Chapter 8

A week passed and the morning started like normal until Ron looked up at the owls delivering the mail.

"Oi look at that" he pointed towards a long package being held up by several owls. Jasmin saw it and also got a bit curious about what it could be and was surprised when it landed in front of her.

This had to be a mistake but a letter landed on top of it and her name on it.

She opened it and quickly read it.

DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE.

It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand,

but I don't want everybody knowing you've

got a broomstick or they'll all want one.

Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the

Quidditch pitch at seven o'clock for your

first training session.

Professor M. McGonagall

A Nimbus Two Thousand? That was that super broom! The one from the store in Diagon Alley.

Her new broom? She had been gifted her own broom and the best one that existed at that. She realised her mouth was open and closed it.

She could see fellow first years and a few other Gryffindor look curiously at her.

"What is that?" Asked Ron

"I'll tell you later" Jasmin responded. The level of attention this oddly looking package was giving her was uncomfortable. She still made sure to eat up.

After her breakfast, she left the great hall so she could put away her gift before class.

Jasmin had not gotten far before her way was blocked by Malfoy and his goons. He took the package from her before she could stop him.

"That is a broomstick! You'll be in for it this time Potter, first-years aren't allowed them."

He looked jealous and spiteful, he throw the package back at her and she gingerly caught it. Her mouth was dry she did not know what to say but was once again saved by a Ravenclaw, this time the head of house Professor Flitwick.

'Not arguing, I hope?' He squeaked.

Jasmin saw a mean glint appear in Malfoy's eyes. "Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor,"

"Yes, yes, that's right," said Professor Flitwick, beaming at Jasmin.

"Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter."

Malfoy looked outraged and stamped away.

"Oh my, he did not look happy. Anyways Professor McGonagall said it was well deserved. What model is it?"

"A Nimbus Two Thousand sir"

"Splendid" squeaked the professor "You should bring that to your dorm, classes start soon."

"I will, thanks professor."

The day dragged on, first Jasmin could not wait until it was time for practice and had a little trouble concentrating. Then came an unwelcome thought, what if she couldn't fly like that again?

Last time she had got mad and had adrenaline pumping, was it a one-time thing or could she fly like that again?

Her new broom was the fasted there is, what if she could not control it and crashed, she could break her neck for real.

These thoughts did not make the day go any faster.

When she finally had her dinner she ventured back towards her dorm. Ron had asked again and she had told him he would know later, this made him look very put out.

She was followed to the dorm by Pavati and Levander who were in deep conversation.

She got her package from under her bed and put it on her bed, and the conversation behind her died down.

"Are you going to open your package?" Parvati asked.

"What is it?" Lavender asked.

Jasmin answered them by opening the package and holding up her new broom, it was just perfect. Even if she didn't know much about broomsticks, this one looked the part.

"You got yourself a broomstick? I know you are good but isn't it a bit much?" Levander asked.

"First years are now allowed brooms, won't you get in trouble?" Parvati added.

"I am allowed... you can't tell anybody. But I made the team!"

"You what!?" Both girls exclaimed.

"So this is how you are awarded for breaking the rules," Hermione said as she entered the room. "I guess no rules apply to you."

"Hey that is not fair, she only tried to save Neville's rememberall" Parvati said

"She could have told a teacher instead of risking her life and our points, but what do I know, I am not Jasmin Potter, The Girl Who Lived" Hermione bite back

Those words stung more than Hermione realised, Jasmin mumbled that she was going to be late and quickly left the room, she could hear arguments as she left. She tried to hide her broom as she left the common room but she heard someone ask "Was that a broomstick?"

She made her way quickly hoping she would not meet anyone, tears stung in her eyes. She didn't want to be 'The Jasmin Potter' or 'The girl who lived' she wanted to be just Jasmin.

After a while, she made her way to the pitch. She was early and wanted to make sure that she actually could fly so she kicked off.

It was beyond amazing, she had felt free last time but that was nothing compared to now, her Nimbus flew like a dream. It was quicker and more agile, she felt she could do anything with this.

