Author's Note: Wow, I'm so glad people like this! I got reviews!!!! *huge grin*
This chapter is dedicated to all the people who reviewed me (you know who you are).
Oh, and just so you know: if you recognise the character it belongs to JK. Characters like Alex, Katerina and some of the Quidditch players are all mine. Hah! I own something- so very proud… Anyway, here's a nice, long chapter for you.
September 1st
Hello Alex!
Hello Padma…where are you? You're writing looks different.
I'm trying to write on the train.
Train?
The Hogwart's Express. Don't you remember it?
We didn't go to Hogwarts by train, we went by carriage.
Oh. That's strange. When did you go to Hogwarts?
In the 1800's. Hogwarts is a very old school, you know.
I knew that it was old, but…I don't know, it just didn't seem real. So you went to school in the 1800's! Wow! What was that like?
Why don't you tell me about school now instead? I'm sure it's much more interesting.
Well…okay, but you can tell me about it later. As I said, I'm on the Hogwarts Express. It's a private train, it only goes to Hogwarts and King's Cross Station. We had to get onto this special platform- platform Nine and Three Quarters. It was really fun getting onto the platform; you have to run at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Anyway, Parvati and I were standing on the Platform after we said goodbye to our parents, but we couldn't lift our trunks, let alone get it onto the train!
So what did you do?
These two boys came and helped us. You wont believe it- they're identical twins too! Their names are Fred and George Weasley, and they're in Gryffindor. I know how annoying it is when people get identical twins mixed up, but these two were identical down to the last freckle and I felt really embarrassed when I mixed their names up when I said thanks. But it's all right, they got Parvati and I mixed up as well.
What happened after that?
Oh, well they went to help this boy with messy black hair get his stuff onto the train, so Parvati and I tried to find an empty compartment. There was a compartment with this one girl sitting in it all by herself, so we asked if we could sit with her. Her name's Lavender Brown, and she's really nice. So, the train left (Parvati and I hung out the window and waved goodbye even though our parents weren't even there), then we talked for a while. Lavender comes from a wizarding family too, which was a relief because I'm not sure I'd know what to say to a muggle-born. I wouldn't want to insult them by accident or something.
I'm sure you wouldn't.
Yes, well, it can't hurt to be sure. The train trip is really long, we've been riding it for a few hours already and…oh, wait a second, someone's coming in…
Okay…
It's all right, they're gone now. It was a boy named Neville; he was looking for his toad. I felt sorry for him, even though I hate toads. He seemed really upset that it was gone. Oh, wait a minute, someone else is coming in…
All right…
Are they gone?
Yes, thank God. It was Draco Malfoy. I think I told you about him before.
I didn't think you hated him.
Oh, I don't. It's just…Vincent and Gregory.
I'm sorry, who?
They're these two boys who always hang around with Draco. Just like their fathers with Draco's father. Everyone calls them Crabbe and Goyle, but Mother said that it was bad manners to call people by their last names, so I call them Vincent and Gregory. Oh, but you wont believe what Draco was saying!
What?
That Harry Potter is on the train! I wonder who he is…
Promise me you wont go looking for him. I'm sure the last thing the boy needs is people gawping at him on his first day of school.
Oh, no, I would never dream of doing that! How inconsiderate would you have to be! Wait a minute…I wonder where Draco's going…
You don't think…
I wouldn't put it past him. Someone should go stop him…
Why don't you?
You know, I think I might. Oh, wait, someone else is coming in…
Perhaps you should install a revolving door?
Very funny.
I thought so. Shall I wait here?
Yes please.
Okay, she's gone.
She?
The girl from Ollivander's- her name's Hermione Granger. She was asking about Neville's toad again, so we told her that we'd already spoken to Neville. I hope she didn't think we were rude, she looked a little huffy when she left. That's the last thing I want to do, make enemies before we even get there. I'm going after Draco now.
All right.
You wont believe what Draco did!
What, back so soon?
