Disclaimer: Let's pretend I came up with a witty way of saying Harry Potter isn't mine.
AN: Special thanks to Emgem and MeaghanPotter for helping bring Lupin back into play. (later on that is)
The weeks soon melted away, consisting of some quality time between Rachel and Harry. In no time the first of September rolled around and the two anxiously awaited the arrival of the others. As tradition, it was thunder storming horribly when Hagrid brought the first years across the lake. Harry and Rachel stood in the entrance hall, staring off into the dark rain soaked night. Lightning illuminated the grounds for a brief second, revealing many horseless carriages approaching the castle. Rachel's breath caught in her throat. 'I'm not one of them… what if they can tell…?' She picked at her new school robes, 'I look ridiculous too…' She jumped at a hand on her shoulder, it was Harry. "It'll be fine," he smiled, "Trust me." She nodded and forced a thin smile.
Now they could just barely hear the clop of hooves over the rain. The giant doors were pushed all the way open by hundreds of drenched students carrying all sorts of luggage. The hall was flooded and Rachel found herself in the middle of it. "Harry?" she called once she realized he was no longer beside her. She cursed under her breath as she tried to push through the crowd in what she hoped was the direction Harry had gone. So many faces; none familiar, none Harry's. Then something red caught her eye. She immediately thought of the red headed family she stayed with and moved towards him.
"Ron? Is that you?" she called above the chatter.
The red haired boy turned; it wasn't him. "Fred I could understand you mistaking me for, but Ron? C'mon, we both know I'm much more handsome." Grinned George.
"Sorry, have you seen Harry?"
His grin grew, "Nope sorry. I reckon you two got close over the past week. Do anything special?" he asked mischievously.
"Rachel! There you are!" Harry said taking her shoulder, Ron and a brown haired girl behind him. "We were looking for you. The feasts going to start soon, c'mon." He said ushering her into the Great Hall.
The hall looked even more amazing than before; even though she was used to its enchanted ceiling it seemed to have put on its best face for the newcomers. Four other long tables had been added to the room, vertical compared to the staff table. Ravenclaw, she thought to herself, they err we have a blue crest. She soon was able to pick out the other Ravenclaw students and said goodbye to Harry and his friends. To her disappointment, Harry's house was a table away; students with yellow between them. She sat down at the table feeling awkward and somewhat paranoid as if the entire hall was staring at her. But that was all in her mind, though there were a few whispers she heard about her.
"Who's the new girl?"
"I dunno, too old to be a first year…"
"Transfer student..?"
"Maybe…"
But the questioning whispers died down when the doors opened. In strolled Professor McGonagall leading a band of young children who were a mix between fear and excitement. Rachel smiled; at least she wasn't the only one new to this whole magic thing… They stopped in front of the staff table then without warning, the sorting hat burst into a rather lengthy song causing one of the first years to scream. McGonagall took out a long list. "When I call your name, come forward and you will be sorted into your house." She said sharply. The first years exchanged uncertain glances with each other.
"Abigail Algrate."
A timid looking blond girl made her way through the crowd and hesitantly sat on the stool. The raggedy old hat engulfed her head and a short time after shouted, "Hufflepuff!" The girl, Abigail, ran off to the yellow table which was cheering loudly. Mental note, yellow is Hufflepuff. The sorting was rather uneventful, Rachel became uninterested fairly quickly. It wasn't until Dumbledore stood and the room quieted that she looked up. He spread his arms almost as if he was going to give the room a hug which didn't seem out of character for him. "Friends, students, faculty, old… and new," he said looking almost directly at Rachel. "We welcome you to Hogwarts and hope it may become a second home to you. Now, I can imagine how famished you all must be so I wont talk for long." He smiled. "Let me just say the rules stand as they are, the Forbidden Forest is off limits as always and I believe Mr. Filch here has a list of items that are not to be permitted." At this, Filch handed him a list about five times as long as the one McGonagall had. His eyebrows rose, "Perhaps it'd be best if we just send copy to each common room…Well, tuck in!"
