Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't done anything for a while, it's just I've been blocked! But, I've spent the past day writing, and I've already planned out the rest of her first year. Thanks to PossimpiblyPossimpible (hoped I spelled that right) for reviewing the last chapter! Well, that's all I have to say, so enjoy! (Disclaimer in prologue)

Chapter 5: Proved Them Wrong

Susanna couldn't believe she had already been at Hogwarts for two months; the time had gone by so fast. Classes continued on like normal, with potions being the worst. Astronomy was turning into her favorite class, and her love of the planets, constellations, and stars was growing. She was doing well in all of the classes, and many of the teachers were noticing it, though she tried to keep her knowledge to herself. She was the quiet brain of the class, while Hermione was outspoken, 'answer-every-question-she-knew' type. The two girls had grown closer through the months, learning about each other's situations, especially helping each other with schoolwork, and telling each other everything. And Hermione certainly had a lot of things to tell Susanna, many involving rule-breaking even though Hermione followed the rules.

Hermione had unknowingly dragged herself into leaving the common room around midnight one night to follow Harry and Ron. They were going to go duel Malfoy for a duel, and she went along to try to convince to turn back before being caught. She told Susanna she was going back to the common room but was locked out. Hermione was very relieved when she told they were not caught. Susanna's eyes widen when the bushy-haired girl told her the reason the Third Floor Corridor was forbidden to enter. Hermione's would sometimes go into deep thought, thinking about what was underneath the trapdoor.

Other events included Harry had received a mysterious package, Susanna noticing it was the shape of a broomstick. She had heard of Harry's exceptional flying skills, so she figured he was now apart of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Malfoy continued picking at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but he seemed to ignore Susanna after the little corridor incident.

Susanna was currently sitting in Charms class, listening to Professor Flitwick's lecture about how it was time for them to levitate objects. He had paired the students together, and Susanna was currently paired with Neville. She had also gotten to know Neville, but not as well as Hermione. She spent a lot of time trying to encourage Neville that he wasn't a failure and trying to make me feel smart by asking for help in Herbology. The blonde eleven-year-old could see the scowl and frustration on Hermione's face when she was paired with Ron, and the matching expression on the Weasley's face.

"Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing!" Professor Flitwick reminded the students, his voice full of excitement. He was standing on top of many books, a stack that seemed to grow larger each class period. "Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important, too – never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest. Now, off you go!"

Susanna looked down at the large, white feather that was lying on the desk in front of her. It seemed to taunt her as she slowly took her wand out of her sleeve. Next to her, Neville was animatedly waving his wand around, all of his attempts failing. The feather would move an inch in all directions, except upward. She looked around to see the other students weren't having any success. Okay, I can do this, Susanna tried to encourage herself, fully taking her wand out of sleeve.

"Oh, well done!" Professor Flitwick shouted in excitement, clapping his hands together. All the students looked up to see what was going on. "Everyone, see here, Miss Granger's done it!" Susanna turned to her friend to see Hermione proudly holding her wand up, and her feather quickly rising toward the ceiling of the classroom. Susanna gave Hermione a bright, proud smile, and the bushy haired girl returned it. Susanna's eyes glanced at Ron, seeing the scowl, dislike, and glares across his face, obviously not happy for his Charms partner.

By the end of class, Susanna was one of the only ones to have made any progress with the task. She figured her success with it at the orphanage was just luck. She congratulated Hermione on her success, and Hermione was very bashful about it, saying anyone could have done it with hard work. The two girls soon caught up with Ron, Harry, Neville, Seamus, and Dean. Susanna noticed that Ron seemed to be ranting about something, his voice hot with anger. She also figured out what he was talking about, Hermione.

"It's levi-o-sa, not levi-o-sar. It's no wonder no one can stand her," Ron commented to the boys, and Susanna knew he was talking about Hermione. She looked over to see tears forming in Hermione's eyes. Susanna knew that Hermione and Ron had never exactly gotten along, but it still hurt her to hear someone else talking about her. "She's a nightmare, honestly. No wonder she hasn't gotten any friends." That comment seemed to break Hermione as she took off fast walking away from Susanna, harshly brushing past Ron. The boys seemed in shock when they realized Hermione was sniffling and crying, hearing what the Weasley boy had said.

"I think she heard you," Harry commented, some regret in his voice. Ron seemed to be embarrassed after seeing Hermione.

