Halle Potter and the first year of Madness
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Halle found herself outside the train in the cold night air. Still holding the toad in her hand she placed him in her pocket and was on the lookout for a boy looking for a toad. If the worst came to the worst she'd face Hermione Granger and walk away as quickly as possible.
Halle was looking around when she heard a familiar voice ringing out.
"Firs' years follow me, this way firs years."
It was Hagrid calling for first years. Halle with Ronnie in tow moved toward the giant man.
"All right there Halle?" Said Hagrid.
"Hi Hagrid." Said Halle brightly.
Hagrid gave her a beaming smile before calling out for all the first years to follow him. They all gathered around him before following him down a dark and narrow path.
"Woah. How'd you know Hagrid?" Asked Ronnie curiously.
"He's the one who told me I was a witch. Took me from the Dursley's and took me to Diagon Alley. He even bought Hedwig for me. Best birthday ever." Said Halle affectionately, towards Hagrid.
"Cool. Dad told me about Hagrid. He's the gamekeeper for Hogwarts and has been for years, apparently. Dad says that Hagrid is one of the most loyalist men you'll find when it comes to professor Dumbledore and Hogwarts. Dad thinks he's half giant, he doesn't have proof but his size is a giveaway. Giants aren't looked upon favourable in the wizarding world but dad says that he has massive amounts of respect for Hagrid. I've always wanted to see and talk to him for myself. I honestly thought he would be terrifying but I'm glad you had a good birthday with him. My admiration just went up." Whispered Ronnie.
Halle looked thoughtful.
When she had first seen Hagrid she had been extremely terrified. Granted he was massive, had bashed down a door at midnight and was a stranger to her but after spending a day with him, Hagrid was one of the most fluffiest people she had ever met. She didn't know if Hagrid was part giant, but if Ronnie had assumed Hagrid would be terrifying with such a rumour about him than undoubtably other wizards did too.
Of course she would not judge Ronnie for her statement, especially as she talked so highly of Hagrid but the conversation on the train came rushing back to her mind, In regards to the wizard way and outdated themes.
A giant in her muggle mind didn't sound great but for all she knew they could be as fluffy as Hagrid but if they had a bad reputation in the wizarding world than it made her feel angry that anyone would even think to prejudge Hagrid with any such comparison just because of how he looked, especially if he was half giant.
She heard the croak of the toad in her pocket which reminded her of the task at hand.
"Well when we get the chance I'll introduce you. He's great." Whispered Halle.
Ronnie gave Halle a smile and continued walking up the path whilst Halle slowed her pace a bit.
Halle looked around the group of students. There was at least fifty to sixty students. Hardly anyone was talking with the exception of a few groups.
She caught sight of the Malfoy's and their little gang at the back. They clearly hadn't been too upset at their telling off because they were all laughing at a joke it seemed that Draco Malfoy was telling.
She caught sight of Dewei who was walking with them but he was not laughing, he was stone faced whilst taking in his surroundings.
She looked around more and observed the other students. She saw faces of all different shapes and shades, all with looks of nerves or excitement plastered on them, some talking and others too nervous to speak. She saw Hermione Granger who was observing everything insight.
Next to her was another familiar face, Neville. The nice boy she had met at Diagon Alley. Halle was happy to see him but could see that he looked upset.
Halle tried to remember her conversation with him in Diagon Alley and wondered if he had mentioned ever having a toad.
'She didn't even think I was going until I did magic for the first time a year ago. My uncle got me a toad to celebrate.'
Halle looked round once more just to check and see if anyone else looked like they had lost something but most of the other faces were too busy looking around or trying not to trip over in the dark. Halle almost lost her footing herself which luckily for her, Ronnie caught her from falling flat on her face. She'd wait until the group stopped moving before approaching Neville.
The path became more and more narrow. After thirty minutes Hagrid called out to the group.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
There was a loud collective gasp as whispers of awe filled the night air.
The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake that glistened under the moonlight. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
On the lake was a dozen brown boats gliding right to the edge. Hagrid called out for no more than four to each boat. Halle hung back for a moment and when Neville walked passed her she grabbed his hand toward the boat Ronnie was moving too.
