Here is an extra long chapter of Holly's arrival to Hogwarts! Please leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Holly sat between her twins, her trunk had been enlarged once again and placed in the overhead rack. She had gotten Fred to remove her traveling cloak, it was quite warm in the compartment and Neville sat opposite his sister, a wistful expression on his face.
A loud croak broke the silence and Holly blinked as she eyed the large box that she hadn't noticed Neville carrying the entire time. "Neville did your box just… croak?" Holly asked, eyeing the box wearily. "Well yes, Uncle Angie gave it to me. In congratulations for being accepted to Hogwarts." Neville placed the box in his lap and removed the cover.
Fred and George watched as Holly scrunched her nose as she scrutinized the toad in the box. It's beady eyes not even looking at her as it let out a deep croak. "Well… I guess it's kinda cute." Holly squinted and tilted her head. "Yeah, it's cute."
"What's its"
"Name, Nev?"
"His name is Trevor." Neville introduced them to his new pet as he thumbed the top of its head with a gentle smile. Holly sat back, her neck aching from leaning forward. George immediately placed a hand at the back of her neck and massaged it gently, Holly melting under his touch.
Suddenly the door slides open and four pairs of eyes turn to greet the intruder, which turned out to be Lee. "There's my boys!" Lee called out with a bright grin, his trunk behind him. "Mind if I join you lot? I've been spending the entire train ride looking for my two best friends."
"Well if it"
"Isn't our best"
"Friend in the"
"Whole wide world"
"Holly, dear"
"This is"
"Lee Jordan"
"And Lee,"
"This beautiful"
"Lady here is"
"Our soulmate"
"Holly Potter"
"And her god-brother"
"Neville Longbottom"
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Holly extended her hand for Lee to shake, only for the older boy to bend comically in half in an exaggerated bow and gently took her hand and kiss her knuckles. Holly flushed a bright pink and Fred, who sat closer to the door and thus was nearer to his best friend, smacked Lee's hand away with a mock gasp.
"How dare you sully the good Lady's hand with your unworthy lips" Fred stood in a mock rage, there was no hiding the laughter in his eyes. Holly had leaned against George's side with a fond smile on her lips.
"Let him in Gred," George called out with a laugh. "Don't start a duel in the middle of a hallway." Neville shuffled to the side so that there was enough space for Lee, giving the older boy a polite smile in greeting.
Lee hefted his trunk to the overhead rack and settled in his seat next to Neville. Holly was content to sit between her two mates, though her hands were itching to hold on to a book. George might have noticed the fidgeting in her fingers, so he pulled out a deck and asked if anybody wanted to play Exploding Snap.
It was only after Fred almost had his eyebrows burnt off and Neville sporting a mild burn did the lady with the trolly came round to their compartment. Holly and Neville exchanged looks. Their parents would usually limit the number of sweets that they were allowed to consume and this would be the first time that the two of them would have free reign with their sweet teeth.
But she had overheard her father warning the twins to watch out for Holly's sugar intake, and Holly wouldn't hide something like that from her father. And the twins had looked completely serious when it came to Holly's health.
Holly exchanged a look with Neville who immediately understood her plan. Shifting so that she was in George's lap and throwing her feet on to Fred's, Holly wrapped her arms around George's neck and fluttered her lashes coyly.
"Georgie, you'll let me have some candy right?" Holly cooed.
"Yeah, sure." George agreed immediately, a sappy smile on his face. Fred faked a cough into his hand and George blinked as realization dawned to him. "Holly, wait, no!" George spluttered as his face turned a bright red.
Fred watched with his mouth open as Holly nuzzled George's cheek, that is until she caught sight of Fred's face and she shifted until she was sitting on her knees between the two of them.
"Freddie, you wouldn't say no to little ol' me?" Holly whined as she fluttered her lashes at her mate, reaching a hand out to cup his cheek, giving him her most effective Bambi eyes in close range.
"O-of course not, my sweet." Fred seemed to sigh into her hand, kissing the palm and locking eyes with Holly, who blushed hotly to the tip of her ears. Lee who was already gasping for air as he laughed at the expressions on the twins faces, Neville having successfully bought a little bit of everything from the trolley.
Placing all the candy on the pullout table, Neville coughed into his hand as a signal to Holly and she immediately dropped her hand from Fred's face and resume her proper seat facing the pile of candy before her.
Holly tilted her head but Neville waved his hand and Holly only nodded in response. She'll pass him her half of the money later. Lee watched the non-verbal conversation with interest. While Fred and George just seemed to know what the other was thinking, the conversation between Potter and Longbottom was just as intriguing.
Fred and George sat in a huff, pouting as they unwrapped a chocolate frog each, looking at the cards that they had. "Holly I got your dad." Fred called out with a smile, Holly only let out a laugh. "Daddy has the entire chocolate frog collection and he framed his, my mother's, and my all of my Uncle's cards."
"Blimey." Fred whistled as he pocketed the card, not wanting James' accusing eyes on him even if it wasn't really the Head Auror glaring him down over his circular glasses. George hummed as he inspected his card. "Albus Dumbledore. I think I already have four of these." he grimaced.
"Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and ten-pin bowling." George read out loud for their group to hear.
"I haven't been bowling in ages." Holly murmured. "We could probably convince our parents during Yule." Neville added. Holly grinned brightly at her brother. Turning to her mates, "You'll come along with us, won't you? We can invite the rest of the Weasleys. I'm sure it'll be fun." Holly beamed at her twins.
"Bowling is a muggle thing right?" Fred asked, rubbing his chin. Holly hummed in response. "I'm sure Dad will love to go." George shrugged. "Only going for your dad? It doesn't have anything to do with your mate sitting between you?" Lee teased, waging his eyebrows.
George flicked a wrapper at Lee's head and rolled his eyes. "Of course we'll take any opportunity to spend with Holly." Fred answered, wrapping an arm around Holly's shoulders and brought her closer to him in a hug.
Trevor croaked loudly as if to agree with the twins and Holly laughed. The conversation between the five of them went fine until there was another knock on the door and it opened to reveal a bushy haired brunette with wide brown eyes.
"Oh, Hello." The newcomer greeted as she stood before the five students in the carriage. She was tall, taller than Holly at least, which wasn't much by much and she was already dressed in her Hogwarts uniform. "Have you seen a kneazle? It's about so big," she says as she holds her hands apart about shoulder length. "A really handsome ginger cat." she added with a hopeful smile.
"I'm sorry, the only handsome gingers I've seen are these two." Holly spoke up, linking her arms around her soulmates' arms. Neville and Lee burst out laughing at the shocked faces of Fred and George.
