Reborn - A Harry Potter Fanfiction

i.x chapter ten

Autumn, 1991; Learning to Fly

Ember yawned as she made her way down to the great hall the following Thursday morning. Astronomy class, though she enjoyed it, had left her groggier than expected. She hadn't even bothered to do her hair this morning and so had simply tied in back in a loose ponytail for the day's agenda.

So far, her Hogwarts experience was going swimmingly. She loved most of her classes, she said most due to the unfortunate case of her new guardian. Her housemates so far seemed lovely; Seamus was hilarious and Neville was sweet, she'd even had a few conversations with a boy called Dean Thomas who'd complimented her writing in charms class. Lavender and Pavati were friendly enough, but they were certainly gossips, Ember would have to be careful what she told them. Then there was Hermione who she really enjoyed spending time with, if the girl wasn't always in such a hurry to get to class or the library. Ember's legs never were made for moving that fast, she preferred the saying 'slow and steady wins the race.'

Plopping herself down at the table, Ember barely noticed Harry's downcast expression.

"What's wrong?" She suddenly asked.

"Didn't you see?" Said Ron, gesturing towards the piece of paper in his hand. "Flying lessons start today."

Ember frowned. Wasn't that good news? Ron, noting her confusion cared to elaborate.

"We have it with the Slytherins."

Ember's mouth made an 'o' shape as she looked between the two boys. It was all making sense.

"It's typical" said Harry darkly. "Just what I always wanted. To make a fool of myself on a broomstick in front of Malfoy."

"But you don't know you'll make a fool of yourself" Ember cut in with reason, whilst also reaching over the table to grab two slices of toast.

"Maybe..." Harry muttered, still looking glum.

"Even though Malfoy's always going on about how good he is at Quidditch, I bet that's all talk" Ron assured him, and also trying to assure himself at the same time. Ember must admit, she'd rather not fall of a broomstick in front of the boy, but she did her best to tell herself that what'll happen, will happen. The past week, Malfoy had grown increasingly more annoying. Constantly, cursing her fellow first years and calling them cruel names. She'd even almost found herself cornered by the blonde and his friends, if it hadn't have been for an empty classroom she'd suddenly found on her way back from potions. She knew they had been following her and Ember could only imagine the kind of trouble she would've been in if she hadn't have managed to hide in time. Someone definitely needed to bring this boy down a peg.

Now, busily munching on her eggs on toast, Ember's mind zoned out of the tactical conversation Ron and Harry were having about how to fly successfully, to the latest chapter she'd been reading from 'The Hobbit'; Bilbo had just been recruited by the dwarfs and was off to have an adventure. Her favourite part.

"Mail's here!" Dean called, snapping her from her daydreaming as an abundance of birds, suddenly flew in. Ember looked up, desperate to see the little, brown owl she'd become so fond of, but...nothing. She'd sent another three letters to Freya since her last one, and of course all the ones she'd written over the summer and before that, but still no reply. Freya had left the children's home in June, it was now September and still no word. She was beginning to get worried.

"You expecting anything?" Seamus asked, casting her a curious look. Ember looked down from the ceiling and back to her empty plate.

"Um, no...just looking" she chirped and neatly placed her knife and fork together. Seamus shrugged and went back to his post. It seemed both Ron and Hermione had received letters, and of course a copy of the Daily Prophet. To distract herself, Ember looked over to Hermione's paper.