Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter related stuff, characters or anything else.
(A/N: Please, if you take the time to read my story, please spare just a few of your minutes to click the review button and send me your comments. Thanks! Smiles .)
Hermione's Troubles:
Chapter Eight:
From Previous Chapter:
Hermione and Vanessa climbed through the hole behind the portrait. As they straightened up in the little alcove shielding them from view, Hermione felt a sudden twinge of apprehension. How would her new year mates and fellow Gryffindors react to Vanessa? Also, how would they react to her bringing a Ravenclaw, even an ex-Ravenclaw, into their Tower?
Hermione gulped, and then her and Vanessa, the two newest Gryffindors walked around the corner to face the other eight Gryffindor students.
Chapter Eight:
"What is she doing in here Hermione!" James Potter exclaimed loudly. "You can't just bring another student in here!" Everyone forgot what they were doing and spun around, even Sirius and Angelica, who were sitting in an armchair by the fire.
"She's a Ravenclaw!" Zoe announced, strutting over to Hermione and Vanessa. The ex-Ravenclaw sent her a panicked look. "She can't be in here!" The brunette said, folding her arms and looking at Hermione's companion in distaste.
"She's changed Houses." Vanessa nodded, speechless. "You can even ask Professor Dumbledore. She's now a Gryffindor. She was Sorted again and the Hat decided she'd fit better in Gryffindor. So she's been moved."
"No-one's ever moved Houses before. It's in 'Hogwarts, a History.'" Remus stated mildly. His voice was neither contradictory nor supportive.
"Can you speak?" Sirius inquired snidely to Vanessa. She blushed scarlet.
"Of course I can speak!" She retorted. Sirius looked taken-aback. "Just because I was temporarily stunned by your arrogance doesn't mean I'm a mute." She snapped. "I was hoping you Gryffindors would be nicer than the Ravenclaws, but I guess I was wrong!" She turned to walk back out the entrance. Hermione saw tears glimmering in her eyes. Vanessa stopped walking out and turned around.
"I'm ashamed of you all!" Lily exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Especially you James!" She accused, shooting a glare at the Potter. "Interrogating Vanessa simply because she's in our Common Room!" She glared around at her year mates. "How dare you? Isn't the main goal of Hogwarts to provide and encourage inter-house unity, as well as unity in the Wizarding World?" Her eyes said more than anything else, their green glinting with loathing.
"Why are you mad at me?" James demanded.
"You're Head Boy!" Lily sarcastically. "Yet you did nothing! Even you, Remus, you didn't to a thing, and yet, out of you four, you're the one who considers himself to foster the most inter-house unity." She scowled, and Remus looked cut. He opened his mouth to reply, closed it, then opened it, like a goldfish. Finally, he closed his mouth and continued reading his book. Hermione could have sworn his eyes were unusually bright. "Vanessa, you're perfectly welcome to stay here, if you are indeed a Gryffindor now."
"Well, Miss Evans, I'm glad you handled that so well." A voice said from the alcove. Everyone jumped as Professor Dumbledore stepped into the room, followed by Professor McGonagall.
"I am ashamed of you!" Minerva said, brushing a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "50 points from Gryffindor!"
"Now Minerva – er, I mean – Professor McGonagall, don't be too harsh on them." Professor Dumbledore protested, raising his arms as though to fend her off. "Miss Evans seems to have handled the situation remarkably well." He smiled. "100 points to Gryffindor for such outstanding harmonizing." He clapped his hands together once. "Now, what we came to tell you is that Miss Esprit here is to be a Gryffindor for the remaining if her schooling." Remus looked up in interest, Renae looked at Vanessa like she was a bug that ought to be squished, and Sirius and James were looking at Vanessa with varying degrees of skepticism on their faces. Peter looked confused.
"Welcome to Gryffindor." Angelica said warmly from her post on the arm of Sirius's chair.
"Whatever." Renae said in disinterest. "Hello." She said, and then returned to surveying Remus while he read, a thing he obviously found most annoying.
Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall walked out of the Common Room, closing the portrait as they left.
"Vanessa?" Peter piped up in a small voice.
"Yes?" Vanessa replied with a tiny smile.
"Is – is the –"
"Spit it out Peter." James said impatiently.
"Is the Ravenclaw Common Room like the Hufflepuff Common Room?" The pudgy animagus asked, turning red. Everyone started laughing, even Lily, once she got over the shock of the question.
"Peter, what a thing to ask!" Sirius said, tears of mirth running tracks down his face.
"No! No, Peter." Vanessa replied with a laugh. "No, it's not. The Ravenclaw Common Room is almost just like this one. We're up in a Tower towards the East of the School. I mean, they are." She corrected herself ruefully. Then she giggled. "No, our Common Room is not in the same category as the Hufflepuff Common Room!" She giggled. James roared with laughter.
"Peter, I don't think any of us were expecting that!" He guffawed.
"Welcome to Gryffindor Vanessa!" Sirius said within a bout of chuckles, clutching at his ribs. Lily smiled, and walked over to ruffle James's hair.
(A/N: If you didn't get the 'Hufflepuff Common Room' part, it's to do with the Caption Contest at http/ a running joke that the Hufflepuff Common Room is said to be the only part of Hogwarts apart from the Room of Requirement where 'extra curricular activities' can occur. laughs. And it seemed a good thing to write in there, especially as it is something poor little Peter would ask. Updates will take a while, I'll try to do at LEAST one chapter each month, although I will probably update once every two weeks, on average. Although I'll TRY to write one chapter a week. smiles. It's coz school has started, and on my second day I already have assignments to prepare for. winces. So no promises, unfortunately. Byez!)