DISCLAIMER: Any recognizable works in this story is obviously not owned by me but the great J.K herself. I only own Clare O'Hare and maybe her marriage to Neville...sorry Hannah...not sorry Hannah.

Chapter 2

Mr. and Mrs. Moon fussed over the girls while at Kings Cross', "Ok then now, here's your trollies. Good great." Cecile brushed and patted at Lily's hair then turned to Clare.

"You girls remember we'll be sending the owl. Just have him sent back with anything! Letters, grades, crafts, news, and all that. Oh… oh uh." Cecile turned about looking flustered patting here and there on her coat.

"Here it is dear." Jacob stepped up, handing Lily a small pack and a lunch wrapped in paper. The Moons continued to fret as Clare looked about the overly loud station. Everything looked normal other than the few stray people she had grown accustomed to noticing as witches or wizards.

Doesssn't ssseem like a magic train ssstation to me Maokai slid his head out from behind Clare's curls.

No! Don't come out yet! Not till we're on the train. Clare quickly turned, looking around and fidgeting with her hair.

"The both of you look adorable." Said Mr. Moon, "Now… time to go." Clare noticed they had moved over to a column and were standing out of the flow of the other people. Mr. Moon motioned for the other wall, "Remember now just like we've practiced." Mrs. Moon held onto Lily's cart and the two went on at a slight jog before disappearing into the wall. Clare made a small gasp and looked up at Mr. Moon wide eyed.

"But...I thought you said a door way!" She stammered shocked.

Mr. Moon checked his watch, "Come along now you remember practicing."

"With a sheet." Clare's knees knocked nervously.

"It's always a bit scary the first time. But I promise, it'll be alright. Come now we can't miss the train. Deep breath then go at it." He said giving her a light, encouraging pat on the back. She closed her eyes tight and ran for the wall feeling Mr. Moon there by her side. An odd like muffling sound happened then everything got loud again.

Clare peeped through one of her eyes and gasped, "Wooooow." The train station had transformed and even though it was still crowded with people every single person was a witch or wizard. Families is the usual robes bunched and huddled together making last minute preparations while cargo was loaded. A bright red engine steamed and billowed as it was firing up to depart. Shiny gold railings and glistening black and red steps caught her eye in the most showy of ways. The Hogwarts Express.

Jacob caught up to Lily and Cecile and did some last minute worrying over her while Clare watched the other kids. Families were clamored around fussing over children, animals, and luggage. Not too far away was a large family of seven whose mother fussed loudest of all. They all seemed alike and very homey, all except for one. He was kind of scrawny and had dark hair in contrast to they're all having bright red.

"Right so everything will be put away for you on the train and - Oh Clare come here dear." Mrs. Moon called. They all hugged one last time and they ushered them onto the train. They left down the corridor to find an empty cart while kids bustled about with their carryons and pets. Ooo Clare thought as she saw a little girl with a large striped brown cat and resisted the urge to pet it.

"Trevor!" A small boy called a fair way down the hallway, "O-oh excuse me. I'm sorry." He said apologizing for bumping into others. "Have you seen my toad Trevor?" he asked hopelessly then hurried on his way.

"That's sad. Why does no one help him?" Clare asked leaning to Lily who shrugged.

"Oh hello mind if we sit?" Lily asked. There were two other people sitting in the cart, one was a cute slightly chubby faced girl that smiled maybe too much, while the other was a boy. He had short dreads that stood up everywhere on his head and looked a bit older. Next to him sat a shoe box with little holes in the side.

"No no, do please join us." Said the one girl, "My name's Lavender oh but you can call me Lav! And this is Jordan!" She beamed even brighter and scooted over making more than ample room for them.

He nodded in hello, "Lee Jordan."

"Oh thank you! So glad we didn't have to travel too far, I'm Lily by the way." She smiled taking the seat next to Lavender. Jorden waved and inclined his head.

"My names Clare." She said grinning taking the seat next to him, "What's in your box?"