She flew around the rings, she dived and did a lot of tricks until she heard her name, Oliver Wood was down there so she landed next to him.

"I see what McGonagall meant, you are a natural," he said with wonder.

Oliver thought Jasmin the rules of Quidditch and what the different balls were named and what they were for, they ended with him throwing things for her to catch, she did not miss a single one. Oliver was super excited. He talked about how he knew they would win as they walked back to the castle.

The time passed quickly, Jasmin with all her practice and homework did not understand how the weeks just flew.

She was on her way back from the library, this time she had actually been there. She had asked Ron to join her but he had declined. Hermione was there but she refused to talk to Jasmin.

Jasmin was in her own little world when she heard Malfoy's voice coming closer, she did not want a confrontation so she quickly ran down a different corridor, there she found a locked door, she could hear Malfoy coming closer so she pointed her wand towards the door. "Alohomora"

The lock opened with a click and she ran in and closed the door behind her. She bent forward and breathed heavily, that had been a close one. She saw what looked like a trapdoor on the floor, which was strange until she saw a pillar in the middle of the floor that looked like a paw, she followed it up with her gaze... it was not a pillar! A ginormous three-headed dog stood there looking at her with hungry eyes.

Jasmin wanted to scream but no sound came. She willed herself to move and ran out the door and closed it behind her and kept on running until she was several corridors away, she looked behind her, but no dog had followed her.

She hurried the rest of the way to the Gryffindor tower.

When she arrived she was met by the Gryffindor first-year boys who asked her what was wrong. Jasmin didn't think telling the truth was the best at the moment so she lied.

"I accidentally hit a vase and it shattered, Mrs Norris was there and I could hear Filtch so I ran," Jasmin said hoping it was plausible enough for them to believe.

"You were lucky to get away, I heard Filtch punishments are severe," Seamus said.

"You get into trouble a lot don't you?" Dean asked and then smiled. "You always seem to get away"

"Yeah," Jasmin said and laughed nervously.

"Did I hear trouble?" Said a familiar voice

"I think you did." Said an almost identical voice

The Wesley twins joined the little group.

"We can attest to Filtch punishments being bad, of course, we never cause any trouble," said Fred

"At least we don't get caught" mused George.

"Most of the time," they said in unison.

"But have you got caught by McGonagall and gotten away with it," Dean asked the twins."

"I can't say we have" Fred answered.

"You know, we might have to take Potter under our wing, teach her to refine her art," George said.

"Don't listen to them Jasmin!" Ron said looking slightly annoyed.

"Why? Our brotherly advice is wasted on you, Miss Potter on the other hand"

"But I am your brother!"

Jasmin chose this moment to slink away. She sadly didn't have any siblings and she did not want to be the cause of any family drama.

Jasmin had a hard time sleeping for the next two nights, her dreams being haunted by a giant three-headed dog, and if she got free from it she got chased by the smaller but not less vicious dogs of Aunt Marge.

Halloween came, it was going to be a great feast that evening but classes would still go on. Jasmin and her fellow first years did not complain as Professor Flitwick had promised to show them the levitation charm, something they had looked forward to for a long time.

Jasmin ended up paired with Seamus and they tried to do the swish and flick movement correctly but the feather they tried to levitate did not move.

Ron was paired with Hermione and he did not look happy about it, he was not having any luck with the charm.

'You're saying it wrong, it's Wing-

gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the "gar" nice and long." Hermione said in a very lecturing tone

"You do it, then, if you're so clever" Ron snapped.

Hermione did just that and the feather floated up, and an excited professor Flitwick awarded her 10 points for it.

Ron was really annoyed after the class.

"It's no wonder no one can stand her," he said.

"She has not been very pleasant" Jasmin agreed.

Suddenly someone knocked into Jasmin, she could see a big bush of brown hair run past her and when Hermione turned the corner Jasmin saw tears.

"She heard us," Jasmin said feeling extremely guilty.

