This story was written by Cabin Boy and Joji Sada.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the H.P. characters but the plot is mine. Have no money......dirt poor.....don't sue.
A/N: Sorry about it being forever since the last update. It has been such Chaos and Cabin Boy and I have just gotten together to write this. Believe me, neither of us no where this is going so just go with us. It is gonna be one hell of a ride.
Ch. 2 (Old Coot and New Starts)
Pulling up to the Hogsmeade station, Rae took a deep breath to calm her nerves and silently prayed Tommie would keep her mouth shut. She stepped off the train, right into Blaise Zabini. "Sorry." She mumbled and looked up to see who she had hit.
"Watch where the fuck you are going, bitch." He responded through clenched teeth.
"Bloody Hell…What's his problem?" Rae heard Tommie say, just loud enough for Blaise to hear.
"Ignore him Tommie. It's only the first day."
"Yeah, well, there is just something about Assholes that set me off." She seethed staring pointedly at Blaise's retreating back.
"Breathe…now, anyways…" She was cut short by a booming voice.
"Firs' yers' over here." They heard. "You two also." They turned to see the giant. "I'm Hagrid and follow me."
"Holy Shit." Rae whispered to Tommie.
With a chuckle, Tommie gave the giant a wide smile. Noticing that he gave her a little wink, then he started to gather all of the first years around him.
All of them were led up to the castle, outside these huge, wooden doors. The bustle of students could be heard from inside the hall. There was much chatter amongst the first years as to what was going to happen next. They also couldn't shut up about the giant. (A/N: You think they didn't see one every day. Come on.)
"This is so different from MWU." Rae whispered. They were standing in the back of the group, since they were gonna be the last ones to be 'sorted', as they called it. That was what that old guy, Professor Dumbledore, (or something like that) had said.
"Ya, it is so much fucking bigger." Tommie smiled. "So much fun we can have."
"Do you think they'll keep us together? I've heard they sort people into these four houses and they don't talk to each other cause of some stupid century old rivalry. What do you…" Rae never finished her sentence because Tommie cut her off.
"We'll be in the same house, or whatever, or all hell will break loose. Ok?" Tommie grinned and that made Rae ease up a little bit.
"Alright."
A lady, that had just introduced herself as Professor McGonagall, led them into the hall. Rae and Tommie looked around in awe. If it wasn't for the fact that they looked older than the first years, one couldn't tell. The mass of kids stopped in front of the professor's table as she gave the instructions as to what was going to happen for the sorting.
(A/N: Everything in this song is ours except the descriptions of the houses. That belongs to J.K. Rowling. In case no one knows it, everything in Italics will be that of the authors.)
Another Year at Hogwarts
New students have come
Waiting to be sorted
Take part in the fun
The sorting hat can see
Everything in you
Do not worry, I'll sort you fair
Put your trust in me
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave of heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you're a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
"God Damn that thing sings forever." Tommie whispered to Rae, cutting in to the final bit of the song. There was some murmuring about the hat repeating it self from years ago but not much of the conversation could be made out.
"You weren't listening, were you?" Rae sighed.
"I listened to the house names but I got a little side-tracked." Rae watched Tommie glance over at one of the tables. The green and silver banners above it shimmered with Silver Snakes and it said SLYTHERIN in old style calligraphy.
"I see." Rae smirked and raised an eyebrow. "I wondered why I didn't see you on the train after you stomped out of the compartment for some 'fresh air'. Tommie blushed as Rae emphasized the words 'fresh air'.
"I think we'll be in Slytherin." Tommie said confidently.
"You think or you wish?" Rae said slowly but stopped when she noticed one of the professors staring straight at her. He was a greasy looking guy, with black, dirty hair that hung in his face but refused to cover his little beady eyes.
'He could use some sun.' She thought to herself amusingly. (A/N: You know you all wanted to say it.)
With a sneer, the teacher glanced away. One could assume he was eyeing some fresh meat to sink his teeth into. (Gross) Sighing, Rae looked away. She thought about what great an impression they had made on their first day at this school. This was supposed to be a fresh start.
Tommie paid attention long enough to hear McGonagall tell them to put on the ratty old hat , but then started to space. She was getting into an interesting position with a certain blonde Slytherin when she heard "Stephanie Thompson!"
