Chapter 2 - Sophia

"First years, over here!"

Sophia, feeling as stuffed as a turkey, roused herself from her solitary place at the table to follow the older student, joining a small crowd of people.

"Who's that?" Sophia asked the nearest person, a tall girl with strawberry blond hair tied into short twin braids.

"You're the new foreign student, aren't you? I wanted to talk to you, but I wasn't sure you wanted to, I mean, because you were sitting all alone." the girl chirped. "Well… that blockhead is the sixth year Prefect George Freel. The other is Ella Dawson."

Sophia looked over at them. "Sixth year…?"

"Yes, Prefects are chosen in the fifth year and continue to seven. Don't you have that in your school?"

"No…" Sophia trailed off. "Are those the same as grades?"

"Marks?"

"No, I mean… nevermind," Sophia gave up and followed the line of students with the "What's your name?"

"I'm Dominique Weasley! Lovely to meet you," Dominique said cheerfully. "Hey, you don't mind if I ask you some questions, right? And, I might have a lot. Just so you've been warned."

"No," Sophia said. "I'm used to it. From Hannah and Caroline, I mean. And what's the big deal about that creepy hat?"

Dominique laughed. "I know, right? That hat is ancient. It's been here since the founders of the school passed away."

"Jeez," Sophia said, feeling useless. "I better read up on this place."

"Eh, you'll get used to it," Dominique said, with a shrug of her shoulders. "It doesn't really matter, as well. There are a lot of Muggleborns, meaning wizards that don't have any wizard ancestry. At all. Also, there are Squibs. Those are people who fail to show any magic – even if they have wizard parents."

Sophia flushed. "I know that, but we call 'Squibs' Derelictions. Also, we call Muggles – non-magical people, right? – Customaries."

Dominique cocked her head. "Derelictions? Customaries? Wow, North America is odd."

Sophia nearly forgot to bite her tongue to not say the same for Europe in general, but the Sorting hat put her in Hufflepuff for a reason. She was nice – as far as she knew of. "Anything else I should know?"

"Oh, yeah!" Dominique exclaimed. "Have you heard of Quidditch? Don't tell me you haven't, that's just daft. What I mean, is do you play?"

"Yeah, I've heard of Quidditch," Sophia said, glad to know something. "But, no, I don't play. I'm kind of scared of heights. Next to my fear that Caroline is going to kill me and drag me to hell and back. Although, she has said it actually happened, she just wiped my memory. Come to think of it, there are a lot of blank spaces in my memory…"

"Why are you friends with her then?" Dominique asked, curious. "How can you be friends with a person you're completely scared of?"

Sophia shrugged. She honestly didn't know. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right? Yet she is more both."

Dominique shrugged. "I'm not going to pretend that's not strange. Do you know any magic?"

"Yes, actually! This should be my second year, North American students begin school a year earlier than Europe's. So I know how to conjure a basic flame for a couple minutes, producing water, summoning objects close to me, levitating and turning a box of pencils to matches. I prefer Arithmancy and Astronomy over learning magic, though. I'm not the best at magic."

"What, really?" she exclaimed. "Math and some planets above magic? Well… that's your own choice." She watched the girl prefect tap an almost hidden barrel five times. "It's in the rhythm of Hel-ga Huff-le-puff," she explained. The barrel vanished and the wall behind it slid into the ceiling, opening a brightly lit staircase leading below.

At the bottom, Sophia gasped- the Hufflepuff Common Room was a huge circular room decorated with hanging plants and plush armchairs. It was illuminated by windows at the top, streaming bright sunlight into the beautifully cozy room. The walls were strewn with round wooden doors, a bit like the ones in The Hobbit, Sophia thought.

"It looks like a Hobbit hole…" Sophia muttered.

"Hobbits?" Dominique looked confused. "Are those some animals only found in North America?"

"No, no, they're fictional book characters," Sophia smiled, but her smile dropped as she became worried. "At least to the farthest of my knowledge. Do you know where we're going to sleep?"

"Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure we should be sharing dorms with three other girls," Dominique said. "Hang a left, the door says 'First-Year Girls' and our names on it."

