Thank you to all my reviewers. I appreciate your feedback and I hope
you all enjoy this chapter even though it is on the boring side.
Silver- Yes you were my first reviewer and they do look through the
windows at one point.
Josie Blue- No, Silver beat u to it and its continuous, no flashbacks.
elvencherry07- I'll skip as much as I can. I want to write some
'action' but sadly I need to write some boring stuff to make some
things evident like this chapter.
ScarlettDarling- Wait no more. Oh and I like your songfic a lot.
Sara- I feel honored. First review ever, huh? Well, read away.
Kat6528- I like your story a lot so update soon and thanx for
reviewing my story too.
Disclaimer: JKR is busy with book 6 consequently she has no time for
this.
Chapter 2- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Through talks of Quidditch and mischievous pranks, Oliver and
Katie became closer than two peas in a pod. (A/N: always wanted to say
that, don't ask)
They were an inseparable duo, often reeking havoc on the town big
shots and bullies. Katie had no other friends and Oliver needn't any
other friends. Derick often teased Oliver about Katie, his
'girlfriend' and Oliver just shrugged it off. The thing was Oliver
never looked at Katie as a girl; she was just his best friend, a
funny, kind person always in a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting
shirt.
Seeing as Katie disliked jewelry, she also was not a fan of
makeup, dresses, and other girl-related materials. Katie never drooled
over guy celebrities or spent hours in front of the mirror. Her only
passion was flying and having a good time. It was this, he guessed,
that Oliver liked best about Katie. She never made him uncomfortable
or anxious in the slightest way. Katie could be herself around Oliver
and not have to worry about anything. Most boys-scratch that- all boys
in Shutterly chose to ignore Katie simply because she was a girl with
the exception of Oliver.
The beginning of July approached quickly and both Katie and
Oliver hoped to receive their letters from Hogwarts soon. Derick, now
going into fifth year, constantly talked of school during the summer.
His motives for doing so were obvious seeing as he loved tormenting
his little brother. 'Gryffindor this and Hogwarts that' was all Oliver
ever heard from his brother anymore. Derick had astonishingly shelved
teasing Oliver about Katie, temporarily mind you.
It was a brisk July morning when a mahogany owl rapped at Katie's
giant window. Making her way to the window she saw that Oliver was
still asleep, paying no regards to the caramel colored owl outside his
window. Sighing, Katie took the letter from the deep brown owl,
knowing it was from Hogwarts. Her highly perceptive eyes quickly
recognized the Hogwarts seal- lion, eagle, badger, and serpent all
enclosing a prominent 'H'. Opening the letter, Katie read,
Dear Miss. Bell,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a
list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We expect your owl by no later than
July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Looking for the 'enclosed list' Katie found a sheet of parchment
with a listing of all the necessities and requirements for a first
year at the magical school. "This means a trip to Diagon Alley!" Katie
exclaimed. "I can't wait!"
* * *
After a trip to Flourish and Blotts, Madame Malkin's Robes for
All Occasions, and Olivander's, Katie and Oliver begged their parents
to let them go to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Permission granted, both
future first years ran to the shop. There in the window sat the most
wonderful broom Oliver had ever laid his eyes on, the Nimbus 1800.
"Look at it Katie, just look at it. Have you ever seen a more
perfect broomstick?" Oliver excitedly asked his friend.
"Before you get too smitten with it, remember its 50 galleons.
(A/N: in dollars that's about 350 I think) You know there's no way
we're gonna be able to get it."
"Thanks for the reality check Katie. You could have at least let
me dream."
"So sorry for shattering your reverie," replied Katie
sardonically.
"Great, I think I set off a chain reaction of sarcasm," Oliver
said mock- wincing.
"Okay, okay I'll spare you this one time," Katie answered.
"Besides we gotta get back. Don't wanna wake up late tomorrow, do we
Oliver?"
"No, I suppose not. Goodbye to waking up to as late as I want,"
Oliver said sniffling.
* * *
"Find a compartment yet Katie?"
"No, still looking," Katie said as she peeked into a compartment
only to find it was full of a bunch of third years. 'At this rate
we'll be seated when we arrive,' Katie thought. With a one-track mind
Katie failed to notice the person approaching her. With a thud Katie
bumped into the person in front of her. Due to the person's larger
body structure Katie fell to the ground.
"Watch it you klutz!" shouted a raven-haired boy with a grimace.
Walking right past Katie without so much as a helping hand, the boy
stepped into a compartment at the end of the hall.
"Are you alright?" asked a voice.
"What? Me? Oh, I'm fine," Katie answered.
"Here," the person behind the voice said as she offered Katie her
hand. "My name's Alicia and this here is Angelina," the girl said
pointing to the girl standing beside her.
"My name's Katie. Are you first years too?"
