Precognition

1st Year chapter 1: a train ride to remember

It was inevitable. Of course it was.
Going to hogwarts was a right of passage for the Weasley's and Ava was no different.

"Are you ready? Please tell me you're thrilled. It's an amazing school and you will be a griffindor!"
Arthur, Ava's elder brother had declared with a tone of almost childlike wonder.

The girl did nothing more than present him with a simple weak smile and a polite nod. Not a very sibling like gesture however sweet all the same.
Her mother raised a gentle hand to her shoulder and patted softly, the same hand that tucked her into bed each night, turned the pages of her childhood stories and brushed her hair. And now it was sending her off.

Being sent to Hogwarts felt like a death penalty, it wasn't as dramatic however when she thought about it. The only problem she faced was her house.
She was dreading placing that god forsaken hat upon her head, and she supposed that was because she knew the outcome.

She was clever enough to determine the outcome that floppy piece of fabric would declare to the world, and it wouldn't make her family proud.

Ava was exceptionally close to Arthur, out of her entire family he seemed to be the one she connected to the most. Which is why he would be the hardest to say goodbye to.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
Arriving at the station felt like the weight on her shoulders became heavier. At this moment she felt like atlas, in need of Heracles to take the weight away from her even if it was only brief.

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by a strong pat on the shoulder, followed by a string of choked laughter. Ava turned her head slowly and met her brothers gaze, he appeared to be laughing, however his eyes told a different tale. She offered him a few words before her departure, ones which made his sobs louder and they departed with a hug.

The train ride was nothing short of terrifying. It was the calm before the storm, metaphorically speaking. However Ava had no idea of the real storm she would be facing on that first day at Hogwarts.

Thankfully she had time to collect her thoughts, alone as she seemingly found an empty-
"Oh Hello!"
Ava snapped her head towards the sliding door, her gaze meeting that of a girl who - she had no idea - appeared to be in first year too.
The girl had dark hair which was just below shoulder length, and a smile which made Ava feel warm inside.
"Oh, I'm so sorry I wasn't aware there were more people. I've taken up all the room." Ava chuckled lightly, referring to her cluster of belongings which she began to arrange to make room for the girl -Alice as she would later find out-.

"No don't worry you didn't know, are you a first year too?" Ava simply nodded whilst pushing her bags to the side to make room for her new found acquaintance.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before the dark haired girl cut into it.
"So what's your name?"
Ava folded her hands in her lap, absentmindedly twirling her fingers.
"Oh my names Ava, Weasley that is."
The girl smiled softly.
"My names Alice Fortrecue"
Both girls began to discuss various aspects of the school they were excited and nervous for.

Alice seemed to be excited for horticulture and potions, she did seem to ramble about which house she would be in- Griffindor she hoped- and who she would meet.
Ava on the other hand began to open up about her love for animals, she'd always taken up interest in creatures and was thrilled to be in close quarters with them for the first time.

Their light conversation was interrupted by a squeaking of wheels and a cheery voice.
"Anything from the trolley you two?"
An older looking woman appeared round the door, with a trolley full of sweets, snacks and drinks.
Ava nodded and smiled
"Two chocolate frogs plea-" her request was interrupted by a head of brown hair, bowed down in a shy visage who. This mystery brunette simply picked up a chocolate frog box, handed the woman some coins and began to walk away. But not before making eye contact with both girls inside the compartment.

"Oh, um, just the two frogs dearies?"
"Yes please" she whispered as she was handed two intricate boxes, which practically hopped into her hands.

"Here, they're my favourite and I know they're popular" the red head offered the blonde with a smile, a genuine smile. One that she didn't think would occur on the first day.

"So have you spoken to anyone else yet?" Alice began, mouthful of chocolate.
"Only you " responded Ava, also with a mouthful of chocolate.

"I've spoken to a few people, before I came in here. They're all nice but a little... strange?" The girl chuckled, snorted even at the expense of whoever she had met before.

"Oh?" Ava replied, intrigued to hear about her new classmates.
"Yeah, some loud boy with glasses, talking about setting off fireworks. He was sat with some other guys but I didn't notice much about them, I don't think they knew eachother yet I'm not sure."

"Well I'm sure they're nice" Ava offered a smile and looked out the window, both girls practically jumped out of their seats as the train let out a roar.

They had arrived at Hogwarts.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Both girls decided life would be easier if the two of them stuck together, side by side they entered the school. Ava could practically smell the excitement, fear and even embarrassment coming from the other students.

The doors opened suddenly, allowing the students visibility into the great hall -where she would be sorted-.
Her hands began to twitch, brushing against her robes without her knowledge.

As the year group huddled together into the grand room, her eyes met someone else's gaze.
A man sat at the end of the table, a man around 10 years her senior, with red hair and a child like grin.

It was Arthur.

It was Arthur, and he was smiling at her, fingers crossed in a gesture.  But worst of all.
He was mouthing something to her...
"Griffindor!"

Ava's heart sank, she couldn't face her brother if she didn't end up in griffindor, she couldn't see his disappointment and not react.

She was thinking of escape plans, how to get out of the confrontation, the disappointment, the shame of being the only one in her entire family to not be brave.
Maybe being brave was useless, after all she had other things to offer. Her family knew that right?

Right?

"Ava Weasley"
The girl hadn't even registered her name until the second calling, her heart thumped against her Ribs, like it was trying to escape her chest, maybe it was.

She took trembling steps forward, her steps were guided by pure fear, and unchecked rage towards herself.

She sat in the chair, the centre of attention, sat under the spotlight and the eyes of a thousand teenagers.
The hat weighed on her head like a storm cloud, threatening to bring conflict to her life.
"Interesting, fascinating almost. You're loyal to your family, you'd defend them with your life- and yet you know your way around a lie, you could be great in Slytherin. And yet you're brilliant, the finest mind I've seen today."
The hat paused briefly, drawing out his conclusion.
"And yet you're scared aren't you? Frightened of your brother, you'll disappoint him won't you? Don't worry about that child. Better be... RAVENCLAW!"

The girl felt the weight from her shoulders fly away, she made her way to the Ravenclaw table, however she didn't miss the disappointment in her brother's face. He smiled softly, poorly masking his emotions.
Her heart sank deeper, she knew this would happen.