Yes, I was too late. It wasn't hard to find Draco, there was an uproar in a compartment and I figured it had to be Draco. He went after Harry Potter, just like I thought he would.
What did he do?
I'm not sure, I only heard Draco's side of the story. Apparently he went to speak to Harry, and he was very rude about it. It turns out the black haired boy that Fred and George were helping was Harry. Somehow I doubt that Draco's telling the whole truth, but I'm not going to ask Harry about it. I'm sure that would just make his day, people constantly pestering him. Lavender just asked me what I was doing. She looked a little jealous when she found out about Parvati and I having enchanted diaries.
We're very special, you know.
I knew you'd say that.
Am I that predictable?
Unfortunately yes.
Sorry. I'll try and fix that.
Oh, Parvati's just gasped. Hang on while I find out what's going on…
I think I can guess…
Her diary wrote back!
I was right.
Oh, be quiet! She's very excited, I can barely write because she keeps bouncing up and down on the seat. I think I'll stop writing for a moment…oh, and just in time! We've arrived!
Don't forget to tell me about the Sorting!
I wont. Bye Alex!
Bye Padma.
Alex? Are you there?
Padma? What's wrong? Are you crying?
We got sorted…
And? What is it?
Parvati and I were split up…
Oh no…I'm so sorry…
I'll be all right…it's just that we've never been split up before.
Oh dear. Well, what house are you in?
Oh. I'm in Ravenclaw.
Are you? That's excellent!! What house is Parvati in?
Gryffindor. Do you think it's because she's braver than I am?
What do you mean?
Like at the Apothecary, how I couldn't go in but she could. Do you think the Sorting Hat split us up because she's braver than me?
Of course not! Padma…
Yes?
Did you ever think that maybe you were split up because you were smarter than Parvati?
No! Of course not! That's ridiculous!
You said it yourself.
What? …oh. I see. Thanks Alex, I feel better now.
Good. Tell me about the Sorting.
You're just trying to cheer me up.
Of course I am. Tell me everything.
Fine…
Okay then…did the hat sing?
Oh, yes, it was wonderful! I feel much happier just remembering it!
Start at the beginning Padma, tell me all about it.
Okay. We got off the train, and were led to these boats- we had to get to the castle across the lake! It's was freezing, but very exciting. A man called Hagrid was the one leading us- he's the gamekeeper or something. He's enormous, I've never seen a man that big! But I didn't stare, because it's rude to stare.
So you crossed the lake…?
Yes, I shared a boat with Parvati, Lavender and another girl called Susan Bones. Then we saw the castle. I'll never forget that, my first sight of Hogwarts rising majestically from the banks of the lake…it really is beautiful.
I loved the castle…
So do I. Anyway, we landed the boats, and Hagrid found Neville's toad for him- I thought that was really nice of him. Then he led us into the castle, where we met a stern looking woman- Professor McGonagall. She's the head of Gryffindor house. She told us about the Great Hall. While she was gone all the ghosts arrived.
Ooh! Who were they?
Umm…hang on, I'll try and remember. There was a Baron-
The Bloody Baron?
Yes, that's it. And Nick something…and a friar…
Nearly-Headless Nick? The Fat Friar?
Yes! Do you remember them?
Oh, yes, they were around while I was at school. The Bloody Baron is the Slytherin ghost- he's not very nice, avoid him. The Fat Friar is the Hufflepuff ghost- a bit forgetful, but really nice. And Nearly-Headless Nick is the Gryffindor house ghost, he's really nice too. If you need directions, ask Nick.
Apparently Ravenclaw has a house ghost too, but I haven't seen it yet.
Her.
Her?
Yes, the Grey Lady. She's very quiet.
Hmm…oh, and there's a poltergeist!
Peeves?
Yes. He's ghastly.
Very.
So, anyway, we were led into the Great Hall- I was so nervous, everyone was staring at us. There were so many people…and the Hat. I forgot all about being nervous as soon as it started to sing. I was worried that I wouldn't be sorted into a house, but then I realised that I wouldn't have been accepted into Hogwarts if I wasn't acceptable into any of the houses, would I?
