Chocolate Frogs

Chapter 1

"Hufflepuff!"

The Great Hall was just as loud as Amelia had remembered it. Everyone was in their robes and buzzing in excitement as another first year was welcomed to Hufflepuff. The girl beside her, Margaret, pushed into her side as everyone made a space for the blonde witch.

"Hi!" The prefect excitedly greeted the 11-year-old before introducing herself and the others beside them. Amelia watched as they started conversing easily, with the others jumping in the conversation and laughing joyfully. She decided that the new member of their house was as comfortable as she can be.

"Amelia?" The prefect called her attention expecting her to say something, while Margaret nudged her gently. The Headmaster called another name.

Amelia looked over Margaret's side, grinned and felt her palms sweat, "Hi, I'm Amelia Ross. If you need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask me."

The little girl smiled up at her, "I'm Belle Beaufort." The girl's kind blue eyes widened before her grinning lips made her eyes crinkle as she spotted someone across the hall. "That's my brother!"

Amelia let her eyes travel across the expansive hall and made eye contact with a pair of curious blue eyes. Staring at Amelia, his eyes looked very much like Belle's but his brunette hair was a distinct difference. Oh the Gryffindor boy, Amelia recognized him. It was the same boy who helped her carry her luggage last year. Standing slightly, the blue-eyed boy shifted to the left before he lifted his hand in a wave, giving his sister a giddy smile.

She let her eyes travel down their table, taking in the cheerfulness of everybody. She let herself relax a little and ate her food. Admittedly, Amelia had always been nervous on the first night at Hogwarts. The feeling would sometimes stay with her until the morning, but tonight was different. It felt as if it was excitement that made her heart pound in her chest.

It's going to be a good year, her best friend had told her earlier before she left home. Jane, along with Beatrice, had been Amelia's best friend since they were in first grade. They were seatmates in class but it took them months before they became friends. When Amelia accidentally showed magic through making a bully's trousers fall down, Jane covered up for her and swore that the belt was already loose and the pants were unbuttoned. It confused both Jane and Amelia, but didn't talk about it.

Amelia knew she had magic - her dad was a wizard for a reason. She told her parents what happened at school that day. Her mum had wanted her to keep it a secret until she had to go to Hogwarts.

Now in her sixth year in the wizarding school, Amelia kept contact with her best friends and would send them parcels with different things she bought from their trips to Hogsmeade. Her favorite treat to send them were chocolate frogs. It delighted them that it would hop around and they got to learn about famous witches and wizards. Not to mention that it was delicious and comforting. In return, they sent her letters and small packaged gifts - some were handmade trinkets and others were pastries and homebaked cookies or brownies.

Jane and Beatrice promised to keep it a secret as it was forbidden to let muggles from non-witch and wizard families know about their magic and existence. Amelia smiled at the thought. She was glad that her friends stayed by her side and encouraged her.

A small hand holding a box of chocolate frog appeared in front of her. "Would you like some, Amelia?" Belle asked from Margaret's side.

"Perfect," Amelia said as she grinned at the little girl. She thanked Belle and unwrapped the chocolate.

Margaret, who was nibbling on her own chocolate frog, looked over her shoulder and asked, "Who did you get?"

Amelia stared at the card in awe, "Remus Lupin." They both watched as the man in the card made a gesture for Amelia to eat her chocolate. She turned it around to read the other side, "I've been wanting to have him in my collection. I can't believe I finally got him."