A/N.
Hey guys, I know that the last chapter was very short, but this one should be a little better. Please review! It's the only way that I know if someone's read this.
I'm sorry for the delay in updating this, I went on holiday, then I had writer's block, and I've been ill. But I've finally done it!
Thanks
Ice
-X-
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Catalina added the finishing touches to her makeup. She sat back, and surveyed her work in the mirror. "Not bad" she said critically, "could be a lot better, but it'll do for today." She brushed her long blonde hair, carefully singling out the silver locks, and plaiting them together. Standing up, she brushed herself down. "Well, time to go, I just hope that I haven't forgotten anything." She picked up her suitcases, glad that she was staying in a hotel close to the station. "C'mon Thel" she called to her eagle, who flew to her shoulder. "It's time to face the music."
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Hermione watched the girl standing across from her with interest, admiring her silver and blonde hair.
"I wonder who she is."
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Catalina stood on platform 9, looking a little bewildered. 'Okaaay, there's platform 9, and there's platform 10. So where the hell is platform 9 3/4 ?' she looked around or anyone likely to be attending Hogwarts. 'I know that Dumbledore is renowned for his sense of humour, but he wouldn't go this far, would he?' Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed a girl standing near the barrier dividing platforms 9 and 10. She had a trolley full of luggage, some with Hogwarts crests on them. She took a deep breath and walked over.
"Excuse me"
"Yes?"
"I'm looking for Platform 9 3/4, you wouldn't know where it is, would you? Only I was supposed to meet a guide here, but she hasn't turned up yet" Catalina babbled nervously. Hermione's eyes lit up in recognition,
"I think you've found her" she smiled. "Are you Catalina?"
The blonde smiled cheerfully,
"Yeah, that's me! And you are Herm . . .Herim . ." she paused for a moment. "I don't mean to be rude, but how exactly do you say your name?" Hermione grinned at her. "It's Her - my - oh - knee". Catalina repeated it after her.
"Hermione. Oh, riiiight, I get it now!" she held out her hand. "Catalina Williams at your service." Hermione took the proffered hand, smiling at the lively blonde, but then she looked puzzled.
"Weren't there supposed to be more of you?" Catalina looked a little uncomfortable.
"Well, yeah" she started slowly, "Only they couldn't come." She thought back to the last time she had seen her friends, Hope was badly burned, Kalista had broken her arm, Charisma and Jasmine were slowly recovering from the werewolves' attack.
"Why not?"
"Erm . ." Catalina thought around frantically for an excuse. "They've . . they've got measles. They're still in quarantine. I had it when I was younger, so I'm ok. Anyway," she changed the subject quickly. "How do you get onto this platform?"
"Oh, that's easy! You just walk straight through the barrier."
"Really? Freaky! Back at home, we just draw a portal! Anyway, here goes" Catalina said, pushing her trolley towards the barrier, she sped up a little, but jerked forward as her trolley hit something solid. "Oops, wrong barrier" she said, cheerfully, not looking even the slightest bit fazed. She picked up the wreckage of her trolley, ignoring the stares that passer-bys were giving her, and after checking that the covered cage was undamaged, she carried everything through he other barrier, to platform 9 3/4. Hermione just stood there, staring after her, looking gob smacked.
"Well, I've certainly never seen it done like that before" said a scathing voice from behind her. She turned.
"Oh, piss off Malfoy" she said sharply, before following the blonde.
"Suit yourself mudblood" he pushed roughly past her.
"WHO was THAT?" Catalina asked, staring after the Slytherin.
"Oh, just Draco Malfoy, one of the Slytherins."
"Really? He's a cutie!"
At this, Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"You think MALFOY is CUTE? Wait a minute, are we looking at the same guy here?"
"Yeah, he is cute!! Well . . . in a terrifyingly evil sort of way" Catalina replied, winking at her as they made their way through the crowded platform to the Hogwarts Express.
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Catalina lifted her luggage into the carriage, ignoring the protesting squeaks from the covered cage as she manhandled it.
"Shut up you fussy bird" she muttered. "Want a hand with that Herm?" she took the case from Hermione's hands, lifting it in easily.
"Wow, you're pretty strong" Hermione said, watching the girl lift the heavy suitcases in amazement. "I usually need Ron or Harry's help with these."
"Oh, it's nothing, I've been shopping with Charisma, and believe me, when she goes shopping, she goes SHOPPING!" she laughed. "So, who are Harry and Ron?"
"Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, my two best friends. They should be here soon."
"You mean the famous Harry Potter?" Catalina gasped.
"The one and only" came a friendly male voice from behind her.
Catalina squealed, and turned around, ready to give the voice a piece of her mind. When she turned, her light blue eyes met a pair of startling green ones.
"Oh, the famous Mr Potter" she said quietly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. But would you please be so kind as to NOT sneak up on me again?" she shouted the last part at him. "Do you know how many people have been disembowelled after sneaking up on me?"
Harry stood, dumbfounded, unused to being berated by attractive, blonde, teenage girls. A burst of laughter came from behind Harry.
"Well, that told you mate" said a red headed boy, pushing past Harry, dragging his suitcase with one hand, and the other held out. "Ron Weasley"
"Catalina Williams, a pleasure to meet you." She shook his hand, smiling.
Hermione stepped forward.
"Boys, this is Catalina, one of the exchange students Dumbledore mentioned. Now how about we find an empty compartment before Draco does?" Harry nodded in agreement, and pulling his luggage behind him, they headed for the nearest empty compartment.
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"Anything off the trolley dears?" A plump witch put her head around the compartment door. Harry and Hermione disappeared, and returned a few minutes later, with armfuls of sweets.
"Dig in" he said, emptying them on the table. Catalina's eyes lit up when she saw the sweets spread across the table.
"Ooh, are those for us? Thank you!" she squealed, before grabbing a handful of chocolate frogs. "I love these!" Harry, Hermione and Ron stared astonishment as she wolfed down the chocolate.
"You carry on eating like that, and you're going to sink Hagrid's boats" came a drawling voice from the door. Catalina looked up in surprise, and started choking. Ron started banging her back while she was coughing, while Draco, Crabbe and Goyle watched in amusement. When she finally recovered, she looked up and glared at Malfoy. Then, she pulled out her wand, pointed it at a half eaten frog, and muttered something under her breath. The frog took a gigantic leap, and landed on Draco's face. He stumbled backwards in surprise, clawing at the frog on his face, that wouldn't let go. Crabbe and Goyle stood, staring, not sure of what to do. "Stop standing there like idiots and help get this thing off me!" he cried. Catalina fell back on the seat, laughing hysterically while Draco scrabbled at his face. "Get it off me!" Catalina held up her wand to his face, but was laughing too much to say the counter spell. She motioned for Harry and Ron to help her stand up, then, calming down, she held out her wand, and in between giggles, said
"Wedi marw." The frog dropped from his face onto the floor. Putting one foot on it, and grinding it into the floor, Malfoy looked furious.
"Just you wait Williams…"
"I'm telling Daddy" Catalina snorted, and the other three burst out laughing,
"Sounds just like him" Harry chuckled.
"Malfoy's a Daddy's boy!" chortled Ron. Malfoy held out his wand, with a face like thunder.
"Oh no you don't" Hermione muttered "Digitus parali." Malfoy clutched at his wand arm, which had gone limp.
"What have you done, mudblood?"
"Oh, just a simple little spell, it'll wear off in an hour. And unfortunately, I seem to have forgotten the counter-curse."
"Just you wait. I'll get you all. C'mon" he muttered to Crabbe and Goyle, then walked out. After he left, Catalina collapsed in hysterics again, hanging on to Harry.
"That was brilliant Herm!" she laughed, "Did you see his face when you paralysed his arm!" she sank to the seat, laughing uncontrollably.
Hermione glanced at her watch, "We'd better change into our robes, we'll be there soon." Catalina stood up, and turned to the boys.
"You two, out!"
Harry and Ron looked a little confused. "You heard me! Out! I want to change." She grabbed them by their collars, and threw them out of the compartment. Using her wand to lock the door behind them, she sat down. Hermione looked at her,
"You mean you're going to change your whole outfit?"
"Nope, only put my robes on over, but you've got to keep them on their feet" she said, pulling out her robes and winking at Hermione, then she burst out laughing. Her face changed when she looked at the robes she pulled out. "Oh crap, I forgot to pack my black robes. What am I going to do?"
Hermione looked over. "Why don't you transfigure them? I could do it for you"
Catalina looked horrified.
"NO FREAKIN' WAY! These are my favourite robes! No way in hell is anyone touching them! I'll go in blue! But no way is anyone going to touch these!"
Hermione stepped back, raising her hands defensively.
"Ok, ok, I'm sorry! Don't worry about it, I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will understand. We can always get some from Hogsmeade." Catalina brightened up at this.
"Ooh, we get to go shopping! I can't wait! Many clothes shops there?" She babbled on about shopping while Hermione stared at her in disbelief. 'Is this girl real?' she wondered, staring at her and nodding occasionally. 'I wonder what the Sorting Hat will make of her . . . . ."
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