The hall erupted in conversation as food appeared on the plates. Everyone around her was deep in talk; Rachel didn't mind not being part of, she wasn't sure she had her story straight —one slip up and… She didn't want to think about that now, no need to freak herself out.
"…Potter …already here… too good for the train…"
Rachel turned around, seeking out the speaker, her eyes landed on a blond boy. He had a smirk on his face, beside him were two large boys and a girl with black bobbed hair, all hunched over laughing as if they heard the funniest joke ever. The blond boy's smirk faded as he realized he was being watched. Rachel blushed and quickly turned away.
"Best not to get mixed up with that lot." Said a girl to her left.
"Hmm? What lot?" Rachel asked the brunette.
"The Slytherins." She said nodding at the table beside them. "The whole lot of 'em are bad news, most turn out to be dark wizards."
Her first thought was the Wicked Witch of the West but then she remembered the cloaked figures at privet drive. She looked back at the Slytherin table, 'They seem normal enough…well normal for wizards I guess.' She didn't feel the one boy's cool blue eyes on her back nor did she take notice of Snape's uneasy glace at her.
"You weren't here last year,were you? Why'd you transfer schools?" She turned back to the girl.
"Uhh…well umm you see my parents thought I uh needed a change in scenery…" She lied hoping the girl would buy it. "Ah, that's cool I guess, wish my parents would send me to another school- always wanted to go to Beabatons and learn French. I mean ever since Potter started, things have been kind of screwy, you know?"
"You mean Harry?" she asked recalling the tales she had been told.
"Yeah, should've been expelled ages ago. Only stayed because the old man likes him. Everywhere he goes, he brings trouble-"
"And I assume you've never talked to him personally? Never bothered to get to know him before making such a harsh judgment?" Rachel asked in a heated tone, her temper rising fast.
"Well no…" the girl said defeated and moved to another side of the table to no doubt talk about the 'snobby new girl'.
The nerve of that girl! Rachel thought angrily. She glanced protectively over at Harry from across the room; he was so nice, how could anyone think otherwise? By chance he happened to look up and meet Rachel's eyes. She broke out in an ear to ear smile, all anger gone from her being. After a moment, she looked away, breaking eye contact. The rest of the meal was rather uneventful- she failed to meet anyone she got along with.
"That one…yeah, do you think…?"
"… definitely not… spot one a mile away."
Rachel couldn't help but listen to the two boys behind her; paranoia got the best of her. "…Look how they stare, this one's unfazed…" She closed her eyes trying to improve her hearing however that might work but she couldn't make out anything else since the conversation turned to whispers. She gave up as Dumbledore rose from his chair and dismissed them. In the rush of things she couldn't find Harry to say good night to, he probably was on his way to his dorm. 'Too bad…' She looked back on last time before leaving, a few seats at the staff table were empty, Snape's being one of them. 'Must've practically run out of here…' she noted. She sighed feeling slightly sluggish and trudged after the volley of Ravenclaws to the dorm. After a bit the group stopped just before the knight, she heard someone shout, "Hinkypunk!" in a commanding voice. Many first years gasped at what Rachel expected was the suit of armor moving out of the way; she smiled. The lot filed into the common room without too much pushing and shoving; Rachel was able to grab herself a seat next to the window while people crowded around the bulletins. The room was filled with chatter as people grouped themselves saying hello to old friends and making new ones filling each in on the latest gossip which in some cases was her. She tried ignoring the unpleasant things and angry glances that escaped the clique the one girl was in.
"…Potter's girlfriend..."
"…thinks she's so much better than us…"
"…should've been in Slytherin…"
Rachel rolled her eyes. 'Girls were just as bad here!' she thought bitterly as she abruptly stood from her chair and headed towards her room. To her dismay, five other beds had been added. 'So much for me time… I hope I don't get stuck with what's-her-face.' Later she found out what's-her-face was a seventh year and didn't have to share her room with sixth years- which was what Rachel was supposed to be.
