MY CHRISTMAS LIST

REALITY BITES; Chapter 2

by Author By Night and Ginny :)

I have to say, Author By Night wrote most of this chapter, since my life has been invariably busy recently. So, this chapter is mainly her fault! J/ K.

Anyway... we own Clarisse. That's it. Louise Rennison owns Georgia and Co., and J. K Rowling owns Harry and his friends. OK? Good! ^_^

Well, read, review, and have a great Guy Fawkes Night!

Ginny :) _________________________________________________________________________

SEPTERMBER 04

7 PM

My first day was not so fab.
The train ride was okay, I guess. I sat in the compartment with Gary (or Harry. Whatever), but then this girl with bushy brown hair came in. I stared at her, and she stared at me, so I went boss-eye back. I knew her. Worse luck; it was Hermione Granger.
She said in this really icy voice "Georgia Nicholson?" I nodded.

Well, it was true, technically, although sometimes I have doubts about weather I could really be related to my parents, or weather they were zapped down from another planet, and adopted me just to look normal [hahahahaa. Normal? Mutti and vatti? Yeah, right]...
"Herm-ee-one Granger?" Help me, Herm-ee-one-kenobi! You're my only hope! I added under my breath.
"It's Her-my-oh-nee." The girl snapped. "What are you doing? I didn't know you came here."
"I'm new. They didn't realise I was a witch until an, umm... incident. Or something."
Hermione nodded. "Oh, really? What did you do this time?"
Behind her, Harry gave me a sympathetic glance. I made a mental note to ask him how he deals with this girl. After all, I was being perfectly nice, and she gets all rude. Really!

I suddenly thought of something. "Wait, er... why are you guys here? I thought I was coming two days early..." I said to Harry or Gary or Larry.

"Oh, I'm a prefect, and--"

"Typical!"

Hermione ignored me "--And Harry has to come for, er...." she looked hesitant. I wondered what that could mean. Perhaps it was a Soap Opera thing;

You know, this maniac is after this boy, so the person hides with this girl, but the girl ends up to be the daughter of the pschycomaniac, and so they run away against her fathers wishes, and he ends up killing the daughter, and the boy kills the man. (a/n: Sounds like some fanfics I've read)
Harry looked a bit awkward. I looked at his head. "You never told me why you got that cut on your head. What happened? Did you run into a french window?"

I have a friend who did that. She had eleven stitches and some weird drugs to have, which made everyone really hyper.

Hermione glared. "Shut up!" She snapped. "It's none of your business, anyway! And for your information, it wasn't glass, it was Voldemort!"

"Voldemort? What kind of name..?" it sounded like some sort of anti-wart cream.

"Never mind." Hermione hissed. "Can you just shut up?"

"Why don't I just leave?" I snapped back. "Oh, and Hermione, I wasn't talking to you in the first place." I then left, and walked into an empty compartment. Now I know why Jas seems such good company; because Hermione 'perfect' Granger could make even Wet Lyndsay look like a promising compainion! Urgh...

Soon, an Asian girl with jet black hair walked in. The first thing I noticed was her make up. Painting by numbers! And if I was going to wear that much eyeliner, I'd try not to look like Henry The Happy Panda.

"Is this compartment saved?" Harry The Happy Panda asked. I shook my head.
"Nope! At least not that I know of. I just got here, so I could be completely wrong."

The girl laughed. "Good. So, are you a prefect as well?"

I shook my head. "A prefect, yeah, right! It's a long story, but I'm going to be a 5th year."

The girl smiled. "Cool. Did I introduce myself? I'm Cho. Cho Chang."

"I'm Georgia Nicholson."

Cho nodded. "So, are you from a Wizarding family?" She asked.

I shook my head. "Nope. Well, at least not that I know of. Heaven knows what secrets have been kept from me.. I sometimes think I was switched at birth. Or my parents are aliens who adopted me. Or something..."

Cho laughed. "I feel the same way a lot. It's just so annoying. And what's with my parent's obsession with Garden Gnomes? If we don't go near them, they won't come out of the holes. It's that simple."

