Chapter 2

        The train came to a slow and then jerked back as it completely stopped. Wood was thrown out of his seat and went headfirst into George who had been gazing out the window across from him.

        "Ow, Wood!" George yelped, and pushed Wood off.

        "Sorry, guess I fell asleep there. Wasn't expecting the train to toss me around."

        "Yeah, well you know how old Birchwit drives…horribly. He's an old dirty bastard."

        Wood nodded in agreement then glanced out of the ajar compartment door to see Percy escorting Fleur off the train. He rolled his eyes and then looked back to George.

        "Well let's go, I want a good seat for the feast tonight."

        "I hate the beginning of each year when we have to see those little first years get sorted. Its incredibly boring and a definite waste of time for the upperclassmen."

        "Oh come George, you were a first year once before too." Wood added with a laugh then slung a bag onto his shoulder.

        Fleur looked wide-eyed at all the incoming students and had to be pulled away from the boats docked and ready for the first years. She became even more amazed at the carriages with missing horses that would bring them to the entrance of Hogwarts.

        "Zis is amazing! We have nothing like zis at Beauxbaton. Carriages without horses?" Fleur gaped as she accompanied Percy in a large silver carriage.

        "Hogwarts is quite special. It's sort of a second home to me. You know I am going to work for the ministry of magic soon after I graduate." Percy spoke, puffing up his chest.

        "Congratulations Percy, you are quite an impressive person. Do you know if I must be zorted into a house?" Fleur suddenly asked.

        "I don't believe so, but we'll see. I will put in a word for you to be placed in Gryffindor."

        "I would be grateful." Fleur responded with a smile.

        Percy looked at Fleur as she went back to gawking at the castle. Her face seemed so bright and alive when she spoke, but it was her eyes that gave her away. They seemed like pools of loneliness. She must have not had the perfect life that she was trying to play off.

        Percy wasn't going to judge her though. Everyone had a past and most pasts weren't the happiest. All he knew was that Fleur seemed to him a genuine person, and for some reason he felt an instinct to try and take care of her.

        "Oh look, ve are here!" Fleur exclaimed excitedly.

        Percy grinned at her and helped her out of the carriage when it stopped. He then offered his arm and led her to the entrance where Ron was already waiting for them.

        Fred, George, and Wood all entered Hogwarts with proud expressions on their faces. It was Wood's final year and he knew this was the year that was going to become most memorable. The ominous feeling of excitement was all around them.

        "God my stomach is going eat itself!" Fred whined as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.

        "Oh no boys, watch out Miss Delacour is entering…" Wood started.

        Fleur walked in between Ron and Percy and was smiling at everyone she could meet eyes with. Wood hated the sight; it seemed way too fake to him. He started to ruffle his hair again, which over the past few years had become a nervous habit.

        Dumbledore sat at the center of the staff table and waved for Percy to bring Fleur over to him. Fleur approached cautiously and gave a small curtsy when Dumbledore's twinkling eyes fell upon her.

        "Fleur it is wonderful to see you, you look exactly how Madame Maxime described you…elegant and charming."

        "Thank you sir."

        "Well then, Madame Maxime has told me you wish to study at Hogwarts as a result of our excellent programs!"

        "Yes, I have heard much about Hogwarts in that regard." Fleur answered but felt guilt sinking to the bottom of her stomach.

        "Well then, which house do you think you will be staying with?"

        "She would be a very welcomed asset to Gryffindor." Percy said in Fleur's place.

        "Are you comfortable with this?" Dumbledore asked concerned.

        "Of course, Percy and his brothers have already made me feel quite welcome."

        Ron sort of giggled and Dumbledore looked over at him with a smile. Ron was staring at Fleur, watching her hair shine in the candlelight.

        "Then go and take a seat dear."

        Wood watched the three move from Dumbledore and then mumbled under his breath.

        "I hope she doesn't come here, she looks like Hufflepuff material anyway. I imagine Cedric Diggory would have a field day with her." Wood grumbled.

        "Wood, I don't think you spoke soon enough, because she's sitting down at our table." Fred observed.

        "Great, I'm not going to say a word, it seems to get me into trouble. Just one more thing though…you Weasleys are insane, look at Percy and Ron fawning over her."

        "Hey it's called good taste, don't be bitter because you don't have it." George called out with a laugh.

        "Yeah, who wouldn't want to get their hands on those voluptuous…" Dumbledore cut off Fred, but Wood knew what he was about to say.

        "Another year has finally come to Hogwarts! I am proud to say the students here seem to become greater overnight. My start of term announcement is quite simple; do not be caught in the forest and do not cross our dear Mr. Filch. I daresay he will not be patient with any of you." Dumbledore added and shot a look at Fred and George who were silently laughing.

        "Now, let the first years commence!" Dumbledore shouted and with that a herd of scared children started to trample into the great hall.

        Fred rolled his eyes and laid his head on his arm and decided this was the perfect time to take a nap. The ceremony lasted for almost an hour and by the time everyone was seated too many mouths were watering to count.

        After a long supper Fleur followed Percy as he directed first years about in the halls. Ron had been drawn away with his friends and had offered to show her to the Gryffindor Common Room, but was cut off by Percy.

        "No, no, follow me please…there is no telling what will happen if you all go wandering off like that." Percy warned the first years.

        Wood sauntered past Percy and was headed for the Common Room. He gave a sideways glance at Fleur who was paying absolutely no attention to him.

        "Wood, a little help please?" Percy stopped him.

        "What do you need?" Wood answered his call by turning around.

        "Please escort Fleur to the Common Room, seems a first year is trying to wander off. I have to keep an eye on all of them."

        Fleur looked at Wood and squinted her eyes out of uncomforting thoughts for a moment. Percy held a pleading look though, that made Wood finally agree.

        "Fine, follow me." Wood spoke dully.

        "It wouldn't kill you to at least be civil vith me." Fleur commented as they strode off.

        "This is me being civil."

        "Then maybe you should learn new manners."

        "I don't need to learn how to be a priss thank you. Watch that stair, it will suck your foot in."

        "Thank you, and I am not a priss, I'll have you know that I have done a lot of work in my life."

        "Like what? Certainly not sports, probably having to deal with a broken nail right?"

        "You vant to know zomething about sports? I have played almost every single kind zer iz!"

        "Have you played Quidditch?"

        "I'm learning…"

        They came to the portrait of the fat lady and Wood said the password. The portrait swung up and Fleur followed Wood inside to a nearly empty common room.

        "Well let me know how that goes for you. Now the girls' dormitories are over there, hope you find someone who wants to put up with you. Goodnight." Wood simply stated and marched up to the boys' dormitories.

        Fleur huffed and then stalked up the stone steps. She couldn't believe the nerve of him. He was so rude that it was unforgivable. Fleur tried to calm herself down and entered a room where a petite girl already sat with her nose in a book.