Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the setting or background
facts. I do however own the main character girl. I really do own her. She
is like me in so many ways, and I own myself so HA! Take that J.K Rowling!
Author's Note: Second chapter here. I kind of cut it off at a strange place so be warned, it picks up oddly.
Rating: Ok, just to be safe PG-13. I have some scary themes like death, sexual harassment, cutting and more. Just another fun filled story :0)
Chapter two
He thrust is hand towards hers in a friendly gesture that she did not return immediately.
The witch knew that this was an invitation to introduce herself too but she just took his hand and said, "Nice to meet you." She was still slightly unsure of who to know...and who not to mess with.
Harry realized the girl was somewhat reluctant to make conversation, but he wasn't going to give up that easily. There was something about her that she kept secret. Her eyes held it. Pain, sorrow and longing mixed into two striking eyes. She intrigued him, but there was more to it - a lot more than he could ever wish to know.
Harry was about to relieve the slightly awkward silence when a voice resounded along the train saying that all students much find a compartment and get settled because the train will depart soon. The young witch had a feeling that this...this Harry was going to invite himself to sit with her. Before she could make up a lie about saving the seats for friends to assure her privacy, he had already pulled his trunks through the door. He arranged his things, setting his owl next to hers. Stravenshalo ruffled her feathers in disgust as Hedwig was placed next to her.
Before Harry could take another stab at conversation, two other students barged into HER compartment. One was a tall boy with flaming red hair, and the other a girl, not nearly as tall as the two boys, with slightly frizzy brown hair.
"Ron! Hermoine!" Harry greeted them.
"Hello Harry! How was your summer?" The girl Hermione asked.
"Absolutely traumatic as usual, and yourself?" He answered. They all laughed, but the girl wondered if it was really that funny?
The two new 'intruders' finally noticed the girl in the seat opposite Harry. "Oh. Sorry, didn't notice you there," the boy named Ron commented.
"Yeah, that's a first." She muttered to herself, sarcasm dripping off every word. Harry then said "I'm sorry...um this is Ron Weasley," he pointed to the redhead, "and this is Hermione Granger," he nodded to the brunette girl. The girl nodded in acknowledgement. "And," Harry paused, waiting for her answer. When she didn't respond, he tried to make conversation again. "You know, I never got your name."
She sighed, knowing that it would come to giving out her name sooner or later. She sighed in frustration at her own failure to delay the inevitable any longer and said "I'm Andrea, but my friends call me Andie for short."
Ron and Hermione finally pulled their trunks all the way into the compartment and got settled next to Andrea and Harry. Andrea had the feeling that they were there to stay.
Then, Hermione said, "So you're an American? I can tell by your accent."
"Oh...yeah," Andrea hesitated at making conversation.
"What part?" Hermione seemed truly interested.
"Washington DC, the capital of the US" Andrea explained as shortly as possible.
"Oh neat. What it is like?" Hermione leaned in as if it were fascinating to meet someone from a foreign country, and meant to absorb everything that Andrea had to say. Andrea backed up a little, feeling an invasion of her personal space.
"It's cool. I mean there is a lot of stuff to do." Andie always used this as an brief description of her home city.
"Like visiting monuments." It was more of a statement than a question, which, of course, came from Hermione. Ron and Harry just rolled their eyes at her assumption.
"Er, well yes, I suppose. I don't visit them that often because I live.lived there, but sometimes I go around DC to visit museums and stuff in the summer. There are things like concerts and festivals to go to. Sometimes radio stations will hold free concerts in the streets, which are really awesome." Andrea thought back to all the things she had done before. A small smile appeared on her face when she remembered how much fun she had had. "And you can take the Metro to Georgetown or Dupont Circle and just hang out and shop." When Andrea returned from her nostalgic daydream she noticed all three were staring at her. That was the most she had said since they met her, and the happiest she had looked. "Sorry," she mumbled in apology.
"No, no. It sounds like a marvelous place," Harry said encouraging her to speak more.
"It is," Andie started to go back to her one-sentence responses once again.
Then Stravenshalo cried out, disrupting the silence. He hated being in a cage too long.
Andrea turned to the caged bird and spoke to her pet, "Oh, I'm sorry baby. You know that I would prefer you on my shoulder rather than in some confined metal jail, but that's the way it has to be. This new place has a few more rules than what we are used to...but it might be good for us. I promise you that once the train gets started and we are on our way I will let you out." She stroked his beak gently.