"You have real gnomes?" And to think my parents got narked about my damaging one that wasn't even alive, for goodness sake! "We used to have a fake one- that is, untill I broke it. God, were my parents unreasonable about that!"

Cho raised her eyebrows. "Should I ask?"

"Long story." I said. I thought for a minute... there was other stuff to talk about in life other then Garden Gnomes, surely? Fascinating as they are..

"So, what are Houses?" I asked "I never understood it, but everyone's asking me what one I wanna be in. Well, I know what Houses are, but it seems there's a difference here. At my old school, you just got put in one and that was that, except when they forced you to get all matey with your other House-members to get points and win sports and crap."

"We don't do it quite like that here," Cho goes "There's a difference. Well, not really... You still get points and all, but.. it's different. You share rooms with the girls in your House- well, the girls in your year in your House. Also, it's supposed to go by characterisation. You see, a hat chooses you."

My jaw dropped. "A HAT?!!" Yeah, right! She HAD to be pulling my leg! "How-?"

Cho shrugged. "It just does. That's Hogwarts for you. I guess it is pretty strange... Anyway, basically, this hat decides on your House by who you are.

The Slytherins have a horrible reputation- a lot of Dark Wizards- you know, evil types- come from there, or came from there.
Gryffindor is supposed to be where the brave people are from, but a lot of them are just plain stupid and will run into anything that looks promisingly dangerous."
"Like french windows." I was thinking of that Harry kid.
Cho gave me a Look, but carried on. "Ravenclaw is my House. It's supposed to be for the smart. I guess. And Hufflepuff... well..." Cho trailed off.

"What about Hufflepuff?" I asked. Was it even worse than Slytherin? Bet I get put there. Fab.... not. None of these Houses sounded my thing.

Cho sighed. "Sorry, I just... nothing. Hufflepuff supposed to be where the kids who are either loyal or simply don't fit anywhere else go. Its said to be full of losers, but... my boyfriend came from there... Do you want a Chocalate Frog?"

"A Chocalate Frog? What, like that Monty Python Sketch with John Cleese, and the other bloke, Wossname? 'Ziz eez a crunchy dried frog and--'"

"They're only sweets, don't worry." Cho laughed, and handed one. "Try it."

I popped one in my mouth. It was really good. "Mmmm! Better than,erm, Muggle Chocolate." I hoped I'd got that right. Although I probably hadn't...
Weather I did or not, Cho didn't bat an eyelid.
I thought of that Harry kid again, for some reason. Curiosity, probably.

"Hey, do you know a kid named Harry? Hermione Granger's mate? I wanted to ask you something."

Cho nodded. "I've seen him. What do you want to ask?"

"What's wrong with his forehead? It has this red thing on it that looks like red lightning. A scar, only scars, they're white, usually. And lightening isn't red... When I asked, though, Hermione got really mean. Maybe he drew it on with a felt- tip?"

Cho laughed, and then looked horrified, like Mutti did when I told her about the Garden Gnome.

"You ASKED him? Oh boy..!"

"Yeah, and I asked if he'd ran into a French window. Because my friend did that and she got a scaron her forehead. Hermione just said something about some guy who sounds like a make of blemish cream-- Mort?"

Cho put her head in her hand. "Oh... Georgia... it's a long story."

"Tell me anyway."

"Basically, this evil Wizard, Voldemort, came back into power.." and Cho started telling me about how this guy had killed people with one curse, and had killed Harry's parents- but Harry'd survived, with a scar.

This Voldie person couldn't be all he was cracked up to be, if he was destroyed by some kid... but all the same...

"Oh boy, he must hate me. And he was kinda cute, too!" I said. Drat!

Cho shook her head. "Don't worry. People who know the story have said much worse things."

The rest of the ride was okay. I talked to Cho, and she promised to show me around. "But I would go to Dumbledore the second I get there. "Apparently, this school place is huge. Bigger then my old one. On the plus side, this means I can make up excuses about being lost and be late for bad lessons, and, I don't have to wear a stupid beret.

When we got there, Cho, Harry, Hermione and I all went in this Carriage to the school. Angus chose that moment to jump on her cat. Well, her horrible orange thing was flicking its tail. Of course Angus was going to feel those catty feelings and pounce on it!

