Thank you for subscribing and adding this story to your favorites, bluekat5 and Aura The Artist. Here's the next chapter of Life Is One COMPLICATED Riddle. I have made quite a few changes to the first chapter, so you may want to re-read that.
Disclaimer applied.
Life Is One COMPLICATED Riddle - Chapter 2 -
When Dylan got to the other side of the wall, she couldn't help but stop and stare. It looked just like it did in the movies. She continued to stare, mouth agape, when Jude came through the wall, and had the same reaction.
"Come on, then, we'd better drop off our things now, so we can get a compartment." Jude said, pushing ahead of Dylan.
"Uhuh..." Dylan said, following Jude towards the train.
After dropping off their trunks and their owls, they got onto the train, and began looking for a compartment. Dylan surged ahead, and saw an empty compartment at the end of the car.
"Come on, Jude. I found an empty compartment!" She said, walking a bit faster towards the compartment, because she saw someone point to it as well. A Slytherin.
"Jude!" Dylan hissed, grabbing her cousin's wrist and tugging her into the compartment. Dylan quickly locked the door, and slipped into the seat across from Jude.
She saw the Slytherin glanced into their compartment, sighed, and tell his friends it was taken. As they walked by, Dylan saw Tom Riddle glare at her. Dylan just waved and smiled. He gave her an odd look, then continued with his friends.
"What'd you do that for?" Jude asked her.
"To show that I don't care about what happened at Flourish and Blotts, and that he shouldn't hold a grudge." At Jude's odd look, Dylan continued with "It's called democracy, Jude."
"Whatever. So how do you think we got here?" Jude asked.
Dylan thought for a moment before saying "I have no idea. How did you get here? I looked down at my shoes, blinked, and when I looked back up, you and the audience were gone, and Mr. Ollivander was handing me a wand."
Jude looked at her and said "I was looking at the shelf above your head, blinked, and was plucking a book out of a shelf at Flourish and Blotts and putting it into my cauldron. Turns out that was the last book I needed, and your cauldron was already full."
"Curious." Dylan said, and they each sat in the compartment for a while. "By the way, I wanted to ask, are my eyes still purple?" Dylan asked, crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue.
Jude laughed. "Yes, your eyes are still purple, you were born with it, it's not gonna change." She said. "Is my right eye still blue and my left still brown?" Jude asked in an exaggerated low voice, making the same face as Dylan.
Dylan laughed. "Yup."
After a while, the door slid open, and Charlus was there, smiling. "Hey Dylan, every compartment is full. Mind if Sep and I sit here?" He asked.
"No, not at all. This is my cousin, Jude, by the way." She said, smiling.
Jude smiled. "Jude Manchester at your service." She said, holding out her hand for a shake.
"Nice to meet you, Jude. I'm Charlus Potter." He shook Jude's hand, smiling. "This is Septimus Weasley by the way." Charlus continued, motioning towards the boy he addressed as "Sep".
"It's nice to meet you ladies." Septimus said, holding out a hand towards Dylan. "It's nice to meet you too, Septimus. I'm Dylan Hamilton." She replied, shaking Septimus' hand.
"Yeh, Charlus told me all about you." He said, moving his hand toward Jude. "You both have very interesting eyes. Beautiful, none the less." He said after shaking hands with a blushing Jude.
"Thanks, Septimus, that's very sweet." Jude said, smiling.
"No problem, and you can call me Sep." He said, leaning back against the seat.
"So, are you two on the Quiddich Team?" Jude asked.
"Yeah. I'm seeker, and Sep here is keeper." Charlus said.
Jude and Dylan shared a look. "Really? We love Quiddich. Do you think you two could teach us how to fly?" Dylan asked enthusiastically.
"Sure! Maybe you two can even make the team. I'm sure the captain will let you two in." Sep said, nudging Charlus.
"Charlus? You're the Gryffindor captain?" Dylan asked, smiling.
"Yes, actually. The last captain, Avis Wood, just graduated. So I'm the new captain." He said, grinning proudly.
