Authors Note:
This is my first fanfiction, and I'm pretty excited about it. Constructive criticism would be great; I'm doing my best in conveying the characters we all know and love. If there is anything about the horseback riding that isn't understood please let me know and I will try to explain it. Thanks for reading!
Oh and I picture Alona Tal as Angelique, Jason Behr as Sirius. Pictures are on my profile.
I didn't explain this in the first chapter but most of what is in italics is what Angelique is saying directly to the reader.
***Edited and a few plots fixes***
Chapter 2- The Move
~ Middle of June~
Ok, so I should probably tell you a little bit more about me. I'm 15 (as you know); I have sapphire blue eyes, blond hair with red streaks that reaches to the middle of my back. I'm short only 5'3", I'm extremely athletic with a body to prove it. I'm the only child of Dawn and Brandon Meyer, who are both muggles. I'm known for my deceptive nature; I'm quiet most of the time, but once I get comfortable in a group my mischievous side comes out, I tend to be a bit of a prankster. I have many hobbies; mainly reading and horseback riding. Ramses my Arabian gelding is my most precious treasure and one of my best friends. Anubis is my Doberman, and my watch dog. Not that that is the reason I got him, it's just the role he picked up.
Finally, everything was set for the move, everything was packed, goodbyes were said, with many tears and promises to write or email. The house we found is absolutely amazing, I have a tower and a balcony and we managed to get a pool and the neighborhood is perfect. It has been a stressful couple of weeks, trying to help my parents look at houses, getting travel arrangements settled for Ramses as well as competing in several hunter jumper shows and a 3 day eventing competition.
"Carina lunch is ready!" my mom called up the stairs. Carina is my mom's nickname for me, although it's not much of a nickname because it's my middle name but she insists. I make my way downstairs, as my stomach gives a mighty growl, reminding me that I skipped breakfast, in my haste to finish packing.
"I'm almost finished packing, I just need to get everything shrunken down, and then we'll be all set and only have 4 suitcases to take on the plane." I state as I sit down at the table
"You got permission to use magic, right? I would hate for you to get in trouble, for something as silly as shrinking boxes." Questioned my dad looking very serious, he hates it when I get in trouble. It doesn't happen often but when it does it's not usually for something small.
"Yes I did, the ministry should be sending one of my professors to 'supervise' so I don't abuse the privilege, and she's even going to meet us at Wembley so I can unshrink everything." I said with a sigh
"Oh and I updated coach on our arrival time; he will be there to pick up Ramses when we land."
My alarm blares at 5:30 am, our flight leaves at 11:45 am, and Ramses needs to arrive by 8:30 am, so he can get checked in and loaded onto the plane. The house is bare, nothing to suggest that anyone still lives there except the 4 suitcases in hall, and the few odds and ends that need to be packed before we leave. I hop out of bed and into the shower, by 6am we pile into the car, and head to the barn to help get Ramses to the airport, in Boston.
Once we arrive in London the next few days are filled with unpacking and getting settled.
After about two weeks I receive a letter from Headmaster Dumbledore, setting up a date for my sorting so I don't have to do it at the beginning of the feast with the first years.
Ramses is finally settled in and calm enough to ride, so I go do a basic dressage lesson to get him focused and listening to me, and responding to the slightest touch. As I'm cooling him out, Coach and I discuss getting me out to ride at least twice a week, even once I'm at Hogwarts; although he doesn't know that I'm a witch. We agree on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, we also made a list of the shows I can go to.
Once Mom and I are home we wait for Dumbledore's arrival, we have a lot to discuss with him concerning the upcoming year, and the rest of my time at Hogwarts.
There is a knock at the door, "That must me him," I jump up to get the door. "Professor Dumbledore, please come in, I'm Angelique." I introduce myself as I usher him into the sitting room.
"Yes, I know who you are, now before we get started do you have any questions?" his voice is soothing as he looks at me over his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Yeah, actually I do, um…well I am trying to become a professional equine eventer, and it requires a lot of work and many hours in the saddle. Would it be possible for me to leave Hogwarts twice a week in the evenings to ride? Also, I would have to leave once or twice a month on the weekends for competition." I ask tentatively, if I have to choose between my education or my riding, I'm not sure how that would work out.
He replied quite quickly, "That is very possible; as long as you keep up with your studies I have no problem with this arrangement. I can get your fireplace hooked up to the Floo network to make travel easier. Now, if that is all we can proceed with your sorting." With a flourish he produces an old hat.
I look at him in confusion; he straightens the hat and hands it to me. "Put it on." He urges with a nod, "It will determine your house."
I place the hat slowly and unsurely on my head, and I wait. After a moment I hear a voice, which I assume is in my head as my parents don't look shocked.
"Hmm, you are very hard working, brave, a prankster! You have smarts, but there is something else. I think you belong in…
GRYFFINDOR!" he says the last out loud for everyone to hear. Dumbledore smiles and takes the hat from me as I take it off.
"Well, I have to be off, here is your Hogwarts letter, it details the supplies you will need for the year. The train leaves platform 9 3/4 exactly at 11 am on September 1st, from Kings Cross Station, I will be in touch about being connected to the Floo network." He states before he apparates away.
"This going to be an interesting year, I hope I will be able to handle it all." I state to fill the silence
"You will, you're smart, even going to a new school won't faze you, you always were good at adapting. And you won't have any time to get in trouble, you will be too busy." States my father cheerfully, he hates when I get into trouble.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm going to shower, be down for dinner in a bit." I tap up the stairs in quick rhythm, with Anubis on my heels. As I stand under the steaming water my mind drifts from classes to riding, and finally to food as my stomach gives a mighty growl.
The next few weeks pass quickly, my days filled with riding and writing to my friends from Salem, magical and muggle. Two weeks before I leave, our fireplace in connected to the Floo Network.
I managed to find a forest about 5 miles from our house, that I started going to, to relax, and run around as an Arabian horse. You see I'm a registered Animagus. I became one with a friend of mine with the help of a professor over our winter holiday. I love the freedom that being a horse gives me, the horse's senses are so keen, I can smell and hear things that humans can't, it is definitely my favorite aspect of being an Animagus.