Hermione screamed. "GET YOUR CAT OFF OF CROOKSHANKS!" Whoa, stress!

"Chill out!" I said. "And anyway, you should shut up, you're the one who told me not to freak out about mice."

Hermione looked furious. "Whatever. That was in year four at Primary school."

With that, she picked up Crookshanks, and would not look at me the rest of the way, so I definitely escaped something there. It's 100 times better then having her glaring at me.

"What's her problem?" I whispered to Cho.

Cho shrugged "I have no idea. She used to be worse, though. Or at least that's what my friend's sister says."

The rest of the night was boring. I always knew I hated school assemblies!

I spent the entire time playing mini-cricket with my peas and knife, something only an assembly could drive me to. We weren't allowed to eat until after the headmaster had finished speaking, which is downright stupid.

Dumbledore, the headmaster, said I would be sorted with the first years.

Untill then, Cho offered that I share her room, as she was the only prefect in that year. (I privately wondered why, if Ravenclaw is supposed to be so brainy.)

8 PM

I hope I'm in Ravenclaw with Cho. That would be cool. But I'm not that clever. I don't want to be either, really. She's a bit too much of a clever-dick for my liking, sometimes.

11 PM
I cannot fall asleep. Hogwarts is fascinating. Why couldn't my old school be like this??? Then I wouldn't have wasted so much time staring into outerspace there, and could have been more mentally alert. Well, actually...

11;20PM

Cho's asleep; Or at least trying to get to sleep. But I'm not tired; Too excited. I've been keeping her awake by talking to much, she says. I thought about singing instead, but I supposed I should try and keep on friendly terms with her for awhile, and decided against it.

I wonder how the others are. Jas is probably on the phone with Tom, her beloved boyfriend. Rosie... who knows? Asleep, or chatting on the internet, or something. Ellen is probably at some party somewhere.
My little sister Libby is probably asleep, dreaming about missing her terrific sister.

Not.

11;30PM

I bet Libby's dreaming about Angus.

Typical.

September 05

3 PM

Just went through a basic tour through Hogwarts. I'll never find anything! Maybe that's not such a bad thing... hehehe.

3:30 PM

That Hermione Granger needs to relax! I was in the library, 'working' (it seemed like a peaceful place) on homework (I was forced to. Cho was at a practice for some wizarding game or other, and if I hadn't kept myself busy, I would be dead by now.)

Anyway, Hermione yelled at me for not using more than one piece of paper. Only, they call it parchment.

When I mentioned my teacher for that subject (Professor Snape, grease money extrodinaire) had not asked for that, she just scoffed and was like "they always want more. That's why I'm a Prefect."

I said "Well, I have a life." She just left, looking hurt.

Serves her right.

3:32 PM

I wonder how Robbie is...

3:33 PM

I am very bored.

3:35

Where has Cho got to?

3;40

I get sorted tomorrow. Should be interesting... watch me get into Hufflepuff. Huh.

SEPTEMBER 05

11:55 AM

Cho and I were talking about potential houses. She says I seem like a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff.

"But if Hufflepuff is for the weird kids-" So maybe I should fit in! Yeah, right.

Cho shook her head. "They just have that reputation. Besides, you seem like a Gryffindor anyway. Maybe a Ravenclaw, but I very much doubt it."

"Why? Am I not smart?" I asked. I know that I'm not, but I wasn't going to let Missie Goody Two Shoes Cho get away with admitting that to my face!

"No! no... you just seem very.... not Ravenclaw. I'm surprised I got into this House. Everyone's fanatic about work and stuff. I DO homework, but..."

I shrugged. "I hardly ever do mine."

Cho laughed. "Well, with Professor Snape, you might want to. He'd take 50 points from your House if you didn't." Why does everyone care so much about points? Especially Cho. She really into this being Patriotic To Your House thing.

"I'd just learn a charm on how to make him fly out of the room." I pointed out.

Cho laughed but shook her head. (She does that a lot, I noticed. Doesn't she get dizzy?). "We can't do that kind of magic. The only way you could do that is the Imperius Curse, and that'll send you to Azkaban- the Wizard Prison."