"Wicked." Jude and Dylan said at the same time.
"You two seem too close to be cousins, are you sure you're not sisters?" Charlus asked.
"We're sure. Our Mums are sisters. So we've always been close." Jude said, smiling.
After a little while of talking the trolley came along, and Dylan immediately searched in her robe pocket for her money. She opened up her money pouch, and went out into the hall.
"Four Chocolate Frogs and one box of Bertie Bott's, please." She told the woman, smiling.
"Here you go, miss. 5 sickles." The woman said, handing her the candy, which she tossed onto the seats.
Dylan handed her the money, and when she looked back up, she saw the face of Tom Riddle, who flashed her a smile. She raised an eyebrow, and got into her compartment, where the others were happily chomping down on a chocolate frog each.
"It seems you understood why I got four, then." She said, plopping down next to Charlus and grabbing the last chocolate frog.
"It wasn't that hard to guess though." Septimus said, smiling. Dylan just shrugged.
After a little while, the train arrived at Hogwarts, and a girl slid open their compartment door.
"Dylan Hamilton and Jude Manchester are to follow me to the boats with the first years." She said.
"Uhh. Okay then." Jude mumbled, standing up with Dylan.
"We'll see you later, ladies." Charlus said.
Before Dylan could get out the door, however, Charlus grabbed her hand. Dylan looked back at him. "If you get into Gryffindor, I'll be saving you a seat." He said, proceeding to kiss her hand.
Dylan smiled. "Sure."
She left the compartment, and saw Jude and the girl "Ooooh"-ing at her. Dylan shrugged, and followed them as they began to walk.
"I'm Minerva McGonogall, by the way. Prefect and Head Girl. I'm in your year, and I believe we'll have the same dorm room, if you two get into Gryffindor. So if you need anything, just ask me." The girl said, smiling.
"Ok, thanks. And it's nice to meet you, Minerva." Jude said.
When they got to the boats, they met Ogg, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds before Hagrid.
"Ah, you must be Dylan an' Jude. You'll be gettin' into yer boa' first. Won' be no one else wit' you. An' when you get ter shore, a Perfesser 'll be waitin' fer ya. They'll tell you wha' ta do." He said, taking them to their boat.
Dylan got in first, followed by Jude, and when they were all settled, the boat began to move.
"Thanks, Ogg!" Dylan yelled as they set off. Ogg just waved back.
"Oh, my God, Dylan! It's actually happening! We're going to Hogwarts!" Jude said excitedly.
"I know! We have to tell the Sorting Hat to put us in Gryffindor, alright. Or anything but Slytherin." Dylan replied.
"Yeah, I don't want to be in Slytherin. I wonder where I would get put if I just said anything but Slytherin." Jude wondered.
"You'll probably get into Ravenclaw. But remember, keep your eyes on the prize, Gryffindor." Dylan said as the reached the shore.
As they got out of the boat, they saw a man with a long, white beard approach them. They already knew who he was though.
"Hello, you two must be our new transfer students from The Salem Institute of Magic. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore. Follow me." He said.
"Sir," Dylan said. "I believe someone's put a charm on us, you see, Jude and I can't stop speaking in English Accents."
"Ah, a very common thing that happens to foreign wizards. It's just a magical interference." He said, then waved his wand.
Jude was the first to speak. "Testing, one, two, three. Oh, thank God."
Dylan came after. "Testing, one, two, three. YES! That voice was getting annoying." She muttered. Then, she quickly added, "Not that English Accents are annoying, though!"
Dumbledore chuckled. "No need to worry, many American wizards I have met say the same thing."
After a moment of walking in silence, they reached the doors of the Great Hall.
"You two will be sorted before the first years. Headmaster Dippet will announce you. When you hear Headmaster Dippet, cast your entrance spell, and when the doors open, walk down the hall and stop before the steps. I'll be at the staff table." He said, and left them.
