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Chapter 8-”Enemy to Friend? All Because of the New Guy”
It was the second week in December. The grounds of Hogwarts were covered in a white blanket of snow, and because of that snow, Quidditch wouldn’t start back up until the spring. It was breakfast time on a cold but sunny December 15. The Great Hall was decorated for the Holidays. Trees, wreaths, mistletoe, and snow scattered the big hall. Students were eating and chattering quietly before classes were to begin. At the Gryffindor Table, Alex, Peter, Kat, Remus, Liz, Sirius, Rachel, John, James, and I sat eating.
“Come on Liz darling.” Sirius begged. He dangled a mistletoe over her head, but she just rolled her eyes.
“Oh fine! Since it is mistletoe.” Liz replied. She grabbed Sirius’ cheeks and brought him down to her face. She planted a big kiss on his lips. Liz pulled away from him and continued to eat. Everyone was now in fits of giggles as Sirius stood dazed. The mistletoe had fallen from his hand and was now on the floor.
“Thanks love!” Sirius grinned and sat down. I sighed and held my stomach from the giggling. I took my last bit of eggs before pushing my plate away.
“Maybe I will try that trick later?” James said winking at Sirius. I rolled my eyes.
“Me too!” Peter, Remus, and John agreed. This made Alex, Kat, and Rachel roll there eyes as well.
“Christmas is in ten days, but everyone is acting like its today.” Kat said nibbling on a piece of bacon.
“I know. I mean, look at the Great Hall. I feel like I am at the Christmas Feast.” Alex said smiling. We sat and talked for a little bit longer. It was almost time to go back to class. Soon we saw Professor McGonagall making her way to our spot at the Gryffindor Table.
“Uh oh. What did you boys do?” Rachel said grinning towards Sirius and James.
“Honestly nothing. At least not today!” Sirius said waggling his eyebrows.
“Yeah. Padfoot and I haven’t done anything in a while.” James said taking a side puppy-dog glance towards me. Sirius did the same with Liz. I wonder where James got it…
“Well you guys haven’t been able to because Liz and I have been keeping you in line for the last few weeks.” I stated. I looked towards Liz and we both grinned.
“What reason could she have for coming our way?” Remus asked curiously. Everyone shrugged their shoulders. Before I could think of a reason why she was coming over to our part of the table, she had arrived.
“Good morning everyone.” McGonagall said in her same stern tone. She shifted aside and behind her stood a boy. He looked about our age. He was tall, with blue eyes, and spiky blonde hair. He was dressed in fairly new looking Gryffindor robes. “This is Alan Jeramison. He is a new student here at Hogwarts, and is in Gryffindor. Mr. Lupin and Ms. Stokes, I would like for the two of you to show him around.” She cocked her head slightly at the boy. “Have a good day.” McGonagall finished before shuffling back to the staff table. After McGonagall left we all stared at Alan. He stood awkwardly for a few moments before he opened his mouth and spoke.
“Hi. I’m Alan.” He said shyly. Everyone continued to stare at Alan. He had an American accent. Sirius and James exchanged glances. It happened in a split second. After Sirius and James exchanged glances, they hopped out of their chairs and ran to either side of Alan.
“So mate. Why is it that you have an American accent?” Sirius said waggling his eyebrows suspiciously.
“Yes. You are not from here are you?” James questioned. Alan looked around nervously.
“Oh leave the poor kid alone!” Kat scolded. “Don’t worry they’re completely harmless.” Kat continued.
“Somewhat…” Liz said snickering.
“Ok. They aren’t remotely harmless.” Remus said correcting Kat. She just nodded and ate some more breakfast. Sirius and James sat back down, and Alan sat down on the boys side of the table.
“No. I am not from here.” Alan said answering James question. “Yes I am from America, when…”
“Have you met Michael Jackson!!!” Alex interrupted. Everyone’s eyes turned to look at her. She lowered her head. “What?” She asked. “I just thought that since he is from America, that maybe, perhaps, he could’ve met Michael Jackson?” We all shook our heads, and Alan just laughed.
“Why would I want to meet that used-to-be-black/child molester?” Alan asked shockingly.
“What!” Alex cried. “The rumors are true! Nooo!!” Alex cried again. Peter patted her on the shoulder.
“Anyway.” Alan said laughing again. “Yes I’m from America. My mother was born here in London, and she decided to go to America. She there met my father and they fell in love and got married. A few years later, they had me. When I was younger, lots of mysterious stuff started happening to me. My mom and dad said it was just coincidences. Well once I turned 11 my mom finally told the truth. It turned out she was a witch. My dad had no idea, but finally understood. That day she also told me that I was a wizard. She was confused that I hadn’t gotten a letter from Hogwarts yet. But then we found the reason for that too. “ Alan paused for a moment and grabbed a piece of bacon. “Apparently my mother had been an unregistered witch, so they didn’t have her on the list of persons able to produce magical children. So for the last 4 years my mother has been teaching me the basics of magic that she remembered and finally she wrote to Hogwarts, and now here I am, starting my 5th year.” Alan finished.
