Chapter 2
It's been over a month since that fateful night. Nelda received her Hogwarts letter at breakfast on her birthday and now it's time for her to board the Hogwarts Express. She was dressed in a powder blue blouse and dark brown slacks with a pair of matching brown flats. She had a light fall cloak made out of acromantula silk that was a rich blue. Her golden blonde hair was pulled back into a neat Dutch braid with two locks of wavy hair framing her face that reached the bottom of her chin. On her right arm she wore a wand holster made from graphorn hide that covered her soul mark.
She was nervous as she was led by her Nan through the train station. They had left a little late due to her triple checking that she had everything. When they got closer to the barrier she noticed another girl around her age with silky raven ringlets that looked lost. She guessed that she must be for Hogwarts too because on her trolly sat a cage with a beautiful snowy owl.
She tugged on her Nan's sleeve before pointing her out and asked if they could try and help her. As they headed in the girls direction her eyes snapped towards them and she shifted a little.
"Are you for Hogwarts, dear?" Augusta said while making eye contact with eyes the color of emeralds.
"Yes ma'am. I don't know how to make it to the platform. Would you be able to help me?" The girl stated shyly.
"Yes dear we can certainly help. My name is Augusta Longbottom. This young lady next to me is my granddaughter Nelda. May I ask your name?" Augusta asked kindly.
"My name is Azalea Potter ma'am. This is my first year of Hogwarts".
"Potter you say? Huh, well it's nice to meet the heiress of an allied house. I hope you have a wonderful time at Hogwarts. Maybe you and Nelda will be in the same house."
Nelda noticed a brief look of confusion flash through Azalea's eyes. She also took in what she was wearing; baggy clothes that looked to swallow her whole. She had a distinct feeling Azalea knew nothing about the Wizarding world.
"I hope we can become friends while we are in school together. Would you like to sit together on the train?" Nelda asked shyly.
"Sure, I would like that a lot." Azalea muttered with a soft smile.
"Let's make our way to the train children. Remember the train is magical so it can never become full. If a child needs a new compartment it will magically extend." Augusta lectured
"Also all four Hogwarts houses are worthy houses. It doesn't matter which one you go in. I knew a couple wonderful Slytherin alumni like Dorea Potter and Alastor Moody, just like I know wonderful people from Gryffindor like Charlus Potter or Minerva McGonagall. Don't underestimate the Hufflepuffs either, most end up working in law enforcement. Of course the Ravenclaws are wonderful researchers so if you ever need a tutor I would find one from that house." She continued on while leading them to a wall in between platform 9 and 10. She had already told Nelda this at breakfast but she got the feeling Azalea had no one to tell her. She couldn't just let the girl go in blind.
"This is the barrier to get to platform 9 3/4's. If it helps run through it but it's fine if you walk through. Nelda you go first, then Azalea. I will bring up the rear." She continued sternly.
After all three got through the barrier they made their way to the train. Augusta helped them load their trunks onto the train by levitating them. She waved as the two girls made their way onto the train and disappeared into the crowd of other students.
On the train Nelda was holding Azalea's hand as they tried to find a good compartment. Finally towards the back of the train they found a completely empty one so they entered and shut the door.
"Are you excited to finally make it to Hogwarts? I've been wanting to go since I was five." Nelda asked.
"Yeah I'm excited. I didn't even know it existed until I got the letter. My aunt and uncle told me that magic wasn't real. They hate anything that isn't their definition of normal." She responded meekly. "Do you know what house you want to get into? I've been told all slytherins are evil but that can't be right, right?"
"No not all Slytherins are evil. Merlin himself was sorted into Slytherin. I think I'd like to be a Griffyndor but I'd probably end up in Hufflepuff. Each house has traits that stand for it." Neld replied.
"What are the traits" Azalea inquired.
"Griffyndor valued Bravery and chivalry, Hufflepuff valued hard work and loyalty, Ravenclaw valued wisdom and knowledge, while Slytherin had cunning and ambition. I think I reflect the hardworking puffs instead of bravery. What about you?" Nelda had a questioning lilt to her vice at the end.
"I think based on what you said I'll probably end up in Ravenclaw or Slytherin. If we go into different house can we still be friends?" Azalea replied.
"Yes. No matter where we go we can still be friends. The Longbottoms and the Potters have been allies for over five hundred years." Nelda stated strongly.
"Both you and your gran said that. What does it entail and are there any more allies I should be aware of?" Azalea shyly questioned.
