "I did well in Herbology and Defense and even in Charms, but Gram wants me to continue in Transfiguration and I only got an 'acceptable'..." The boy trailed off looking forlorn.
"Don't worry Neville, I'm sure it'll all be fine."
Neville nodded then turned to myself and my sisters, "What kind of classes are you going to be taking?"
Shashi thought for a moment, "I suppose I want to take Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Charms..." Shashi trailed off, deep in thought.
I shook my head, having a feeling she was going to be stuck like that for a while.
Chandria added in her own class interests as Shashi appeared to be thoroughly distracted, "I'll probably continue with Astronomy, Defense, Herbology, Charms, Care, and maybe Transfiguration." I nodded, I had expected as much.
"What about you?" Neville asked me and Shashi snapped out of her stupor.
"Oh, you don't wanna ask that, she'll probably never shut up. Probably wants to take all the classes," she warned.
"I don't want to take Divination," I corrected, feinting hurt. Shashi smacked herself on the forehead.
"Don't want to take..." she grumbled to herself while rolling her eyes.
"I don't really want to take all the classes. Well, I kinda do, but I want to take certain ones more than others. I want to take potions, defense, Herbology, transfiguration, charms, and care of magical creatures."
Harry spoke up then, "I might as well warm you now that the potion's teacher only takes students in his N.E.W.T. class who achieve an Outstanding on their O.W.L. And he's...well I don't like him very much."
"So he's basically a prig?" Shashi asked bluntly and Harry shrugged and nodded while Neville and I hide smiles behind our hands or coughs.
"I'll keep that I mind, but not even prat teacher will keep me out of potions, especially with an outstanding O.W.L."
"You got an Outstanding for potions?" Harry asked.
"It was my favourite class." Harry finally nodded in understanding, after all, Defense had been his favourite and he had achieved an Outstanding in that class himself.
"So are you excited about coming to Hogwarts?" Neville asked.
"Exceedingly," I responded and my sisters nodded.
"So do you know all about the houses then?" My sisters and I nodded.
"What houses do you think you'll get into?"
"My guess is hufflepuff," Shashi intoned, "Where the loyal and patient are sorted."
Chandria snorted, "Patient Shashi?"
"Well I'm loyal," Shashi said with a sheepish grin.
"I think I'll probably be in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw," Chandria said, "Although I'm not the bravest of people..."
Neville spoke up then, "I'm not brave at all but I got sorted into Gryffindor."
"What are you talking about Neville, don't you remember how you faced down that boggart that looked like Snape when Lupin was teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"You got to face down an actual boggart?! Aww, I wish Lupin would have let us do that--" Chandria and I shot Shashi a look and she suddenly realized what she was saying. "I mean, I wish our defense teacher would have let us do that."
Neville gave her a strange look then shrugged, "If you say so Harry."
"Marari, what house do you think you'll get into?" Harry asked.
I opened my mouth to respond but my sisters responded in unison, "Ravenclaw, where those with wit and learning can find others much like themselves."
"What they said," I responded and rolled my eyes. Harry opened his mouth to say something when a cold voice interrupted.
"Sound like a load of pathetic Hufflepuffs to me, wouldn't you agree Krabe?"
Everyone in the car turned to see a tall blonde boy with a hauty look on his face flanked by two thick looking boys.
"Don't you know that the only house worth being in is Slytherin?"
"Don't you know that its rude to interrupt a discussion that you are obviously not a part of?" I responded testily.
"Do you even know who you're speaking to?" the boy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course I do," I responded calmly, "I'm talking to a git."
I heard stiffled laughter fill the car as the boy's face flamed in anger.
"I was going to forgive you because you didn't know, but now it looks like I'm going to have to--" the boy had been pulling out his wand but he was suddenly interrupted when the car lurched and he was thrown to the side.
The laughter was no longer stiffled but outright mocking. The boy righted himself and straightened his shirt. His fall had been enough time for all of us to pull out our wands and train them at the blonde, curses at ready. He noticed this and narrowed his eyes.
