Chapter 2

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I was blushing slightly as I re-entered the compartment. I straightened my T-shirt and sat down in the seat diagonally from the girl. I started to unpack things to entertain myself on the long journey from my backpack.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

I looked up, startled. "Oh, yeah, sorry. I'm Bill, Bill Weasley, that is."

"Well, I already knew the Bill part. My name is Joy Flannery. You probably haven't seen me before. My family just moved to Britain from Ireland at the end of last year. I'm a Ravenclaw."

"Ireland eh? I'm a Gryffindor."

"Wow, you must be really brave then, if you're in Gryffindor," she threw her golden hair back flirtatiously and crossed her legs.

"Um... I guess," I stammered.

She flashed a dazzling smile and batted her eyelashes.

"Well--er--nice meeting you then." I proceeded to pull out a book and began to read. I heard her let out a frustrated sigh. I looked up and saw her scowling, staring out the window. I shrugged and settled in for the long haul.

About an hour later the witch pushing the food cart knocked on the door of the compartment.

"Anything for lunch?"

"Yes, I'll have a cauldron cake and some Bertie Bott's, please. Could you do me a favor though? Could you pick out all the nasty tasting ones for me? I'd really appreciate it. Oh, and some pumpkin juice, if you please," asked Joy, feigning politeness. I rolled my eyes.

The witch groaned and sat down with a bean key to look at as she sifted through the beans. Ten minutes later, she was finished.

"Anything else, dear?" she asked through gritted teeth.



"No, thank you."

"Then how about you, sir?"

"Me? Oh, no thanks. I'm not hungry," I went back to my reading.

The rest of the journey went on much like that. I read while she stared out the window. Finally there came an announcement over the loud speaker:

"The train will be arriving at Hogsmeade Station in 10 minutes. Don your wizarding attire at this time. Please gather all of your belongings and prepare to disembark. Again, we will arrive at our destination in 10 minutes. Thank you."

"Well, I guess we should change now. There isn't much time." No answer. I marked my page in my book and looked up. Joy was gone. Shrugging, I grabbed my Hogwarts robes out of the trunk and started for the door. I guess I never even heard her leave.

I traveled down towards the bathroom. I glanced into one compartment and in there I saw Joy talking and laughing with some other students. I recognized one of them. It was Gerald Diggory. She was sitting in his lap! I smiled and rolled my eyes. The two were perfect for one another. I made my way to the middle of the train to where the bathrooms were located.

B O O M!!!

At once there came a foul smell. Through the smoke gathering in the hallway I could see two red heads pop out of a nearby compartment.

"All right, Bill?" said George innocently.

"I don't suppose either of you had anything to do with that little explosion?"

"Who us? Never!" cried Fred feigning disbelief. I grinned.

"Right. You'd better get into your robes, you two. You can't go to school looking like muggle hoodlums. Go on then." They winked and quickly withdrew back into their compartment.

I proceeded into the bathroom and put on my black Hogwarts robes. They were a good four inches too short. Mother didn't have time to buy me new ones over the summer, nor did she see the importance of such a purpose since I would only be wearing them for one year. I could live with such a defect. Money had been getting increasingly tight lately, especially since more of us were attending Hogwarts.

I clambered back to my compartment as the train was drawing near to the station. The train slowed, and then came to a halt. I grabbed my bag and started down the hallway. Getting out of the train, however, was easier said than done. Students crowded the halls, fighting to exit. The conductor was trying to shout over the throng but wasn't succeeding. He caught sight of me. Being tall isn't always the greatest when you're trying to hide.

"You there. You, with the red hair."

I pointed at myself and said, "Me?" knowing that I was the only one he could be referring to.

"Yes, you. Aren't you the new head boy? Can you help control this mob?"



I had to think for a moment. Me? Head boy? The fact still hadn't sunken in. Mum and Dad had been more excited about it than I was.

~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"MUM!! The post is here!!" Fred yelled. "There's something from Hogwarts for Bill," he continued to scream up to her. He, George, Charlie, and I were sitting at the table, eating a late breakfast.

"Coming, dear!!!" she yelled back.

"Uh oh, Bill's in trouble," George sang.

"Shut up," I made a grab for the letter. He jerked it away. I chased him around the kitchen, but I still couldn't get it. Mum descended the stairs just in time to catch George and wrench the letter from his hands.

It read:



Dear Mr. Weasley,

Over your past six years at Hogwarts you have exemplified superior academic capability, leadership, and magical aptitude. Your are a model student, friend and brother. You stand as a great role model for all of your fellow students and peers. You are exactly what Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry stands for. The entire magical community and Hogwarts faculty and staff join me in congratulating you on becoming our next head boy. You are just we are looking for in this honor. Again we all congratulate you on a job well done. Enclosed you will find your head boy badge. Wear it with pride!

Yours in magic,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry



When she finished reading her eyes were wide with excitement. She ran over and hugged me and burst into tears.

"Mum," I croaked, "Mum, let go. You're choking me. I can't breathe. Need-- air..."

"Sorry dear," she blubbered.

After that letter that's all they talked about. Mum told all of her friends about how her baby was head boy. I think Dad even handed out cigars at work. I couldn't care less. What was the big deal? I didn't even want to be head boy. Head boys are supposed to be bookworms. Percy would make a good head boy, but not me. I didn't try to be good. I just happened to get away with more. I never managed to be caught.

~~~~~~~~~~End Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh yeah. That's me," I said. I cleared my throat and tried to imitate dad's voice when he was stern. "Quiet down you lot. One at a time. Form a line. Yes, there. That's the ticket. No rush, we'll all get off soon enough." My voice scared me. Their actions scared me. I sounded just like my father and they did what I said. This was getting too weird.

After I made sure that everyone had gotten off the train in an orderly fashion, I too exited. I found an empty carriage and climbed in. This was going to take some getting used to.

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a/n: ok, so there's chapter 2. Tell me what you think. I don't care if it's positive or negetive, but tell me something. I love to hear from you! Thanks!