The sun shone brightly through the windows up in the Ravenclaw Tower. However, Rana still slept soundly, curled up under the covers, a stuffed animal nestled between her arms. The dorm itself was silent as most of its occupants had left for breakfast. All that could be heard were Rana's quiet mumbles about Quidditch and the light fall of water from the adjoining bathroom.
Arya slowly stepped out of the bathroom and donned her robes. She adjusted the blue and bronze tie, which ran down her white blouse before walking over to Rana's bed. Arya smiled at her a moment, shaking her head at her mumbling. Rana had a tendency to talk in her sleep and more often than not, she was mumbling about Quidditch. She sighed and shook Rana gently. "Rani, come on. Time to get up,"
Rana slowly opened her eyes, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "Arya?"
Arya smiled and nodded, gently pushing back the covers, helping Rana sit up. "Classes start." She smiled. Arya helped Rana out of bed, placed clothes in Rana's arms, and gently pushed Rana into the bathroom. She then sat on her own bed, reading a book as she waited for Rana.
A few minutes later, Rana had slowly walked out of the bathroom. Arya smiled, took a brush and gently brushed Rana's long hair. She slowly plaited it. Rana grinned. "Thanks Arya!"
Arya smiled. "Anytime. Come on! Let's go! We should be receiving our schedules."
Rana grinned. "And I have to see James!" She bounced down the stairs and out of the portrait, Arya laughing behind her. Rana slowly walked into the Great Hall, glancing around for James. "James!" she squealed, catching sight of him at the far corner of the Gryffindor table. She bounced over to him. Arya shook her head in amusement, making her way towards the Ravenclaw table.
James laughed at Rana's energy, getting up for a moment to give her a long hug. Rana tilted her head. "Did you get your schedule yet?" she asked quietly as James sat down, scooted over a bit, and pulled her down into spot next to him. Rana watched Sirius curiously for a moment as he seemed to be eyeing one of her best friends, Reina Lopez. She rolled her eyes. Reina hated him. "I wouldn't waste your time, Sirius. She hates you."
"Ah, Rana. She only thinks that she hates me."
Rana raised her eyebrows in amusement. "You just keep telling yourself that." She shrugged. "Besides even if she didn't, you're only 12..."
"So? Not everyone is such a child like you Rana."
Rana frowned at his words, hurt. What did Sirius have against her? And 12 was young in her opinion. Reina did hate him. Reina made no secret about that. She could feel tears building up in her eyes.
James glared at his best mate. What in bludgers was wrong with him? James personally found Rana's childish nature cute. So, most people didn't; in fact most people thought Rana a baby, but James for sure didn't want Rana to change.
James slowly wiped the tears from Rana's eyes and she smiled at him gratefully before turning to glare at Sirius. "Well, Black; if that's what you think of me..." she started tearfully. Rana had a shaky voice. She felt a lump form at the back of her throat. "Then I'll just leave you to more mature people."
She slowly got to her feet, a bit shakily. James sighed at the expression on her face. He hated to see Rana so upset. Sirius would definitely have a stern talking to later. He slowly stood up, shooting a glare at Sirius, kissing Rana on her cheek, and slowly leading her to Arya. "I'll talk to him, Rani," he whispered. "Just ignore it. Don't change. You're perfect the way you are." He kissed her forehead before walking away, intending to curse out his best mate.
Rana slowly filled her plate and then sighed, just staring at it. Her friends looked at her in concern. "Rana?" Arya asked gently. "What's wrong?"
Rana frowned for a moment and then spoke quietly." Sirius Black." She bit her lip. Sirius wasn't the only one who seemed to think of Rana as a child, only Rana had been surprised at what he had said. Sure, they weren't exactly friends, but they'd always gotten along. Somehow, his words had hurt. What was the big deal? She was only 12 years old. Besides, Rana couldn't help how she was. Rana was small.
Reina's eyes built up in fury. "What did that prat do?" Her blood slowly started to boil. Jeremiah put a calming hand on Reina's arm and then looked slowly at Rana.
