Chapter Four: The Meeting
It seemed that summer's was never going to end, and no one wanted it to. But as when you want things to last forever, time seems to speed up, and in no time at all it was the First of September. Mr. Weasley woke up everyone at dawn that morning, in hopes that they could get ready in four hours. The Burrow was in a state of chaos as people ran up and down the stairs attempting to get packed and ready to go. At one point, all packing ceased as a mad search was constructed for Crookshanks, Hermione's bow-legged feline. He was found out in the garden, chasing gnomes. By 10:30, everything was done and they were on their way, driving in cars Mr. Weasley borrowed from the Ministry. They knew they were cutting it close, having to get to King's Cross Station in less than a half an hour, but somehow the drivers knew some superb shortcuts and got them there in less than ten minutes.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their trolleys filled with their school supplies and casually walked through the barrier into Platform 9 and ¾, they noticed a group of students away from the hustle and bustle of the platform. Looking strangely out of place, wearing oddly styled robes and having dark tans, these students seemed apprehensive of what to do.
"Those must be the Americans!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Look kinda odd," noted Ron.
"Oh, don't be judgmental!" she snapped. "They're people just like everyone else. Let's go introduce ourselves."
As the trio walked towards them, one of the Americans turned and smiled and waved. "Hey! What's up?"
"Um, nothing," said Harry, surprised at the question. "You must be the exchange students."
"Oh what gave you that idea?" said the waving girl with a smile. "Pardon the sarcasm, but that's just who I am. Speaking of who I am, my name is Leonor Lawson, Leo for short," she held out her hand. Harry took it.
"I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"The Harry Potter?" Harry nodded and waited for the glance at the scar. It didn't happen. "Cool. Now I can tell the girls back home I met someone of importance." Harry smiled. He knew he'd get along with Leo very easily.
"Who are the rest of your friends?" Leo asked.
"I'm Hermione Granger," she said as she stepped forward to shake hands, "It so nice to meet you. I'm absolutely fascinated by your people's culture. I was in America for quite some time and."
"Hermione, shove it would you?" Ron interrupted. "You'll have to excuse her, she's too smart for her own good. I'm Ron, by the way, Ron Weasley. " Leo smiled, "Oh, no, it's expected. Besides, I'm totally interested in your guys' way of life too. Hermione, I'd love to exchange info about the US with you sometime, ok? That's why it is called an exchange program."
"Great!" Hermione crooned.
"Hey, Leo! How 'bout letting us have a word otherwise!"
"Sorry," she said sheepishly, "Ok, let me introduce you to the rest of the American Exchange: this is Teresa Jasmine Lawson, or Jazz, my sister. We're from Phoenixaen Academy of Witchcraft in Chicago. The tall girl over there is Elba Wilder and the only guy is Sid Gordon. They're both from Willowsby School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in New York City."
"We can speak for ourselves, thank you very much," Elba said coldly.
"Yes, who made you leader?" Sid inquired dryly.
"Well, sorrry! I didn't think you rays of sunshine knew how to talk, seeing as you haven't spoke a word since we got here!"
"Hmmph! Maybe we just didn't want to speak with you." Elba glared.
"Ok, you guys, breathe!" Jazz interrupted. "The train's about to leave. Let's continue this conversation on the train, shall we?"
"Oh, all right, voice of reason," Leo teased as the seven of them got onto Hogwarts Express.
*****
As they found a compartment together, the seven began to get to know each other. They soon found out that Sid and Elba weren't going to be part of the group, and sure enough, left minutes after sitting down to go find more "enjoyable company".
"Probably going to talk to Malfoy, no doubt," stated Ron, "Seems like his kind of people."
"Yeah, snooty, rich, self-centered, and stupid," agreed Harry.
"Boy, this Malfoy character sounds like a real ass," Jazz stated.
"The biggest one you'll ever come across," Harry told her. "Avoid him whenever possible."
Just then Fred and George came bursting into the compartment.
"Oi! So here's the Americans!" George exclaimed.
"In the flesh," smiled Leo.
"What's this all about, Ron, hiding away these lovely ladies from us?" George teased, bending down on one knee in front of Leo, and kissing her hand, "Oh madam, 'tis a great pleasure to be in your presence. I'm George Weasley, Esquire." "Oh, I do declare, I never thought I'd see the day when I'd meet such a coveted gentleman," Leo said with a false Southern accent and a straight face to boot, as the rest of the compartment was in tears laughing.
"Oh George, quit being such a prat," Fred pushed him out of the way. "I'm Fred Weasley. And your name?"
"I'm Leonor Lawson, Leo for short," she smiled at the twins. "Let me guess, you two are the top troublemakers at Hogwarts?"
"Howja know?"
"Woman's intuition."
"And who's the other lovely lady?" George asked turning towards Jazz, who blushed. "I'm Teresa Jasmine Lawson, Jazz for short."
"You two are sisters?" asked Fred.
