||Rain's Storm||The Sorcerer's Stone||Year 1||

Chapter Five: Trouble

Rain was nibbling on a piece of toast, listening as people chanted around her. Meal times were some of the loneliest for her; no one in her own house much liked her. Malfoy had ensured everyone knew she had sided with a Gryffindor over him during flying lessons, and now everyone was staying away from her. What few friendly faces she had talked to some before then were now gone. 

Rain's attention was pulled to the ceiling of the Great Hall as six, large screech owls came in, holding a thin package between them. She followed them with her eyes as they went to the Gryffindor table, and landed in front of Harry. As the owls took off once more, another one dropped a letter on top of the package. Harry ripped open the letter first, and a moment later he and Ron jumped up, leaving the hall. Forgetting her breakfast, Rain quickly followed them.

Rain was glad she had followed; Harry's and Ron's way upstairs was barred by Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy was with them; he seized the package from Harry's hand and felt it.

"That's a broomstick," Malfoy sneered, tossing the broom back to Harry. "You'll be in for it this time, Potter, first years aren't allowed them." His gaze shifted to Rain as she walked up beside Ron and Harry. It seemed to somehow get impossibly colder.

"It's not any old broomstick," Ron said, "it's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty? Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."

"What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle," Malfoy snapped back. "I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig."

"It sounds like you're jealous of Harry, Malfoy," Rain stated with a smirk. Malfoy sneered, and took a step towards her. Before any of them could respond however, Professor Flitwick appeared at Malfoy's side.

"Not arguing, I hope?" he squeaked.

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," Malfoy said, pointing to it.

"Yes, yes, that's right," said Professor Flitwick, beaming at Harry. "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. And what model is it?"

"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," said Harry. "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it."

As soon as Ron, Harry, and Professor Flitwick were out of sight, Malfoy turned on Rain. "You're a filthy traitor you are!" he yelled at her.

Rain crossed her arms. "And you're a filthy bully! Going around picking on others to make yourself feel better. If being a traitor is the cost of putting you in your place, so be it," she spat. Without giving his shocked expression another look, she marched back into the Great Hall.

*

Two months had passed since Rain first arrived at Hogwarts. There were times she wished she was back at Dark Woods, but there were also times she wished she would never have to leave the castle. The other members of Slytherin were still giving her a cold shoulder, but she was learning not to care. Hermione, Ron, and Harry had become her friends, something she had only had twice before.

Halloween morning turned out to be a treat. Professor Flitwick had decided they were ready to start making things fly in Charms. However, the treat was bittersweet. Flitwick put them into pairs to practice, and Rain was stuck with Malfoy. Ron and Hermione were placed together, which amused her at least; Hermione had been refusing to speak to Ron or Harry since the broom had arrived.

"Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing!" squeaked Flitwick, perched on top of his pile of books as usual. "Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important too---never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest."