Anjuli slowly walked into Rana's room. Rana was fast asleep, cuddling up with her teddy bear. She smiled. Rana was so adorable. It was going to be hard to say goodbye to the young child. She'd missed her. It was now time for Rana to leave for her second year and Anjuli had to head back to Bangalore to complete her final year of training.
She smiled at Rana for a minute before gently shaking her. "Rani. Wake-up, honey."
Rana rubbed her eyes sleepily, letting out a little yawn. Anjuli smiled and lifted her up. Rana still was very much a child compared to other girls her age, who were approaching adolescence. Rana sleepily wound her arms around Anjuli's neck nestling her head against her shoulder. She let out a sleepy yawn, mumbling things about Quidditch. Anjuli chuckled, picked up some fresh clothes, and carried her into the bathroom. She splashed some cold water on Rana's face.
Rana slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them sleepily.
"Morning sleepy-head! Why don't you take your bath and I'll brush your hair? We have to leave for Hogwarts soon."
Rana yawned and slowly nodded her head. Anjuli smiled and shut the door behind her. Rana sighed, brushed her teeth and quickly took a bath. She stepped out a moment later putting on her t-shirt and jeans. On a normal summer day, Rana could be seen dressed in a beautiful Salwar Kameez, but she was heading to Hogwarts this day. Students there didn't wear the lovely outfits from the Indian culture. Rana let out another yawn and slowly walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom where Anjuli was waiting.
Anjuli smiled when Rana sat down on the chair. She took Rana's long hair in her and gently brushed it. Rana smiled. She adored others brushing her hair. She found it relaxing. Anjuli gently kissed the top of Rana's head after plaiting it. "Come, Rani. Let's get you some breakfast."
Rana nodded, climbed off the chair, and bounced down the staircase. Aditi smiled when Rana came bounding into the living room, giggling madly. She shook her head, smiling, before taking her hand and sitting her down at the table. Shaina put a plate full of Puri and yogurt in front of her. Rana squealed in delight and munched on her food.
"Is James coming?" she giggled.
"No, Sweetie. He'll see you at King's Cross, though."
"Oh." Rana sounded disappointed, but then she started to giggle. "I get to take my broom this year!"
Sahan laughed. "Yes, yes you can take your broom."
Rana giggled happily, finishing up her food. She bounced out of her seat, washed her face, and ran outside into the hot morning sun. Not letting up her pace, she twirled around in circles as her feet padded over the crispy, green grass. Aditi smiled, watching from the window. She would miss Rana.
Rana rolled along the grass, feeling the grass brush across her face, and patches of greenery getting caught in her braids. She lay flat, staring up at the sky, giggling as a butterfly landed on her nose. Rana was so carefree and spirited, young and innocent. It really was amazing she was about to start her second year at Hogwarts.
Sahan poked his head outside, smiling at his daughter. "Princess, get your broom and come out front. We have to leave for the station!"
"Yes Daddy!" Rana giggled.
She sat up and frowned as the butterfly flew away. Rana rapidly shook her head. A few pieces of grass fell to the ground. Rana stood up, grass clinging to her clothes, and ran into the shed, grabbing her Comet 260 before running to the front of their house.
Aditi chuckled at Rana's state and quickly brushed off her clothes. Rana giggled as Aditi then proceeded to brush out the grass from Rana's hair.
"Silly girl." Aditi smiled before helping Rana into the car, Anjuli stepping after her.
Sahan smiled. "King's Cross," he told the driver.
The driver nodded and took off. Rana stared outside, bouncing giddily in her seat as she watched the scenery pass. She was extremely excited to go back to Hogwarts. "Quidditch! Quidditch!" She giggled gleefully.
Anjuli looked at Rana in amusement. "Still the Quidditch nut, aren't you?"
Rana grinned cheekily. "And, and I'm gonna beat James and win the cup and fly really fast!" She was speaking a mile a minute, continually bouncing on her seat.
Anjuli laughed. The car slowly came to a stop. Anjuli helped the bouncing Rana out of the car as Sahan heaved Rana's trunk onto a trolley.
"James!" Rana squealed, seeing him a few feet ahead and ran off towards him.