"Yeah, Angelina and I are having trouble finding an empty
compartment."
"My friend Oliver and I are too."
"Maybe we can share one?" Angelina spoke.
"Sure, we could-"
"Katie! Katie!" Oliver yelled. "I found a compartment."
"That would be Oliver," Katie said as Angelina and Alicia tried
to follow the situation.
"Katie," Oliver spoke panting. "I found. A. Compartment."
"So I heard," Katie retorted. "Oliver meet Angelina and Alicia,
they're first years as well," she said gesturing towards the two
girls.
"Oh, um nice to meet you," Oliver said with a bit less gasping
for air.
"You too," Angelina and Alicia chimed.
"Katie we better get seated. The trains about to start. Oh, um,
Katie you don't mind if two other guys join us, do you?"
"As long as Alicia and Angelina can come Mr. Wood."
"Hey, the more the merrier!" Oliver shouted while leading the
girls to the compartment. As he slid the door open the train started.
"Ladies meet Fred and George Weasley," Oliver said pointing to a pair
of redheaded twins.
"Hello girls," the twins spoke in response. Angelina and Alicia
smiled as they seated themselves across from the Weasley Twins.
"Fred, George, this is Katie," Oliver introduced as he took a
seat adjacent to Fred.
"Charmed to meet you," George said.
"Me too," Katie replied. "Oh and this is Angelina and Alicia,"
Katie spoke nodding towards the two smiling girls. Fred and George
smiled in response.
"We're all first years so we're likely to have some classes
together," Oliver pointed out.
'Yeah and if we get sorted into the same house we may room
together," Angelina added.
After some more talk of Hogwarts and a snack from the trolley
cart, the six first years engaged in a game of Gobstones. Sprayed
twice in the face, Katie headed for the loo hoping to rid her nose of
that atrocious smell.
On her way back from the bathroom Katie tripped over something.
Turning around to see the cause of her fall, Katie saw a tall lanky
boy, the same boy, whom she had bumped into earlier.
"Watch your step, wouldn't want to hurt yourself would you?" the
boy asked in cold tone. Just then the train came to a halt and Katie
stood up to make her way back to the compartment.
"Katie what took you so long?" Alicia asked.
"No matter Alicia, " Fred put in. "We're here."
* * *
The trip across the lake was spent chatting about the outcome of
the sorting. All six of them hoped to be in Gryffindor judging that it
suited them most.
* * *
"When I call your name please step up to the stool and I will
place the Sorting Hat on your head," said a rigid Professor
McGonagall. The first years squirmed with anxiety uncertain of which
house they would be sorted into. "Abbot, Emma," Professor McGonagall
called out.
After about ten names it was Katie's turn. "Bell, Katie," spoke
an articulated McGonagall. Stepping up to the stool Katie looked felt
more nervous then ever before. Then she caught a thumbs up sign from
Oliver. Calmed quite a bit by Oliver's gesture, Katie seated herself
on the stool.
* * *
"Can you believe we all got sorted into Gryffindor?" asked
Angelina. "Katie you should have seen yourself up there. So nervous,
you looked like you were gonna hurl."
"Gee thanks," Katie cynically replied. "Listen, I don't know
about you two but this years gonna be tough!"
"Thanks for the friendly reminder," Angelina ejected.
"Hey Katie! I've been meaning to ask you, who was that guy you
bumped into on the Express?" Alicia inquired.
"Dunno, but he was kinda creepy."
"Wait, did he have black hair and messed up teeth?" Angelina
questioned.
"Uhm, yeah he did."
"Marcus Flint!" Angelina interjected.
"Marcus who?" Alicia asked.
Flint, Marcus Flint! I met him in Diagon Alley! Real jerk.
He could use a good alignment charm too!"
"Okay, enough about less-than-perfect whites or yellows in
his case," Katie spoke smiling. "It's time for bed."
"Yes ma'am," Alicia said.
* * *
Where the year went none of them knew. It seemed only
yesterday that they crossed the translucent lake and now they were
packing their bags. With a myriad of pranks and numerous homework
assignments the six friends sped through the year. Not only did Oliver
and Katie make new friends, or partners-in-crime-you choose, they also
learned a great deal as well. Who knew a Wingardium Leviosa spell
could prove useful in pouring pumpkin juice on Roger Davies?
* * *
Stepping off the Hogwarts Express, Katie hugged Angelina and
Alicia goodbye. Second year loomed ahead for Katie and Oliver and
neither of them could wait for Quidditch tryouts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Eh, boring I know. But hey, I thought it could have been worse.
Not much of a plot yet, but once again bear with me. English isn't my
favorite subject, although I enjoyed writing this. I've got some stuff
planned for the end; it's the beginning that lacks the 'umph'! I try.
. . but you know reviews motivate me so if you would please review.
