Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
The Student Body
As we exited the Hogwarts express, fully dressed in our school uniforms, I endeavored to keep a five-foot radius between me and Lee Jordan. Or rather, Lee's giant hairy tarantula that he decided to bring with him to school this year. What was his mother thinking? Fred, George, and their best friend walked ahead of me as we headed away from Hogsmeade station and towards the school carriages that were waiting to pick up students. Lee had the box containing his new pet under his arm. Every once in a while, they would glance over their shoulders at me. Fred and George would laugh; snickering at my discomfort. I may not have Ron's phobia of spiders. But that doesn't mean I won't be upset when a tarantula jumps out of a box and towards my face. I can think of three people who would find that funny. And I am looking at them right now. If I see Lee's pet again, there might be some hair coloring potion in these boys' futures. Whenever Lee looked back, he didn't laugh. Unlike my oh-so-supportive brothers. Instead, he winked at me as if there was something untold between us. I wonder what he could be on to think that I knew what he meant when he winked.
My wish to keep distance between myself and Lee's pet is challenged by the carriages. If I ride with my usual housemates, I will be closer than five feet to Lee's box. As Fred and George climbed inside one of the empty carriages, I played around with the idea of riding in a different one. It's never too late to make new friends. Lee hands his box up to one of my brothers before he holds the carriage door open with a flourish. With an exaggerated bow, Lee said, "My lady", waggling his eyebrows as an extra effect.
Hell no. Not happening. I really hope he's joking. I thought as I shook my head in an attempt to clear it. I really hope he's joking, because I am not putting up with pubescent boys. Jessie had to do that the first time around, and I feel that I shouldn't have to go through it twice. Lee has to be joking. There is no way Fred and George would let him flirt with me if he was serious. That is what I think as I try to talk myself into getting in the carriage. Luckily, I don't have to.
"Shame," A new voice said as a figure appeared at my side. I glance up to see the clean-cut face of Adrian Pucey. "It seems that carriage is full." The confidence visibly slips off Jordan's face as he straightens out of his bow. Fred and George peer at me from inside the carriage. The intensity of their stares makes their message very apparent; get in here! And I would totally join my brother and Lee… If it wasn't for the tarantula. "And here I wanted to discuss the summer potions assignment with you," Adrian stated as he held his hands behind his back. There was a brief moment where we both stood still; waiting for the other to do something. But when nothing happened, Adrian turned and started walking away.
I watch him go for a few steps. "Jolly Holly?" I hear George call out in concern. Concern for who, I wondered.
"Pucey Wait" I called after the Slytherin. "I'll come with you. I want to discuss potions too" I said, turning my back on Fred and George and their over-eager friend.
Pucey pauses. And if he throws a conquering smirk in the direction of the family and friend I am leaving behind, I chose not to notice. In a proper manner, Pucey offers me his arm before leading the way to the next available carriage. But I decline to take it. That would only get me into further trouble with Fred and George once we reconvene. Pucey isn't bothered as we fall in step. Though I find myself halting as I look at the next carriage. Despite riding the carriages last year, it's hard not to react to the sight of the sinisterly thin, black leathery form of the two thestrals hitched up to pull the carriage. Noticing my hesitation, Pucey looks back at me and stills himself as the result. "Ah", he said; having studied my face; snapping me out of my daze. "You can see them".
"Yes," I said, coughing in my hand to clear the awkwardness from our conversation as I took the initiative to walk once more. Pucey obliges. "You can see them too?" I asked as we came to stand next to the carriage's door.
"No," he said very lightly as he opened the door. Just like Lee had done, Pucey held the door open for me. But Pucey doesn't make a silly little bow or do anything stupid with his eyebrows. "But I know they are there". Pucey holds out his hand to help me climb into the carriage. Like something out of a Jane Austen novel. I have never read Jane Austen, but Jessie had. So, I just have to trust her memory that Pucey is doing this right. Since there are no brothers around to see and judge me, I accept Pucey's hand. It's cold. Understandable, considering that we are standing outside at night time in Scotland. But it is also calloused from holding a broomstick, and solid. His fingers bend around mine, and he places his thumb across my knuckles. A tingle shoots up my arm and I curse Holly's teen hormones. Dealing with pubescent boys is one thing. But dealing with being a pubescent girl is something that might actually do me in.
With Pucey helping me balance, I step into the carriage; taking the seat facing the thestrals, and away from the door. Pucey swiftly takes his own place next to me and closes the carriage door with a smart snap after making sure that no robes would get caught. It seems no other students will be joining us. This should bug me. But it doesn't. Subconsciously, I rub my hands on my skirt, drying them of any potential sweat. "I'm curious," Pucey said once the carriage started to move. "If you can see the thestrals, who did you see die?"
It's a very astute question. Since Pucey is a Slytherin I am not surprised. As far as the wizarding world knows, no one in the Weasley family has died in a long time. We are all still waiting for Great Aunt Muriel to kick the bucket. So, if not a family member, whose death would a thirteen-year-old girl have seen? The truth is that I, as in Holly, have not seen anyone die. I've never even been to a funeral. But I have experienced death; Jessie's death. And I've seen her die many times in my dreams. "I rather not talk about it," I said after a moment. Like a gentleman, Pucey doesn't press. "So", I said after having worked up the courage. "What about potions did you want to talk about?" Looking back at Pucey, I find him staring out the window; watching the trees as they pass by.
