Chappie Five

A/N Thanks for the reviews! You guys make me want to write more!

Araminta, Blake, and Selene had just struggled into their Hogwarts robes when the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station. They could hear a raspy voice yelling, "Firs' years, firs' years, this way."

As they got off the train, an enormous man with wild, gray hair waddled up to them and grasped Araminta by the shoulder. "You mus' be Harry's girl! He wrote and told me all about yer. Said you were going to take Hogwarts by storm." At this, lightning lit the sky and thunder rumbled over their heads. "I did'n' think he meant it so literally." Hagrid laughed as sheets of rain fell, soaking them right through.

The first years followed Hagrid (who was now using a knobbly cane) down to a number of small boats. "No more'n three to a boat, now," said Hagrid. "You lot get bigger every year."

Blake and Selene hopped into a boat, nearly turning it over. "Come with us, Araminta," they chorused.

"Okay," said Araminta, happily.

A few moments later, they were sloshing their way across the lake. Suddenly, a giant...thing...came out of the water and wrapped itself around Blake, squeezing him tightly.

Shrieks of 'Look at the squid!' echoed across the water, and Araminta froze, gripping the side of the boat. She was already fast friends with Blake; she couldn't let him die! She had to do something!

She took her wand out of her pocket and poked the tentacle as hard as she could. "Let go," she yelled, but the squid did not obey. Next, she tried Daddy Draco's voice: "I say, let go of him, or I'll hex you into next Samhain!" Still nothing happened.

There was one last resort, and she hated to go so far. But, it was the only way. Blake was turning blue and would suffocate if she didn't get the monster off of him!

"Crucio."

The tentacle twitched and writhed, and an eerie, high-pitched sound came up through the waves. Araminta wanted to cover her ears, but she held the spell. At last the squid stopped struggling and let go of Blake. Selene grabbed the back of Blake's robes just before he fell over the side and hauled him into the center of the boat.

With a sigh of relief, Araminta collapsed back into her seat. That had been close.

Blake choked and coughed a few times, then kneeled at Araminta's feet. "How--how can I ever repay you? You saved my life." He looked deep into her gray-green eyes with this own blue ones.

Araminta blushed. "Well, you're sort of kneeling on my foot."

"Oh! Sorry," said Blake, and as he got up he fell forward and his lips met Araminta's.

Oh, this is so good, thought Araminta. Blake was a really good kisser. He tasted like warm days and sunshine and strawberries dipped in chocolate and minty rain. She opened her mouth and let him put his tongue in.

A little cough startled them into breaking apart.

"Um, we're here, guys," said Selene, who looked a little disgruntled.

Hogwarts Castle loomed up in front of them.