"The potters are allied with the Longbottoms, Greengrass, Blacks, Bones, and the Higgs. The Potters are a traditionally grey family. They mainly stayed Neutral though they have fought against the last two dark lords. They are one of the most wealthy family's in the wizarding world right behind the Blacks. They made their fortune in creating potions like the skele-gro, sleekeazy, pepper up and volubilis. Of course your house has enemies but none that have become blood feuds." Nelda explained. She could see Azalea soak all this up and can practically hear the gears work in her head. "Did no one ever explain any of this to you?" She asked
"No." came Azalea's soft reply. "Can you tell me more?" The tone of voice was completely hopeful.
"Okay. I'll tell you what I know though maybe when you can go to gringotts and ask them to retrieve your family grimoire. The Potters can date their name back to the 1100's in England, even further back in the Netherlands. Many of the members were potioneers or great warriors. They originated in the Netherlands. There is a rumor that they might be related to the Peverells who originated in France. One of the most well known members of the Potters is Xandra Potter who single handedly took down the then dark lord Alaric Von Brandt and wiped out his commanders after they threatened her family in 1228. Another notable member is Linfred of Stinchcombe who was a pioneering potions master. Your grandfather Charlus and his wife Dorea both fought against Grindelwald alongside my gran and Dorea's sister Cassiopeia Black. Charlus's father Fleamont was known for being head Auror and his father before him Henry served on the wizengamot. Fleamonts wife Euphemia was borne a Nott and Henry's wife Moira was a Fleamont. Both are noticeable pureblood families who were not allies or closely related. This allowed new blood into the family considering the Notts are a dark family and the Fleamont's they originated in the mountains. That's all I really know about the potters though." Nelda explained patiently. She got the feeling someone was remiss in not telling Azalea her family history.
"Can you tell me about your house allies Nelda? Since our houses are allies I feel it would be important information." Azalea once again inquired.
"My house allies are of course the potters" the two girls shared a smirk at this " along with the Bones, Abbott, Lovegood, and Diggory Families. My family is primarily a light family so all of my allies are either light or neutral. Though my house is currently in a blood feud with the Lestrange house."
"Blood feud? What's a blood feud." Azalea eyebrow raised as she asked.
"A blood feud is when a house declares a war with another house. It typically only ends when one is wiped from existence or when one become destitute. For instance the Black-Gaunt blood feud ended with the complete destruction of income to the Gaunts leaving them knutless." Nelda expound.
"On a completely different note since we're friends can I call you Nel?" Azalea muttered shyly, a blush started to travel across her cheeks while her eyes flicked down then back up through her eyelashes.
Nelda felt a smile tugs at her lips. A pleased flush spread across her cheeks and nose while her eyes softened in happiness. 'A friend? I finally have a friend I can talk to and not at' she thought. She was a lonely child when she was younger, before uncle algie got kicked out of the house by her Nan he would torment her cause he thought she was a squib. When Nan found out he dropped me out of the window she was livid and became slightly overprotective.
"I would love that but only if I can call you Aza as well." She replied softly. The happiness that shone from her eyes transformed her face in the soft sunlight that came through the window of the train. The sunlight hiring just right to show strands of pure gold and honey that run throughout her braided hair.
Azalea looked stunned. The acceptance that Nelda had shone her was perhaps the most encompassing acceptance she ever had. No one else had ever taken the time to describe anything to her, yet here was a girl her age who didn't belittle her lack of knowledge but instead explained everything she knew to her. A warmth spread throughout her whole body, she herself never had a friend before due to her cousin. The care this girl showed her was almost unthinkable to the abused child. Nelda might not know it yet but she had won the complete loyalty of the girl-who-lived over everyone else.
"Please do. I would like that." Azalea whispered while looking into Nelda's hazel eyes, her own emerald eyes shone with a beauty that surpasses the gemstones themselves.
Just then the door to their compartment slid open and a boy with ginger hair and cornflower blue eyes came in. "Has anyone seen Azalea Potter. She's going to be my best friend, you know. Mum told me so. Said that Dumbledore might make a marriage contract between us." he stated obnoxiously.
Azalea turned wide eyed to Nelda with a deer in the headlights look completely stunned at the audacity of this boy. She had no clue who he even was and yet he seemed pretty certain that they would marry. By the look of greed in his eyes she could tell he was bad news. She wondered about the number of people this boy had come across in the search for her. How many people think that she was going to marry this weirdo?