"No, it's just a weird coincidence," Leo said sarcastically. "Yes, we're sisters. Why?"
"Well, if you don't mind me saying, you two look nothing alike." This was true. While Leo was tall with a light complexion, blonde hair and green eyes, Jazz was shorter and darker, with brown hair and brown eyes.
"Yeah, we get that a lot," Jazz commented.
"So, what year are you two in?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Sixth," said Leo.
"Fifth," said Jazz.
"Wicked! You're with us, Jazz!" exclaimed Ron.
"Oh, and I'm left in the dust now, am I?"
"Yep, guess so," said George. "Me and Freddie here are seventh years, big and bad upperclassmen."
"Ooo I'm shaking in my boots," Leo replied sarcastically with a smile. "So, do you guys play Quidditch over here?"
"Are you nuts? Of course we do! Gryffindors have had the top school team for four years running!" stated Harry.
"Gryffindors?" asked Leo.
"It's our house name," said Hermione. "There are three other houses: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Trust me, you don't want to be Sorted into Slytherin. All the evil witches and wizards are in that house."
"Plus you get ruddy Snape as your House Leader," put in Harry.
"So what House do we want?" asked Jazz.
"Our house of course!" stated George as if it was clear as day.
"That easy, huh?" said Leo.
"Well, the Sorting Hat does have to put you there, but you both seem Gryffindor worthy."
"That's a reassuring thought."
"Yeah, I thought so," George smiled, "Anyway, we best be off. Lee supposed to have some mutant lizard from his holiday in Africa. We have to check that out."
"Yeah, so tootles!" Fred waved as the twins left the compartment.
"You have some interesting brothers, Ron," Leo said.
"Yeah, and you saw them on their best behavior."
"Suspected so. Anyway, back to Quidditch. How's your house team for players?"
"Well, we're pretty much set," stated Harry. "But we are looking for a Keeper since Wood graduated two years ago."
"Awesome! That's what position I play!"
"Wicked! That is a stroke of luck. How good are you?"
"Oh, only the All-State Keeper five years in a row. But who's counting?"
"Great, I'll have to inform Madam Hooch about this. We have to get you on the team. If you're a Gryffindor, that is."
"Hey, you guys," Hermione interrupted, pointing at her watch. "We have only ten minutes before we get to Hogwarts. I think it's time to change into our robes."
"Ok, ok," said Harry and Ron, "We'll leave you three to your privacy. See you at Hogwarts."
"You can count on it."
It seemed that summer's was never going to end, and no one wanted it to. But as when you want things to last forever, time seems to speed up, and in no time at all it was the First of September. Mr. Weasley woke up everyone at dawn that morning, in hopes that they could get ready in four hours. The Burrow was in a state of chaos as people ran up and down the stairs attempting to get packed and ready to go. At one point, all packing ceased as a mad search was constructed for Crookshanks, Hermione's bow-legged feline. He was found out in the garden, chasing gnomes. By 10:30, everything was done and they were on their way, driving in cars Mr. Weasley borrowed from the Ministry. They knew they were cutting it close, having to get to King's Cross Station in less than a half an hour, but somehow the drivers knew some superb shortcuts and got them there in less than ten minutes.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their trolleys filled with their school supplies and casually walked through the barrier into Platform 9 and ¾, they noticed a group of students away from the hustle and bustle of the platform. Looking strangely out of place, wearing oddly styled robes and having dark tans, these students seemed apprehensive of what to do.
"Those must be the Americans!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Look kinda odd," noted Ron.
"Oh, don't be judgmental!" she snapped. "They're people just like everyone else. Let's go introduce ourselves."
As the trio walked towards them, one of the Americans turned and smiled and waved. "Hey! What's up?"
"Um, nothing," said Harry, surprised at the question. "You must be the exchange students."
"Oh what gave you that idea?" said the waving girl with a smile. "Pardon the sarcasm, but that's just who I am. Speaking of who I am, my name is Leonor Lawson, Leo for short," she held out her hand. Harry took it.
"I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"The Harry Potter?" Harry nodded and waited for the glance at the scar. It didn't happen. "Cool. Now I can tell the girls back home I met someone of importance." Harry smiled. He knew he'd get along with Leo very easily.
"Who are the rest of your friends?" Leo asked.
"I'm Hermione Granger," she said as she stepped forward to shake hands, "It so nice to meet you. I'm absolutely fascinated by your people's culture. I was in America for quite some time and."
"Hermione, shove it would you?" Ron interrupted. "You'll have to excuse her, she's too smart for her own good. I'm Ron, by the way, Ron Weasley. " Leo smiled, "Oh, no, it's expected. Besides, I'm totally interested in your guys' way of life too. Hermione, I'd love to exchange info about the US with you sometime, ok? That's why it is called an exchange program."
"Great!" Hermione crooned.
"Hey, Leo! How 'bout letting us have a word otherwise!"