"What's his name?" Harry asked, somewhat touched by the amount of affection she poured over her owl.
"Stravenshalo," Andrea replied still not looking up from her precious owl.
"That's a nice name. This is Hedwig," He pointed to his owl in the cage next to Stravenshalo - the cause of his irritation.
"And this is Pigwideon." Ron exclaimed proudly displaying a small owl flitting, around in it's smaller cage over excitedly.
Hermione then pulled a coat off what looked like an animal carrying case with fur sticking out of all the air holes. This made Andie slightly afraid of what Hermione had shoved in there. She opened the door to reveal a cat- like animal the size of a small golden retriever. "This is Crookshanks." Hermione pat the little beast, whose purr rumbled through the compartment. She closed his cage again.
"So, you're going into fifth year at Hogwarts?" Ron ventured.
"Yeah, I guess that's what you'd call it. At home we have a different school
system and grades, or years, as you call them, are grouped differently."
Ron didn't understand how their school system could be different but he didn't question her further, "Oh. Well, if you don't mind me asking, how come you were admitted this late? I mean, usually new student all come in first year. Didn't you get your letter when you were eleven?"
Andrea just turned her head. How was she supposed to tell this complete stranger about the conflicts in her life that she herself was trying to forget? "I had to transfer, to another school, far away from........." She stopped, not wanting to continue the thought. "Well, Hogwarts seems like a great school and very....safe." Andrea stumbled over her words. All three gave Andrea strange looks.
"Yeah, Hogwarts is a very safe school. There are harmful things in the world, but you can feel safe under Dumbledore's care.." Harry said, fighting the urge to say 'usually'. Harry related to Andrea's need for security at school. He had been through quite a few dangerous battles involving dark wizards - especially Voldemort. During Harry's tragic encounter with Voldemort that resulted in Cedric Diggory's death, Voldemort had become stronger. But, about as quickly as he had risen, he disappeared once again. No one had heard from or seen He-who-shall-not-be-named all summer. Everyone assumed that Voldemort was not as strong as he thought he was and he receded again into the shadows, as he had done for eleven years before his first run-in with Harry.
Ron and Hermione understood what Harry meant also. They both glanced around at each other momentarily. Andrea sensed that something else was going on that they all understood - but she didn't. She was thankful that the attention was pulled off her at last.
That relief was short lived. Hermione turned back to Andrea and asked her, "What was your old school like?" She was still interested in Andrea.
"Well, I didn't actually attend a school of magic. I went to a muggle private school that was near my home. But I attended magic classes after school and on weekends from the few local witches and wizards." Andrea explained.
They were a little surprised by her answer. Harry asked, "So you have never been to a real magic school before?" Andrea shook her head.
"And you've never been away from home for a school year before?" Hermione asked. Andrea shook her head again.
"Wow, wont you miss your mum a lot?" Ron sympathized for her. Andrea suddenly stiffened and her eyes gave off a sad and far away look. For a while she looked as though she would cry before she said quickly, "I always will." A single tear rolled down her cheek. Andrea quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand and stood up to leave. "Sorry," she apologized, "I'll be right back."
She was about to take a step when the door flew open and two big ugly boys stepped in and blocked her path to the door. Andrea stepped back against the wall to the side to avoid them. Behind them stood another boy. He stepped forward into the compartment. Andrea soon recognized him. He was the rude boy she ran into at the platform.
"Hello Potty, Weasel, mudblood." He nodded towards Harry, Ron and Hermione as he said each mock name.
"Malfoy," Ron growled.
"Oh don't I get a hug Weasel? Well I'd assume at least the mudblood would want one. I bet she'd love to get her hands on me," Malfoy sneered. Hermione glared at him with absolute hatred.
"Malfoy, get out," Harry snapped.
"No, I don't think I will Potter. I'm not quite finished catching up with my old friends." Draco mocked, sneering at them. Then he turned and stared at Andrea. "Now I don't believe we've met." He paused, "Wait, you're that mudblood who ran into me on the platform." Ron, Hermione and Harry all turned to see how she'd react to him.
"I am more pureblood than you could ever be asshole." Andrea said with a steady tone and a blank face. What the hell did he know about her?
"What in the hell is that supposed to mean?" Draco scowled. He hadn't expected her to stand up to him.
"Why don't you figure it out and get back to me, okay?" Andrea was prepared to get him off her back for good. Just throw them a few insults from time to time and they'll go away, they're stupid enough - or so she thought.
"Do you know who I am? I am a Malfoy." Draco often used his name as a source of power.
