"Nicci, you need to hurry up if you want to make the train," Ginny called.
"Coming Mom!"Veronica called back as she headed out to the waiting taxi. The drive took only fifteen minutes, but toVeronica it seemed like hours. She was so excited. In a few hours, she would be at Hogwarts with a lot of other kids her age. She turned and smiled at her mom.
Ginny smiled back and then her face got serious. "Now, you remember what I told you about, don't you?" she asked.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Yes, mom. I am not to tell anyone that you really don't look like that and it is just a disguise." She paused. "But I still don't see what's the big deal."
"I told you, Veronica," Ginny said, "It's so nobody knows what I really look like. There are a lot of con artists out there, you know."
"You never cared when we were back home."
"England isn't the United States."
Veronica looked at her. "You are so paranoid sometimes."
Ginny laughed. "Sometimes, you have to be," she said. The car stopped moments later.
"Finally," Veronica said grinning as she jumped out of the taxi, "Let's go!"
"Calm down, dear," Ginny said smiling, "I'm an old woman. It takes me awhile to get out of the car."
Veronica laughed and was still laughing as Ginny led her over to the wall in between Platforms 9 and 10. "Ready?" Ginny asked.
Veronica stared at the wall nervously. "Are you sure it'll work, Mom?"
"Completely," Ginny said smiling, "We'll take it at run." Veronica nodded and started to walk, faster and faster until she broke out into a run. She closed her eyes just as she was about to hit the wall. She was surprised to find herself still going. She stopped and looked at her mom who smiled at her.
"Welcome to Platform 9 3/4," Ginny said grinning.
Veronica smiled and looked around the platform. It was full of students and parents, not to mention owls and other animals. She turned and looked back at her mom who seemed to be daydreaming. "Well," Veronica said, snapping Ginny out of her daydream, "I guess I should get on the train."
Ginny nodded and bent down to give her a hug. "Be good," she said, "I'll see you at the sorting ceremony."
Veronica nodded and began to push her trunk toward the scarlet steam engine. Her owl, Zani, hooted softly. Zani was the best owl around in Veronica's opinion. Her mom had gotten her as a gift for Veronica getting accepted to Hogwarts. She was black with gold specks, which was very uncommon. Veronica smiled at her. "It's okay, Zani," she said softly.
She lifted her trunk with some difficulty onto the train and made her way to an empty compartment toward the back. She arranged her things and then leaned out the window. It took her a while to pick out her mom with her new look. While her mom looked very beautiful with blonde hair and green eyes, Veronica preferred her how she used to be. "Bye Mom," she called out the window.
Ginny looked over at her and smiled. She blew her a kiss and disapparated. Veronica sighed and sat down. I wonder what Hogwarts will be like? she thought. I wish Mom would have told me how we were sorted. I hope I get in Gryffindor, but Ravenclaw would be pretty cool too. Maybe I want to be there. She was debating with herself which house would be better when the door slid open.
A small girl about Veronica's age was standing in the doorway smiling. She was an uncommonly pretty girl with light brown hair and aqua blue eyes. Veronica guessed that she stood at least two or three inches over this girl. "Hi," the girl said loudly, "I'm going to sit here."
"Sure," Veronica said gesturing at the open seats.
The girl smiled and took a seat across from her. "I'm Parker Keowen by the way."
"Veronica Winters," Veronica said holding out her hand, "but everyone calls me Nicci."
Parker smiled and shook her hand. "So do you know anything about Hogwarts?" she asked. "I really don't know anything about magic. In fact, I didn't even know it existed until I got my letter."
Veronica smiled. "So you're a Muggle born?"
Parker looked at her confused. "A what?"
"A Muggle born," Veronica said again, "It means your parents aren't magical."
"Oh," Parker said, "Yeah. I'm guessing you're not."
"Nope, but I didn't know anything about magic before I got my letter either. I'm a half and half. My mom is a witch. She didn't want me to grow up on magic for some reason, but she did tell me a lot about Hogwarts. She went there too."
"Cool," Parker said grinning. "I was wondering..." Both girls looked up as the door opened again. This time, a tall, thin girl with long red hair and blue eyes stood in the doorway looking very nervous. She pulled unconsciously at her skirt. Veronica smiled. She was the total opposite of Parker.
"Hi, umm, can I, do you mind..." she started quietly.
"Take a seat," Parker said jovially. "Nicci, here was about to tell me all she knows about Hogwarts. I'm a Muggleborn you see. That's what they call it right?" She turned toVeronica questioningly.
"Yes," Veronica said grinning and turned to the new girl, "Come on in." The girl smiled shyly, but didn't move.
"No need to be scared," Parker said, as she got up and practically dragged the girl inside. The girl blushed. "I'm Parker Keowen," Parker said holding out her hand.
The girl looked at her nervously and then glanced at Veronica who smiled at her. She seemed to gain some courage from that and took Parker's hand. "I'm Daniella Carter," she said softly.
"Nice to meet you, Daniella," Parker said grinning, "You know, you really need a nickname. You name is simply too long. Do you have one?" Daniella didn't have time to answer, because Parker continued. "No matter. We'll come up with one for you."
