ARCHIVES: Harry Potter | With a Girl Like You - Chapter 2
A/N: This fic was originally published on FFnet in 2002. It has now been back-posted here for archival purposes.
With a Girl Like You
Chapter 2 - Return to Hogwarts
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. ^.~ R&R!
o0o0o0o
Harry ran through the wall between platforms nine and ten at King's Cross Station. He remembered the first time he went through it, and grinned when he saw the familiar red train bearing the Hogwarts insignia. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny came through the wall behind him, and soon they found themselves in a compartment aboard the train, on their way for another fun-filled year at Hogwarts.
As usual, Harry bought them all an assortment of treats off the cart. Opening a package containing a chocolate frog, Harry turned to Ron. "Do you know anyone who is planning to try out of the Gryffindor beater position?"
Ron shook his head, his mouth full.
"Quidditch again?" Hermione asked. It was apparent she did not approve, for her tone was cold. "Honestly, you two are totally fanatical."
"I should shway thwa same to you," Ron retorted, obviously referring to Hermione's studious nature, if one could call it that. He was still chewing something, so it was difficult to distinguish what he was saying.
"Don't even start that," Hermione warned, quickly going back to her conversation with Ginny, who was rolling her eyes at Harry. She stopped abruptly, so Hermione did not catch her in the act. Harry was laughing, and Ron's inquiries as to why were making him laugh harder because he couldn't understand a word Ron was saying.
So, none of them heard the compartment door open.
When Harry finally looked up, Acacia Elcombe stood there, holding a small bag and her wand. Her long, dark hair was straight and smooth. Only the ends were loosely curled, tumbling over her shoulders and down her back. She smiled faintly, but she looked nervous and a bit pale.
"Hi, Acacia," Ginny greeted.
"Can I possibly sit with you guys? All the other compartments were full, and I've just had the most awful experience with some nasty boys." Acacia shuddered, and the four nodded knowingly.
"Sure, have a seat. There's plenty of room," Ron invited. "I'm Ron, Ron Weasley, Ginny's older brother."
Acacia took his hand and shook it, sitting down across from him and next to Harry. "I'm Acacia Elcombe. I met Harry and Ginny a few days ago in Diagon Alley."
Ron turned to Harry, who nodded assent.
"And to think you didn't even tell me," Ron accused, turning to his sister, who just stared back at him.
"I'm Hermione Granger."
Acacia shook hands with Hermione, too. "Nice to meet you, Hermione. What year is everyone in?"
"The three of us," Hermione said, pointing to the boys and herself, "are entering the sixth year. Ginny is in her fifth year. I presume you are entering your sixth year, also?"
Nodding, Acacia added, "I'm a transfer student. I've heard very nice things about Hogwarts. I'm really looking forward to the year."
Ron then decided to offer the beautiful girl some of his Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "Have some?"
She smiled and picked one out. She hesitated before popping it in her mouth, though. "How can I be sure this flavor isn't disgusting?"
Harry shook his head. He knew his face had a reddish tint already, but this time, he could do nothing. "There's no way of knowing."
"Really? We'll see about that." Taking her wand out of her pocket, Acacia muttered a few words, and the name "pina colada" shimmered in the air in front of them. "Mmm…good flavor." The bean then disappeared into her mouth, and the glittering letters vanished.
"Wicked! How'd you do that?" Ron asked, in awe. No more guessing the disgusting flavors!
But Acacia just laughed. Harry thought her laugh was as beautiful as she was. No, wait! What was he thinking? He shook his head and chose a bean for himself. The flavor was sufficiently nasty to make him forget what he was thinking about before.
"I'm not going to tell…yet. That's my secret, and it takes the fun out of buying Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans!"
Ron grimaced slightly. He was rather disappointed. The spell seemed so…well, if he knew it, it would be a great spell to use in front of others…
"Ron, I know what you're thinking, and that isn't going to work!" snapped Hermione. She was obviously put-out that she didn't know the spell herself. At least, that was what Ron thought.
"Let it be," Ginny said, trying to soothe both her best friend and her older brother, lest they should begin fighting again. That was the last thing she wanted to happen on the trip to Hogwarts.
"We're arriving in fifteen minutes, anyway," Harry said, standing up slowly. "Hermione, we'd better do our rounds before it's too late." As sixth-year Gryffindor prefects, the pair had many new responsibilities to take on. When Harry first received his letter at The Burrow, he didn't know how to react. He hadn't wanted to be a Prefect; it just happened. He was afraid that it would cause problems with Ron, but to his relief, Ron dismissed the subject and said he deserved it. Ron didn't want the extra responsibility, anyway (or so he said). Hermione, on the other hand, expected to be a Prefect. Though she wasn't surprised, she was overly ecstatic from that moment on.
Hermione nodded, and they both left to let the rest of the Gryffindor passengers know that they were about to arrive.
Hagrid led the first years away, while the Prefects and Head Boy and Girl rounded up the rest of the students. The trip across the lake was, as usual, uneventful, except that a first-year nearly fell into the icy water. Luckily, someone caught the little girl in time.
