Chapter 3

Boggarts Are Scarier Than Werewolves

When Angelina and Alicia climbed through the portrait hole, they saw a common room decked out in red and gold. The room boomed, "Welcome Angelina and Alicia, the new Gryffindor Chasers!" Crowns appeared on their heads and robes on their backs. (Alicia's red and Angelina's gold) "Now to make this a party…guys, grab some random girl and dance!" the room shouted as some Weird Sisters' music started playing. I saw Fred grab Angelina and George grab Alicia and I leaned against the wall, sighing. My friends were happy.

Then I felt my waist being pulled and looked up to see the fourth-year Gryffindor Keeper. "I'm Oliver," he said.

"Paige," I replied. "But let's cut the small talk and dance!" The rest of the night was a whirl of dancing and fun. We all trudged to bed around 3:00, all blissfully happy.

Angelina, Alicia, Katie, and I spent the next couple of days discussing that night. (It turns out I was the only one who'd been snogging.) After the first Quidditch practice, Alicia and Angelina talked about how Oliver kept interrogating them about me. "It was quite pathetic really," mused Angelina after we had all had a good laugh.

"You know I like my men pathetic," I said in a low growl, which sent us into a fresh round of giggles.

But Oliver did seem infatuated with me. We stayed out late in the corridors (wink, wink) and stole a moment whenever we could. "I can't wait until I can take you to Hogsmeade," he would often whisper into my ear. For the rest of my second year, I was truly happy.

But summer holidays came too soon, as they have a tendency to do. I had to bid goodbye to some of my favorite people: Oliver, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie. We exchanged hugs (and kisses) and promised to keep in touch. I walked off the train and ran into the arms of my parents, who I hadn't seen in a year. The summer time that I spent at Malfoy Manor was completely dreadful because ickle Drakie-poo was going off to Hogwarts for the first time. The summer was full of preparations and promises. (I wouldn't fight with Draco, etc.) I just couldn't wait to board the train. I'd be taking up Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures, so my schedule would be pretty full, but oh well.

I stepped onto the Hogwarts Express soon, and watched as we pulled out. I sat in a compartment with Oliver and some of the other fifth years, and they all seemed pretty stressed, because this year was OWL year for them. The talk soon turned to Harry Potter, who'd be starting school this year.

"If he's as good of a Seeker as his father was, I won't give a crap if he's the Boy-Who-Lived or whatever," stated Oliver, as honest as ever.

"That's right; you need a Chaser and a Seeker, right?" Oliver nodded and I added, "Consider Katie Bell. She's phenomenal!"

"How do you know?"

"I coached her," I answered proudly. All too soon, we were at Hogwarts.

Oliver and I got into a carriage together, but before we could get close, Fred and George came into the carriage. "Can we sit here? Everywhere else is full," stated George.

Fred crinkled up his nose at the sight of me. "We could always have Angelina and Alicia sit on our laps," Fred muttered.

"They're independent, they won't go for it. I'm a little less independent," I said, smiling up at Oliver.

"I have a feeling I'm not helping with the independence issue much," Oliver replied.

"Please. Stop. Now. For the sake of my health," said Fred sardonically.

"Mmm," I sighed, and with that, we arrived at the castle.

We all entered the Great Hall to watch the first years be sorted and (of course) eat. Everyone was talking because the legendary Harry Potter was coming to school this year. I felt bad for the boy. Everyone gawking at him reminded me way too much of my first week at Hogwarts. But before I could contemplate any further, the first years were brought out.

Harry would have looked like any other first year- nervous and terrified- if it hadn't been for the lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

One by one, the first years were sorted- a few going to each of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor. But I only really paid attention when I heard McGonagall call out, "Malfoy, Draco". As soon as the Sorting sat touched his head, it yelled out, "SLYTHERIN!"

I smirked thinking, "Won't daddy be proud?" Soon after, "Potter, Harry" was called and the Great Hall fell silent.

The Sorting Hat sat upon his head for a while before finally announcing, "GRYFFINDOR!" Our whole table leapt to its feet to applaud Harry.

The next few days passed without much happening (Care of Magical Creatures was fine, Arithmancy was absolutely divine.) except for the corridors falling quiet whenever Harry passed. It was so annoying and I could sympathize for the boy and I just snapped when I heard a rude comment.

"It must be great to be famous like Harry," said one boy wistfully. "Oh, yeah. Must be great to be famous for someone wanting to kill you, huh?" I asked sarcastically before turning around.

Fred had said the STUPID remark. "Well…he didn't die," replied Fred defensively.

"His parents did, you big heartless…UGH!" I got so fed up; I just kicked him where it hurt. Before Fred fell to the ground, clasping his…yeah, he managed to give me a solid punch in the mouth.

I felt my tooth chip and headed to the hospital wing for a nice chat with Madam Pompfrey.

The next day, in Defense Against the Dark Arts, we had to deal with a boggart. Professor Quirrel showed us the spell and (lucky me!) I was up first. The boggart came out as a werewolf. For a few seconds, I stood paralyzed, but then remembered the spell. "Riddikulus!" I yelled, and the boggart/werewolf lost all of its fur.

The rest of the class, except Fred and George, went through without problems. Fred came up and his boggart came out as me. "Scared of me, Weasley?" I asked laughing.

But then Fred shouted "Riddikulus!" and I stopped laughing. The boggart had turned into me making out with…Professor Snape. My eyes became really wide, and then I ran out of the classroom, holding back tears.

"Miss Malfoy! What's the matter?" Dumbledore asked as I ran into him, not too far from the classroom.

"You'd be crying too, if somebody's boggart turned into you snogging Professor Snape."

"And somebody was scared of this happening?"

"No. Fred's boggart turned into me and then he Riddikulused it and it turned into that."

"Oh…I see. Do you have any idea why Fred's boggart turned into you?"

"No…whenever we fight, he comes out on top. You know, don't you?" I asked, seeing the look on Dumbledore's face.

"Yes, I do," he smiled.

"But you're going to make me figure it out myself, aren't you?"

"That's correct."

"Well…I better get to class," I said, seeing people stream out of the classrooms.

A/N: I thought the boggart was cool, how 'bout you? But anyway, please give be feedback so my story doesn't suck! Thanks a million!