Wizards have a prison?

Cool!

2;30PM

Well, great. Cho has sodded off somewhere again. Something to do with her "duties as a Prefect."

It sucks having a friend whose always busy. And too clever for her own good.

8 PM

I'm in Gryffindor. It happened like this. First, the hat started singing. [And this was without any of my parents' herbal tea!]The song basically went something like this:

About a Thousand years ago
A day before today
Four people came into this Castle
They all somehow had the time
So there was not hassle.
Those with exceptional brains were Ravenclaw,
Striving far and wide,
The bravest were in Gryffindor,
Who always would survive.
The Hufflepuffs, sweet, fair and loyal,
The Slytherins, smart with toil.
So try me on, you're in great hands,
Though I do have none.
Hopefully in your house
You'll learn a lot and get a lot done.

I couldn't help snorting at the last part. Very unrealistic. How weird can you get? I received a few looks, but I shrugged them off.

After they all were sorted (the first years, that is), I had to go up. I was introduced, and I saw Ron staring at me in this weird expression. Basically brain-dead. Or at least that's how it looked. I then saw Hermione nudge him, looking angry.

".. okay. Georgia, please sit down to be sorted."

I stared. "Do I have to put that thing on my head? I don't know if I can, I have my hair up. It'll mess it up."

The lady glared. "Take it down then!" There was no arguing with that tone of voice... and I thought that Miss Stamp was bad!

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, fine..." I took my hair down, and sat on the stool.

"Just sort me and get this over with." I murmured.
My my, aren't you touchy.

I thought I was hearing things. The words just... wandered into my brian, so I wasn't technically hearing things, but still!
Nope, I can talk. No one can hear, though. Now, lets see... Slytherin... hmm... you're snotty enough...

"I am not!" I thought. The hat seemed to chuckle.
But no, Slytherin is a Pureblood house. You'd get beaten up. Ravenclaw? You don't really have the brains. Hufflepuff is a possibility.. but then, you are not loyal. Or hard- working, if it comes to that. Now, bravery....

"Just stop dissing me, and sort me already!" I said aloud. I saw everybody stare at me.
It seems you have potential. You'll do well in... "GRYFFINDOR!"

Fab. At least it wasn't Hufflepuff.

The woman took the hat off of me. "Go where everyone is clapping."

I looked over. There was a table where some people were clapping, all dressed in red and black and gold; All the same, it seemed most people there were staring or whispering. I wondered why.

Hermione and her friends were at the table, but I avoided them. They were all right in their own way, but they're pretty annoying.

Ron gawked at me all flipping night. I tried to ignore him. He's not bad, but really, one hundered per cent not my type. Besides, it seemed that if I merely looked at him, Hermione would get vicious. God, she needs to get her priorities sorted out and fast!

I talked to this girl named Ginny, a 'friend' of Hermione's [yeah, right] and Ron's little sister. She's not so bad, despite being younger then me. Anyone would be an improvement on Miss Brainbox 'Mione, who was very involved in a conversation with the Harry and Ron. probably talking about The Elements And Their Place In The Development Of Wizardry, or something just as fascinating.

Ginny's in 4th year. Too bad, really; She'd be a cool roommate.

12 AM

I met this girl in the Common Room. Her names Clarisse Smithinson. She seems groovy, although her makeup looks like Painting-By-Numbers.

"So, how do you like Hogwarts so far?" she goes.

"Pretty cool. Although some of the Slytherins are even worse then the Bummer Twins, back from my school. And that's really suspicious, because I didn't think it was possible! And Hermione Granger... talk about a fab room-mate. She's such a laugh." Sarcasm, sarcasm...

Clarisse rolled her eyes. "Hermione? Ugh. Well... She's really not that bad; Just slightly.. er... too smart for her own good sometimes."

"All the time!"

"Once you get to know her, she's not--"

"I have known her. Worse luck. She was in my year 4 class. But I figured she wouldn't still be so... so... know it all. And I wasn't half wrong!"

"Hi Clarisse!" I saw Hermione, of all people, pass by.

Clarisse gasped. "Hermione! Oh, I mean, uh hi. I heard you made Prefect; Congratulations!"

