This is my first Harry Potter story, so I ask that you please be understanding of any mistakes.
Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Harry Potter, or any of its characters. While most of the plot is my own, only a few of the characters are of my original creation and even they are based on the world created by J.K. Rowling. As I am making no profit off of this, the sole purpose being only to amuse (and bide us over until the next book comes out), please do not sue me.
Summary: Helaine Arriman's first year at Hogwarts will be nothing like what she imagined.
Rating: PG
The Arriman Files
Chapter Three
New Friends and Potions
The next morning Laney awoke with a feeling of confusion. Remembering where she was, she disheartedly pulled back the curtains around her bed.
"Alanna, get off." she muttered, rubbing her eyes and pushing the ball of fur off her clean robes. The other girls had already left, but Laney was able to follow a group of older girls to the Great Hall.
The ceiling showed a bright summer day that contrasted sharply with Laney's dark mood. The Hall was filled with the sound of students eating breakfast; laughing and talking. She saw Gwen sitting among a group of Gryffindors and quickly looked away. But it was too late: Gwen had seen her and rushed over to Laney before she could take a seat with the rest of the Slytherins.
"Oh Laney, I'm sorry we're not in the same House, but we'll still see each other a lot, I'm sure! Have you met anyone new yet? Everyone in Gryffindor seems pretty nice." Gwen trailed off as she glanced at the Slytherin table. Everyone was staring at Gwen with sneers and glaring daggers at her. This did not daunt Laney's sister. With a sniff, Gwen turned her back to them and gave Laney a quick hug.
"See you later then," she said, mustering a smile.
"See you." Laney echoed as Gwen returned to the Gryffindor table.
"Bet you must hate her," came a high pitched voice behind Laney. She spun around to see a dark haired girl sitting at the end of the table closest to Laney.
"Oh yeah, I hate her," Laney said sarcastically. Couldn't the girl tell that they were twins? However the girl seemed oblivious to this and slid down to there was room for Laney. The movement caught her by surprise and she sat next to the girl slowly.
"I'm Amber Perrin, by the way," the girl said calmly. She had pale blue eyes; like fish eyes, Laney thought, and a placid look on her face.
"Laney Arriman." She replied curtly before filling the plate in front of her with food. Amber seemed content to remain silent, seeing as she didn't speak again until a rushing sound filled the air.
"Ah, mail." She said simply, not looking up from buttering a piece of toast. Laney, however, glanced up, suddenly feeling cold. Did her parents know about the Sorting?
Owls large and small flew everywhere, swooping down to deliver a letter or small package. All the Slytherins received something, except for Amber, who didn't look up at the cloud of feathers. Her face had gone slightly pink, but Laney had more important things to worry about. A large tawny owl had dropped a thin envelope on her plate. She recognized it as the family owl, Eros, and opened the letter with shaking hands.
Dear Laney,
We were very surprised to hear that you'd gotten into Slytherin. Nevertheless, we expect you'll be a credit to the House and to Hogwarts. Stay out of trouble and work hard! Do try to find time to write as well. The school owls should be available, but we'll send Eros once in awhile if you'd prefer to use a familiar one. Good luck!
Lots of love,
Mum & Dad
That was it. No congratulations, no 'we miss you', nothing. It could hardly be called a letter so much as a note. Stuffing the paper into a pocket of her robe, Laney wondered if Gwen's letter had been more affectionate.
Finally looking up from her breakfast, Amber noticed Laney's scowl. In a voice obviously meant to be casual, she asked
"Bad news?"
"More like no news at all." Laney snapped back, suddenly having lost her appetite.
"Well, you should cheer up. We have potions as our first class and everyone says Professor Snape is the best. He's the Head of Slytherin House, you know." Amber informed her excitedly. Laney wasn't paying much attention though. She was staring at Amber as though she were some strange creature never encountered before. 'Us'? 'We'? It seemed that Amber wanted to be friends. Laney wasn't too sure that she even liked Amber since she barely even knew her. Still, it helped to be on speaking terms with at least one other Slytherin. Perhaps Amber would be useful.
After breakfast the first year Slytherins mad their way to the dungeons, where Potions was taught. The classroom was empty but tables were set up with enough equipment for two people to be stationed at each one. Slowly the group thinned as pairs were formed. Amber caught Laney's eye, who shrugged, and they claimed a table in the first row. A few whispered conversations continued, but Laney felt no desire to speak, and Amber didn't seem interested in talking either.
The class was waiting nervously when suddenly the door slammed open and their teacher walked quickly to the front of the room.
Laney's first impression of Professor Snape was that he didn't really want to be there. His long, oily looking black hair was mussed and his dark, glittering eyes glared at the class. Judging from his heavy breathing, which he was struggling to control, he had come from somewhere in a hurry. Folding his arms stiffly, Professor Snape continued to glare at the now silent students.