Daniella glanced at her nervously. "How about Red, for you hair," Parker began, "No, I don't like that and Nicci has red hair too. In fact, her hair is redder than yours."
Veronica looked at Daniella sympathetically. "I don't think she needs a new name, Parker."
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course she does," Parker said looking atVeronica like she was crazy. Veronica had to hold back a smile. She couldn't help but like Parker.
"Hey, how about Nellie," Parker continued, "Nah, you don't look like a Nellie. Oh, I got it. It really quite obvious. I can't believe I didn't think of it before. Dani! I'm going to call you Dani from now on. Daniella is such a long name, you know. Plus I kind of like the name Dani."
Daniella nodded quickly and Parker smiled at her as she took her seat. Veronica turned to Daniella and gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm Veronica Winters, but you can call me Nicci." The girl smiled. "Sorry about Parker," Veronica said grinning, "She's a bit loud and tends to scare people."
"Hey," Parker said as she stuck her tongue out at Veronica. The three girls laughed.
"How long have you two known each other?" Daniella asked softly.
"About ten minutes," Parker said grinning. "I'm not from a magical family, so I didn't know anyone, and Nicci offered to let me sit here."
"More like you offered yourself a seat," Veronica said grinning.
Parker smiled. "What can I say? I get what I want."
Daniella smiled. "I'm not from a magical family either."
"Really?" Parker said, "I thought I might be the only one. I knew we had to have something in common though..."
Veronica leaned over to Daniella and whispered, "She tends to ramble like that." They both started laughing and Parker glared at them.
"I can't believe you would talk about me like that," she said in a mock hurt voice as she pretended to fall down and cry. The three girls started laughing and Parker was still on the floor when the door opened again. A girl with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and emerald green eyes was standing in the doorway, looking extremely annoyed.
"Can I sit here? My brother and his friends are driving me mad."
"Sure," Veronica said smiling at her, "But just to warn you, Parker might drive you crazier."
"Always glad to help someone in need," Parker said, ignoring Veronica's comment, as she got up off the ground and took her seat next to the new girl. "I'm Parker."
"So you're the crazy one. I'm Kylie Potter," the girl said grinning.
"Hi Kylie," Veronica said, "I'm Nicci and this is Daniella."
"Dani," Parker corrected.
Veronica and Daniella sighed. Kylie looked at them curiously. "Long story," Veronica said.
"Well, we've got a long time till we get to Hogwarts," Kylie said grinning, "Why don't you tell me?"
Hours passed and it was soon lunch. Veronica went over to the cart and looked around. She had become familiar with most of the food over the past month she'd spent in England. Parker and Daniella looked confused.
"What is this stuff?" Parker asked, "Those aren't real frogs are they."
Kylie laughed. "No. Just get some food. It's all good."
Parker shrugged and pulled a large handful of coins out of her pocket.
"Gosh," Kylie said, "I can't believe your parents let you take that much money."
Parker looked at her curiously as she piled food up into her hands and gave the woman pushing the cart the money. "It isn't that much. Is it? I mean, I had to have enough to get a snack before dinner."
Kylie looked at Veronica and raised her eyebrows. Veronica shrugged and sat down with her food. Apparently Parker wasn't aware of how much money she was actually carrying. The cart lady left a few moments later and the other girls sat down too.
Veronica noticed that Daniella hadn't taken that much food. "Not hungry?" she asked.
Daniella turned and looked at her. "I am," she said softly, "Just a little worried about what this is going to taste like."
"It'll be fine," Parker said as she tried to open her Chocolate Frog, "Live a little, Dani." She grinned as she pulled off the wrapper, but it turned into a high-pitched scream as the frog jumped out of her hands onto her head. "Get it off!" she screamed.
Veronica, Kylie and Daniella burst out laughing. Parker was jumping around the compartment, still screaming and swatting at her head.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" a voice said from the doorway.
Veronica immediately stopped laughing and looked up. Two boys were standing in the doorway. The one who had spoken was tall and skinny, with greasy black hair that reached his shoulders and piercing brown eyes. He was smiling in a rather evil looking manner. The other boy cracked his knuckles and smiled stupidly. Veronica couldn't help but think he was as big as a car.
"Shove off," Kylie said in an annoyed tone. Apparently she knew who the two boys were.
"I don't think I want to Potter," the greasy haired boy said, "After all I haven't introduced myself. The name's Jonathon Snape and these are my good friends Kevin Crabbe and Tristian Malfoy."
Parker stared at him. "Maybe you should get yourself some medication," she said grinning, "There is only one boy with you. Or perhaps you're talking about an imaginary friend?"
Snape stared at her angrily. "Shut up, Mudblood."
"What did you just say?" Kylie said angrily as she stood up, "Get out of here now!"
Snape smirked. "Make me."
"No problem," Parker said shoving Snape through the door, "Next time knock, will you?" She slammed the door and turned around to look at the other girls. "What?" she asked at their surprised faces.
