"Alex, wake up! Come on, get up." I open my eyes groggily and see
someone standing over me. I shriek.
"It's just me," Hermione laughs. "I know, I'm not the prettiest thing to see in the morning, but you've got to wake up."
"Ungh.wanna go to sleep." I mutter.
"It's time for breakfast."
"It'll be cold anyway." I say as a reflex, and then realize I've said too much. Hermione doesn't seem to notice, thank god.
"Harry and Ron are waiting." Hermione says. "We've get to get going."
My eyes open fully. Ron. Harry. I remember the issues from yesterday, but I want to go down and see them so much. "Why did Harry wait?"
"I don't know. He always waits with Ron." Hermione says. "Hurry and get up, please?"
"I'm up. Sorry." I say. So Harry doesn't want to wait because of me. Its just habit. I walk over to my trunk and take out a jean skirt, a silver tank top, and my black Hogwarts robes. I get dressed hurriedly and brush out my hair. Then I slip into my Steve Maddens, put on some cover-up and lip-gloss on, and walk downstairs. All in 2 minutes. Impressive, eh?
"Hey Alex!" Ron says, greeting me as I walk down the stairs.
"Ungh." I grunt, as greeting.
"She's not a morning person," Hermione laughs.
"I'm okay after the first 15 minutes or so." I say, and look around sleepily for Harry. I notice him sitting on the couch, eyes fixed on Ron and me with an irritated look. I can tell this is NOT going to be a good day.
"Hey Lexy!" Two twins come up to me and one of them pats me on the shoulder.
"Lexy?" I ask skeptically.
"Yup. Your new nickname." The other one grins.
"Fred, George, leave Alex alone." Ron says.
"But she doesn't even know us yet, Ron! She might not think we're as horrible as you do." The first one says. Ron grumbles and he reaches out his hand. "I'm George."
"And I'm Fred." The other one says.
"I'm Alexia. Alex.or Lexy, I guess.for short."
"We know." George says. "Want to watch Quidditch practise this afternoon?"
"Quidditch practise? But isn't that only for the team?" I ask, confused.
"We're looking for a new Chaser and a new Keeper. Oliver Wood and Katie Bell left the team.Oliver graduated and Katie was under too much stress with N.E.W.T.s and stuff." Fred says seriously. He doesn't look like the serious type to me.
"She'd have to ask Spinnet, first." Harry says. "You can't just elect her; she actually has to try out."
"And I'm not too good." I say carefully.
"Alex, you should try out anyway." Ron smiles and I gain a little confidence.
"Sure, I'll try out." I smile. "Where's this Spinnet?"
"What about me?" An attractive girl with walks in through the portrait.
"Lexy here is trying out for the team!" Fred grins.
"Lexy, is it?" Spinnet cocks her eyebrow.
"Alex, Alexia, Lexy."
"Lex." Spinnet grins. "Lex sounds fun. I'm Alicia Spinnet, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain."
"Is making nicknames for you a new game?" Hermione laughs.
"Looks like it." I grin.
"Do you have free time in your schedule today?" Alicia asks me.
"Yeah, I suppose so.I don't have real classes yet."
"Then would 11:15 at the Quidditch pitch work for you?" She questions.
"Sure, I have a meeting with McGonagall to see what I know at 9ish, but it should be over by 11." I say.
"Great!" Alicia smiles. "See you then."
"Has anyone else noticed that we need to get to breakfast?" Harry says, irritated.
"Yup. Time for breakfast." I grin. Harry looks even more irritated and walks down the hall to breakfast. Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and I shrug and follow him to a huge hall. I look up and see the sky.it's raining, but for some reason none of us are getting wet.
"It's enchanted to look like outside. It's not, really." Hermione smiled.
"Oh." I say, smiling. "That explains a lot."
"So," Fred says, "Have you ever played Quidditch?"
"Sure I have." I grin. "I like it. I'm just not great at it."
"Been on a team?" George asks.