"I see," he said slowly and quietly, "that no one took the time nor the energy to read the board." almost as one the entire class looked up. Indeed, there were instructions written on it; a recipe for a simple potion to cure boils. Before anyone had time to protest that it was only their first day, Snape continued in a slightly more relaxed voice, "However, as it is only your first day, and you are, after all, Slytherins, perhaps we can continue without further delay." at this everyone hastily began preparing their ingredients while Snape took roll.
"Helaine Arriman," he called. Scanning the room briefly, he caught sight of Laney, who had raised her hand to indicate she was present. Without a second glance, though Laney could have sworn his eyes had flickered, Snape then continued.
For the better part of an hour Laney and Amber worked quickly and quietly. Although Laney was sure the potion would com in handy, making it was so easy that it was almost dull. As he walked about the room, checking everyone's potions, Snape paused by Laney, who suddenly had the irrational fear that she had done something wrong. Contrary to her thoughts though, Snape merely remarked,
"Nicely done, Arriman. That should be a fully effective potion." Before continuing down the aisle. While Laney appreciated the compliment, she was not one to be bought with a little flattery. She had nothing against Professor Snape, she just decided to continue to withhold her judgment, just as she had nothing against Amber, but wasn't ready to consider her a friend, either.
Laney had never been one to like or trust quickly or easily; the only person she loved and trusted completely was Gwen.
"Wonderful Spickett; I assume you had the cauldron boiling instead of simmering?" came Snape's heavily sarcastic voice. Curious, Laney turned around to see what the problem was. A few tables behind hers and Ambers, a tall, lanky boy's cauldron had overflowed and the hissing potion was eating into the wood of the table. With a wave of his wand Professor Snape made the mess disappear, though he still glowered down at the boy, who stared defiantly back. Looking up, Snape met Laney's eyes and smiled thinly.
"Arriman, please assist Spickett here- he could use your help." The words were said scathingly and the boy glared harder at Snape. Laney felt startled when her name was said, and she wasn't particularly grateful as she caught sight of the boy's angry coal black eyes. After exchanging a glance with Amber, who shrugged apologetically, Laney gathered her things and exchanged places with Spickett's former partner. After working for a few minutes, watching him cautiously out of the corner of her eye, Laney muttered,
"You don't add those yet, er, Spickett."
"It's Andrew." He hissed back. Flicking a strand of mahogany brown hair from his face, he added in a rude voice, "Who are you?"
"L- Helaine Arriman." She whispered back. For some reason she didn't want him to know her as 'Laney'.
"Well Helaine," he snarled, though still keeping his voice down, "I don't need help from some prissy know-it-all who probably," he sneered coldly, looking her over before finishing, "fraternizes with muggles!" forcing herself to not laugh, Laney instead snorted; that was the best insult he could muster?
"For your information, most- no, all the muggles I have ever met were smart than you and –"this time it was her turn to look him over, "better looking."
Andrew's face went red but as class had just been dismissed that was all he could do.
After leaving a vial of her potion on Snape's desk, Laney caught up with Amber and the two walked on to their next class.
The rest of the day flew by smoothly, though Laney sometimes thought she saw Andrew turn to give her strange looks. Although the teachers all seemed decent and the classes had been fairly easy, with the possible exception of Charms and Transfiguration, Laney was extremely glad when the school day was over.
She had been planning on going to dinner, but at the thought of another scene with Gwen, she stopped short of the Great Hall.
"What's wrong Laney? Let's hurry, I'm starving." Amber exclaimed turning to see why Laney had stopped.
"Nothing. I'm not hungry, you go on ahead, I'll see you later," with a nod Amber kept walking while Laney turned to go back to the dormitory. Halfway there she decided that she wasn't tired enough to go to bed, and the idea of sitting alone in the cold, sickeningly green Common Room didn't sound appealing either. As Laney stood in the hall pondering what to do, a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder and she spun around so fast she hurt her neck.
"What're you doing out 'here?" It was Argus Filch, the caretaker, whom Laney recognized immediately.
"Nothing." She replied, rubbing her sore neck, and seeing instantly that he didn't believe her. "Actually, I was going to the library but I think I'm a little lost," she added, always a quick thinker. Gwen was abysmal at making up lies on the spot, and it had often been up to Laney to get them out of trouble when they'd done something wrong.
"It's that way," Filch said gruffly, jabbing a thumb to the right and eyeing Laney suspiciously. Taking a leaf out of Gwen's book Laney smiled brightly and said "Thanks so much!" and continuing on before he could ask her name.
Now that it had occurred to her, going to the library sounded like a good idea. Now all she had to do was find the way there...