“But wouldn’t you be a little behind. Seeing as your mum taught you all that you know?” Remus asked.
“That’s what I thought too.” Alan said. “When I arrived in London a few weeks ago, they made me take a test to see if I would be matched as a 5th year student and I passed with flying colors.”
“Well that’s good.” I said smiling.
“So what’s it like in America?” Liz started to question before we heard the giant school bell ring in the distance.
“That’ll have to wait. We’ve got Defense Of Dark Arts to get to.” We got up and started shuffling out of the Great Hall and down the hall to D.A.D.A. Upon arrival I groaned and frowned. My enemy was staring at me from across the room. Liz appeared at my side, and Jordan turned away scared. Ever since Jordan and Liz’s encounter a few weeks ago, she has been scared to death of her. Jordan’s head was turned for only a second before she was now looking again. This time she had this sort of love struck look on her face. Liz and I raised our eyebrows. We tried to follow her gaze. We turned to see Alan looking in her direction as well. He had the same look. I rolled my eyes.
“Who’s that?” Alan asked waving towards Jordan. She blushed and turned away. I nearly gagged.
“That’s Jordan Platt. The most evil person…correction, creature on this planet.” I said shaking my head.
“Why do you ask?” Liz said narrowing her eyes.
“She’s cute!” Alan said with a smile.
“Mate, you might wanna stay away from her. She is crazy plus…” James paused and lowered his voice. “The girls here, will hex you faster than you can say hex.” He said warningly.
“Yeah listen to Prongs mate, you might wanna stay away from her.” Alan shrugged his shoulders and continued to stare at Jordan all through class.
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We exited the D.A.D.A classroom. Jordan was the first one to the door. She stood outside as we exited.
“Hi.” She said to Alan. Batting her eyelashes and waving flirtatiously. I rolled my eyes. Alan waved back at her smiling. We walked to the Gryffindor Common Room for our first Morning Break. We arrived at the Fat Lady, said the password and we were in.
“This is the common room.” Remus said to Alan. Alan stood around marveling “We hang out here most of the time. Sometimes in the Ravenclaw common room.”
“Ravenclaw. That’s the house Jordan is in, isn’t it.” Alan said excitedly. I rolled my eyes.
“Yes. The devil is in my house unfortunately.” Liz grumbled. The rest of us girls settled on the couches while the boys headed up to show Alan where he would be sleeping. Most likely, his stuff was already up there.
“So what are we going to do about Alan liking Jordan. If he becomes part of our group and hangs with us all the time, and him and Jordan start dating, we’d have to be nice to her.” I shivered.
“That would just be scary.” Liz said shivering as well. “I would end up murdering her, and then I would be expelled from Hogwarts.” After Liz figured her sentence the boys came back down the steps.
“Well its time for Ancient Runes for Gabby, Remus, and I. Oh and Alan too I guess since Gabby and Remus have to show him around.” Kat stated.
“Divination for Peter, Liz, and I” Alex also stated.
“Free Period for Padfoot and I.” James said grinning. Sirius grinned too. I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder.
“Try not to do anything wrong.” I said to James giving him a quick kiss on the lips. All of us going to class exited the Common Room.
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The week flashed by in a blur of classes and introductions. By Alan’s second day of Hogwarts, everyone had known that he was an American. They asked him many odd questions. Some that Alan didn’t seem to know the answer too. We also saw Jordan a little more than we wanted too. It was now dinner time on Friday. The guys were on one side of the table, girls were on the other. Everyone was idly chatting. Random people kept coming up and talking with Alan. Mostly girls, but he just brushed them off.
“So are you gonna answer my question from Monday?” Liz asked irritated. “What is America like? Anything like here in England?”
“Well, you could say that the weather is sort of the same. The people...eh…slightly different. And…” Alan was cut off mid-sentence. Two Ravenclaw girls came giggling up to Alan. They had a note in their hands.
“This is for you.” The girls said in unison. They winked and giggled as they walked away. Liz’s fists were clenched as she grinded her teeth. Alan ignored her and opened the note. He read it over a few times before I wide grin appeared on his face. We all stared at him with hopeful looks. He folded the note and put it in the pocket of his robes.
“What was that?” I asked curiously. Everyone else asked the same question.
“Nothing…” He muttered innocently.
“Come off it. You were grinning as you read it. Who was it from?” Sirius demanded.
“I bet it was from Jordan..” Liz said still angry. I thought about this. The idea of Jordan and Alan liking each other made me sick. Alan was cool and Jordan was just….evil.