He hums at me. "I don't have anything I want to discuss. I just wanted to see the looks on your brothers' faces when I walked off with their sister". The smugness in his voice is hard to ignore. Prick. At least he's an honest Prick. "I haven't forgotten about that sticking charm they applied to my ladle last year".
It takes work to smother the laugh that was building in the back of my throat. "Sorry about that", I said, once I had some composure. "It was intended for me".
"Sure," Pucey said passively, flickering his eyes in my direction before returning to watch the passing trees. It almost sounds like he doesn't believe me. Smart boy.
The great hall is as splendid as ever; with the warmth from the fires and body heat from the student body, the cheerful chatter of friends catching up, and the enchanted stars creating ambiance above our heads. Once you see it, it's impossible to forget it.
Pucey and I separate at the doors. We don't waste time on 'goodbyes' or 'see you soons'. Outside of public formality, it has never been our style. Fred and George see me before I see them as I make my way to Gryffindor table. Because one minute, I'm walking and the next I'm being dragged into an open seat at the table. "Flirting with Pucey wasn't part of the plan, Sister dear" George hissed into my ear as I swung my legs over the bench to sit properly. Fred and George had managed to sandwich me in between them. Not that we don't normally sit this way, but I object to not being given a choice. Sitting directly across from us is Lee Jordan. He smiles at me and winks again. Oh, good. No hard feelings then.
I rolled my eyes at George and retorted in a normal volume, "Neither was letting a spider attack my face, brother mine."
"You mean you didn't like Mr. Spider's hug" Lee piped up, sounding absolutely shocked. He's been spending too much time with Fred and George, and this was coming from someone who lives with them.
I give Lee my best-unimpressed look. It's the type of look only a big sister has. "No one would enjoy a giant spider leaping at them". I said; thinking about what Lee just said. Did he actually name that thing Mr. Spider?
"I thought it was funny," Fred chimed in, chuckling. But his eyes aren't laughing and they probably won't until he forgives me for going off with Pucey.
"So was the look on your face when I decided to take a carriage with someone else". No need to say who that person was. We all know who. Honestly, the only thing this conversation shows is that I can be just as petty as my overprotective brothers. "What did you do with the tarantula, anyway?" I asked, turning my attention to Lee when it is clear that Fred, George, and I are not ready to let things go. It'll be fine. Whenever we do have little tiffs, they tend to be forgotten by the next morning.
Lee visibly deflates. "McGonagall took him. Said he was too distracting to bring to school as a pet. She's sending him back to my mum in the morning". Lee looks at all of us individually. "If people would just spend some time with him, they would see that Mr. Spider is actually very friendly". He's looking for sympathy. But he won't get any from me.
The hall is called to attention with the arrival of McGonagall and the first-years. As they file in, I can't help but notice how tiny they all look. Did Fred, George, and I look that small when we first started? Ron is easy to see thanks to his flaming red hair. Next to him stands exactly who I want to see my little brother with. Harry is a few inches shorter than my brother, but he's still noticeable due to the messy nature of his hair. Good. It seems those two hit it off without any problems. Standing in front of the two Eleven-year-old boys, I can even make out the very bushy head of one Hermione Granger. I allow myself to take a deep breath. No major changes as of yet. All is good with the world.
The sorting that follows goes exactly as I expected. Hannah Abbot goes to Hufflepuff, and so does Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Susan Bones. Terry Boot goes to Ravenclaw along with Lisa Turpin, Padma Patil, and Anthony Goldstein. Draco is accepted into Slytherin accompanied by his two goons, Crabbe and Goyle. And Harry, after much contemplation from the sorting hat, joins Gryffindor house. Gryffindor house also welcomes Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Parvati Patil, Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, and Seamus Finnigan. Everything is going exactly as Jessie remembers. Not a single thing is out of place. That is, until it's Ron's turn. "Weasley, Ronald '' McGonagall calls out. Ron is the second to last student to be sorted. So, it is easy to watch him swallow his nerves with one big gulp as he approaches the sorting hat. Honestly, I am surprised that he is this nervous. I mean, we told him he would have to fight a troll. When clearly all he has to do is wear a hat. You'd think with that lowered expectation, your nerves wouldn't be that bad.
Ron climbs on top of the stool and glances upward as McGonagall lowers the hat. Just like the others, it covers Ron's eyes. Silence fills the halls as I wait for the hat to yell out Gryffindor. Seconds tick by and I start to grow worried. I glance at Fred and George, but neither of them looked concerned. They know that Ron is supposed to be sorted into Gryffindor. But what they don't know is that, according to Jessie, Ron's sorting was supposed to be one of those short ones that happen as soon as the hat touches his head. They don't know that something has changed. A full minute passes. At that minute I cannot help but think about how all our plans will be thrown off if Ron isn't in Gryffindor. How much Harry would change if Ron isn't in the same house. Would Ron have even fallen in love and married Hermione if he wasn't in Gryffindor? When the sorting hat opens its mouth my heart stops. It doesn't start up again until it yells out "Gryffindor!"