"This is far from over," he threatened.
"Anytime, blonde git." The boy turned and left the car and his cronies hurried after him.
"Geez, who was Mr. I own the world?" Shashi asked.
"That was Draco Malfoy, his daddy has lots of money and power so he thinks he can push people around. He's a prime example of a Slytherin," Harry explained.
"I understand why no one gets along with them, he's total prig."
Even Neville was nodding, "Slytherins are only friends to themselves," he said.
Suddenly Luna spoke up, "We should be changing into our robes now."
"Oh, you're right, I completely forgot." We all grabbed a pair of robes and Luna led Chandria, Shashi and I to where the girls could change while Harry and Neville went the other way.
On the way back to the compartment we ran into Hermione.
"Oh, hi guys! Good to see you again Luna," she said.
"Hello Hermione," Luna responded.
"Just finished getting changed? I've been busy patrolling the cars on prefect duty."
"I don't envy you that," I said and she smiled.
"It's not so bad, really. We'll be pulling into the station soon, you best get back to your compartment."
"Alright, see you when we get there!"
"Bye!" Hermione waved as we continued on to our compartment. When we got there Harry and Neville were already back.
"What took you guys so long?"
"We ran into Hermione patrolling the cars. She said we're almost there." As I spoke I saw the station come into view outside the window. "Never mind, we are there."
We all pulled down our trunks and filtered back out of the compartment and into the hallway. The train came to a complete stop and students began to get off. We waited as the way cleared then got down. Harry, Luna, and Neville lead my sisters and I across the platform and to a road where carriages were carrying students away.
As we got closer I gasped then began hurrying toward the carriages gleefully, "Thestrals!!"
"She can see them?" I heard Harry ask my sisters.
"We all can, we were there when our great aunt Aleis died of old age in the hospital. You can see them too?"
"Yeah, as can Luna." Luna nodded. When they reached the carriage I was cooing to the attached thestral and petting where its mane would be should it have had one.
"Hello dear, aren't you a beauty? I've always wanted to see one of you." The thesral made a strange noise somewhere between a growl and a whinny that most gathered around the carriage found to be disheartening but I thought was adorable.
"Oh aren't you charming," I scratched behind its ears and it tilted its head into my hand and made the noise again.
"Ah, Marari? If we want to make it in time for the feast you'd best get in." Harry called from inside the carriage.
"Alright, coming," the others had already put my trunk in the carriage. I patted the thestral one last time.
"Sorry dear, I have to go now, but I'll come visit you okay? And I'll bring you some nice raw meat." The thestral gave a noise like a growl-whicker, and rubbed its nose on my shoulder then I turned and leapt into the carriage and the thestral started to move.
"Isn't she beautiful?" I asked and my sisters shook their heads and rolled their eyes.
"Yes, simply adorable," Shashi said in a tone and look that said she was just humoring me.
"Oh poo on you," I responded and Chandria, Harry and Neville snickered quietly. Suddenly Chandria's face dawned in a look a pure amazement and I whipped around and got my first glimpse of Hogwarts castle.
"...it's beautiful," I said in awe and Shashi snickered.
"I hope you're referring to the castle and not the thestral," she joked and I cuffed her gently on the ear.
"Shut up you're ruining the mood, " I whispered to her. We all watched in silence as we approached the glorious building. The coach stopped at the bottom of a flight of stairs leading to two giant doors.
"This is our stop, time to get out," Harry said with a smile and we all got out of the coach. Chandria, Shashi, and I followed Harry, Neville, and Luna up the stairs and through the giant doorway. Inside plethora students of all sizes, shapes, and colours were trickling into the Great Hall. Before we could follow, a tall woman with a fierce bun stopped my sisters and I.
"The Yanamari triplets?" she asked and we nodded.