Hermione smiled. "Thanks." She saw Clarisses's face. "Is something wrong? You look upset or something. Maybe you should go to Madame Pomfrey..."

"Oh, its fine Hermione. I'm just tired."

Hermione said. "Oh." and left. I stared.

"She is getting weirder." Clarisse laughed.

"Yeah, tell me about it!" said a new voice. I saw Ginny again.

"Oh, hi Gin."

Ginny sat. "So, you know Herm'?"

I nodded. "Yeah... we were in the same class together one year."

Ginny smiled. "So you know how she can get.. she's actually my friend, or so I'm lead to believe. I don't recall having any choice in the matter," she paused, grinning like a grinning person with a special thing to grin about, "She's all right, really though! Fine if you make friends with her... All the same... I don't know..." she looked all serious again. Boy does she change fast!

"What is it?" I asked.

"They've been really secretive about stuff- she and her friends, one of them being my brother, Ron. Like, they were in Ron's room this summer, talking, and I walked in, and I heard them say something about "Snuffles." When I asked who he was, Ron said "Nothing, Ginny. Go away and play with your friends, okay?" And Hermione was just all worried looking."

"She always looks worried!" pointed out Clarisse, "About homework, exams, that Potter boy, weather or not 100, 000 piece of parchment will be enough for her Transfiguration essay..."

"That's a bit mean!" Ginny protested, "She just...needs a confidence boost, and gets it from doing well."

I shrugged. "She's always been like that. I wouldn't worry. Probably nothing."

Ginny relaxed. "You're right. I hope."

"I am always right!"

"Sure you are, Georgia. And I'm Guy Fawkes!"
"Well hi there, Bonfire Guy!

I wonder if they really are hiding something? On the other hand, who cares?

This place is SO BRILL!

September 8

1:00 pm

I had two classes today, Defence Against The Dark Arts and Potions. The potions master is very ugly. You could have cut bread with his nose, I swear it, officer! He also has all the personality of a dead starfish.

I got lost, and strode in 5 minutes late.
He was not happy. "Where were you, girl?"

How jerkful is that?

"I got lost, which isn't a hard thing to do in this place." I snapped.

The stupid old geezer looked horrified. "20 points from Gryffindor!" He said sternly. "Sit down or it will be another 20!"

I was about to say 'Oh the horror! Not taking off points! How will I live with myself?!' but the rest of the Gryffindors started scowling at me and muttering, so I decided against it.

I shrugged. "Okay, fine." And sat down next to this boy, who looked at me in amazement. He was sort of fat, I noticed. I whispered to the kid when the teacher wasn't looking "What IS that bloke's problem?"

The boy whispered back, "Professor Snape hates Gryffindors. Takes points off of me all the time."

"Professor?" I whispered back. I was so used to saying 'Miss' or 'Sir'.

That is, to their faces.

The boy nodded. I shrugged. Snape started droning on about Potions and all.

I decided to be funny. To do something. Everyone was so serious. I raised my hand. "Mr.- I
mean, Professor Snape?"

Professor Snape looked at me. "Yes?" He said icily.

"Can you tell us how to do Love Potions?" Half the class laughed, the other half stared at me. I saw Hermione glaring. The boy I was sitting next to tittered slightly.

Snape looked furious. "Ten points from Gryffindor for your cheek! Now, let's get back to work.." and started droning on again. Very boring. Such is life, such is life.

Defence was a bit better. When we walked in, I saw this man standing at a desk. He looked like he hadn't changed clothes in years. The rest of the class seemed to know him. They all said things like"You're back?" And "Professor Lupin?"

Professor Lupin smiled. "Sit down, I will explain."

He said something about not being able to make the feast, due to difficulties, and decided to surprise everyone. I didn't see what was so surprising about it, but I supposed it didn't matter. He just waffled on like that, and I decided to sit there like a lemon.

Lupin looked at us. "Okay," he said. "We will be learning more advanced magic this year, as... I'm afraid Lord Voldemort has returned." I noticed people grimaced at the name, and I stared. Wasn't he the guy who'd tried to kill that Harry Potter kid?