The girl narrowed her eyes in irritation, were they making fun of her? "Well, you don't have to be so mean." The girl said as she stuck her nose up and turned to leave the compartment. "Come on, Ronald, I'm sure Crookshanks isn't in this compartment either."
"Ronald?" The twins repeated in unison, exchanging looks and then matching grins spread on their faces. Holly craned her neck to catch sight of a flushing Ron Weasley, standing outside of their door, barely keeping out of sight.
"Ronald!" The twins cheered, standing up to stand on either side of the door as the unknown girl backed away into the hallway, uncertainty in her eyes.
"Why hello"
"There baby"
"Brother dear"
"Who's your"
"New friend?"
"My name is Hermione Granger," the obviously Muggleborn girl said, "and you are?" The girl - Granger, spoke up, almost glaring at the twins who were so much taller than her and she almost had to take another step back just so that she could talk to them without looking like she was straining her neck.
"Fred and"
:George Weasley"
"Or Gred"
"And Forge"
"Whichever strikes"
"Our fancy"
Watching Hermione turn to face whoever was speaking was comical, considering how her hair seemed to have a life on its own. Holly giggled, "I'm sorry for these two, I'm Holly and this is my brother Neville." she introduced herself before pointing to Neville who held a hesitant hand up in greeting.
"Siblings? Well, you certainly don't look alike." Hermione pointed out, Ron only started to inch away from the girl, knowing better by now not to challenge the sibling bond that Holly and Neville had shared, from their years in Primary School (and the embarrassing retaliations that followed) and knew to keep his mouth shut.
"We're god-siblings. It doesn't mean we're not real siblings." Holly narrowed her eyes at the girl before her, about to stand up before Lee shot his hand out and took the attention of the compartment. "I'm Lee, best friend to these two nutters." He greeted with a tense smile.
"Now little miss"
"We're quite sure"
"That your pet"
"Isn't here"
"So why don't"
"You bring our"
"Baby brother"
"Around and"
"Continue looking"
"For it"
"Yeah?"
"For all"
"You know"
"Your cat"
"Is just hiding"
"In your compartment"
"I am not a baby!" Ron called out, stamping his foot with a frown scrunching his face. "Well yes, I can see that you're no help whatsoever. Good day." with that, Hermione turned and continued on her way to knock on the next compartment, shooting a glare at Holly who blinked in surprise.
Ron followed her petulantly, Merlin knew how he got stuck following her around. Fred's hand stretched out and caught Ron's shoulder. Both of his twin brothers were staring at him, and the look in their eyes, well, it wasn't a pleasant one.
"Keep an eye out, yeah?" George mentioned, crossing his arms.
"At least tell her that it's not right." Fred added, his grip firm.
"She shouldn't upset Holly."
"Or she'll have to answer to us."
"Both of you need to stop being so over-protective." Holly rolled her eyes as she chided her mates. "Ignore them Ron, just keep an eye on her so she doesn't get lost." The twins pouted at Holly and retreated back into the compartment, but managing to throw one last look to their youngest brother.
Ron could only nod before he scampered away, he had agreed to keep the girl company in exchange for several sweets from the trolley that Hermione had bought but hadn't eaten.
After combing through the entire carriage, with no luck, they opened the door to their compartment to find a pair of amber eyes staring at them from the top of Hermione's trunk.
"Crookshanks! That's where you were." Hermione exclaimed in relief. The cat sniffed, or what Ron thought was an attempt of a sneeze before the ugly thing jumped from its perch into Hermione's waiting arms.
"Oh, baby, I've been so worried." Hermione cooed while Ron only rolled his eyes. Great that was an hour of his life wasted. Taking her seat by the window, Hermione settled the ginger cat on her lap and began to methodically brush its fur with a comb she had kept in her inner robes.
"Please remind me to thank you brother, Ronald." Hermione smiled at the redhead who sat opposite her. Ron, who had been about to bite into a pumpkin pasty only blinked, his mouth wide open. "The twins?" He asked, confused.
"Percy, the Prefect." Hermione scoffed. Ron only scowled at the other girl. "Those twins didn't help at all." Hermione huffed as she continued to comb the dust off her cat. "Don't talk about Fred and George like that." Ron rebutted, taking a large bite of pasty.
"Well they weren't much help now were they?" Hermione scowled, not meeting Ron's eyes. "They were right in the end, weren't they." Ron pointed out. "Your ugly cat was in here the entire time." Hermione rolled her eyes at the redhead and focus her attention on the cat purring in her lap.
"Well, what about the girl, Holly. She was absolutely not helpful at all." Hermione turned to glare at the door as if the dark-haired girl in question would appear and suddenly combust under Hermione's fiery gaze.
"I don't think you should go around making enemies when we haven't even reached Hogwarts." Ron replied finishing the remaining pasty with a shrug.
"What do you mean enemies." Hermione turned her attention back to the redhead in front of her who was sorting the pile of treats that she had traded for his help.
"Well, you managed to irk Malfoy, though that's not very hard to do in the first place." Ron held up a finger.
"Was he part of the group of snooty people?" she asked with a raised brow.
"They're all purebloods, they've gotten better since we started Primary school, but they used to be loads worse." Ron shrugged. "They don't take too kindly to Muggle-borns, like you." Ron pointed the finger he had been holding up at Hermione.
"Purebloods? Muggleborn?" Hermione cocked her head, her curiosity piqued. "You're the first in your family, right?" Ron continued.
"Yes, my parents are dentists." Hermione puffed her chest proudly. Ron raised a brow and Hermione rolled her eyes, wizards. "They fix teeth." she offered an explanation.
"Well, Malfoy and the others, they're Purebloods. Their families have been wizards for generations." Ron explained as if Hermione couldn't understand simple logic.
"Why would that even matter?" Hermione crossed her arms.
"They're all politically powerful." Ron shrugged and leaned in his seat.
"What about that Holly girl?" Hermione asked, curious.
"Well, that's Holly Potter." Ron answered as if it was obvious.
"That's Holly Potter?" Hermione repeated in awe. "Her mother established and runs the very first Wizarding Primary School in London! In our continent even! That's Lily Potter's only child?" Ron almost winced when Hermione almost vibrated in her seat.
"Her dad's also the Head Auror." Ron added, "The youngest ever! And he was the best chaser Hogwarts has ever seen, he could have signed up with any Professional Quidditch team, I heard even Puddlemere recruited him. But he chose to be an Auror, what with the war and all." Ron continued.
"If her parents are so great, why was she so mean." Hermione huffed, still reeling that she had just met the daughter of one of the most influential women in current British Wizarding History.
"I think she was teasing, I don't think it's being mean."
