HIS CHOSEN GIRL
chapter six-the new best friend
[Your P.O.V]
☟ ☟ ☟
After the remaining first years had been sorted into their houses, the woman who welcomed us at the entrance of the castle, who's name I learned to be Professor McGonagall, clinks her spoon to her goblet collecting our attention. We turn towards the head table yet again and professor Dumbledore stands for a second time as he clears his throat and raises his hands.
"Let the feast begin!" He announces.
I couldn't help but appreciate the fact that he had done this speech however many times and yet from all the way across the hall, I could see the excitement in his eyes.
I awaited people to come out and place the food down on to the table but when I turned back, the food was already table! I couldn't believe it, that doesn't happen. That can't happen. How could they magically appear like that?
Oh.
I had already forgotten that I was at a school for wizards and witches. I'd better get used to it soon, I assume out of all the things that'll transpire this year, a load of food appearing onto the table is on the tamer side.
Speaking of the food, when I pull myself out of my thoughts at the incredible smells around me, I gasp involuntarily as does everyone else and I'm not surprised.
In front of me, on thousands of different plates are thousands of different types of foods. I hardly knew what to do with all that food. The amount on the plate nearest to me stacked mountain high with dinner rolls was probably the equivalent to what I ate in half a year.
A grin broke out onto my face as I piled my plate with roast beef and french fries and salad and, well, whatever I could fit. I made sure to stay clear of the peppermint humbugs. They didn't sound particularly appetizing to me.
"Wow!" Harry exclaimed loading up his own plate.
"Incredible!" Hermione agreed from his side although it seemed that she was more impressed by the magic that got the food onto the table than anything else.
I looked over to Ron to see what he had to say about the feast, but he was a little preoccupied... with stuffing his face.
I grabbed a french fry first and greedily shoved it into my mouth.
"Wow," I said. "Oh my gosh, food is so good!" I marveled causing some of the kids around me to laugh as I began shoveling down the other foods on my plate.
"It's like you've never eaten food before," Hermione laughs.
Suddenly my throat gets very dry and I swallow very roughly. I've obviously eaten before, but never this much. And never this good, the food was incredible and I felt as though I could easily eat the whole lot by myself. Still though, my past was in the past. I wanted to forget about those cold, lonely nights that I had spent alone on the streets.
I wasn't mad at Hermione for making the comment, why would I be? She didn't know but I wanted to keep it that way. So I just flashed her a smile, making it as convincing as I could and continued stuffing my face.
It was a pleasant feast. The other kids in my year were nice enough. We made conversation easily and I was relieved that there were other kids who only recently found out they were wizards, they were as confused as I was.
"I'm half and half," says a small, brown haired, Irish boy named Seamus Finnegan. "Me dad's a muggle! Mum's a witch. Bit of a nasty shock when he found out," he turned so that he was facing my section of the table. "What about you guys?"
"My gran brought me up and she's a witch. But my family thought I was a muggle for ages," another boy named Neville tells us. He was still talking but I began to tune him out and get stuck in my own thoughts.
What am I? I didn't fully understand the question, so how can I supply an answer? My parents never even cared enough to tell me about my magical abilities.
Did they even know? Why wouldn't they tell me if they did.
Well yeah okay they were bad people, awful really. This just seems like something important for me to know. All the bruises, broken bones, scars, and cuts felt like nothing when I thought of the possibility of me not finding out about Hogwarts. Who knows what would've happened to me. I couldn't have lived on the streets forever.
So, I let someone else answer Seamus's question, and hope that no one thinks to ask me to answer it.
"Great Uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad," Neville says when I turn my attention back to his story.
"I'm a muggleborn," Hermione suddenly states matter of factly. "I was naturally quite surprised to get my letter but my parents were totally supportive of it," she says taking a bite of chicken.
Ron rolls his eyes. "Figures you're a muggleborn," he mumbles.
"Pardon me?" Hermione asks shrilly and I take this as my cue to divert the conversation.
"What about you Ron?" I ask trying to steer clear of any conflict.
"I'm a pureblood. Wizarding runs in the family," he says proudly glancing towards his brothers.
Three of them were here at Hogwarts with him. From what I gathered he has about two more brothers that have already graduated as well as a little sister, the one we saw at the train station. Ron said she'd be joining us next year.
"How about you two?" Ron asks Harry and I.
I turn to Harry to let him go first and he does the same to me. I suddenly realize that I'm not alone. Harry doesn't know how to answer either.
I felt better for sure. I felt absolutely clueless sitting around this table with everyone talking about their Quidditch and their Hogsmede and their butterbeer. It may as well had been a different language. The fact that Harry was as lost as me however, made me feel better. I wasn't alone.
So, with this newfound confidence, I turn to the group of young witches wizards and say, "I haven't got a clue."
I see Harry smile beside me seemingly having the same realization I just had before nodding his head and agreeing with me with a simple, "Same."
