The Unexpected Task [H.P.]

Chapter 5 - Lessons

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I awake as sunlight drifts through the fluttering curtains of my bed, and for a moment, I forget where I am.

I sit up in my impossibly warm bed, wondering how on Earth I'd be expected to just hop out of it every morning, and open the heavy velvet drapings to let in the sunlight streaming in from the arched windows.

I pried myself out of the bed and slip to my trunk to lay out my uniform for the day, smoothing out my shirt and tie again and again. I've just done my third go-through of my school bag when I hear the bed next to me rustle, and I see Hermione climbing out to make her bed. We make eye contact, and smile at each other.

My watch tells me we're still an hour away from breakfast, so I'm in no rush to get ready. I'm also in no rush to meet the rest of the Gryffindors, much less the rest of the school.

When I return from the restroom wearing my full Hogwarts uniform for the second time, I stop to admire it in a mirror leaning against the wall next to the door. I run my hands over the soft fabric of my sweater, and re-adjust the tie around my neck for the millionth time,  trying to quell down how nervous I am. Rustling from the other side of the room reminds me that Hermione was still there, slipping on a loafer as she sends me a shy smile.

 "Parvati and Lavender lie in until the last minute. If you're ready, we can go down to the common room. Breakfast starts soon," Hermione whispers through the warm room as she shoulders her bag.

As we make our way down the spiral staircase into the sunlight-drenched common room, Hermione begins to chat about classes, and I let her. In the Common Room, we settle onto a couch for the meantime, and I take the time to inspect my surroundings. The storm last night must have blown away, as sunlight streamed through every window, casting warm sheaths of light across the room. This could really be home, I thought, as my eyes swept over the misshapen couches and ancient-looking tapestries. This really could be home. 

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There were a lot of Weasleys at this school, I thought, as Hermione introduced me to a small red-haired girl over a plate of Porridge later that morning. 

Ginny Weasley grinned sunnily at me, her freckled nose scrunching like the boy named Ron's had the night before. She waved a fair hand at me from where she sat and I returned the gesture as Hermione and I continued down the aisle, settling near the center of the long table. Hermione pulled a platter of toast towards her, and as she loaded the slice with Jam, I did the same, taking small bites and trying to shrink down in my seat as best as I could. 

A moment later, my thoughts were cut off by the sound of a bench scraping, and suddenly, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were across from Hermione and I. Ron had either not noticed my presence or didn't care- but Harry's eyebrows had disappeared behind the curtain of shaggy raven hair across his forehead. I grinned shyly, putting my toast back onto the plate before me. Hermione looked up, watching Ron as he began to load his plate without a second glance towards me. 

Hermione cleared her throat, "This is Emorie Barnes. She's just transferred here." Ron looked up from his plate of eggs and gaped at her, his eyebrows knitted in the middle.

"We know, Hermione. We met her last night," Harry smiled, nodding his head towards me then turning to fill his glass with pumpkin juice.

Hermione looked between me and the two boys for a second with narrowed eyes, then turned back to Ron with raised eyebrows. A moment later, Ron spoke, his voice garbled through a full mouth of eggs. "Hi, Em."