She plopped onto her bed pulling a textbook off her nightstand and took her schedule out of one of its pages. 'What do I have tomorrow…?' she asked herself. "Herbology, Ancient Runes, Divination and double Potions…" she read off the list.
"Fun." She said dryly to herself tucking the paper back into her book. Magic or not, it was still school. She paused before going to dig through her trunk. Pulling out a pair of pajama pants and a tank top, she went into the bathroom to change. After pulling on her sleepwear, she brushed her teeth and hair. When she emerged from the loo, she jumped slightly at seeing someone else in the room. A girl with long blond hair sat with her back to her on the bed next to Rachel's. She hesitated a moment before slowly putting her things away in her trunk. She looked up at the girl who had been silently watching her with a half interested expression. Now that she had gotten Rachel's attention she spoke, barely above a whisper,
"You're not one of us are you?" asked the girl casually causing Rachel inhale sharply. 'How did she know?!'
Play it cool… "What?" she asked innocently.
"You're not from here, I can tell by the accent." She smiled knowingly. Thank god! "Oh that," Rachel laughed, relieved. "Yeah, I'm from America."
She seemed to contemplate for a moment, her large blue eyes never leaving hers. Rachel almost thought she saw through the lie but then she gave a small smile, "I'm Luna but everyone calls me Looney Luna behind my back." She stated mater of factly.
"Why would they call you that..?" Rachel asked feeling uncomfortable.
"Because they think I'm crazy…" Luna said fluffing her pillow.
"You don't seem crazy to me…"
Luna looked at her for a moment, "Alright… but make sure you put a pair of smelly socks on your bed post to appease the house elves or else they'll give you cold eggs in the morning." She said and tucked herself into bed. Rachel stared for a moment, 'Was this a joke? A way to make the new girl look stupid?' She thought for a moment then went over to her trunk and took out a pair of socks. Just as she reached up with the socks, a group of girls – her other roommates – came in. They stopped, "What are you doing?" one asked.
"Uh…it's for the house elves…" Rachel said feeling lost and rather silly.
They glanced at each other and gave her an 'okaaay' look. Rachel almost slapped herself, 'Either Luna is crazy or I'm gullible!' No matter what the explanation, she couldn't deny that the next morning's eggs were extra hot.
After the other girls stopped talking and finally said their extra long good-nights, Rachel clicked off her light and tried to sleep. Even though by now she was used to the bed but the presence of the other girls and the nerve wracking fact that classes start tomorrow kept her awake. She sighed and turned onto her stomach hugging her pillow. Closing her eyes and trying to clear her mind of any thoughts, she attempted sleep again but to no avail. This was beginning to frustrate her. She sat up in bed and stared out the window; she could only see blackness, the stars couldn't be seen. She slid out of her covers and walked over to the window. Looking down, she could just make out the shape of trees and mountains in the distance. She tired of the darkness and turned away from the window; everyone was still sleeping. She crawled back into bed for lack of something better to do. She lay there for quite some time, trying not to think of anything and slowly she began to drift off…
She bolted upright, breathing hard, her clothes coated with sweat. Nightmare. She didn't remember it; as soon as her eyes opened, it had left her. She looked around—no one had woken up. She steadied her breathing trying to remember what had happened. She managed to pull the hazy image of a snake from her memory but that was it. Not much to go off of but she decided to play the 'happy ending game' anyway; she'd do this whenever she had a nightmare. 'Ok…uh lets pretend the snake was going to eat me then…uh I found a sword and killed it.' She got a mental image of a dead snake and seemed satisfied enough to try sleep once more. It was still dark outside, couldn't have been sleeping for more than an hour. She sighed, laying back down hoping she wouldn't get hit with another nightmare. Still groggy, she fell asleep fairly easier than before.
When Rachel entered the great hall the next morning, she was immediately greeted by Harry who waved her over to the Gryffindor table. "Morning," said Harry. She noticed his hair was tousled and laughed, "Get in a fight with the Sandman?" He blushed and quickly changed the subject. "Uh this is Hermione." He said pointing to a girl with bushy brown hair. "Nice to meet you, Rachel. Don't worry, Harry told me everything so you don't have to pretend."