James laughed, swinging her around before setting her back on the ground and kissing her lightly on the cheek. Rana giggled cutely as James put an arm across her shoulders in a friendly fashion.
"Ready for second year?"
"You bet! And I'm gonna try out for Quidditch!"
James smirked. "Yeah? Well, I am too."
"Ravenclaw is going to win!"
"We'll see Rana, we'll see."
"Eh, James! Come on let's go! I have something to tell you!" Sirius called. He nodded to Rana.
James frowned. He kissed Rana on the cheek. "See you at Hogwarts!" Rana smiled, watching him as he ran through the barrier. She sighed before turning to her parents.
"Mummy! Daddy! Anjuli!" Rana had tears in her eyes, running back to them. Anjuli encompassed Rana in a hug. She slowly let her go before kneeling down to her level. She gently wiped away Rana's tears. "You'll be fine. Become that talented witch I know you are."
Rana slowly nodded her head, wrapping her arms around Anjuli. Anjuli kissed her on the forehead before pushing Rana toward her parents. Sahan gently lifted Rana up into his arms, tossing her. Rana giggled. "Do well, princess. I'll see you at Christmas."
Rana nodded when he set her down. Aditi kissed her gently on the forehead before Rana grabbed the trolley and ran through the barrier. She smiled seeing the familiar crimson train and slowly pushed her trolley along. She smiled when Rinaldo Boot took her luggage for her and she skipped inside. Rana was stopped in her tracks when a group of fourth year girls blocked her path.
Paige Caylor stood tall at the center of the group, her blue-green eyes glaring daggers at Rana. Paige tossed her blonde hair over the side, sporting a sneer on her face. She was slim, yet she seemed imposing to Rana. Rana recognized her as one of the Chasers for Gryffindor and in her opinion, a bit of a ditz.
Next to her, Celeste Beckman stood tall. Her curly, Auburn Hair fell hown to her shoulders and her deep brown eyes stared beadily at Rana as if telling Rana that she always got what she wanted.
To Paige's right side, stood her most loyal sidekick, Sarah Quintilianni, the last remaining Chaser of Gryffindor. She had long brown hair and blue eyes. Unlike Celeste or Paige, she wore jeans and a t-shirt. Sarah smirked at Rana, standing tall in an imposing manner to the younger girl.
Finally, on Sarah's other side, stood fourth year Ravenclaw Crystal Netra. Rana knew her better than the other girls, seeming she was in the same House. Crystal had long brown hair and light blue eyes. She glared at Rana the way she always did that demanded all to follow her beck and call. Rana had always felt very tiny around Crystal. She was secretly thankful Crystal was not in her year. Rana often wondered why Crystal wasn't in Slytherin. She figured she must have screamed at the sorting hat or something. Rana looked around nervously as Crystal stared coldly at Rana.
"Erm, can I get through?" Rana asked hesitantly.
"Not just yet," Paige sneered at her.
Rana blinked at the sneer. She was literally confused. "Why? Is something going on back there?" Rana asked quietly.
"You are so naïve, Rai!" Sarah scoffed.
Rana's felt temper rising. She was getting a bit irritated, moving to push her way forward. "What do you want?"
"Not so fast, Rai!" Celeste glared at her, pushing her back.
"You see, James doesn't deserve you. We would advise you to back off," Crystal agreed.
"He is mine!"
Rana growled, her blood boiling. "James doesn't belong to anyone! Who are you to tell me to stay away from my best friend!" She glared at the four girls in front of her, her brown eyes turning into a deep violet. Next thing anyone knew, Paige had disappeared, only to land on top of the train.
There were screams heard from outside and students quickly piled out, wondering what was going on. Teachers rushed outside at the screams. Professor Light, the new DADA professor, sighed, levitating Paige off the train.
"Nothing to see here! Get inside. Train will be leaving shortly."
Rana pushed her way forward, stalking into a compartment. She furiously sat next to Arya.
"Rana?"
"Stupid fourth year girls," she muttered.
"Ms. Rai." Cyane stood at the entrance to their compartment, hands on her hips, and sporting a sneer on her face, a Slytherin prefect badge donned her robes.
Rana looked up confused. How did this older student know her? She bit her lip. Cyane stared at her. "Come with me."
"But…"
"Now!" she growled. "Or would you rather deal with the Headmaster once we get to Hogwarts? You are lucky indeed that Professor Anderson and my Head of House is at the castle already! Otherwise, I'd have it in my right mind to take this matter to him."
Rana grumbled, but followed the prefect. "Erm, where are we going?"
"To your Head of House," she said coldly.
"Why?"
"You really don't know? And they call you a Ravenclaw?" She smirked, pushing open a door. "Get in!"
Rana looked at Cyane confused. She really had no clue what was going on. She bit her lip and all but tumbled into the compartment at Cyane's push. Rana sat down, fiddling with her fingers after Cyane walked in.
"Ms. Dammerung?" Professor Mahoney looked at Rana and then turned to Cyane.
"Unfortunately, she is your responsibility given you are Head of Ravenclaw," Cyane responded. "I think you should be aware that this student of yours has sent Miss Paige Caylor to the top of the train," Cyane said lazily, filing her fingernails. "Do as you will, Professor."
Professor Mahoney nodded. "Thank you, Ms. Dammerung. You are excused."
Cyane nodded and deftly walked away. Professor Mahoney turned to look at Rana, who had a shocked expression on her face. She didn't remember hexing anyone. Professor Mahoney sighed as she looked at one of the students of her House. She'd become very fond of Rana.
"Rana," She sighed. "Is this true?" she asked gently as the train began to move.
Rana looked confused. "I never hexed anyone, Professor. Really, I didn't. One minute she was in front of me and the next minute she disappeared."
She looked up at the Professor, a tear rolling down her cheek. How could she be in trouble for something she never did? Did people hate her that much to get her in trouble? She didn't understand.
Professor Mahoney sighed. Rana was so innocent, so much a child. She was also really sensitive. Professor Mahoney slowly got up from her seat and sat next to one of her favorite students, turning her head towards her. She looked kindly at Rana. "Rana, tell me…did you use your wand?"
Rana shook her head. "N..No Professor. I didn't even remove my wand."
Professor Mahoney sighed. She suspected it was Rana's emotions, but she needed to hear the full story just in case. "Okay, Rana. Tell me the whole story, please."
Rana bit her lip. "Am I in trouble?" she asked quietly, head bowed.
"No, Rana. Not at all."
Rana slowly looked up into her Head of House's kind eyes and nodded. "Rinaldo had just taken my trunk and owl so I wouldn't have to drag it to a compartment. I was walking down the corridor, looking for Arya's compartment when a group of older girls cornered me. They wouldn't let me pass." Rana sighed. "I didn't understand, so I asked them why I couldn't pass. They told me to stay away from James. James is my best friend. I didn't get it. They told me he belongs to them. I guess I lost my temper then and exploded. The next thing I knew, one of the girls had vanished."
Professor Mahoney sighed. "Child, you really need to control that temper."
"Reina is worse!" Rana pointed out.
Professor Mahoney raised her eyes in amusement. "And do you want to be like Ms. Lopez?"
"No," Rana mumbled.
"Rana…sometimes when we express such strong emotions, particularly anger, we inadvertently use magic. We are very lucky that the train wasn't moving when Ms. Caylor was transported to the top of the train, otherwise it could have caused serious consequences."
Rana looked down at her hands, the severity of the situation hitting her full force. She hadn't meant to send Paige to the top of the train. It just happened. "Am I in trouble?" she asked in a small voice.
"No, Rana, but I'm still going to have to give you detention, otherwise people will think I'm playing favorites. What happened was very dangerous."
Rana slowly nodded her head, a tear rolling down her face. She didn't like being in trouble. She'd never been in trouble before and she hadn't even meant for the incident to occur.
Professor Mahoney lifted Rana's face with her chin. "Oh, don't cry, Rana. I know you didn't mean it, but I can't let this go. My colleagues wouldn't allow it. I promise it won't be bad. You can study for an hour or maybe you can do some work in Ancient Runes for the hour seeming as you aren't taking it this year due to a full schedule. I know you want to continue again next year. It'll be our little secret."
Rana managed a small smile and wrapped her small arms around Professor Mahoney. Professor Mahoney chuckled.
"Now go on and pretend you've gotten in trouble. We should be arriving soon and you need to change into your robes."
