Over the next few days, Justine's head remained sore, and kindly Mrs.
Weasley had offered to go to Diagon Alley with her to get her things.
Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to tag along.
"Now, Harry dear, would you mind going first?" Mrs. Weasley gave Harry the bowl of Floo Powder at the fireplace in the Great Hall.
Harry nodded and placed his spectacles in his pocket. He grabbed the fine, luminous green powder, sprinkling some into the roaring fire, changing it to a vibrant green, illuminating their faces.
He stepped into the cool fire and yelled, "The Leaky Cauldron!" Harry vanished in a rise of the flames.
Justine gulped. "Now, its your turn, dear. Remember to speak clearly!" Mrs. Weasley said cheerily to her, handing her the powder.
The flames, which transported Harry, returned to their fiery red. Justine stepped forward, more bravely than she felt, and sprinkled the green powder over the heat. Bright, tall, green flames sprung up once more, and she stumbled forward shakily.
The flames licked her skin gently, not hot at all. On the contrary, it was cool. "The Leaky Cauldron!" she shouted, and felt herself spinning in a world of flames, hair flying out behind her.
As fast as she left, she felt herself slide out onto solid ground once more. Justine coughed repeatedly and scrambled out of the way, lest Hermione came. Tidying up her hair, she got up and started to walk around the place.
Many witches and wizards sat around glazed wooden tables, laughing and sipping drinks, some of which Justine did not feel like knowing what they were made of. A few. things. that looked suspiciously like goblins, cast a surly eye over her. Justine shrugged and leaned over the bartop, asking the toothless man behind it. "Excuse me, but did Harry Potter come out of the fireplace a while ago?"
The man looked her up and down, then broke into a grin. "Well ah? I betcha anuddah one o' those admirehs, Miss?"
Justine was just shaking her head vigorously, trying to explain, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Harry.
"You know," he said amusedly, leaning against the bar, "I've been standing next to you all this while."
Justine laughed and dragged him away, the voice of Mrs. Weasley bringing them to the back door, where they rejoined Ron and Hermione, exiting to stand in the bright summer sunshine.
"Right. now." muttered Mrs. Weasley and started to count the grey bricks with her wand. Almost immediately, the bricks started to shuffle and move, opening up a large gateway where a wall had been.
"Cool!" exclaimed Justine, as they walked into Diagon Alley.
*
There was a soft, tinkling bell as Justine opened the door to Ollivanders' Wands. Mrs. Weasley and the others had gone to Flourish and Blotts to buy their new school books.
All the shelves in the shop were occupied with thin, long, green boxes, most of which were already collecting dust. There was a flickering light coming from a few torches hanging down the ceiling.
"Well, well, well." came a voice mistily. "Who have we here?"
Justine nearly jumped out of her skin and turned around to face an old but sturdy looking man who was barely her height.
"Mr. Ollivander at your service," he continued, pottering around the shelves using a stepladder. "This should do fine." he murmured as he pulled out one of those boxes, clouds of dust flying all over the place. He opened it and gave the finely chiseled wooden stick to Justine.
"Now go on, give it a swish." encouraged Mr. Ollivander.
Feeling immensely stupid, Justine did as she was told. And to her surprise, a trail of sparks burst from it, hanging in the dim firelight.
"Very nice! It's rarely I have a change to pick a wand on the first try!" said Mr. Ollivander, looking extremely pleased with himself.
"Maybe its just me," Justine grinned and reluctantly placed the wand back into its box.
"If you don't mind me asking, who are you, Miss.?"
"Lee. Daughter of Kristen Moune."
"Oh? Isn't that queer. I've never known her daughter to be magical. in fact, I just saw your mother here yesterday."
Justine smiled weakly and paid for the wand, mind clearly elsewhere. Her mother had created a vault at Gringotts to provide her with wizarding money.
IBut/I, she wondered, Iwhy hadn't she told me that I was a squib or something? At least I would be able to enjoy the luxury of having wizard blood. /I
*
Justine followed Mrs. Weasley's directions and arrived at a shop. She looked at the overhead hanging sign, which the words "Flourish and Blotts" were embossed on, before opening the door, clutching her wand box tightly.
