Hey everybody! Here's another chapter of the story! I've rewritten the first part so many times but I'm still not sure what to think about it! Here's the last chapter of Susanna's Year 1! There's a French saying in the story and the translation's in the author's note at the end. Hope you like it! [disclaimer in prologue]
Chapter 9: Not That Important
"I'm looking forward to receiving my marks tomorrow," Hermione expressed to Susanna, who was sitting next to her with Harry on the other side. "Professor Flitwick's already told me I received a one-hundred and twelve on the Charms exam! I'm sure you did great too!"
Susanna laughed at her friend's comment, adjusting her black, pointed hat that made her head itch. The students' spirits were up even though Slytherin had won the House Cup. It didn't really help that Slytherin's green and silver colored flags were hanging above them. It was interesting when Harry Potter, the boy who took on a professor, entered the hall, as everyone turned to stare at him. She felt a little sorry for him as other students were trying to look at him, but he handled it calmly.
The twelve-year-old was sitting in between Hermione and Neville, listening to the conversations around her as everyone waited for the feast to begin. She didn't really feel like being talkative; she just wanted to take in her final moments of her first year at Hogwarts. It had gone by so fast, and she had learned so much. Susanna just didn't want it to end.
The Great Hall became silent as Dumbledore stood and faced the students. "Another year gone! And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast," Professor Dumbledore began. Susanna figured she would never get used to the Headmaster's choice of words. "What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were…you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts. Now, as I understood it, the House Cup here needs awarding and the points stand thus." Everyone at the Gryffindor table lowered their heads, not looking forward to hearing the winner. "In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw have four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
The Slytherin table exploded into cheers, claps, and stomps. Susanna rolled her eyes at how Malfoy's antics of banging his goblet against the table. Every other table also rolled their eyes and groaned at their happiness. Glancing back at the professor, she was surprised to see him still standing and holding his hand up to silence the Slytherins. The victor table looked back at him with confused expressions on their faces.
"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore began again. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw students looked up at the headmaster with hopeful looks, while the Slytherins were getting nervous. It was very quiet in the usually loud Great Hall.
"First to Mr. Ronald Weasley for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points," Dumbledore began again. The table erupted into cheers, with Percy being the loudest and saying that his brother had gotten past McGonagall's enchantment. Susanna gave the Weasley boy a bright smile, trying not to smile even more at his red face. He had thanked her earlier for helping him and Hermione, but he had been extremely nervous while he did it.
Dumbledore waited till there was silence once more. "Second, to Miss Hermione Granger, for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Susanna began cheering loudly for her best friend and began patting Hermione on the back. The bushy haired girl had her hands in her arms, either from embarrassment or hiding tears. Susanna's eyes widen when she realized Gryffindor was now barely behind Ravenclaw. Maybe they had a chance to beat Slytherin.
"Third to Mr. Harry Potter for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points," Dumbledore continued.
The Gryffindor table erupted into its loudest cheers yet. Mostly because they realized they were now tied with Slytherin at four hundred and seventy-two points. Even the other tables were excited.
The headmaster raised his hand again, and silence fell in the hall. "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom." This time the whole hall, minus Slytherin cheered as loud as they could. Susanna patted Neville on the back, and he just stared at the plate in front of him in shock. Everyone began taking off their hats to throw them up in the air when Dumbledore raised his hand to silence them. The students were confused, wondering what more the Headmaster had to say.
"And finally, it takes a clever mind to make sense out of confusion when faced with the challenge of escaping danger. I award ten points to Miss Susanna Gates," Dumbledore explained, looking at Susanna directly in the eye and smiling at her.
She couldn't help but let her jaw drop wide open. Why in the world was she being awarded points? She hadn't done anything spectacular like Harry or Ron or Hermione or Neville. She couldn't believe it. Glancing up, Susanna could see Margie giving her big smile and thumbs up, and she nervously returned the smile. Looking toward the staff table, Professor McGonagall was giving Susanna a rare but genuine smile. Turning back to the Gryffindor table, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and some of the other Gryffindors around her were still congratulating her. So, she had just been awarded points. It felt great.
"Which means," Dumbledore shouted over the cheers, even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were cheering just as loud. "We need a little change of decoration." The headmaster clapped his hands once, and the green and silver banners changed to scarlet and gold with the roaring lion. Susanna couldn't remember feeling this happy and joyful as the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs took off their black hats and threw them into the air. It also made her happy to see Malfoy sulking in his seat. It was one of the best nights at Hogwarts. And it can only get better from here, Susanna thought to herself, growing excited for the next six years.
