Charlotte spends most of her time at Hogwarts with our favorite side characters. Wonder what they were doing during those anything but normal 7 years? Lottie is Cedric Diggory's best friend, a Gryffindor ally and an all around adventure driven, snea...
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The rain was still coming down strong when we got off the train. For that reason I was so grateful to be in a warm carriages, instead of a first year boat. Those poor kids would be soaked.
They shuffled us off the train so fast, I knew the 5 of us were bound to get separated. I climbed in a carriage, then Anna and Hannah followed. Then two Slytherins: Crabbe, the boy who complained earlier about Seamus blocking the hall and Goyle, Draco Malfoy's right hand man got in too. I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. Anna reached over and squeezed my hand. But the boys were silent. They did glare us at though.
Finally after 2 minutes, Goyle speaks up. "Must be hard being a half-blood." He says looking at Hannah. Hannah looks up from her lap. "Why would you think that?" she asks. Goyle snickers. "Only got half as much talent."
I roll my eyes. "How original boys. How original." I say trying to placate the situation. "At least she has more than half a brain." Anna says which causes Hannah to snort.
Crabbe folds his arms across his chest. "You think it's funny, mud blood?" My jaw drops. "Almost couldn't hear you over all that filthy blood you carry." Goyle says.
Hannah and I both had our mouths wide open. The carriage comes to a full stop outside the castle. Goyle climbs out first, followed by Crabbe.
I put my arms out to indicate for the girls to stay sitting. Then I cast a quick spell on Crabbe. It makes a person lose their footing. This causes Crabbe to slip out of the carriage and fall into Goyle and they both fall in the mud.
Both Anna and Hannah laugh out loud. Hannah gets out and steps around them. "Excuse me." she says politely. "What a shame." Anna says as she gets out. "Who's filthy now?" I question.
The boys both give me death glares as we three link arms and laugh our way into the castle. Not even minding getting a little wet, because at least we weren't covered in mud.
When we got into the castle, we immediately see Susan and Luna standing in the corner talking to each other. "This weather is wild." Susan says. We all nod. "Well, I got to head to my table. I'll see you guys later." Luna says to us. We wave goodbye to her. Then the 4 of us head to the Hufflepuff table. We sit through the first year sorting and a chorus performance that was accompanied with frogs.
Dumbledore stands up to start his speech. "Welcome. Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J Lupin who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck Professor."
Anna leans close to me. "He can't be worse than Lockhart." I chuckle.
"Now Magical Creatures Teacher has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs."
"Eww." Susan flinches at that comment.
"But I'm delighted to announce his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubius Hagrid."
"Awww, yay." Hannah says. We all clap loudly.
"Finally, at the request of the ministry of magic, Hogwarts will play host to the dementors of Azkaban until such a time that Sirius Black is captured."
Anna grabs my arm. "Lottie." she hisses. Hannah and Susan lean in. "What?" I ask. I'm missing the speech. "Dementors are soulless creatures." Anna says. "That take away happiness." Susan adds. "You were spot on." Hannah says.
I bite my lip. It was probably a coincidence.
"A word of caution dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore I must warn each and every one of you, to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. But you know happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, one only remembers to turn on the light."
The Feast goes on late into the night until the professors start waving us off to bed. "Off to bed girlies. You have class tomorrow." Professor Sprout coaxes us out. Hannah and Susan start to lead us out, but Professor Sprout puts a hand on each my and Anna's shoulder. "You girls, let me know if you need anything during the year. Alright? Especially you love." She squeezes Anna's shoulder.
"Thanks Professor Sprout." I say. "Yes, we appreciate it." Anna says with a smile.
Anna and I walk to catch up with the girls. "Well that was sweet." I say to Anna. Anna shakes her head. "It's only because you and I are a combined hot mess."
I snort. "Bound to be friends?" I ask. "No." Anna says while linking arms with me and pulling me close as we get closer to Hannah and Susan. "Bound to be best friends." I smile. "Practically sisters." I joke.
"What are you two laughing about?" Susan asks. "Oh nothing. Just that we are a hot mess." Anna says releasing me to practically run into Susan and spin her around. Susan squeals.
Hannah laughs. "I've missed this." I bump hips with her. "How could you not?"
The four of us laugh and dance all the way to our dorm. I look down off the balcony of the staircase to see Seamus and Dean looking up and admiring us. I bite my lip. How could they possibly look away from our vivacious energy? The 4 of us Hufflepuffs put together were unstoppable.
Curled up in our dorm. The four of us lay in our beds. Anna went out like a light, but the other 3 of us were nearly asleep. Or at least 2 of us were. "Lottie." Susan whispers. "What's wrong?" I mumble. "I have an idea." I slowly open my eyes. A mischievous Susan? Now that's worth waking up for.
Susan comes over and sits on my bed. "I don't think we should tell Anna." she starts. This already gives me a pit in my stomach. "What are you planning?" I ask. Susan sighs. "If you really are a tad psychic, then maybe Hannah's, mine and your combined magical ability could potentially locate Anna's aunt.
I rub my eyes. "Suze, I don't know." Hannah stood up and walked over. "I don't like keeping this from her, but it's better this way. And I think we owe it to her to try." I exhale. I feel my heart being pulled towards helping Anna.
"Alright. Of course, we can try. We'll start looking up spells tomorrow."
The girls climb back into their beds. And start to fall asleep.
This was going to end badly. I already had a feeling.