No one looked confused or anything, they just nodded their heads and a new topic surfaced. I of course only listened because what even is a pygmy puff, but I was enjoying myself nonetheless.
"Ouch!" Harry exclaimed after awhile of talking suddenly slapping his forehead.
"Are you okay?" I ask baffled. "What happened? What'd you do?"
Harry says nothing and looks just as about confused as I do but quickly brushes it off with a smile and a quick, "Nothing."
The lot of us turn around and continue on whatever it was we were doing but I overhear Harry asking Ron's older brother a question.
"Whose that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?"
I then become uninterested, thinking he'd be asking something about his head or more so what caused him to smack it, but it clearly wasn't about that at all, so I instead turn to Hermione and begin talking to her about classes.
After everyone had finished eating, we followed Ron's brother, Percy, who was the Gryffindor prefect, up a few flights of stone staircases.
"All Gryffindors follow me please," he instructs sternly and we all continue to follow him up several more flights of stairs. "Now this is the most direct path to the dormitories. Oh! And keep and eye on the staircases. The like to change." He finishes casually.
Excuse me, change?
I glance around at the other students. Why is it that nobody else looks even slightly concerned at the fact that these staircases change? Change, what does that even mean, they change?
I then proceed to look up at the aforementioned stairs and sure enough, they were changing. I watched dumbstruck as the top of the second staircase literally disconnects from the third floor corridor it lead to and swivels around so that it connects itself to a different corridor.
Why is this a thing? Why is that necessary, are they trying to mess us up for their entertainment?
I couldn't help but wonder as I watched the swiveling staircases a sick feeling appearing in the pit of my stomach. Things as simple as climbing a set of stairs are made to be difficult here, and I for one didn't understand why.
As we continued on our journey to wherever, occasionally stopping for Percy to remind us about staying together or spit out some random trivia fact that no one really cared about.
Hung along the castle walls were beautifully painted portraits. There were loads of them, tens maybe even hundreds. As we stopped for the fiftieth time, I tuned out the elder Weasley and turned my attention to a particularly perplex painting that I swore had changed poses.
A younger lady, late twenties maybe thirties in a deep purple dress. I watched her carefully unaware of how close I was getting. I was about an inch away from the painting when suddenly...
"Boo!"
I jumped back in fright. The paintings around the woman in purple laughed along with her. I was so embarrassed what with my fellow classmates staring at me concernedly, I hardly had time to notice that the paintings were talking and laughing.
After what felt like a marathon of turning corners and walking down long corridors, not to mention the endless flights of stairs, we finally reached the 'Gryffindor Common Room'.
Each house has their own common room which is, from my understanding, the living area for the students of each house. The common room also leads to the dorms which is where we sleep. I'll be bunking with the girls from my year. Unfortunately for me I've only really made friends with the boys in my year. I've spoken to Hermione and she seems sweet, I'm hoping that the two of us will be able to become friends, it'd be nice to have a female friend.
In addition to each house having their own common room, there's also a unique way of entering. For us, we have a large portrait, capable of moving and speaking, which hardly surprised me so I suppose I'm getting used to the idea of being a witch, the lady in the portrait is on the bigger side and I've heard people calling her the Fat Lady.
To get into our common room, all we need to do is recite a password and she'll let us in. It seems simple enough.
"Password?" She asks after Percy had explained all the rules and 'important' information.
"Caput Draconis," Percy answers. The Fat Lady portrait swings open like a door. I was practically pushed through the door by the anticipated crowd.
Oohs and ahhs echoed throughout the group and it was no question as to why. It was a gorgeous room. Beautiful colors that of blood red and gold was shown all over the room. There was a large fireplace and the fire inside it lit up the room which gave it a warm, cosy feel. There was a large lion portrait over the mantle and I watched it cautiously for awhile, making sure it wouldn't jump out and spook me like the previous ones did.
There were several comfy-looking armchairs that appeared as cushy as a cloud. There was a large couch in front of the fire. There were tables for studying and a bulletin where important notices could be pinned.
Percy directs the boys to their dormitories before showing us ours. I couldn't help but search the small crowd for the boy with the scar. When I finally found his bright green eyes, I noticed that they were also searching for something, when said eyes met mine and a small blush crept onto his cheeks, I realized that his eyes were searching for my own. A smile fell across my face and I waved to which he quickly returned before running up the stone stairs and into his dorm.
Percy then pointed us girls in the direction of our dorm because boys aren't allowed in the girls dorm. I walk up our own set of stairs and into my new bedroom.
There were six beds that were, of course gold and red. There was a trunk at the edge of each bed for storage. There was only one window but the view outside it was outstanding. Other than that, there wasn't else much notable. Beautiful, don't get me wrong. The nicest place I could've ever dreamed of staying in. The whole environment was quite similar to that of the common room.
I located my bed which was, I can't believe it, right beside the window! I'd get to wake up to a beautiful sunrise every single morning. I looked to the bed nearest mine and relief filled my soul when I saw the bushy-haired girl from the train.