(The Next Day)
Dear Journal,
Well, right now I'm sitting in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express on the way back to London and unfortunately back to Angel Care. I don't really have anything to do right now. It's not that I'm alone like I was on the way to Hogwarts. Margie's just asleep in the seat across from me, said something about her roommates gossiping loudly all night long. She fell asleep about ten minutes ago. We had been playing this wizarding game called Exploding Snaps. It's kind of like SlapJack just with wizard cards, well that and you use wands. I'm actually pretty good at the game. The rest of the time we spent talking about random topics. I tried asking about her parents, but Margie completely changed the subject. It's like that every time I try asking about her family. Maybe one day she'll want to talk about it.
I'm randomly going to change topics. I received my exam scores earlier. I actually did really well on all my exams minus Potions and Herbology but those were decent. As I know of, I'll be taking those same classes next year so I hope I can do better. I wasn't surprised at all when Hermione told me that she was now the top of the class. She put so much work into it. She claims I'm the second in the class and she barely beat me. But that's an exaggeration.
I still can't believe that my first year is over. So much has happened and I've made two great friends. I know it makes me seem like a loner. But I'd rather have a few, great friends than a large group of friends that I don't really talk to a lot. I've given Hermione and Margie Angel Care's address and they've given me theirs, so I hope they can write to me and I can write back over the summer. Two months at Angel Care with no magic is going to be awful. We were given notes before we left about how we will now be in trouble with the Ministry if we attempt any magic. I heard one of the Weasley twins muttering about how he wished they would forget to give out the notes. I've already learned my lesson from my accident before school.
The train's stopping, so now it's time to go back to the Muggle World. I wonder what I'll find back at Angel Care. I need to remember to hide my books, quills, and wand under a loose floorboard. It doesn't really help that we have homework. I have to wake Margie up, so I'll write in this later.
Susanna
Susanna closed her journal and quickly put it back in her backpack. She glanced over at Margie who was now lying on her stomach with her left arm dangling off the side. The Gryffindor slowly walked over to the Ravenclaw and gently began shaking her. "Margie, we're at King's Cross. It's time to go," Susanna told.
Margie began lightly slapping Susanna on her arm. "Non, la Maman, je ne veux pas aller à Beauxbatons," Margie spoke as she turned away from Susanna. Susanna's eyes widened at her friend's statement, slightly backing away. The de Ghent girl began waking up, leaning up against the seat. Margie looked over at her friend.
"What's up with the face, Sus?" Margie asked, tilting her head a little.
"Did you just speak a different language?" Susanna wondered. Margie had never said a thing about other languages.
Margie furrowed her eyebrows for a little bit in thought then realized what Susanna was talking about. "Oh yeah, sometimes I talk in my sleep. And sometimes in French, well my mom says I do. I'm sure I've mentioned I'm fluent in French," she explained, a little embarrassed she was talking in her sleep again.
Susanna nodded her head in disagreement. "I think you've overlooked that little fact," she commented as the train came to a halt. She glanced outside the window and saw all the smiling and anxious parents looking around to see if they could get a glance at their child.
Margie scoffed at her friend. "I was sure I had. Oh well, it's not that important," she said as she grabbed her small messenger bag and opened the compartment door. Susanna knew her friend was avoiding the subject again. "Come on, Susanna, we might as well go now." Margie didn't seem excited to really leave Hogwarts like Susanna, but the two girls joined the students in the hallway and walked toward the door. Once outside, they walked over to the luggage and placed their trunks on a trolley. "Sorry, sorry again, need a little room. It would be nice to have some breathing space, too," Margie apologized, and criticized, as she and Susanna kept bumping into families as they made their way to the barrier. Susanna took another deep breath as she ran through the barrier with Margie behind her.
King's Cross was still as busy as it was on September 1st. The Muggles were still oblivious to the fact people were coming out from the concrete barrier. It dawned on Susanna that she would have to take a taxi to get back to the orphanage. And she didn't know if she had enough money.
"Susanna!" a familiar voice called nearby. She turned toward the tenth platform to see Mrs. Dewberry waving and walking toward her. Now, Susanna would get the chance to thank her for the gifts and get her questions answered.
"Mrs. Dewberry! I can't believe you're here!" Susanna exclaimed as Mrs. Dewberry arrived at her trolley.
"Well, I knew you would need a ride back," she replied back. "I have a feeling you have many questions for me." Susanna nodded her head very fast when she heard Hermione calling her name. The bushy-haired girl was rushing up to her while a couple was trying to catch up to her.