Glancing up, she saw Rae walking over to the Slytherin table. 'Sweet.' She thought as she walked over to the stool. 'Guess I'll have a chance after all.'
Placing the hat on her head, she gave a slight start when it said "Hmm, Where to put you. This is interesting. You show a great desire to stay with a friend but you hold a lot of bravery and courage in here. I know exactly where to put you. How about…"
"No, not…"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Tommie stood up and faced the Slytherin table, like she hadn't heard the sorting hat. Just as she was about to head over there, to join Rae, she heard clapping from another table. She gave a quick look to Rae, who was frowning, and glared at Dumbledore all the way to the Gryffindor table.
Sitting down, Tommie crossed her arms and started to sulk. If it wasn't for the fact that she could feel Rae staring at her, she would have started banging her head on the table. Lifting her head, she caught Rae's eye and tried to give her a reassuring smile. Rae made a feeble attempt to return it before turning back and facing the table, which was now filled to the max with delicious food.
"How's – it – goin'?" Neville said between bits of food.
"Fine." Tommie said distractedly as she picked at her food. Somehow, she had just lost her appetite.
"So you're the exchange student from America." Said a small boy who introduced himself as Seamus. "How do you like the school?"
"Mmmm," Tommie replied, not listening. Taking a small bite of potato, she only wished that dinner would end.
Conversation went on around the two of them until Dumbledore spoke. It was only then did either of them look up from the tables.
"Classes will begin tomorrow, so get a good night sleep. Also, after the meal, I would like to see the following students in my office. Rae Russell, Harry Potter, Stephanie Thompson, and Draco Malfoy.
The four of them stared at Dumbledore but abided with what he said. When dinner was dismissed, Tommie and Rae glanced at each other and got up from the table. They were quickly followed by Harry and Draco. The group left the hall behind with every pair of eyes staring at them.
Both Tommie and Rae walked next to each other in a comfortable silence with the hott blonde leading the way and the raven-haired boy, Harry, taking up the rear.
"This must be about the mistake the sorting hat made." Rae said with a worried look. "He'll fix this and put us together."
Nodding, Tommie could seem to take her eyes off Draco's ass to look up. Rae noticed and elbowed her with a laugh. "Don't make it too obvious."
Tommie just smiled and kept staring. It was only after she heard Harry say "Pudding Pops" did she look up. A stone Gargoyle fluttered to life and moved aside, revealing a spiral staircase.
'That is one weird password. What kind of headmaster is he?' She thought. 'I hope the old geezer is smart enough to fix this shit.' Both Tommie and Rae thought simultaneously as they moved up the staircase they assumed led to Dumbledore's office.
All four of them traveled up as far as the staircase would go and were blocked by a pair of wooden doors. Stepping forward, Draco knocked and waited for the headmaster's approval to enter. When it came, they strolled into his office to find him behind his desk, sifting through a monstrous stack of important looking papers. Shuffling them together, he looked up and gave a wide smile. "Come in, Come in. Have a seat." With the wave of his wand, four chairs appeared.
"You wished to see us Professor?" Harry asked quietly.
"Ah yes, I would like you two boys to show these girls around as they are in your respective common rooms."
"Headmaster; why were we separated? We were under the impression we would be kept together."
"Well, that was the Sorting Hat's choice, not mine. As to why, things here are different than in America. Here you are sorted into one of the four houses which would suit you best. There is nothing I can do, nor would I change its' decision."
"You know what, I don't like you. Headmaster McGallick informed us we would be rooming together. This is not right. Bloody Hell." Tommie said in an over-exaggerated American accent. (A/N: Were not really sure what that means but we are saying it is a valley girl talk ok. Oh well, on with the show.)
"In other words, you better fucking tell me you're gonna put us in the same damn house or all hell is breaking loose in this office. Understand? Sir." Rae said boldly and 'sir' in the sweetest voice. Both Draco and Harry were shocked to no end but Dumbledore just kept the same damn twinkle in his eyes. Even Tommie looked surprised at the fact that Rae had said that to a headmaster. Rae usually obeyed the rules, to an extent, but always showed respect to teachers. In fact, the meaner the teacher was, the nicer she became.