"Oh well… you know just my pride and joy. But uh you know maybe we better not let him out just yet." Jordan said cautiously, he was more than just a bit nervous about opening his box with a cart full of girls.

"Oh that's alright then." Clare replied a bit sad, she had wanted to maybe see what type of pet he had. A slight awkward silence ensued when the trains whistle blew signaling for people to finish getting on.

"So it's not your first time to Hogwarts then right?" Lily asked glancing about hopeful.

Isss it sssafe to come out now?

"No its my 3rd year trust me though-" Jordan was cut off by a shrill scream from Lavender.

"AHH! IT'S A SNAKE! THERE ON YOU!" She cried and shot up onto her seat flailing.

"Calm down you're gonna scare'em!" Clare said covering Maokai's face with her hands.

"Scare him! What about scaring me!? I can't be in here with a snake! It's getting hard to breath! Is it hard to breath in here?! I have to go, it was nice meeting you Lily, Jordan." She nodded to them hurriedly and fled the compartment.

Just then another shrill sound pierced the cart as the train signaled the final time. They all looked out the window to see families hurrying their kids onto the train and vigorously waving good bye. Jordan spotted his parents and waved as did Lily.

"Good bye Lily! Good luck! We love you!" The Moons shouted as the train began to pull away. Clare just tucked herself closer into her seat with a heaviness in her chest.

Clare cupped her hands and as softly as she dared, whispered into them Ok now you can come out.

"I'm sorry, I was getting to the part about my pet." Clare sat more upright in her seat, "This is Maokai my snake. Do you… want to see him?" She asked turning slightly for Jordan to see.

"Aww well he's just a cute little guy." He said extending a finger. Maokai flicked his tongue at him and swayed his head before stretching out to touch his finger.

"You know not many witches and wizards like snakes. Says people with them follow the dark arts," he added looking fascinated. "He's a beautiful color. You get him at the Magical Menagerie?"

Clare nodded slightly saddened, "Yeah I get that a lot… we can go if you don't want to be in the cart with him though." She said looking down and Maokai slid back to the safety of her hands. Jordan noticed how sullen Clare had become and had bright idea.

"No that's alright as a matter of fact maybe you'd like to see my pet?" he asked giving the box next to him a slight pat. Lily eye'd the box slightly worried while Clare seemed to brighten a little. Jordan placed a hand on the lip then looked up, "You gonna be alright?" he asked the both of them.

"Whoa hold on there mate."

"You weren't going to let him out without us?" The cart door slid open to show two tall red haired twins.

"Oh hi Fred. George. Guys this is Lily and Clare." He introduced quickly.

"Pleasure." They said at once, "Only he's got it a bit wrong he has see I'm Fred," said one pointing to the other, "and he's George," they both smiled. Claire giggled.

"Now c'mon then let's have a look at this 'monster' you wouldn't shut up about." The two said finishing each other's sentence.

Jordan had opened his box to reveal a rather large and rather furry tarantula which to be perfectly honest did scare the girls a bit. After a good bit of coaxing the spider finally came out of it's box allowing them to see and play with it. It was indeed a monster of a spider much too big to be squashed by even the largest of boots. Soon their cart had gathered the attention of many a passer-by and Clare found herself in a semi-awkward position being in the spotlight. The trolley woman had begun to make her way down the aisles and everyone cleared out back to their own carts leaving Fred and George in the cart with Lily, Clare, and Jordan. Stories were shared about the group with families and adventures which the Weasley twins seemed to have ample of and most everyone become comfortable with everyone. When it came for the candy trolley to pass them a few sugary treats were bought and shared to pass time till they arrived at the school.

A giant of a man stood close to the front end of the train bellowing for the first year students to please head his way. Clare knew she was a bit short for her age, almost a half a foot even shorter than Lily, but this man was hardly a man at all. A giant she thought in awe, where there really no end to the surprises the wizarding world held? "Alrit' alrit' all form up then." He said raising his lantern up, "Follow me then and don't wander off."