"Good, follow me. My name is Minerva McGonagall. I am the head of Gryffindor house and the transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts. You will be announced as transfers and sorted into your houses after the first years." The woman paused and looked at us and some of the tension seemed to flow out of her face as her look softened. "Don't worry everything will be fine. I knew your parents, they were and are very good wizards. Your father was a Gryffindor and your mother a Ravenclaw. Your father was always trying to impress your mother with his quiddish skills..." Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Well I dare say I expect to see all of you in my class this year, from what I here you are all fairly skilled at transfiguration. We shall see."
McGonagall turned around then and I noticed that a queue of young students stood behind her. As Teva and Tavia were among them I guessed they were the first years. They all looked nervous, and some of them even looked nauseous. I felt rather bad for them, but after they were sorted they would probably feel better. McGonagall gave them a sort speech about what was expected of them and what was going to happen when they were sorted. After she finished she instructed them to follow her into the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony and signaled to my sisters and I to follow after the first years.
We stood in the back and waited as each of the young new witches and wizards were sorted into their new homes. I watched Teva and Tavia, both who looked like they were going to be sick. I placed a comforting hand on Tavia's shoulder, as she was closer. She looked back at me and Chandria, Shashi, and I all gave her smiles and thumbs up signs. The number of first years continued to thin out until Teva and Tavia were the only ones left, considering our last name begins with a 'Y'.
"Yanamari, Tavia," McGonagall called and Tavia nervously stepped up to the battered sorting hat and placed it on her head. There was silence for a moment then the hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!" Tavia smiled in relief and removed the hat and went to sit with her politely applauding table.
"Yanamari, Teva," McGonagall called and Teva hesitantly walked to the stool and put on the hat. It took quite a bit longer for the hat to decide where to put Teva then Tavia, and Teva shook nervously. Finally the hat proclaimed, "HUFFLEPUFF!!" and Teva removed the hat and gave a hesitant smile and went to join the cheering table decked out in yellow. Now there were no more first years.
McGonagall cleared her throat and announced, "We have three transfers this year from a school in Iceland. First is Yanamari, Chandria." Chandria took a deep breath and walked calmly to the chair and put the hat on her head. The hat deliberated for a moment or two then shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and I saw Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville wave to Chandria who hurried to sit with them. Hermione shook her hand and Ron slapped her on the back in congratulations. I was so busy watching I almost missed my name being called.
"Yanamari, Marari." I gulped and walked toward the stool, my mouth and hands suddenly very dry. I sat and the hat slide down over my eyes. Suddenly a voice was taking in my head.
"Another one? How many of there are you? Shouldn't you have been here years ago?"
"There's only one more," I responded, "And there were some...obstacles in getting here."
"Yes, yes, I see it all here in your head, your older brother, your parents, your friend Neria–on which note I should warn you not to give up hope. Things aren't always as bad as they seem."
"How can you know that?" I asked.
"My dear, I'm a hat, indued with the wisdom of four of the greatest wizards and witches who ever lived."
"I'm sorry I doubted you."
"Quite right, now as to where to put you...hmm. Intelligent, very intelligent, with a thirst for knowledge unlike I have seen in a longtime. Ah, but what you would do to learn more. You are willing to sacrifice much for your learning, willing to use your cunning to achieve what you need to continue to allow your knowledge to grow..."
I didn't like the sound of where this was going, "Oh please don"t put me in Slytherin, if I have to deal with that prig Malfoy everyday-"
"Alright, alright, no need to resort to such language. If you won't take Slytherin then I shall have to place you...GRYFFINDOR!"
I sat in shock, Gryffindor? What about Ravenclaw? The roar of cheering brought me back to my surroundings. I sheepishly smiled and removed the hat and placed it on the stool then walked to the cheering Gryffindor table. As I walked down its length I received numerous high fives and handshakes and pats on the back in congratulation. Finally I reached Chandria, Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Neville.
"Brilliant! I thought you would end up in Ravenclaw for sure. The sorting hat sure took long enough, guess it couldn't decide between brains and bravery eh?" Ron asked.