“Its nothing guys. Just drop it!” Alan said angrily. We dropped the conversation. Soon we got a notice that the next Hogsmeade trip was tomorrow. All of us planned to meet up and hangout. Alan grew exceptionally quiet during this discussion. I watched him closely all through dinner. I was going to find out what that note said, I didn’t know how, but some way I would.
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It was the Saturday, the day of the Hogsmeade trip. We all got up earlier than usual for a Saturday and shuffled down to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast.
“We definitely need to go to Zonko’s. We’re running out of prank stuff.” Sirius complained to James who just nodded his head in agreement.
“Well Alex and I are going to Honeydukes because we need more candy.” Peter chatted on. Everyone was busy with preparations for Hogsmeade. The 1st and 2nd years were sighing, seeing as they don’t get to go to Hogsmeade until they’re 3rd years.
“I’m going to go buy more confetti!” Liz said excitedly. “Someone used all mine…” She continued, glaring at Sirius. He shrugged his shoulders,
“Sorry love. I like confetti too.” Sirius said grinning.
“I’m not sure what I’m gonna buy. I might just follow you all around!” I said cheerfully. Everyone smiled. Alan though was looking around curiously, like he was searching for someone.
“Oooooohhhh Alan?” I sang. “Are you going to tell us who that note was from?” I said batting my eyelashes. James was looking at me oddly.
“No. I am not. Besides, you will probably find out anyway.” He said quietly. Breakfast ended and we all exited the Great Hall headed for Hogsmeade.
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The grounds were covered with snow and the wind was blowing rapidly. I had my robes hoisted up to block my face, and my Gryffindor scarf wrapped around my head, as did everyone else. James had his arms around me to try and keep me warm. The boys had visited Zonko’s, Alex and Peter had visited Honeydukes, and Liz had gotten more confetti. The wind whipped even harder.
“Let’s go for a drink in the Three Broomsticks.” Remus said over the wind. We all filed in, kicking the snow off our boots and shivering from the sudden change in temperature. We followed the waitress to the back of the restaurant . It was filled with Hogwarts students. We sat down and ordered 11 butter beers.
“So what kind of dangerous joke items did you guys get at Zonko’s?” Kat asked raising her eyebrows.
“That is classified Marauders information!” James said winking at Sirius, Remus, and Peter. They nodded their heads in agreement.
“We got some items that shall be used in future pranks, that you all can’t know about!” Sirius added. The guys laughed. I rolled my eyes.
“Oh Sirius darling! I have a surprise for you!” Liz said covering up his eyes. She then pulled a bag of confetti out of the pocket of her robes. She uncovered Sirius’s eyes and showed him the confetti. “It’s your own bag, so you will stop stealing mine!” She said half smiling. Sirius threw his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek.
“I love you Liz!” Sirius said excitedly. I giggled. Sometimes I questioned if Sirius was a guy or not. Though I didn’t want proof. Our butter beers arrived as we started to warm up. I took a long slow drink. I looked over at Alan, who looked a bit nervous. He hadn’t touched his butter beer.
“Alan, you ok?” I asked curiously.
“Yeah…I’m fine…” He said slowly. The bell on the top of the door of the entrance, jingled, which signaled a customer. My eyes moved over to the entrance. Jordan came waltzing in with a happy grin on her face. She looked around the restaurant curiously and smiled as she looked my way. I raised my eyebrows oddly. I wasn’t the only one that saw the smile. I watched Alan shift nervously in his seat. I followed Jordan as she sat at a table at the other side of the Three Broomsticks.
“What is she doing here?” Liz mumbled under her breath. She felt in the pocket of her robes for her wand and fished it out. She held it tightly in her hand from under the table. I did the same, but instead, I didn’t take mine out. Kat and Alex shot us looks that said, try-not-to-start-something-that-could get-you-in-trouble. Alan cleared his throat loudly.
“Err..be right back. Bathroom.” He shuffled away nervously.
“What is his problem?” I wondered aloud. After a few minutes had passed Alan still hadn’t returned. I then began searching the restaurant for him. My eyes landed on Jordan’s table. She was smiling and laughing with someone, but I couldn’t see them with their backs turned. When Jordan felt my gaze she began to glare. The person she was talking to turned and looked. It was Alan! I gasped allowed and looked at everyone else. They had seen him too. Alan stood up quickly, grabbed Jordan by the arm and ran out. For a split second I didn’t know what to do. Liz, Alex, and Kat reacted before I had. They stood up and tried to shove the boys out of the booth. We ran out the door to find Alan standing in front of Jordan with his wand pointed at us, she had her wand out as well. James stood by me, Liz on my side, and Sirius on her other side. Everyone else stood behind with their wands clutched at their sides, but not raised.
“Don’t you touch her.” Alan said coldly.
‘Whoa. Alan. We don’t want to start a fight. We just wanna know what’s going on.” James said reassuringly.
