Chapter 2
The Howler
The next morning came quickly enough, the students finding themselves preparing for the start of the school year. As they ate breakfast in the Great Hall, the mail arrived accompanied by the screeches of those that carried the messages. A large gray owl dived across the Gryffindor table, a bright red envelope in his beak, before he collapsed into Hermione Granger's glass.
Vera stared at it for a second, before returning to her food. She had gotten enough Howlers in the past to know that they weren't to be messed with. She winced as Ron Weasely opened the envelope and the sounds of his mother's yells echoed throughout the hall.
Most of the hall remained silent when the yelling had stopped; though a few laughed. Vera could not even bring herself to smile; the Howler made her wonder if she would receive a red envelope soon.
Professor McGonagall soon moved down the Gryffindor table, handing out course schedules. Vera studied hers and managed a small smile: she had Transfiguration first.
"Looks like we'll be off to the same place," commented Wood from beside her, glancing at her schedule. "McGonagall is a strict teacher, but the class is okay. Unfortunately, it seems that we have the class with Slytherin. Nasty bunch, they are. Well, it's almost time for class, so we better get going."
Vera nodded and followed Wood out of the hall. She would have to make a point to try and meet some of the other students around Hogwarts; otherwise she would be following Wood around most of the time.
Vera was so lost in her thoughts as she followed the sixth year that she barely managed to stop in time, avoiding colliding into a stationary Wood. She looked up from the floor questioningly and met the gaze of a rather large boy, dressed in Slytherin robes.
"Who's this Wood?" he asked, a wolfish grin coming onto his face. "I'm Marcus Flint, Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch Team." He reached forward to brush a hand across Vera's face.
Vera slapped his hand away and glared at him. She didn't appreciate unwanted advances. "So sorry to have met you. I'm Vera Shields by the way, the new Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team."
Flint's smile faltered. "Chaser? Well, looks like your pretty little head isn't filled with fluff after all."
"And neither is my wand," she replied, her hand closing around her wand.
"Move along Flint," growled Wood, stepping in front of Vera. "We have class now."
"We all have class now," interrupted Professor McGonagall as she stepped into the hallway. "There is no trouble here, I presume?"
"Of course not Professor," answered Flint, a smile crossing his trollish face. "I was simply meeting the newest student here at Hogwarts." He smiled nastily at both Wood and Vera before ducking inside the classroom, Professor McGonagall following.
Wood sighed and turned around to face Vera. "It's better not to let Flint get the best of you. And if he really gets to you, let me know so I can deal with him. If anyone should get to hit him, it should be me."
Vera couldn't help but laugh at the look of seriousness on his face. They both walked into the class as the bell rang and took a seat near the front. Professor McGonagall stood at the head of the class and looked around at the group of Gryffindors and Slytherins, nodded at Vera, and began her lesson.
When the class ended and only half of the students had managed to change their shoes into rabbits, they spilled out into the hallways. "Where did you learn to do that?" asked Wood in surprise. "You were able to transfigure those shoes right away!"
Vera blushed slightly and shrugged. "My aunt taught me a lot about Transfiguration. I guess it just comes naturally."
"If you're as good at Quidditch as you are at magic, we might be in trouble." Both Wood and Vera stopped walking and turned to see the smirking Flint. "That's assuming that you can play, of course."
Vera opened her mouth to reply, but Wood interfered. "What do you want Flint? Scared about your first match with us are you?"
Flint smirked. "Looking forward to it actually. Especially with the surprises we have in store. Anyway, I'm off to Potions. Bye Wood." He shoved past Wood and lightly brushed his hand over Vera's jet-black hair as he passed before either could do anything.
Wood was near shaking with rage. "Oh, I can't wait till our match with them. He'll get it."
"He better," replied Vera, glancing over her shoulder at him. "He'll get it from me, if he touches me like that one more time."
Wood suddenly grinned. "Just make sure I'm around to watch!" Vera laughed as they started off to their next class.
~*~*~*~
At the end of the day, Vera walked into the Gryffindor common room and promptly sat down on one of the couches. Her day wasn't all that bad, though she had more homework than she would like to admit. Pulling open her book for Transfiguration, she began to read.
Wood sat down next to Vera, grinning. "I hardly think you need to read up on that subject."
Vera smiled from behind her book. Wood had helped her through the day, making sure she knew where she was going and the such. Most weren't so nice to her when she first arrived at a school, they were too wary of the transfer student. Here though, here it was quite different.
"It never hurts to make sure I know what I'm doing. You could stand to read up on it though; I noticed that your rabbit still had shoelaces for whiskers."
Wood shrugged. "Okay, so maybe I'm not perfect. Besides, you weren't entirely awake during Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Who wouldn't fall asleep, with that idiot Gilderoy Lockhart teaching?" Vera asked exasperated, closing her book. "He knows nothing except what are proper fall colors or what robes would look good for a photo shoot. I would much rather learn about how to perform a defense barrier or something useful, something that might actually save my life in the future."
Wood smiled. "Well, what a lovely first day it has been. The weekend will be here soon, just try to stay awake until then." Vera hit him playfully on the shoulder before picking her book back up and starting to read.
~*~*~*~
The next morning found them eating breakfast silently. Vera had one of Lockhart's books open in front of her, finishing up the assigned reading of Voyages with Vampires. She sighed and turned the page before eating some of the eggs on her plate.
Wood glanced over at her, quite used to having Vera next to him though he had only known her a few days. "Trying to catch up are we?"
Vera glared at him. "Reading ahead actually. At least if I do fall asleep in class, I won't miss anything."
Wood smirked and looked up at the owls that had started to fly about the hall. He caught a small bundle from his parents and set about reading the letter before he looked over at Vera again and stopped.
Vera was absolutely ridged; her ice blue eyes wide and frightened. In front of her, was a bright red envelope. The thing that caught him off guard was the fact that Vera didn't look slightly scared as most students who received Howlers, she looked absolutely terrified.
Without a second glance, Vera grabbed the envelope and ran out of the hall, the students looking after her curiously. It was a few seconds after the door had closed behind her that an explosion sounded in the hall. Most students smirked at the knowledge that someone had failed to open a Howler right away; but their smiles faded as the words came to them.
"YOU'RE GONE, VERA!" Every voice ceased to speak at those words, spoken with such malice and anger, that no one could mistake for a simple angry parent. Professor McGonagall stood up and strode out of the hall, an anxious expression on her face. No one moved or spoke as the Howler continued on its tirade, the words becoming fainter as Vera moved away.
"I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE, VERA! YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN BE KEPT FROM ME? YOU THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET TO YOU? HOGWARTS WAS THE FIRST PLACE THAT I WOULD LOOK AND NOW THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING ME!"
A door slammed and now all that could be heard was an indistinct yelling. The students looked at each other silently, unsure of what to do. Wood stared at the door as conversation resumed around him. The look of terror on Vera's face echoed through his mind. He would have to ask her later who would send her a Howler with such a message.
~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, there's the first two chapters to my story. Please, leave a review so that I can have some feedback! Thanks to everyone that is reading, and I'll try and update soon with the next chapter: Classes. Thanks again! ~ Alexandra
The Howler
The next morning came quickly enough, the students finding themselves preparing for the start of the school year. As they ate breakfast in the Great Hall, the mail arrived accompanied by the screeches of those that carried the messages. A large gray owl dived across the Gryffindor table, a bright red envelope in his beak, before he collapsed into Hermione Granger's glass.
Vera stared at it for a second, before returning to her food. She had gotten enough Howlers in the past to know that they weren't to be messed with. She winced as Ron Weasely opened the envelope and the sounds of his mother's yells echoed throughout the hall.
Most of the hall remained silent when the yelling had stopped; though a few laughed. Vera could not even bring herself to smile; the Howler made her wonder if she would receive a red envelope soon.
Professor McGonagall soon moved down the Gryffindor table, handing out course schedules. Vera studied hers and managed a small smile: she had Transfiguration first.
"Looks like we'll be off to the same place," commented Wood from beside her, glancing at her schedule. "McGonagall is a strict teacher, but the class is okay. Unfortunately, it seems that we have the class with Slytherin. Nasty bunch, they are. Well, it's almost time for class, so we better get going."
Vera nodded and followed Wood out of the hall. She would have to make a point to try and meet some of the other students around Hogwarts; otherwise she would be following Wood around most of the time.
Vera was so lost in her thoughts as she followed the sixth year that she barely managed to stop in time, avoiding colliding into a stationary Wood. She looked up from the floor questioningly and met the gaze of a rather large boy, dressed in Slytherin robes.
"Who's this Wood?" he asked, a wolfish grin coming onto his face. "I'm Marcus Flint, Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch Team." He reached forward to brush a hand across Vera's face.
Vera slapped his hand away and glared at him. She didn't appreciate unwanted advances. "So sorry to have met you. I'm Vera Shields by the way, the new Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team."
Flint's smile faltered. "Chaser? Well, looks like your pretty little head isn't filled with fluff after all."
"And neither is my wand," she replied, her hand closing around her wand.
"Move along Flint," growled Wood, stepping in front of Vera. "We have class now."
"We all have class now," interrupted Professor McGonagall as she stepped into the hallway. "There is no trouble here, I presume?"
"Of course not Professor," answered Flint, a smile crossing his trollish face. "I was simply meeting the newest student here at Hogwarts." He smiled nastily at both Wood and Vera before ducking inside the classroom, Professor McGonagall following.
Wood sighed and turned around to face Vera. "It's better not to let Flint get the best of you. And if he really gets to you, let me know so I can deal with him. If anyone should get to hit him, it should be me."
Vera couldn't help but laugh at the look of seriousness on his face. They both walked into the class as the bell rang and took a seat near the front. Professor McGonagall stood at the head of the class and looked around at the group of Gryffindors and Slytherins, nodded at Vera, and began her lesson.
When the class ended and only half of the students had managed to change their shoes into rabbits, they spilled out into the hallways. "Where did you learn to do that?" asked Wood in surprise. "You were able to transfigure those shoes right away!"
Vera blushed slightly and shrugged. "My aunt taught me a lot about Transfiguration. I guess it just comes naturally."
"If you're as good at Quidditch as you are at magic, we might be in trouble." Both Wood and Vera stopped walking and turned to see the smirking Flint. "That's assuming that you can play, of course."
Vera opened her mouth to reply, but Wood interfered. "What do you want Flint? Scared about your first match with us are you?"
Flint smirked. "Looking forward to it actually. Especially with the surprises we have in store. Anyway, I'm off to Potions. Bye Wood." He shoved past Wood and lightly brushed his hand over Vera's jet-black hair as he passed before either could do anything.
Wood was near shaking with rage. "Oh, I can't wait till our match with them. He'll get it."
"He better," replied Vera, glancing over her shoulder at him. "He'll get it from me, if he touches me like that one more time."
Wood suddenly grinned. "Just make sure I'm around to watch!" Vera laughed as they started off to their next class.
~*~*~*~
At the end of the day, Vera walked into the Gryffindor common room and promptly sat down on one of the couches. Her day wasn't all that bad, though she had more homework than she would like to admit. Pulling open her book for Transfiguration, she began to read.
Wood sat down next to Vera, grinning. "I hardly think you need to read up on that subject."
Vera smiled from behind her book. Wood had helped her through the day, making sure she knew where she was going and the such. Most weren't so nice to her when she first arrived at a school, they were too wary of the transfer student. Here though, here it was quite different.
"It never hurts to make sure I know what I'm doing. You could stand to read up on it though; I noticed that your rabbit still had shoelaces for whiskers."
Wood shrugged. "Okay, so maybe I'm not perfect. Besides, you weren't entirely awake during Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Who wouldn't fall asleep, with that idiot Gilderoy Lockhart teaching?" Vera asked exasperated, closing her book. "He knows nothing except what are proper fall colors or what robes would look good for a photo shoot. I would much rather learn about how to perform a defense barrier or something useful, something that might actually save my life in the future."
Wood smiled. "Well, what a lovely first day it has been. The weekend will be here soon, just try to stay awake until then." Vera hit him playfully on the shoulder before picking her book back up and starting to read.
~*~*~*~
The next morning found them eating breakfast silently. Vera had one of Lockhart's books open in front of her, finishing up the assigned reading of Voyages with Vampires. She sighed and turned the page before eating some of the eggs on her plate.
Wood glanced over at her, quite used to having Vera next to him though he had only known her a few days. "Trying to catch up are we?"
Vera glared at him. "Reading ahead actually. At least if I do fall asleep in class, I won't miss anything."
Wood smirked and looked up at the owls that had started to fly about the hall. He caught a small bundle from his parents and set about reading the letter before he looked over at Vera again and stopped.
Vera was absolutely ridged; her ice blue eyes wide and frightened. In front of her, was a bright red envelope. The thing that caught him off guard was the fact that Vera didn't look slightly scared as most students who received Howlers, she looked absolutely terrified.
Without a second glance, Vera grabbed the envelope and ran out of the hall, the students looking after her curiously. It was a few seconds after the door had closed behind her that an explosion sounded in the hall. Most students smirked at the knowledge that someone had failed to open a Howler right away; but their smiles faded as the words came to them.
"YOU'RE GONE, VERA!" Every voice ceased to speak at those words, spoken with such malice and anger, that no one could mistake for a simple angry parent. Professor McGonagall stood up and strode out of the hall, an anxious expression on her face. No one moved or spoke as the Howler continued on its tirade, the words becoming fainter as Vera moved away.
"I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE, VERA! YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN BE KEPT FROM ME? YOU THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET TO YOU? HOGWARTS WAS THE FIRST PLACE THAT I WOULD LOOK AND NOW THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING ME!"
A door slammed and now all that could be heard was an indistinct yelling. The students looked at each other silently, unsure of what to do. Wood stared at the door as conversation resumed around him. The look of terror on Vera's face echoed through his mind. He would have to ask her later who would send her a Howler with such a message.
~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, there's the first two chapters to my story. Please, leave a review so that I can have some feedback! Thanks to everyone that is reading, and I'll try and update soon with the next chapter: Classes. Thanks again! ~ Alexandra