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Andrea couldn't care less if this guy was the reincarnated Jesus, he was a jerk. But before he could answer Andrea spoke again. She just wanted to end this encounter, "Listen, I'm sure you're from some upper-class yuppiefamily that is well known in the wizards community in England, but where I am from, Malfoy doesn't mean a thing and my family is the big name. I have tired of talking to you, I am leaving now."
Andrea went to walk past Draco and out the door but he stepped in front of her. He grabbed her arm forcefully and hissed, "Nobody talks to Draco Malfoy that way."
She winced at the pain in her arm, but recovered quickly enough to throw another hit, "Well somebody just did." He squeezed her arm tighter. She flinched but remained undaunted. Harry and Ron, who had been watching the whole time, jumped up to assist Andrea. Crab and Goyle stepped between them and where Andrea stood.
"Let her go Malfoy!" Harry half yelled.
Andrea didn't take her eyes off Draco's. She wanted to prove her authority.
"You could get yourself hurt by saying things like that to me." Draco warned. Andrea laughed uncontrollably. When she finally regained some of her composure, she managed to add a, "I'd like to see you try and hurt me," between her fits of giggles.
Suddenly Malfoy smiled, and pulled her closer so he could whisper to her causing her to stop laughing, "You've got a lot of attitude. Too bad you chose to side with these fools. I would have enjoyed having you on my team." Malfoy looked her up and down and smiled again. He still hadn't let go of her arm.
"I haven't chosen anyone's 'side'." Andrea defended her position
Draco smirked and said seductively, "Does that mean you're free territory?"
"Ugh," Andrea gave him a disgusted look. She struggled to free herself from his grasp. "Let go of me."
Draco dropped her arm, and with a final scowl she strode out of the compartment. She went straight to the lavatory, pushing the event that had just transpired to the back of her mind. As soon as she had locked the door, Andrea sank to the floor crying. "Oh God," she sobbed, "Mom, I'm sorry. It's my fault. It's my fault." As the tears flowed down her cheeks, memories came flooding back to Andrea.
::Flashback::
A.N. Hahaha, I told you, longer chapter. I never lie. Ok, now that in itself is a lie. But according to my English teacher, all teachers lie so shouldn't I be allowed to also? But this is another odd place to break the chapter, please bear with me.
Author's Note: Second chapter here. I kind of cut it off at a strange place so be warned, it picks up oddly.
Rating: Ok, just to be safe PG-13. I have some scary themes like death, sexual harassment, cutting and more. Just another fun filled story :0)
Chapter two
He thrust is hand towards hers in a friendly gesture that she did not return immediately.
The witch knew that this was an invitation to introduce herself too but she just took his hand and said, "Nice to meet you." She was still slightly unsure of who to know...and who not to mess with.
Harry realized the girl was somewhat reluctant to make conversation, but he wasn't going to give up that easily. There was something about her that she kept secret. Her eyes held it. Pain, sorrow and longing mixed into two striking eyes. She intrigued him, but there was more to it - a lot more than he could ever wish to know.
Harry was about to relieve the slightly awkward silence when a voice resounded along the train saying that all students much find a compartment and get settled because the train will depart soon. The young witch had a feeling that this...this Harry was going to invite himself to sit with her. Before she could make up a lie about saving the seats for friends to assure her privacy, he had already pulled his trunks through the door. He arranged his things, setting his owl next to hers. Stravenshalo ruffled her feathers in disgust as Hedwig was placed next to her.
Before Harry could take another stab at conversation, two other students barged into HER compartment. One was a tall boy with flaming red hair, and the other a girl, not nearly as tall as the two boys, with slightly frizzy brown hair.
"Ron! Hermoine!" Harry greeted them.
"Hello Harry! How was your summer?" The girl Hermione asked.
"Absolutely traumatic as usual, and yourself?" He answered. They all laughed, but the girl wondered if it was really that funny?
The two new 'intruders' finally noticed the girl in the seat opposite Harry. "Oh. Sorry, didn't notice you there," the boy named Ron commented.
"Yeah, that's a first." She muttered to herself, sarcasm dripping off every word. Harry then said "I'm sorry...um this is Ron Weasley," he pointed to the redhead, "and this is Hermione Granger," he nodded to the brunette girl. The girl nodded in acknowledgement. "And," Harry paused, waiting for her answer. When she didn't respond, he tried to make conversation again. "You know, I never got your name."