"Eh heh, yeah, I guess not," I answered shakily and sat down between Harry and Neville.
McGonagall then called, "Yanamari, Shashi," and I turned to watch. Almost no sooner had the hat fallen over her eyes did it yell, "GRYFFINDOR!!" Shashi's mouth fell open in surprise but she quickly recovered and jumped up and almost forgot to take off the hat before dashing to the Gryffindor table.
"Hey Shashi, looks like we both were wrong about which houses we would be sorted into."
Shashi mock-shivered, "You? Wrong? That can't be right." Shashi joked. "Still though, I expected it to take longer, the hat went on my head and I heard a voice say, 'so you're the last one eh? Well I know where to put you,' and then it shouted Gryffindor and you know the rest."
"Aww well it's all A-okay with me, I didn't really want to be in a separate house then you two, it would be too strange being so far apart all the time." Shashi and Chandria nodded in agree-ance and Hermione popped in.
"I must say I am very glad you all got into Gryffindor as well. That way you already have friends in your house!"
"That's very true," Chandria responded, "I don't know what I would have done if I had been sorted into one of the other houses all by myself. It would be different being a first year, because everyone is new, but in the 6th year everyone else has known each other for 6 years. Hard to get a foot in and meet someone."
Shashi blanched, "I never thought of that! Man am I glad I got into Gryffindor!" Everyone laughed and Shashi's face cleared and she smiled too.
"No worries, you're all more than welcome in the Gryffindor house," Ron said then cried, "FOOD!" as it had begun to appear at the table.
"Oooo!" Shashi echoed his enthusiasm and sat down at the table, quickly tucking in. The rest of us snickered then sat to eat.
Everything I ate tasted wonderful, I don't think I'd even seen half the foods I ate, but I didn't care, it all looked and tasted so good.
"Woah, Marari, slow down mate," said Ron, who I felt had little right considering how he had been eating. I laughed.
"Sorry, it's just so good, are the meals always like this?"
"Yep!" Hermione quipped. I could definitely get used to this. Finally I sat back, full and having no desire to even hear the word 'food' for a week. All around the room people were doing much the same thing and food was disappearing from the table. As the food pulled its disappearing act Dumbledore said a few words in regards to the school year and current events, including a mention of Voldermort. My body stiffened in anger at the name, knowing he was responsible for whatever had happened to my parents. I wasn't alone, I noticed Chandria and Shashi bristle out of the corners of my eyes, as well as most others in our group. Finally Dumbledore finished his speech and students began to stand throughout the Great Hall. I covered up a yawn with my hand, when had I become so tired?
Hermione laughed at my failed attempts at covering my exhaustion. "Come on, we'll show you to the Gryffindor Commons and dorms, your trunks will already be there, and Kyrie and Othin, and Dyri should be in the Owlery."
Chandria nodded and we all followed, Harry, Ron and Hermione out of the hall toward the grand staircase.
My mind didn't register the running footsteps until the body slammed into me, arms wrapped tightly around my middle.
"I can't believe it, I can't believe it! It's really you! I saw you and I couldn't believe it then McGonagall read your name and I was right and it is you!" A muffled female voice cried, as the female's face in question was buried in my back. Everyone was staring at the female and myself strangely but then I caught a glimpse of her hair and my eyes went wide and my jaw slack.
"N-Neria?!" I questioned and her smiling face popped up.
"You bet your Wisconsin ass it is! Took you damn long enough to get here, I thought you'd never come! And Gryffindor? I was sooooo sure you'd be Ravenclaw, like me!"
I grinned wide and put my hands on my hips, "You, Ravenclaw? Not buying!" we broke into fits of laughter then locked each other in a tight hug.
"I'd thought I was never gonna see you again!" I said and she laughed.
"I did too! I knew your parents were keeping it secret 'n all but after Patrick showed up I was sure in a couple years you three would be coming to start here just like I was! But Iceland? Really now?"
