Chapter Thee: The Others

As I sat in beside the lake, daydreaming of my home, I noticed a large cloud of smoke heading towards me. Since I had always been on the defensive side of things, I quickly bonded with the water, making sure I had my weapon if I needed it.

Obviously, I can jump to conclusions, only because I've grown up in a world that isn't stable. My mother would tell me stories about the days when the Wizarding world was being taken over by that scary guy... what's his name... Lord something. But I guess he was really evil, I never grew up with it, so it doesn't bother me that I'm not scared of him. How bad can he possibly be?

It turned out to be a train, nothing to be alarmed about. I let the water sift back into its bed and quickly walked inside. I saw Professor McGonagall and quickly went up to her.

"Professor, why is there a train outside the grounds?" I asked, trying to be pleasant.

"It's the students arriving. You should go clean the common room, it's littered with papers and books, I don't need to tell you who they belong to, as I am certain they are yours." McGonagall scowled and walked away.

"Nice talking to you too, you old bat," I said and stuck my tongue out in her direction.

I went up to the common room and attempted some of the new magic I had learned. It was difficult, but I was still awful at it.

My attempt was fruitless, and out of frustration, I bonded with the water and threw it on the fire. Just to piss someone off, even though the creatures who kept it clean certainly would be upset with me. But I didn't really care at this point.

Grudgingly, I picked up all of my papers and books and shoved them into my trunk. I missed my dresser and my desk from my home. I missed my room too. That I didn't have to clean up. I sighed and walked down to the Great Hall for dinner. Only this time it was different.

There were numerous kids filing into the hall, all of them chatting animatedly with each other. They acted as though they hadn't seen each other in ages. I couldn't help up laugh a little, they all looked so young. As I stood at the top of the staircase, watching the students move about each other, I noticed that a particular dark haired boy was staring back up at me.

I felt my face turning red, I knew I was blushing, and I wished with all my might that I would become invisible at that very moment. As our eyes locked, I could feel the electricity of the storm that was arriving. I could feel the static climbing down the walls and settling around me. The clouds were heavy with water, I prayed I wouldn't begin to cry this night. That would only make things worse. It would surely rain if I cried, as it always seemed to.

I watched as he turned away from me, he had obviously felt something, yet I would never know just what.

Dinner was amusing at best. Everyone seemed to be whispering about me. I could barely hear the audible conversations and only if I listened closely. But what I did pick up from the others was funny.

"Have you ever seen her before?"

"Who is she?"

"Where is she from?"

"Is she new?"

"What year do you think she's in?"

I had decided that I might like this school. The people in it were fascinating.

The next day I went to the classes I had been given. I was nervous about them. The interesting thing was, the storm from the pervious night still remained. I hadn't cried at all, which I was proud of, but the storm hadn't dissipated either. This, also, made me slightly more on edge than normal.

I walked into the Transfiguration class and saw that the brown haired boy was there. He looked up at me as I passed, I tried not to notice, I didn't like drawing attention to myself. I managed to find a seat somewhat close to the back of the room. The further away from the others, the better.

"Welcome students. Might I introduce Krystle Attwater. She is new to the school, please be civil to her." McGonagall said, her face remaining cold. Everyone looked at me and I looked back. I wasn't afraid of them, I just didn't want to associate with them. I didn't want to get attached, because I fully planned on returning to my beloved New York as soon as this year was finished. Of that I was certain.

Once McGonagall started giving the lecture and drawing things on her chalk board, I began listening to the conversations around me.

"I heard she was sent here because Beauxbatons didn't want her any longer."

"I heard she got kicked out of Durmstrang, she was too good at the Dark Arts."

"I guess we'll see then, eh? Dark Arts is next."

I became bored with their ridiculous conversations and started drawing on my parchment.

"Hi, I'm Rose Darley. Where are you from?" a red haired girl with a heart shaped face smiled.

"Krystle. I'm from New York." I said and smiled back. I had to be civil.

"New York? Are you joking?" She looked at me in amazement.

"No." I answered simply. I scanned the room and saw the same brown haired boy looking at me again. Rose followed my eyes and smiled at the boy.

"He fancies you." She smiled.

"What? I don't understand." I said quickly averting my eyes to meet Rose's.

"He likes you." She explained.

"Oh. Who is that?" I asked, not really caring, but I might as well know who my stalker is.

"Oliver Wood. He's the sexiest guy alive, and he's the Quidditch captain. Trust me, you want his attention. He's a good catch. As far as I know, he's still single. I can talk to him if you're interested," Rose said, smiling proudly about her gossip links.

"Thanks, but I'm good. I'm not looking for a relationship. I just want to go back home." I said curtly.

"Oh, alright. I was just offering. So I don't see a wand any where, what do you use?" She asked, changing the subject.

I held up my hand, "Here."

She laughed at me, "You're funny, I think you'll fit in just fine. Seriously, where is it?"

In my most serious tone, I held up my hand once more, "This is what I use to perform magic."

She looked taken aback, "Seriously?"

I nodded my head.

"What can you possibly do with your hand? That can't possess any magic!" She said, her smile slowly vanishing.

"Conjure up some water, I'll show you." I said.

She did so, soon there was a glass of water sitting before us. She sat back a little way, seemingly scared of what I might do.

"Hot or cold?" I asked, bonding with the water.

"Cold." She said in a tone that made me think she didn't believe me.

In my mind I pictured mountain rivers, snow and ice. Before my eyes, frost appeared on the glass and Rose's eyes widened. "Touch it," I instructed her.

She dipped her finger in the water and quickly withdrew it, "It's freezing! Can you warm it up?"

I thought of a shallow pool in the middle of summer, the frost began melting as the water warmed up. Once again Rose stuck her fingers in the water as it began to boil. I quickly reminded the water of frozen lakes and it cooled. "Put you finger in now, it'll blister if you don't." She did as I told her, I smiled.

"How the bloody hell do you do that?" She said very loudly. I noticed a few people looking at us. The frost was still on the glass, even though I'd broken the connection.

"Magic," I said simply and began paying attention to McGonagall.