"What the fuck? Entrance spell?" Dylan questioned. Right after she said that, it was as if they knew what they were doing, both girls heard the word 'we' and cast a spell behind them, which made orange sparks appear, forming two medieval dragons. They spun back around, the doors opened. "We would like to introduce to you our new transfer students from the Salem Institute of Magic, Dylan Hamilton and Jude Manchester."
Their legs began to move on their own, walking briskly in pace with each other towards the staff table. The spark dragons followed them, breathing out sparks onto the students like fire. When they reached the steps, they stopped, and the two dragons exploded into millions of orange sparks. They spun around, did a curtsy as the students applauded, and spun back around, facing the stool on which the Sorting Hat sat. (A/N: RHYME! Lol. :3)
"Now, you will each be sorted into your houses. Miss Hamilton, please sit down, and I will place the sorting hat on your head." Professor Dumbledore said, picking up the Sorting Hat.
Dylan obliged, walking up the steps and sitting on the stool. Professor Dumbledore set the hat on her head, and she heard a loud voice in her mind.
"Well, then. A transfer student, eh? You have quite the good mind, good for Ravenclaw."
"Just put me in Gryffindor."
"Gryffindor? Well, you are very brave, you take pride in your accomplishments, an excellent fit for Gryffindor.
"Exactly, sound it out Gri-fin-door"
"Very kind as well, and humble, you would go well in Hufflepuff."
"No, I think you should get on with it and put me in Gryffindor."
"Yet you still have an urge to be better than others, fitting for a Slytherin. Difficult, very difficult."
"Fuck no! Dammit, hat! Put me in Gryffindor!"
"Gryffindor, eh? It seems like the right fit. Well, if you're sure... better be..." "GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryfindor table burst into cheers, and Charlus patted the spot next to him. Dumbledore took the hat off Dylan's head, and she passed by Jude.
"Remember what I told you." She whispered to Jude.
Jude nodded. "Gryffindor all the way." She replied.
Dylan walked over to Charlus who was across from Sep, and was facing the Slytherin table. She sat down next to Charlus, and across from an empty seat what she knew was meant for Jude. Dylan looked up at Jude, who was being sorted. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, the hat finally yelled "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Oh, thank GOD." Dylan said, clapping loudly as Jude quickly went over to the seat next to Septimus.
She sat down, grinning widely ans hi-fived Dylan.
"Were you two aiming for Gryffindor the whole time?" Sep asked.
They nodded. "We know all about how prissy Slytherin is, and we're half bloods, so we didn't want to deal with all that. It actually makes no sense, because in America, no one cares about blood purity. There's half bloods, muggleborns, and purebloods all over the place, mixed together and no one cares." Dylan said, wondering how she knew that, and how she knew they were half bloods.
"But isn't there segregation in America?" Charlus asked.
"Those laws are for muggles, but even so, that doesn't make it right. They only have them in southern states on the east coast. Like Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Honestly, the wizarding community in America is much different than the one here in England. We don't hate muggles, and we try to help keep the peace between them when things get too violent. We can't interfere much, though, because many wizards and witches have been hung in Salem because they got caught doing a simple spell. Muggles have been hung as well, for cooking in a cauldron." Jude continued, confused at why she knew this as well.
"That's why our moms sent us here. They didn't want us to get hurt for going to the institute. In fact, many students have been taken out of school and sent to Brazil, Durmstrang, Mahoutokoro, Dramatic Arts, and Beauxbatons. There'll probably be more students coming here as well." Dylan said, even more confused with how she knew all this.
"They're just scared, but most magical people live in small, hidden communities, and still send their kids to the institute. Of course, there's no harm, since the school is hidden, but parents are being paranoid, coming up with crazy reasons to get their kids away." Jude muttered, sighing.
"Well, that's... not... good." Sep said.
"Yeah. Anyways, let's get back to the sorting." Dylan said.
After all the first years were sorted, and everyone ate, they went up to their dorms.
"Dylan, Jude!" They heard a voice say once they were in the common room.
They turned their heads simultaneously, to see Minerva walking towards them.
"What's up, Minerva?" Dylan asked, smiling.
"Here are your timetables." She said, handing them both sheets of parchment.