Neville was a bit surprised but realised he recognised Halle's face after getting into the boat.
"Oh hello. it's you from Madam Malkins right?" Said Neville but he sounded a little dejected.
"Yes it is, Neville. Why do you look so down?" Halle asked, already knowing the reason.
"I've lost my toad. My gran and uncle are gonna be so upset." He sniffled, hanging his head down.
"Do you mean this toad?" Said Halle pulling the toad from her pocket.
Neville looked up and saw the toad in Halle's hands.
"Trevor!" Cried Neville with a massive grin whilst scooping him up. "Where did you find him?"
"He came for a little rendezvous in our compartment." Said Halle smiling.
"Yeah, munching up all our food." Said Ronnie teasingly.
"I'm sorry. Need to keep a closer eye on him but thanks for finding him." Said Neville in high spirits now.
"Your more than welcome Neville." Said Halle tenderly.
Neville gave her a very toothy grin.
"Hey I never caught your name at Diagon Alley." Said Neville.
"Halle Potter." Said Halle.
Nevilles eyes widened in shock.
"Really?" Asked Neville in disbelief.
"Really." Said Halle puckishly.
"Woah. N…ni..nice to meet you. I'm Neville Longbottom." Said Neville stuttering but extending his hand to Halle who shook it. He then extended it to Ronnie.
"Veronica Weasley but call me Ronnie." Said Ronnie shaking his hand too. All the other students were filing into the boats and their last member to join was Hermione Granger much to Ronnie's annoyance.
When everyone was seated, Hagrid who had a boat to himself said forward, to which every single boat began to glide across the lake toward the castle.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
A large roar came from the far left table of the great hall. Halle's heart stopped hammering in her chest. It was over. She had been sorted.
She shakily walked over to the table that Neville had walked over too. She sat next to Neville, who was next to Percy, who shook her hand vigorously and instantly many other people from their table began shaking her hand too, whilst the Weasley twins yelled exuberantly for her being in Gryffindor.
She could see other students still craning their necks to get a proper look at her from the other tables.
Halle looked up to the high table where she caught Hagrid's eye who gave her a massive thumbs up. Halle gave him a smile.
She scanned the high table. In the centre sat Albus Dumbledore. Halle recognised him from her famous wizard card she had opened earlier.
He sat on a golden chair with grand looking robes, half shaped moon spectacles and silver hair that was as shiny as the ghosts that she could see around the hall. For a split second the headmaster's eyes scanned the hall and Halle was sure he gave her a nod of his head but already his eyes was on the next student who had just been sorted into Ravenclaw.
Halle took another breath. Her heart was still pounding. She couldn't believe it. She had been sorted into a house and the others students were proud to have her.
In her primary school, no one was ever excited to have her in their group especially when it came to P.E.
Granted that was usually because no one wanted to associate themselves with Dudley Dursley's cousin or Sarah Rodham's victim.
The chances were, you'd get bullied too. So no one was ever excited to be grouped with Halle but to receive cheers was something new entirely for her but elation ran through her body.
The fame thing was still disconcerting but this was the best she had felt in ages.
Halle had been so lost in thought that she hadn't realised that the next Gryffindor had already been sorted and seated. A black boy named Dean Thomas sitting across from her, next to Seamus Finnegan. They shook hands.
Professor McGonagall called out for Ronnie who looked green in the face. She moved toward the stool and a moment later was sorted into Gryffindor. Ronnie visibly relaxed and sauntered over to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Halle.
Her brother Percy, pompously congratulated her.
Now there were only two boys left. The Zabini's. Blaise and Dewei.
Blaise was called first. The hat took a minute before it decided he was going into Slytherin.
Halle looked over at the Slytherin table. She saw the Malfoy's clapping. Their gang would be a full house. Further up the table was Lu, who was clapping proudly for her brother.
