Disclaimer: I own Lindsay and that's about it
The carriage ride was pretty silent. Lindsay could see the creatures pulling them but didn't mention this to the others as she'd have to explain why, and that was a touchy subject. When they reached the building, they all got out and lined up according to house. Lindsay went up to a very stern looking lady with glasses, "Ummm excuse me," the lady turned, "Umm I'm the exchange student and I'm wondering......."
"Oh, you must be Lindsay. Come with me." Lindsay followed her. She was placed at the end of a line of first years. The first years were all sorted into their houses and finally a loud voice boomed "LINDSAY THOMPSON"
Lindsay walked hesitantly towards the front of the hall where an old hat set on a stool was waiting. By this time, Lindsay had figured out that the hat was responsible for sorting people into their houses. She sat timidly on the stool and stuffed the hat on her head. This was mainly due to wanting to shut out the whispers of "she looks too old to be a first year." And "Why didn't they call her name before?"
She had a strange sensation that her brain was being looked through like a filing cabinet. Suddenly she heard a voice boom out "GRYFFINDOR" (cliche I know, but how else would she have any substantial relationships with the main characters? Sigh I'll try to get the plot moving along eventually....when I think of a plot....). Professor Dumbledore made an announcement that Lindsay was an exchange student from America (why would he make an announcement like this?). Lindsay turned a deep shade of red from all the people staring at her "I'm not like a typical American" she thought to herself furiously. She knew some of the thoughts that must be going through their heads at that moment.
She went and sat down shakily by Hermione. "That wasn't so bad no was it," said Hermione.
"Riiiight" Lindsay said sarcastically, which got a smile out of Hermione
"Wow," breathed Lindsay, as she looked at all the food that appeared on the table
"Eee eat ood ere," said Ron through a mouth of mashed potatoes. Lindsay smiled and dug in. After dinner there were the usual announcements and everyone was sent off to bed. When Lindsay reached the common room, she was again struck by the size and splendor of it all. Hermione showed her up to the dorm room where Lindsay fell asleep the minute her head hit the pillow.
The next morning, Lindsay dragged herself out of bed and mumbled the words "Not....happening." She pulled on her school uniform, yanked a brush through her tousled mahogany brown hair, pulled it back in a ponytail, and threw on her black robe. After hopping around sockless on the cold floor for several moments she finally found her socks and shoes. After hastily putting them on, she followed the other girls out of the dorm room and down the stairs. After a delicious breakfast of bacon and eggs Lindsay set off for her first class....Transfiguration.
"McGonagall's all right. Just don't be late and don't talk in her class," said Ron
"You must have a lot of trouble then, eh" said Lindsay wickedly. Ron gave her a friendly slug in the arm and proceeded to describe how evil the Potions master, Professor Snape, was.
"...I mean blimey, you'd think I'd committed murder the way he looked at me when I spilt a little bit of my potion on the floor, I mean honestly you'd think...."
"That will do Mr. Weasley," came a sharp voice at the front of the classroom they'd just entered. Ron blushed scarlet and took a seat. Lindsay sat between him and Hermione. She was excited, Transfiguration was her favorite class. Professor McGonagall began to speak, "Class I'm sure you're all aware that we have a new student," heads turned to Lindsay who was beginning to turn slightly pink in spite of herself. "She is an exchange student from The New York Institute for Young Witches and Wizards. They have an excellent Transfiguration program there don't they?"
"Umm yes professor," said Lindsay.
"I know Professor Richgul. Did you?"
"Ummm yeah, he was my teacher."
"You were in Advanced 3rd year Transfiguration?"
"Umm actually I was in Advanced 5th year Transfiguration."
"I heard that at your school you start to learn to become Anmagi in your fifth year. Is that right?"
"Yes, if you choose to go that course."
"Did you?"
"Yes..."
"Well let's see it then, can you transform?"
"I just finished learning how...but...."
"Let's have it then," said McGonagall.
Lindsay took a deep breath and walked to the front of the room. She concentrated, went over the spell words in her head, and slowly transformed into her shape, a sleek black panther with bright green eyes. She padded over to McGonagall and changed back to her human form. All eyes of the class were focused on her. McGonagall looked very impressed. "That's wonderful," she said. "Hmmmm well you still have to work on not having to go over the spell words first. Goodness I'm glad there's something I can help you with. I'd like you to go ahead and take this class. I'll work with you when I find a chance during class time. Back to your seat."