Sophia climbed into the nearest porthole on the left, lifting her robes so they wouldn't get stuck on something. "Nice place, here. And how is it so bright here? It was a dark and stormy night, last I checked."

Dominique shrugged. "I don't know everything. What I'm concerned with, is how are we gonna sleep?"

The circular room had the feel of an indoor gazebo, with wooden struts on the ceiling and tall latticed windows. They must be enchanted, she thought, because they all show a bright sun-filled meadow, when we're underground.

She yawned widely. "D-do you think we should ask someone about this? I'm so sleepy, I'd just like to… well… sleep."

"Hey," whispered Dominique. "Shh. I think the other girls might already be here and sleeping. See? Over those three beds, the curtains are drawn."

"Do you think that's what we're supposed to do? Just draw our curtains?"

A girl opened the door and peeked inside.

"Oh, are you trying to make it darker?"

They nodded.

"Snap your fingers once to turn on and turn off the lamp, snap twice to turn the windows to night. Only works after 7 P.M. and before 6 A.M., though. I was looking for the sister of my friend, guess she's already asleep…"

"Oh, well, thanks," Sophia said.

"You're the foreign student, aren't you?" The girl asked. "Well, then, hi. My name's Annie. Yours is Sophia, right?"

"Yeah, hi," Sophia said. "Just call me Sophie. My friends only call me Sophia when they want to tick me off."

"The girls that went into Gryffindor and Slytherin, right?" Annie dropped her voice. "Is that Slytherin girl nice? Because usually Slytherins are known for their crude behaviour. Also, Gryffindors… Most of them are nice, but they're sometimes really prideful and arrogant. And I don't mean to offend you, but that Lawson girl kind of scared me."

"Well, Hannah isn't bad. She's just very demanding, you know?" Sophie said, instantly defending her friends. "And Caroline… I can't deny it. She's pretty prideful, but they're both cool."

"Did you get your schedule?" Annie asked us. "I have mine."

Sophie squirmed in her seat. "Erm, were we supposed to? In Canada, we have many different teachers, and they give us our schedules in class."

"Many different teachers?" Annie looked bemused. "Like they were the Head of the… Class?"

"Yeah, and we each had our own individual homeroom teacher," Sophie nodded enthusiastically. "And, usually, we all follow the same schedule – everyone in the homeroom, that is – and we would all help each other out."

"Hmm," Dominique mused. "Well, things are different at Hogwarts. We all have separate schedules, though most are very similar. We share classes with our House until fifth year, and there we can choose which career we would like to take."

"I don't think I need to know that," Sophie laughed. "But thanks."

"Welcome. Also, call me Dom," Dominique flashed a smile. "Dominique sounds so formal."

"I want to go to sleep," Sophie yawned, stretching her arms. "So two snaps…?"

Annie nodded and began to close the door. "Goodnight, Sophie, Dom. See you in the morning."

Sophia nodded at her, then took a look at the schedule and gasped. "6:30?! I have to be at breakfast by then?"

Annie laughed. "That's for good, hot breakfast. Classes don't essentially start until 8:30, but I'd advise getting up at about 7:00." she recommended. "So you can shower, brush, change and eat our breakfast without a hurry. Well, goodnight!" She backed out and left.

"7:00," moaned Dom. "No-o-o-o-o. I'm terrible at waking up early. Will you wake me up?"

"Of course! Wait a second," Sophia rummaged through her trunk. "Ah! Here it is." She held up her clock. "It's probably better than me. Alarm clock."

"Oh, thanks, Sophie," Dominique yawned. "Well, I'm going to sleep. Night, Sophie."

"Night," Sophie muttered. She looked back down at her schedule, noticing they had Herbology with Slytherins. Oh, with Hannah. Yay.

Ring-g-g-g.

Sophie woke with a start, nearly falling off her bed. Sophie groggily lifted her head and stared at the clock: 7:00. Sophie pulled the curtains open, noticing Dominique's curtains were still drawn. Sophie sluggishly climbed out of her bed, and softly hit Dominique's curtains.

"Dom?" Sophie said, quietly. "Time to get up."

Sophie heard a groan and smiled. "Dom, c'mon. Don't want to be late on the first day."

"Sophie…?" Dom muttered.

"Get up, Dom," Sophie said, patiently. "We'll be late."

"Fine, f-fine," Dominique grumbled and yawned. After what Sophie felt to be a full three minutes, she tumbled from the blinds onto the floor at Sophie's feet. "Let's just get to the Great Hall."

After changing and some rigorous hair-brushing, Sophie's hair was decently straight, and she and Dom went to the Great Hall.

"We've got Herbology with the Slytherins?" Dom questioned Sophie disbelievingly, consulting her own timetable. "Just what I need to start off a morning."

"Well, I'm going to see Hannah, so it doesn't really matter," Sophie said, sitting down at the Hufflepuff table, which was again miraculously laden with heaps of food. She wondered how it managed to avoid collapsing. "What's for breakfast?"

"I want a bagel," Dominique announced. "And milk. Definitely milk."

Sophie rolled her eyes. She scanned the vast room for Hannah and Caroline, spotting Caroline at the Gryffindor table, talking with James and Albus.

"Do you mind if I go talk with Caroline?" Sophie asked, afraid to ditch her friend without her consent. "I want to see how she's doing."

Dominique lazily waved her hand. "I don't mind. Go talk to her. Honestly, if you can be friends with her, great. I applaud you."

Sophie nervously walked over to the Gryffindor table, where she saw Hannah rising from the Slytherin table as well. She gave a questioning look to her, but Hannah shrugged her shoulders and sauntered over to her.

"What's up, Slop?" Hannah asked. "The Slytherin Common Room is all green and stuff. It's decent, but they can do better. Going to talk to Caroline?"

"Are you?" Sophie asked, rubbing her temples. All the noise in the Hall was getting to her. "By the way, we have Herbology, together."

"Yes, I know, Dopey," Hannah said rolling her eyes. Caroline spotted them.

"Hannah! Dopey!" Caroline called as she spotted them. "Come sit here! I've got to tell you something drastically terrible!"
Sophie gave a subconscious look to Albus and James, waiting for their approval of sitting down. Albus smiled and motioned them to sit, while Hannah just tossed her hair and sat.

"So what's so drastically terrible, Caroline?" Sophie asked, curious. "What is it?"

"There's no Minion Rush here, Dopey!" Caroline moaned, waving her iPad. "There's no Jetpack Joyride or Moo! You can't even play any electronics here! Something about magical frequency yadda-yadda!"

"That's terrible, Caroline," Sophie said, rolling her eyes while Hannah slumped. "I'm sure you'll survive."

"What's Minion Rush?" James cocked his head. "Am I missing something here?"

"It's a Customary – Muggle – game," Hannah interrupted. "You know those funny gadgets Muggles use? Well, on those gadgets you can play different games, but the magic in Hogwarts doesn't let us. At North American schools, the magic is only surrounding the borders of the schools – to keep away Muggles – and the magic isn't as powerful there, so Muggle-made gadgets work."

"How do you know all that, Hannah?" Caroline asked. "You were never that smart."

Hannah rolled her eyes. "It's called listening to teachers and immediately regretting it. Herbology is starting soon, Slop. Better get there."

And with that, Hannah flounced away, her long hair flying back like a shampoo model's hair.

"Why does Hannah call you 'Slop' and Caroline, 'Dopey'?" James asked, his face curious. "They're not very nice sounding."

"Because they're not suppose to be, duh," Caroline drawled. "Sophie equals Sloppy, which equals Slop – Hannah's nickname – which equals Dope, which equals Dopey!"

James shook his head. "I'm not even going to pretend I know what you mean."

"Don't even try," Sophie said dryly. "It's taken quite a while for me to adjust as well, don't worry about all the random stuff we're saying."

James nodded as he continued to butter his bread. Sophie pulled up her sleeve to check her watch, seeing it was 8:00. "I'd better go to Herbology. Bye Caroline. Albus. James."

"Bye, Sophia," Albus muttered, looking down at his breakfast. This made Sophie halt.

"What's wrong, Albus?" Sophie questioned. "Oh, and call me Sophie, Albus, James."

"Nothing, just something silly," Albus murmured, nibbling on his bread. "Worried about first class. You should be the one worried about it. Not me, you."

