Chapter 3
Claire woke the next morning anxious and excited to get to her magical classes. She dressed and rushed out of the girls' dormitory so fast she ran straight into Harry who was on his way to breakfast.
"Hello eager to get to your classes I see. How did you sleep Claire?" he asked as he winked at her.
"Of course I'm eager you know me and I slept fine for you information," said Claire harder than she intended to.
"Hey be nice to your older brother little one," said Ron from behind Harry.
"I'm perfectly nice to him all the time Ron or do I have to call you Ronald like Hermione does?" she asked and then laughed.
Ron just glared at her. She hugged him and he forgave her. Claire raced to breakfast where her new class schedule awaited her.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Claire.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry confused.
"I have been put in 4th year," replied Claire her eyes scared.
"Yes, well your 14 so you should be in 4th year what's wrong with that?" asked Harry.
"But I've never been here before or practiced magic!" exclaimed Claire her eyes still frightened with the thought.
"Ginny has promised to help you with your studies since you're in her year," said Ron trying to comfort Claire.
Just then the bell rang and all the Hogwarts students got up and began to make they're way to their first class. Claire got up and Ginny walked over to her. The two girls went to class together. Transfiguration was first, then Charms, then Potions, then lunch. The lunch bell finally rang after a morning of hectic classes Claire ran to meet her brother in the Great Hall.
"Oh Harry 4th year is so hard!" exclaimed Claire nearly knocking him over.
"I know I know just relax you'll be fine. Did you have Potions yet?" asked Harry smiling at her to try and make her feel better.
"Yes I just did," she replied.
"Well I suppose Snape doesn't know that you're my sister so you'll be fine," said Harry.
"No he knows. He gave me evil looks all through class," said Claire almost laughing at the thought of Snape.
Just as Harry was about to say something the bell to end lunch sounded and the brother and sister were split yet again. Claire now went to Care of Magical Creatures, then Defense against the Dark Arts, and finally Divination. She then proceeded to run back to the Gryffindor common room before dinner. As Claire walked to dinner she thought about what she'd be doing back home and as she thought tears began to form in her eyes. She tried to wipe them away with no avail. Claire entered the Great Hall with her head down and eyes wet with tears. She sat next to Harry who realized she was crying.
"What's wrong Claire?" asked Harry his voice full of concern.
"Just thinking about home I'm sorry but I get this way when I think about it," said Claire through more tears.
"It's okay. I'm here now you'll be okay," said Harry trying to make her feel better.
"Thank you for understand," said Claire drying her tears.
"It's what I do best," said Harry as he hugged her for comfort.
They ate the rest of dinner in silence. Only Ron and Hermione talked or argued rather about something that was unimportant. Then Dumbledore told them all to get to bed and they all rose and left the Great Hall headed for the Gryffindor Common room. Once they reached the Common room they girls headed to bed and the boys did the same. As Claire reached her warm bed she thought once again about home. She missed her family and friends very much but Harry was also her family and Claire had to be with him. Claire then drifted off into a troubled sleep.