Lupin continued, "I am back for various reasons. This year, we will be learning about several curses. I was notified that last year, you were taught the Unforgivables. We will go over them." I raised my hand.

"What are they, Sir?"

Lupin sighed. "I was hoping I would not have to show you. And I do not want to demonstrate, so I will explain.." and he explained about these curses, that apparently could take over you, and one that killed you. Cheerful stuff!

When he explained that one (It was Avada Kedvra or something) I noticed he had a haunted look, and he seemed to stop abruptly. "Now," he said, "I want to explain to you about what is going on. The Ministry has confirmed the return of you-know-who."

"Can't you just say the name?" I asked.

A silence filled the room. I heard some whispers, and everyone was staring at me. Again! "I'm sorry!" I exclaimed. "Chill out, guys! Sheesh!"

Lupin shook his head. "I believe your name is Georgia Nicholson?"

"Yeah.." I said, almost nervously. Lupin said, "Okay, Georgia. I would like to see you after class.

Uh oh.

After class, I went to his desk, and said very sweetly, "You wanted to see me?"

Lupin nodded. "I believe you are new, and did not know of the Magic World. Is this correct?"

I nodded. "Heck, yeah. If I wasn't, I would've turned my friend into a toad by now." And not necessarily by accident, although I didn't add that out loud.

I noticed Lupin looked like he wanted to laugh, but remained stern. Really, people!

Lupin continued. "Well, you see.. Voldemort was a very powerful Wizard. He gave fear, and for some reason, speaking his name became, well... unspeakable. Few people say it, out of fear. I cannot explain why, but I think that it would be best if you would be more careful."

I shook my head. "He can't have been THAT bad, loads of people are still alive! They're all all right!"

Lupin frowned, and I knew that I'd said something wrong. "There are many definitions of 'alive', Georgia." He seemed to say in a whisper. I didn't get what he meant.
"What? I usually intend it to mean 'still breathing'-- " I started to say, but Professor Lupin waved his hand. "You are excused. Please leave now."

I left. What on Earth was all that about?!?!

1: 15 PM

Something's weird about him, that's for sure.

1: 16

Could he be on drugs?

1:17
You never know...

1; 20

On the plus side, he doesn't look like the back of a bus, unlike a certain other professor.

September 20th

5 PM

Lost this darned book yet again. I think Hermione's cat took it and hid it, personally. I swear it has more brains then Ron Weasley's older brothers do between them.

6PM

So far, here are people I've met:

Neville- kid I sat next to in Potions that one day. He's okay, but a bit wimpy- and moronic.

Hermione- Ugh. Weirdo! She is SUCH a flaming know-it-all.

Ron- I think he still has a crush on me. Well, whoop-di-doo. He's sorta cute, but... nah.

Harry- He's okay. Kind of nice, really. He stood up for me to Hermione one day- she was saying how I really should be politer to teachers, and Harry was like "Hermione, give her a break okay?" Ron was like "Yeah, who wants to be nice?' Then Hermione and Ron started arguing- they always do. They'll probably end up marrying. God do I pity Ron. I should date him just to save him from that fate... but I won't.

Ginny- She's sweet. Kinda quiet, though. And she likes Hermione, for some inexplicable reason.

Lavendar- Ugh. Worse than Wet Lindsay.

Parvati- Hangs out with Lavendar. Giggles a lot about... well, everything.

Clarisse- a saner person, also in my year. She's pretty cool.

Cho- Cool enough. Don't see her much though, she always keeps herself busy. She seems a bit... morbid sometimes.

Draco Malfoy- I always see him, and these three other kids- a girl (Pansy or something), and two guys, Crabbe and Goyle I think. Draco is an obnoxious brat, really; Always calling Hermione and I "mudbloods." Pity he's cute. Pansy's just obsessed with Draco, and is always insulting Hermione. Crabbe and Goyle are just idiots. I don't think they know how to talk, besides grunts yet.
7:05Pm
I've given them nicknames:
Draco- Malfoy the Maniac (MtM)
Pansy- The Pathetic Pug (TPP)
Hermione- Brainbox
Lavendar- Dopey Lavendar

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