Blaise got off the stool and sat down next to Phina and looked back at Dewei. He was now sat on the stoolwith the hat on his head. For a few minutes there was nothing but silence in the hall, then finally the hat spoke.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table clapped for their new housemate but the reaction was strange. Next to her Ronnie had a reaction that Halle couldn't quite make out.
"She said Zabini right?" Asked Ronnie in her ear.
Halle nodded.
Halle could see the older students on her table clapping but whispering. The other tables clapped but even some of their older students whispered.
The Slytherin table instantly broke out into whispers. Only a few students on their table clapped. Lu was one of them but Halle couldn't deny that even she had a surprised look on her face but that was nothing compared to Dewei who looked like a deer caught in headlights.
It was probably the most expressive she had seen him so far but the surprise only lasted for a split second because his face became an emotionless mask and he took off the hat and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
He sat down next to Dean Thomas who extended his hand and introduced himself. Dewei did not take his hand but offered a small hello. Halle and Ronnie gave each other a look. Halle wasn't sure how she felt about the boy. On one hand he hadn't been rude to her in Diagon Alley but he hadn't been nice either. He barely glanced at anyone else on their table.
Ronnie rolled her eyes.
Halle gave him one last glance before looking back up to the High Table. Albus Dumbledore stood up and addressed the hall.
The next week of Halle's life was interesting to say the least but Halle thought hectic would have been a better word to describe it. Her first night in her new dormitory had kicked it off.
She had been very tired after the feast and felt strange about the moment where her scar had prickled after looking at a teacher she found out was called professor Snape. The potions professor. She had the strange inkling that he did not like her.
When the feast was done she was led up to Gryffindor tower and into a comfy looking dormitory with six other girls. A girl called Lavender Brown, a mixed girl with very curly hair called Freja Fawley and two Indian fraternal twins called Parvati and Padma Patil and of course Hermione Granger and Ronnie.
They shared a red rounded room with seven beds in a semi circle with their trunks and pets in front of each bed.
Each girl had gone to their trunks. Lavender had begun talking loudly in a girlish squeak voice. Halle was rather too tired to contribute but didn't want to be rude on her first night.
"Oooo. Is that your owl? So pretty, is it a boy or a girl?" Asked Lavender looking over at Halle who was letting Hedwig out of her cage.
"She's a girl. This is Hedwig." Said Halle nicely whilst stroking her.
"She's gorgeous." Said Lavender.
"Thanks." Said Halle.
She could see Ronnie rolling her eyes but she also seemed amused with the conversation.
"We have a family owl called Magnus. He's been in our family for years now. So that's why I didn't want an owl to bring to Hogwarts. I'm not sure what I want yet but I want a really cute pet. Maybe a cat or bunny. Any who I know we all heard names at dinner but official introductions. I'm Lavender Brown. Pureblood, Pisces and oldest of three." Said Lavender very Peppy.
"I'm Parvati Patil and this is Padma, my twin sister." Said Parvati gesturing to her sister who was unpacking by the first bed on the left next to the centre bed. She was unloading books onto her chest of draws but gave a little wave to the room.
"We're Pureblood's too. Middle kids and both cancers. I'm the cool one and she's the book nerd." Jested Parvati with a grin.
"What she actually means is I'm the smart one and she's the 'I'm sure you'll find something your good at.' One." Said Padma but her tone was filled with Playfulness.
It made Halle and Ronnie laugh.
"I'm Freja Fawley. I'm a half blood. Youngest of my siblings. I'm a Capricorn and the first Gryffindor of my family. All the wizard half have usually been hufflepuff but I'm way more muggle than wizard like so maybe that's why." She said thoughtful as she packed by the centre bed.
"Oh nonsense. It's means your courageous and brave." Said Lavender proudly.
"Thanks." Said Freja with a smile.
"What about you three?" Asked Lavender looking over to the right side of the room. Ronnie was on the end bed with Halle next to her and Hermione on her left.
Ronnie spoke first.
"Veronica Weasley but I go by Ronnie. Second youngest. Pureblood. Could eat for an entire lifetime if they keep feeding us like tonight ." Said Ronnie in a chilled manner with a piece sign as she began changing into her PJs and attending to Scabbers.
