Chapter Two: Warnings And The Reasons Behind Them
As soon as I had sat down, I received hard buffets on the back from fellow Gryffindor's, some of which I was sure would leave a bruise. I sat by Hermione, since our names both started with a G, and she had been sorted before me.
"Exciting, isn't it?" She whispered, as the noise died down.
"Oh, very." I agreed, nodding. "I'm not particularly fond of that hat, though."
"You know what they say, the truth hurts." She said.
"What?" I asked, giving her a hard stare. The hat was only speaking in my head. Right?
"It's all in Hogwarts, A History. The sorting hat never lies, it can't put you somewhere it doesn't think you belong." Hermione explained, patting a large, leather bound book before her lovingly. Hogwarts, A History was written in gold ink across the front, leaving indents on the leather. It looked worn.
"Is that so?" I mumbled, glancing up at the hat, that was now being placed atop a boys head. I had missed his name.
"Gryffindor!" The hat shouted. Everyone around me burst into thunderous clapping. I pulled my hands up and followed their lead.
"Malfoy, Draco." The professor called. Instead of fixing my gaze on the boy making his way to the front of the room, I examined the professor by the stool, the one holding the hat. Minerva McGonagall, if memory serves. She was a tall, thin woman, with her hair pulled back tightly into a bun at the back of her head. She peered at he-who-I-refuse-to-name pointedly over her spectacles, a stern look set on her face. As he sat down, she moved to place the hat over his head. It had barely touched his platinum hair when the hat shouted:
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Figures." I snickered, looking down at the table and tracing a pattern on the worn wood until I head a familiar name.
"Potter, Harry." Professor McGonagall called. The boy shuffled towards the front awkwardly, starring at the ground. The closer he got to the stool-and consequently the hat-the farther forward every living being in the hall-and non-living, if you count the ghosts that floated above our heads-leaned forward in the seats. By the time Harry sat down and the hat was placed on his head, I was already blue from holding my breath. There was a moment of dead silence in which every eye was turned to Harry, who seemed to be squirming under the hat.
"GRYFFINDOR!" It finally bellowed. A collective whoosh of breaths being released came from around the Gryffindor table as we applauded Harry. He seemed dizzy with relief as he plopped down across from me, a goofy grin smeared across his face.
"We got Potter! We got Potter!" A set of redheaded twins beside me shouted. Weasley's, I suppose.
"Weasley, Ronald." I glance up as the hat shouted Gryffindor, and he scurried over to join us, taking the seat beside Harry.
"Bloody 'ell, that was nerve wrecking." Ron shuddered. At last it was Blaise Zambini's turn to be sorted.
"Slytherin." I said to no one in particular.
"You couldn't possibly know that." Hermione said, frowning at me.
"Trust me." I said, shushing her when she started to protest once again.
"Slytherin!" The hat shouted, and cheers erupted from the other side of the hall.
"Told you so." I said, grinning.
"Simply a lucky guess." She huffed.
"Keep telling yourself that." I laughed. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned to my other side, were the twins sat.
"I'm Fred, and-" The closest one said.
"-this is George." Said the second.
"Bella." I said, shaking both their outstretched hands.
"Rob's sister." George said. I nodded, despite the fact that it wasn't a question.
"He say's you're kind'uva trouble maker." Fred said, a malicious glint in his eyes.
"According to him." I nodded again, a smile twitching the corner of my mouth.
"Said you kicked that blond bloke out of your compartment." George said, nudging his head over to the Slytherin table.
"Literally." Fred added.
"I may have." I laughed. "Merlin, that boy gets on my nerves. He has it coming."
"We can help you there." They said in unison. My eyes widened slightly in surprise and pleasure.
"I'm listening." But we didn't have time to plot, because Albus Dumbledore had stood while Professor McGonagall was putting away the hat.
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!" He said. "Before we begin out banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He sat back down, and everyone cheered. I laughed, and glanced down at the table in time to see the golden plates fill with food.
"Your Nearly Headless Nick!" I head Ron shout. I glanced up at the ghost.
"Nearly Headless? How can you be Nearly Headless?" A sandy haired boy by the name of Seamus Finnigan asked, voicing my thoughts.
"Like this." Nick said, pulling on his left ear. His entire head came loose on the neck as if on a hinge, only held on by an inch of skin. Several forks-including mine-fell to the table.
Once we moved to dessert, I was interrupted from my conversation with Ron about Quidditch when Harry's hand flew to his forehead.
"Ouch!" He exclaimed.
"What is it?" I asked, setting down my pie.
"N-Nothing." He said quickly, and turned to talk to Percy in a hushed tone. Ron and I glanced at each other, but didn't press the subject.
Once dessert had also disappeared from the table, Professor Dumbledore stood once more. The hall fell silent.
"Ahem just a few start-of-term notices. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." He said, casting twinkling blue eyes at the subjects. For a confusing second I thought he was looking at me, before I remembered I was sitting beside the Weasley twins, and that he was in fact, looking at them.
"I've also been asked by Mr. Filtch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." He finished. A couple of laughs rung out, but most were serious.