The now scarlet Lindsay practically ran to her seat. She sat down. "That was impressive," said Ron.
"Oh yes, I positively enjoy flaunting it around. I truly wanted you all to know this. Oh bother..."
Ron looked taken aback
"Sorry, it's just I want to lie low and not draw attention to myself," said Lindsay.
"Oh," said Ron
"I completely understand," said Harry.
"That was very good though," said Hermione. "I've looked through lots of books but I haven't heard of that many registered underage Anmagi," said Hermione.
"That's because she isn't registered you twit," said Ron.
"Actually..." said Lindsay, "I'm sort of I guess you could call it sponsored by my teacher. It sorta counts like registered but not quite."
Ron, "That's neat I wonder if...."
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, and Miss Thompson, shall I continue, or should I wait for you to finish?"
"The three of them turned red and muttered, "Continue."
The class passed normally enough after that. Lindsay went through her next classes without any disruption (Arithmacy and Charms were next).
She ate lunch with Hermione, Harry, and Ron. Harry, Ron, and her then proceeded to Divination.
Upon entering the stuffy, heavily perfumed room, Lindsay sneezed. "What happened here? Did someone spill something?" she questioned
"No," said Harry, "she likes it that way.
"Well, how does she expect people to concentrate with..." Lindsay was cut off by the sound of a misty voice.
"Ah, welcome back all of you. However, your joys are soon to turn to sadness as my Eye has foretold something dreadful that will happen." She turned her head in Harry's direction.
"Here it comes muttered Harry,"
"There is great danger for you Harry...I am afraid you shall not outlive the year. You are in great peril." Two girls in front gasped.
Harry said in an undertone, "I believe in a scant three days time I shalt be struck down by lightening whilst being attacked by pixies...."
Ron covered a snigger with a very loud fake sounding cough, which the Professor chose to ignore. She turned her huge eyes to Lindsay, "Ahh, and we have a new student in our midst...what is your name child?"
"Lindsay Thompson."
"I foresee a time of trouble for you Lindsay, yes, great trouble...."
"Oh brother," whispered Ron.
Lindsay stifled a laugh and tried to remain serious while Professor Trelawney proceeded to tell Ron about what great peril he was in as well.
After a very interesting Divination class, which ended in Ron being given a week's detention, the three of them met up with Hermione and proceeded to Potions. Lindsay never had anything against potions. It certainly wasn't her favorite subject, but she was pretty good at it.
They entered the room. Lindsay took a seat next to Hermione. A cold drafty voice filled the room. "I hope you haven't forgotten everything over your summer... Longbottom, what is the difference between chokesvine and rittersfoil?" Snape then proceeded to interrogate the poor Neville. He then turned towards Lindsay. "Ahh you must be the new American student," he said, emphasizing the word new and American. "I hope that you remember that regardless of the way you are allowed to act in your country, you must conform to my rules in my class. Do not think them beneath you as most Americans would," he spat out. "And I shall expect a 500 word essay on the material you have covered already.
Don't say a word Don't say a word DON'T say a word Lindsay repeated over and over in her head. Hermione must have heard her grinding her teeth, for she patted her on the back and said, "He picks on everyone, don't worry about it."
Lindsay nodded and proceeded brewing her potion. She poured the contents out of her cauldron into a vial and gave it to Professor Snape. He took it with a look of utter disgust on his face.
As Lindsay walked back to her seat, she noticed a blond Slytherin boy watching her. He was smirking quite nastily. She shivered and walked back to her seat. She asked Hermione, "Who's that blond Slytherian boy over there"?
A dark cloud seemed to pass over Hermione's face. "Draco Malfoy...one of the most despicable pieces of filth in this entire school," she spat out vehemently.
"They're not too chummy," remarked Harry.
"Well none of us are," piped Ron. "He's a bloody Slytherian for pete's sake.
The 3 of them had explained the differences between the houses the night before. Lindsay stole a glance across the room. Draco was still looking at her...he was grinning.
The carriage ride was pretty silent. Lindsay could see the creatures pulling them but didn't mention this to the others as she'd have to explain why, and that was a touchy subject. When they reached the building, they all got out and lined up according to house. Lindsay went up to a very stern looking lady with glasses, "Ummm excuse me," the lady turned, "Umm I'm the exchange student and I'm wondering......."
"Oh, you must be Lindsay. Come with me." Lindsay followed her. She was placed at the end of a line of first years. The first years were all sorted into their houses and finally a loud voice boomed "LINDSAY THOMPSON"
Lindsay walked hesitantly towards the front of the hall where an old hat set on a stool was waiting. By this time, Lindsay had figured out that the hat was responsible for sorting people into their houses. She sat timidly on the stool and stuffed the hat on her head. This was mainly due to wanting to shut out the whispers of "she looks too old to be a first year." And "Why didn't they call her name before?"
She had a strange sensation that her brain was being looked through like a filing cabinet. Suddenly she heard a voice boom out "GRYFFINDOR" (cliche I know, but how else would she have any substantial relationships with the main characters? Sigh I'll try to get the plot moving along eventually....when I think of a plot....). Professor Dumbledore made an announcement that Lindsay was an exchange student from America (why would he make an announcement like this?). Lindsay turned a deep shade of red from all the people staring at her "I'm not like a typical American" she thought to herself furiously. She knew some of the thoughts that must be going through their heads at that moment.
She went and sat down shakily by Hermione. "That wasn't so bad no was it," said Hermione.
"Riiiight" Lindsay said sarcastically, which got a smile out of Hermione
"Wow," breathed Lindsay, as she looked at all the food that appeared on the table
"Eee eat ood ere," said Ron through a mouth of mashed potatoes. Lindsay smiled and dug in. After dinner there were the usual announcements and everyone was sent off to bed. When Lindsay reached the common room, she was again struck by the size and splendor of it all. Hermione showed her up to the dorm room where Lindsay fell asleep the minute her head hit the pillow.
The next morning, Lindsay dragged herself out of bed and mumbled the words "Not....happening." She pulled on her school uniform, yanked a brush through her tousled mahogany brown hair, pulled it back in a ponytail, and threw on her black robe. After hopping around sockless on the cold floor for several moments she finally found her socks and shoes. After hastily putting them on, she followed the other girls out of the dorm room and down the stairs. After a delicious breakfast of bacon and eggs Lindsay set off for her first class....Transfiguration.
"McGonagall's all right. Just don't be late and don't talk in her class," said Ron
"You must have a lot of trouble then, eh" said Lindsay wickedly. Ron gave her a friendly slug in the arm and proceeded to describe how evil the Potions master, Professor Snape, was.
"...I mean blimey, you'd think I'd committed murder the way he looked at me when I spilt a little bit of my potion on the floor, I mean honestly you'd think...."
"That will do Mr. Weasley," came a sharp voice at the front of the classroom they'd just entered. Ron blushed scarlet and took a seat. Lindsay sat between him and Hermione. She was excited, Transfiguration was her favorite class. Professor McGonagall began to speak, "Class I'm sure you're all aware that we have a new student," heads turned to Lindsay who was beginning to turn slightly pink in spite of herself. "She is an exchange student from The New York Institute for Young Witches and Wizards. They have an excellent Transfiguration program there don't they?"
"Umm yes professor," said Lindsay.
"I know Professor Richgul. Did you?"
"Ummm yeah, he was my teacher."
"You were in Advanced 3rd year Transfiguration?"
"Umm actually I was in Advanced 5th year Transfiguration."
"I heard that at your school you start to learn to become Anmagi in your fifth year. Is that right?"
"Yes, if you choose to go that course."
"Did you?"
"Yes..."
"Well let's see it then, can you transform?"
"I just finished learning how...but...."
"Let's have it then," said McGonagall.
Lindsay took a deep breath and walked to the front of the room. She concentrated, went over the spell words in her head, and slowly transformed into her shape, a sleek black panther with bright green eyes. She padded over to McGonagall and changed back to her human form. All eyes of the class were focused on her. McGonagall looked very impressed. "That's wonderful," she said. "Hmmmm well you still have to work on not having to go over the spell words first. Goodness I'm glad there's something I can help you with. I'd like you to go ahead and take this class. I'll work with you when I find a chance during class time. Back to your seat."