"Sorry," she said sheepishly, "Ok, let me introduce you to the rest of the American Exchange: this is Teresa Jasmine Lawson, or Jazz, my sister. We're from Phoenixaen Academy of Witchcraft in Chicago. The tall girl over there is Elba Wilder and the only guy is Sid Gordon. They're both from Willowsby School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in New York City."
"We can speak for ourselves, thank you very much," Elba said coldly.
"Yes, who made you leader?" Sid inquired dryly.
"Well, sorrry! I didn't think you rays of sunshine knew how to talk, seeing as you haven't spoke a word since we got here!"
"Hmmph! Maybe we just didn't want to speak with you." Elba glared.
"Ok, you guys, breathe!" Jazz interrupted. "The train's about to leave. Let's continue this conversation on the train, shall we?"
"Oh, all right, voice of reason," Leo teased as the seven of them got onto Hogwarts Express.
*****
As they found a compartment together, the seven began to get to know each other. They soon found out that Sid and Elba weren't going to be part of the group, and sure enough, left minutes after sitting down to go find more "enjoyable company".
"Probably going to talk to Malfoy, no doubt," stated Ron, "Seems like his kind of people."
"Yeah, snooty, rich, self-centered, and stupid," agreed Harry.
"Boy, this Malfoy character sounds like a real ass," Jazz stated.
"The biggest one you'll ever come across," Harry told her. "Avoid him whenever possible."
Just then Fred and George came bursting into the compartment.
"Oi! So here's the Americans!" George exclaimed.
"In the flesh," smiled Leo.
"What's this all about, Ron, hiding away these lovely ladies from us?" George teased, bending down on one knee in front of Leo, and kissing her hand, "Oh madam, 'tis a great pleasure to be in your presence. I'm George Weasley, Esquire." "Oh, I do declare, I never thought I'd see the day when I'd meet such a coveted gentleman," Leo said with a false Southern accent and a straight face to boot, as the rest of the compartment was in tears laughing.
"Oh George, quit being such a prat," Fred pushed him out of the way. "I'm Fred Weasley. And your name?"
"I'm Leonor Lawson, Leo for short," she smiled at the twins. "Let me guess, you two are the top troublemakers at Hogwarts?"
"Howja know?"
"Woman's intuition."
"And who's the other lovely lady?" George asked turning towards Jazz, who blushed. "I'm Teresa Jasmine Lawson, Jazz for short."
"You two are sisters?" asked Fred.
"No, it's just a weird coincidence," Leo said sarcastically. "Yes, we're sisters. Why?"
"Well, if you don't mind me saying, you two look nothing alike." This was true. While Leo was tall with a light complexion, blonde hair and green eyes, Jazz was shorter and darker, with brown hair and brown eyes.
"Yeah, we get that a lot," Jazz commented.
"So, what year are you two in?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Sixth," said Leo.
"Fifth," said Jazz.
"Wicked! You're with us, Jazz!" exclaimed Ron.
"Oh, and I'm left in the dust now, am I?"
"Yep, guess so," said George. "Me and Freddie here are seventh years, big and bad upperclassmen."
"Ooo I'm shaking in my boots," Leo replied sarcastically with a smile. "So, do you guys play Quidditch over here?"
"Are you nuts? Of course we do! Gryffindors have had the top school team for four years running!" stated Harry.
"Gryffindors?" asked Leo.
"It's our house name," said Hermione. "There are three other houses: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Trust me, you don't want to be Sorted into Slytherin. All the evil witches and wizards are in that house."
"Plus you get ruddy Snape as your House Leader," put in Harry.
"So what House do we want?" asked Jazz.
"Our house of course!" stated George as if it was clear as day.
"That easy, huh?" said Leo.
"Well, the Sorting Hat does have to put you there, but you both seem Gryffindor worthy."
"That's a reassuring thought."
"Yeah, I thought so," George smiled, "Anyway, we best be off. Lee supposed to have some mutant lizard from his holiday in Africa. We have to check that out."
"Yeah, so tootles!" Fred waved as the twins left the compartment.
"You have some interesting brothers, Ron," Leo said.
"Yeah, and you saw them on their best behavior."
"Suspected so. Anyway, back to Quidditch. How's your house team for players?"
"Well, we're pretty much set," stated Harry. "But we are looking for a Keeper since Wood graduated two years ago."
"Awesome! That's what position I play!"
"Wicked! That is a stroke of luck. How good are you?"
"Oh, only the All-State Keeper five years in a row. But who's counting?"
"Great, I'll have to inform Madam Hooch about this. We have to get you on the team. If you're a Gryffindor, that is."
"Hey, you guys," Hermione interrupted, pointing at her watch. "We have only ten minutes before we get to Hogwarts. I think it's time to change into our robes."
"Ok, ok," said Harry and Ron, "We'll leave you three to your privacy. See you at Hogwarts."
"You can count on it."