“What the hell are you doing with her!” Liz muttered. Jordan looked scared from behind Alan. I glared at Alan.
“I am on a date with her! I don’t care what you guys think. I like her and she likes me, and nothing you guys say or do can stop me!” Alan yelled. I took a step back and stopped my glare. Jordan hugged Alan from behind.
“No Alan. Its ok. I can see why they would be mad. You’re their new friend, and I am there enemy. Let me talk.” Jordan said stepping forward. Alan sighed and stepped back. “Look you guys. We have had our differences in the past. I really like Alan, and I am willing to try and make this work, if you want.” She said lowering her wand and stowing it away. Liz and I stood up straight and lowered our wands. James and Sirius did the same. James had his arm around my back. Alan stepped next to Jordan and slipped his gloved hand into hers.
“I am really sorry for all the things I’ve said, or done to you guys.” Jordan said apologetically. I sighed to myself. She sounded sincere.
“Ok. I can try to make it work.” I gave her a weak smile. Liz was still looking a bit angry. Sirius put his hand on her shoulder. Liz let out a heavy sigh.
“I guess I will try.” Everyone from behind me let out a sigh of relief and stowed away their wands. “But if you make one step backward, or give me any reason you might want to hurt one of us, and I will make sure that this.” She pointed to her and Alan. “Is no more.” Liz said fiercely. Jordan nodded her head in agreement.
“I won’t let you down.” Jordan said smiling. We all shivered from the cold.
“Well I guess its back to Hogwarts.” I said. We all shuffled back to the castle.
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We all sat laughing in the Gryffindor common room. Jordan was actually pretty easy to talk to and really fun. Liz still didn’t approve so much, and Sirius was afraid she would hurt him for what he did to her. I was slightly still waiting for something bad to happen, but James tried to reassure that everything was ok. Everyone else seemed to be fond of her. We were all sitting down in the common room as Jordan chatted on. I swear she talks more than me.
“So Alan. I’m sure you’ve probably heard of the series Twilight. It was in America before it was here. My mother bought it for me while she visited. It’s a great series! And Edward is so hot and…” Jordan was cut off, because a pillow had soared across the room and hit her in the face. I looked over to see Liz with a glare on her face.
“What was that for?” Jordan said giggling softly.
“I…hate…Twilight…” Liz said angrily.
“But why?” Jordan said sadly. “its so amazing and Edward is so hot! So is Jacob and...” Jordan was cut off again by being hit with another pillow.
“First of all, I am huge fan of vampires.” Liz began fiercely. “This book does not do that justice at all. It practically makes fun of them.” Liz paused to see if Jordan would react but she didn’t. “Second of all, the facts of vampires, are so utterly ridiculous. Third, it was just a horrible book. The writing was bad, the characters were a bit messed up. The movie turned out dreadful as well. Fourth and final, fan girls like you annoy the hell out of me.” Liz finished angrily.
“Oh. Well that’s too bad. I love it!” Jordan said smiling, as if Liz had said nothing. “What about the werewolves don’t you like them?” At the word werewolf, Remus’ spine straightened and he let out a gulp. I saw that out of the corner of my eye. I was mostly looking at Kat. Her face was not contorted in a glare. I was a bit confused for a moment, but then I understood.
“Are you serious?” Kat exclaimed angrily. Remus put his hand on her shoulder and gave her an, It’s ok, look. She just shook her head. I love there silent communication. It was sweet.
“The writer has no idea what werewolves are even about!! You’ve heard of the werewolves here, Jordan. She makes it seem easy that those boys are werewolves when it is completely the opposite!” Kat was now standing. All of us just looked at her. This was the first time I had seen Kat this angry in a very long time. I also knew that her argument was mostly defending Remus. “She shows no solid fact at all!” Kat took a deep breath and sat down grumbling in anger. I stared at Jordan. She frowned slightly.
“I’m sorry you feel that way guys.” She said sighing. Alan was shifting his gaze nervously, afraid to even answer her original question.
“Speaking of the werewolves. That one. Jacob Black. I really like him. Mostly because his last name is Black.” Liz grinned and winked at Sirius.
“Awww thanks love!” Sirius said squeezing her. I smiled. Thank god everything was ok again. I was very afraid of a confrontation.
“It’s getting late. You guys wont get back to your common room in time. I think we should all turn in.” I said yawning. Jordan, Liz, and Kat waved good-bye as they walked back to the Ravenclaw common room. And John and Rachel walked back to the Hufflepuff common room. The boys said goodnight as they headed up the stairs to there dormitory. Alex and I walked lazily up to the girls dormitory. I crawled into bed thinking of the days events. The two almost confrontations scared me. Drifting off to sleep, I knew they wouldn’t be the only ones now that Jordan joined our group.
 Misses Prongs · Tue Mar 31, 2009 @ 03:21am · 0 Comments |
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