Acacia parted with Ron and Ginny, following Hagrid and the first years to be sorted into the Houses. She prayed to be put in Gryffindor; she didn't know what she would do if she was anything else. Her nerves were making her feel nauseated, and she didn't know if she could make it. "Come on, Acie, don't be such a baby…" she scolded herself.
The sorting began all too soon. Professor McGonagall read off the list. Acacia would be last, even if her last name began with an 'E', because she was a transfer and not a first-year.
"Thomas, Christopher!" she called. He was Dean Thomas' younger cousin, and was sorted into Ravenclaw.
"Tuttle, Myriam!"
The hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!"
"Wentworth, Jacob!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Verne, Lavinia!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Acacia shuddered.
"Zeedram, Honora!"
"Gryffindor!"
"Zilkes, Mitchell!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Elcombe, Acacia!"
The moment of truth had come at last. Acacia didn't know how she made it to the stool, but she did, and the old hat was placed on her head.
"AH!" the hat yelled. Acacia jumped at least four feet in the air.
"Interesting, interesting! Haven't seen an Elcombe in a long while, wonder what happened to you lot. Used to have seven, eight of you in Hogwarts all at once, and then no more!" Acacia's shoulders hunched; she did not enjoy recalling her family history, and here the hat was proclaiming it to the entire Great Hall.
"Oh no, not to worry, my pretty! No, not to worry. Only you can hear me-your secrets are safe! A great mind-clever; there's talent, courage, intelligence, and honesty here! The whole package, interesting! Where shall we put you?"
Acacia focused on nothing but the red and gold of the Gryffindor. She acted as if her very life depended on being a Gryffindor. Perhaps it did.
"Very interesting. Don't wish to follow the footsteps of your illustrious ancestors, eh?"
Acacia expression darkened, and she frowned. Illustrious?
"Ah, I see! You find fault in your past. Ah, better to put you in…GRYFFINDOR!"
The cheers were very loud. Acacia relaxed visibly, breathing in and out slowly to calm herself. "Darn subconscious," she muttered to herself, before taking a seat between Harry and Hermione. Dumbledore gave his usual beginning-of-the-year speech, and the feast began. So much for the sorting ceremony!
o0o0o0o
A/N: So, what do you think so far? At first, I was planning on letting this chapter go into the first week at Hogwarts, but I figure, nah, I've got plenty of time for that.
Plus, if you were wondering why my character's name is Acacia, you will find out next chapter!
Thanks for reading! PLEASE R&R!
With a Girl Like You
Chapter 2 - Return to Hogwarts
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. ^.~ R&R!
o0o0o0o
Harry ran through the wall between platforms nine and ten at King's Cross Station. He remembered the first time he went through it, and grinned when he saw the familiar red train bearing the Hogwarts insignia. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny came through the wall behind him, and soon they found themselves in a compartment aboard the train, on their way for another fun-filled year at Hogwarts.
As usual, Harry bought them all an assortment of treats off the cart. Opening a package containing a chocolate frog, Harry turned to Ron. "Do you know anyone who is planning to try out of the Gryffindor beater position?"
Ron shook his head, his mouth full.
"Quidditch again?" Hermione asked. It was apparent she did not approve, for her tone was cold. "Honestly, you two are totally fanatical."
"I should shway thwa same to you," Ron retorted, obviously referring to Hermione's studious nature, if one could call it that. He was still chewing something, so it was difficult to distinguish what he was saying.
"Don't even start that," Hermione warned, quickly going back to her conversation with Ginny, who was rolling her eyes at Harry. She stopped abruptly, so Hermione did not catch her in the act. Harry was laughing, and Ron's inquiries as to why were making him laugh harder because he couldn't understand a word Ron was saying.
So, none of them heard the compartment door open.
When Harry finally looked up, Acacia Elcombe stood there, holding a small bag and her wand. Her long, dark hair was straight and smooth. Only the ends were loosely curled, tumbling over her shoulders and down her back. She smiled faintly, but she looked nervous and a bit pale.
"Hi, Acacia," Ginny greeted.
"Can I possibly sit with you guys? All the other compartments were full, and I've just had the most awful experience with some nasty boys." Acacia shuddered, and the four nodded knowingly.
"Sure, have a seat. There's plenty of room," Ron invited. "I'm Ron, Ron Weasley, Ginny's older brother."
Acacia took his hand and shook it, sitting down across from him and next to Harry. "I'm Acacia Elcombe. I met Harry and Ginny a few days ago in Diagon Alley."
Ron turned to Harry, who nodded assent.
"And to think you didn't even tell me," Ron accused, turning to his sister, who just stared back at him.
"I'm Hermione Granger."
Acacia shook hands with Hermione, too. "Nice to meet you, Hermione. What year is everyone in?"
"The three of us," Hermione said, pointing to the boys and herself, "are entering the sixth year. Ginny is in her fifth year. I presume you are entering your sixth year, also?"