Very shrewd.
I'm taking that as a compliment.
It was meant as one.
Okay. So they began the sorting- there were a few surprises actually. The Hat placed Hermione Granger into Gryffindor- I was almost certain that she'd be in Ravenclaw, she's very intelligent.
There are many qualities that the Hat uses to chose.
I suppose so. Draco went into Slytherin- no surprises there. I was sorted before Parvati, and the hat spoke to me for ages, over a minute.
What did it say?
Um…hang on, I'll try and remember.
All right.
It said "Courageous, very rare…desire to prove yourself, I see…" When it said that I thought I was going to be in Gryffindor, and I felt kind of disappointed.
So what happened?
I think it noticed that I didn't really feel like being a Gryffindor, because it said "Reluctance as well… yearning for acknowledgement… individualist…" I think it was talking about Parvati and I there.
What makes you say that?
I think deep down I wanted to be separated from Parvati, just so that we wouldn't be known as "the Patil twins". That's very annoying.
I can imagine it would be. What else did the hat say?
It said "Brilliant mind… plenty of talent… hidden strength…" I'd been sitting up there for ages by then, and everyone was staring at me, so when it shouted "Ravenclaw" I was so happy. I ran to the table so I wouldn't miss Parvati. I couldn't believe it when it said Gryffindor, I almost burst into tears right then and there. Parvati looked really upset too, but Lavender (who's also in Gryffindor) comforted her. I must have looked really miserable, because a pretty second year girl patted me on the back.
That was nice of her.
Yeah. Her name's Cho Chang. She told me that it wasn't so bad, that Parvati and I would still see each other. I kind of smiled weakly and turned back to the Sorting. Sally-Anne Perks became a Ravenclaw, she sat down next to me and Mandy Brocklehurst. Then came the name that just about everyone was waiting for.
Harry Potter.
Yep. The Hat took forever with him- at least three minutes. Harry was mumbling something to it under his breath, but I couldn't make it out. He looked really nervous. Then the hat shouted…
What? What did it shout?
"Gryffindor"
That seems…strangely appropriate.
Yeah, I thought so. The twins who helped Parvati and I (they're in Gryffindor too) were shouting something like "We got Potter!" So, that was the sorting.
Weren't there other people?
Yes, but I forget most of their names. The people in my house are Terry Boot, Lisa Turpin, Mandy Brocklehurst, Me, Sally-Anne Perks, Edward Moon and Scott Troudheim.
What happened to Blaise?
Oh, he's in Slytherin with Draco and Pansy.
So Pansy did end up in the same house as Draco?
Yes. I'm actually happy about that, I'd hate it if I was in her house. But I think she bribed the hat to put her with Draco.
I don't think it's possible to bribe the sorting hat.
She's still really pathetic. After dinner our prefects took us down to the Ravenclaw Common Room. Penelope Clearwater (she's the fifth year prefect, she's really nice. She has the most beautiful hair- so long, and really curly. I love it.) told us that apparently the Slytherin Common Room is in the dungeon.
It is.
Wow. I don't think I'd like having a Common Room in the dungeon. Though it probably looks like ours is in the dungeon, because we have to go up the stairs from there to reach the Great Hall. I wonder where the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor rooms are…
They're both on the other wing, in the towers.
Really? Wow. I'm kinda jealous now.
Don't be. There are advantages to each of the Common Rooms.
Oh. Okay. I think I might go now, everyone else is talking and I feel kinda left out.
Go on then.
Bye Alex.
Bye Padma.
September 8th
Classes are wonderful!
I see you like it then.
Oh, yes, it's great! I've been to all of them already- I don't really like Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Quirrel doesn't really seem like he knows what he's talking about. Apparently he was in Ravenclaw too, which I think is a bit embarrassing.
How do you mean?
Well, he's always stuttering.
A speech impediment is hardly grounds to dislike someone Padma.