All the girls laughed.
"I'm Halle Potter." She said. There still seemed to be a reaction from the other four girls.
"I'm a half blood?" Said Halle looking to Ronnie for reassurance. Ronnie nodded.
"I'm an only child and I live with Muggles." Said Halle but she couldn't keep the slightly desolate tone out of her voice as she thought about the Dursley's.
Hermione didn't miss it.
"Do you not like Muggles?" She asked suddenly her tone not hostile but the civility wasn't present.
Halle looked at Hermione who was already in her Pjs, in bed and had a book in her hands. Her trunk and bits neatly in front and beside her bed already.
"I have no problems with Muggles. I'm from that world." Said Halle irritable.
She wasn't about to explain her whole life to this girl and felt she did not need too either.
"Oh, you sounded like you didn't." Said Hermione unfazed by Halle's tone. Already she was back to reading her book.
Halle looked over at Ronnie who was scowling at Hermione.
Lavender and Parvati were eyeing the scene as though they were ready to grab popcorn.
Padma and Freja looked uncomfortable.
"What about you? uh Hermione, right?" Asked Padma trying to ease the tension.
"Hermione Granger. I'm a Muggleborn although I don't know why we're all stating blood status. It makes us no different or at least in my opinion, anyway I'm also an only child. My parents are dentists, I passed all my sats and my birthday is in a couple of weeks." Said Hermione who had not lifted her head from her book once.
"So you're a Virgo." Said Lavender excitedly.
"Yes, why?" asked Hermione.
"Oh well Pisces and Virgos are meant to get on. Our astrological signs are opposite each other on the zodiac making our two signs compatible." Said Lavender chirpy.
Halle heard Ronnie scoff ever so slightly.
"Astrology is a very pseudoscience if you ask me. Perhaps not the astronomical side as per say especially as we'll be studying the subject but even then astronomy is based on actual proof of celestial objects. Astrology suggests that celestial positions determine who we are and how we act. Take away astronomy and astrology doesn't have much to stand on. It's a belief phenomena more than anything." Said Hermione looking up from her book. She then looked thoughtful for a moment.
"However in saying that I won't deny that magical energy and celestial energy could have common ground together but I would imagine that as universal physics more so than actual astrological affairs. Seeming as magic exists in the first place. I could be wrong but in terms of Astrology it's still based on a belief system. it's a sub science of a science with no scientific proof. My whole point is I'd base my judgment on character instead of pseudoscience." Said Hermione validly.
Lavender looked a mixture of dumbfounded and offended with Parvati looking quite similar. Padma and Freja looked like they were attempting to analyse Hermione's entire statement but looked lost.
"Astrology is not pseudoscience." Huffed Lavender.
"Then what would you class it as?" Asked Hermione bluntly.
"Celestial and spiritual energy are connected together. It all has its place. Universal energy is all one and the same. Magic is in your soul. Your soul is spiritual energy. Spiritual energy is universal. Universal is everything and everywhere which includes celestial energy. It's in the air we breath. Its all around us. The earth is one big ball of celestial energy in space. You'd be stupid to not acknowledge that." Said Lavender angrily.
Parvati nodded her head in agreement with Lavender.
A fire erupted in Hermione's eyes when the word stupid was spoken.
The argument that ensued from there was drowned out by Halle. She was too tired to care about astrology. She changed into her pjs and put her uniform on her trunk ready for tomorrow.
Maybe five minutes passed when two loud shrieks were heard in the dorm. Halle had only just sat down on her bed when she twisted round to see Padma and Freja jump on their beds.
"There's a rat." Padma screeched pointing to the floor.
The other five looked down to the floor where Padma was pointing.
Scabbers was licking Lavenders left shoe which appeared to have some kind of source on it.
In the midst of the argument Ronnie had left his cage door open.
Lavender screamed.
She kicked her leg high into the air and the rat went flying.
Unfortunately, Lavender had great aim or was it terrible? Halle wasn't sure because somehow Scabbers ended up landing on Parvati's head and sliding down into her school robes as she had not changed yet. Parvati began jumping on the spot in panic.