Rana bit her lip. Her friends liked her the way she was. She knew that. "He called me a child," she mumbled.
Reina was furious and stood up, intending on hexing him. Jeremiah shook his head and pulled her down. "No need." Rana looked over towards Sirius, and smirked in satisfaction. James and Sirius were glowering at each other. Sirius huffed and turned away. The two seemed to not be on speaking terms for the time being at least. Rana couldn't help but smile at the fact that James stood up for her. Remus on his end, was trying to play peacemaker, but James and Sirius were often too stubborn for their own good. Remus sighed, giving up.
Rana turned her attention away from Gryffindor at the sound of the owl post arriving. She grinned as Shashi dropped two letters in front of her. Shashi helped herself to some food off Rana's plate before nipping her affectionately and flying away. Rana looked down at her mail. She tucked a small letter in her robes, recognizing it as mail from home before ripping up an envelope with the Hogwarts seal on it. She looked carefully at her schedule. It was pretty much the same as the year before, but since Flying was only taught to first years, so she had one less class.
:Monday
:9:00-
10:00 Herbology with Hufflefuff
:10:15- 11:15 Charms with
Gryffindor
:11:30-12:30 Transfiguration with
Hufflepuff
:12:30-1:30-LUNCH
:1:45-2:45 Potions with
Gryffindor
:3:00-4:00 Potions with
Gryffindor
:Tuesday
:9:00-10:00
History of Magic with Hufflepuff
:10:15-11:15 DADA with
Slytherin
:11:30-12:30-LUNCH
:12:45-1:45 Astromony with
Gryffindor (Theory)
:1:45-2:15-Free
:2:30-3:30 DADA with
Slytheirn
:Wednesday
:9:00-10:00
Herbology with Hufflepuff
:10:15-11:15 Break
:11:30-12:30-
LUNCH
:12:45-1:45-Charms with Gryffindor
:2:00-3:00 -History
of Magic with Hufflepuff
:3:00-Free
:8:00-9:00
(p.m)-Astromony with Gryffindor
:Thursday
:9:00-10:00-History
of Magic with Hufflepuff
:10:15-11:15 Transfiguration with
Hufflepuff
:11:30-12:30-LUNCH
:12:45-2:15-Free
:2:30-3:30
Transfiguration with Hufflepuff
:8:00-9:00 (p.m.) Astromony with
Gryffindor
:Friday
:9:00-10:00-Herbology
with Hufflefpuff
:10:15-11:15 Potions with
Gryffindor
:11:30-12:30-LUNCH
:12:45-1:45-DADA with
Slytherin
:2:00-3:00-Charms with Gryffindor
Rana studied the schedule carefully and then grinned. "We only have one class with Slytherin!"
Michael nodded. "Yes; DADA-just like last year."
Arya tilted her head. "I wonder what Professor Light will be like."
"I guess we'll have to wait and see!" Michael laughed.
The bell rang, signaling it was time for classes. Rana sighed, pulling her bag over her shoulders. James smiled as he watched her, kissing her on the cheek as he passed. Rana giggled and quickly scurried towards the Greenhouses for her first lesson.
The lessons passed rather quickly. Herbology was still pretty easy, although they were now dealing with more dangerous plants. Charms was exciting as usual. Rana and James had partnered up and practiced the Cheering Charm on each other. Rana noted that Sirius and James were still not speaking. Transfiguration was still enjoyable, but the coursework was more challenging and McGonagall was just as strict. Rana had never struggled in Transfiguration, but it was a course she had to work hard at to stay up top.
It was later that afternoon as Rana was heading down to the Dungeons for her Potions lesson that she finally found a mentor and friend in an older Gryffindor girl. The rest of her friends were already in the Dungeons, but Rana had forgotten her textbook, so she hurried off to pick it up so as to not be late. Professor Anderson was a vicious professor and Rana did not want to risk being late, yet she couldn't afford to show up without her text either. She'd assured James she'd be fine and she'd be in class shortly. James had made a habit of walking with her to the classes they shared together.