I know, Alex, there's more. He's scared of everything- the students, the teachers, even the textbooks! And he wears this turban thing. According to him he was given it by some thankful villagers or something. I think that's a load of rubbish. Parvati told me that he apparently keeps garlic under there to ward off a vampire.
I see you've been able to talk to Parvati then.
Yes, we have a few classes together. Charms and Transfiguration…I think that's it. We have flying and Potions with the Hufflepuff's, and Astronomy and Herbology with the Slytherins. Defence Against the Dark Arts is just us.
So you can see Parvati for a few classes. That's good.
Yes. It's funny, we're not nearly as upset about this as we thought we would be. After all, Mandy and I are getting really close, and so are Parvati and Lavender. I feel sorry for Hermione though.
Why's that?
Because there are only three girls in Gryffindor (in our year at least), and Parvati and Lavender are already best friends. Plus, Hermione's a muggle-born, so she probably feels left out. I made sure to talk to her in Charms though, she looked really lonely.
That was nice of you.
She's really smart, and kinda pretty too, under all that hair. I wish she'd do something to fix it. Oh well.
So tell me about all your classes then.
All right. Transfiguration is really hard. Draco says that McGonagall favours her own house, but I don't see it, and I'd know considering we have the class with her house. She's equally stern with both. Draco's just full of rubbish.
I quite agree.
Charms is wonderful, Professor Flitwick is really lovely- he's our head of house too, which is great. Flying is a lot harder than I would have thought, but we're doing better than the Hufflepuff's are. There are quite a lot of muggle-borns in their house.
Are there many in yours?
Um…Lisa and Scott are. I think that's it.
Right. Go on.
Potions is…well, I'm glad I paid attention with our tutors, Professor Snape is really strict. He's not that bad to the Ravenclaws, but he treats the Hufflepuffs with utter contempt. Though Parvati says he's worse with the Gryffindors- especially Harry and Neville. She doesn't know why, but he really hates them. Herbology is really interesting, though it's hard to concentrate with Draco there. He's a right prat sometimes. And Pansy is a simpering fool. I can't stand her, and she came and sat with me in Herbology. You'll never believe what she said.
What?
"I was surprised you weren't in Slytherin, Padma. At least Ravenclaw's all right. Imagine if you were in Gryffindor, like the rest of those muggle lovers." She seemed to forget that my twin sister is in Gryffindor.
How rude of her.
I know. I just ignored her for the rest of the lesson. I really cannot stand her. Astronomy is great as well, even though it's at midnight. The first few lessons I was almost dozing off, but Professor Sinistra says that's normal. It's funny though, Draco is really good at Astronomy- I guess there really is a brain under all that bravado.
I thought you didn't mind Draco.
I didn't until he starting insulting all the Gryffindors at every opportunity. He even does it in front of me, it's very inconsiderate of him. Oh, it's time for Astronomy! I better go, or I'll be late. Bye Alex!
October 11th
I'm sorry I haven't written in so long.
It's quite all right, I expect you've been very busy.
Oh, I have! But the strangest thing happened today. Well, yesterday actually, but it was in the daily prophet today.
What was it?
Gringotts was broken into!
Really? How?!
I don't know. Wait here while I get the article.
I can hardly go anywhere.
Ha ha, very funny Alex. Hang on.
Okay, I've got it. Do you want me to copy it down for you?
Is the article long?
Sort of. But I don't mind.
Wait. Is the paper yours?
Yes. Why?
If you stick it to the pages somehow and close the book for a second I can absorb it. Rather like how I know what you're writing, but slower.
Okay! But…how do I attach it?
Use a severing charm to cut it out, then a stick-fast charm to attach it.
I don't know either of those. We're still learning the "swish and flick" thing, though Flitwick lets us try the Wingardium Leviosa charm if he's with us.
Are you good at Charms?
Pretty good. I could ask Flitwick for help, he's just down the hall.
That sounds like a good idea. I'll just wait here, shall I?
If you don't mind.
Okay, Flitwick's here.
Can he read this?
No. He's waiting for me to do the Stick-fast charm. I did the Severing Charm perfectly- he was so impressed he gave Ravenclaw ten house points!
Well done Padma!
I'm going to try the other charm now.
Did it work? I mean, I know the charm worked, but did you read the article?
Yes. "Believed to be the work of dark wizards or witches unknown"- that doesn't sound very good.
Oh, Flitwick gave me another ten house points for getting the Stick-Fast charm perfect- that's twenty points in one day!
Very impressive.
I know, Penny is grinning at me. I wonder how you could break into a Gringotts vault though…
Thinking of taking up a life of crime?
No! I'm just curious- there are apparently dragons and stuff protecting it. I wonder what was in the vault that was so important…
I have no idea.
Neither do I. Oh, I'd better go, Mandy wants me to help her with the Transfiguration homework. Bye Alex!
Bye Padma.
October 13th (Author's Note- my birthday! Yay!)
I have amazing news!
What's that?
This is all second hand though, I had to ask Draco and Parvati about it.
Okay, tell me, tell me!
All right. The Gryffindors and the Slytherins have flying lessons together. Last lesson (which was apparently their first practical. We had our first practical last week) Neville had a bit of an accident, and ended up with a broken wrist.
Oh dear. Is he all right?
Oh, yes, he's fine now. So while Madam Hooch was taking him up to the infirmary, Draco took Neville's Remembrall and flew off with it.
How horrid!
Draco says he was "just joking around" but Parvati said he was going to throw it. You'll never believe who went after him.
Harry Potter?
How did you guess? Anyway, Harry (who had never ridden a broom in his life) flew after Draco. So Draco threw the Remembrall, and Harry caught it after this dive. Parvati said that she couldn't breathe, it was really scary. So, long story short, he was made Seeker of the Gryffindor team. I think that's a bit unfair, he was breaking the rules, but it is pretty cool having someone in first year playing Quidditch.
Why is that? There were first years playing Quidditch when I was at school.
For some reason it was banned. Now you have to be exceptional to get in while you're in first year. I suppose Harry must be something else on a broom then.
It would seem so.
But I'm not supposed to know he's on the team, so don't tell anyone.
How could I?
I was joking Alex!
I know Padma.
…I hate Professor Snape.
What's brought about this sudden change of mood?
Oh, it's a long story.
Well it's not like I have anything better to do. Tell me.
If you're sure…
I'm sure.
Okay. In Potions, he's always picking in the Hufflepuffs, saying how hopeless they are and stuff. I don't understand that, this House rivalry thing seems to be taken to the extreme in his case.
Obviously.
So, today Justin Finch-Fletchely was trying really hard to keep up, but he's a muggle-born and he hasn't had any practice in Potion making before. I mean, neither had Scott and Lisa before they came here, but they asked Professor Snape if he could help them catch up. I suppose he's not that bad, helping them out like that, but apparently he wasn't very nice about it either. Lisa can't stand him, and Scott always looks really nervous in Potions.
So what happened to Justin?
We were brewing a potion, and he put the ingredients in the wrong order. A perfectly reasonable mistake, considering his background and everything. But Snape didn't take it that way, he ridiculed Justin in front of the whole class. Justin was really upset and I felt really sorry for him, so I offered to help him after class. He looked really grateful, which doesn't surprise me considering some of the things Snape was saying.
Like what?
I don't want to repeat it, it's too horrible. Ooh, I better go. Professor Flitwick is offering extra Charms classes for people who want to go ahead and I want to sign up.
Off you go then! Bye Padma.
Bye Alex!
October 24th
I have the greatest news Alex!
What is it Padma?
Ravenclaw won their first Quidditch match!! It was the first match of the season too.
Really? Who was it against?
Hufflepuff. Everyone says that they're a pushover, but I don't care. We still beat them and that's something to be proud of. Prof. Flitwick thought so too, he's letting us stay up late so we can have a party.
That's very nice of him.