Night had fallen and the large man had taken them off the beaten path away from the train and other students. Clare looked around and couldn't see Lily anywhere. She ran a hand up the back of her neck feeling for Maokai, I'm here. He coiled a bit tighter around her neck and she stroked his scales feeling a little less alone. Other students around her started to ooo and aww while Clare looked around best she could but only saw the swaying black of their robes and the star darkened night.

"Alrit' form up here, we'll be taking the boats across. We'll only have so many of ye' to a boat now. Come along then this way." Said the giant ushering groups of kids to this or that boat. Clare was ushered onto a boat with two other kids and nearly tripped trying to throw her leg up over the edge.

"Alrit' then you wee little bug, in you go." Said the man in a soft and gravely voice. He had picked her up then placed her with ease onto the boat and moved on to the next group.

"You alright there then?" Chimed in the boy in the boat with them, "Almost had a nasty spill. Or all of us huh?" he laughed.

"Heh heh sorry." Clare laughed nervously, cheeks turning pink.

"Nah it' s alright," The boy thrust his hand out to her, "I'm Oliver, Oliver Rivers."

Clare took his hand and he shook hers excitedly, "I'm Clare O'Hare."

"Nice meeting you Clare say did you know there are many different plants, several of which are hybrids only bred during the last few centuries and they all have their uses?"

"Uhm...no?" She said a with a confused smile. Right then without a sound or so much as a shove the boats left the riverside and started off across the lake. Clare stared down at the water so smooth save for the lightest of ripples the boat made. The stars shown so perfectly in the black ink of the lake it looked completely like another sky. Oliver gasped and said wow-wee breaking Clare's stare into the lake.

"Whoa.." She breathed as her jaw hung in disbelief. Hogwarts was bigger and grander than any castle she had ever dreamed of. The stone walls and sky touching steeples loomed so far above she thought they would snag a star down. Lights shown all about the building illuminating the many rooms and windows lighting up the castle like an odd christmas tree.

You're forgetting to breath Maokai slid out from under her robe on her right side away from everyone on the boat.

"Do you see that?" She whispered.

Clare was lost in her thoughts still not over the enormity of the castle and their too short of a boat ride. The giant man lead them up a stairway right up to the front door where he knocked loudly. A thin elder woman opened the doors who even though she looked dressed to impress. Her robes were a soft velveteen emerald with a large feathered hat. She rather gave the impression of a rigid grandmother as she briefly looked over the children. She thanked the man, who she called Hagrid and ushered the children in. She went on to explain however vaguely about being sorted and joining their housemates shortly. Not long after she left Oliver fidgeted to himself also saying how he didn't know what the sorting was all about. There had been another girl on the boat who remained quiet their trip up to the castle. She leaned over to him and fixed his tie for him and Clare got a first good look at her. She had dark long raven hair and frosty blue eyes, Clare leaned around Oliver and smiled to the girl, "Hello. Sorry I forgot to introduce myself back there." She said blushing, "Kind of… lost in the moment ~ahem I'm Clare." She extended her hand to shake.

"Oh she doesn't talk." Oliver stated trying rather unsuccessfully to straighten his coat sleeves.

"Her name is Selene Connelly." he added, helpfully.

Selene reached out and shook the offered hand with a small smile. She noticed Clare's robes were hanging off center over her frame so she reached to straighten them but stopped with her head tilted before actually touching the girl. She pointed to herself with one hand and then gestured again to straighten the other girl's robes, waiting to see if she would mind.

"Oh, yeah sure." Clare nodded giving her hair a quick brush through with her fingers. Selene herself was well manicured and nothing about her seemed out of place so naturally she went to fretting over helping Clare and Oliver straighten their robes. Quickly she pulled her notebook out, *What about the sorting? Which house do you both think you want to be in?*

Oliver shrugged. "Maybe Ravenclaw? Being in a house of smart birds and other people of the like can't be too bad."

"Honestly," Clare started adjusting her collar to be more comfy, "They all... seem nice? Kind of odd to be sorted into houses with those traits you know? What if you had all of them? Or maybe… none of them?"

Selene held out her notebook, *I think it's supposed to help you make friends easier. I'm not sure myself. Dad was Ravenclaw and my mom was Gryffindor. All have good parts I think.*

Clare nodded, "I just hope we don't get sorted wrong I guess, would hate not belong to this new family too," she digressed.

McGonagall returned and lead them into a large dining hall where the sound of hundreds of students chatting and laughing filled the air. And even then the air itself was filled as Clare found herself staring dumbfounded at the ceiling. It IS touching the stars! Her head spun as she looked about the room filled with fantastical looking teachers, some in extravagant and brightly colored robes. The floating candles, the ancient stone that lined the floors and walls, the tapestries that hung from nothing all displaying various symbols of the houses, to the students themselves and how they couldn't even manage to look drab in their uniforms all sent her imagination reeling. This is all real she thought barely able to focus. A plain and tattered looking hat sat up on a stool but then suddenly came to life and even sang which was hard to tell if it was a regular occurrence or not as the dining hall soon erupted into much cheering. Professor McGonagall approached and picked up the hat and held out a scroll, "When I call your name, step up quickly to sit on the stool and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. After you have been sorted, go sit with your new House. Abbott, Hannah."

The hat was placed on her head and then began to mumble but before too long it shouted "Hufflepuff!" which was followed by cheering and clapping. Soon she heard Selene's name called and watched as the hat debated her with many a hmm's and yes'. "Slytherin" it had called out for her and she too trotted off to be with her new housemates. So many of the group was getting dispersed, Oliver had been called into Ravenclaw and even Lily who was welcomed excitedly by the Gryffindor table. Most everyone she felt familiar with was being sorted away and she wondered if she'd get to be with them or by herself again.

"O'Hare,Clare."

Oh! She gave a start and took a few shaky-legged steps. The room seemed so much more imposing now than ever before or maybe it was all in her head. The more she walked the farther away the stool and hat became and the larger the benches and tables seem to grow. Her nerves got the better of her though and she stumbled a bit on her way to the stool. She quickly sat and fixed her skirts as the hat was placed on her head, pushing the soft bushiness of her hair down about her face.

Hmmmmm. I see much bravery in you yes. A strong sense of will to do right that's very good you know. But also much hard work yes I can see it now very honest and loyal. A good friend others would have in you and a great addition to most any house.

But where do I belong? I don't really fit in anywhere…

Oh no? Don't think anyone would want you do you? PAH I have it here. All in your head but what should you be. Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. Hmmm, indeed. Better have it out then.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Hufflepuff table clapped and cheered loudly as Clare made her way to the table. Sitting in an opening many students patted her back and wished her welcome. Another first year like her introduced herself as Susan Bones, she had pretty strawberry blonde hair and seemed to warm up immediately to Clare talking about the fuss getting to this point.

"Potter,Harry."

An audible hush fell over the tables and hushed murmurs of 'Harry Potter?' 'THE Harry Potter?' 'I can't believe it.'

"I remember seeing him at kings cross," Clare said leaning to Susan, "I thought he was a Weasley."

"A Weasley," Susan looked aghast, "That's THE Harry Potter. Surely you know who he is." Clare racked her brain, Potter did sound familiar she just couldn't quiet put to words how she knew it. The whole dining hall seemed glued to the edge of their seats as the sorting hat took an abnormal amount of time to sort him.

"If we got the boy who lived," started an older puff.

"There's no telling what would happen," finished Gabriel, the house prefect.

"GRYFFINDOR" the sorting hat belowed.

The entire Gryffindor table exploded with screams and cheers, "WE GOT POTTER! WE GOT POTTER!" They all shook hands and clapped and cheered each student clamoring to get a chance to welcome him in like some long lost family member.

"Wow." Clare remarked and turned her attention back to her own house. Cedrick sat not too far off talking to Stebbins over what luck Gryffindor had. He, Stebbins, Susan and Clare talked amongst themselves for a bit longer whilst the sorting ceremony continued but before too long another wizard stood and took his place at the front of the hall. He seemed wizened with too many years yet kept a cheery disposition and from what she understood this was the headmaster Dumbledore. He had long silver grey hair and an equally long bread to match, along with half moon glasses.

He looksss jussst like a sssorcer from one of you booksss. Maokai marveled having snuck a peek from under her collar.

"Doesn't he though?" She whispered reaching up into her hair to pet him. Susan looked at her questioningly but Clare just shook her head, she had missed what he said but giggled when he finished with Nitwit. Blubber. Oddment. Tweak.

After the feast Dumbledore had warned them not to venture into certain places while on the grounds, which to her seemed a bit more foreboding than it should. The prefect lead them past the tables and out the hall through the back side doors, that lead down a small corridor which opened up to the kitchens and long, high walled corridor.

"Dry goods are that way." Gabriel pointed to the pantry near them, a large barely lit room with a piece of it running off down some stairs. Very little decoration hung on the walls here with a few portraits some of which waved to the passing students and two suits of armor. One of these paintings had an assortment of fruit on it which Gabriel reached up and tickled one of the fruits. To Clare's immense surprise it giggled and wiggled out of the way swinging the portrait open with the back like that of a large barrel. He climbed through and motioned for the first years to follow. This corridor had many barrels some large and some small. Some were labeled of certain juices or wines, Clare even saw one labeled pickles. He stopped in front of some barrels nearly at the end of the hall.

"Listen closely." Gabriel said speaking clearly for them all to hear. He clapped his hands in time, "It's very important that you get this or else…. Well or else getting in will be a stinky mess." He clapped again and had the first years clap the same then tapped in time on one of the barrels. The lids of the barrels stuck together and opened forming an odd shaped round door revealing a very wide but short hallway. "Right then come along."

The hallway slanted up a bit into a brightly lit room; it was round and had low ceilings of what looked like clay and roots. The walls were carved stone of light tan and bright woods with bees, badgers, bears and other such animals decorating them. Sort of off center in the room close to the fireplace there was a recess in the floor that had large cozy chairs, huge pillows, and plush couches. All the hufflepuff students sat in them cozied up, sinking deep into the cushiony pillows. The fire crackled and gave a warm touch of heat to the room. 'Welcome to Hufflepuff!' they all shouted smiling and waving at the first years.

"Well this is it then." Said Gabriel, "Home sweet home. This here is the common room as you can see we've got a small bit of shelving here for books and studies if you need. Plenty of space for us all-"

"And the flora." Piped up a girl sitting next to Zacharias, which caused a small laugh to ripple through the room.

"Yes we have lots of plants here too." Gabriel continued motioning to the plants of different shapes,sizes, and smells which hung from shiny polished brass potters. Brightly shining chains held the plants up and were attached to what looked like large roots on the ceiling. A small chandelier hung from the center of twisted looking roots and looked like an extension of the wood itself sticking out and about like branches with bits of moss hanging down from around the candles. "That tiny door there opens up to a small pantry where we hide the things we smuggle from the kitchens. You can reheat or cook small snacks here by the fire, it's got many sized cooking pots and a grill top should you need it." He motioned to the rounded archways that mirrored each other to the right, "Those lead to a small sun-room both come out to here. The doors on either side are for us prefects." He pointed up a small flight of stairs, "That's a small study with a few tables or you know where you can play your chess. And along that wall around it are other such doors like the one you saw to enter here." He walked the first years around the short stairway and showed them the hall. Up near the top small rectangular slits cut into them showing grass and a bit of the night sky. It also had a few lit torches lighting up what seemed to be more barrels. "Girls are on the right and boys to the left," he pointed to some of the small carvings around on of the barrel doors, "These here are in place to make sure boys can't just come into your room, and the same for the girls in the boys rooms. You first years will be here on the bottom rows." Pointing down to the very end of the hall was another large rounded door, this one a darker color than any of the others. "That will be our bathrooms." He started, "Behind that door is an open hallway, they both go separate directions so don't worry. Again boys side to the left and girls to the right same rule applies here as with the dorm doors. If you should go down the wrong way or go to open the doors of the opposing gender you'll find your hands and feet sticking to it. An easy spell undoes the enchantment but of course it's only known by us perfects so I don't recommend trying. You find baths and toilets, that sort of thing I'm sure you all know what a bathroom is." He grinned and a small laugh went through the other hufflepuffs. He clapped his hands together, "Well then I suppose that's all for now. You'll find your things already waiting for you in your rooms. Try and get a good night's sleep you've got a busy day ahead of you tomorrow!"

Some of the doors had little small tags on them with the first years names on them, Clare found her's was near the front of the hallway and two rooms down was Susan's, they waved goodnight and went to explore their rooms. Small, smooth rectangles were cut in the clay and stone walls so one could get a hand and foothold to climb up to the higher up rooms. Once inside she closed the rounded door which also had a wood and brass slip lock on the inside. She absolutely loved her room which was spacious yet cozy. Small plushie fluffy black and yellow pillow seats sat piled near a small vanity table. A small L-shaped cut out sat in the left corner right next to a tiny honey colored study desk. A large half circle window was just over that and ran the expanse of the wall behind her bed which she could see out into the night with it. The middle of the floor had light toned multi colored circular floor mat that just touched the foot of her bed. To her right was an ample sized wardrobe with all sorts of little bugs carved into its frame. The bed was huge but she could use her trunk to climb onto it. It had four posters with large and small bubbled knots and a large quilt laying on top.

"EEEEEE!" Clare cried prancing in place, then she took a running jump half off her trunk and landed face first onto her bed. Muffled and garbled sounds of excitement came out from the mattress and she squirmed about and kicked her feet. She shot up quickly with a look of shock on her face, "Oh! I almost forgot!" she exclaimed jumping down from her bed. She ran quickly to lock the door and for some reason looked about the room to make sure no one was watching. Then running over to her trunk, she took out her wand and tapped it 3 times. Little knobs of the trunk whirled and clicked then gave two soft clicks of the trunk unlocking. She lifted the trunk and whispered into the dark of it, "Ok you can come out now….but be quiet!"

First it was Berry that hopped out of the case quickly followed by Merry, who was carrying a Lulu on her back.

Momma! Mom I can't. I can't get out. Mom! barked a worried Jasper.

Shhhhh! It's alright I've got you. Clare leaned over a bit and felt for the jumping terrier then grabbed him by his collar to help him out. Animals scurried about the room as she closed the trunk then tapped it once. Opening the trunk again, she pulled out various toys and blankets for them and even Lulu's nest. She pulled off some of her heavy robes and quickly changed into her jamies.

Ah this place is great! Exclaimed Jasper sniffing vigorously about the room. Merry and Berry were huddled under the plushie pillows while Lulu flitted about over the top of them.

Maokai slid down from around her neck and shoulder to slip onto the bed. Yessss I musssst sssay it issss very nice.

Lulu flicked her tail roughly and it was fluffy with anger. Not like you would know what it's like you weren't in a trunk all day! She gave a sharp huff then leaped over to the bed running fast little circles around Maokai, pouncing on him occasionally.

"Hey!" Clare shooed her, "Don't pick on him I got to bring you all didn't I?" She patted the bed and they all gathered up on the top with her. She hugged them tight, "It's not home but it'll do for now." She yawned and rubbed her face suddenly aware of how tired she was. Classes are tomorrow she thought with slight dread. She felt so unprepared as she scooted up to her pillows and crawled under the covers. Lulu jumped across the room like lightening extinguishing the lights then curled up on the pillow next to Clare. Merry and Berry took their spots down by her feet and this time Jasper snuggled up to her under her arm.

Nighty night everybody she yawned reaching up to pet Maokai. She petted everyone with a foot or a hand and they all took a deep breath and sighed.