Ronnie ran forward to attempt to get Scabbers but the rat was very spooked and was running around Parvati's torso. His form poking through her robes.
Lavender quickly grabbed a book from Padma's chest and began hitting Parvati.
"Scabbers!" Cried Ronnie in horror. "What the bloody hell are you doing?"
"Ahhhh. Get it off. Get it off." Screamed Parvati still jumping on the spot.
"Hold still!" Shouted Lavender.
On the side of her hip scabbers poked through. Lavender quickly smashed the book down connecting with the rat. Parvati cried out in pain and keeled over but managed to jump backwards as she felt scabbers slide down her leg. Halle now getting up saw when he landed on the floor.
He looked dazed for a moment.
Lavender panicked and went to hit him again. Ronnie saw this and socked Lavender in the face. Lavender falling backwards dropped the book landing only inches away from Scabbers. Halle who had moved forward jumped to grab him but the book had frightened him and he dashed leaving Halle smashing to the ground.
"Scabbers!" Cried Ronnie.
Suddenly Hermione was on her feet with her wand in her hand.
"Immobulus." Said Hermione pointing straight at Scabbers.
Halle who was still sprawled on the floor looked towards where Scabbers was. The rat was now frozen as opposed to scampering away.
She looked back at Hermione who was putting her wand on her chest of draws.
"The freezing charm. Very effective spell if you ask me. One of the simple spells I was practicing on the train actually. Any who we have a big day tomorrow and all this ruckus is going to affect our sleeping patterns and I plan to be up and early for lessons tomorrow. So good night." She said civilly before drawing the red velvet curtain around her four poster bed.
Ronnie came out of her daze and sprinted towards Scabbers.
The moment she picked him up, Hermione's spell broke. Scabbers began squealing madly for a minute before he calmed down and recognised he was in Ronnie's hand. Halle got up from the floor and came over.
Scabbers was trembling dearly. It was strange that he seemed very aware of Halle's movement. As Ronnie was giving him soothing words of comfort he looked straight at her as she came right by their side. Of course animals were very intelligent and she knew that magical animals apparently were even more intelligent but something about the unusual way Scabbers was looking at her was a little unnerving.
"Is he alright?" Asked Halle putting her off feeling aside.
"She almost done him in, she did. Look at him." Said Ronnie holding him up.
At first Halle thought Lavender had managed to lob off a toe but she realised there was no blood so she assumed that he was already missing one. She did notice a bit of a lump forming on his little head.
"Aww poor thing." Said Halle sympathetic.
"Poor thing? Poor thing!"
Halle and Ronnie looked over too Lavender who was being helped up by the other three girls.
"That thing attacked me!" Screeched Lavender.
"You almost killed him!" Roared Ronnie.
"You hit me over a rat. I'm going to bruise." Said Lavender venomously.
"Who brings a disgusting rodent to school anyway?" Asked Parvati fuming.
"He's not disgusting!" Said Ronnie dangerously stepping forward.
It was a massive contrast to how she had spoke about him on the train but Halle had no time to think on it because in a second she was standing in between Ronnie, Lavender and Parvati. Padma and Freja had now moved in between them too.
"Why don't we all just Relax and settle down. We have a big day tomorrow. Let's not ruin it by knocking each other's lights out." Said Halle looking between the girls. Padma nodded her head strenuously.
"Yeah. Look I'm sorry, this is my fault. I just have a phobia of mouses and rats and when I saw that thi… Uh, I mean Scabbers, I screamed and a social environment and a phobia together can easily cause social phobia and then we react irrational. Now we know that Scabbers is your pet and no one will try and hurt him but perhaps we could keep him on your side of the room and we can let Bygones be Bygones." Said Padma nervously.
Ronnie did look a little scary right now.
"Yes. You didn't know and now you do and obviously Ronnie didn't hit Lavender to cause harm. She was just trying to save her pet that you would've killed. Now that's out in the open, let's both apologise, go to sleep and start fresh tomorrow?" Said Halle calmly.