"Don't worry, Albus," Sophie comforted. She looked at her watch again. "Erm, do you know where the greenhouse for Herbology is?"

"I'll show you!" Dominique chirped. "C'mon. We don't want to be late."

"I wonder if Hannah's gone there…" Sophie trailed off, being literally dragged off by Dominique.

"Now, this semester, we will be focusing on plants that have healing properties," Professor Longbottom announced, walking to the head of the greenhouse table. "Every year we will be focusing on a different group of plants by the properties of them. Is that understood?"

There was a chorus of, Yes, Professor Longbottom and he nodded, satisfied. "For this year, we will be focusing on dittany, dandelions, mandrake and wolfsbane. We will also learn the fire-making spell and the severing charm, later in the year."

"It wasn't always like this," hissed Dominique. "Dad told me they would just get random plants and tell us about it but Nev – Professor Longbottom changed it when he became Professor. He said it was easier."

"Hannah's going to have a field day," Sophie muttered back, trying to concentrate in what Professor Longbottom was saying. "She's brilliant at anything healing related."

"Lucky her, then," Dominique whispered, almost sourly.

"Can anyone tell me what dittany is?" Sophie heard Professor Longbottom ask. Hannah's hand shot up, right into the air. "Miss Stewart?"

"Dittany," Hannah said, as if she was reciting blandly from a textbook. "is a powerful healing plant, used in potions and is a restorative. Its use is when you put it on a wound, it appears several days old, and the pain is lessened. Also, the plant can be eaten raw for shallow wounds."

"Correct, Miss Lawson. Ten points to Slytherin," Professor Longbottom awarded Hannah. She smiled smugly. "Can anyone tell me where dittany was originally found?"

Hannah's hand shot in the air again, and she answered; "So, like...I think it comes from the Ancient Greek δίκταμνον, or maybe Δικτή, meaning Dicte. Dicte is a mountain on Crete where the plant grew on. Crete is, like, where that Minos guy and the Labyrinth were. I read this one messed-up book and - oh." She stopped herself short.

"Another ten points to Slytherin," Professor Longbottom said. He walked to the side of the greenhouse, plucking some flowers from a leafy bush spilling out of its pot. "This is dittany. If what Miss Stewart said is true, then it should heal any shallow injury – to people or animals."

Sophie looked at Dominique uneasily. Professor Longbottom waved his wand, creating some fake animals. Well, Sophie hoped they were fake animals.

"These are animals you will be trying to heal with dittany," Professor Longbottom announced. He waved his wand again, and a bottle of dittany liquid and freshly picked dittany appeared on the table. "Partner up, and whoever has healed their animal correctly will earn their House fifteen points."

Sophie look at Dominique and she nodded. Sophie made eye contact with Hannah, but she just shrugged and raised her hand.

"Miss Stewart?" Professor Longbottom called on Hannah again. "Is there a problem?"

"May I work by myself?" Hannah inquired. "I work better independently."

Professor Longbottom looked as if he was thinking it through. "If that is what you want, Miss Stewart, but, next time, please do what I say."

Hannah nodded and started healing her animal, immediately. Sophie turned to Dominique. "Ready to fail?"

Dominique sighed, unhappily. "Unfortunately, yes."

"That class was terrible," Sophie groaned, massaging her temple. "How did we make that ferret – or whatever it was – sicker?"

"I have no idea," Dominique shook her head, helplessly. "I thought he was getting better!"

"It might've been a she," Sophie said, sourly. "What's next class?"

"Transfiguration," Dominique told her. "With the Gryffindors."

"What do we have to learn?" Sophie asked, brushing some of her hair out of her face.

"I think we've got to take complex notes," Dominique told Sophie. "Then...what did Victoire say? We get to learn spells, but only use them in the later months. I hope that maybe we'll get to use spells today!"

Sophie suddenly grew worried. "But – but, I've learned things differently! I just say the word in my head and concentrate, then it happens. I've never used a wand before!"

Dominique arched an eyebrow. "Quit worrying, I'll help you. Don't worry, 'kay? It's my first time doing magic with a wand too, you're not alone here."

Sophie nodded. "Yes, thanks, Dom."