"Oh did he?" she asked giving Harry a look. He shrugged and mouthed 'sorry'. "Err you already met Ron," At this Ron looked up from his plate and mouth full of food, mumbled something that sounded a lot like 'grape'. She didn't know quite what to say but just smiled to seem polite.
"What classes do you have?" asked Hermione.
Only then did Rachel realize she had left her schedule in the dorm. She had wanted to bring it just to be safe. "Oh uh… Divination, Herbology, Potions and uh Ancient Runes today." She said recalling the paper. "Oh, I have Ancient Runes too! Maybe we'll be in the same class." She said cheerfully. "Cool," Rachel said grabbing a piece of toast. The morning owl post came- this time Rachel didn't freak out. She was quite proud of herself.
She looked around the hall, it wasn't very full, people were still walking in. Up at the staff table, quite a few seats were empty. Her eyes landed on Snape, he still looked tired as if he just dragged himself out of bed. He wasn't eating much, just pushing food around on his plate. Rachel laughed softly, 'He's playing with his food.' At this he looked straight at her from across the room, she went wide eyed and quickly turned away. Almost like he read her mind… Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him stand and begin walking towards them. Her breath froze in her chest and she ducked her head hoping to become invisible. 'Please don't stop, please don't say anything, please don't say anything, please-' He glided by the table without a word or glance to them.
"He looks likes he's in a nasty mood today," Ron snorted as he left.
"When doesn't he?" Harry asked.
"You've got a point." He laughed. "Good luck with him, Rachel."
She looked away from the door he disappeared into, "What do you mean?"
"You said you had potions, right?"
"Yeah.."
"Well he teaches potions. You didn't know that?"
"No… I've got double today too…"
"Double?!" Harry said loudly.
"Nice knowing you, Rachel." Said Ron mock shaking her hand.
"Come on, you're scaring her." Said Hermione, "Honestly, they're making it out to be much worse than it is. I actually found it somewhat enjoyable…"
Ron snorted, "Says the girl who memorized all the textbooks."
Hermione shot him a glare that quieted him then smiled back to Rachel, "It's really not that bad, is it Harry?"
"Oh um I guess not…" he said as Hermione gave him an 'agree-with-me-or-else' look. "There, you see?"
The first bell rung as Rachel was about to say something. "Oh, we have to go!" squeaked Hermione jumping to her feet. "C'mon we're going to be late!" she said urging the two boys to hurry. "See you later," said Harry while Ron waved lazily as they ran off to their class.
'Better hurry before I'm late!' She sprinted through the entrance hall and out the doors. The sun was almost blinding as it shone on the immense grounds of Hogwarts. She shielded her eyes as she walked around to the greenhouses. There were a few people stationed around the greenhouse labeled four. They turned as she approached but lost interest just as soon. She noticed they were a mix of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Soon the rest of the class appeared and a plump looking woman came over to them.
"Good morning, class." She said smiling.
"Good morning, Professor Sprout." The class chimed back.
"Today we'll be trimming Flutterby Bushes over on the sides of the greenhouses. You'll also be collecting flobberworms that have been feeding off them." There were a few groans. "Now, none of that. Each of you will need a pair of gloves, hedge clippers and a jar to put the worms in."
They filed into the greenhouse to get the supplies and took a place beside a greenhouse. "How can we tell which are Flutterby Bushes, Professor?" asked one boy.
"Well they shake and quiver of course." She said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
The gloves were rough on her hands and were a bit too big, making using the clippers awkward. It didn't help that the bushes thrashed about moving every which way trying to avoid the clippers. Rachel sighed after finishing the first. Thankfully, the others were having a hard time as well. She looked around the base of the plant and saw a few brown flobberworms gnawing on fallen leaves. She scooped them into the jar, trying not to touch them. She watched them crawl around on the bottom and try to climb out. She put the lid on tightly and set it beside her.
