Hey again everyone! kc256, you have a role in my story now. Maybe not a big one, but you do get a character. I realized this feels a bit rushed, but I suppose I'm just trying to get through the actual chapter quickly. This is actually two-in-one, I suppose, since only one would have been way too short. I still realized it's rather short, with 1,420 words.
The door swung open, and as always, Professor McGonagall stood there, looking stern.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here," She opened it wide, and nodded at me. I nodded back, and headed for the Great Hall. My friend, Kris Tee, bounded over to say hi. She was a muggle-born, with light brown skin, medium-length, straight black hair, and, usually, glasses.
"You got contacts?" I asked.
"Yeah," She smiled, "I see you have the same frames."
"Got a new prescription over the summer, though."
"So they're different lenses," I shrugged.
"Um, not to change the subject or anything, but how's your Mum?" I asked. Kris chuckled.
"Oh, she's fine."
"Did she happen to send any cookies?"
"No. You and her cookies," Kris laughed.
"They're good!" I complained. I remember making cookies at your house, kc, but I don't remember exactly what they tasted like. It might have been your place where I first tried ketchup on rice...either that, or by then it was a normal thing for me.
"I'll send her an owl. Maybe you'll get some for Christmas."
"I have a feeling you're thinking; why do I want your Mum's cookies when I have Hogwarts food?" She nodded, "I was raised on this stuff. It's super yummy. But your Mum's are better because I don't get them that often. Know what I mean?"
"Yeah."
"Oh! And, uh, this is a present, just kind of for being my friend," I summoned a teacup and transformed it into a mouse.
"Oh! It's Mousey!" She smiled at me. We jumped as the doors opened, Don't worry, Chocolate is here at some point. and we hurried to our tables; she went to Ravenclaw while I went to Gryffindor. I smiled at Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they passed. Ron was just scared, while Harry and Hermione managed to smile nervously back at me. It was cool to see where the hat put everyone, and I was eager as Dad said the words that signaled food. I ate well. When the remains of food cleared away, I prepared to be embarrassed. He made most of his usual speech, and I got ready to stand up as he began the sentence I knew was coming,
"And although many of you have heard this before, I'd like to introduce the new students to my daughter, Haley," I stood up, smiling, nodding a little as people clapped and whispered. I sat back down. He continued, warning everyone of this year's dangers. Still, how was that speech going to keep anyone away from there? And he finished, sending us all off to bed. I stayed in the first year dormitories that night, comforting home-sick people. The next day, I showed up a little early to breakfast. I yawned as I sat down. Eventually, as I was finishing, Kris sat down beside me, and started her own breakfast.
"How was your summer?" We asked each other at the same time. We laughed.
"Well, I didn't do much. A few new books. Muggle ones, of course."
"Oh, cool. What were they?"
"I don't really remember. Good books, though. How was your summer?"
"Oh, the usual," I answered, "It's getting really boring," We were quiet for a little while as Kris finished.
"So, if it's getting boring, why not stay at my house?" Kris suggested as we started to leave.
"Ooh, nice idea! But I have plans for the last half of the summer."
"That's okay. I don't mind. You can stay for the first half of the summer."
"Aw, that's nice. What's on your schedule?"
"Well, I have Potions first."
"Ouch! Right after breakfast?"
"Well, at the time we eat, no."
"I get what you mean. I have Potions, too. I was going to be with the first years today, but I can go with you if you want."
"Please," She pleaded, "Sorry, but...he favors you, for whatever reason, and because of that, Potions suddenly gets easier," I smiled.
"Alright," The next few days, I switched between my own classes and the first years', to help. The first time I went to one of Harry's classes, I asked him about his schedule.
"Oi, Harry!"
"Yes, Hail?"
"When's your first potions lesson?"
"Uh...Friday."
"When?"
"In the morning, after breakfast."
"Why is it like that for everyone?" I asked myself. "Do they want to wake us up? Anyway, I'll be there."
"Alright. Thanks," On Friday morning, when I walked in, Snape nodded a greeting, as usual, but abruptly stopped when he saw Harry behind me. Something in his eyes changed. I seemed to do more harm then good being there. Harry got picked on more then even I expected, and Snape didn't acknowledge me at all. Afterward, I walked with them.
"Cheer up, Harry, he takes points off everyone...though he did seem...happy to blame you."
"Why does he hate me so much?" I shrugged while Ron denied it. We went down to Hagrid's. He greeted us and let us all in, and they talked about lessons and things. Eventually Harry asked,
"Hail, who's that girl you like to hang out with?"
"Huh? Oh, you must mean Kris. Well, she's been my best friend since she started here; the year I was actually going to start classes. Usually, I don't actually go on the train, but I figured I might as well that year because it would be my first year. She and I shared a compartment and we were immediately friends. It's a good thing I'm not actually in a house, because she was in Ravenclaw, and I think of myself as a Gryffindor. So we hang out, and we're really, really good friends. Hang on a minute. Reminded me of something...I don't know where Chocolate is."
"What?" Ron was confused.
"Huh? Oh, I transfigured something into a mouse last summer...it's a little thing between Kris and I. Probably hiding up in the dormitory with the rest of them...reminds me, I still need to make Kris a few mice," Hagrid shook his head, smiling, then offered them rock cakes. Hail politely refused.
"Hagrid, I know that at some point when I was younger, I made it very clear what I think of most of your cooking. Except cake. Your cake is good."
"I remember...I don' think it's possible fer me to forget."
"Sorry..I was little and spoiled."
"What happened?"
"Er...When Hagrid offered me a rock cake for the first time, I...uh...threw a temper tantrum. In a very loud voice. Ever since then, the only thing of his I have eaten is cake...that's delicious," Haley licked her lips. Fang laid his head across her lap.
"Aw, hey boy! I haven't seen you in forever!" How he then got across her lap was any one's guess. As they discussed first lessons, they argued over whether Mrs. Norris was really evil.
"What you should really do is introduce her to Fang," Haley said, scratching behind said dog's ears. Hagrid stared at her in shock.
"What? She's an awesome cat, and I've grown up around her and all, but just because I'm the Headmaster's daughter doesn't mean they'll let me get away with everything," Haley pointed out.
"All righ', you got me there. Maybe I will do that..." Hagrid stared off into space.
"Anyway, I think Harry wants to get his first Potions lesson out," Haley spotted a clipping and picked it up. She read it silently as they discussed whether Snape really hated Harry.
"Hey, Harry, I think you might find this...interesting," She interrupted, handing over the clipping. She wasn't surprised in the least. She went over everything she'd seen in her head, but she couldn't deduce anything. Not enough proof. They eventually headed up to the castle, and she shook it off and talked with them a little.