"So, she deserved it," Ron retorted, trying to act like he didn't care. His comment was the last straw for Susanna. She huffed before stomping in front of Ron, and the boys were shocked at her face. It was red with anger, and if looks could kill he would be on the ground from her glares.

"No she didn't, Ronald Weasley. I don't know what she did, but it still doesn't deserve your snide, rude comments!" Susanna got on to Ron. "You're, you're as bad as Malfoy!" She stared at him with cold eyes before sharply turning around and walking away. The boys' jaws were opened to the cobblestone of the courtyard as the usually quiet girl walked away. Susanna Gates didn't seem like the type to be forceful or outspoken when angry, but she proved them wrong. Ron suddenly felt worse about his comments and lowered his head as the group continued walking to class.

Susanna couldn't believe what she just done. It was surprising, something she had never been so outspoken when she was angry, since she had learned at an early age at the orphanage not to speak out when she was angry. But Ron had no right to say that, he was just being an insensitive jerk, Susanna thought to herself. She shook her head, driving out her thoughts, and tried to see Hermione in the crowd. She couldn't see her but recognized Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and Parvati's twin sister Padma who was in Ravenclaw. She raced up to the girls, and they were surprised to see her rush up to them.

"Hello, Susanna. Did we have any homework in History of Magic due today?" Lavender asked, scrambling through her supplies.

"No, thankfully, not today," Susanna quickly answered, then remembered why she came over there. "Have you guys seen Hermione? I was walking with her before she ran off." The three girls glanced at each other, shrugging their shoulders. Parvati's face lit up, figuring out the answer.

"I think I saw her go into the girl's bathroom further down the corridor. She seemed to be crying," Parvati informed, a wondering look on her face.

"Thank you, see you in History of Magic," Susanna thanked before taking off toward the bathroom. When she arrived, she could hear sniffling and hyperventilating. Susanna turned toward the direction of the crying, slowly opening the stall door. It opened to reveal a Hermione sitting on the floor, her knees in her chests, eyes red, and tear streaks on her face. Hermione looked up to see Susanna standing over her, and the girl wiped some tears off her face before looking at her.

"Please, just go away, Susanna," Hermione pleaded, her voice filled her tears.

"But, Hermione," Susanna began, but Hermione looked up at her, her eyes firm and pleading while filled with tears.

"Just take good notes for me, please," Hermione suggested, turning away from Susanna. Susanna sighed in defeat, knowing she was trying to fight a losing battle.

"I'm afraid they won't be as good as yours though," Susanna joked, trying to ease the mood. Hermione chuckled a bit, even though there were still tears forming.

"Well, you better get going, don't want to be late," Hermione reminded, trying to put up a brave front. Susanna sighed again and slowly walked away. Once Susanna was gone, the sniffling returned and tears streamed out of Hermione's eyes. I just wanted to prove myself, Hermione thought to herself, letting the tears flow free from her eyes.

(Later)

The classes soon came and went by, and soon it was time for dinner. Hermione had still not come back to class. Susanna was growing worried, criticizing herself for not staying with her friend. The teachers were confused at Hermione's absence, but still continued on with class. Susanna's hand was cramping and hurting, since she had to take detailed, careful notes for herself and Hermione. She had even paid attention in History of Magic class, actually finding the subject a bit interesting. She figured though the next time Hermione was back in class, she would go right back to being bored.

Since it was Halloween, everyone was excited for the dinner feast in the Great Hall. Susanna had heard a Hogwarts Halloween was legendary. She did notice the ghosts had been wandering around the halls more than usual that day. One had accidentally flown through her, and she was very cold and had goose-bumps on her arms for a while. But, she figured she would be more excited for the feast if she wasn't worried for Hermione. However, Susanna had noticed Ron wasn't talking as much ever since she got onto him.

"Come on, hurry up, everyone, it's time to get to the feast," Percy hurried the lagging students. She quickened her steps, anxious to get to the Great Hall. Once she was inside, her jaw dropped again. All around the ceiling were floating jack-o-lanterns and candles, the sky was black, purple color with stars placed all over. The full moon was bright for the students, giving them extra light. Susanna also noticed thousands of bats flying around, keeping an extra eye out incase one flew close to her. The students quickly sat down, and the food appeared on their plates. It was just as delicious as every other meal, but with some added candy.