The now scarlet Lindsay practically ran to her seat. She sat down. "That was impressive," said Ron.
"Oh yes, I positively enjoy flaunting it around. I truly wanted you all to know this. Oh bother..."
Ron looked taken aback
"Sorry, it's just I want to lie low and not draw attention to myself," said Lindsay.
"Oh," said Ron
"I completely understand," said Harry.
"That was very good though," said Hermione. "I've looked through lots of books but I haven't heard of that many registered underage Anmagi," said Hermione.
"That's because she isn't registered you twit," said Ron.
"Actually..." said Lindsay, "I'm sort of I guess you could call it sponsored by my teacher. It sorta counts like registered but not quite."
Ron, "That's neat I wonder if...."
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, and Miss Thompson, shall I continue, or should I wait for you to finish?"
"The three of them turned red and muttered, "Continue."
The class passed normally enough after that. Lindsay went through her next classes without any disruption (Arithmacy and Charms were next).
She ate lunch with Hermione, Harry, and Ron. Harry, Ron, and her then proceeded to Divination.
Upon entering the stuffy, heavily perfumed room, Lindsay sneezed. "What happened here? Did someone spill something?" she questioned
"No," said Harry, "she likes it that way.
"Well, how does she expect people to concentrate with..." Lindsay was cut off by the sound of a misty voice.
"Ah, welcome back all of you. However, your joys are soon to turn to sadness as my Eye has foretold something dreadful that will happen." She turned her head in Harry's direction.
"Here it comes muttered Harry,"
"There is great danger for you Harry...I am afraid you shall not outlive the year. You are in great peril." Two girls in front gasped.
Harry said in an undertone, "I believe in a scant three days time I shalt be struck down by lightening whilst being attacked by pixies...."
Ron covered a snigger with a very loud fake sounding cough, which the Professor chose to ignore. She turned her huge eyes to Lindsay, "Ahh, and we have a new student in our midst...what is your name child?"
"Lindsay Thompson."
"I foresee a time of trouble for you Lindsay, yes, great trouble...."
"Oh brother," whispered Ron.
Lindsay stifled a laugh and tried to remain serious while Professor Trelawney proceeded to tell Ron about what great peril he was in as well.
After a very interesting Divination class, which ended in Ron being given a week's detention, the three of them met up with Hermione and proceeded to Potions. Lindsay never had anything against potions. It certainly wasn't her favorite subject, but she was pretty good at it.
They entered the room. Lindsay took a seat next to Hermione. A cold drafty voice filled the room. "I hope you haven't forgotten everything over your summer... Longbottom, what is the difference between chokesvine and rittersfoil?" Snape then proceeded to interrogate the poor Neville. He then turned towards Lindsay. "Ahh you must be the new American student," he said, emphasizing the word new and American. "I hope that you remember that regardless of the way you are allowed to act in your country, you must conform to my rules in my class. Do not think them beneath you as most Americans would," he spat out. "And I shall expect a 500 word essay on the material you have covered already.
Don't say a word Don't say a word DON'T say a word Lindsay repeated over and over in her head. Hermione must have heard her grinding her teeth, for she patted her on the back and said, "He picks on everyone, don't worry about it."
Lindsay nodded and proceeded brewing her potion. She poured the contents out of her cauldron into a vial and gave it to Professor Snape. He took it with a look of utter disgust on his face.
As Lindsay walked back to her seat, she noticed a blond Slytherin boy watching her. He was smirking quite nastily. She shivered and walked back to her seat. She asked Hermione, "Who's that blond Slytherian boy over there"?
A dark cloud seemed to pass over Hermione's face. "Draco Malfoy...one of the most despicable pieces of filth in this entire school," she spat out vehemently.
"They're not too chummy," remarked Harry.
"Well none of us are," piped Ron. "He's a bloody Slytherian for pete's sake.
The 3 of them had explained the differences between the houses the night before. Lindsay stole a glance across the room. Draco was still looking at her...he was grinning.