"So?" Ron asked but Jasmin could see he was uncomfortable. "She must've noticed she's got no friends."

Hermione did not attend the next class, something that worried Jasmin as classes and studying was the only thing Hermione seemed to care about.

It was on their way to the great hall that Parvati told her that Hermione was crying in the girls' toilet and wanted to be left alone. She felt even more guilty and she could see the same look from Ron.

She forgot Hermione for a moment when she entered the great hall, the decorations were amazing and the food looked brilliant.

She tried to enjoy the food but kept thinking of Hermione. When suddenly Professor Quirrell came in screaming about a troll in the dungeons before he fainted.

This caused a wide panic until Dumbledore shot out great sparks that got everyone's attention.

He told the prefects to get all students to their dorms.

Percy looked like he waited for this his whole life as he gathers the Grtffindores and walked them towards their common room.

Horrified Jasmin realised that Hermione didn't know about the Troll.

"Ron! We need to warn Hermione"

"But.." Ron did not say more and nodded. "We can't let Percy see us"

When Percy looked away they rounded a corner and almost run into Professor Snape, they hid behind a statue until he was gone.

"Why isn't he going to the dungeons as the rest of the teachers?" Ron asked

"I am not sure but let's go," Jasmin said and ran towards the girls' toilets.

Jasmin thought she could smell something foul and the closer she got to the toilets the worse it got.

"Ugh! What is that, someone must have clogged the toilets!" Ron said in disgust.

When they rounded a corner they saw it, the Troll was huge, he was looking into a room and he barely fit through the frame but he squeezed in.

"Maybe we can barricade the door!" Ron said hopefully

But Jasmin recognised the room he had entered.

"That is the girls' toilets!"

As one cue they heard the terrified screams of Hermione and how something broke with a great crash.

Jasmin wanted nothing but to run away but she would never forgive herself if she did so she ran in, Ron quickly following her.

When they came in they saw the Troll standing over Hermione with his club held high to swing.

Jasmin and Ron started to throw pieces of debris from the broken stalls but the troll did not notice.

"Oi pea brain!" Ron yelled and the troll turned around and looked at him, while it was distracted Jasmin run around it to Hermione.

"Come on! You need to move" Jasmin told Hermione frantically but she could not move, she was too freighted.

The troll was moving closer to a panicked Ron, not knowing what she was doing Jasmin ran straight at the troll and jumped up on it's back screaming.

The troll turned around trying to find out who made the noise seemingly not understanding it was coming from his back, he spun around several times.

"I am slipping!" Jasmin yelled "Ron, please! Do something!"

Ron looked freighted and unsure, he lifted his wand and said the first spell he could think of.

'Wingardium

Leviosa!'

The club the troll held started to levitate higher and higher, the troll looked up confused at it, and suddenly it dropped hitting him square in the face and knocking him unconscious. Luckily he fell forward so Jasmin was not squished.

Jasmin jumped off the troll, and found her wand, she did not remember dropping it, her whole body was shaking, and she almost jumped out of her skin when Hermione spoke up behind her.

"Is it... dead?

Jasmin shook her head, she did not think it was. Footsteps sounded outside and three professors entered, first McGonagall followed closely by Snape and a very freighted-looking Quirrell.

Snape took a closer look at the troll, McGonagall however had her eyes on the three students. Jasmin had never seen her this angry, her lips were thin and white.

'What on earth were you thinking of? "You're lucky you

weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?" Her voice was cold with furry.

Jasmin's head spun, she was too freighted to speak but then a very small voice peeped up.

"Please, Professor McGonagall... they were looking for me."

"Miss Granger!"

Hermione had finally gotten over the shock and came closer.

"'I went looking for the troll because I... I thought I could deal

with it on my own...you know, because I've read all about them"

Jasmin could not believe her ears, Hermione was lying to a teacher, to help her and Ron out. She continued

"If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Jasmin climbed up it's back and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off

when they arrived."