"And the way she was clinging to your brothers." Hermione's forehead scrunched as the image came unbidden to her brain.
"Well, they're soulmates. It's quite normal." Ron shrugged.
"SOULMATES?" Hermione yells, startling her - a rather ugly cat if you asked Ron, who jumps and scrambled to the other end of the bench.
"Don't you have a soulmark? When the twins got theirs, they were convinced that Holly was their soulmate. They were right, but it's not like anybody doubted it." Ron tried to lean as far from the girl as possible, uncomfortable by the weird sparkle in her eyes.
"I've read all about soulmates, it simply fascinated me. My parents don't have any marks so when mine appeared I was shocked. I thought it was only a magic thing." Hermione admitted as she rubbed the top of her thigh.
"Well, only wizards have soulmarks. Other species have different ways of finding a soulmate. Not too sure about muggles, but we reckon it's only because they don't have any magic for the soul magic to manifest."
"So both of the twins are mates with Holly?" Hermione asked. "Well, yeah, they're magical twins after all." Ron picked up a chocolate frog and started to unwrap it. "What's the difference between regular identical twins?" Hermione asked as she reached into her robes and pulled a bagged lunch.
"They're two halves of the same soul." Ron muttered.
"Fascinating."
"Not really, I mean, it is unusual, but not unheard of for a triad to form but it makes perfect sense since Fred and George are Magical Twins. They say that soulmates are two halves of the same soul, which is a load of dung." Ron rolls his eyes.
"Why do you say that?" she asks as she fiddles with the hem of her sleeve.
"I can't really imagine Holly coming from the same soul as them." Ron replied wide-eyed. "She's smart, smartest witch I know. She should have been moved up a grade, but her mum said no." extending an arm to gesture at the window, Ron continues his rant. "And she's kind. Really kind. Unbelievably kind. She's cousins with Malfoy but you don't see her acting like that slimy snake like the other purebloods."
"And Holly, she looks out for my sister." Ron drops his hand. "Ginny, she's… Well, she's the youngest and we're all boys. Ginny really looks up to Holly and Holly doesn't take advantage of it, y'know?" Ron looks up at Hermione, with flushed cheeks.
"I remembered when Ginny first started school. She was scared and wouldn't let go of mum. But Holly was there, flanked by Neville of course. She took Ginny's hand and brought her to the school library and spent the whole afternoon together. They skipped classes that day and Ginny's been looking up to Holly ever since." Ron shrugs.
"She sounds… Amazing." Hermione breathes. "Amazing? Granger, she's brilliant. And she's going to be my sister in law one day." Ron puffs out his chest proudly.
"So Neville, is he really her brother?" Hermione asks. "They don't look anything alike. What did she mean by god-siblings anyway?"
"Well, Lady Potter is Neville's godmum, and Lady Longbottom is Holly's. They've been together since birth. Their birthdays are only one day apart."
"Also!" Ron clapped his hands on his thighs in excitement. "Their birthday parties are the must go to event for every witch or wizard. Though the majority of the guest list is Pureblood."
"Well, it can't be that brilliant if only the Purebloods go." Hermione huffed. "You wouldn't understand." Ron rolled his eyes. "You're still new to the Wizarding World. You'll see when you've grown accustomed to being one of us." Ron nodded as if agreeing with himself.
Hermione looked like she was about to say something but was interrupted when the door opened suddenly. "We're almost there, I suggest you change into your robes." It was Percy who looked down on the pair before nodding at both of them and closing the door after him.
"Well, I'll wait outside then." Hermione immediately stood up and left the room. "Bloody mental, that one." Ron muttered as he stood and reached for his trunk.
Holly stepped out of the compartment, allowing the boys a chance to change in peace, taking the opportunity to go to the bathroom without a guard. She met Draco along the way, grabbing his arm, Holly pulled herself to her cousin with a tense smile.
"Draco." Holly greeted politely.
"Cousin…" Draco said warily. His cousin was already changed into her school robes, a perfect fit, which was as expected of Madam Malkin.
"Listen Draco, we both know Neville isn't your soulmate. But if you do anything to hurt him, in your version of your petty vengeance in a pathetic attempt to make yourself feel better." Holly's grip on his arm tightened almost painfully. Draco gulped, unable to believe that Holly had already caught on to him. But this was Holly, there was little few that she wouldn't notice when it came to her brother.
"I love you, Draco but-" Holly started
"Don't you already have TWO soulmates?!" Hermione exclaimed in shock, her cheeks flushing angrily. "Excuse me?" Holly raised a single brow in challenge. Draco broke free of Holly's grip and stood between her and the muggleborn, crossing his arms in an attempt to appear intimidating.
And for Hermione who had just learned that Holly was the daughter of two powerful political figures in this strange new world that she was to be a part of, shrank back slightly. "Do you have a problem with Heir Potter?" Draco arched an aristocratic eyebrow, drawing himself to his full height.
"D-didn't you know? Holly Potter has two soulmates. She can't be going around confessing her love for you, whoever you are! I-I've seen her with them!" Hermione exclaimed, her face turning redder as she tried to stand up for herself. Holly Potter made herself seem like such a good person, winning Ronald over even though he had been only cordial towards her the entire train ride.
"Whoever I am?" Draco repeated, turning to glance at Holly who now had an amused smirk on her face. "You filthy little Mud-" Holly jabs him hard in the side and Draco glares at her. "Muggleborn."
"Filthy? I am perfectly clean thank you very much!" Hermione stood with her arms on her hips. "Enough." Holly cuts in before Draco could respond with something that would get them both in trouble.
"Holly?" Ron pulls the door to his compartment open, it was obvious from his disheveled clothes that he had gotten dressed in a hurry. "What's going on?" He asked, confusion on his face as he stared between Holly and Hermione.
Holly smiled at the redhead in greeting, while Ron had been unbearable while they were younger, he had grown into himself, with the two of his brothers having flown the coop, and his twin brothers spending every available moment with Holly and a sister who was busy studying as she tried to follow Holly's footsteps, Ron had been able to receive the love and affection from his parents that he had always been craving.
In short, Ron wasn't as bad as he could have been had he had to share his parents' affections with all six of his siblings rather than just Ginny and Percy who didn't need that much anyways. So Holly and Neville had mended whatever bridges that Ron had burnt in their childhood and could talk without Holly wanting to choke him. "Granger?" Ron called out, the worry clear in his voice.
"Hermione? What's the matter?" Ron pushed, his anxiety climbing. Fred and George had only just warned him to make sure Holly wouldn't get upset. Why did Granger have to be so willful?