"Alright everyone jars and supplies here! Bell's about to ring." Called Prof. Sprout. "We'll continue on Wednesday."
The bell reached their ears and they flooded back into the school. "Ancient Runes, Ancient Runes…. Where the hell is that?!" she muttered as she walked down the hall.
"Rachel!" said a voice behind her.
Hermione ran to catch up with her, "You're going the wrong way. Good thing I caught you."
"Thanks, I'd be lost without you," Rachel joked though it was true. There were only a few minutes between classes so the two had to practically run up to the second floor. "Its just at the end of this corridor." Said Hermione. Just seconds before the bell, they took their seats.
The class was mostly book reading which Rachel lost interest in pretty soon after it was assigned. Hermione on the other hand had her eyes glued to the pages and even read a few chapters ahead. It was about Atlantean rituals that were recovered from pottery. Rachel shut her book, 'Doubt they have wizard Spark Notes…' She zoned out after a bit, letting her mind wander only snapping out of her trance when the third bell rung. She jumped and quickly put her books away.
"Wasn't that interesting?" asked Hermione excitedly. "I never knew they capable of summoning a Hippocampus from its home. And can you believe how they used the sun as a-"
"Um yeah, that's really cool. I have to get to Divination." She said quickly.
"Oh right, well see you at lunch." Hermione said and ran off to her next class.
Divination took place at the base of the North tower. A trapdoor ladder led up to a circular room filled with throw pillows, squashy armchairs and various shiny things. It had the overwhelming smell of incense, spices and perfumes. Professor Trelawney, the gypsy-like woman Rachel had met once, was going around placing booklets on each of the many little round tables. Rachel took a seat by the window hoping the fresh air would drown out the worst of the strong perfumes. A book was plopped on her table; it had a hand with lines on it and an eye above it. It was entitled 'The Beginners Guide to Palm Reading'.
More people arrived, most that Rachel didn't know – hell, she barely knew anyone in this castle! Her heart skipped a beat as a head of blond hair came into sight through the trapdoor. Straight away she knew it was him, the boy that was talking about Harry, the boy that what's-her-face said was in the wrong crowd. But then again, what's-her-face hadn't been the best judge of character... 'I don't know why I'm making such a big deal.' She thought to herself, 'I mean he's just a kid. There's nothing scary about-'
"Mind if I sit here?"
Rachel looked up to find him standing in front of her, a small smirk in place. She stared at a loss for words. "I'm Draco, by the way." She shook her head trying to clear it.
"The professor says we need partners," he said taking her hand. "We're doing palmistry; looking into our pasts, futures…and love lives." He said running his finger over her palm. "Okay!" she exclaimed loudly yanking her hand out of his grasp. "Draco… uh I'd like to be your partner but I uh already have one." She said glancing around the room. By chance and luck of the gods, she happened to spot Luna walking in. "Oh really? Where are they then?" he asked, a serious look replacing his smirk. "Behind you." She laughed nervously, trying to keep up the friendly. "Luna!" she called waving her over. Luna paused a moment before walking over. "Hello," she said softly while eyeing Draco as he slunk back to his friends. He ended up with the girl with black hair who seemed happier about it than he was. "Want to work together?" she asked making sure Draco didn't hear. "Sure," said Luna sitting next to her.
"Today class, we shall be practicing the art of palmistry… I trust you have all found a partner?" Draco glanced over at her and she pretended she didn't notice. But she did and a chill ran up her spine. "Good, let's begin. Open your booklets to page 3 and begin the first five steps. I'll be coming around to guide you…"
The book was full of complex diagrams and confusing instructions, it made assembling a rocket seem easy! She had no luck with palmistry, the markings on Luna's hand were not like the ones in the book – or perhaps they were and Rachel just couldn't tell them apart—so she basically made up things that seemed likely to happen in Luna's future, tripping on the stairs, making a new friend (already did that), eating soup—you know, the norm. To her dismay, they were assigned to read five other people's palms for homework.