Dominique waved her hand, good naturally. "S'nothing. Anyways, it'll still be quite hard – even for me. Forget that. Especially for me."

Sophie's face turned glum. "Damn. Why does the world hate me?"

Dominique laughed. "Wands… why?!" she said in a mock imitation of Sophie.

Sophie rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Dom. I just naturally suck at magic. This is why I prefer Arithmancy and Astronomy over magic."

"I still can't see how you are like that," Dominique shook her head, amazed. "Who doesn't like magic."

"That's what makes me special," Sophie giggled good-naturedly. "Though if Caroline is in our class…"

"Are your friends good at every subject?" Dominique asked, suddenly.

Sophie laughed, trying to stifle it with no avail. "No way. We're good at a certain topic of magic and we suck at everything else. Like Hannah's good at anything healing and Caroline's good at anything… torture, death, stuff like that related."

"This Lawson girl is quite scary," Dominique said, uneasily. "I think I saw some fourth years being terrified by her. Imagine that."

"Unfortunately, it's not too hard to," murmured Sophie, in response.

"What does your wand look like?" Dominique asked, curious. "Where is your wand?"

Sophie froze. "Shoot! I left it in our dorm! Godda – you know what? Go ahead of me, Dom. I'll catch up with you."

Dominique shifted on her feet. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Dom, I don't want to make you late as well, don't worry," Sophie assured her. "I'll be back in a flash."

Stupid, Sophie scowled. She raced back to the Common Room (don't forget Hel-ga Huff-le-puff) and Sophie ran into her room, flinging the door open, and rummaged through her suitcase.

Sophie sighed. "There you are." Eleven and and half polished inches of applewood and unicorn hair as the core. It was strange and unfamiliar to her touch, but what could she do? Sophie jumped up the stairs exiting the Hufflepuff Common Room, taking three at a time. She pulled up her sleeve, noticing transfiguration was well on its way.

Damn, Sophie thought to herself, as she started to run. Already late. Shoot. Screw you forgetful –

Whoosh! Sophie sank through a seemingly solid step in the stairs leading upstairs, her face hitting the remaining stairs. Hard. Even her glasses flew off. "Ow! Jeez, my nose...this day just gets better and better…"

Sophie heard someone chuckling. She raised her head from the carpet, making out a blurry image of a boy on the landing above. "James?"

"Here." James pulled her out of the step and handed Sophie her glasses and her wand. "Already skipping?"

Sophie's face tinged pink. "No!… I – I forgot my wand. I'm heading back to my class. Are you skipping?"

"Yes!" said James, as if it couldn't be more obvious. "Who needs classes? Especially when it's History of Magic." He rolled his eyes.

"But – but, History of Magic can be fun!" Sophie protested. "You learn about the past! Isn't that fun?"

"Not when you have Binns as the teacher," James said, bored. "Trust me, when you get him, you'll be skipping right with me. Like you're doing now."

Sophie couldn't find words to express herself. "Well… bye, I guess, see you later, James." She began marching upstairs.

James caught her arm just as she passed him. "Wait! Come on, skip with me? I'll make it worth your while, if you know what I mean," He winked.

Sophie's face flushed. "No… but, maybe later in the year–" Which means never, she thought "– don't want to shirk my responsibility now, though, it's only my second class here!" Sophie gave an uneasy smile. "Bye, James."

"I'm keeping that in mind, Sophia, love," James smiled and blew her a kiss. "See you later."

He walked away, leaving Sophie stunned. Only when she blinked, she remembered to go to Transfiguration.

He's just a playboy, she reminded herself. Even Rose said so. Do you really think he actually likes you? Of course not. Shut up and do what you're told.

"I'm… so sorry I'm late!" Sophie blurted out, as she ran into the classroom. "I was caught up by a staircase… I'm sorry!"

The Professor sighed. "You may be excused this time, Miss Walker, but try not to be late again."

"Of course, erm…" Sophie shifted uncomfortably.

"Professor Bascombe," the Professor directed her to her seat. "Please sit next to Miss Weasley."

Sophie gave a short nod and sat next to Dominique. Her eyes were critical, as she pulled out a piece of parchment and scribbled something on.

A faulty stair?

Is that so hard to believe?

YES!