Thanx, talk to you next chapter. Same place, same story. ~itefaq
you all enjoy this chapter even though it is on the boring side.
Silver- Yes you were my first reviewer and they do look through the
windows at one point.
Josie Blue- No, Silver beat u to it and its continuous, no flashbacks.
elvencherry07- I'll skip as much as I can. I want to write some
'action' but sadly I need to write some boring stuff to make some
things evident like this chapter.
ScarlettDarling- Wait no more. Oh and I like your songfic a lot.
Sara- I feel honored. First review ever, huh? Well, read away.
Kat6528- I like your story a lot so update soon and thanx for
reviewing my story too.
Disclaimer: JKR is busy with book 6 consequently she has no time for
this.
Chapter 2- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Through talks of Quidditch and mischievous pranks, Oliver and
Katie became closer than two peas in a pod. (A/N: always wanted to say
that, don't ask)
They were an inseparable duo, often reeking havoc on the town big
shots and bullies. Katie had no other friends and Oliver needn't any
other friends. Derick often teased Oliver about Katie, his
'girlfriend' and Oliver just shrugged it off. The thing was Oliver
never looked at Katie as a girl; she was just his best friend, a
funny, kind person always in a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting
shirt.
Seeing as Katie disliked jewelry, she also was not a fan of
makeup, dresses, and other girl-related materials. Katie never drooled
over guy celebrities or spent hours in front of the mirror. Her only
passion was flying and having a good time. It was this, he guessed,
that Oliver liked best about Katie. She never made him uncomfortable
or anxious in the slightest way. Katie could be herself around Oliver
and not have to worry about anything. Most boys-scratch that- all boys
in Shutterly chose to ignore Katie simply because she was a girl with
the exception of Oliver.
The beginning of July approached quickly and both Katie and
Oliver hoped to receive their letters from Hogwarts soon. Derick, now
going into fifth year, constantly talked of school during the summer.
His motives for doing so were obvious seeing as he loved tormenting
his little brother. 'Gryffindor this and Hogwarts that' was all Oliver
ever heard from his brother anymore. Derick had astonishingly shelved
teasing Oliver about Katie, temporarily mind you.
It was a brisk July morning when a mahogany owl rapped at Katie's
giant window. Making her way to the window she saw that Oliver was
still asleep, paying no regards to the caramel colored owl outside his
window. Sighing, Katie took the letter from the deep brown owl,
knowing it was from Hogwarts. Her highly perceptive eyes quickly
recognized the Hogwarts seal- lion, eagle, badger, and serpent all
enclosing a prominent 'H'. Opening the letter, Katie read,
Dear Miss. Bell,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a
list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We expect your owl by no later than
July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Looking for the 'enclosed list' Katie found a sheet of parchment
with a listing of all the necessities and requirements for a first
year at the magical school. "This means a trip to Diagon Alley!" Katie
exclaimed. "I can't wait!"
* * *
After a trip to Flourish and Blotts, Madame Malkin's Robes for
All Occasions, and Olivander's, Katie and Oliver begged their parents
to let them go to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Permission granted, both
future first years ran to the shop. There in the window sat the most
wonderful broom Oliver had ever laid his eyes on, the Nimbus 1800.
"Look at it Katie, just look at it. Have you ever seen a more
perfect broomstick?" Oliver excitedly asked his friend.
"Before you get too smitten with it, remember its 50 galleons.
(A/N: in dollars that's about 350 I think) You know there's no way
we're gonna be able to get it."
"Thanks for the reality check Katie. You could have at least let
me dream."
"So sorry for shattering your reverie," replied Katie
sardonically.
"Great, I think I set off a chain reaction of sarcasm," Oliver
said mock- wincing.
"Okay, okay I'll spare you this one time," Katie answered.
"Besides we gotta get back. Don't wanna wake up late tomorrow, do we
Oliver?"
"No, I suppose not. Goodbye to waking up to as late as I want,"
Oliver said sniffling.
* * *
"Find a compartment yet Katie?"
"No, still looking," Katie said as she peeked into a compartment
only to find it was full of a bunch of third years. 'At this rate
we'll be seated when we arrive,' Katie thought. With a one-track mind
Katie failed to notice the person approaching her. With a thud Katie
bumped into the person in front of her. Due to the person's larger
body structure Katie fell to the ground.
"Watch it you klutz!" shouted a raven-haired boy with a grimace.
Walking right past Katie without so much as a helping hand, the boy
stepped into a compartment at the end of the hall.
"Are you alright?" asked a voice.
"What? Me? Oh, I'm fine," Katie answered.
"Here," the person behind the voice said as she offered Katie her
hand. "My name's Alicia and this here is Angelina," the girl said
pointing to the girl standing beside her.
"My name's Katie. Are you first years too?"
"Yeah, Angelina and I are having trouble finding an empty
compartment."