"You want to give it a go?" Rachel asked hoping Luna knew what she was doing. She nodded and Rachel held out her hand. Luna stared for a moment then looked over at the book, "It seems your life line is prominent… this other one is too… but your heart line is fading… Ill look up what that means…" she said slowly. Rachel glanced at her hand then in the book, trying to figure out if that's as bad as it sounded but Trelawney swept upon them.
"What do we have here, dears?" she asked taking Rachel's hand in a firm grip. Her eyes went wider if possible and she let out an overdramatic gasp so that she had the entire class's attention. "OH! You poor child! Do you see this here?" she exclaimed pointing to a small freckle on her hand. Rachel peered up at her hand then at her professor. "Yeah…?"
Trelawney released her hand as if it had bitten her and stepped back. "It's the mark of certain death!" she exclaimed placing a hand over her heart.
"Err I think its just dirt…" Rachel said trying to pick it off.
She shook her head vigorously, "Poor dear, she's in denial… You see, that monstrosity obstructing your life line—Rachel shot her a look--means that you'll die an unnatural death and judging by its placement… rather soon." She just stared in disbelief, mouth slightly open.
The bell rang disrupting the thick silence that had settled over the class. Rachel's heart leapt as she quickly rose from her squishy pillow. Her eyes never left Trelawney as she edged to the trapdoor. Once down the ladder, she raced down the hall, nearly knocking over Draco and his cronies. By the time Rachel reached the Great Hall, she was out of breath and slightly dizzy. She scanned the Gryffindor table; Harry, Ron, and Hermione weren't to be seen. She sighed and headed for the Ravenclaw table still glancing over at the door in the hopes of them coming late.
She picked at her sandwich, unable to eat. She groaned aggravated and put her head in her hands. First Trelawney practically gives her a death sentence and now she has to spend two hours with Snape who at this point must hate her! She felt someone sit beside her and looked up expecting to see Harry.
"I don't remember getting your name," Draco said casually. No harm in telling him, she thought….Unless he runs it through Stalkers-R-Us, chimed in the little voice in the back of her head which, like most of the time, she ignored. "Sorry, I'm Rachel." She said finally. He smiled, somewhat proud of himself. "Pretty name for a pretty girl." She began to fidget, feeling uncomfortable again, "Uh thanks?" She noticed the other Ravenclaws making faces at them as if they were irked by his being there.
"Why don't you come sit with me and my friends?" he gestured over to the two hulky boys snickering to each other who immediately stopped when seeing the look Draco was giving them. He turned back to her, "No need to sit by yourself…"
She stood, he along with her. "Oh that's… nice but I'm really not hungry." She said actually telling the truth. He looked a bit disappointed, "Maybe another time," she added and he perked up. "Ill hold you to it," he said smirk returning. And she knew he definitely would. She turned to leave but he caught her arm. She looked back at him, he stared for a long moment then said bye. "Bye…" she said and half ran out of the hall.
'Ok, so he's weird… it doesn't mean he's evil or anything. Who cares what house he's in anyway…?' She sighed, 'Give him a chance…' She wandered around a bit, worrying constantly and ignoring the little voice more. The bell rang, her heart leapt into her throat. She hurried down to the dungeons not wanting to be late, thankfully she was able to follow the outflow of students to the classroom. She had arrived early, first one there. Snape hadn't seen her yet so she held back waiting for other people to get there, trying to avoid an awkward silence. A few minutes later, people started to arrive, all silent when they entered. 'Ok, just breathe… breathe and don't give him any reason to hate you… right…ok' she finally gathered enough courage to go in and just as she did, she nearly collided with him. And from the look on his face she could tell Hermione had been terribly wrong, this was going to be hell. And even in her fearful state, she couldn't help but think that she was one step closer to her death…
AN: Yay! Longer than I thought! Hope you liked it! Please review! Oh and btw its NOT DMOC. I repeat, NOT DMOC!! Sorry for any Draco fangirls but at least he's in it Review: