By Ella

November 26, 2020

Hello! I have not written FanFiction since I was like twelve so this may very well be absolute trash but I felt a strong urge to write and it helps relieve stress and anxiety. I'm open to criticism and/or ideas, if you give me an idea and I use it I will give you credit 3 I hope you enjoy and please leave a comment with your thoughts whether you liked or disliked it.

My Solemn Swear

Chapter One

Briley stared at the tan colored brick of the archway between platforms nine and ten at Kings Cross Station. This was not the first time she had done so and would not be the last. In fact, this would be the fifth time running into the "solid" brick to reach the desired platform and make the train to Hogwarts. However, this year she was secretly terrified that it would not allow her and her parents through, as it had done the year previously to Harry Potter and Fred and George's little brother Ron. Hogwarts was one of few places she felt safe and comfortable. One of the only places she had never been treated like an outcast. She fit in there. If the barrier did not let her pass through she did not have access to an airborne Ford Anglia. She had absolutely no other way to Hogwarts. "Briley, sweetie? Are you alright, the train leaves in five minutes shouldn't we hurry?" her mom called out in a hesitant tone. "Yes mom sorry I was just lost in thought. I've missed my friends, that's all." she replied. She took a deep breath and pushed her cart as speedily as possible through the brick barrier. The familiar tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach passed as she reappeared in front of the bright red steam engine. Relief washed over her like a wave, fast and furious in its calming efforts. She turned back just in time to see her parents step through hand in hand. They looked odd, obviously muggles dressed in regular business attire and wearing strained looks on their faces. Amber and Daniel James were wonderful parents. They loved her dearly and did everything in their power to make sure she was happy. Because of this, they had graciously bought into the whole wizarding world thing for her sake, but she knew they never truly accepted it. They told friends and family that she had been granted admission into a prestigious boarding school, and, although this was technically accurate, she knew her parents pretended it was a "normal" school. The sharp whistle of the train broke through her cloud of thought and she hurried forward to hug her parents goodbye. "We love you!" her mom exclaimed, "Please write to us?"

"At least once every week." Briley promised with a smile, "I love you both very much!" She gave her mother one last hug and kissed her father on the cheek, then she turned and ran up the steps of the train just a few seconds before it jerked away from the platform.

She walked down the aisle of the train car scanning compartments for her friends but having no such luck. Most of the compartments seemed to be full of first years, although in one sat Draco Malfoy with his brainless besties. He gave her a murderous look as she peered through the glass. She swore she saw his lips form the word mudblood. What an absolute arse, She thought furiously, I've never even spoken to the little git. Imagine calling a fifth year such a foul name to their face. "OY! Bri!"

Briley started and looked up to see George Weasely grinning at her from about five compartments ahead. "George!" she called out happily, "Are Fred and Angelina in there?"

"Obviously," George laughed, "and so is Katie and Lee. Get in here!"

"I was wondering where you all had set up camp." she said as she sat in a blue cushioned seat next to Angelina. "We were beginning to think you'd missed the train." she replied.

"Yeah we really had no idea if you would be here this year, you know with OWLs coming up and all. I mean with your grades… The shame might be to much for you to bear." Fred said in a serious tone.

"Oh very funny guys" she retorted sarcastically. She was the top of their class and set to have Outstandings in every course. George winked at her before turning to Katie and asking her something, but Briley was too busy attempting to not turn a lovely shade of magenta to process the conversation. When she finally raised her head she noticed Lee giving her a quizzical look but ignored him and tuned into Katie and Angelina's discussion of how intense Oliver would make practices this year. Oliver Wood was Quidditch captain and Fred, George, Angelina, and Katie were all members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Fred and George had become beaters their Second Year while Katie and Angelina made chasers their Third Year. The same year Angelina and Katie joined Quidditch, Lee had taken on the role of being consistently admonished by McGonagal for his commentary. At first she had wondered how he was even able to keep the position until she realized Lee could tell Fred and George apart as well as any other Quidditch players while many could not. In fact, Fred and George could sometimes still trick teachers and students by switching seats. It was a juvenile prank, but one they had yet to tire of. Briley had loved watching Quidditch before Katie and Angelina joined the team, because she did not have to sit in the stands alone. Even though she enjoyed watching her friends kick ass in the wizarding sport, the games were lonely and often dragged on. "I think Wood is going to lose his goddamn mind." said Katie matter-of-factly, "This is his seventh year he'll want that cup more than he ever has before."

"You know what that means," Fred groaned, "Mo-"

"-ore insane practices in ridiculous weather and ridiculously early." George finished for him. He glanced over at Bri and gave her an apologetic smile as if he realized that the upcoming Quidditch season was not quite on her list of best topics of conversation. "Well how much do you wanna bet that McGonagal won't yell at me this year?" asked Lee jokingly.

"Hmm let me think… Absolutely nothing because you getting yelled at is guaranteed." said Katie and Angelina snorted appreciatively.

"Who do you think the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be?" Bri said abruptly, wanting to steer the conversation in a different direction.

"I dunno," said George, "But as long as it's not Lockhart I really do not care."

"Oh so you'd take Pro-pro-professor Q-Quirrell again would you?" replied Fred in a perfect Quirrell impersonation.

"I'd take You-Know-Who on the back of Quirrell's head before I took Lockhart as a teacher again." George retorted grimly.

"Oh bug off," snorted Angelina, "We all know how much you two loved the prank opportunities you had with Lockhart."

"Yeah like the photograph you had him sign with the invisible ink quill." Lee interjected, unable to contain his laughter. "Lockhart signed that photo for a solid fifteen minutes, he was absolutely mystified!"

"That is one of the few pranks I actually approved of," stated Briley.

"I'm in total agreement." added Angelina.

"You agree with all of our pranks just so long as you three aren't the butt of the joke." Fred rolled his eyes at the girls.

Briley guffawed, "That is not true!"

"Whatever Bri, you know you love us otherwise you wouldn't put up with us," George grinned widely. Briley felt her cheeks color, but was spared by the sudden jolt of the train coming to a rapid halt. "What the fu-" started Lee but he stopped mid-cuss as the lights flickered out. Fred jumped up and opened the door peering into the hall. Suddenly, he was thrown back into his seat, and the panel slammed shut. "Fred!" Angelina yelled, but Fred only grunted in air grew cold instantly and she felt it deep in her bones, the aching cold you cannot be rid of. Her thoughts were sluggish and slow but all she felt was depression swallowing her whole. All of the sudden she heard a piercing, high pitched screaming. It was horrible. As the shrieking continued, a strong sense of dread and fear filled Briley. She heard more voices and some shouting then all was silent for about two seconds until the lights turned on, flooding the compartment with golden light. She felt frozen in her seat, panic-stricken. "Holy shit…" breathed George.

"What in the son of a banshee was that about?" asked Katie.

"That was the worst feeling I've ever experienced" said Briley in a voice much smaller than she anticipated. She heard her voice shake in an unnerving manner. All five of them turned to look at her. George instantly crossed over to the seat next to hers and put his arm around her, "It's alright, it's over now I think." They sat in silence for a few minutes before their compartment door was opened by a gaunt looking man in shabby robes. Scars lined his face and he wore the expression of a man worn down by life and all its trials. "Here eat this," he held out a large bar of chocolate, "It will help. Spilt the bar amongst yourselves." Then, as quickly as he had come, he was gone. Fred divided the bar into six mostly equal parts and silence ensued, with the exception of chewing. As the man had said, the chocolate did help and she felt much after she had finished her share; however, the rest of the train ride was spent in quietude.

Upon their arrival at Hogwarts they stepped off the train and headed towards the horseless carriages. They all piled into a carriage. Fred and George seemed uncomfortable with the continued silence. "So… what do you think that was all about?" asked George cautiously.

Angelina replied nervously, "I heard a third year say there were dementors on the train and that's why that happened."

"NO! There's no way dementors would be allowed outside of Azkaban let alone near any Hogwarts students!" said Katie.

"Well during normal circumstances yes," started Fred,

"But you can hardly call Black running around on the loose normal now can you?" finished George.

"Dumbledore is going to raise hell for this. He cares too much about students' safety to have agreed to let dementors onto the train." Briley said solemnly. Angelina looked frightened, "You don't suppose Black could infiltrate Hogwarts do you? I mean he murdered all those innocent people right so a Hogwarts dormitory would be like a field day…"

"According to Hogwarts, A History it's highly unlikely that anyone could get into Hogwarts if Dumbledore doesn't want them to. I'm sure we're safer here at Hogwarts than we would be at home." stated George. Briley stared at him open mouthed, "Since when did you read Hogwarts, A History?"

"The real question is since when do you read, period?" said Lee an incredulous look on his face.

"Since never," George chuckled, "I just finally started paying attention to what you say. At this point I figure you'll tell me all the important stuff I need to know without ever having to pick up a book."

"Wowww. I can't decide whether that's genius or exceptional laziness." said Angelina.

"Definitely smarter," Fred interjected defensively.

"Yeah, work smarter not harder." George grinned broadly and winked. Briley smiled and stared at the window watching the rain race its way down the panes.