"Weasley, we don't know where Potter is. Why are you telling people your going to marry her? You aren't even apart of an allied house so you have no claim to her." Nelda channeled her Nan, raising a condescending eyebrow.
"Watch it Longbottom. As if the girl-who-lived would have anything to do with a near squib like you!" he growled out with an angry flush that took over his face. He sneered down at her while he stated this, not noticing that the other girl in the compartment glowered up at him, her eyes glowing with indignation at the insult he spat at her first friend.
"I doubt the girl-who-lived would want to be friends with a foul ineffectual little cockroach without two brain cells to rub together. I would call you an idiot but that would be an insult to all dunderheads. How dare you stroll into our compartment like you own it then proceed to insult not just an ally to my house but my personal friend. Are you always this stupid or is today a special occasion? Please do us both a favor and run back to the cage someone let you out of." Azalea seethed, her voice as sharp as an edge of a blade and just as cutting as one. With her piece said she flicked her hair over her shoulder in blatant dismissal and turned her face away from him, missing the look of anger in a set of blue eyes and surprised happiness in a pair of hazel.
"Who do you think you are to speak to me like that you bitch! You should know your place." He shouted.
"My name is none of your concern, now leave. I can feel my brain cells die every time you open your mouth. If you stay any longer I might lose my ability to speak words like a normal human and regress to speak like you, a Neanderthal. Maybe you don't understand. Here let me dumb it down for you." She pointed at him then the door "you leave. Door exit" she said slowly as if talking to a toddler
The boy's face flushed an angry puce color before he spun and stomped out the door with an angry huff, slamming the door behind him.
"Who was that insignificant loser?" Azalea asked.
"That was Ron Weasley. He is the second youngest out of seven Weasley children. Bit of a prat isn't he?" Nelda replied "thank you for defending me."she said with a warm smile.
Azalea smiled back at her. "Of course, that's what friends are for right? Besides, you defended me first." She said in a warm tone.
The rest of the ride to Hogwarts passed with idle chatter. They had changed into their school uniforms when they were twenty minutes out. The closer they got to the school the more excited they were.
They got off the train holding hands so they wouldn't lose each other in the rush of other children. As they exited the hogs Meade station they heard a booming voice calling for all first year students. Glancing over, they saw a large hairy man waving his hand in the air.
"That's Hagrid. He took me to get my supplies in the alley. He gave me Hedwig as a birthday present. She was the first present I ever got." Azalea admitted.
Nelda filed that away in her mind along with the other things Azalea let slip. She had a distinct feeling Azalea wasn't treated right at home. If she was abused then she won't be going back. 'I'll talk to Nan on Yule break. Maybe I'll write to her and see if Azalea could stay with us then too' she thought.
They followed Hagrid to a lake that was lined with boats. "No more than four on a boat now." Hagrid boomed.
Still holding hands so they don't get separated the clambered onto a boat. They were joined by a boy with light blonde hair and slate grey eyes and a girl dark brown hair and ice blue eyes.
"Hello. My names is Azalea Potter and this is my friend Nelda Longbottom. May I ask what your names are?0" Azalea spoke clearly in a well mannered tone.
"My name is Theodore Nott. Well met Heiress Potter." The boy softly replied.
"Well met heiress Potter I am Daphne Greengrass." The girl said in an even tone.
"You both can call me Azalea if you like, after all Greengrass is an allied house and my great grandmother was a Nott." Azalea shyly spoke, glancing at the two through her eyelashes.
"Then call me Theo, Azalea. If you're freely admitting to a family connection between our two houses I don't see why formalities would be needed." Theo spoke warmly. He wasn't used to people wanting to claim a family connection to his house. People usually denied it due to his father who was as dangerous as they came. This girl though, Azalea Potter of all people, freely stated it as though it was common knowledge, even though their families were on opposite sides of the war.
"Of course I freely admit to it. Family is family even if you don't always agree with each other." Azalea stated firmly, keeping eye contact with Theo to show how sincere she was.
"Since we are an allied house I don't mind if you call me Daphne either" she stated after considering it for a bit. She really didn't mind either way.
"Well since everyone is calling each other by their first name you can call me Nelda. What houses do you think you are going to go into? I think I'll end up in Hufflepuff." She inquired
"I most likely will end up in Slytherin or Ravenclaw." Daphne revealed.
"Same." Theo admitted.