"Nope, never tried out." I say, trying to hide my nervousness about the tryout today.
"Who's your favorite team?"
"My brother-step-brother-used to play on England, so I guess they'd be my favorite team."
"Wow. A brother on England and you don't think you're any good?" Ron's eyes get wide.
"He taught me how to play, but I feel like I'm not any good."
"You play Chaser, right?" Harry says as we sit down.
"Chaser, Beater, and Keeper." I take a sausage and some toast from a platter in front of me. "Everything but Seeker, I'm not coordinated enough."
"Harry's in luck then, he won't get kicked off." Ron grins. Harry gives Ron a smug little smile and resumes his eating. I sigh.
"Miss Alexia Starre?" A strict-looking woman asks me.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" I say, fighting back the urge to crack a joke in her presence.
"I am Professor McGonagall. I will see you in my office now." She demands. I finish my last bite of toast and say my goodbyes to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"You went to Pearlwand before this." McGonagall says, more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, I did."
"Any siblings that have gone to Hogwarts?"
"I'm the first one." I grin.
"We'll have to check your skill level and knowledge. We have to see what Year you'll be in."
"What year."
"Harry, Hermione, and Ronald are in their 5th Year." She answers, and I wonder if she can read minds. She doesn't seem the Divination type. "What Year would you be in at Pearlwand?"
"My fifth, also."
"Then we'll try you out on some fifth-year material. Please take out your wand."
I produce my 10-inch willow and unicorn-hair wand from my robes and show it to McGonagall. "I didn't jinx it or anything, it won't blow up."
She actually smiles a little, and I'm surprised. Smiles look rare, but good, on her tight face. "That's always good. What would you like to start with?"
"I'm best at Charms, Hexes, and Transfiguration." I tell her honestly. I wonder to myself what she teaches.
"I'm afraid we don't have a Hexes course at Hogwarts. Perhaps you'd like to try a little Transfiguration first?"
"Sure, why not." I say. She produces a needle from behind her back and tells me to turn it into a twig. I do, quickly. She seems happy at this and gives me a tortoise to turn into a coffee table. I do as I'm told and she seems very impressed. When is she going to give me something difficult to do?
"You have just done fourth-year work. Would you like to try higher?"
"That's fourth-year?" I ask her, astonished.
"Yes, it is."
"I learned that spell two years ago!"
"I take it you'd like to try higher?"
"Yes."
"Try to turn me into a dictionary. Its dangerous work, have you done it?"
"Once or twice." I say, nervous. "What if you get splinched?"
"I am the Transfigurations professor. I do believe I will be able to change myself back."
"If you say so." I re-grip my wand and mutter a quick prayer. I start on the words and begin to see Professor McGonagall changing. A few minutes later, I change her back and congratulate myself.
"Very well done, Miss Starre. I believe you have earned a sixth-year Transfiguration course."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Don't thank me; thank yourself for working so hard. Now, shall we try Potions?"
McGonagall and I work on my courses until 10:56. "Professor, are we done? I have to go." I tell her.
"What is possibly more important than your courses?" She asks me.
"Um.well.I have to try out for Quidditch. Alicia Spinnet told me to meet her at 11:15."
"Oh yes, Bell and Wood left the team. Well then, you'd better go. I do want us to win the Quidditch Cup this year."
"We?" I ask.
"As well as the Transfigurations professor, I'm the Head of Gryffindor House." She says.
"Good to know. Before I go, Professor, what levels are my other courses? You never told me."
"5th Year Potions, 6th Year Charms, 5th Year Arithmancy, 5th Year Defence Against the Dark Arts, and 5th Year Runes."
"That would make me."
"A Hogwarts Fifth Year student. I'll give you your schedule tomorrow, unless you think you can take a class this afternoon, in which case I'll bring it to you at lunch." I nod, wanting to get to classes as soon as possible and she smiles again. "You may even be more advanced than Miss Granger at some topics. Now, hurry to the Quidditch field. Hopefully we'll have a new Chaser.or Keeper.by the end of the day."
"Thank you! Goodbye, Professor." I grab my wand and head downstairs. Suddenly, I'm hit with a familiar realization. I'm lost in the halls of Hogwarts.
"Alex?" I hear Harry and cringe. This won't be a pleasant meeting.
"Yes, it's me, the amazing Alex: the girl with the power of getting lost." I laugh.
"I know the feeling. We've all been new, and Hogwarts isn't exactly an easy school to find your way in. In fact, I got lost last week."
"Oh, wonderful. Five years from now, I'll still be lost."
"Look, I'm sorry about this morning. I was a jerk. I was worse than Malfoy."
"Oh, come on. He could be worse." I say absentmindedly. Harry gives me a strange look and I blush. "I mean."
"He tried to.to.and you.you fancy him!" Harry stutters.
"I do not fancy Draco Malfoy." Bugger him. Bugger Harry, bugger Malfoy, and bugger every bloody boy in Hogwarts.
"'Oh, come on. He could be worse.'" Harry mocks me, and I become angry. "I saved you!"
"You saved me from what?" I snap.
"He tried to rape you!"
"I could have handled it. He apologized to me, at any rate, and I have no reason to think he isn't sincere."
"You don't know Malfoy." Harry growls. "He'll try to take advantage of you. And you couldn't have handled it, you called me!"
"Sod off. I could have." I argue, even if he has a point.
"I come here to apologize and you bitch me out. I can't believe Ron fancies you."
"And you can't believe you did, too."
"I never fancied you." Harry sneers.
"You didn't hate me."
"So? I still didn't fancy you, you have no proof I did."
"You flirted with me and you tried to snog me."
"And that means I fancied you? You're hypocritical if you say that."
"No I'm not. Whose to say I didn't fancy you when we met?"
"Fine, look. Let's just have a truce."
"Friends?"
"Friends."
I smile. "Can you help me to the Quidditch field?"
"Ah, yes, you and getting lost."
"Sod off. Just because we're friends doesn't mean I tolerate mocking. I need to get to the pitch, so if you're not going to help me there, goodbye. I'll get lost.or find someone willing to help poor little me."
"I'll help you," Ron walks up to us. "Hi, Harry."
Harry mumbles something under his breath and I suppress a giggle. "Hey, baby." I tell Ron, kissing him on the cheek. "Come to watch me try out?"
"Of course. I'll escort you, fine lady." Ron grins and holds out his arm. I take it, and Harry makes a sound like he just got hit. "See you, Harry."
"Bye, Harry. Ron and I will see you later." I smile sweetly and walk off with Ron.
Harry mutters 'Not if I can help it' behind our backs, but Ron seems not to hear. We walk in silence a little while.
"How long were you standing there?" I ask quietly.
"Long enough."
"How long is long enough?"
"Enough to hear Harry being a jerk."
"Ah."
"He tried to snog you? Why didn't you snog him?"
"I have my reasons. Maybe I didn't fancy him."
"You did, it was obvious."
"I'm really sorry, Ron."
"It's okay. I don't mind.unless you still?"
"No, I'm all yours now. I don't care one bit for Harry Potter."
**************************************************************************** ***************** Aren't you proud? It's longer! I'd keep writing, but I have to do a book report, a France log, and a 20-page Algebra packet before school starts. Which happens to be in about 5 days. I have to get my ass in gear.I'm hoping to finish the packet and the report before I leave in three days. Then I'll call one of my French-exchange friends and we'll do the log. If I had access to the internet right now, which I don't, I would copy down each and every one of my reviewers names and thank you all personally. You guys don't know how much you mean to me, I love you all. I also just want to take some time to thank Shana (Tempest Princess) who has always been a little bit of a beta-reader for me; Helena and Emma (SatanicGnomes) who have reviewed and cheered me on when I didn't have the spirit to write; Emmy for everything.Allie, Sara, Lizzi.I love you all. XOXO, SilverLining
P.S. - I'm brainstorming a new penname. If anyone has suggestions, put them in a review. Thankies!
"It's just me," Hermione laughs. "I know, I'm not the prettiest thing to see in the morning, but you've got to wake up."
"Ungh.wanna go to sleep." I mutter.
"It's time for breakfast."
"It'll be cold anyway." I say as a reflex, and then realize I've said too much. Hermione doesn't seem to notice, thank god.
"Harry and Ron are waiting." Hermione says. "We've get to get going."
My eyes open fully. Ron. Harry. I remember the issues from yesterday, but I want to go down and see them so much. "Why did Harry wait?"
"I don't know. He always waits with Ron." Hermione says. "Hurry and get up, please?"
"I'm up. Sorry." I say. So Harry doesn't want to wait because of me. Its just habit. I walk over to my trunk and take out a jean skirt, a silver tank top, and my black Hogwarts robes. I get dressed hurriedly and brush out my hair. Then I slip into my Steve Maddens, put on some cover-up and lip-gloss on, and walk downstairs. All in 2 minutes. Impressive, eh?
"Hey Alex!" Ron says, greeting me as I walk down the stairs.
"Ungh." I grunt, as greeting.
"She's not a morning person," Hermione laughs.
"I'm okay after the first 15 minutes or so." I say, and look around sleepily for Harry. I notice him sitting on the couch, eyes fixed on Ron and me with an irritated look. I can tell this is NOT going to be a good day.
"Hey Lexy!" Two twins come up to me and one of them pats me on the shoulder.
"Lexy?" I ask skeptically.
"Yup. Your new nickname." The other one grins.
"Fred, George, leave Alex alone." Ron says.
"But she doesn't even know us yet, Ron! She might not think we're as horrible as you do." The first one says. Ron grumbles and he reaches out his hand. "I'm George."
"And I'm Fred." The other one says.
"I'm Alexia. Alex.or Lexy, I guess.for short."
"We know." George says. "Want to watch Quidditch practise this afternoon?"
"Quidditch practise? But isn't that only for the team?" I ask, confused.
"We're looking for a new Chaser and a new Keeper. Oliver Wood and Katie Bell left the team.Oliver graduated and Katie was under too much stress with N.E.W.T.s and stuff." Fred says seriously. He doesn't look like the serious type to me.
"She'd have to ask Spinnet, first." Harry says. "You can't just elect her; she actually has to try out."
"And I'm not too good." I say carefully.
"Alex, you should try out anyway." Ron smiles and I gain a little confidence.
"Sure, I'll try out." I smile. "Where's this Spinnet?"
"What about me?" An attractive girl with walks in through the portrait.
"Lexy here is trying out for the team!" Fred grins.
"Lexy, is it?" Spinnet cocks her eyebrow.
"Alex, Alexia, Lexy."
"Lex." Spinnet grins. "Lex sounds fun. I'm Alicia Spinnet, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain."
"Is making nicknames for you a new game?" Hermione laughs.
"Looks like it." I grin.
"Do you have free time in your schedule today?" Alicia asks me.
"Yeah, I suppose so.I don't have real classes yet."
"Then would 11:15 at the Quidditch pitch work for you?" She questions.
"Sure, I have a meeting with McGonagall to see what I know at 9ish, but it should be over by 11." I say.
"Great!" Alicia smiles. "See you then."
"Has anyone else noticed that we need to get to breakfast?" Harry says, irritated.
"Yup. Time for breakfast." I grin. Harry looks even more irritated and walks down the hall to breakfast. Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and I shrug and follow him to a huge hall. I look up and see the sky.it's raining, but for some reason none of us are getting wet.
"It's enchanted to look like outside. It's not, really." Hermione smiled.
"Oh." I say, smiling. "That explains a lot."
"So," Fred says, "Have you ever played Quidditch?"
"Sure I have." I grin. "I like it. I'm just not great at it."
"Been on a team?" George asks.
"Nope, never tried out." I say, trying to hide my nervousness about the tryout today.
"Who's your favorite team?"
"My brother-step-brother-used to play on England, so I guess they'd be my favorite team."
"Wow. A brother on England and you don't think you're any good?" Ron's eyes get wide.
"He taught me how to play, but I feel like I'm not any good."
"You play Chaser, right?" Harry says as we sit down.
"Chaser, Beater, and Keeper." I take a sausage and some toast from a platter in front of me. "Everything but Seeker, I'm not coordinated enough."
"Harry's in luck then, he won't get kicked off." Ron grins. Harry gives Ron a smug little smile and resumes his eating. I sigh.
"Miss Alexia Starre?" A strict-looking woman asks me.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" I say, fighting back the urge to crack a joke in her presence.
"I am Professor McGonagall. I will see you in my office now." She demands. I finish my last bite of toast and say my goodbyes to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"You went to Pearlwand before this." McGonagall says, more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, I did."
"Any siblings that have gone to Hogwarts?"
"I'm the first one." I grin.
"We'll have to check your skill level and knowledge. We have to see what Year you'll be in."
"What year."
"Harry, Hermione, and Ronald are in their 5th Year." She answers, and I wonder if she can read minds. She doesn't seem the Divination type. "What Year would you be in at Pearlwand?"
"My fifth, also."
"Then we'll try you out on some fifth-year material. Please take out your wand."
I produce my 10-inch willow and unicorn-hair wand from my robes and show it to McGonagall. "I didn't jinx it or anything, it won't blow up."
She actually smiles a little, and I'm surprised. Smiles look rare, but good, on her tight face. "That's always good. What would you like to start with?"
"I'm best at Charms, Hexes, and Transfiguration." I tell her honestly. I wonder to myself what she teaches.
"I'm afraid we don't have a Hexes course at Hogwarts. Perhaps you'd like to try a little Transfiguration first?"
"Sure, why not." I say. She produces a needle from behind her back and tells me to turn it into a twig. I do, quickly. She seems happy at this and gives me a tortoise to turn into a coffee table. I do as I'm told and she seems very impressed. When is she going to give me something difficult to do?
"You have just done fourth-year work. Would you like to try higher?"
"That's fourth-year?" I ask her, astonished.
"Yes, it is."
"I learned that spell two years ago!"
"I take it you'd like to try higher?"
"Yes."
"Try to turn me into a dictionary. Its dangerous work, have you done it?"
"Once or twice." I say, nervous. "What if you get splinched?"
"I am the Transfigurations professor. I do believe I will be able to change myself back."
"If you say so." I re-grip my wand and mutter a quick prayer. I start on the words and begin to see Professor McGonagall changing. A few minutes later, I change her back and congratulate myself.
"Very well done, Miss Starre. I believe you have earned a sixth-year Transfiguration course."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Don't thank me; thank yourself for working so hard. Now, shall we try Potions?"
McGonagall and I work on my courses until 10:56. "Professor, are we done? I have to go." I tell her.
"What is possibly more important than your courses?" She asks me.
"Um.well.I have to try out for Quidditch. Alicia Spinnet told me to meet her at 11:15."
"Oh yes, Bell and Wood left the team. Well then, you'd better go. I do want us to win the Quidditch Cup this year."
"We?" I ask.
"As well as the Transfigurations professor, I'm the Head of Gryffindor House." She says.
"Good to know. Before I go, Professor, what levels are my other courses? You never told me."
"5th Year Potions, 6th Year Charms, 5th Year Arithmancy, 5th Year Defence Against the Dark Arts, and 5th Year Runes."
"That would make me."
"A Hogwarts Fifth Year student. I'll give you your schedule tomorrow, unless you think you can take a class this afternoon, in which case I'll bring it to you at lunch." I nod, wanting to get to classes as soon as possible and she smiles again. "You may even be more advanced than Miss Granger at some topics. Now, hurry to the Quidditch field. Hopefully we'll have a new Chaser.or Keeper.by the end of the day."
"Thank you! Goodbye, Professor." I grab my wand and head downstairs. Suddenly, I'm hit with a familiar realization. I'm lost in the halls of Hogwarts.
"Alex?" I hear Harry and cringe. This won't be a pleasant meeting.
"Yes, it's me, the amazing Alex: the girl with the power of getting lost." I laugh.
"I know the feeling. We've all been new, and Hogwarts isn't exactly an easy school to find your way in. In fact, I got lost last week."
"Oh, wonderful. Five years from now, I'll still be lost."
"Look, I'm sorry about this morning. I was a jerk. I was worse than Malfoy."
"Oh, come on. He could be worse." I say absentmindedly. Harry gives me a strange look and I blush. "I mean."
"He tried to.to.and you.you fancy him!" Harry stutters.
"I do not fancy Draco Malfoy." Bugger him. Bugger Harry, bugger Malfoy, and bugger every bloody boy in Hogwarts.
"'Oh, come on. He could be worse.'" Harry mocks me, and I become angry. "I saved you!"
"You saved me from what?" I snap.
"He tried to rape you!"
"I could have handled it. He apologized to me, at any rate, and I have no reason to think he isn't sincere."
"You don't know Malfoy." Harry growls. "He'll try to take advantage of you. And you couldn't have handled it, you called me!"
"Sod off. I could have." I argue, even if he has a point.
"I come here to apologize and you bitch me out. I can't believe Ron fancies you."
"And you can't believe you did, too."
"I never fancied you." Harry sneers.
"You didn't hate me."
"So? I still didn't fancy you, you have no proof I did."
"You flirted with me and you tried to snog me."
"And that means I fancied you? You're hypocritical if you say that."
"No I'm not. Whose to say I didn't fancy you when we met?"
"Fine, look. Let's just have a truce."
"Friends?"
"Friends."
I smile. "Can you help me to the Quidditch field?"
"Ah, yes, you and getting lost."
"Sod off. Just because we're friends doesn't mean I tolerate mocking. I need to get to the pitch, so if you're not going to help me there, goodbye. I'll get lost.or find someone willing to help poor little me."
"I'll help you," Ron walks up to us. "Hi, Harry."
Harry mumbles something under his breath and I suppress a giggle. "Hey, baby." I tell Ron, kissing him on the cheek. "Come to watch me try out?"
"Of course. I'll escort you, fine lady." Ron grins and holds out his arm. I take it, and Harry makes a sound like he just got hit. "See you, Harry."
"Bye, Harry. Ron and I will see you later." I smile sweetly and walk off with Ron.
Harry mutters 'Not if I can help it' behind our backs, but Ron seems not to hear. We walk in silence a little while.
"How long were you standing there?" I ask quietly.
"Long enough."
"How long is long enough?"
"Enough to hear Harry being a jerk."
"Ah."
"He tried to snog you? Why didn't you snog him?"
"I have my reasons. Maybe I didn't fancy him."
"You did, it was obvious."
"I'm really sorry, Ron."
"It's okay. I don't mind.unless you still?"
"No, I'm all yours now. I don't care one bit for Harry Potter."
**************************************************************************** ***************** Aren't you proud? It's longer! I'd keep writing, but I have to do a book report, a France log, and a 20-page Algebra packet before school starts. Which happens to be in about 5 days. I have to get my ass in gear.I'm hoping to finish the packet and the report before I leave in three days. Then I'll call one of my French-exchange friends and we'll do the log. If I had access to the internet right now, which I don't, I would copy down each and every one of my reviewers names and thank you all personally. You guys don't know how much you mean to me, I love you all. I also just want to take some time to thank Shana (Tempest Princess) who has always been a little bit of a beta-reader for me; Helena and Emma (SatanicGnomes) who have reviewed and cheered me on when I didn't have the spirit to write; Emmy for everything.Allie, Sara, Lizzi.I love you all. XOXO, SilverLining
P.S. - I'm brainstorming a new penname. If anyone has suggestions, put them in a review. Thankies!