Magic

Chapter 1

"First' years this way please! Firs' years to me! Over ye come! Firs' years this way!"

I walk close behind Victoire as the three of us edge through the crowd on the platform. A sign hanging above me read 'Hogsmeade Station' in gold letters. I don't really care where the first years are supposed to go, if I'm being brutally honest. I'm a fourth year at Hogwarts and Victoire is a fifth year, so we and my friend Cherry head for the carriages instead.

The night around us is pitch black and the only things lighting our way are the glowing lanterns floating overhead. The carriages stand before us, pulled along by nothing, and we all get in a take a seat.

"What do you bet, Flitwick will get levitated out of the window again this year?" Cherry jokes.

Cherry is probably my closest friend at Hogwarts, bar Jason. She's a Metamorphus. That basically means they can change their appearance at their own will. Daily she changes her hair colour and occasionally embarrasses us by walking around with hairstyles that fall somewhere between my grandfather and Nicki Minaj.

You're probably wondering who Jason is. Well, I'll just tell you that later.

"Maybe," Victoire says seriously in her slight French accent. "But perhaps the first years won't be as stupid dis year."

Cherry snorts. "Imagine that!"

Victoire glares at her and she shuts up. I hold back a smile, because I know Cherry is intimidated by Victoire.

The carriages pull to a stop in front of a set of wide, stone steps and towering oak doors. Inside, Peeves the poltergeist is showering the crowd with Dungbombs.

"Ew!"

"What's happening?!"

"GET IT OFF ME!"

First years are clutching their classmates, running around and screaming. I want to laugh, but I feel sorry for them. Imagine you came to a new school full of magic and as soon as you enter you find you're painted with dung? Still, I grin as we edge around the chaotic crowd.

I sit down at the Gryffindor table next to Callisto Perwett and Gloria Walsh. Callisto is boy in my class, and Gloria is my other best friend at Hogwarts. They both have dark hair.

"Gloria! Callisto! Hello!" says Cherry excitedly, as she sits down next to me.

"Hey, Cherry," Gloria says back. "Hey Eleanor. Did you hear the news?"

I frown. "No, which news?" I'm usually updated with all the gossip, but I guess not seeing Cherry in 2 months has rubbed off on me.

"Hogwarts has got a few new students. In older years."

I look at Cherry, and she shrugs. This never usually happens. Normally first years are sent acceptance letters the summer before their first term, but we never get new students in the other years. I'm not a curious person, but I can't help but wonder, why? Were there just extra places to fill?

"Yeah," Gloria raises her eyebrows at our expressions. "A family of five kids and another boy who's in our year. They're supposed to be people that just moved to the UK and McGonagall just offered them a place here, just like that."

"Hmm," Victoire mutters suddenly, making Cherry jump. We'd forgotten she was there. "I wonder what country they are from? I hope they are French like my mother."

"I hope that too, yeah!" Callisto gabbles a little too quickly, and he blushes. I snort. He's clearly crushing on Victoire. She's slim, French, blonde and part-Veela, what more could you want? Plus she's a Weasley. Just being the first Weasley at Hogwarts since Ginny Weasley left makes you practically a celebrity. I have my best wishes cooked up and ready for him but I really doubt Victoire will ever have an interest in him.