Rana slowly nodded her head, slid off the bench, and walked out of the compartment, shuffling her feet. Rana jumped hearing a loud bang from a compartment.
"POTTER!" the familiar voice of Lily Evans rang down the corridor.
James laughed, sticking his head out of his compartment. He saw Rana. "Rani? What's wrong?"
"I got detention," she mumbled.
"Oh, umm…" He smirked, seeing Lily before taking Rana's hand.
"POTTER! We haven't even gotten to Hogwarts and already you're causing trouble!" Lily was furious as she stalked over to James, ash covering her face and fiery red hair.
"What, Evans? Can't you see I'm talking to Rana here?"
Rana looked quietly up at Lily, biting her lip. Lily's expression softened. "Why you hang out with Potter, I will never know. How are you, Rana? And shouldn't you be in your school robes?" Lily asked kindly.
"Erm-okay," she said quietly. "And I was about to…"
James looked at Lily in annoyance. "You know you really should control that temper of yours. You were scaring her and she's already had a bad day."
Lily glared at James. "Well if you wouldn't go setting fireworks off in my compartment, I wouldn't be angry, now would I?"
James was about to retort when he felt Rana pulling on his hand. He looked down at Rana, ignoring Lily. Lily stalked off angrily. "She scares me," Rana said softly.
"Oh, don't worry about her. Now, why did you get detention?"
"I lost my temper."
James raised his eyes in amusement. "And that got you in trouble? That doesn't make sense. Lily and Reina's tempers are worse than yours."
"They haven't sent someone to the top of the train, have they?"
James eyes widened. "That was you!" He laughed. "That was too funny."
"I didn't do it on purpose and now I have a stupid detention. I've never had detention before," she pouted.
"With who?"
"My Head of House."
"See! It won't be that bad. She likes you. Besides, it was an accident."
"She did deserve it though," Rana muttered under her breath.
James raised his eyebrows in amusement when the train stopped. Rana's eyes widened. She kissed his cheek. "I better change quickly. I'll see you in a bit."
Rana quickly ran into Arya's compartment.
"Rana! I was just looking for you. Quickly, we don't have a lot of time."
Rana nodded, shutting the door and quickly throwing on her uniform before sliding open the door and following Arya out of the train. She grinned seeing Hagrid, remembering him leading them to the castle the year before.
Rana waved to him. "Hi Hagrid!"
Hagrid smiled. "Eh, Rana."
Rana smiled and hurried to the carriages. She was a second year now. Rana shivered a bit, seeing the Thestrals. She still hadn't gotten over the fact that James couldn't see them. Rana slowly climbed into a carriage with Arya. She grinned, seeing Kameko already sitting there. Rana had missed her friends. She'd seen James all summer, but only saw her other friends a few times. Arya herself had gone to Sri Lanka to visit some family.
Rana watched as the boats passed from the lake and the station slowly disappeared as the carriages made their way towards the castle. She could see the castle looming up ahead on jagged rocks. It was tall and large. Rana smiled, excited to start another year full of magic.
The carriages came to an abrupt halt in front of the entrance doors. Rana leaned out the window to see Professor Light escorting the newly returned students into the castle.
"Come on Rani! Let's go." Kameko smiled.
Rana grinned, climbing out of the carriage, staring at the Thestrals a moment before shaking her head and followed the rest of the returning students into the castle. She looked around the castle, taking in the familiar staircases and portraits when she was suddenly pushed against a wall. Rana looked up to see Lucius Malfoy, his hands on her arms. He had a sneer on his face.
"No one to save you now, Rai."
Rana gulped, looking around fearfully, seeming as everyone had disappeared into the Great Hall.
"Malfoy, let her go!" James had suddenly appeared behind him. He had secretly been watching Rana when he'd noticed Lucius grab her. He pointed his wand at him.
"Or what, Potter?"
"You know what Malfoy!" he growled, pushing him out of the way. "Next time, it will be a curse!"
Rana was silently crying when James took her hand. He held her close. "Shhh, Rani. No tears. You're safe."
"You always protect me…"
James smiled and kissed her on the head before leading her into the Great Hall and seating her next to Arya at the Ravenclaw Table. He smiled at her before walking away, taking a seat next to Sirius. He waited for the Sorting Ceremony to start, a smirk on his face.