"I'll probably be in Ravenclaw since I value knowledge so much." Azalea revealed.
"Do you think we can be friends no matter what house we end up in?" Azalea demured
"Yes," the three others stated with conviction at the same time. They all had the feeling they should protect the smaller girl. Also they felt like they were meant to meet and become friends. It was almost as if they formed an immediate bond. Each of them were basically loners before meeting each other.
The boat came to a stop along the shore by a magnificent gothic castle that seemed to have it's own glow. The sight of such brilliance knocked the breath out of the children who could only stare in awe. They were finally here.
Hagrig led them into a large hallway and to a stern looking witch dressed in a deep forest green velvet set of robes. She stood tall with a sense of confidence and self control.
"Professor McGonagal I brought the first years like you asked!" Hagrid's jovial voiced boomed around the hall.
"Yes, thank you Hagrid. I can see that." the stern woman said in a thick Scottish brogue. "Line up children. When we enter the hall I will call you up in alphabetical order."
Nelda was once again holding Azalea's hand as they walked into the hall. Azalea herself had a soft grip on Theo's sleeve seeing as he was closer to her than Daphne was. Theo looked wide eyed at Azalea, no one had ever taken comfort from him before. It kinda felt nice.
McGonagal walked up to the stool that sat in the front of the hall and picked up a list after the hat stopped singing.
"Now before I begin, headmaster Dumbledore would like to say a few words''. McGonagal said
An old man stood up from the throne-like chair he was sitting on. He had a long white beard and half moon glasses that sat on the bridge of his nose he started to speak after his twinkling blue eyes scan the children that stood in the hall.
" I have a few start of term notices that I would like to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is outabounds for any student who does not wish to die a most painful death"
At the speech that was just given the four kids huddled closer together looking a little pale. Then Professor McGonagall started to read off the names on the list.
Abbot, Hannah
HUFFLEPUFF
Bones, Susan
HUFFLEPUFF
The four kids huddle closer, unsure if they would stay together or be separated.
Greengrass, Daphne
Daphne made her way up to the stool and sat down primly, clasping her hands together in her lap. It took about a minute before the hat shouted out it's answer.
RAVENCLAW
She stood up and handed the hat back to professor McGonagal. She looked into the eyes of the three other kids that she made friends with a mischievous glint in her eyes and mouthed 'you can argue were you want to go' causing theo's eyes to widen. She watched as he leaned down in between Nelda and Azalea and passed along her message. When it registered she could see a look of conviction steel in their eyes. And they all nodded at each other.
Longbottom, Nelda
Nelda made her way down, reluctantly letting go of Azalea who latched further onto Theo in her nervousness. She shyly shuffled closer to the chair before sitting on the edge, hands clasped to stop them from shaking.
'Ah young Nelda. You would do well in Hufflepuff you know, but it seems you have your heart set on joining Ravenclaw with your friends I see.'
Neld jumped, she was not prepared for a voice to speak to her in her head. 'Please put me into Ravenclaw. I want to be with the people who finally accepted me.' she pleaded in her head.
'Fine young one. I still stand by the fact that Helga would have loved to have you in her house.'
Ravenclaw
She stood up fast and almost forgot to take off the hat before hurrying over to sit next to Daphne. The two girls shared a smile before looking back to the other two. This could work out.
Nott, Theodore
Theo disengaged himself from Azalea and just before walking off he patted her head. "Everything will work out Aza it'll be fine." He whispered in her ear " no matter what house you or I go into we'll still be friends." He proceeded to walk up to the chair with his head held up and eyes forward despite the whispering he could hear at the other tables, knowing they were talking about his father Thoros and how dangerous he was. He sat on the chair with his arms crossed and felt the hat being lowered onto his head.
'Young Theodore the house you best fit into is Slytherin yet you want to argue your case to go into Ravenclaw. May I ask Why?' Theo heard the hat speak in his mind.
'I want to stick by my friends and new found family.' he responded curtly.
'Very well then Ravenclaw you shall go.' the hat replied.
RAVENCLAW
He took off the hat and calmly handed it back then proceeded to stroll over to the seat across from Daphne and then locked eyes with Azalea. He noticed the other two girls also watching her as well, trying to comfort her from across the room.
Potter,Azalea
The hall went silent and everyone turned to look at her. She felt a drop of sweat slide down the back of her neck and she started to shuffle toward the chair. When she sat down she kept her eyes to the floor as to not see how many of the kids were gawking at her. Then, she felt the hat being lowered into her head.
'Please be Ravenclaw.' she pleaded in her mind.
'Ravenclaw huh? You would do well in Slytherin.' she heard echo through her mind.
'No please not Slytherin I want to be with Nel, Theo and Dee please' she continued to plead the hat.
'Fine it better be...'
RAVENCLAW
You could hear a pin drop at how silent the hall went. Everyone was expecting her to go to Gryffindor. Then a loud roaring applause broke out at the Ravenclaw table while the Gryffindor table let out grumbles of disappointment. Azalea stood up and practically threw the hat at professor McGonagall before hightailing it strait to the seat next to Theo and across from Nel.
"I was so worried that I wouldn't be put in this house with you guys. I was almost into Slytherin." She rushed out as she plopped down into the seat.
After the last student was sorted the old man stood up stood up again. This time pausing At Azalea before moving on.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our banquet I would like to say a few words. And here they are. Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Nelda and Azalea burst out in giggles at the completely outlandish words that came out of Dumbledore's mouth.
"Is he senile?" Azalea asked in amusement.
"He might be. My dad always said he was." Theo quitely spoke. "Though my dad is also a leader in the dark faction so it might be because they are political rivals." he admitted.
Just then food started to pop into existence along the table. The amount of food was astronomical and seemed to overwhelm Azalea and Nelda. Azalea turned to Theo and watched as he started to fill up his plate. He took notice of the lost look in her eyes and started to fill up her plate as well.
"Here Aza try this." He said while put a decent size lamb chop onto her plate along with fresh asparagus and a sweet potato loaded with brown sugar and butter.
"Thanks Theo." she mumbled with a soft look in her eyes.
Nelda herself started to fill her plate with herb encrusted salmon with wild rice and steamed cauliflower. She hummed in delight at the delicate taste of the salmon. All in all she was happy about how her first day was going. Her Nan would be pleased as well since she made friends with Azalea and Daphne though she might have reservations with Theo. Watching how Theo treated Azalea would put that worry to rest though, it was almost as if she was watching a pair of siblings. She resolved to write her a letter when they got to the dorm rooms. She couldn't wait to tell her that she found her place and that she was a Ravenclaw though she might be disappointed that she didn't make it into Griffyndor.
After the dinner was eaten the dishes cleared off and dessert was put on the table. They all took a price of treacle tart to eat. The pleasant sweetness putting pleased smiles onto all four of the kids' faces.
"Fest years follow your prefects to the dorm rooms; they will give you any information that you may need. You will receive your schedule tomorrow at breakfast." McGonagal said as she stood up.
Two students stood up at their table, one a boy with chestnut brown hair and grey eyes and a girl with wheat blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes.
"Please follow us to Ravenclaw tower." The boy then proceeded to lead them out of the great Hall and up numerous amounts of corredors. After they reached the top of a spiral staircase they stopped before a door that had an eagle knocker but no doorknob or keyhole.
The eagle looked up at them and spoke " I'm tall when I'm young, and I'm short when I'm old. What am I?"
"A candle" the boy prefect said. They all watched as the door swung open revealing a large circular room that was done up with the colors blue and bronze. The ceiling was done shaped and painted to match a night sky.
"My name is Robert Hilliard. I'm the 5th year prefect. This is my counterpart Penelope Clearwater. If you have any questions please come to one of us or our head of house Fillius Flitwick. His open office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 4-8. To the left are the girls dorm and to the right is the boys dorm. You'll notice that in the back of the common room we have our own library. Please put your name down on the book log if you borrow any of the books. Now boys follow me. The girls can follow Clearwater." Hilliard said in a monotone voice, obviously bored out of his mind. He turned on his heel and started off to the boys dorms.
Clearwater sighed "please follow me." she said curtly before briskly walking towards the girls dorm to the first door. She opened it to the first year girls dorms. There were eight beds lining the walls. "The eight of you will be sharing this dorm. You will be together until you graduate so try and get along." She proceeded to leave them there now that her job was finished.
Daphne was quick to claim the bed closest to the window. Azalea took the one next to her and drug Nelda to the one next to her own.
"All that's left to do is unpack. It's been a long exciting day. I think I'm going to go to bed early" Nelda spoke softly. It took about 15 minutes to get changed and set up for the next day.
"Goodnight Aza. Good night Daphne."
"Goodnight." the two girls replied.