Nodding, Acacia added, "I'm a transfer student. I've heard very nice things about Hogwarts. I'm really looking forward to the year."
Ron then decided to offer the beautiful girl some of his Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "Have some?"
She smiled and picked one out. She hesitated before popping it in her mouth, though. "How can I be sure this flavor isn't disgusting?"
Harry shook his head. He knew his face had a reddish tint already, but this time, he could do nothing. "There's no way of knowing."
"Really? We'll see about that." Taking her wand out of her pocket, Acacia muttered a few words, and the name "pina colada" shimmered in the air in front of them. "Mmm…good flavor." The bean then disappeared into her mouth, and the glittering letters vanished.
"Wicked! How'd you do that?" Ron asked, in awe. No more guessing the disgusting flavors!
But Acacia just laughed. Harry thought her laugh was as beautiful as she was. No, wait! What was he thinking? He shook his head and chose a bean for himself. The flavor was sufficiently nasty to make him forget what he was thinking about before.
"I'm not going to tell…yet. That's my secret, and it takes the fun out of buying Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans!"
Ron grimaced slightly. He was rather disappointed. The spell seemed so…well, if he knew it, it would be a great spell to use in front of others…
"Ron, I know what you're thinking, and that isn't going to work!" snapped Hermione. She was obviously put-out that she didn't know the spell herself. At least, that was what Ron thought.
"Let it be," Ginny said, trying to soothe both her best friend and her older brother, lest they should begin fighting again. That was the last thing she wanted to happen on the trip to Hogwarts.
"We're arriving in fifteen minutes, anyway," Harry said, standing up slowly. "Hermione, we'd better do our rounds before it's too late." As sixth-year Gryffindor prefects, the pair had many new responsibilities to take on. When Harry first received his letter at The Burrow, he didn't know how to react. He hadn't wanted to be a Prefect; it just happened. He was afraid that it would cause problems with Ron, but to his relief, Ron dismissed the subject and said he deserved it. Ron didn't want the extra responsibility, anyway (or so he said). Hermione, on the other hand, expected to be a Prefect. Though she wasn't surprised, she was overly ecstatic from that moment on.
Hermione nodded, and they both left to let the rest of the Gryffindor passengers know that they were about to arrive.
Hagrid led the first years away, while the Prefects and Head Boy and Girl rounded up the rest of the students. The trip across the lake was, as usual, uneventful, except that a first-year nearly fell into the icy water. Luckily, someone caught the little girl in time.
Acacia parted with Ron and Ginny, following Hagrid and the first years to be sorted into the Houses. She prayed to be put in Gryffindor; she didn't know what she would do if she was anything else. Her nerves were making her feel nauseated, and she didn't know if she could make it. "Come on, Acie, don't be such a baby…" she scolded herself.
The sorting began all too soon. Professor McGonagall read off the list. Acacia would be last, even if her last name began with an 'E', because she was a transfer and not a first-year.
"Thomas, Christopher!" she called. He was Dean Thomas' younger cousin, and was sorted into Ravenclaw.
"Tuttle, Myriam!"
The hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!"
"Wentworth, Jacob!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Verne, Lavinia!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
Acacia shuddered.
"Zeedram, Honora!"
"Gryffindor!"
"Zilkes, Mitchell!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Elcombe, Acacia!"
The moment of truth had come at last. Acacia didn't know how she made it to the stool, but she did, and the old hat was placed on her head.
"AH!" the hat yelled. Acacia jumped at least four feet in the air.
"Interesting, interesting! Haven't seen an Elcombe in a long while, wonder what happened to you lot. Used to have seven, eight of you in Hogwarts all at once, and then no more!" Acacia's shoulders hunched; she did not enjoy recalling her family history, and here the hat was proclaiming it to the entire Great Hall.
"Oh no, not to worry, my pretty! No, not to worry. Only you can hear me-your secrets are safe! A great mind-clever; there's talent, courage, intelligence, and honesty here! The whole package, interesting! Where shall we put you?"
Acacia focused on nothing but the red and gold of the Gryffindor. She acted as if her very life depended on being a Gryffindor. Perhaps it did.
"Very interesting. Don't wish to follow the footsteps of your illustrious ancestors, eh?"
Acacia expression darkened, and she frowned. Illustrious?
"Ah, I see! You find fault in your past. Ah, better to put you in…GRYFFINDOR!"
The cheers were very loud. Acacia relaxed visibly, breathing in and out slowly to calm herself. "Darn subconscious," she muttered to herself, before taking a seat between Harry and Hermione. Dumbledore gave his usual beginning-of-the-year speech, and the feast began. So much for the sorting ceremony!
o0o0o0o
A/N: So, what do you think so far? At first, I was planning on letting this chapter go into the first week at Hogwarts, but I figure, nah, I've got plenty of time for that.
Plus, if you were wondering why my character's name is Acacia, you will find out next chapter!
Thanks for reading! PLEASE R&R!