Beginners: book 1, Goblet of Fire

New Arrivals

The tension and anticipation leading up to October 30th is palpable. The twins have disappeared into the library, only emerging quickly for meals.

"D'ya think they figured it out yet?" Ron says at breakfast.

"If they haven't yet no one will," Harry responds.

A notice was posted in the entrance hall earlier in the week, announcing the arrival of the two schools tonight, at a welcome feast. Everyone is very excited to meet the newcomers and to get 30 minutes off of our last class, which happens to be potions. I wipe more sleep from my eyes, unable to shake the feeling of yet another poor night's sleep. This one was alone, Harry was up in his dorm but he doesn't seem like he slept at all. There are dark circles under his eyes and he keeps stifling yawns. The good news is we're outside all morning, nothing will quite wake you up like crisp autumn air. Even so, I down a couple more cups of very strong tea before the bell tolls.

We grab our bags and head into the entrance hall, on our way to Herbology. The air hits me like a wall when we step outside, sending chills down my spine. Ron and Hermione get caught up by a stream of Hufflepuffs also heading to Herbology, leaving Harry and me to walk behind.

"What's going on with you?" I ask, bumping him.

"I could ask you the same question..." He says back.

"No, don't do that, don't turn it back on me."

"Nothing, just... Sirius." He kicks a stone along the path.

"Any more news?"

"No, no letters, but it might be a good sign, it'll be all over the news once he's caught."

"If."

"Hm?"

"If he gets caught, Sirius sounds smart, he'll know how to stay out of trouble." We've reached the greenhouse, and he just nods in response.

Next, we have Care of Magical Creatures. Now thoroughly awaken, we head down to Hagrid's hut, meeting the Slytherins along the way.

"I still can't believe they're letting this beast teach classes," Comes the familiar sneer of Draco Malfoy. "I almost lost a hand last week to one of those foul creatures, wrote to father right away."

"It was a glorified burn, Malfoy, I've gotten worse from a curling iron I forgot to unplug," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Sorry, what was that? I can't understand your accent." He sneers back.

"Oh, great, then you won't understand this; go shove your big head right up your ass, and while you're at it, try to find Crabbe and Goyels as well, think they've lost theirs. Now go tell that to your death eater father, you son of a-"

"Elizabeth!" Hermione grabs my arm to turn me around, "calm down."

"That's right Whitnell, don't want to get expelled again do you? I guess mudbloods are good for something." He spits out, gesturing at Hermione.

Now it's Ron who lunges, trying to swing at Malfoy. But Harry catches him around the waist and restrains him. I tense to, ready to back Ron up, but Hermione tightens her grip on my arm.

"Don't," She mutters, "he's not worth it."

Draco saunters off, smirking over his shoulder. White-hot fury blazes in my stomach. It seems that us still being friends has only made him angrier, and he is determined to show it. Growing up in a big city has trained me to, how do I put this politely, not tale peoples shit, so whenever he throws some at me, I throw right back. If not for Hermione and Harry holding me and Ron back, Draco would probably be right, I would be expelled.