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for being my friend this year," Hermione thanked as she gave her friend a big hug. Susanna gladly returned her thanks and the hug when Hermione's parents called her. "I will definitely write to you. See you in a few months!" she yelled as she went back to her parents and began leaving the station. Susanna suddenly wondered where Margie was and began looking in all directions. Far off, Margie was standing near two adults who she resembled and was wearing an unhappy look on her face. Susanna was confused when it looked like Margie was being scolded by the lady who she assumed was her mother. Her mother kept gesturing to the pink streaks in her daughter's hair, but it looked like Margie was just ignoring her as they walked away. There is something she's not telling me, Susanna thought to herself.
"Susanna, are you okay?" Mrs. Dewberry asked in concern, bringing Susanna's attention back.
"Oh, sorry, Mrs. Dewberry. I'm ready to go," she apologized. The older lady smiled at her as Susanna began pushing her trolley out of the station and to the parking lot. She stood on her toes to look for Mrs. Dewberry's car. A few minutes later, Susanna was confused. "Mrs. Dewberry, where's your car?" she asked, glancing up at the older lady.
"Well, with magic I can travel in less time. Take a good hold of your luggage," Mrs. Dewberry instructed. Susanna knew exactly what she was talking about, taking a tight hold of her trunk. Seeing she was ready, Mrs. Dewberry took Susanna's hand and imagined her living room. Susanna closed her eyes in pain since her head was still pounding and her stomach was really hurting. But within a few seconds it was all over. She opened her eyes to see she was now standing in the middle of Mrs. Dewberry's living room. "Have a seat," Mrs. Dewberry suggested, gesturing over to the couch as she went into the kitchen.
Susanna sat down on the soft couch, still holding onto her luggage. She glanced back at the photographs, wondering if her children were also wizards and witches. A minute later, Mrs. Dewberry came back with two drinks, sitting across from the twelve-year-old.
She noticed Susanna was still glancing at the photographs. The older lady snapped her fingers, and instantly the room came alive. The photographs began moving around in their frames. The two glasses floated to their receivers. The broom began sweeping the floors. The pillows straightened themselves out.
Once the room settled down, Mrs. Dewberry explained to Susanna how she knew the twelve-year-old was a witch and retold some of her experiences at Hogwarts. Susanna was glad she now had someone to talk to about the wizarding world, instead of hiding her magic all summer long.
A half-an-hour later, Susanna realized she could no longer put off going back to Angel Care. She gathered her belongings, thanked Mrs. Dewberry, and walked down the street back to her home. Once she arrived at the closed front door, Susanna felt the urge to just find a taxi that would take her to the Leaky Cauldron so she could stay there for the rest of her life. Not that Mrs. Forester would care. But, she knew she wouldn't be able to make it far considering she couldn't perform magic. Something in the back of her mind kept telling her that she needed to stay at Angel Care, as if she was needed there. Susanna scoffed at the thought, twisting the doorknob and walking through the front door.
Everything still looked the same as when she left. Toys were still piled up in the play room. Clothes still littered the hallways. Kids still ran down the hallways. The only thing different might have been it was not as clean. Susanna's anger grew, knowing she was the only one who really had to work at the orphanage.
"Oh, it's you," a voice sounded close by. Susanna turned in the voice's direction and saw Mrs. Forester, wearing even more gaudy looking makeup and clothes than before, standing in the living room's entrance with an expression on her face that said she was not pleased to see Susanna back. "Didn't get yourself kicked out, did you?"
Susanna bit the side of her cheek to restrain herself from making a sarcastic comment. "No ma'am. I'm going back in a few months," Susanna answered after taking some deep breaths.
"Good, now get to work. I need you to mop the kitchen floor. Johnny created an explosion with a Diet Coca-Cola two liter and Mentos earlier and it's all over the floor. Get to it," Mrs. Forester ordered as she walked away in her unreasonably high heels.
Some things haven't changed, Susanna thought to herself as she put her luggage back in her room, hid her wizarding supplies, and walked to the kitchen. The next two months would seem like eternity.
Glad you made it down here! I hope it was decent! The next chapter will start Year 2! I'm so excited! Margie will be in it more and more characters will be introduced! I've recently started rereading the books and I'm excited to write about Year 2! I need to start working on The Disney Dream but I want to write more of this story first. So, please click on the review button and tell me what you think!
I'm going to include some more French since I've introduced how Margie is fluent. I'm not taking French and I don't speak it, so I'm using an online translator to write it. Sorry if it's wrong [my Spanish teacher says online translators or at least Google can mess it up. I'm not sure if that applies to French or just Spanish]. So, sorry if I make a mistake.
*Non, la Maman, je ne veux pas aller à Beauxbatons = No, Mom, I don't want to go to Beauxbatons
See you next time! Review please!