Rana sighed, tucking her text and notebook under her arm, and hurried out of the Ravenclaw Tower. She quickly walked down the stairs, not wanting to be late, when she was shoved against the wall. Rana groaned as her book fell to the floor, papers littering the ground, and the back of her head making contact with concrete.
She slowly raised her eyes and fear crossed her face seeing Bellatrix Black, Severus Snape, and Timothy Nott. She looked around desperately for a way out of her predicament, but she was so tiny and they were more experienced in magic. Perhaps that was why she always ended up in these situations. She was an easy target.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the little girl of Ravenclaw," Bellatrix smirked.
Rana looked around fearfully. "What do you want?" she asked in a tiny voice.
Nott held a wand at her throat. "Just shut up and listen." He growled.
"You see...Lucius Malfoy always gets what he wants and he wants you. Oh don't think he likes you or anything..."
"That's obvious," Rana muttered under her breath, remembering his pursuit of Cyane Dammerung. James and she had spent many occasions talking and James had taken to tell her about the Malfoys in his need to protect her. Rana was pure, wealthy, but what made Lucius pursue her was the fact that her father was high up in the Ministry. It was no secret the Malfoys were involved in the Dark Arts. She knew Malfoy was pursuing her for her title, but was likely trying to woo Cyane. Besides, Rana hated Malfoy. Unfortunately, he scared her at the same time.
"Shut your trap!" Bellatrix shot a spell at her. Rana winced in pain. She had tears rolling down her face.
"Just leave me alone!" Rana cried. She was dreadfully frightened. Little did she know, James at that moment had scurried out of the Dungeons, gaining detention and more lost house points, worried about Rana.
"What's going on out here?" A girl, standing about 5'6, with long locks of brown and bright green eyes appeared around the corner, adorning a Gryffindor Prefect badge. She frowned at the sight before her. She stood tall and slowly approached them.
James appeared around the corner. "Rana!" He glared with hate at the three Slytherins and drew his wand.
Char shook her head. "No, Potter. I rather you not get in trouble. Let me take care of this."
"But..."
Char looked at him kindly, but with a stern expression on her face. James scowled, pocketing his wand, swearing to make Bellatrix, Nott, and Snape pay for their actions. He quickly pushed his way forward, rushing to Rana. She quietly sobbed into his chest. James sighed, just letting her cry as he gently ran a hand through her hair.
"Expelliamus!" Char muttered, disarming the three Slytherins. "50 points off Slytherin, each!"
Bellatrix smirked. "Is that the worst you can do Chevalier?"
Char narrowed her eyes. "Need I remind you that I'm a prefect and you are breaking school rules?" She shook her head in disgust. "Picking on a 12 year old..." She turned her attention to Snape and Nott. "And you two? Shouldn't you be in class?"
"What about you?"
"5th years have a break right now and I am a Prefect. I suggest you don't use that tone with me."
She turned her attention to Rana and James. Rana was distraught and from the looks of it, she didn't look well at all. "I'm afraid, this matter will be taken to the Headmaster. Now get out of here. Nott and Snape, I suggest you get to Charms, where you are supposed to be. You should know by now, Flitwick won't be lenient for your tardiness with no excuse, and Black, by Merlin, I swear it...you will be watched."
Bellatrix scowled and stormed away, followed by Snape and Nott. Char looked at them, disgusted for a moment before walking slowly to Rana and James. Bellatrix had an awful character, but Char couldn't even comprehend her picking on a 2nd year.
She kneeled down in front of James and Rana. She sighed. Char really admired the type of relationship they had. It was special and she found it cute how James always protected Rana. Char didn't know Rana well, but somehow, she knew there was something special between James and Rana and maybe they didn't know it yet, but there was something much deeper. "James," she sighed. "Go on back to class. I'll take care of her. She should go to the Hospital Wing."