Why, is it so crucial to know, Dom? I did nothing. This place is difficult. Moving stairs… Trap stairs… Screw stairs.

Honestly, Sophie. Something held you up. Was it a boy?

No! My god, Dom, no!

Your face is telling a different story. Tut, tut, Sophie. You're only in your FIRST year. I expected better.

Just… just shut up, Dom.

Sophie refocused her attention on Professor Bascombe.

"Transfiguring is one of the most dangerous branches of magic," the Professor warned. "I do not want any fooling around in this class. Is that clear?"

"Yes," chanted back the class.

"Now, instead of taking complex notes for the whole class, let's play a game," Professor Bascombe said. "Whoever can answer my questions about Transfiguration will earn five points to their House. There are three questions."

Sophie nodded. This was hardly a game, but it was better than copying notes. She didn't even need to look to see that Caroline was listening raptly for anything that involved violence.

"Question one," Professor Bascombe cleared his throat. "What is Transfiguration exactly?"

Nobody raised their hands.

Do you know, Sophie?

Maybe… What happens if I say yes?

ANSWER HIM!

If, Dom, if!

Just bloody answer him, Sophie. We need the points. Especially after your friend Hannah got thirty five points to her House. Still wondering how she healed her animal THAT fast. AND SHE WAS BY HERSELF!

Dom… fine. Fine. You win.

Sophie raised her hand, tentatively.

"Yes Miss Walker?"

"Erm… isn't Transfiguration the magic that makes objects change their appearance?" Sophie squeaked.

"Correct, Miss Walker. Not fully, but the best explanation from a first year I've heard in a few years," Professor Bascombe said.

That's sad.

Shut up, Dom.

I ain't talking. I'm writing.

…I hate you.

"Five points to Hufflepuff," Professor Bascombe awarded.

I'm bored.

I'm trying to learn.

You're no fun.

Why, thank you. Thank you for the compliment.

When Sophie lifted her head, Professor Bascombe was on question 3. "What is the incantation for turning a match into a needle?"

Caroline has got this.

What?

"Miss Lawson?"

"The incantation is luscumuto, Professor," Caroline answered, eagerly. Her eyes glittered with malicious intent. "May we try it this class?"

No! Damn, if we practice this during class, she is going to MURDER me! It nearly happened last year too!

Professor Bascombe had a thoughtful look on his face. "If you complete all the notes, and if we have time, yes. Normally, I wouldn't start spells until the first month was over but… you seem like a good bunch."

Sophie tried to complete her notes as slowly as possible. This was no use, when many other students were scribbling down their notes as fast as they could. Sophie sighed as she continued to copy down complex notes she didn't even understand.

When about forty five minutes had past, Professor Bascombe announced they were done.

"Now, since you are done the notes, I shall show you how to do the spell," Professor Bascombe told the class. "Luscumoto!" He waved his wand in a circular motion.

A match on his desk turned into a needle, suddenly. "Now, who wants to try?"
Caroline's hand reached into the air, squirming and wriggling as if she was trying to pull down clouds. "May I try, sir?"

"Of course, you may," Professor Bascombe prompted.

Caroline had a maniacal grin on her face as she cried, Luscumoto!, waving hers flamboyantly.

The minuscule match transformed into a five inch needle, as sharp and gleaming as an icicle.

"Very impressive, Miss Lawson," Professor Bascombe said. "Five points to Gryffindor. Now, the rest of you may try."

Sophie groaned. This Professor had signed her death.

The rest of you may try.

A paper airplane hit Sophie, right in the ear, hovering impatiently around her. She plucked it out of the air, fearing the worst, and read:

Ready to die, Dopey?

No, Sophie thought, desperately. I'm too young to die! Screw Transfiguration!

"That girl…" Dominique whispered to Sophie. "Really want's you dead. Why?"

"You've got no idea," Sophie muttered. "And some things are better left unsaid."

Disclaimer

We do not own anything you recognize.

Author's Note

Well, here's the second chapter. Hope you enjoyed. Also, we'll be trying to post chapters every Wednesday, and sometimes if we're bored Fridays... so, thanks for reading.

Reviews are loved,

BlueDaylighter & QuietlyImagining