"Is this for real?" I asked the closest twin.
"Must be." He nodded.
"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore exclaimed, flicking his wand. A long golden ribbon spring from the tip, twisting into words. "Everyone pick you favorite tune, and off we go!"
"Care to join us?" George asked.
Everyone finished at a different time, and only the twins and I were left, singing a to a very slow funeral march.
"Alright, bedtime! Off you trot!" Dumbledore said, waving us away. All the first years were herded by Percy and my brother as we climbed up staircase after staircase. I rubbed my eyes wearily, leaning on Rob as I walked. After an eternity, we came to a portrait of a large lady in a pink dress.
"Password?" She asked.
"Caput Draconis." Percy said. The portrait swung open, and we all walked in trough a round hole in the wall. Our common room was full of squishy looking armchairs, tables, a bulletin board, and a large fireplace. Rob directed the girls towards a staircase, and Percy led the boys up another. I decided to trail Hermione, since she probably knew how many stones were used to build Hogwarts and the manner in which they were set down. She led me straight to our dormitory. There were five canopy beds, with deep mahogany drapes. Our trunks had been brought up, and finding mine, I changed into my pajamas quickly before crawling into bed. To my intense displeasure, Hermione had taken the bed beside mine. I turned my back to her as she chatted wildly about classes. It wasn't until I head Cheshire yowl that I moved. Without opening my eyes, I let my arm hand off the side of the bed, and she scampered up as if it were a ramp.
"You lazy feline." I mumbled as she nuzzled into the crook of my neck. She pawed my cheek lightly, acknowledging the comment.
"She's such a smart looking cat!" I heard Hermione say.
"Hmm. She's part Kneazle." I mumbled.
"That's amazing!" Hermione said. "What animal did it breed with?"
"White Bengal Tiger." I yawned. She may have said something else, but I must have fallen asleep, blocking out the sound of Hermione talking, the Patil sisters getting changed, and Lavender Brown slamming shut her trunk.
I was awoken by a odd movement up my nose. I turned my face away, but it was soon back. Peeking open my eyes, I caught the sight of snow white fur.
"Cheshire, you have three seconds to get your tongue out of my nose." The tickling sensation stopped immediately. "Your disgusting." I said, sitting up. Glancing around the room, I noticed that all the beds but Hermione's were occupied. Cheshire climbed onto my shoulder as I got out of bed silently, grabbing my towel and bath things from my trunk and tiptoeing out of the room. It took me a little while to find the bathroom it was at the end of the hall, closer than I had expected and once I did, people had begun to stir. It seemed the girls tower and I assumed the boys tower was the same was organized by year, first and second years at the bottom, third, fourth and fifth years in the middle, and sixth and seventh years at the top. Each floor must have had it's own bathroom, because there didn't seem to be a lot of people about. Slipping behind one of the curtains, I hung my towel on a hook while turning on the bath faucet. As soon as there was enough water, I stripped my pajamas and climbed in. I sunk in, letting the water wake me up. I heard someone moving about in the bath next to mine. I ignored them, it was probably Hermione. Reaching for my shampoo, I made quick work of scrubbing my scalp, then moving to the rest of my body. Cheshire was busy grooming herself on the rim of the tub, making sure to keep clear of the water. I rinsed off, drying myself and pulling on my bathrobe. I rubbed the towel trough my long caramel hair before twisting it with my hair and perching it atop my head. I gathered my things and shoved them into a cubby by the sink, pulling out my toothbrush. Once I was done with that and had put all my things away, I glanced towards the bath stall beside mine. No one had emerged, and it had been completely silent, not even the sound of moving bath water. I pulled Chess off my shoulder and pulled back the curtain slightly. A bushy brown head was all I could see in the tub. I had been right, it was Hermione.
"Uhm, Hermione?" I said. She didn't move. I sighed, walking into the stall and shaking her shoulder, careful to look at her face the entire time. She started, sitting up quickly. I turned, pulling her towel from the hook and holding it out to her. "You fell asleep." I told her, glancing towards the wall.
"Oh! Well-I-uhm, thank you." She mumbled, and I knew she was blushing as she stepped out of the bath, towel wrapped around her. She fished out a soggy book as I walked out of her stall. As soon as I was out of her sight, I motioned for Cheshire to follow me quickly, and we both bolted back to the room. The other girls were already up, moving about and collecting their things. I pulled my uniform out of my trunk, happy to find that the Hogwarts patch and tie had turned into Gryffindor colors, as had the inner hood of my robes. I grabbed some knickers and pulled on my clothes.
I was in front of the mirror, doing my tie, when Hermione returned. She was already dressed, and the once soggy book was crisp and dry beneath her arm. Keeping an eye on her in case she decided to mention the bathroom incident, I pulled my drying brush through my hair. The wet locks dried as soon as I brushed them. I set it down, and pilled my books into my school bag, along with parchment, ink, and some quills. I thought I would make it out without any comments, no such luck.
"Belladonna," Hermione said. "Thank you again."
"No problem." I chuckled nervously as the other girls looked towards us. I backed out of the room, Cheshire close at my heals.
"That was unnecessary." I whispered to Chess, who had climbed up my robes and on to my shoulder. She purred in agreement as I made it to the end of the stairs, opening the door and colliding with Seamus, who was walking by. We both fell on our butts. We starred at each other dumbly for a second, and I burst out laughing. He jumped to his feet, helping me up as he chuckled himself.
"Sorry 'bout that." He said, handing me my bag.
"Don't worry about it." I said, dusting off my robes. Chess, who had jumped off my shoulder during the collision, found a new perch on Harry's head. I apologized to Seamus for trampling him, and walked over to Harry and Ron, who were about to leave for breakfast. Chess hissed at me as I tried to untangle her from Harry's hair.
"Chess, two seconds." She pounced, landing on my shoulder. "Sorry." I chuckled, patting Harry's hair.
"It won't go down, it grows that way." He explained, as we walked out of the common room.
"So, how was the night with the chatter-box?" Ron asked.
"Hermione? She's alright." I said. There was a moment of silence before we laughed. "She picked the bed next to mine, and chatted me to sleep. I don't even remember what she said." I said.
"Sorry to hear that." Harry said, patting my back.
"Eh, whatcha gunna do?" I shrugged as we arrived in the Entrance Hall.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Boy Who Lived, Gryffindor, and Weaselbee." Some one scoffed. My companions turned towards the sound of the voice.
"Malfoy, sod off." I snapped. He stood at the entrance to the dungeons, flanked by Gregory and Vincent. Uh, I mean Crab and Goyle.
"Bitter are we?" He grinned, moving towards us.
"Learned it from the best." I said, crossing my arms.
"Oh, you flatter me." He chuckled, placing his hand over his heart.
"Go find something better to do." I said, turning my back to him and pulling Harry and Ron into the Great Hall by the elbows.
"See you later, then!" Malfoy called after us. He and his friends burst out into laughter as we entered the Hall.
"So, you know him?" Harry asked as we sat down at the Gryffindor table.
"Too well." I said, nudging Chess off my shoulder.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron asked, as he pilled his plate with eggs.
"I've know him for a while." I shrugged. Someone tapped my shoulder. I turned, to see Professor McGonagall.
"Miss. Gryffindor, you schedule." She said, handing me a rolled piece of parchment.
"Thank you." I unrolled it as she moved down the table.
Classes we're exiting…all but Potions. I wouldn't wish Professor Snape on my worst enemy, even if my worst enemy was his favorite. Which Malfoy was. But more aggravating than Snape, was Professor Quirrell. He was an odd, nervous man with a ridiculous turban. As eventful as classes were, there real danger was all around. Fake doors, trick stairs, Peeves, and Filch. He and his cat would lurk around the school, looking for any signs of horseplay, writing you up immediately if he even suspected you. It wasn't more than once that Fred, George and I found ourselves hiding from him. Cheshire didn't take well to Mrs. Norris, and in full agreement all I wanted to do was give the damn thing a well deserved kick.
I was walking by the retched thing when I head Ron's voice.
"I'm his second, who's yours?"
"Crabble. Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room; that's always unlocked." Malfoy drawled.
"What are you two getting in to?" I asked, arriving at Ron and Harry's seats.
"Oh look, if it isn't my favorite pain in the butt." Malfoy smirked.
"Can it, blondie." I snapped.
"Ouch, I believe you've hurt my feelings." He sneered. "I'd expect you to be there as well, to learn who the greater of us two is." He added over his shoulder as he walked towards his table.
"What have you two gotten in to?" I sighed, plopping down in between them.
"Malfoy's challenged Harry to a Wizard's duel." Ron said.
"I'd love to see that." I laughed, biting into a piece of toast.
"Excuse me," Hermione said, walking up to us. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation-"
"Bet you could of." Ron mumbled.
"-but you shouldn't go looking for trouble. You'll get points taken off."
"Mind your own business." Ron snapped, shoveling the last of his eggs into his mouth before the he, Harry and I made our way to Transfiguration.
"We should have known he wouldn't show up." I mumbled, crossing my arms and leaning against the dueling awards. We had managed to bring Neville and Hermione along, and with this huge group, we were just asking to get caught. I was just about to voice this thought when Mrs. Norris padded into the trophy room.
"It's Filch!" Ron hissed.
"Come on, we have to get out of here." I urged, leading the out of the room. We bolted down the hall and up a flight of stairs before we heard Filch.
"Yes, my sweet, show me where they are." He wheezed. Ron motioned to a doorway to our right. He opened the door while Harry grabbed Neville and I grasped Hermione by the collar. We dragged them in with us and shut the door tightly. We all put our ears to the door, listening as Filch shuffled by. A low snort caught my attention. I turned.
"Holy Gordric." I gasped. The others turned at my comment, and before we could register much of anything but the huge three headed dog, we were diving out of the room, slamming the door shut behind us. I would have jumped right into Filch's arms if that's what it took to get out of there.
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