The Sibylline Code; A Harry Potter Next Generation Fanfiction

8: Insult to an elephant's butt!

AN: Hola. And sorry to anyone *glances shiftily at Dobby* who doesn't like ANs, so I'll stop now!

CHAPTER 8
"Wow!" I stepped off the train and took in the scene. Students decked in black packed the station platform. People running everywhere trying to find their friend, luggage or pet! I breathed in deeply but I couldn't expel that warm feeling. A feeling I hadn't felt in so long, I'd thought I'd forgotten what it felt like. Like when I smiled at my parents.

I remembered their proud faces as they waved me off. It felt like years ago. So much had happened since then. I'd not only socialised but actually made some friends. And enemies, the little voice in the back of my head hissed viciously, as I thought of that Gertrude person. But... does she matter? I mean, really. No one who treats people like that would ever be my friend. Not that she ever thought of it- she already doesn't like me cause of something I can't help. And wait, what am I talking about, since when was it my place to say who can and can't be my friend? I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts I didn't notice Lena tugging on my sleeve.

"Come on Asha! We've got to go over there!" She pointed to a huge, large man waving wildly shouting

"Firs'-years this way! Firs'-years over here!" Shouted a large almost giant like man towering above everyone else, his bearded face illuminated by the large lamp he was carrying. He beamed us all standing in his shadow.

"C'mon everyone! Firs' years over here! All righ'? We got everyone?"

"Wow, he's..." I let my sentence linger, hoping someone would finish it, but no one did. Awkward...

"Okay, let's go!" He made his way down towards a dark black lake that stretched out round the corner, after doing a quick head count.

"That's Hagrid!" Whispered Rose in my ear. She was lugging her trunk and a tawny owl along with her. We dropped our luggage in the carriages and then followed Hagrid down the path.

"Who's Hagrid, and why is he so... err... big?" I asked as Rose, Lena and I walked, everyone getting out of breath by the steep path.

"He's a half giant-"

"Oh, wow, well how did I not notice that?!?!" I snorted sarcastically.

Rose gave me 'the look', and I gulped, ignoring Lena's giggle. "Shut up Lena! Anyway, yeah, well he's the game keeper and he also teaches Care of Magical Creatures. He's good friends with my parents so I know him."

As if on cue, a voice boomed out behind us,

"Hey, you alrigh' Rose?"

Rose turned and smiled, "Couldn't be better!"

Hagrid beamed at us and then walked past to a sea of boats bobbing on the dark lake.

"Okay, so you all need to get into a boat. 4 in a boat please! An' mind you don't jump in! I ain't got enough towels for everyon'! Yer know, when I were young..."

I don't think anyone was actually listening. Rose and Lena grabbed me so we didn't get separated, and we clambered into a boat floating on the river. It wobbled slightly as we sat down.

"Hope we don't fall in, apparently the water's dreadfully cold now. And it's cold enough." She shivered dramatically, and already I felt comfortable engaging in a conversation.

"Is it? It's not that cold... I mean, it was worse this time last year, there was a hideous storm." No one questioned how I remembered that, like they would've at my old school.

"True... but still! The train was really warm!"

"Oh, quit moaning Lena, and budge up. The girl's been standing there for an age!" Me and Lena turned round, to see a dark skinned, happy looking girl onto the boat. Her face looked hopeful, kind. She looked like the opposite of me before I got my letter.