James looked at her hesitantly. He didn't want to leave Rana.
Char sighed. "She'll be fine; I promise. You can see her afterwards."
He let out a heavy sigh. "Alright," he consented. James kissed Rana's head. "I'll be back," he whispered. James turned her attention to Char. "Thank you."
Char smiled and nodded and watched as he let go of Rana and made his way back to the dungeons. Char took that moment to gather Rana's papers before looking up at Rana. Rana still had tears rolling down her face. Char smiled kindly at the young girl. She really was an adorable child. Char gently touched her shoulder and Rana slowly met the older girl's kind eyes. "I'm Char. What's your name?"
"R-Rana," Rana choked out.
"Rana. Now, that's a pretty name." She smiled warmly. "Well, let's get you checked out, hmmm?"
"I have Potions... Professor Anderson, he..."
Char shook her head. "As much of a git Professor Anderson is, he won't have the right to punish you when you are injured...Come; that bruise looks nasty." She slowly helped Rana to her feet, carrying Rana's books in one hand, and holding Rana's small hand in the other, leading her towards the Hospital wing.
"Char?" Rana asked in a soft voice.
Char looked at Rana, smiling gently. "Yes, Rana?"
"Thank you. If it weren't for you or James, I..." Rana hated admitting the fact that she was so defenseless, but somehow she could sense trust in Char's eyes and found nothing but kindness. In that moment, she knew she had found a mentor and friend in someone who was older than her. "I'm not really brave..." she managed to say.
Char smiled. "Don't worry about it Rana. I'm always here." She smiled. "And anyone would have been scared to be put in that position. You were surrounded. There wasn't much you could do."
"But..." she frowned. "I really am a baby. That's what everyone says, well except James and my friends in Ravenclaw." She felt a tear roll down her face.
Char sighed, turning to face her. "Rana, don't say that. You are 12. That's still very young. Anyone who says that hasn't taken the time to know you and aren't worth knowing. I don't want you to let their comments get to you, ok? And it's fine that you were scared. I would have been too. That does not make you any less than anyone. Hey, you may not be courageous like a Gryffindor, but you've got intelligence."
Rana bit her lip, but slowly nodded. She still wasn't convinced, but she trusted Char.
Char smiled. "Good, now let's get you checked out." Slowly they approached the Hospital Wing. Char helped Rana onto the bed and then went to get Madame Pomfrey.
Madame Pomfrey looked up from her desk. "Ms, Chevalier? What is it?"
"It's Rana, Madame Pomfrey. She's injured. A few Slytherins ganged up on her and Black hexed her."
Madame Pomfrey sighed. "Again? The poor dear."
Char looked at Madame in concern. "You mean this has happened before?"
"Well, she hasn't been hexed, but pretty close." She stood up and walked out of office. Char followed silently. "Rana."
"Hi Madame Pomfrey." Rana bit her lip, wincing a bit in pain.
"Hello, child." She had Rana lie down and bustled over her. She could sense the spell had been a pretty bad one. Her muscle ligaments appeared to be torn and a bruise had formed on her cheek. Rana also appeared to have a slight fever. She sighed and grabbed a potion. "This should help with the pain."
Rana made a face as she downed the potion and Madame Pomfrey set to work, mending Rana's ligaments and applying some salve to her bruise. "Ok, Rana. I want you to sleep."
"But..." Rana pouted.
"No buts. It's lucky Char found you so soon. The spell takes a good hour to start to cause damage, but it was rather strong. If you want to heal, you need sleep. You'll have to stay overnight."
Rana scowled. Char looked at her in amusement. "I'll send James over, how's that sound?"
Rana broke into a grin and finally consented. She downed a calming potion with a touch of Sleeping Draught and immediately fell fast asleep. Char smiled at the young girl a moment before nodding to Madame Pomfrey and walking out to the wing, towards Professor Mahoney's office. Rana's Head of House would need to be alerted.