The table breaks out in cheers as another redhead is added to our ranks. Percy even stands up to congratulate our youngest brother. George turns to me and gives me a thumbs-up as Ron takes a seat next to Harry. All is going well, is what George is trying to signal. I subtly shake my head. Something is different. I don't know the direct cause of it, but it is most likely my fault. There is no Holly Weasley in the books. But in this world, I have been around for all of Ron's life. As far as I know, I am the only thing that's different about my Ron and the Ron from the books. Somehow, I've altered Ron Weasley.
I share a dorm room with Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and two other girls who are just too unimportant for me to bother remembering. Angelina and Alicia are the only girls I consider to be friends. They talked an insufferable amount about quidditch. But other than that, they're not bad.
Like we did the previous year, the three of us bypass the usual reunions in the common room and head straight for our dorm. This way Oliver Wood can't corner Angelina and Alicia and inform of a ridiculously early quidditch practice for the first day back. And I can avoid any more Weasley-Jordan Shenanigans. After a train ride full of them, I've had my fill for the next few weeks. Jumping on to each of our beds we immediately start with the summer conversations. Angelina got to go see the Holyhead Harpies play. "Their uniforms were so form-fitted. They were so cute" Angelina gushed.
Alicia toured Morocco with her family. "People use a lot more spices in their cooking outside of the UK," Alicia shared. When it is my turn, I don't have a whole lot to say. Charlie moved out. Percy became a prefect. "But what did you do?" Alicia asked, rolling her eyes at the play-by-play of my siblings.
I shrug. Nothing as exciting as Morocco. But if she waits two years then I will be able to tell her stories about Egypt. "I read a few books," I said, trying to wrack my brains for anything else. Honestly, I was too worried about the future to really pursue anything fun. "Umm", I finally said after I thought about it. "Mum taught me how to make her famous upside-down cake".
Angelina groans in an overly dramatic fashion. "That's so boring" She complained, brushing her thick shiny brown hair out of her face. She pins me with her eyes. "We need to get you a boyfriend so you'll have something juicy to tell us". She said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Instantly my face heats up. Is romance the only thing teenage girls think about? "I don't need a boyfriend," I argued. "I already have six brothers. There isn't any more room for boys in my life".
"Oh, come on," Alicia said. "We're allowed to visit Hogsmeade this year. Now's the perfect time to get a boyfriend. We'll finally be able to go on dates instead of just studying in the library!"
Merlin! These girls are completely boy obsessed. I pinch the bridge of my nose to stop an oncoming headache. To me, it just seems wrong for thirteen-year-olds to date. Jessie didn't date until she was fifteen. Though I suppose Ginny is thirteen when she goes to the Yule Ball with Neville. Though that wasn't really dating…. Bah! I don't know what the right answer is. "Well, what about you two?" I asked; trying to deflect. "If you're so interested in boys there must be someone you like". Of course, at some point, I know Angelina will develop feelings for Fred. But I don't know when exactly that will happen. I can guarantee one thing though. Neither of them has a crush on Wood. It's just too hard to love someone who makes you run laps on a quidditch pitch in the rain.
"Cedric Diggory," They both said at the same time with absolutely no shame. Okay, that's fair. Who hasn't had a thing for Diggory? With abs like his, Diggory could open his own harem if he was so inclined.
When I am silent just a little too long Angelina said. "Well, don't be shy. There must be someone you like. We told you who we like so spit it out. It's only fair".
I sigh loudly. Oh, the many rules of being a teenage girl. This was something Jessie did not miss. But I start to think. Who do I like? Immediately I discarded Lee Jordan. Maybe in a few years if he matures. The problem with Lee is that he is too interested in girls. Meaning, he doesn't just like one girl. He likes every girl that is of an appropriate age and walks past him. No, if I have to like someone, it would be someone who has more monogamist intentions. Someone who has good manners. A sense of humor is a must too. It's practically a requirement in my family. Percy is the only exception. Maybe my dream guy would be good at potions. He'd be well groomed too. I started to play with the hand that Pucey had held early this night. When I realized what I was doing I immediately stopped. Yeah, no. I am not going down this path. I do not like Adrian Pucey. Holly's adolescent body likes Pucey. I, as mostly Holly but with the influence of Jessie, do not. "Professor Snape," I said. Just to get the girls to drop the subject. Nothing is more effective in killing a mood than dropping Snape's name into a conversation.
"Snape!" Angelina and Alicia recoiled. Their noses scrunched up in disgust.
I nod my head to confirm. "Yup. There's just something about the way the man handles a cauldron. He's so confident, and smooth. And the way his robes billow around him as he walks. The man could model for a living". But I fail to say all of that with a straight face; cracking up when I got to the part about handling a cauldron.
Alicia throws one of her pillows at me. "Holly Weasley! You're going to fall in love one of these days" she warned. But Alicia is laughing too. At least they aren't annoyed with me for not having an adolescent crush. Even Angelina is laughing.