The Cheshire Cat

Welcoming Feasts and New Friends

"They've arrived," Cheshire says as she watches the children pile off the train.

The group starts to make its way to the Great Hall where they are met by Dumbledore and Snape.

"Ah. There you are. We were just about to come find you. The other children have arrived." Dumbledore told them.

The group nodded and went to take their seats at their respected tables.

As the children came into the Great Hall they stopped for a moment when they saw the Underlanders.

Everyone was confused but took their seats. They kept distance between them and the Underlanders as they had no clue who they were.

After everyone was seated and the First Years had been sorted Dumbledore stood up to make his speech.

"Welcome Students, to another year here at Hogwarts." Dumbledore started. "I would like to start out by saying the usual remarks. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the Third Corridor is off limits and the Forbidden Forest is... Well, Forbidden. I would also like to welcome the first years and point out that the students who you all seem to be avoiding are transfer students. They are to be treated as you would treat your friends. Now I would like to give a word of caution. You never know what the year will hold. So please be careful. Now... LET THE FEAST BEGIN!"

And with that, the feast began.

After the feast, everyone went to their dorms and Cheshire wondered the halls until she ran into a small blonde boy and his friends.

"Dumbledore probably only let them in cause he felt pity for them." The boy said.

"I don't think he did," Cheshire said as she walked up behind them.

"How much did you hear?" The boy said while shrinking in fear of the tall girl whose face held a wide grin.

"Enough," Cheshire said as she headed to her dorm.

"Oh. By the way, my name is Jane." She said and then left.

"Draco Malfoy." Ches heard before she was out of earshot.

***

The next day brought lessons and the group of Underlanders brought new thoughts.

People started to realize something was off about the group but said nothing about it.

People began befriending them. Caterpillar had taken a liking to a young boy named Blaise Zabini and the Tweedles took a liking to the Patil twins.

Cheshire could see something was going to happen there as she watched the pairs interact.

Eventually, the Weasley twins befriended Cheshire as they bonded over their love for pranks and the Queen and Knave befriended the young Malfoy.

When lunch came along however the group sat together and talked as if they were the only people on the Earth.

During all this time Severus Snape watched the young girl with multi-colored hair with interest. Even with her usual wide grin, Snape could tell something was off as he heard her speak.

Severus pulled himself from his thoughts as he realized what was happening.

He was falling in love with the girl even though he knew nothing about her. Though he felt as if he'd known her for all his life.

As Severus thought about the girl little did he know... She was thinking about him.

They had fallen in love with each other though they knew nothing of the other.

Though I know why... After all, it's only a story... And she's a magical creature... And can't magical creatures have a thing called... Soulmates?

Oh and by the way... "I'm not crazy. My reality is just different than yours."