She sighed, knowing that it would come to giving out her name sooner or later. She sighed in frustration at her own failure to delay the inevitable any longer and said "I'm Andrea, but my friends call me Andie for short."
Ron and Hermione finally pulled their trunks all the way into the compartment and got settled next to Andrea and Harry. Andrea had the feeling that they were there to stay.
Then, Hermione said, "So you're an American? I can tell by your accent."
"Oh...yeah," Andrea hesitated at making conversation.
"What part?" Hermione seemed truly interested.
"Washington DC, the capital of the US" Andrea explained as shortly as possible.
"Oh neat. What it is like?" Hermione leaned in as if it were fascinating to meet someone from a foreign country, and meant to absorb everything that Andrea had to say. Andrea backed up a little, feeling an invasion of her personal space.
"It's cool. I mean there is a lot of stuff to do." Andie always used this as an brief description of her home city.
"Like visiting monuments." It was more of a statement than a question, which, of course, came from Hermione. Ron and Harry just rolled their eyes at her assumption.
"Er, well yes, I suppose. I don't visit them that often because I live.lived there, but sometimes I go around DC to visit museums and stuff in the summer. There are things like concerts and festivals to go to. Sometimes radio stations will hold free concerts in the streets, which are really awesome." Andrea thought back to all the things she had done before. A small smile appeared on her face when she remembered how much fun she had had. "And you can take the Metro to Georgetown or Dupont Circle and just hang out and shop." When Andrea returned from her nostalgic daydream she noticed all three were staring at her. That was the most she had said since they met her, and the happiest she had looked. "Sorry," she mumbled in apology.
"No, no. It sounds like a marvelous place," Harry said encouraging her to speak more.
"It is," Andie started to go back to her one-sentence responses once again.
Then Stravenshalo cried out, disrupting the silence. He hated being in a cage too long.
Andrea turned to the caged bird and spoke to her pet, "Oh, I'm sorry baby. You know that I would prefer you on my shoulder rather than in some confined metal jail, but that's the way it has to be. This new place has a few more rules than what we are used to...but it might be good for us. I promise you that once the train gets started and we are on our way I will let you out." She stroked his beak gently.
"What's his name?" Harry asked, somewhat touched by the amount of affection she poured over her owl.
"Stravenshalo," Andrea replied still not looking up from her precious owl.
"That's a nice name. This is Hedwig," He pointed to his owl in the cage next to Stravenshalo - the cause of his irritation.
"And this is Pigwideon." Ron exclaimed proudly displaying a small owl flitting, around in it's smaller cage over excitedly.
Hermione then pulled a coat off what looked like an animal carrying case with fur sticking out of all the air holes. This made Andie slightly afraid of what Hermione had shoved in there. She opened the door to reveal a cat- like animal the size of a small golden retriever. "This is Crookshanks." Hermione pat the little beast, whose purr rumbled through the compartment. She closed his cage again.
"So, you're going into fifth year at Hogwarts?" Ron ventured.
"Yeah, I guess that's what you'd call it. At home we have a different school
system and grades, or years, as you call them, are grouped differently."
Ron didn't understand how their school system could be different but he didn't question her further, "Oh. Well, if you don't mind me asking, how come you were admitted this late? I mean, usually new student all come in first year. Didn't you get your letter when you were eleven?"
Andrea just turned her head. How was she supposed to tell this complete stranger about the conflicts in her life that she herself was trying to forget? "I had to transfer, to another school, far away from........." She stopped, not wanting to continue the thought. "Well, Hogwarts seems like a great school and very....safe." Andrea stumbled over her words. All three gave Andrea strange looks.
"Yeah, Hogwarts is a very safe school. There are harmful things in the world, but you can feel safe under Dumbledore's care.." Harry said, fighting the urge to say 'usually'. Harry related to Andrea's need for security at school. He had been through quite a few dangerous battles involving dark wizards - especially Voldemort. During Harry's tragic encounter with Voldemort that resulted in Cedric Diggory's death, Voldemort had become stronger. But, about as quickly as he had risen, he disappeared once again. No one had heard from or seen He-who-shall-not-be-named all summer. Everyone assumed that Voldemort was not as strong as he thought he was and he receded again into the shadows, as he had done for eleven years before his first run-in with Harry.
Ron and Hermione understood what Harry meant also. They both glanced around at each other momentarily. Andrea sensed that something else was going on that they all understood - but she didn't. She was thankful that the attention was pulled off her at last.
That relief was short lived. Hermione turned back to Andrea and asked her, "What was your old school like?" She was still interested in Andrea.
"Well, I didn't actually attend a school of magic. I went to a muggle private school that was near my home. But I attended magic classes after school and on weekends from the few local witches and wizards." Andrea explained.
They were a little surprised by her answer. Harry asked, "So you have never been to a real magic school before?" Andrea shook her head.
"And you've never been away from home for a school year before?" Hermione asked. Andrea shook her head again.
"Wow, wont you miss your mum a lot?" Ron sympathized for her. Andrea suddenly stiffened and her eyes gave off a sad and far away look. For a while she looked as though she would cry before she said quickly, "I always will." A single tear rolled down her cheek. Andrea quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand and stood up to leave. "Sorry," she apologized, "I'll be right back."
She was about to take a step when the door flew open and two big ugly boys stepped in and blocked her path to the door. Andrea stepped back against the wall to the side to avoid them. Behind them stood another boy. He stepped forward into the compartment. Andrea soon recognized him. He was the rude boy she ran into at the platform.
"Hello Potty, Weasel, mudblood." He nodded towards Harry, Ron and Hermione as he said each mock name.
"Malfoy," Ron growled.
"Oh don't I get a hug Weasel? Well I'd assume at least the mudblood would want one. I bet she'd love to get her hands on me," Malfoy sneered. Hermione glared at him with absolute hatred.
"Malfoy, get out," Harry snapped.
"No, I don't think I will Potter. I'm not quite finished catching up with my old friends." Draco mocked, sneering at them. Then he turned and stared at Andrea. "Now I don't believe we've met." He paused, "Wait, you're that mudblood who ran into me on the platform." Ron, Hermione and Harry all turned to see how she'd react to him.
"I am more pureblood than you could ever be asshole." Andrea said with a steady tone and a blank face. What the hell did he know about her?
"What in the hell is that supposed to mean?" Draco scowled. He hadn't expected her to stand up to him.
"Why don't you figure it out and get back to me, okay?" Andrea was prepared to get him off her back for good. Just throw them a few insults from time to time and they'll go away, they're stupid enough - or so she thought.
"Do you know who I am? I am a Malfoy." Draco often used his name as a source of power.
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Andrea couldn't care less if this guy was the reincarnated Jesus, he was a jerk. But before he could answer Andrea spoke again. She just wanted to end this encounter, "Listen, I'm sure you're from some upper-class yuppiefamily that is well known in the wizards community in England, but where I am from, Malfoy doesn't mean a thing and my family is the big name. I have tired of talking to you, I am leaving now."
Andrea went to walk past Draco and out the door but he stepped in front of her. He grabbed her arm forcefully and hissed, "Nobody talks to Draco Malfoy that way."
She winced at the pain in her arm, but recovered quickly enough to throw another hit, "Well somebody just did." He squeezed her arm tighter. She flinched but remained undaunted. Harry and Ron, who had been watching the whole time, jumped up to assist Andrea. Crab and Goyle stepped between them and where Andrea stood.
"Let her go Malfoy!" Harry half yelled.
Andrea didn't take her eyes off Draco's. She wanted to prove her authority.
"You could get yourself hurt by saying things like that to me." Draco warned. Andrea laughed uncontrollably. When she finally regained some of her composure, she managed to add a, "I'd like to see you try and hurt me," between her fits of giggles.
Suddenly Malfoy smiled, and pulled her closer so he could whisper to her causing her to stop laughing, "You've got a lot of attitude. Too bad you chose to side with these fools. I would have enjoyed having you on my team." Malfoy looked her up and down and smiled again. He still hadn't let go of her arm.
"I haven't chosen anyone's 'side'." Andrea defended her position
Draco smirked and said seductively, "Does that mean you're free territory?"
"Ugh," Andrea gave him a disgusted look. She struggled to free herself from his grasp. "Let go of me."
Draco dropped her arm, and with a final scowl she strode out of the compartment. She went straight to the lavatory, pushing the event that had just transpired to the back of her mind. As soon as she had locked the door, Andrea sank to the floor crying. "Oh God," she sobbed, "Mom, I'm sorry. It's my fault. It's my fault." As the tears flowed down her cheeks, memories came flooding back to Andrea.
::Flashback::
A.N. Hahaha, I told you, longer chapter. I never lie. Ok, now that in itself is a lie. But according to my English teacher, all teachers lie so shouldn't I be allowed to also? But this is another odd place to break the chapter, please bear with me.