"I saw Holly Potter confessing her love for this blond boy!" Hermione turned and extended a hand to the pair who narrowed their eyes, not quite glaring but the anger simmered. "Hermione… That's her cousin. Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." Ron explained slowly, his hands raised in front of him as if approaching a wild animal.
"H-her what?" Hermione repeated. Oh no. This wasn't good at all. Hermione did not dig the biggest grave in existence in front of the daughter of her greatest Wizarding Idol.
"I am Draco Malfoy, heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Malfoy." Draco took a step closer to the girl with every word who was now trembling. No no no no no no no no no no NO! Hermione panicked as the blood drained from her face.
"That is enough, Draco. I'm sure Miss Granger didn't mean to jump to conclusions." Holly smiled, it was obviously forced. "What House did you think you would be joining, Miss Granger?" Holly asked curiously. "W-what?" Hermione stuttered in surprise, not expecting that reaction from the other girl.
"Are you hard of hearing, Miss Granger? She asked what house did you think you will be in." Malfoy sneered. Holly placed a hand on his shoulder, calm, she seemed to project. Draco took a step back but still sneering.
"R-ravenclaw." the brunette stuttered. Ron didn't know what to do and if only he could contact Fred and George. It was terrifying when Holly got polite, it was a warning just before she lost her temper, and only Neville, Fred, and George could temper an upset Holly without collateral damage.
"I think your actions have proved to me that you are well suited for Gryffindor. I bid you a good day, Miss Granger. It has not been a pleasure." and with that, Holly turned and caught sight of Fred and George who were running down the corridor in search of their mate.
"Holly"
"What"
"Happened"
"We were"
"Looking"
"Everywhere"
"For you"
"Are you"
"Hurt?"
The began to fuss over her as Holly stood and allowed them to fuss. It didn't need to be said that they had felt her irritation. It was only because they had projected their own emotions of calm to her had she managed to keep a lid on her temper.
James and Lily were not the calmest hearted people in the world and it seemed like their only child had inherited the same temper.
"I'm alright, now that you're both here." Holly soothed her mates as she caught their hands in her own smaller ones. "Let's go back?" Holly suggested, batting her lashes at her mates who immediately flanked her either side. Fred wrapping a hand over her shoulders while George wrapped a hand around her waist.
Draco huffed and walked away, resuming his walk back to the bathrooms, bumping his shoulder into Granger's as he walked past her. Sending her another sneer for good measure. He nodded a greeting to Ronald and walked away without looking back.
"Granger…" Ron started but shut his mouth because honestly, he didn't know what to say. "Fred and George will know that you've upset Holly." he finally bit out. Hermione turned to look at Ron. "Shouldn't I be worried that she'll inform her parents?"
"Oh, this isn't a large enough problem for Holly to write to her parents. But Fred and George are fiercely protective of her. She's their mate after all. I'd expect that they're planning retribution."
"Well, how bad could it possibly be?" Hermione says as she squared her shoulders.
"Oh… Quite bad." Ron says as he turns and re-enters their compartment, wishing that he had gathered the courage to join his brothers at the very start of the trip.
X
Hermione was wary as she got off the train, apparently, the trunks would be brought up to the castle so she needn't worry. She followed Ron's lead, keeping an eye out for Holly Potter because, of course, she had to apologize. This is her idol's daughter after all.
Hermione had read every book on recent Wizarding History that she could get her hands on. It just so happened that the biggest thing to happen was the War with the Dark Lord Voldemort.
Reading Lily Potter nee Evans' achievements; especially establishing a brand new school that would help Britain keep up with the other countries was nothing short of a miracle.
Considering how barbaric and old-fashioned the wizards seemed to be. When her Hogwarts letter had arrived, it was still written in parchment! She had thought it was a joke but then the Deputy Headmistress had arrived several days later to explain that yes Magic certainly is real and yes Hermione had it in her to perform amazing feats of magic that defied the very laws of science.
She had been glad to see several stalls along Diagonal Alley selling various pens and writing instruments but they were overpriced so Hermione had only offered them a sparing glance. Deputy Headmistress McGonagall had even brought her shopping for her school supplies, her parents coming along, the three of them were wide-eyed in wonder and amazement.
And it was Lily Potter! She had been one of the youngest to claim her Charms Mastery under the tutelage of a Professor Flitwick who apparently was half goblin! Goblins! They're in charge of the banks! When her parents had been greeted at the bank teller by a goblin they had almost fallen over themselves in shock.
Hermione had apologized on her parent's behalf, not wanting anybody to think that she was rude or that her parents didn't know any better, because even if they didn't, they shouldn't be sticking out like that.
Her mum had given Professor McGonagall the money and promptly received a bag full of different colored coins in exchange. Hermione held on to the money, how positively primitive, the coins felt heavy in her hands and she wished she could just make it lighter.
McGonagall had tapped her wand on the bag and the bag magically, yes of course with magic even the heaviest objects could weigh as light as a feather. Hermione kept it in her sling bag, not wanting to drop the money.
And promptly had a fit when she saw the bookstore and all the books waiting for her to devour. Hermione had spent almost two hours, with her parents by her side and McGonagall waiting outside, and almost twice the initial budget that she had set aside for books. There was just so much to learn!
Hermione and her parents had met several other muggle-born students, apparently, these were the children who had not been enrolled in Wizarding Primary School, as Hermione did. Her parents had turned down the invitation, thinking that it was just a joke, despite an offer for a school representative to visit them all those years ago.
How Hermione had held a grudge over that.
Hermione had met with Kevin Entwhistle and Dean Thomas, both boys were nice enough, but none of them tried to make friends with her past the initial meeting and there was another girl, Lisa Turpin who was mousy and quiet and didn't even look up from her feet.
But Lily Potter had been a Muggleborn and Hermione had just insulted her daughter. No matter what Ronald said, Holly Potter was sure to write to her mother about Hermione's actions. The very thought of having her idol have a bad impression on herself made her ears burn.
Apologize to Holly Potter, as soon as possible. Ronald had said that she was nice, surely she wouldn't hold a grudge once Hermione had apologized.
Hermione followed the large heavy set man who was taller than everybody else at the platform. She kept looking for Holly, her distinct dark hair and bright green eyes burned in Hermione's memory. They were brought to a rickety dock and the distinct smell of water attacked her nose, making Hermione rub her nose almost subconsciously.
"H-Holly! Holly Potter!" Hermione called out, trying to catch the attention of the other girl, she was standing between her not-brother and her sneering cousin. At the sound of Hermione's call, the crowd of first years started chattering and Hermione could see Holly try to duck her head and hide behind Neville.
Oh dear, this was bad, did Hermione just make the situation worse?