None of them looked like they wanted to apologise.
"Please?" Pleaded Halle turning to Ronnie.
Ronnie was about to object but felt like she couldn't say no to Halle. She sighed.
"I'm sorry for punching you in the face." Said Ronnie very irked.
Halle looked to Lavender and Parvati.
"I'm sorry for trying to kill your rat." Said Lavender also miffed.
"I'm sorry for insulting your rat." Said Parvati displeased.
"Good. Now let's all go to bed cause I'm knackered." Said Halle stifling a yawn.
Once again Padma nodded strenuously.
"Good night girls." Said Freja uneasy and retreated to bed very quickly.
Padma, Parvati and Lavender did the same. Awkward silence filled the air other than mild shuffling.
Ronnie retreated over to her bed and began attending to Scabbers.
She was glad Ronnie was on the furthest bed on the right and lavender and Parvati were on the furthest two beds on the left. She did wish Hermione was in the centre and Freja was next her instead but she put the petty thought out of her mind.
Halle went to bed feeling exhausted.
The day had started well enough considering she had started it with the Dursley's but by the end it had become pure chaos. Her eyes started to drift but she had no regrets. Her new life had begun and she did not intend to start doubting it now.
However the next week was sure to test that.
The next day Ronnie had woken her up. Halle had a funny dream about Professor Quirrell's Turban and the Malfoy's but she couldn't remember details about it. She was glad Ronnie wasn't mad at her for making her apologise to Lavender last night.
It was probably the better part of her week. From there it was stares and whispers. People stopping in their tracks to get a good look at her. It was also getting lost on more than one occasion.
She and Ronnie had found Neville Longbottom on their first day being escorted by a prefect after having an embarrassing encounter in the girls bathroom. They had to follow them because the amount of stairs in Hogwarts was a painful amount. It was like a very large maze.
On more than two occasions Halle had ended up in a different corridor when aiming for the first or somewhere else. It was hard to remember when the castle would move so much. Amazingly she could keep track of things better than Ronnie.
Ronnie had found herself in multiple cupboards especially after having a near miss encounter with Peeves the poltergeist.
Neville had found himself trailing after them after they had stopped him for a third time from walking into a girls bathroom. He had stuck with them for the rest of the week.
Halle had no problem with that. Neville had a special place in her heart already. Especially when it came to their Herbology lessons. They had those three times a week and it was clear that other than Hermione Granger, Neville was a pro at these lessons. Unfortunately it seemed to be his only one but Halle could not fault him, for she didn't even have a star lesson.
History of magic was far too boring. Astronomy which Lavender and Parvati excelled at on their first lesson was a little complicated. Transfiguration was insanely complex. Only Hermione Granger had managed to slightly transfigure her match stick. Charms was a decent lesson but much like most of the class it would take a while before she got to grips with proper wand movements and incantations.
Her first defence against the dark arts class was a bit of a joke which was unfortunate. The lesson was more so just talking about encounters that Professor Quirrell had and even then some of them didn't seem that believable.
By Friday Halle, Ronnie and Neville had managed to walk down to the great hall without getting lost. Ronnie was excited for her first potion lesson but she was nervous too.
"I hear that he's head of Slytherin and only favours his own house. Well I guess we'll find out. I hope that's not the case. I really want to do well in his class." Said Ronnie hopeful.
"I'd like to be able to do well in any class." Said Halle miserably.
"You do." Comforted Neville.
"No, you do Neville." Halle countered.
"Yeah well at least you're not behind everyone." Said Ronnie casually.
"Still." Sighed Halle.
She knew it was stupid to have high expectations so soon but she had made a promise to herself to be a great witch and she didn't want to fail that mission.
She would have thought more on that but suddenly, owls came flying into the great hall which had become a regular occurrence by now.
Hedwig had never beforehand come with mail but today was different. Hedwig had dropped a note onto her lap. She opened it. Hagrid had invited her round for tea. She replied yes quickly and sent Hedwig off feeling elated. Perhaps her week was getting better.
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