Seeing a tuft of Ron's red hair, she made a beeline to the counter where they stood.
"Hey I got my wand," said Justine happily. She looked around their faces, suddenly realizing that there was an extra person with red hair. That person was a girl, sporting red hair tied back into a tight ponytail. Justine raised her eyebrow.
"Oh! April please turn around, we want you to meet. Justine," Hermione tugged on the girl's robes.
The girl turned around, looking mildly irritated at Hermione's tugging. "Hi!" she then greeted Justine brightly, lips parting into a bright smile.
"Hey April," replied Justine, surveying the girl, taking in her smooth, pale complexion and her large soulful green eyes.
"I just transferred from Beauxbatons into Hogwarts this year! My mum married an Englishman, you see," she picked up the books she had bought. "I'm also a pen pal of Hermione's, just met her, really. Pretty, isn't she?" April laughed at Hermione's stunned look. It was no wonder she was Hermione's pen pal. She spoke just as much and as fast. April started to walk out the door, still chatting, when a blond-haired someone slammed face first into her.
"Watch where you're going, you." Draco Malfoy looked up at April with a smirk. "Well, well, Weasley," he aimed at Ron, looking April up and down, "Did your little sister just grow much Imuch/I prettier?"
April looked outraged. "Get out of the way you twit!" she hissed, red strands of hair falling out of her band and framing her face. "Or I'll make you." Her eyes blazed.
Draco was shocked. No one ever talked to him like that, except his father. He stepped out of the way as April strode past angrily.
Ron and Harry looked terribly impressed.
Mrs. Weasley's mouth was opening and closing, as if wanting to say something but kept stopping herself.
Hermione caught Justine's eye and they both laughed. "See you at Hogwarts, Malfoy," they sneered in unison, before winking at each other and walking away.
"How'd she do that?" asked Ron, clearly fascinated.
"You're starting to lose your concentration there; I thought you liked Her." Harry started loudly, before being abruptly silenced with a kick from Ron in the shins. Mrs. Weasley looked curiously at them both.
"Don't mess with girls, Ron, especially if it has something to do with fights," grinned Justine, and dashed ahead with Hermione to join April for lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.
"I still don't understand the female gender," muttered Ron sourly.
"I wish I did, Ron, I wish I did," answered Harry, soft enough not to let Mrs. Weasley overhear.
*
Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Harry, Hermione and Justine bid April farewell after lunch, and headed back to Hogwarts. Justine tried on the robes Mrs. Weasley had gotten her and found them just right.
For the first time in a week, the entire Order was present at dinner. Justine caught snippets of talk, but understood nothing. Everything, it seemed nowadays, was talk about Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Justine's mind wandered back to this afternoon's incident, thinking darkly what Draco Malfoy would do if they kicked him out of school because of his father.
"Hey Justine?"
"Wha-?" She snapped out of her thoughts. It was Harry.
"You er. can you remember.? You wanted to learn how to fly." Harry looked around uncomfortably. Ron sniggered. Harry threw him a death glare.
Justine looked at his flushed face. "Sure," she replied, trying hard not to laugh. "Now?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
And they both got up from the table. "I'll get my broom first. Can you wait for me in the Entrance Hall?" asked Harry. Justine nodded and both walked out of the Great Hall, ignoring the whispers behind them.
ISo what if they want to talk? There's nothing between us in the first place!/I she thought angrily.
As she waited in the Hall, her footsteps echoed distantly, reflecting off the high stone walls. Suddenly a few torches at the corridor leading to the Teachers' Lounge went out with a puff of smoke. Justine had started, staring darkly at the torches.
Perhaps a gust of wind had come through a window? But she had not felt any wind whatsoever.
She shuddered.
"Are you ready?" a familiar voice asked gently.
Justine turned around, not realizing that she had been holding her breath. Harry's presence was somewhat comforting as she let out the air in her lungs.
"Is everything all right?" Harry looked at her quizzically.
Justine breathed evenly, nodding. The both of them walked out the doors; unlit torches still smoking.
*
At night, Justine lay staring at the rich red colour of her bed hangings. Hermione was already fast asleep in the next bed.
That flying, soaring sensation still remained in her stomach, making her grin. She never would have guessed how fun Quidditch could ever be. The moment her legs lifted off the ground, an entire different feeling took over. She was feeling. contrastive, as if she had woken up from a long dream the second she was in the air, and flying, was real.
She still remembered the wind in her hair, sending it flying out behind her, and she recalled the moon's soft light playing on the glinting silver Quidditch hoops. How she longed to be on the team!
And Harry had helped. A lot. He had taught her to hold the broomstick, and how to control the magnificent Firebolt. She recalled seeing him soaring gracefully, silently breaking through the cool night air, his flushed cheeks when he reached the ground. She could tell from that exuberant grin on his face, that he really loved flying. Flying was not difficult, considering the Firebolt was so. obedient. But she knew, not all brooms would be as good as a Firebolt. Harry had reminded her as well.
Justine turned onto her side, still smiling about seeing everything from a great distance up. Harry had looked like a miniscule ant, with extraordinarily bright green lights for eyes, staring at her from the ground. The grass was covered with a layer of dew, soaking in the moonlight, and the lake was awesome.
Its black waters were smooth, with a few ripples now and then, from the creatures within. Its dark surface mirrored the clouds, the moon, the stars, and even the breeze that swept across the land.
Justine's eyes, bright and sparkling with happiness and excitement, finally closed.
*
So that was what Justine did for the next few days. Quidditch, eat, and sleep. There was the occasional game of chess as well, but she was always beaten by Ron.
The next week, Justine had gotten to meet Ginny Weasley. She had gone to Egypt to visit her brother Bill with Fred and George. They had just gotten back.
Justine spotted her first. "Hi, are you Ginny?"
The freckled girl looked startled. "Yes I am."
"Justine," said Justine, extending her hand. "I'm at Gryffindor as well."
Ginny shook her hand politely, a smile making her ordinary face look pretty. "I've heard about you from Ron and Mom," she explained.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were not present when Ginny had arrived. They were called to help with some research on Dark Magic. Justine was not asked, surprisingly. She could just predict where the information was needed.
IThey think I'm too frail to search for anything.idiots. /IJustine grinned.
Justine and Ginny's chatter continued, and over the days, developed into a good friendship. Harry, Ron and Hermione had not found anything yet, so Ginny and Justine volunteered to help.
Apparently, the information they needed was on page 1056 of Dark Chills (found by Justine):
IUsing very intricate and deep magic, wizards can control fire and resist the burning heat. In fact, they may get to the "heart" of the flame, and put it out, or increase the heat and size of the fire. This is called Elemental Control of Fire. It requires very difficult magic and a lot of power in a wizard. Usually, Elemental Control would be a gift. Some wizards, when feeling angry or else, would allow fire to burn brightly or even increase the size of the flame. There is another form of Elemental Control of water on page 2047. /I
"What's that all about?" breathed Ginny.
"Don't ask us," shrugged Harry, "The Order says this is important and we were to look for Elemental Control, no matter what element it is."
Justine remained silent. Something about this was very familiar.
"I've got it!" she said suddenly, startling everyone.
"What is it, Just?" asked Ron, biting his lip nervously.
"That night, when I went out to fly for the first time," she began excitedly, "A couple of torches went out on their own, and there was no wind!"
"Wizarding fires don't get put out by wind anyway." thought Hermione aloud. "D'you think someone might have sneaked into Hogwarts?"
Everyone looked at each other warily. "I didn't see anyone, although they could be wearing an Invisibility Cloak," said Justine, frowning.
"Yeah, we both didn't see anyone at all, the whole night we were on the pitch," backed Harry.
"The Iwhole night/I?" asked Ron, eyes widening with interest.
"Er. No. Of course not. As in, night. Till midnight maybe. No where near whole. No? No," said Harry nervously.
"He means the time we were on the pitch, only until about eleven o' clock," Justine helped gently. Harry shot her a grateful smile.
Ron was positively glowing with victory.
"May we show this to the Order now?" interrupted Hermione.
Everyone grunted and moved slowly out of the library, heading down the corridor leading to Dumbledore's office.
*
None of them knew what the information was ever for. The moment the Order got hold of it, they had an emergency meeting and chased the teenagers back to the common room.
Justine sighed. She crossed out yet another day of her calendar using a bright red marker. Her wonderful summer was nearly gone and there were only three days left till the start of the new semester. Though she told herself not to get nervous, the same few thoughts always seemed to be crossing her mind nowadays.
What happens if I can't keep up with my grade?
Will I be pushed down one grade?
Worst.
What if my schoolmates don't like me. ?
She lay flat on her velvety bedspread, looking up into the scarlet bed hangings above her. Giving a strangled cry, she pulled the hangings shut and started to beat up her pillow.
Sure, Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all reassured her that she will settle in nicely at her new school.
"You're Inice/I, Just!" cried Ginny when Justine had voiced her thoughts out to her. "They're sure to like you!"
"That's right," added Dumbledore. "Besides, you read the Muggle replicas of the wizarding textbooks. They may be a bit different; but they'll do. You'll catch up in no time."
Did she believe them?
No.
How could she ever catch up with people who have been studying wizardy for five grades?
Impossible, she thought silently.
*
"Justine! Please stop day-dreaming!" yelled Harry across the Quidditch pitch on 1st September.
Justine's broom jerked back up roughly, as it was a school broom. "Sorry!" she shouted back, zooming as fast as she could go on the broom to catch the falling quaffle.
She has decided to join the Gryffindor Quidditch team and be a chaser.
She would give all she had to earn a place on the team. It was a good team after all.
She sped towards the goalposts, narrowly avoiding Ron as the keeper and scoring a goal. Justine did a few circles in the air elatedly, cheering hoarsely. Ron was a good keeper.
"I'm sure you'll make it," said Ginny after lunch. "You might be better than Angelina even. It's just that you really need a new broom."
Justine knew. She had been training with a battered Comet Two Sixty that absolutely refused to listen to her. Justine thoroughly enjoyed her first flight on Harry's Firebolt.
She couldn't help but feel slightly nervous as she heard the Hogwarts' Express from a distance, watching its scarlet body snake around the countryside. Twisting her hands in apprehension, she tied her hair into a ponytail and made her way to the Great Hall to await the arrival of the students.
*
Justine looked around at the milling students warily. Some of them were casting confused looks at her, Harry, Ron and Hermione, trying to figure out why they were already at Hogwarts before them. Others just ignored her.
She spotted another rare Asian girl near the Ravenclaw table, petite and pretty. The girl turned to look at the Gryffindor table and Justine saw her blush when she caught sight of Harry.
IThat has to be Cho. /I
A bright spot of red glinted at the line of newcomers. That tight ponytail in a black band. that clear complexion.
"April!"
Hermione craned her neck to look for her. "Did you see her? I can't. I'm much too short."
"I do, she's the last person after the Grade 1s. can't miss that red hair." said Justine, desperately trying to get April's attention. "I'm too short!" sighed Hermione. "And you're too tall," she added grumpily, looking up at Justine.
"Am not! Look at Ron!"
Ron turned away the moment Hermione settled her gaze on him. "Oh yeah that's tall."
Harry's eyes were laughing silently as he saw Ron blush near purple. Justine jabbed him in the ribs with her wand, although she was laughing hard inside as well.
Soon after, the Sorting Hat finished its song and the sorting of the new Grade Ones, April was called up next.
"April Myoah and Justine Lee, please come up here please," rang the voice of Professor McGonagall.
Shakily, Justine got up from her seat at the Gryffindor table and went up, feeling the gaze of hundreds of pairs of eyes on her.
"April Myoah is a student from Beauxbatons. She has moved to Hogwarts for the rest of her school years."
April smiled at Justine, then at the entire school, before the Sorting Hat fell over her eyes.
There was a long pause.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shrieked the Hat finally. April got up from the stool gracefully and went down to sit with the Gryffindors, who were clapping enthusiastically.
"And this," Professor McGonagall gestured at Justine, "Is Justine Lee from Singapore. She has already taken the Sorting and will be joining the Grade Six Gryffindors."
Everyone craned to take a look at her. Justine felt a blush creep up her cheeks.
No one has ever entered Hogwarts during the holidays.
No one has ever managed to join a grade without being in another wizarding school before.
So why, and how, wondered the students, had she entered?
*
"Now, Harry dear, would you mind going first?" Mrs. Weasley gave Harry the bowl of Floo Powder at the fireplace in the Great Hall.
Harry nodded and placed his spectacles in his pocket. He grabbed the fine, luminous green powder, sprinkling some into the roaring fire, changing it to a vibrant green, illuminating their faces.
He stepped into the cool fire and yelled, "The Leaky Cauldron!" Harry vanished in a rise of the flames.
Justine gulped. "Now, its your turn, dear. Remember to speak clearly!" Mrs. Weasley said cheerily to her, handing her the powder.
The flames, which transported Harry, returned to their fiery red. Justine stepped forward, more bravely than she felt, and sprinkled the green powder over the heat. Bright, tall, green flames sprung up once more, and she stumbled forward shakily.
The flames licked her skin gently, not hot at all. On the contrary, it was cool. "The Leaky Cauldron!" she shouted, and felt herself spinning in a world of flames, hair flying out behind her.
As fast as she left, she felt herself slide out onto solid ground once more. Justine coughed repeatedly and scrambled out of the way, lest Hermione came. Tidying up her hair, she got up and started to walk around the place.
Many witches and wizards sat around glazed wooden tables, laughing and sipping drinks, some of which Justine did not feel like knowing what they were made of. A few. things. that looked suspiciously like goblins, cast a surly eye over her. Justine shrugged and leaned over the bartop, asking the toothless man behind it. "Excuse me, but did Harry Potter come out of the fireplace a while ago?"
The man looked her up and down, then broke into a grin. "Well ah? I betcha anuddah one o' those admirehs, Miss?"
Justine was just shaking her head vigorously, trying to explain, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Harry.
"You know," he said amusedly, leaning against the bar, "I've been standing next to you all this while."
Justine laughed and dragged him away, the voice of Mrs. Weasley bringing them to the back door, where they rejoined Ron and Hermione, exiting to stand in the bright summer sunshine.
"Right. now." muttered Mrs. Weasley and started to count the grey bricks with her wand. Almost immediately, the bricks started to shuffle and move, opening up a large gateway where a wall had been.
"Cool!" exclaimed Justine, as they walked into Diagon Alley.
*
There was a soft, tinkling bell as Justine opened the door to Ollivanders' Wands. Mrs. Weasley and the others had gone to Flourish and Blotts to buy their new school books.
All the shelves in the shop were occupied with thin, long, green boxes, most of which were already collecting dust. There was a flickering light coming from a few torches hanging down the ceiling.
"Well, well, well." came a voice mistily. "Who have we here?"
Justine nearly jumped out of her skin and turned around to face an old but sturdy looking man who was barely her height.
"Mr. Ollivander at your service," he continued, pottering around the shelves using a stepladder. "This should do fine." he murmured as he pulled out one of those boxes, clouds of dust flying all over the place. He opened it and gave the finely chiseled wooden stick to Justine.
"Now go on, give it a swish." encouraged Mr. Ollivander.
Feeling immensely stupid, Justine did as she was told. And to her surprise, a trail of sparks burst from it, hanging in the dim firelight.
"Very nice! It's rarely I have a change to pick a wand on the first try!" said Mr. Ollivander, looking extremely pleased with himself.
"Maybe its just me," Justine grinned and reluctantly placed the wand back into its box.
"If you don't mind me asking, who are you, Miss.?"
"Lee. Daughter of Kristen Moune."
"Oh? Isn't that queer. I've never known her daughter to be magical. in fact, I just saw your mother here yesterday."
Justine smiled weakly and paid for the wand, mind clearly elsewhere. Her mother had created a vault at Gringotts to provide her with wizarding money.
IBut/I, she wondered, Iwhy hadn't she told me that I was a squib or something? At least I would be able to enjoy the luxury of having wizard blood. /I
*
Justine followed Mrs. Weasley's directions and arrived at a shop. She looked at the overhead hanging sign, which the words "Flourish and Blotts" were embossed on, before opening the door, clutching her wand box tightly.
Seeing a tuft of Ron's red hair, she made a beeline to the counter where they stood.
"Hey I got my wand," said Justine happily. She looked around their faces, suddenly realizing that there was an extra person with red hair. That person was a girl, sporting red hair tied back into a tight ponytail. Justine raised her eyebrow.
"Oh! April please turn around, we want you to meet. Justine," Hermione tugged on the girl's robes.
The girl turned around, looking mildly irritated at Hermione's tugging. "Hi!" she then greeted Justine brightly, lips parting into a bright smile.
"Hey April," replied Justine, surveying the girl, taking in her smooth, pale complexion and her large soulful green eyes.
"I just transferred from Beauxbatons into Hogwarts this year! My mum married an Englishman, you see," she picked up the books she had bought. "I'm also a pen pal of Hermione's, just met her, really. Pretty, isn't she?" April laughed at Hermione's stunned look. It was no wonder she was Hermione's pen pal. She spoke just as much and as fast. April started to walk out the door, still chatting, when a blond-haired someone slammed face first into her.
"Watch where you're going, you." Draco Malfoy looked up at April with a smirk. "Well, well, Weasley," he aimed at Ron, looking April up and down, "Did your little sister just grow much Imuch/I prettier?"
April looked outraged. "Get out of the way you twit!" she hissed, red strands of hair falling out of her band and framing her face. "Or I'll make you." Her eyes blazed.
Draco was shocked. No one ever talked to him like that, except his father. He stepped out of the way as April strode past angrily.
Ron and Harry looked terribly impressed.
Mrs. Weasley's mouth was opening and closing, as if wanting to say something but kept stopping herself.
Hermione caught Justine's eye and they both laughed. "See you at Hogwarts, Malfoy," they sneered in unison, before winking at each other and walking away.
"How'd she do that?" asked Ron, clearly fascinated.
"You're starting to lose your concentration there; I thought you liked Her." Harry started loudly, before being abruptly silenced with a kick from Ron in the shins. Mrs. Weasley looked curiously at them both.
"Don't mess with girls, Ron, especially if it has something to do with fights," grinned Justine, and dashed ahead with Hermione to join April for lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.
"I still don't understand the female gender," muttered Ron sourly.
"I wish I did, Ron, I wish I did," answered Harry, soft enough not to let Mrs. Weasley overhear.
*
Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Harry, Hermione and Justine bid April farewell after lunch, and headed back to Hogwarts. Justine tried on the robes Mrs. Weasley had gotten her and found them just right.
For the first time in a week, the entire Order was present at dinner. Justine caught snippets of talk, but understood nothing. Everything, it seemed nowadays, was talk about Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Justine's mind wandered back to this afternoon's incident, thinking darkly what Draco Malfoy would do if they kicked him out of school because of his father.
"Hey Justine?"
"Wha-?" She snapped out of her thoughts. It was Harry.
"You er. can you remember.? You wanted to learn how to fly." Harry looked around uncomfortably. Ron sniggered. Harry threw him a death glare.
Justine looked at his flushed face. "Sure," she replied, trying hard not to laugh. "Now?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
And they both got up from the table. "I'll get my broom first. Can you wait for me in the Entrance Hall?" asked Harry. Justine nodded and both walked out of the Great Hall, ignoring the whispers behind them.
ISo what if they want to talk? There's nothing between us in the first place!/I she thought angrily.
As she waited in the Hall, her footsteps echoed distantly, reflecting off the high stone walls. Suddenly a few torches at the corridor leading to the Teachers' Lounge went out with a puff of smoke. Justine had started, staring darkly at the torches.
Perhaps a gust of wind had come through a window? But she had not felt any wind whatsoever.
She shuddered.
"Are you ready?" a familiar voice asked gently.
Justine turned around, not realizing that she had been holding her breath. Harry's presence was somewhat comforting as she let out the air in her lungs.
"Is everything all right?" Harry looked at her quizzically.
Justine breathed evenly, nodding. The both of them walked out the doors; unlit torches still smoking.
*
At night, Justine lay staring at the rich red colour of her bed hangings. Hermione was already fast asleep in the next bed.
That flying, soaring sensation still remained in her stomach, making her grin. She never would have guessed how fun Quidditch could ever be. The moment her legs lifted off the ground, an entire different feeling took over. She was feeling. contrastive, as if she had woken up from a long dream the second she was in the air, and flying, was real.
She still remembered the wind in her hair, sending it flying out behind her, and she recalled the moon's soft light playing on the glinting silver Quidditch hoops. How she longed to be on the team!
And Harry had helped. A lot. He had taught her to hold the broomstick, and how to control the magnificent Firebolt. She recalled seeing him soaring gracefully, silently breaking through the cool night air, his flushed cheeks when he reached the ground. She could tell from that exuberant grin on his face, that he really loved flying. Flying was not difficult, considering the Firebolt was so. obedient. But she knew, not all brooms would be as good as a Firebolt. Harry had reminded her as well.
Justine turned onto her side, still smiling about seeing everything from a great distance up. Harry had looked like a miniscule ant, with extraordinarily bright green lights for eyes, staring at her from the ground. The grass was covered with a layer of dew, soaking in the moonlight, and the lake was awesome.
Its black waters were smooth, with a few ripples now and then, from the creatures within. Its dark surface mirrored the clouds, the moon, the stars, and even the breeze that swept across the land.
Justine's eyes, bright and sparkling with happiness and excitement, finally closed.
*
So that was what Justine did for the next few days. Quidditch, eat, and sleep. There was the occasional game of chess as well, but she was always beaten by Ron.
The next week, Justine had gotten to meet Ginny Weasley. She had gone to Egypt to visit her brother Bill with Fred and George. They had just gotten back.
Justine spotted her first. "Hi, are you Ginny?"
The freckled girl looked startled. "Yes I am."
"Justine," said Justine, extending her hand. "I'm at Gryffindor as well."
Ginny shook her hand politely, a smile making her ordinary face look pretty. "I've heard about you from Ron and Mom," she explained.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were not present when Ginny had arrived. They were called to help with some research on Dark Magic. Justine was not asked, surprisingly. She could just predict where the information was needed.
IThey think I'm too frail to search for anything.idiots. /IJustine grinned.
Justine and Ginny's chatter continued, and over the days, developed into a good friendship. Harry, Ron and Hermione had not found anything yet, so Ginny and Justine volunteered to help.
Apparently, the information they needed was on page 1056 of Dark Chills (found by Justine):
IUsing very intricate and deep magic, wizards can control fire and resist the burning heat. In fact, they may get to the "heart" of the flame, and put it out, or increase the heat and size of the fire. This is called Elemental Control of Fire. It requires very difficult magic and a lot of power in a wizard. Usually, Elemental Control would be a gift. Some wizards, when feeling angry or else, would allow fire to burn brightly or even increase the size of the flame. There is another form of Elemental Control of water on page 2047. /I
"What's that all about?" breathed Ginny.
"Don't ask us," shrugged Harry, "The Order says this is important and we were to look for Elemental Control, no matter what element it is."
Justine remained silent. Something about this was very familiar.
"I've got it!" she said suddenly, startling everyone.
"What is it, Just?" asked Ron, biting his lip nervously.
"That night, when I went out to fly for the first time," she began excitedly, "A couple of torches went out on their own, and there was no wind!"
"Wizarding fires don't get put out by wind anyway." thought Hermione aloud. "D'you think someone might have sneaked into Hogwarts?"
Everyone looked at each other warily. "I didn't see anyone, although they could be wearing an Invisibility Cloak," said Justine, frowning.
"Yeah, we both didn't see anyone at all, the whole night we were on the pitch," backed Harry.
"The Iwhole night/I?" asked Ron, eyes widening with interest.
"Er. No. Of course not. As in, night. Till midnight maybe. No where near whole. No? No," said Harry nervously.
"He means the time we were on the pitch, only until about eleven o' clock," Justine helped gently. Harry shot her a grateful smile.
Ron was positively glowing with victory.
"May we show this to the Order now?" interrupted Hermione.
Everyone grunted and moved slowly out of the library, heading down the corridor leading to Dumbledore's office.
*
None of them knew what the information was ever for. The moment the Order got hold of it, they had an emergency meeting and chased the teenagers back to the common room.
Justine sighed. She crossed out yet another day of her calendar using a bright red marker. Her wonderful summer was nearly gone and there were only three days left till the start of the new semester. Though she told herself not to get nervous, the same few thoughts always seemed to be crossing her mind nowadays.
What happens if I can't keep up with my grade?
Will I be pushed down one grade?
Worst.
What if my schoolmates don't like me. ?
She lay flat on her velvety bedspread, looking up into the scarlet bed hangings above her. Giving a strangled cry, she pulled the hangings shut and started to beat up her pillow.
Sure, Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all reassured her that she will settle in nicely at her new school.
"You're Inice/I, Just!" cried Ginny when Justine had voiced her thoughts out to her. "They're sure to like you!"
"That's right," added Dumbledore. "Besides, you read the Muggle replicas of the wizarding textbooks. They may be a bit different; but they'll do. You'll catch up in no time."
Did she believe them?
No.
How could she ever catch up with people who have been studying wizardy for five grades?
Impossible, she thought silently.
*
"Justine! Please stop day-dreaming!" yelled Harry across the Quidditch pitch on 1st September.
Justine's broom jerked back up roughly, as it was a school broom. "Sorry!" she shouted back, zooming as fast as she could go on the broom to catch the falling quaffle.
She has decided to join the Gryffindor Quidditch team and be a chaser.
She would give all she had to earn a place on the team. It was a good team after all.
She sped towards the goalposts, narrowly avoiding Ron as the keeper and scoring a goal. Justine did a few circles in the air elatedly, cheering hoarsely. Ron was a good keeper.
"I'm sure you'll make it," said Ginny after lunch. "You might be better than Angelina even. It's just that you really need a new broom."
Justine knew. She had been training with a battered Comet Two Sixty that absolutely refused to listen to her. Justine thoroughly enjoyed her first flight on Harry's Firebolt.
She couldn't help but feel slightly nervous as she heard the Hogwarts' Express from a distance, watching its scarlet body snake around the countryside. Twisting her hands in apprehension, she tied her hair into a ponytail and made her way to the Great Hall to await the arrival of the students.
*
Justine looked around at the milling students warily. Some of them were casting confused looks at her, Harry, Ron and Hermione, trying to figure out why they were already at Hogwarts before them. Others just ignored her.
She spotted another rare Asian girl near the Ravenclaw table, petite and pretty. The girl turned to look at the Gryffindor table and Justine saw her blush when she caught sight of Harry.
IThat has to be Cho. /I
A bright spot of red glinted at the line of newcomers. That tight ponytail in a black band. that clear complexion.
"April!"
Hermione craned her neck to look for her. "Did you see her? I can't. I'm much too short."
"I do, she's the last person after the Grade 1s. can't miss that red hair." said Justine, desperately trying to get April's attention. "I'm too short!" sighed Hermione. "And you're too tall," she added grumpily, looking up at Justine.
"Am not! Look at Ron!"
Ron turned away the moment Hermione settled her gaze on him. "Oh yeah that's tall."
Harry's eyes were laughing silently as he saw Ron blush near purple. Justine jabbed him in the ribs with her wand, although she was laughing hard inside as well.
Soon after, the Sorting Hat finished its song and the sorting of the new Grade Ones, April was called up next.
"April Myoah and Justine Lee, please come up here please," rang the voice of Professor McGonagall.
Shakily, Justine got up from her seat at the Gryffindor table and went up, feeling the gaze of hundreds of pairs of eyes on her.
"April Myoah is a student from Beauxbatons. She has moved to Hogwarts for the rest of her school years."
April smiled at Justine, then at the entire school, before the Sorting Hat fell over her eyes.
There was a long pause.
"GRYFFINDOR!" shrieked the Hat finally. April got up from the stool gracefully and went down to sit with the Gryffindors, who were clapping enthusiastically.
"And this," Professor McGonagall gestured at Justine, "Is Justine Lee from Singapore. She has already taken the Sorting and will be joining the Grade Six Gryffindors."
Everyone craned to take a look at her. Justine felt a blush creep up her cheeks.
No one has ever entered Hogwarts during the holidays.
No one has ever managed to join a grade without being in another wizarding school before.
So why, and how, wondered the students, had she entered?
*