"H-Holly!" The crowd of first years was restless now, they were all looking for Holly Potter who everybody knew was elusive and well hidden from the public. There was jostling and pushing and Hermione was elbowed once and she accidentally stepped on several robes in her attempt to reach Holly Potter.
Neville and Draco formed a protective wall or as much as they could amongst a bunch of rowdy first years. Draco caught sight of Hermione trying to make her way over to them and glared at the girl. Hermione looked taken aback, but the brunette was nothing but determined.
"I just want to apolo-" Hermione started as she finally got close enough to the two boys. But Hermione was pushed roughly from behind and she tripped over an uneven board.
The next thing she knew she had landed in Neville's arms and there was a loud splash.
"HOLLY!" Draco and Neville simultaneously yelled as the floundering figure in the lake tried to break to the surface. Oh no Hermione had just pushed Holly Potter into the Black Lake. There was no way she could apologize her way out of this mess now. Hagrid pushed himself through the children, trying his best not to crush any of them.
Hermione was pushed out of Neville's arms and the boy got on his stomach trying to reach his not-sister and all Hermione could think about was how she would probably be expelled and arrested because she had just pushed the daughter of the Head Auror into the Black Lake in the middle of the night just before they could even reach the school.
"Move aside Granger!" Draco hissed as he roughly shoved Hermione away. She couldn't even get mad at the rough treatment because Hermione might have just killed someone. Hagrid was still making his way so painfully slow towards them and the sound of splashing had quickly quietened and that either meant that Holly Potter had drowned and Hermione was a murderer.
Or that Neville had fortunately managed to catch her hand in his, alongside Draco and the poor girl was clinging on to them desperately while shivering in the cold. The relief Hermione felt when a soaking wet Holly was pulled on to the questionable safety of the dock had her sinking to her knees.
Holly was coughing out water that she had swallowed, tiredly leaning against Draco as painful hot tears burned her eyes and warmed her freezing cheeks.
And then Hermione's own tears started falling.
Hermione Granger was crying in front of every first-year student in Hogwarts and a giant man because she had almost killed somebody. Because Holly Potter could have drowned tonight and Hermione hadn't even gotten to see the magic school she should have been for the next seven years.
"Quiet Miss Granger, you're giving me a headache." Holly bit out as she clung to Neville, soaking his robes as well. "Oh H-Holly, I j-j-just wanted t-to apologize for the train." Hermione sobbed, rubbing at her eyes hoping to stop the tears her cries loud as she hiccoughed.
"I said quiet! Miss Granger." Holly stressed.
"You!" Draco pointed rudely at the crying girl. "You just wait until I tell my father about this!" Draco threatened, standing between Hermione and Holly in an attempt to shield his cousin. "A muggleborn pushing Holly Potter into the Black Lake. Have you no decency?" Glaring hatefully at the bushy-haired girl, Draco turned his back on her.
"'Olly! S'cuse me, kids! Let me dry yer up!" Hagrid finally reached the poor shivering girl whose lips were now blue and wet hair clinging to her face. "Make way!"
Ten minutes later a relatively damp Holly stood between a fiercely glaring Draco Malfoy and a fussing Neville Longbottom. Her hair was now a mess and her robes were crumpled and ruined. She didn't look anything like the Pureblood heiress that she was meant to be. Hagrid's umbrella wand could only do so much.
Holly purposely turned away from Hermione when the other girl tried once again to apologize. Neville wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulders while Draco stood behind her and glared angrily.
Clearly, Hermione wasn't going to be the most well-liked student in Hogwarts.
Despite her absolutely foul mood, Holly couldn't help but gasp at the beauty of Hogwarts. Fred and George had told her that the First Years would be getting the best view when they arrived, kind of a "Welcome to Hogwarts" introduction.
The three of them shared a boat with Blaise Zabini, a half French half Italian boy with dark skin and smoldering violet eyes. He and Draco had been friends since diapers, and Holly had seen him around during their birthday parties. There were many rumors floating around Mrs. Zabini but Holly never cared.
Blaise was likable and had a nice smile and his family always sent her beautiful books on French or Italian culture for every birthday party he had been invited to. He had taken one look at Holly and offered to comb out her hair, pulling out a hairbrush from his robes. Holly had only blinked once, twice and smiled thankfully as she accepted his offer.
Blaise sat behind her, next to Draco who sat behind Neville. If Draco spent a majority of the ride inconspicuously glancing at Neville (even though he had been caught by Blaise who nudged him with his elbow - twice, and once by Holly who had only smirked at his direction before pointedly looking away from her cousin.)
Her hair now no longer a tangled matted mess it had been, Holly felt marginally better. It was made even better when they finally climbed their way up towards Hogwarts and were greeted by Deputy Headmistress McGonagall.
Holly had met the stern woman a couple of times, her father had mentioned that he was her prized student, the pressure to live up to the aging woman's expectations ate away at Holly's stomach. Now Holly stood before her Transfiguration professor, dressed in crumpled still slightly damp robes.
"I'm sorry Professor, could you please help me fix my robes?" Holly asked politely.
"Yes, yes of course. What in Merlin happened to you, child? What's your name?" McGonagall fussed as she began waving her wand, casting a warming charm first. Before working on her school robes, straightening out the wrinkles and removing the water stains.
"Holy Potter, professor. I, well…" Glancing behind, she caught a glimpse of Granger's face bright red and about to cry before the girl hid her face with her hair.
"You what, Miss Potter?" McGonagall raised an eyebrow. Holly Potter didn't look anything like how she had remembered the petite child to be from the one or two times that she had seen her favorite student's child. Not missing the glance behind to the other students. "I fell in the lake." Holly blushed, "I lost my balance and stood too close to the edge." Holly admitted with downcast eyes.
The group of first years murmured amongst themselves and Hermione's head shot up as she looked at Holly Potter's back in absolute shock. Was she not going to tell the Deputy Headmistress that Hermione pushed Holly into the lake?
"And she's kind. Really kind. Unbelievably kind." Ron's words echoed and Hermione struggled to remain calm, her eyes burning with tears once again.
"You fell into the Black Lake on your own accord, Miss Potter?" McGonagall questioned once again, unsure whether the tiny thing was being bullied and forced to keep silent. But the bright green eyes that stared back at her with determination told her otherwise.
Those were Lily Evans' eyes.
"Yes, Professor. It was an accident." Holly glanced behind her once again and this time purposely catching Granger's eyes. "A simple accident, I assure you. It won't happen again." Holly smiled sweetly.
"Very well, return to the other first years Miss Potter and I shall begin my speech." Professor McGonagall stood ramrod straight and cast her gaze towards the nervous and shifty children before her.