"Sorry it took so long! And yes Iceland," I fixed Neria with a look that said I would explain later and she grinned. Meanwhile Ron, Harry, and Hermione watched in confusion.
"Wait, so they know each other?" Ron asked.
Chandria smiled, "They were best friends when they were little, her parents were Aurors too, her parents knew our parents kind of deal. Anyway when we were younger Neria had to move away and soon after her parents died in an...accident, and Marari hadn't heard from her since. She's really missed her. I can't believe she's here after all this time..."
"Accident?" Hermione asked but Chandria shook her head.
"Not my place to say," she said and Hermione nodded in understanding.
"All this time," I said, "I can't believe you're here. You know I would have pictured you as more of a Gryffindor..."
Neria grinned and punched me lightly on the shoulder, "Look who's talking Miss thirst for knowledge."
"Yeah I guess. I'm just glad you're alright, all those years ago, when I heard the news...I was so worried..."
Neria shook her head with a sad smile, "Gran took good care 'o me. I don't know if that memory charm has worn of or not with age, but you may or may not remember what a quick shot she is with a wand."
I smiled faintly, "No, I remember, I remember a lot more these days that I realize I never saw, probably with the aid of magic."
"I always wanted to tell you, but it was forbidden, whenever I tried-"
I grinned, "I remember, someone would show up and stop you, I know."
Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned to see Chandria and Shashi. "I know this is a big reunion and it is wonderful to see you again Neria, but we should probably be heading to Gryffindor Tower," Chandria said sensibly.
Neria and I grinned at each other, "Yeah you're right Chandria, and I'm dead tired too."
"And it's not like we're going anywhere, we've got all year to catch up," Neria added. I nodded and we gave each other a brief hug then waved as we headed in different directions, her to Ravenclaw's dormitory and Hermione, Harry, Ron, my sisters and I to the Gryffindor tower.
After seven flights of stairs I was ready to fall down into a dead sleep.
"Are we almost there?" Shashi asked then yawned.
"Just about." Harry responded. Our group turned a corner and at the end of the hall was a huge portrait of a fairly overweight woman dressed in pink.
"My, my, these are some new faces. Aren't you a little big for first years?"
"We're transfers into 6th year," Shashi said with drooping eyes.
"But of course, so exciting to have transfers in our noble house of Gryffindor, all the new knowledge and personalities..." the Fat Lady continued to speak even after Hermione said "Quiffle Pox" in a very definite manner, which I found to be very strange.
"Quiffle Pox," Hermione said a little bit louder but the woman continued to prattle on, finally Hermione shouted, "QUIFFLE POX!" and the woman closed her mouth and stared at the girl.
"Well you didn't have to snap," the portrait said in a defensive manner, looking offended.
"I'm sorry, but we're all very tired and would just very much like to get into the commons."
"Well alright, but we'll have to continue our wonderful little chat another time then." the portrait swung open and we climbed one by one through the tunnel on the other side.
"Come on, girl's dorms are over here, boys dorms are over there," Hermione said, pointing. Harry and Ron went that way and we stumbled after Hermione up the stairs of the girls' dorm. Finally we reached the 6th years dorm and Hermione opened the door. There were a couple other girls already in their beds, and I noticed four still-empty beds. I recognized the trunks at the end of each one. On the bed at which my trunk was at the end, Kyrie had curled up and waited, waving her tail and looking rather satisfied with her surroundings.
The violet Othin looked much the same, snoozing on Shashi's pillow. I yawned as I dug in my trunk for my pajamas then put them on.
"Night Shashi, Chandria, and Hermione," I said quietly while shifting Kyrie and slipping under the warm covers.
"'Night," came three whispered responses and I fell asleep to Kyrie's purring in my ear.
well i hope you enjoyed it. more should be coming soon as i have more written (that i also forgot about) there might even already be enough for another chapter already- we'll see when i read it over.
reviews are very welcome, as always!
thank you kindly for reading!