'Uh oh; she must be a bit scared and pissed to do that.' Tommie thought shakily. 'I don't want a repeat of last time. I may be here for a contest win, and so does she, but that is only because Professor McGallick didn't anyone to know he was kicking her out. Gotta stop this.'
Tommie's eyes were still big with disbelief as she stepped forward to grab Rae and comfort her. "Calm down, its okay. We can work with it. Just try and keep some cool." Tommie whispered in Rae's ear. Stepping forward in front of her, Tommie did some fast thinking and said "Sir, I'm sorry my friend lost it, but we truly were led to believe the fact that we would indeed be staying together. Now being complete strangers to this school, it would be better for our benefit to have each other, to lean on, in this difficult transaction. A new school and a new life is really hard to rush into when alone."
Dumbledore smiled wider and replied, "Being such a charmer that you are, I'm sure you'll be just fine. As for Ms. Russell, she is usually quite kind, so I've heard from Headmaster McGallick, so she will make friends easily. So maybe this separation will actually be a better solution for any problem that has ever appeared."
Rae wanted to lunge forward, if it wasn't for the fact that Tommie had a death grip on her arm. "Alright headmaster. Is there anything else you wished to see us for or shall we head to our common rooms?" Rae asked in a sweeter voice. "I am sorry for my outburst as well." She gave a curtsy and waited for a response.
"No, there will be nothing else for tonight. Would you kindly follow these boys to your dorms and get a good night sleep. Classes will start tomorrow and I would make sure you are there." Dumbledore motioned for them to go.
The boys just nodded a silent goodbye and descended the stairs back into the stone hallway. The girls shared a hug and left with each guy to their common room.
With her shoulders slumped and head down, Tommie dragged her feet after Harry. Falling back, Harry started walking beside her and started a simple conversation to break the awkward silence. "Oh come on. It's not that bad here. Trust me, there is tons of clubs to join and there's an opening for chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team."
At this last bit of information, Tommie's head came up with interest. "Really…Chaser huh?"
Harry just beamed at her and asked, "You any good?"
After that, they both talked about Quidditch the whole way to common room. 'Maybe this won't be too bad.' Thought Tommie as they entered the Gryffindor Common Room.
"What was the password Harry?"
"Oh, it is Cautum Intransit Clanculum." Harry said offhandedly. Tommie could tell he didn't know what it meant but she chose to ignore it.
At the same time, Elsewhere…
Rae walked slowly behind Draco. Each step taking her further from Dumbledore, which was a good thing right now. It wasn't long before he fell back to walk beside her.
"Wow…" He said after some awkward silence.
"What?" Rae asked, peaked with curiosity.
"As much as I hate the old coot, even I wouldn't have done that."
"Well, I was pissed. Don't fuck with me and I'll be cool."
"I like you. Run with me and life here is made." Draco said in a cocky voice, with that smirk plastered on his face. It was the same one she had seen earlier in the Great Hall. How could she miss it? Tommie wouldn't stop staring so she had to see what all the fuss was for. (A/N: Oh come on. You would so stare at Draco too.)
"And why would I do that?" She raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for some intriguing comeback.
"Guess you'll have to figure out what happens if you don't." He said, catching Rae off-guard. They stopped in front of a portrait in the stone corridor. The Portrait was beautiful, in a dark and sadistic kind of way. Nothing matched its beauty. Although she was happy to finally get to the common room, Rae was disappointed to have been so wrapped up in the conversation to have missed the journey into the dungeons.
"Remember the password because no one else will remember it for you. Guard it with your life. Nunquam Aperio Accedo Placet." The portrait swung wide and a dark, yet surprisingly warm, common room was revealed.
Back in the Gryffindor Common Room…
Rolling over, Tommie's last thoughts, before drifting off into black oblivion, were of a certain blonde Slytherin's smile.
A/N: This was definitely longer than the last one. Cabin Boy and I spent a few hours writing this in the middle of the night. The best time to write. Hope this is interesting enough. Hope to get more reviews and we are in the middle of writing chapter three.
Cautum Intransit Clanculum - Latin for Beware the Unknown
Nunquam Aperio Accedo Placet - Latin for Never What it Seems