"Well in that case... Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you

think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"

Hermione did not answer she just hung her head in shame, it was not right, this was not Hermione's fault, Jasmin could not let Hermione be blamed for her wrongs.

"Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for

this, I'm very disappointed in you. If

you're not hurt at all, you'd better get.."

Jasmin finally found her voice and interrupted the professor.

"Wait, Professor! That is not true!"

McGonagall turned to look at her, her piercing stare made Jasmin swallow.

"She.. she did not come here to take on the troll. She was here because I said nasty things behind her back."

McGonagall took a deep breath and Hermione just stared at her.

"Miss Potter, Hermione just lost 5 points, but being a model student would not have earned any detention... this time. You, however, do you remember our talk about breaking any more rules?"

"Yes professor"

"I did it, professor, I said the nasty things about Hermione, Jasmin just agreed, it is my fault!" Ron said but he soon shrank from McGonagall's stare.

"You three, I will talk to you in my office in a moment.

"The headmaster is on his way," Snape said.

"Very well, then I will take care of these."

The three freighted first-years followed McGonagall to her office, she made them sit in front of her desk and took her seat and sighed. "Well, what did actually happen, Miss Granger?"

Hermione looked unsure. "I was in the toilet, I had been crying and did not want to see anyone, then this troll came in, then... I was rescued by Ron and Jasmin."

"Why were you crying," McGonagall asked with a more soft voice.

"I overheard Ron and Jasmin say... you got to understand I... might have been a bit much in class."

"Mr Weasley, anything to add?"

"I was angry after class, Hermione succeeded on her first try, while I couldn't do it at all," Ron answered.

"Miss Potter?"

"We have not gotten along.. but it gave me no right to say those mean things," Jasmin said looking at her feet.

"I will not tolerate bullying," the professor said. "However you three seem to stick up for each other. Would you have anything to say to each other?"

After a small pause, Ron spoke "I am sorry for what I said Hermione, you were just trying to help... and I succeeded with the spell!"

"I am sorry too Ron, I could have been nicer when I corrected you," Hermione answered.

Then there was a silence until McGonagall broke it. "Nothing to say, Miss Potter?"

Jasmin was holding back tears but they broke as she spoke.

"I am sorry Hermione... I shouldn't... I know why you don't like me and that is okay, I should not be nasty like that. I am sorry, I will not disturb you again and I will not say anything more nasty about you!"

Jasmin's eyes had not left her feet but a couple of tears had escaped her eyes.

She had been taught all her life that she was a freak, unwanted. She had no right to treat Hermione badly for it Hermione was right to hate her.

"I don't dislike you... I was angry because I thought you got special treatment and got awarded for breaking rules, I thought you were a snob that thought yourself better than others because of your fame." Hermione's voice sounded regretful.

"If you are thinking about the incident with the broom Miss Granger, I dealt with it, I gave Miss Potter a choice and warned her about the consequences of more rule-breaking," McGonagall explained.

"I see, Professor please don't punish them." Hermione pleaded.

"I will not. Take this as a learning opportunity, and try to understand each other. You have all said your apologies, now off with you."

The trio left the office, Jasmin was still looking at her feet holding back any more tears, she robotically followed behind the others.

"You bailed us out," Ron said to Hermione

"Tried too... well, it turned out alright" Hermione answered and then looked back towards Jasmin. "Are you alright Jasmin?"

Jasmin just nodded without looking up.

Hermione turned around and put a hand under Jasmin's chin to make her look up, but at the touch, Jasmin flinched at took a quick step backwards.

"Sorry sorry! Did not mean to scare you!"

Jasmin looked up at Hermione, she had a worried face. Jasmin was about to dry her arm with her sleeves but stopped when she saw how dirty they were, Hermione produced a napkin and held it up.

"Thanks," Jasmin mumbled and took it.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying? Ron asked confused "We are all alive and we got no detention"

Jasmin made a non-committal sound.

"Jasmin, I forgive you. Do you forgive me?" Hermione asked taking a step closer to Jasmin.

"Professor McGonagall is not here... you... don't need to say that. I won't bother you anymore."

Hermione got tearily eyed and Ron just looked at the girls all confused.

"I thought we already apologised. I think we should go back." He said.

The trio walked in awkward silence to the common room, a few people looked at them as they walked in dirty and dusty. Jasmin quickly made her way to her dorm.

When she got in she saw Lavender and Parvati sitting on a bed talking, they both got quiet when they saw her, first, they saw her dusty robes then they looked at her face and saw her red eyes.

"Where have you been?" Levander asked.

"Are you okay?" Pavati asked.

They both got up from the bed and walked up to Jasmin but she walked around them, sat on her bed and closed the curtains.

"Excuse you" Lavender snapped.

"Let it be, she is obviously upset," Parvati told her friend.

Lavender and Parvati kept on talking but much more quietly. Jasmin cried silently in her bed.

Sometime later Hermione came into the room and she was also questioned.

"Where have you been?"

"Why are you all dusty?"

"Please don't tell everyone" Hermione began. "You know where I was Parvati... well a troll came in."

The other two girls gasped. Jasmin's tears had stopped but they threaten to come back hearing Hermione's voice.

"What did you do!?" Levander asked sounding both excited and scared.

"I screamed, I... I was scared senseless. But then Jasmin and Ron came in, they distracted the troll and then knocked it out... I would have been dead if not for them " Hermione shuddered.

"You say they knocked out the troll!? They are just first-years like us." Pavati exclaimed.

"Jasmin is the girl who lived after all" Levander said nonchalantly.

"Is Jasmin here?" Hermione asked carefully.

"Yeah, she is in bed, maybe we should quiet down," Pavati replied.

There it was again, the girl who lived. Famous for becoming orphaned, on this day 10 years ago.

She had not thought about it, but today was the anniversary of their murder, everyone had celebrated this day, not only because of Halloween but also the day of Voldemort's fall and her parent's death.

Jasmin heard footsteps leave the room, she was alone, she could clean herself up. She opened her curtains and made her way towards the toilet but was stopped by a voice behind her, it was Hermione's.

"Do you hate me?"

Jasmin turned around but could not meet Hermione's eyes, she shook her head.

"Are you angry at me?"

Jasmin shook her head again.

"Can't we then... try to be friends?"

Jasmin looked at Hermione, she saw nothing but sincerity.

Not knowing what to say or do Jasmin simply nodded.

Hermione's face lit up.

"Great, I will let you freshen up"

The next day after Jasmin had woken up and gone down to the common-room she was met with the first-year boys looking at her in awe, she also saw Ron looking very proud of himself. Jasmin had a bad feeling about this.

"Is it true?" Dean asked, " Did you really ride the troll?"

Jasmin studdered trying to figure out what to answer.

"Riding a troll?"

"And we were not invited"

From the nearby sofa, two redheaded twins rose with identical smiles.

"Can we get tickets?" Fred asked

"Would hate to miss that," said George

"The troll is gone..." Jasmin said

"Bummer," said Fred.

"Tell us when you have dragons, we can ask Charlie for advice on how to ride one."

And with that the twins walked off, Ron looked annoyed.

"They don't believe me"

"So did it happen or not?" Seamus asked beginning to doubt the story.

"Ron did knock out the troll, but we were lucky that we weren't killed. Ron, I don't think you should tell everyone, the other students will never believe it." Jasmin said.

"But McGonagall knows"

"I don't think she wants us to spread the story, that could encourage other students to do dumb risks."

On their way to the great hall, Neville made his way next to Jasmin and asked quietly.

"So it did happen?"

Jasmin sighed "Ron did knock it out... I... might have been on its back."

"Wicked," Neville said back "How are you so brave?"

Jasmin looked at Neville

"I am not brave Neville."

Neville gave her a strange look but did not say anything more.

-
A/H

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, I would gladly appreciate any comments or critique good or bad.