Chapter Four
The Arriman Book Club
All reviews and comments are welcome. (actually begged for)
Thanks,
Luna Sealeaf )
Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Harry Potter, or any of its characters. While most of the plot is my own, only a few of the characters are of my original creation and even they are based on the world created by J.K. Rowling. As I am making no profit off of this, the sole purpose being only to amuse (and bide us over until the next book comes out), please do not sue me.
Summary: Helaine Arriman's first year at Hogwarts will be nothing like what she imagined.
Rating: PG
The Arriman Files
Chapter Three
New Friends and Potions
The next morning Laney awoke with a feeling of confusion. Remembering where she was, she disheartedly pulled back the curtains around her bed.
"Alanna, get off." she muttered, rubbing her eyes and pushing the ball of fur off her clean robes. The other girls had already left, but Laney was able to follow a group of older girls to the Great Hall.
The ceiling showed a bright summer day that contrasted sharply with Laney's dark mood. The Hall was filled with the sound of students eating breakfast; laughing and talking. She saw Gwen sitting among a group of Gryffindors and quickly looked away. But it was too late: Gwen had seen her and rushed over to Laney before she could take a seat with the rest of the Slytherins.
"Oh Laney, I'm sorry we're not in the same House, but we'll still see each other a lot, I'm sure! Have you met anyone new yet? Everyone in Gryffindor seems pretty nice." Gwen trailed off as she glanced at the Slytherin table. Everyone was staring at Gwen with sneers and glaring daggers at her. This did not daunt Laney's sister. With a sniff, Gwen turned her back to them and gave Laney a quick hug.
"See you later then," she said, mustering a smile.
"See you." Laney echoed as Gwen returned to the Gryffindor table.
"Bet you must hate her," came a high pitched voice behind Laney. She spun around to see a dark haired girl sitting at the end of the table closest to Laney.
"Oh yeah, I hate her," Laney said sarcastically. Couldn't the girl tell that they were twins? However the girl seemed oblivious to this and slid down to there was room for Laney. The movement caught her by surprise and she sat next to the girl slowly.
"I'm Amber Perrin, by the way," the girl said calmly. She had pale blue eyes; like fish eyes, Laney thought, and a placid look on her face.
"Laney Arriman." She replied curtly before filling the plate in front of her with food. Amber seemed content to remain silent, seeing as she didn't speak again until a rushing sound filled the air.
"Ah, mail." She said simply, not looking up from buttering a piece of toast. Laney, however, glanced up, suddenly feeling cold. Did her parents know about the Sorting?
Owls large and small flew everywhere, swooping down to deliver a letter or small package. All the Slytherins received something, except for Amber, who didn't look up at the cloud of feathers. Her face had gone slightly pink, but Laney had more important things to worry about. A large tawny owl had dropped a thin envelope on her plate. She recognized it as the family owl, Eros, and opened the letter with shaking hands.
Dear Laney,
We were very surprised to hear that you'd gotten into Slytherin. Nevertheless, we expect you'll be a credit to the House and to Hogwarts. Stay out of trouble and work hard! Do try to find time to write as well. The school owls should be available, but we'll send Eros once in awhile if you'd prefer to use a familiar one. Good luck!
Lots of love,
Mum & Dad
That was it. No congratulations, no 'we miss you', nothing. It could hardly be called a letter so much as a note. Stuffing the paper into a pocket of her robe, Laney wondered if Gwen's letter had been more affectionate.
Finally looking up from her breakfast, Amber noticed Laney's scowl. In a voice obviously meant to be casual, she asked
"Bad news?"
"More like no news at all." Laney snapped back, suddenly having lost her appetite.
"Well, you should cheer up. We have potions as our first class and everyone says Professor Snape is the best. He's the Head of Slytherin House, you know." Amber informed her excitedly. Laney wasn't paying much attention though. She was staring at Amber as though she were some strange creature never encountered before. 'Us'? 'We'? It seemed that Amber wanted to be friends. Laney wasn't too sure that she even liked Amber since she barely even knew her. Still, it helped to be on speaking terms with at least one other Slytherin. Perhaps Amber would be useful.
After breakfast the first year Slytherins mad their way to the dungeons, where Potions was taught. The classroom was empty but tables were set up with enough equipment for two people to be stationed at each one. Slowly the group thinned as pairs were formed. Amber caught Laney's eye, who shrugged, and they claimed a table in the first row. A few whispered conversations continued, but Laney felt no desire to speak, and Amber didn't seem interested in talking either.
The class was waiting nervously when suddenly the door slammed open and their teacher walked quickly to the front of the room.
Laney's first impression of Professor Snape was that he didn't really want to be there. His long, oily looking black hair was mussed and his dark, glittering eyes glared at the class. Judging from his heavy breathing, which he was struggling to control, he had come from somewhere in a hurry. Folding his arms stiffly, Professor Snape continued to glare at the now silent students.