He's lovely. And he's shorter than me, which is saying something.
Are you terribly short?
No, but I'm not particularly tall either.
You haven't told me what you look like yet, Padma.
Haven't I? Sorry. Shall I do it now then?
I don't mind.
Okay. I'm about average height and slender. I have long, dark hair- it's goes down to the bottom of my hips and can be really annoying. Luckily Mother told me about a Charm that can help you control your hair, and Flitwick helped me master it, so now it's really neat all the time. Parvati's jealous, she thinks it's naturally like that.
I take it you haven't told her about the charm.
No. If she wants to know, she can ask about it. Otherwise it's my little secret. Anyway, I have pale skin- I burn really easily- and blue eyes. What did you look like?
My hair was curly.
Really? I would love to have curly hair. Like Penny, I'm so jealous.
Trust me, Penny's probably jealous of you for having straight hair.
What else did you look like?
How about you look me up in the school records? My full name was Alexandra McMahon.
All right…I'll do that tomorrow. What was I talking about before?
Quidditch.
Oh, yes, that's right! I sat with Mandy, behind Cho. We'd made a banner that said "Ravenclaw Rules."
Who thought up the slogan?
Lisa. And Flitwick charmed it so that it shimmers, changes colour and cheers when we score. He was so absorbed in the game, it was almost funny. Anyway, Ravenclaw pulled into the lead straight away- the Chasers were superb. I'm going to feel really clumsy during Flying lessons now, having them to compare with.
They probably felt the same way when they were in first year too Padma.
Maybe. Unfortunately, our keeper isn't very good at the job- his name's Daniel, it's his first year on the team. So it was a good thing that the Hufflepuff chasers weren't very good. The game lasted for ages, the snitch was nowhere to be seen. Finally, after about three hours, Cho jumped up and screamed, pointing to a glimmer of gold. The seekers both heard her and dived after it. It was really scary, I thought they were going to crash.
Did they?
No, thankfully. They pulled up just in time, and it was hard to make out who'd caught the snitch. Then the Ravenclaw seeker (I think his name's Michael) started yelling and waving his arms around in the air. Flitwick looked like he was going to explode with pride, and Prof. Sprout looked disappointed.
Prof. Sprout?
She's head of Hufflepuff house. When we got back to the Common Room Flitwick was still grinning around madly and he said we could have a party so long as we don't make much noise. It's nearly midnight now though, and we're running out of food.
Get some more.
What? How?
Don't tell me you haven't figured out how to get into the kitchens yet?
Give her a break, Sandra, she hasn't been there long.
Who said that?
Katerina. She's one of the people I talk to when you're not writing.
Wow! Hi Katerina!
Hello Padma. I take it you want to get into the kitchens?
If you don't mind.
You go to the portrait of the bowl of fruit- do you know where it is?
Yes.
Tickle the pear and it'll turn into a doorknob. Open it and you're inside the kitchens.
I don't know if I can do that, I'll probably get nervous. Maybe if I tell someone else…?
I think that's a much better idea.
You always were too serious Sandra.
I totally agree Katerina.
Should have known you would.
Yep. I'm going to ask someone if they want to get some more food. I think Michael might do it.
Go and ask him.
Okay.
He's going. He looked at me funny when I told him how to get in though.
What did you tell him?
That someone I know who used to go to Hogwarts told me.
Clever.
Well, I must have been put in Ravenclaw for some reason.
Modest too.
Yes, very. People are staring at me, I keep giggling at what looks like a blank book. I imagine they think I'm insane.
Most likely.
Tough. Ooh, Michael's coming back…with éclairs too! Thanks Katerina!
You're very welcome Padma.
I think I should go. I have one last question first though.
What?
Why does Katerina call you Sandra?
Because it's her nickname as well.
It is?
Yes.
Can I call you Sandra too?
If you want…I prefer Alex though.
Okay, I'll stick with Alex. Goodnight Alex, Katerina.
Goodnight Padma.
Goodnight.