Holly went back to her place next to Neville and held his hand, finally no longer uncomfortably damp as she was. Together the first years listened to the Deputy Headmistress as she explained the four Hogwarts houses and the points system, elaborating on the House Cup which made the thrill of competition flutter in Holly.
Leading the children to a small room, the professor instructed them to wait until she returned. Hermione took the opportunity given to make her way to Holly, only this time the other students parted and gave way to the brunette.
"P-Potter, I-I" Hermione started her thumbs fiddling as she tried to come up with something to say. "Enough, Granger. I don't expect you to thank me." Holly held a hand up to stop Hermione from talking. "I didn't tell the Deputy Headmistress because I wouldn't want you to start the year losing points for whatever house you will be sorted into."
"I, well, yes, of course. Thank you." Hermione lowered her head. "I would still like to apologize," Hermione said sincerely. "For the train a-and the lake." Holding a hand out. Holly's eyes studied the girl before her, a girl who extended her hand in friendship.
It would have been so easy to knock the hand away, humiliate the poor Muggleborn girl who had almost drowned her the very same day that they had met. Holly had been willing to let the misunderstanding on the train rest without further action until she had been unceremoniously pushed into freezing waters.
But then Hermione Granger had accidentally done it (no matter how many times Holly replayed it in her head it truly had been an accident on the other girl's part and thus she couldn't really blame her for it) and Holly had almost died if Neville hadn't reached out for her.
Holly must have taken too long to respond because Granger was about to drop her hand. Holly reluctantly extended her own hand, clasping the other girl's unnaturally warm one and pulled Hermione for a hug.
"I've forgiven you, but do not assume that we are friends." she whispers before stepping back and giving Hermione Granger a polite smile. Hermione could only stand in shock, unable to say anything and could only stare after the dark-haired girl as she stood between her brother and cousin.
It was at that moment when Professor McGonagall re-entered the room and told the students to gather in two rows. Holly stood next to Neville, standing on the inner side to avoid the uncomfortable stares of the student body. Draco stood behind Holly while Blaise stood next to him, providing her with a makeshift shield.
On a stool sat a ratty old hat with a large rip at the seam that had holly tilting her head in curiosity. That is until the hat started to sing. The jerk of surprise had Holly bumping into Draco but thankfully she was saved from embarrassment by her brother who managed to pull her upright before she toppled.
Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the line, a long list of parchment in her hands, "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," as she slowly called out the names of each first year. Holly watched as a pretty blond girl she recognized from Primary School named Hannah went first.
"HUFFLEPUFF" and Hannah was greeted by loud cheering from the yellow and black students at their house table. Hannah quickly made her way and took a seat at the table they had left empty for the new students, her face a faint pink. She was quickly joined by Susan Bones, the niece of the head of the DMLE.
Holly and Neville often met with her at Ministry social events, since their guardians were all friends. The sorting continued with Terry Boot who was sorted into Ravenclaw who provided polite applause to their newest member.
When it was finally Neville's turn Holly gave his hand a tight squeeze and mouthed, 'good luck' to her brother before he made his way to the stool and had the hat sit on his head. Holly worried her bottom lip and let out a sigh of relief when the hat yelled out 'GRYFFINDOR'.
Neville made his way to the Gryffindor table a relieved smile on his face. He turned to face Holly with a wide smile the relief shining in his eyes. Holly gave a small wave before she turned to continue watching the sorting.
Draco was sitting on the stool, a smirk on his friend and the Sorting Hat already exclaiming a loud 'SLYTHERIN' after barely sitting on his head. Holly clapped for her cousin, proud that he had managed to continue his family legacy.
Soon enough it was Holly's turn. Feeling her heart pounding in her chest, she took in the brief silence that followed the call of her name before the hushed chattering of curious gossipy students resumed. Holly decidedly refused to face the student body and closed her eyes as she lowered the old hat on her head.
"Hmm. Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes — and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting... So where shall I put you?" It was a very gruff voice as if the man had smoked far too many cigars to be healthy. It rumbled in her ears and Holly could only see the darkness as she felt the gentle magic probe around her psyche.
It wasn't like the Hat was reading her mind, it was just prodding at her magic and aura, seeing how her magic reacted to the foreign entity. "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin," Holly thought desperately, the image of her father's heartbroken face startling clear in her inner mind.
"Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that — no? Well, if you're sure — better be HUFFLEPUFF!"
There was silence in the Great Hall. Holly James Potter, the only child of the conquerors of Voldemort had just been sorted into the badger house. Holly turned her head, her heart was pounding in her chest, hoping to catch Uncle Severus' face, only to see pride shining in the usually dour man's eyes. That moment of eye contact was enough to ease Holly's anxiety.
The roaring cheer from the Badger House that had suddenly abrupted had Holly take a step back and collide painfully with the stool and knocking the Sorting Hat, thankfully she had managed to catch it before it fell, whispering a frantic apology to the Hat.
Turning she saw the twinkling blue eyes of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Holly quickly averted her eyes, she had overheard her parents talking about how Headmaster Dumbledore was a powerful legilimens when they thought that she had already gone to bed - she had actually been sneaking to get a book from the Potter library but that's beside the point.
Holly didn't need her brain pried more than it already had been, thank you very much. Face red at her embarrassing stumble, Holly made her way to the Hufflepuff table and space was made between Susan and Hannah.
"Holly! It's so good to see you again." Susan greeted with a kind smile, and Holly could only feel herself relax, she wasn't in Slytherin, her father wouldn't be heartbroken. It wasn't as good as Gryffindor, where a pang echoed in her chest at the thought of being separated from both Neville and her mates, but at least she recognized some of the people at her table.
"Susan. Hannah, thank you." Holly breathed. The two shared a look over Holly's head and resolutely shifted themselves closer to offer Holly some comfort. Holly glanced to the Gryffindor table and caught Neville staring at her with wide eyes. The Granger girl was seated next to him and she immediately averted her eyes when Holly glanced at her direction.
Then her attention was caught by her mates who were cooing and hollering for her attention. They waved madly and Holly felt their soothing presence in the back of her mind. Waving back before her attention turned to politely watch the rest of the students get sorted.
Blaise was the last, joining the Slytherin table with a saunter in his step. It was when all the students were settled and the cheering had died down that Dumbledore stood.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
The food appeared on the table and Holly took great pleasure in piling on perfectly mashed potatoes and roast beef on to her plate. Barely making any small talk with the other first years who were chattering excitedly around her.
headmaster Dumbledore once again stood to issue some warnings but Holly was no longer in the headspace to pay attention to the Headmaster. Words were said something to do with a list of banned items that Holly didn't pay any particular attention to. Something about avoiding the forbidden room on the third floor and painful death. Something else about a forbidden forest. Clearly, there were a lot of forbidden things in this school.
Holly's head shot up and she glanced warily, her parents wouldn't be happy to learn that there was something that was a very real fatal threat to the students. Immediately, she felt the calm echoing at the back of her head, yes, of course, she had her mates, they would protect her. And it wasn't like Holly was going to go looking for the decidedly deadly room or enter forests that were explicitly forbidden.
Soon a sixth-year prefect, Gabriel Truman, a kind boy with a kind smile and rosy cheeks led the first years to what would essentially be their home for the next seven years. Holly stood near the back of the line, trying to search for her twins when identical grins on identical faces made their way over.
Holly let out a heavy sigh of relief as she broke away from the other Hufflepuff girls to seek comfort from her mates. They immediately wrapped her up in a three-way hug and Holly tried not to cry from the relief that she felt at seeing her mates.
"Are you alright Hols?" Fred asked as he played with her hair, noticing how it was no longer in the pretty braid it had been in when they had left Potter Manor.
"We could feel your distress." George worried as he buried his nose in Holly's hair, taking the sharp smell of cold and the slight dampness that remained. "What happened out there?"
"We could feel your fear and panic." Fred continued.
"Holly! We need to go!" Hannah called out from her position in the group of first years who were all gawking at the trio. Holly blushed and made to pull away from the twins who only pulled her in for one last hug.
"I'll write to you." Holly hastily whispered as she separated from her mates.
"We'll be waiting." They replied in unison. Casually slinging an arm on each other's shoulders watching as the first year Hufflepuffs leave the Great Hall, but Holly could feel the slight bitterness of having to part. Holly could feel the same emotions rolling through her own mind.
"Aren't those the Weasley Twins?" Susan whispered as the three girls huddled towards the back of the group of first years, though it was obvious that the others were listening as well.
"They were hugging you!" Hannah added in an excited whisper which made Holly's face pink from the attention. "We'll talk about this later." Holly hissed when Gabriel Truman once again began to talk. "Alright, kids, over there on your left is the Kitchens."
The children immediately craned their necks to see if they could sneak a peek into the Hogwarts Kitchens and Gabriel allowed them the moment to express their oohs and ahs at the magnificent large room where so many house elves were working to clean up after the Feast.
"That's enough of that," Gabriel called out as he waved his hand to capture their attention once again. "Right this way, we'll be heading to the Hufflepuff common room next!" The first years' excited whispers were a soft background noise.
Holly kept her eyes wide open taking in her surroundings in wonder, she could feel the twins' amusement echoing at the back of her head. Holly watched as Gabriel knocked a barrel, two from the bottom and the middle of the second row. "Now remember, tap it to the tune of Helga Hufflepuff." to which all the first years nodded enthusiastically.
The lid of the barrel opened and Gabriel crawled through, gesturing for the skeptical students to follow him. When the tiny first years finally clamored into the common room, they all gasped and exclaimed in wonder.
It was already night, almost 9 pm and yet the common room still felt as if it were being bathed in sunlight. the common room is a large, earthy, round room with low ceilings. The view from the round windows was difficult to see in the dark but Holly could make out the shape of dandelions and rippling grass.
The decor emphasizes the earthy-feel of the room with plants hanging and resting all about the room, some that even began to sing and dance to welcome the new students. Burnished copper touchings with plush, cozy yellow and black patterned sofas and chairs littered across the common room haphazardly.
" The door closest to the entrance is the Seventh year's dorms." Gabriel began. "And the first years get the dorms all the way near the back." Gabriel gestured as he walked over to the door, it was the closest to the fireplace and Holly appreciated the extra warmth.
"When you enter, the doors on the left are for the girls while the one on the right is for the boys." The students crowded around the door, trying to take a peek. "You'll each find a map of the school inside the drawers of the side table near the entrance of the Hufflepuff dorms, please remember to take one before you go for breakfast tomorrow."
"Once you've picked a bed, your trunks will appear at the foot of the bed. Please try not to switch beds once you've made the choice, then you'll have to move your trunks yourselves." He warned to the smiling first years.
"Alright, any questions?" Gabriel clapped his hands as if to signify the end of the tour.
"Are there any bathrooms?" A boy Holly didn't recognize, Arnold? Ernando? Asked and it made the first years laugh. "There's a shared shower and bathroom attached to each of the dorm rooms." Gabriel answered with a smile.
"What time is breakfast?" A muggleborn Holly recognized from school asked, Justin, if she remembered correctly. "Breakfast starts serving at 6.30 in the morning until 7.45. Morning classes start at 8 am." Gabriel explained.
The girls entered the rectangular dorm room and Holly observed her new home. It was decked in Hufflepuff yellow and black as was everything else in the Hufflepuff den. There were five, four-poster single beds with beautiful black curtains with yellow trimmings. There were two beds on either side, with a small bedside chest of drawers and a single bed in the center at the furthest wall, facing the door.
There was a large heater in the center of the room, probably because they were underground and it immediately began to run when the ambient magic was alerted to the bodies that had entered the room.
To her left was what Holly assumed was the connecting door to shared showers and bathroom. Holly took the bed on the right, nearest to the door and sat on it. "I like this one if that's alright with you." She announced softly.
"That's fine." Hannah nodded, blond pigtails swinging, she took the bed next to Holly with a smile. "I like this one!" "No fair! I wanted to have the bed next to Holly!". Susan exclaimed, sitting next to Hannah with a wide grin.
"Well, I want the center bed." A girl that Holly later learned was named Leanne, called out as she hurried over. "I don't like being next to the bathroom." Megan Jones added a shy and quiet muggleborn girl mumbled as she took the bed next to it.
"Well, I am a pretty heavy sleeper." Susan mused out loud as she got off the bed and made her way over to the last available one. "I guess that's settled then." and with that, their trunks appeared and landed heavily on the floor at the foot of their beds.
Holly immediately began to unpack her sleep clothes, a pair of green pajamas and sighed. "I wished we have proper wardrobes, I don't like leaving my clothes in my trunk," she complained to Hannah who nodded understandingly. "Definitely, I hate having to magic the wrinkles away, it wears at the fabric." Susan joined.
Half an hour later after a hot shower to warm up her still cold body, Holly was seated on Hannah's bed as the blond girl brushed Holly's mess of dark hair. Susan was flipping through Witch Weekly while Megan and Leanne were talking amongst themselves.
"It will be nice to get to know you better now," Susan spoke up as she flipped another page. "Why do you say that?" Holly asked "Well, you're always with Neville,"
"He is my god-brother." Holly rolled her eyes.
"Then there's Malfoy," Hannah added.
"We're cousins." Holly rebutted.
"And then the Weasleys." Susan gave Holly a side-eye glance.
"Well, Ron was in my class." Holly hummed to herself. "We know that's not the Weasley that we're talking about." Hannah cut in as she started to braid Holy's dark tresses.
"Come off it Holly, everybody saw it," Megan said from her position on her bed where she was sprawled on her stomach. Leanne nodded enthusiastically. "Fred and George Weasley, by far the most notorious Weasleys to ever walk the halls of Hogwarts."
"Well, they're my soulmates." Holly blushed as she mumbled the confession. Pulling her legs up so that she could hide her face behind her knees. But the other girls could see how red Holly had gotten, it was visible from the very tips of her ears.
"SOULMATES! " the other girls squealed excitedly, even Hannah who had accidentally pulled too hard on Holly's hair causing the girl to yelp in surprise. "Sorry, Holly!" Hannah apologized but the blonde girl was all smiles.
"Can we see your mark?" Leanne asked as she knelt in an attempt to get closer from her bed. "Where did yours appear?" Susan asked excitedly. "What are soulmates?" Megan asked excitedly and suddenly the excited chatter died off as the girls stared wide-eyed at Megan.
"Oh right, Megan and Leanne, you're both muggleborn right?" Holly tilted her head as she looked over the two girls. "Come and join us, we'll tell you all about it!" Hannah squealed. Susan automatically shifted to sit by the headboard while Hannah and Holly made space at the foot of the bed so that Megan and Leanne could sit in the middle.
Holly mused over all five of them could fit in the bed, only because all five of them were quite small, even though Leanne was the tallest of them with Susan half an inch shorter. Holly was glad that she wasn't the shortest, but Megan was only a hair width shorter so it wasn't that much of a difference.
"I have a book if you want all the well-researched papers and all that rot." Hannah started when all five girls were comfortable. "But tonight, we'll tell you about all the good stuff." Susan grinned.
"Soulmates are said to be the two halves of a single soul." Hannah continued. "It began a long time ago when magic was still wild and it didn't matter if you were human or fairy or vampire or elf."
"If you had magic, then, Magic herself had fashioned another soul that would love you regardless. It didn't matter if they weren't from the same species." Susan sighed happily. "Because Magic herself wanted all her children to be happy. So she made sure that there was 'the one' for everyone."
"But different species have different ways of identifying their soulmates. Us Wizards have soulmarks, they appear on our skin the day we turn eleven. People say it's when their magic is finally developed enough to have an imprint of your distinct personality." Holly added, "The mark blooms on your skin, it could be anywhere, it's not exactly random. But it's somewhere that would mean something to you and your partner."
"Mine is on my ankle." Susan sighed she placed a hand over her left ankle and rubbed the mark tenderly. "I have mine below my belly button," Holly mumbled, a hand curled protectively over her mark.
"So the mark on my skin is a soul mark?" Megan echoed as she rubbed her right shoulder.
"Exactly, your soulmate will have the exact same mark on their body, not necessarily in the same place." Hannah chimed in, her hands once again playing with Holly's dark hair.
"So Holly, are you soulmates with both the twins?" Leanne asked as she wagged her eyebrows. "Yes, all three of us have the same mark." Holly smiled happily. "Is that normal?" Megan asked curiously.
"It's not unheard of. Fred and George are Magical twins, they're literally born with the same soul. So I guess you could say they're each other's soulmates first before me. But I don't quite believe that Soulmates are the halves of the same soul." Holly waved a hand.
"Why not, don't you think it's romantic." Susan pouted.
"Isn't it even more romantic, when your soulmate is someone who may have lived entirely different lives, went through everything they did, and they're yours. Your partner, because you were meant to be. Because Magic saw something in them and thought, hey you would be perfect for this person. And gives you both the mark." Holly pointed out.
"That's why soulmates are usually born close to each other so that you won't be stuck with somebody who's the same age as your father." Hannah added.
"Is it easy to find your soulmate?" Leanne asked timidly.
"It's actually quite difficult actually." Susan and Hannah answered.
"I knew the twins were mine even before my birthday."
"I saw that!" Susan exclaimed excitedly.
"What! How?" Hannah squealed.
"You can't just keep quiet after sharing such a delicious tidbit!" Leanne urged.
"Tell us, please!" Megan pleaded.
"It was during me and my brother's birthday party." Holly began. "The Potters and Longbottoms throw the best parties." Hannah sighed wistfully. "Though there wasn't one last year." Susan goaded. "Our parents wanted to spend some family time before we left for Hogwarts." Holly shrugged.
"Anyways, we had a Birthday ball, it was from a muggle movie. Aunt Alice was convinced we absolutely had to have one. I think it's only because they wanted to wear the muggle ball gowns from the movie." Holly pouted.
"Those dresses must have been beautiful." Hannah added.
"The three of them were dancing together - towards the end of the night, and it was absolutely magical!" Susan squealed. "You could quite literally feel the magic in the air as they danced." Susan hugged herself.
"That's when I knew." Holly cupped her cheeks. "My magic reached out to them and I just knew that we were meant to be."
"I wish I could have seen it." Hannah moaned.
"Me too," Megan added while Leanne nodded enthusiastically.
Susan was about to say something else when there was a knock on the door.
"Alright firsties, it's almost eleven. You should sleep." A voice called out from the other side of the door. The group of girls laughed and answered with a chorus of 'okay's and 'alright's.
The five of them exchanged goodnight greetings and Holly crawled up to her bed and shut her curtains, casting a sticking charm that she had been dying to try ever since she had gotten her wand.
Taking her jewelry box from the side table, Holly pulled out a spare piece of parchment and began writing about her day to the twins, trusting them not to go ballistic at Granger, there was a tentative truce, after all, Holly spent a good half an hour writing to her mates. Her mates, who were still awake and anticipating her letter, if the constant amusement she felt while writing was anything to go by.
How she had been caught by Granger while attempting to threaten Draco.
When she had been accused of cheating on them with Draco.
How Hermione had accidentally pushed her into the Black Lake.
When Blaise offered to detangle and fix her hair for her.
How she had gotten McGonagall to dry her off so that she would at least look presentable.
Holly wrote about how beautiful Hufflepuff was and how she had bonded with her dorm mates. Holly ended the letter by informing the twins that all her dorm mates knew about their bond, and probably tomorrow morning, all the Hufflepuff first years. And to make sure that the twins would keep an eye out for Neville in case he got bullied.
Holly signed the letter, folded it, kissed the top and placed it in the box. Closing the lid, Holly set it next to her head, allowing the faint residue of their magic to lull her to sleep.
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