"I see," he said slowly and quietly, "that no one took the time nor the energy to read the board." almost as one the entire class looked up. Indeed, there were instructions written on it; a recipe for a simple potion to cure boils. Before anyone had time to protest that it was only their first day, Snape continued in a slightly more relaxed voice, "However, as it is only your first day, and you are, after all, Slytherins, perhaps we can continue without further delay." at this everyone hastily began preparing their ingredients while Snape took roll.
"Helaine Arriman," he called. Scanning the room briefly, he caught sight of Laney, who had raised her hand to indicate she was present. Without a second glance, though Laney could have sworn his eyes had flickered, Snape then continued.
For the better part of an hour Laney and Amber worked quickly and quietly. Although Laney was sure the potion would com in handy, making it was so easy that it was almost dull. As he walked about the room, checking everyone's potions, Snape paused by Laney, who suddenly had the irrational fear that she had done something wrong. Contrary to her thoughts though, Snape merely remarked,
"Nicely done, Arriman. That should be a fully effective potion." Before continuing down the aisle. While Laney appreciated the compliment, she was not one to be bought with a little flattery. She had nothing against Professor Snape, she just decided to continue to withhold her judgment, just as she had nothing against Amber, but wasn't ready to consider her a friend, either.
Laney had never been one to like or trust quickly or easily; the only person she loved and trusted completely was Gwen.
"Wonderful Spickett; I assume you had the cauldron boiling instead of simmering?" came Snape's heavily sarcastic voice. Curious, Laney turned around to see what the problem was. A few tables behind hers and Ambers, a tall, lanky boy's cauldron had overflowed and the hissing potion was eating into the wood of the table. With a wave of his wand Professor Snape made the mess disappear, though he still glowered down at the boy, who stared defiantly back. Looking up, Snape met Laney's eyes and smiled thinly.
"Arriman, please assist Spickett here- he could use your help." The words were said scathingly and the boy glared harder at Snape. Laney felt startled when her name was said, and she wasn't particularly grateful as she caught sight of the boy's angry coal black eyes. After exchanging a glance with Amber, who shrugged apologetically, Laney gathered her things and exchanged places with Spickett's former partner. After working for a few minutes, watching him cautiously out of the corner of her eye, Laney muttered,
"You don't add those yet, er, Spickett."
"It's Andrew." He hissed back. Flicking a strand of mahogany brown hair from his face, he added in a rude voice, "Who are you?"
"L- Helaine Arriman." She whispered back. For some reason she didn't want him to know her as 'Laney'.
"Well Helaine," he snarled, though still keeping his voice down, "I don't need help from some prissy know-it-all who probably," he sneered coldly, looking her over before finishing, "fraternizes with muggles!" forcing herself to not laugh, Laney instead snorted; that was the best insult he could muster?
"For your information, most- no, all the muggles I have ever met were smart than you and –"this time it was her turn to look him over, "better looking."
Andrew's face went red but as class had just been dismissed that was all he could do.
After leaving a vial of her potion on Snape's desk, Laney caught up with Amber and the two walked on to their next class.
The rest of the day flew by smoothly, though Laney sometimes thought she saw Andrew turn to give her strange looks. Although the teachers all seemed decent and the classes had been fairly easy, with the possible exception of Charms and Transfiguration, Laney was extremely glad when the school day was over.
She had been planning on going to dinner, but at the thought of another scene with Gwen, she stopped short of the Great Hall.
"What's wrong Laney? Let's hurry, I'm starving." Amber exclaimed turning to see why Laney had stopped.
"Nothing. I'm not hungry, you go on ahead, I'll see you later," with a nod Amber kept walking while Laney turned to go back to the dormitory. Halfway there she decided that she wasn't tired enough to go to bed, and the idea of sitting alone in the cold, sickeningly green Common Room didn't sound appealing either. As Laney stood in the hall pondering what to do, a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder and she spun around so fast she hurt her neck.
"What're you doing out 'here?" It was Argus Filch, the caretaker, whom Laney recognized immediately.
"Nothing." She replied, rubbing her sore neck, and seeing instantly that he didn't believe her. "Actually, I was going to the library but I think I'm a little lost," she added, always a quick thinker. Gwen was abysmal at making up lies on the spot, and it had often been up to Laney to get them out of trouble when they'd done something wrong.
"It's that way," Filch said gruffly, jabbing a thumb to the right and eyeing Laney suspiciously. Taking a leaf out of Gwen's book Laney smiled brightly and said "Thanks so much!" and continuing on before he could ask her name.
Now that it had occurred to her, going to the library sounded like a good idea. Now all she had to do was find the way there...
Chapter Four
The Arriman Book Club
All reviews and comments are welcome. (actually begged for)
Thanks,
Luna Sealeaf )