"My friend Oliver and I are too."
"Maybe we can share one?" Angelina spoke.
"Sure, we could-"
"Katie! Katie!" Oliver yelled. "I found a compartment."
"That would be Oliver," Katie said as Angelina and Alicia tried
to follow the situation.
"Katie," Oliver spoke panting. "I found. A. Compartment."
"So I heard," Katie retorted. "Oliver meet Angelina and Alicia,
they're first years as well," she said gesturing towards the two
girls.
"Oh, um nice to meet you," Oliver said with a bit less gasping
for air.
"You too," Angelina and Alicia chimed.
"Katie we better get seated. The trains about to start. Oh, um,
Katie you don't mind if two other guys join us, do you?"
"As long as Alicia and Angelina can come Mr. Wood."
"Hey, the more the merrier!" Oliver shouted while leading the
girls to the compartment. As he slid the door open the train started.
"Ladies meet Fred and George Weasley," Oliver said pointing to a pair
of redheaded twins.
"Hello girls," the twins spoke in response. Angelina and Alicia
smiled as they seated themselves across from the Weasley Twins.
"Fred, George, this is Katie," Oliver introduced as he took a
seat adjacent to Fred.
"Charmed to meet you," George said.
"Me too," Katie replied. "Oh and this is Angelina and Alicia,"
Katie spoke nodding towards the two smiling girls. Fred and George
smiled in response.
"We're all first years so we're likely to have some classes
together," Oliver pointed out.
'Yeah and if we get sorted into the same house we may room
together," Angelina added.
After some more talk of Hogwarts and a snack from the trolley
cart, the six first years engaged in a game of Gobstones. Sprayed
twice in the face, Katie headed for the loo hoping to rid her nose of
that atrocious smell.
On her way back from the bathroom Katie tripped over something.
Turning around to see the cause of her fall, Katie saw a tall lanky
boy, the same boy, whom she had bumped into earlier.
"Watch your step, wouldn't want to hurt yourself would you?" the
boy asked in cold tone. Just then the train came to a halt and Katie
stood up to make her way back to the compartment.
"Katie what took you so long?" Alicia asked.
"No matter Alicia, " Fred put in. "We're here."
* * *
The trip across the lake was spent chatting about the outcome of
the sorting. All six of them hoped to be in Gryffindor judging that it
suited them most.
* * *
"When I call your name please step up to the stool and I will
place the Sorting Hat on your head," said a rigid Professor
McGonagall. The first years squirmed with anxiety uncertain of which
house they would be sorted into. "Abbot, Emma," Professor McGonagall
called out.
After about ten names it was Katie's turn. "Bell, Katie," spoke
an articulated McGonagall. Stepping up to the stool Katie looked felt
more nervous then ever before. Then she caught a thumbs up sign from
Oliver. Calmed quite a bit by Oliver's gesture, Katie seated herself
on the stool.
* * *
"Can you believe we all got sorted into Gryffindor?" asked
Angelina. "Katie you should have seen yourself up there. So nervous,
you looked like you were gonna hurl."
"Gee thanks," Katie cynically replied. "Listen, I don't know
about you two but this years gonna be tough!"
"Thanks for the friendly reminder," Angelina ejected.
"Hey Katie! I've been meaning to ask you, who was that guy you
bumped into on the Express?" Alicia inquired.
"Dunno, but he was kinda creepy."
"Wait, did he have black hair and messed up teeth?" Angelina
questioned.
"Uhm, yeah he did."
"Marcus Flint!" Angelina interjected.
"Marcus who?" Alicia asked.
Flint, Marcus Flint! I met him in Diagon Alley! Real jerk.
He could use a good alignment charm too!"
"Okay, enough about less-than-perfect whites or yellows in
his case," Katie spoke smiling. "It's time for bed."
"Yes ma'am," Alicia said.
* * *
Where the year went none of them knew. It seemed only
yesterday that they crossed the translucent lake and now they were
packing their bags. With a myriad of pranks and numerous homework
assignments the six friends sped through the year. Not only did Oliver
and Katie make new friends, or partners-in-crime-you choose, they also
learned a great deal as well. Who knew a Wingardium Leviosa spell
could prove useful in pouring pumpkin juice on Roger Davies?
* * *
Stepping off the Hogwarts Express, Katie hugged Angelina and
Alicia goodbye. Second year loomed ahead for Katie and Oliver and
neither of them could wait for Quidditch tryouts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Eh, boring I know. But hey, I thought it could have been worse.
Not much of a plot yet, but once again bear with me. English isn't my
favorite subject, although I enjoyed writing this. I've got some stuff
planned for the end; it's the beginning that lacks the 'umph'! I try.
. . but you know reviews motivate me so if you would please review.
Thanx, talk to you next chapter. Same place, same story. ~itefaq