Halfway through the feast, the large doors opened up to Professor Quirrell franticly running and screaming at the top of his lungs. By the look on his face, Susanna knew something was wrong. Every student became silent, watching the professor, even the teachers stopped their conversations to look at him. He stopped in the middle of the Hall, starring at Dumbledore. His face was even paler than usual, something Susanna thought couldn't be achieved. He started stuttering, before he got his words out. "Troll – in the dungeons! Thought you ought to know," Quirrell announced before fainting on the floor. A hush had fallen over the Great Hall, taking in the news.

The silence didn't last long, though, as every student began screaming at the top of their lungs. Susanna was too shocked to scream, holding it in her throat. The students began scrambling around the Great Hall, tripping over each other. The eleven-year-old looked to the teacher table to see Dumbledore standing up, as calm as could be.

"Silent!" the headmaster's voice amplified throughout the hall, hushing every student. They all turned to him, hoping he had a plan. "Prefects, lead your houses back to the dormitories immediately!" Everyone immediately followed his orders as everyone scrambled for the door. Percy began directing everyone, telling to stay alert. As they were walking, something clicked in Susanna's mind, causing her to freeze in her steps.

"Hermione doesn't know!" Susanna shouted to herself as students went around her, trying to avoid the troll. Susanna immediately turned around and raced through the students, gaining some insults from some students. As she went back into the Great Hall, Susanna scanned for Professor McGonagall. Once she found her, Susanna dashed for the professor. "Professor McGonagall!" Hearing her name called, the professor quickly turned around with her robes twirling in the same direction. Her expression turned grave, then confused and angry.

"Susanna Gates! Why aren't run back in the Gryffindor dormitory yet?" Professor McGonagall sternly asked, worry over her face.

"Professor, Hermione is missing. I saw her this afternoon in the bathroom, and I haven't seen her since," Susanna explained. "I don't know where she is. May I go look for her?" McGonagall was surprised that she would ask such a question.

"Absolutely not," McGonagall corrected. "It is too dangerous, we will look for her. Now, off to the dormitory immediately!" Susanna figured they would probably look for the troll first, but she knew it would do Hermione no good if she ran into the troll. Susanna ran as fast as she could to the dormitory. All of the students were sitting around, talking about the troll and eating the food sent up. Susanna saw that the loveseat next to the fireplace was empty, so she quickly took the seat. Placing her hands underneath her legs, she unknowingly began slightly rocking back and forth. Where could she possibly be? Susanna wondered to herself.

Susanna didn't know how much time had past when Hermione finally arrived back in the common room. She was surprised when Hermione just stood at the portrait starring at it. Susanna was going to go up to her when Ron and Harry walked in. The three seemed embarrassed and shy, avoiding eye contact with each other. Susanna heard 'thanks' muttered before Hermione rushed off to the dormitory. Ron and Harry looked up to see Susanna watching them, giving her a half smile before she raced up to the dormitory. Once she walked through the door, she could see Hermione sitting on her bed, wrapped up in a book.

"Hermione, are you ok?" Susanna calmly asked, sitting down on her own bed. Hermione looked up at her friend with excitement in her eyes and began to tell her the story. By the time she finished, Susanna's eyes were wide and her jaw was dropped. "They took on a fully grown mountain troll?" Hermione nodded her head yes as Susanna took everything in. "Well, at least you, Ron, and Harry didn't get into more trouble or worse."

"Very lucky. Thanks, Susanna," Hermione said in a grateful tone.

"For what?" Susanna wondered, wondering what Hermione was thanking her for.

"For sticking up for me when I ran away crying," Hermione explained. "Harry told me what happened." She gave Susanna a bright, genuine smile, grateful to have a good friend, someone she could count on.

"Oh, it was nothing, you're my friend, of course I'd stick up for you," Susanna commented, glancing at the book in Hermione's hands. "What are you reading?" Hermione's face changed from calm to excited at the mention of her book.

"It's the book my parents gave me for my birthday last month," Hermione told. Susanna remembered Hermione telling her how her parents gave her birthday present to her before she left for Hogwarts since they didn't have an owl. So, Susanna made sure to give her some wizarding candy for her birthday so she would receive something. "It's called Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It is wonderful book about this family of five girls…"

Glad you made it down here! Hopefully it was okay! I have some questions for you guys, be honest: is this story boring you and do you think Susanna is coming off as a Mary Sue? It's just that I was talking to one person, getting help on a story I was thinking about doing, but the person's suggestions on how to make a story better made me feel like my stories weren't that good and my OCs were Mary Sues. I appreciate the person's help, it's made me think about future stories!

Well, that's all I have to say, except click on the review button and tell me what you thought! See you on whatever I update next!