"Hermione!" I exclaimed excitedly.
"Hi!" She responded with equal enthusiasm. "Oh we're right next to each other, that's perfect!"
"I know! Gosh, we'll have loads of fun!" I squeal.
"Definitely! Well, when we're not studying of course."
I laugh. "Yeah right," I then realize that she isn't kidding and quickly panic to cover it up. "I, uh, I mean of course when we aren't studying! That's the whole point of school obviously!"
She smiles satisfied before heading to her trunk and pulling out a pair of pajamas. "Well then, I'm going to head to bed. I suggest you do the same, it's a big day tomorrow. We'll need our energy."
I laugh again.
And nope. She's serious. Wow what a wild one.
"Uh right! Right, of course. I'll see you tomorrow then. We could walk down to breakfast tomorrow?" I say yet again trying to cover up my laughter in hopes that she'll like me.
"Sounds great!" She replies luckily not noticing my slip ups. "Okay, goodnight, (y/n)."
"Night, Hermione," I say walking over to my trunk and kneeling down so that it looks as though I'm about to grab my pajamas. I wait until she's in bed to close my trunk and walk over to the other side of my bed where there was a group of girls giggling amongst themselves.
I tried my best to hide my intimidation as I walked over. "Hi. I'm, (y/n)."
"Hey!"
"Hi!"
"Hey, (y/n)."
They introduced themselves as Lavender Brown, Padma and Parvarti Patil. I talked to them for a bit. It took a lot out of me to pretend to be interested when they were gossiping about which boys were the cutest. I think I like talking to the boys better than about the boys. Soon enough we decide to turn in for the night and I walk back over to my bed. I think it's safe to say that I'll be spending the time in the dorms with Hermione.
I glance over at the large clock at the front of the dormitory. 10:00pm! I hardly even noticed how tired I was. I kneel down in front of my trunk and scavenge through it, not that it takes me long, I don't have much personal belongings.
That's when it strikes me. I've been blessed with an incredible opportunity. Swiped right off the streets and straight into a castle. I'm living like a royal. Although I want my past to stay in the past, there really is no escaping it. I look down into the nearly empty trunk and groan. How am I going to get through a whole year with my ratty old jeans and an old sweatshirt? I decide to worry about it tomorrow and close my trunk.
It closes with a thud. A loud one at that. My eyes go wide and I look around the room hoping I didn't wake anyone up. Thankfully no one did. I breathe a sigh of relief but I did so all too quickly. Hermione turns on her bedside lamp and looks at me with confusion. She rubs her eyes before looking past me and over to the clock.
"(y/n)! You're still up?" She asks shocked slightly.
"Oh, yeah... I, uh woke up and remembered I needed to grab something from my trunk. Sorry, I'll be quieter."
"Well didn't you change out of your jeans?" She asks.
I start to panic. "Oh, yeah. I um, was just about to grab some pajamas."
Why did I say that? I could've said so many other things. I forgot my pajamas at home for example, although in hindsight that also doesn't sound completely believable.
Hermione didn't go back to sleep, she must've known something was up. I was acting extremely unusual so I didn't blame her. I swallow anxiously and kneel down to my trunk yet again. I lift it up the minimal amount pretend to rummage.
What am I doing? This is stupid. I should just tell her. No, (y/n)! I can't tell her I don't want people to know. They'll treat me differently and ask questions that I don't know the answers to and...
I was pulled out of my thoughts by a pair of pajamas being thrown at me. I looked up to see Hermione closing her own trunk, then look back down to see the pink and white stripped set she had lent me. She didn't say a word as she climbed back into bed.
"Thank you," I said as I began changing into the silky fabric.
"Just go to bed," she replies.
I smiled at the gesture and felt a new level of appreciation for Hermione. The pajamas were so, so soft. I had never worn anything like it. I had been in the same jeans for... I don't even want to know.
I then head over to my bed sighing contently as I lay back on the cloud-like mattress. It had been a long time since I'd slept in a proper bed, and even when I had one, it was no where near as comfortable as this one. The mattress was unbelievably soft and I had an undeniable urge to jump on it. The soft silk sheets felt like heaven against my skin. There were several pillows all with the same cloud-like feeling the mattress had. I had already forgotten that this was my bed, and I could use more than one if I wanted to. The comforter was perfect, it kept you warm but not hot and I was already falling asleep.
I was thoroughly enjoying myself at this new school and everything it's already done for me. It was unbelievable, a miracle, it was, for lack of better word, magic.
I was beyond grateful for everything it's already provided me; food, a roof over my head, a place to sleep, good people to talk to.
Speaking of, I have to remember to thank Hermione tomorrow. Even if I don't tell her my whole backstory, which I do believe she will at one point figure out, I just need to tell her thanks. I'm excited for this year, I've never had friends let alone a best friend...
Until Hermione Granger.
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