"Thanks, Min." Jude said, studying her timetable.
"What?" Minerva asked, tilting her head.
"It's a nickname, so we don't have to say Minerva all the time. Like how we just call Septimus, Sep." She continued.
"Oh, alright then." Min said, sitting next to Dylan on the couch. "Lets see what classes we have together."
"Hmm, well, Dylan and I both have Transfiguration third period, DADA fourth, and Care of Magical Creatures sixth." Jude said.
"How many Newts are you two taking?" Min asked.
"I'm taking six." Dylan stated, again not knowing how she knew.
"I'm taking five. What about you, Min?" Jude asked, and when she was done, Dylan and her shared a 'wtf' look.
"I'm taking five as well. Wow, Dylan, you sure are taking a lot. What are you taking, exactly?" Min asked.
"Potions, DADA, Transfiguration, Charms, History of Magic, and Herbology." Dylan said, deciding to go with the flow of unknown answers.
"Those are some of the hardest courses! What are you planning to become?" Min asked, gasping.
"An Auror. If that doesn't work out, I want to be a muggle musician." Dylan said.
"Wow, a female auror. Not many of those." Min said.
"Yeah, I suppose so." Dylan muttered.
"And really, a muggle musician? What instruments do you play?" Min continued.
"Guitar, drums, piano, and the flute." She said.
"Wow, impressive. What would you like to be, Jude?" Min asked.
"I want to be a healer. Before I knew about magic, I wanted to be a muggle nurse, so I suppose that's where the aspiration comes from." Jude said, and it was the truth.
"You two have very good plans for the future." Min said. "They're very inspirational."
"Inspirational? How so?" Jude asked.
"Because your plans are so... amazing. I'm just going to return to Hogwarts as a Transfiguration professor." Min said, smugly.
Jude and Dylan both smiled. "And you'll be amazing at it! I'm sure you'll have some interesting students as well." Dylan said. Jude nudged her, causing Dylan to look back and see a 'ya screwed up' look.
But Minerva didn't seem to catch the last part. "Really? Do you really think I'll be a good Transfiguration professor?" Min asked, disbelief in her voice.
"The best." Jude and Dylan said, at the same time.
"Well, then." Min stood up, and made a heroic pose. "I'll be the best Transfiguration professor I can be!" She said, chuckling lightly. Then she pulled Dylan and Jude up. "We should get to bed. You need to be up by six if you want to get a shower."
"Ehh. I hate waking up early." Jude muttered.
Min smiled. "You get used to it, and I've been meaning to ask you, Dylan, who's Justin?" She asked, pointing at the Justin Bieber necklace around Dylan's neck.
"Um, uh-" Dylan said, flustered.
"Her boyfriend back at the institute." Jude said, helping out her blushing cousin.
"Really? You're taking six Newts, and you have a boyfriend? That's a lot of work." Min said.
"Not really. Usually we would just study and do homework together. He's just like me." Dylan said, trying to fill in.
"Ahh, good idea. Do you have a boyfriend, Jude?" Min asked as they walked up the stairs to the girls dorm.
"Stiles!" Dylan yelled.
"What?" Min asked.
"Stiles Stilinski." Dylan said, using Jude's favorite "Teen Wolf" character.
Jude looked at her, and gave her a look that said 'nice choice.'
"Wow, well you guys must be quite busy." Min said as they walked into a dorm room.
The other girls were all awake, and waved as they passed by. Jude and Dylan smiled back.
"Your beds are over here, next to mine. Your trunk was already brought up, and your owl is in the pens." Min continued.
"Alright. Thanks, Min." Jude said.
They all changed to their pajamas and went to sleep. Jude and Dylan were the only two wearing pants. Curious.
The next morning, Jude woke up to Min's face, because she was shaking her.
"Ugh. I hate mornings." Jude groaned.
Dylan, on the other hand, had gotten up at six o'clock sharp, because she could program her body to wake up at a certain time. (A/N I can do that, too. It's weird.)
"Come on, Jude! I already took a shower. Dylan and I were nice, and woke you up at six thirty. Breakfast is at seven." Min said.
"Meh, fine. I wanna eat." Jude muttered, getting out of bed.
While Jude showered, Dylan was getting ready for her first day. She, of course, wanted to make a good impression on Professor Slughorn, to get into the Slug Club, since she had double potions first thing in the morning.
Dylan opened her trunk, and found everything she needed. She pulled on her grey skirt, which, Thank God, came up to around four inches above her knee. Then, she tugged on black stockings that had roses on them, and pulled on her combat boots. She then buttoned up her shirt and tied her tie. Next, she pulled on her robe. Since it was early September, it was still hot, so she could just roll up her sleeves for Care of Magical Creatures. She fixed her hair in it's usual retro curl on the left side, and got out her makeup. (A/N I had trouble explaining the retro curl thing, so just go to my profile. Dylan and Jude's appearances are there.)
Then, she put on black eyeliner and light pink lipstick. Dylan didn't need mascara, because her lashes were already long and curled naturally. Next, she spayed on "Someday" perfume by Justin Bieber, of course. She sat on her bed and waited for Jude to get out of the shower so they could eat. She spoke with Min for a bit, and finally, Jude got out of the bathroom, all changed and ready to go.
Jude had her uniform styled just like Dylan's, with polka dot black stockings, and black converses.
"Well, you two look very American." Min said, smiling.
"I guess so." Jude said, shrugging.
They went down to the Great Hall, and sat down where they did the other night, across from Sep and Charlus, with Min between next to Dylan.
"So, did you two get your timetables?" Charlus asked, smiling.
"Yeah, Min game them you us last night." Jude said, pointing over to Min.
"Great. What do you have, Dylan?" He continued.
"Double Potions, Transfiguration, DADA, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures." Dylan said.
"So we have Potions, DADA, and Care of Magical Creatures together." He said.
"Hey, Dylan. Don't look now, but Tom Riddle is staring at you." Min interjected.
"Who?" Dylan asked, pretending not to know.
"The man with girls kissing the ground he walks on. He has to be the most handsome in our year." Min informed.
"Really? Oh, too bad I have a boyfriend, then." Dylan said, stirring her tea absentmindedly.
"You have a boyfriend?" Charlus asked.
"Yeah. Back in Salem, but things aren't working out. My mom wants to have me here until seventh year." She said, sighing. This was why she had Drama through middle school and three years of High school.
"Well, that's too bad, then." Charlus said, but he didn't sound very sympathetic.
"Yeah. I was thinking of writing him a letter today, actually." She continued.
"Yeah, by the way, we have a Hogsmeade trip this Saturday, right?" Charlus asked.
"Yeah, I think so." Sep said.
"OK great. I want to get some sugar quills from Honeydukes." He continued.
That's right! Now she was able to experience things she could never have in her world! Like Butterbeer and blood lollipops!
"I need to get some quills. Lots and lots of quills." Dylan said.
"Why so many?" Charlus asked.
"I'm taking six newts." She continued.
"That's a lot of work!" Sep exclaimed.
"Yeah, well, she want's to be an Auror." Jude said.
"Interesting choice." Charlus said.
"I'm done! I want to get to class early." Dylan said.
"Why in the world world would you want to do that?" Sep asked.
"She's a bit of an over achiever." Jude whispered.
"Hey, I heard that!" Dylan said, jokingly. Then, she stood up and grabbed her bag. "I'll see you guys later."
Then she remembered. She had no idea where the potions classroom was.
"Hey, guys? Where's the potions classroom?" She asked.
Min laughed. "In the dungeons. Take the staircase down on your right and make a left. It's the first one, with the gold and black lettering above it."
"Alright, thanks. Now i'll see you later." She said, walking towards the doors.
As she walked, she thought for a moment. If this was sixth year, Tom knew Legilimensy. That was not good. Then, she suddenly realized, somehow, she knew Occlumency, and automatically blocked off her mind. And, since this was sixth year, the Chamber had not yet been opened.