They didn't have time to answer. The door swung open revealing a very angry Snape and Crabbe and a third boy. He was somewhat shorter than Snape, and Veronica had to admit he was much better looking. He had silvery blonde hair, which he wore spiked and beautiful blue eyes. "Leave it alone," the third boy was saying.
"Stop being a coward, Tristian," Snape said as he glared at Parker, "and as for you, you'll pay for that!"
Parker stared at him. "What are you going to do about it? Wipe some grease on me?"
Snape grabbed his wand and pointed it at Parker. She looked at him. "Try it," she said smirking.
Snape glared at her angrily. "How dare you talk to me like that! Why I ought to..."
"Leave?" another voice said. Another group of boys were now standing in the corridor. Veronica couldn't see all their faces, but the one who spoke looked furious.
Snape glanced at them nervously and lowered his wand. "This isn't over yet," he said coldly to all of them. He nodded at his two friends and they left in a hurry.
The boys turned to them and walked inside. There were five of them. "Everyone okay?" one asked.
"Yeah, we're fine," Parker said sitting down and looking totally calm as she grabbed another piece of candy, carefully making sure it wasn't a frog. One couldn't say the same for Daniella. Or me for that matter, Veronica thought.
"Speak for yourself," Veronica said softly, "That was scary." Daniella nodded.
Parker shrugged. "Not really, what could he have done?" .
"A lot more than you think," Kylie said darkly, "He's not exactly known for being nice."
"Right you are little sister," one of the boys said. Sister? Veronica thought. Now that he mentioned it, Veronica did notice they looked slightly similar. The boy was of medium height but on the skinny side, just like Kylie. He had messy jet-black hair that looked like he never brushed it and emerald green eyes, identical to Kylies.
Kylie glared at him with an irritated expression. "Two minutes does not make you older."
The boy grinned. "Sure it does," he said, "I'm James Potter, by the way."
"Nice to meet you," Veronica said smiling as she looked at the other boys waiting to see who they were.
"I'm Jeff Weasley," said a very tall brown haired boy with a goofy grin.
"I'm Rob Weasley. We're cousins," said a shorter and stockier red head, gesturing at Jeff. He was smiling kindly and Veronica had a feeling she would like him a lot better than the other four.
"I'm Shane Bryant," said a rather good-looking boy with dark brown hair and blue eyes.
"I'm Orion Black," said the last and easily best looking of the group. His jet- black hair fell gracefully into his face and his gray eyes were twinkling mischievously. Veronica quickly made a mental note to never trust Orion Black.
"Well, it's nice to meet all of you," Veronica said, "I'm Veronica Winters. That's Daniella Carter..."
"Dani," Parker corrected. The other three girls sighed. "I'm Parker Keowen," Parker continued ignoring the girl's sighs, "And I'd say it's nice to meet you, but as of now I'm not so sure it is." Orion raised his eyebrows. The other boys looked shocked.
Veronica stared at her. She sure was blunt. "Fair is fair," Orion said grinning, "I can't say it's a pleasure to meet you either, but you two seem okay." Parker opened her mouth to retort something back, but Kylie cut her off.
"Don't you guys have some evil prank to play on someone?" she asked.
"As a matter of fact, little sister, we do," James said smiling at Kylie's glare, "And we better get back to it. Ladies." He grinned once more before leaving and the others followed.
Before he left, Orion turned to Parker and smirked. "Later Keowen, hopefully much," he said grinning.
"Same to you," Parker said in an irritated voice. Orion smiled and left.
"I don't like him," Parker said as soon as he exited. Veronica sighed. From what she'd seen, Parker and Orion were quite alike. It was funny how people like that were either best of friends or worst of enemies. Kylie and Daniella seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"They didn't seem that bad," Daniella began quietly, but she was interrupted by a loud whizzing noise. A dozen fireworks had flown into their compartment.
The girls ran out screaming. Outside the compartment laughing their heads off were James, Shane, Orion, and Jeff. Veronica noticed Rob was looking at the boys with a disapproving glance. He shot a sympathetic look at the girls.
"James," Kylie yelled angrily.
"I think I'm really going to like magic," Shane said.
James laughed. "You are going to die," Parker shouted.
"Love you too, Keowen," Orion shouted as the boys took off down the aisle.
"Hope you can clear out all the smoke," Jeff shouted as they left.
It took a good twenty minutes for the smoke to clear and that was only with the help of a passing fifth year. The girls were fuming, especially Parker.
"Please calm down, Parker," Daniella said softly.
Parker scowled. "Fine," she grumbled, "But I am not going to let them get away with that."
"Well, at least we didn't have any more run ins with Snape," Kylie said wrinkling her nose.
"Yeah and let's hope that was the last of Snape and his gang," Veronica said getting up and heading to her trunk. "Why don't we change?"
"Good idea," Kylie said grabbing her robes.
Parker was still glaring at the door as she grabbed her robes. "What a prat," she said. Veronica held back a smile and could see that Kylie was too.
"That isn't very nice, Parker," Daniella started quietly.
"Being nice is overrated," Parker grumbled, "I'm going to get him back. Orion Black is going to pay."
